Cover Story
How to learn two languages
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual. Someone who speaks three? Trilingual. And someone who speaks just one language? American. The old joke doesn’t apply to some students, whose schools focus on helping them master another language as well as English. These children learn to speak, read, and write in two languages…
Who was your most influential teacher?
Monique Raby teacher’s assistant, preschool special education “Mr. Ward. He opened my mind to new ways of expression and helped me learn how to get published.” Brandon Oakley construction worker “Ms. K. Bartley, my English teacher at Cuesta College. She is genuine; she cared about my future.” Raymond Graves retired telecommunications representative “In college, Professor…
Federal reforms may change everything
Big changes may be in store for schools, stemming from Race to the Top, a program sponsored by the Obama administration. The centerpiece of the president’s education efforts, the program has quietly started to transform the way students, teachers, and curricula are evaluated nationally. Supporters of the $4.35-billion program say it will dramatically improve K-12…
From farm to school
Farm to School is a growing national program that connects students with local farms. School cafeterias serve produce straight from local growers while educating students about agriculture and nutrition, thanks to the program. Moreover, students learn first hand how food is raised by visits to farms and by gardening. “We’re establishing the movement, concept, and…
Everything counts in small amounts
What motivates children to learn, and what do they remember best long after graduation? Do they remember perfect scores on spelling tests; the day they were introduced to the Pythagorean theorem; or do they remember best such activities as a hike to tide pools during science camp? Hands-on experiences can ignite curiosity far better than…
Events regulation on ag land draws closer
San Luis Obispo County officials continue to debate how they will regulate events held on agricultural land, following two years of discussion. On Aug. 10, SLO County supervisors took a scalpel to the temporary events section of the county’s land-use ordinance. For more than two hours, they attempted to resolve how to regulate such events…
NRC listens to Mothers for Peace, for now
Members of the anti-nuke organization San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace (SLOMFP) have reason to celebrate. On Aug. 4, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board agreed to hear four of the five contentions presented by an attorney for Mothers for Peace regarding Pacific Gas & Electric’s application to renew the two reactors…
Construction irks Grover Beach business owners
A project that was supposed to revitalize the struggling economy in Grover Beach is actually having the opposite effect, according to local business owners. And they’re blaming construction crews for undercutting local companies during the busy summer months. Crews were supposed to break ground on the $1.5-million West Grand Avenue Enhancement Project in December 2009,…
Doc Burnstein’s is shame-free
Almost a year after members of the Carpenters Local 150 Union first deployed protesters and banners that stated “Shame on Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab,” the banners are gone. “This morning I walked over to the window and looked out … and it’s become such a habit because I’ve always looked to see what’s going…
No love for Cal Poly’s Loving
The dean of Cal Poly’s College of Liberal Arts has officially reassigned the chair of the embattled journalism department. Dean Linda Halisky confirmed to New Times on Aug. 10 she sent a letter to department chair Bill Loving informing him of his dismissal. As of press time, Loving said he had not received the letter,…
Atascadero may grow by a fifth
The Atascadero City Council gave the go ahead at its Aug. 10 meeting for a plan that would add more than 3,400 acres to the city, expanding the town’s size by a fifth. The council voted unanimously for the project. The Eagle Ranch project, if built, would bring a vast new housing development to the…
The wardrobe time machine
It began with a hunt for a silver-sequined boyfriend jacket: Lisa Graystone diligently searched for such a fashionable garment to no avail, but her frustration turned to inspiration when she decided to create her own online, eco-chic vintage clothing boutique. “I wanted to become another resource for women, to bring vintage out globally, and to…
Nintendo’s Crown Jewel
Nintendo’s Mario video game series debuted in 1981 with Donkey Kong, followed by Mario Brothers in 1983, Super Mario Brothers in 1985, The Lost Levels in 1986, Super Mario Brothers 2 in 1988, Super Mario Land in 1989, Super Mario Brothers 3 in 1990, Super Mario World in 1991, Super Mario Land 2 in 1992,…
Steel cage death match!?!
