Cover Story
Moss was on a roll
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Paso Renaissance
Paso Robles is known for its scenic rolling hills and expansive vineyards. Tourists and wine enthusiasts alike flock to the Central Coast location to taste the fruit of the vines and take in the local fine dining. But Paso is quickly developing a third dimension to make this a sophisticated trio: art. The rural community’s…
Let your mighty lion roar!
We are such a Leo. At least, that’s according to Shell Beach astrologer Diana DeGarmo, who prepared New Times’ natal chart based on the date, time, and geographical coordinates of the newspaper’s first printing—its birth, if you will. What are New Times’ strengths, we asked, and what are our weaknesses? With whom are we most…
Do you have a favorite New Times writer?
Fred Carter retired garlic man “Not really. I like the restaurant section, though.” Nicole Walker waitress “I mostly just look at the ads and the horoscopes.” Bridgett Kessling Morro Bay city clerk “The ‘Street Talk’ part is always fun.” Allen Newsom retired general contractor “I just read it. I don’t pay attention to who wrote…
Shredder and me
New Times made a movie that finally answers the question on everyone’s lips. Who is the Shredder? Find out by clicking right here right now. Shredder and Me: A Love Story from Johannes Beals on Vimeo. This newspaper you’re reading is actually a very public website distributed across the entire freaking world every week. A…
And now for something not completely different!
Rex Stardust, lead electric triangle with Toad the Wet Sprocket, has had to have an elbow removed following their recent successful worldwide tour of Finland. Flamboyant ambidextrous Rex apparently fell off the back of a motorcycle,” says Monty Python member Eric Idle on the comedy troupe’s Contractual Obligation Album, and the next thing you know,…
Ladies in red
What’s black and red and hot all over? The models and guests attending photographer Joseph Dominguez’ premiere of his Red Project! It’s Friday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. and I’m in Harmony, where the normal population of 18 has exploded to about 150 really well dressed, good looking people, all in black except Joe’s models,…
Twenty-five uses for New Times
1. Learn about cool art happenings. 2. Be a better-informed citizen. 3. Make birdcage liner. 4. Craft a fabulous dress. 5. Packing material? 6. Collage. 7. Wrap your gifts. 8. Fill in cracks in the roof and walls of your domicile. 9. Pad your bra or your pants. 10. Roll it up and hit your…
Ruffino 2010 Orvieto Classico D.O.C.
I tried this tasty Italian white at an Italian restaurant in Denver where it was paired with a family style meal and found it quite appealing. Pretty floral and fruit aromas lead to notes of ripe golden apple, pear, and citrus with nuances of almond blossoms. Not only was it delightful with a fruit and…
Luli 2009 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands
Young yet quite drinkable at this early point, it’s at its best with equally vibrant dishes. I enjoyed the forward black cherry, tangy red cherry, and plummy aromas and flavors, highlighted with notes of strawberry and spice. An impressive wine that’s layered in flavors, it’s a classic that expresses typical characteristics of the Monterey cool…
Stolen youth
I was still in my 20s when I got started at New Times, just a fresh-faced Cal Poly kid spending way too much time trying to finish my English degree, working as night manager in a downtown nightclub, sporting a sensitive ponytail, immersed in music and literature and art. So. Damned. Idealistic. Hell, I even…
CLUBS
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 Each Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music Fri. from 5:30-8:30 p.m. THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: 750 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach and in the Arroyo Grande Village, 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Pismo: Live music Mon.-Wed., 6-9 p.m.: Tennessee Jimmy…
Comfort me with locally grown foods
Early in 1996, I relocated here from San Francisco where I was part of that vibrant food and wine scene for 10 years. At first, I whined constantly that the culinary scene here was woefully behind. The two restaurants people recommended constantly were chef Bill Hoppe’s, now Hoppe’s Garden Bistro run by the deceased chef’s…
The New Times Way
A personality all its own. Some people are snobby or funny or naïve. So are some publications. New Times has a personality, too. If we had to pick one word to describe it, that word would be sharp. Like a sharp person, New Times is alive and aware and not easily fooled. It says what…
Shreddology
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) Ah Capricorn: the goat. A living, breathing walking garbage disposal and muncher of children’s pants pockets. You are dependable, Capricorn. As loyal as you are gullible, you’re a beacon of hope to friends in need of an ear. As with any respectable trash receptacle, my friend, your role is to lean…
They love us, sometimes, but not always
Dave the Pave reflects During my 16-year career as an elected official, my feelings about New Times varied from affection to conflict—almost a love/hate relationship. Often something the Shredder wrote would set me off, leading me to “right the distortion” about a city action, my dated tie when I met with Gov. Arnold, or criticism…
Garret Farmer
