Cover Story
The Lunch Lady Chronicles: A New Times staffer returns to middle school–this time on the other side of the lunch counter
It’s 7:15 a.m., and instead of lying comfortably in my bed, I’m standing in an industrial kitchen. Instead of putting my head on a pillow, I’m putting on an apron, plastic gloves, and a hairnet. I’m just a few minutes into my stint as a lunch lady at San Luis Obispo’s Laguna Middle School, but…
Locally produced children’s film, ‘The Incredible Adventures of JoJo,’ debuts at Fremont Theater
“This is not a film for overprotective parents; Boys use pocket knives; girls eat bugs.” This is the audacious disclaimer that begins The Incredible Adventures of JoJo (and his annoying little sister Avila), a locally produced children’s film that will make its debut at the Fremont Theater. It’s an irreverent beginning to a movie that…
Atascadero bans bath salts and spice
Atascadero has become the first city to add the recreational substances known as spice and bath salts to a list of bans. The City Council approved the ban at its Aug. 12 meeting with a quick 5-0 vote following a presentation from the Atascadero Police Department’s Commander Joe Allen, who outlined why he considered synthetic…
What’s your favorite Robin Williams movie and why?
Emily Blair student “Mrs. Doubtfire. It’s a family movie that everyone can enjoy.” Adelina Garcia cashier “Mrs. Doubtfire. I just like it.” Emily Ingram dance teacher “Aladdin, because he ad-libbed the whole thing and the genie is a genius.” Bill Aguirre officer “Good Will Hunting, because it helped young kids think.”
Thugz
Just call me Cassandra. Stunningly attractive. Possibly distantly related to royalty. Burdened with a gift of prophecy, which profits no one because I am dismissed by my peers as “that mad old alcoholic who couldn’t possibly have anything useful to say.” It’s a tough gig. I accomplish it with such grace and beauty that you’d…
Athlete arrests rock the Cal Poly community
What police say was an attempted armed robbery on Aug. 10 has prompted multiple arrests, investigations, official condemnations, and promises of policy changes at Cal Poly. Just a few days after five Cal Poly football players were arrested on suspicion of planning or carrying out an armed robbery at the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house…
Famed indie act Built to Spill plays SLO Brew on Aug. 19!
Among a certain set, being a fan of Built to Spill is the symbol of one’s belonging, a sort of secret handshake—“Oh, you’re into Built to Spill? You pass the esoteric test.” Based in Boise, Idaho, the indie rock act was brought together by Treepeople’s guitarist-vocalist Doug Martsch in 1992. Martsch intended to have a…
The Tedeschi Trucks Bands thrills a nearly full house at Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Aug. 9!
After a couple rounds at my favorite Paso dive bar, the Pine Street Saloon, and dinner at my favorite Paso Thai place, Basil, my wife Anna, New Times owners Bob and Cindy Rucker, and I head to Vina Robles for what I’ve guaranteed Bob and Cindy will be an incredible concert by opener, the Jackie…
The children of SLO Little Theatre put on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’
Indeed, it is possible for a cast of children to perform a lovely play! The SLO Little Theatre is putting on Cinderella this month for its Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) summer program. The play, directed Shelagh Garren, is a watered-down adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein original, which was released in 1957 and starred…
Clubs 8/14/14-8/17/14
Goin’ South … THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. CUVEE BISTRO AND CHAMPAGNE BAR: 550 1st St., Avila Beach, 595-2245. Live music Thurs. and Sat. 6-9pm. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the…
Junk science? Really?