When my co-worker, Arts Editor Ashley Schwellenbach, tells me she’s launching a new magazine called San Louie, my immediate thought is how great it’s going to be when she gets fired for competing with New Times. Unfortunately, New Times’ owners aren’t petty jerks, so they refuse to fire Ashley. Unpetty jerks! Then she tells me…
Sitcom world, good talent
PCPA promises one thing with its genre-bending production of Songs for a New World: a new and provocative universe. Or, at least, the play’s creator, Jason Robert Brown, made this promise implicitly when he titled his 1995 production. But Brown fails to deliver on this promise and even with the talented cast that PCPA consistently…
Living in an eight-bit world
Rather than continuing the seemingly hopeless journey of decimating Mario and Luigi, and enduring the stress of repeatedly kidnapping Princess Toadstool, the Koopas—spawn of the almighty Bowser—have decided to channel their emotions into music, which just happens to be the music of classic video games. The Koopas is manned—or Kooped—by three members, who have donned…
Clubs
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music on the patio at 5:30pm. 8/13: Jim Townsend. CAFÉ ANDREINI: 131 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 481-6117. Thurs.: Live music at 6pm. COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF: 750 Five Cities Dr., Pismo Beach, 773-6420. Music Night every Sat., 6:30-8:30pm. ELMO’S…
Marijuana legalization would lead to abuse
Norm Jackson’s commentary about the consequences of legalizing marijuana (“Legalizing marijuana makes no sense,” June 17) is exceptionally well presented and illustrates the obvious illogic in any contemplation of the use of drugs. Make anything (gas, alcohol, soda, cigarettes … ) easily available and the public will easily abuse it; create difficulties and use will…
Arguments against marijuana legalization are specious
I would like to point out several weak arguments made in Norm Jackson’s commentary, “Legalizing marijuana makes no sense” (June 17). Jackson begins the piece citing several reasons that are often presented to support the legalization of marijuana. His first weak response to them is an appeal to statistical data, in which he states “if…
Marijuana use should be legal
Norm Jackson says it makes no sense to legalize pot (“Legalizing marijuana makes no sense,” June 17). As a lifelong anti-drug crusader, he should know what he’s talking about, but he doesn’t. He is adamantly against pot, but his remarks aren’t about pot at all but about alcohol. Again and again he uses alcohol as…
Proposed shelter would be inadequate but expensive
A homeless services center gets a nod from the planning commission. If the city and CAPSLO were serious about a plan to end the homeless situation, the emphasis wouldn’t be on moving ahead with a shelter to warehouse them. There’s a measure of defeat inherent in the proposal. Think of all the effort and expense…
Just like a girl
I like compliments—who doesn’t? This morning at The Palms I was told by one of the waitresses (who’s very young) I looked very nice. I blushed and said thank you. I’m 90 years old. I still blush.
Case closed
It is very disturbing hearing from people who continue to aggressively challenge climate change and climate science. The future of our planet is at stake. People who adamantly deny the overwhelming evidence from peer-reviewed scientific analyses by many thousands of climatologists around the world are ignoring facts, truth, and reality. They are damaging our nation,…
Moderators wanted
Thanks to the new SLO city manager, Katie Lichtig, for extending the opportunity for three televised city-council candidate forums in the city council chambers. These televised nonpartisan forums are the best way for the citizens of San Luis Obispo to learn about the candidates. Unlike the partisan interviews offered by special interest groups, these televised…
Consider the options
I really appreciated Jerry Dincin’s thoughtful commentary “Uphold the right to die” (Aug. 5) but have just one correction: Though it is assumed most people want to die at home, this is not always the case. I’ve worked in health care for many years and have seen some home deaths that weren’t so nice. If…
Marriage ruling threatens Christians
It is clear from District Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling on Proposition 8 that he means to criminalize the Bible and use the threat of federal prosecutions and long jail sentences to silence Christians from expressing their Biblically based religious belief that homosexual conduct is a sin. The family is a unique institution demanding universal protection.…
Time to celebrate!
Oh yes. I’ve been a saucy little Shredder. This past week I’ve received not one—but count ’em—two propositions of love. Perhaps they weren’t propositions, but I’m going to count the following correspondence as being seductive in nature. One of my admirers sent a card and box of Rice Krispies treats. “You’ve got it all! Looks,…
Jay Kimball
NEW TIMES: How did you get your start in automotive repair? KIMBALL: My father owns the Kimball Motor Company, so I’ve been around cars and the car business my whole life. When I was working in the car business I noticed repair men would come out to the car dealerships and customers’ houses to repair…
California PTA is suing the state
California State PTA has a long, proud history of speaking up for all children and youth in our state. Today, we’re doing so as never before as part of a coalition that has filed a historic lawsuit against the state of California. The lawsuit—Maya Robles-Wong v. the State of California—is straightforward. It asks the courts…
Education: then and now
Cambria resident Frank DePasquale was superintendent of Moorpark Unified School District in Ventura County from 2000 to 2006. He has nearly 40 years of experience in education, including six years as an instructor, 11 years as a middle-school principal, and eight years as assistant superintendent. He’s served as a board member and is past president…
Black dynamite!
I’m spinning “Black Venom” from The Budos Band’s new CD, The Budos Band III, which is a pretty uncreative album title for a band that makes me feel as though I’m listening to a porn soundtrack Miles Davis and Ennio Morricone made for a ’70s Italian skin flick starring Jim Brown and Sophia Loren. This…
Mike Sinor makes magic
On a gloriously sunny Friday afternoon at Santa Margarita Ranch, I was fortunate to revisit this historic property and the well-preserved mission asistencia. Founded in 1774, it’s the ranch centerpiece and a stunning tribute to Father Junipero Serra and his 142 seraphic confreres who established 21 such missionary outposts along California’s El Camino Real, according…
Talley 2008 Pinot Noir Edna Valley
Made from Pinot Noir grown at the Talley family’s highly respected Stone Corral Vineyard, this is a fabulous value for excellent Pinot at only $32 retail. Only the very best grapes go into their vineyard-designated wines, but what was left over created this delicious version. It’s big and ripe, yet well balanced. This enticing Pinot…
Mano Tinto 2007 Red San Luis Obispo County
This collaborative brand, founded by vintners Brian and Johnine Talley, features many players in the local wine industry. Everything, from the labels and bottles to the grapes and winemaking, is donated so that all proceeds go directly to the charity for farm workers and their families. A blend of Malbec, Syrah, and Petite Sirah, vintner…