NEW TIMES What is the Bike Kitchen? FARMER It’s a community-driven space for bicycle education and do-it-yourself repairs. People come work and learn how to work on their bicycles. NEW TIMES How does the Kitchen support itself economically? FARMER The SLO Bike Kitchen is 100% volunteer run, but we also ask for a $5…
Common sense
You probably have a comprehensive and lengthy list of my dislikes obscuring your perspective of me, perhaps giving the mistaken perspective that while I oppose just about everyone and everything, I hold nothing dear or sacred. And it’s not your fault for thinking that. Sometimes it’s hard not to write above your intellect. But I’ve…
STD ‘punchline’ wasn’t funny
On behalf of the San Luis Obispo County HIV Prevention, Advocacy, and Care Consortium, I am writing to address the tone of the article in New Times, “STDs are on the rise in SLO County” (Aug. 4). The consortium is a community-based group addressing the full continuum of HIV-related services in the county, from education/prevention…
Officials, follow Arnold’s example–for one thing, anyway
Regarding balancing the government’s budget: With all the talk of cutbacks and who is going to shoulder the burden of balancing the budget, it seems once again it is the middle- and lower-class families that are asked to give again. I live on Social Security, and my only medical benefit is Medicare. If money is…
Protect our right to clean air, water, and more
My name is Bruce Gibson, and I am a fourth-generation resident of rural Arroyo Grande. Certainly the last three years have brought a lot of changes and a lot of unanswered questions to the people of the Arroyo Grande area about oil drilling. The residents of Huasna Valley have had to donate a lot of…
Some fast facts about Ramadan
This year, as with every year in San Luis Obispo, Ramadan began with the typical ritual of media silence. Just as the pages of periodicals were lacking feature stories about the month-long fast, there were no pre-Ramadan sales in the shops, or trees being lit, or decorations being hung throughout the downtown area. Instead, in…
Don’t let a stranger control SLO’s financial destiny
Taxpaying citizens of the city of San Luis Obispo, would you like a stranger to come into your home and tell you how to manage your finances and be fined if you refuse to do his bidding? I don’t think so! For 11 years, the city of SLO has had to endure binding arbitration, which…
Employers vote yes; workers vote no
The average salary for a firefighter or police officer is about $70,000, about half what the city manager makes. Is their contribution to society really half of a city manager? If you car is stolen or your house catches fire, the city manager isn’t going to help. What if firefighters and police officers were paid…
Don’t just blame binding arbitration for money woes
Voters need to look very closely at measures A and B. Proponents say that the city of San Luis Obispo is going bankrupt because of binding arbitration. While this is true, the police and firefighters are not the only reason the city is in trouble. How about the fact that San Luis Obispo has one…
Why must we be protected from every danger?
Regarding “A painter who can’t paint” (July 7): So that is why the Shamrock Thrift Store on Grand Avenue in Grover Beach was draped in plastic, making me think they were closing. They repainted the front of their building, carefully following state and local laws, rules, and regulations. Why? Why, I ask, must each and…
Correction
A word was misspelled on New Times’ Aug. 4 cover. A headline should have read “Cambria mulls funding options for desalination plans.”
Defendants demand court prove jurisdiction in felony case
Two men accused of filing false claims against a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge were back in court on Aug. 4 in Santa Barbara for their arraignment on felony charges in the matter. San Luis Obispo marketing executive Jeff Lind and co-defendant Tom Murphy of Los Osos sat before Judge Jean Dandona to respond…
Atascadero public comment change raises public worries
Feel free to ask all the questions you want of the Atascadero City Council, just don’t expect any lengthy responses. Atascadero City Clerk Marcia Torgerson changed wording in the description of public comment at city meetings and is feeling some backlash. But it’s not that big of a deal, Torgerson told New Times, because nothing’s…
Marijuana dispensary proposed in Oceano
A central coast business owner wants to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Oceano. Tammy Murray moved to the area about a year ago from Goshen in the Central Valley, where she owned and operated a club called Compassionate Cannabis Information Center, Inc. Murray said she refers to her business as a club to avoid…
Police find kidnapped child after search
A community scrambled after 4-year-old Jeremy Guthrie was abducted early on the morning of Aug. 5. After a short search, the boy is safely back with his mother. On Aug. 5, the Atascadero Police Department reported that Guthrie had been abducted, allegedly by 52-year-old Annette Hale, from the El Camino Homeless Organization located in the…
Morro Bay snubs sea otters
The City of Morro Bay is no stranger to raising awareness for a slew of issues from autism to tourism to bikes. Since the new City Council took the reigns in January 2011, the city has issued 10 proclamations for “awareness.” But if the local commercial fishing community has its druthers, the city won’t recognize…