John Curtis begins his letter in the Aug. 7 New Times by saying that “claims of man-made global warming … simply is not true” (“Statistics aren’t on ‘global warming’ scientists’ side”). Addressing a college town full of scientists, he claims no degree in any climate-related discipline, but instead insults his audience by the bald assertion…
Chamisal Vineyard’s 2012 Estate Piont Noir and Therabee Honey’s Bliss Balls
Chamisal Vineyard’s 2012 Estate Piont Noir If you want to get a winemaker to talk, ask him about the weather and his vines. Perched atop Granada’s posh rooftop dining area a few weeks ago, Chamisal Vineyards Winemaker Fintan Du Fresne, enlightened my table with more information on the Edna Valley soil, sun, and sea…
Endless Summer
Beach blanket beer-O: It’s that time again, beach bunnies and surfin’ birds! Join Firestone Walker Brewing Company for the 805 Beach Festival, kicking off Aug. 16 at Avila Beach Golf Resort. Tickets are $20 and include live tunes by Cisco Adler and Makua Rothman, a Stunt Masters action sports show, food, and more. This is…
Gardens at Avila grub is local/fresh, but don’t call it farm to table
Let me be real with you. I could geek out on Chef Gregg Wangard’s fresh, zesty summer garden gazpacho, overflowing with bright lemon cucumber goodness and just-plucked cherry tomatoes, peppered with dainty herb-flower blend, and drizzled with buttery, Templeton-sourced Olea olive oil. I could talk in painstaking detail about the exquisite, all-natural ingredients the Gardens…
Culture starts here: SLO Children’s Museum introduces program for preschoolers
Have you ever heard of Baby Einstein? That extremely weird line of toys and videos specifically designed to morph your tot into a veritable genius? Well if you’re still holding out the hope of raising your own genius baby, San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum has got your back. They’re offering a significantly less creepy alternative…
Cougars & Mustangs
Your unofficial favorite song follows loop trails around your aching head relentlessly. The only fueling done at breakfast is the stoking of the irritated fire of bad terms. The embrace of the warm shower whispers jests at your expense and your body slips into the darkness of slumber by the barrage assault of all that…
Grooming for success: A local therapist takes learning out of the classroom and into the arena
Pearl is just the kind of 13-year-old a teacher would love to have in the classroom: She isn’t shy, she’s quite curious, and she keeps quiet most of the time. She’s smart and isn’t afraid to get to know new people. But when school is back in session, Pearl won’t be anywhere near a classroom.…
Los Osos Middle School officials and students are excited about STEAM
At about 11 a.m. on a Tuesday in Aimee Burrus’ sixth-grade Los Osos Middle School class, the words “bridge builder” were projected on a screen at the front of the room next to a countdown timer. Outside, students formed small clusters of two or three each, stretching out on steps and lunch tables, casually pecking…
D.A.R.E. replaced by G.R.E.A.T. in local schools
Depending on whom you ask or at what studies you look, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program is either an effective way to keep kids from experimenting with drugs and alcohol and warn them away from trouble in general, or it’s an ineffective waste of money that in some cases may actually be counterproductive.…
Members of the Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee have asked for more analysis of a new cooling system
In a special meeting of the Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee, members announced that they’d like to see further review and analysis of the current proposal to convert cooling systems at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Committee members raised questions about the potential safety impacts to the plant from both the construction phase and…
Atascadero raises cardroom limits
An Atascadero card room may be raising the ante for its competition after the City Council amended an ordinance that augments table and betting limits. At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Atascadero City Council approved an increase when it comes to card tables allowed in the city from five to six, and allowed for all…
Morro Bay selects a city manager
Morro Bay has selected a new city manager. In an Aug. 12 press release, the city announced that David Buckingham will assume the top city government post effective Sept. 29. Buckingham is a retired Army colonel with more than 25 years of service, according to the press release. He’ll start the position at a salary…
Once-cooperative Cal Poly is now out of touch
The current dysfunctional relationship between Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo is an amazing turnaround. Twenty-some years ago, the extraordinary campaign for the Performing Arts Center to be built was successful due to a remarkable partnership of local citizens and the university. The people of this county broke a number of state records for leadership…
Getting ready
Kids returning to school can prompt a range of emotions in parents, from excitement to trepidation—depending on how the last school year ended. You can help your child to be successful by creating a supportive structure to help him get organized. Requisite brain skills for school success, known as “executive functions,” impact mental organization, behavior,…
