Cover Story
Dark money political groups target voters based on Internet habits
Lauren Berns was browsing Talking Points Memo when he saw an ad with President Obama’s face. “Stop the Reckless Spending,” the ad read, and in smaller print, “Paid for by Crossroads GPS.” Berns was surprised. Why was Crossroads GPS, a group that powerful Republican strategist Karl Rove helped found, advertising on a liberal-leaning political website?…
Around the world in 13 years
It was 20 years ago this month that, late one night in a Parisian flat, hunched excitedly over a beer-stained map of the world, two idealistic young men hatched a stupidly brilliant plan. Were this at all like so many late-night, beer-sweetened, post-collegiate dreams, it ought to have dried up in the morning sunlight and…
Love is in the air
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s wedding season. My fiancée Anna Robertshaw and I have been to no fewer than four weddings this summer, and we have one more to go … our own. Are you married? Do you remember all the planning you had to do and money you had to spend…
Ubu stages Good People
Ubu’s Other Shoe, the entity behind the ongoing series of reader’s theatre productions staged at the SLO Little Theatre, is still something of a secret among many theatergoers, with its two-day runs and little advertising. And yet this minimal theater group—mostly consisting of director Michael Siebrass and a rotating cast—is already celebrating its ninth season…
Abide, Bad Blake!
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you, that with seven days to go tickets remain for Jeff Bridges & The Abiders at SLO Brew on Thursday, Aug. 23. I mean, come on, sitting within mere feet of The Dude as he plays songs from the Academy Award-winning film Crazy Heart, select covers, and songs from his…
Cougars & Mustangs
Where there’s a tree that needs planting, a Mustang will be there. Where there’s a shelter dog or cat in need of a walk, and maybe some lovin’, a Mustang will be there. Where there’s canned goods for the hungry in need of stacking, well, you get the point. Unless you don’t, in which case…
The Village Greek and Mediterranean
Denizens of South County rejoice, for falafel and shawarma are just around the corner! On March 21, San Luis Obispo’s most popular Greek and Middle Eastern restaurant, Higuera Street’s own Jaffa Café, opened a second location in the Village of Arroyo Grande. The new location is owned and operated by Ali and Wendy Saleh, respectively…
Upon further reflection
In light of public concerns and questions from San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson, the California State Lands Commission disagreed with its own staff’s recommendation and held off on issuing Pacific Gas and Electric a permit to begin offshore seismic studies. On Aug. 14, the three members of the commission failed to reach an…
Pay to poop
When they opened their mail in early August, many Paso Robles homeowners were shocked to see the effects of new sewer service charges. Hopefully they were sitting down – on a porcelain seat with flushing capabilities – because the dramatic increases could have caused some serious brick shitting. Instead of the flat, $25.86 fee single-family…
Stone-cold good time
It’s been 21 years since Stone Soup World Music Festival and Street Faire first took to the roads of Grover Beach. This year the festival promises to be bigger and badder than ever on Aug. 25 and 26. While soup maybe the blandest of food pyramid staples, this festival is anything but. It is a…
Repent!
I–dramatic pause–am. Hold on, let me recompose myself. I am … courage, Colin, drum up some courage. I am an … atheist. There. I said it. I feel better. I AM AN ATHEIST! It never occurred to me that admitting to a personal choice so profoundly unprofound was stepping out of some theological closet, but…
Planning commission approves landfill expansion
After four hearings and a glut of public input, the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission approved the expansion of the Cold Canyon Landfill. Operators of the landfill—which is expected to reach its capacity by 2018—applied to expand existing facility by 46 acres, increase the allowable material processing by 430 tons per day, increase the…
Brouhaha 2011 White Wine
A combined effort by winemakers Amy Butler of Ranchero Cellars and Anthony Yount of Denner Vineyards, this delicious white is a really good value for only $12. The duo loves country music, hence the cool wrap-around, paisley scarf they chose for a label. This refreshing wine is 100 percent Pinot Gris, barely above 12 percent…
Supervisor Hill’s assistant announces retirement
Susan Devine, legislative assistant to San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill, announced her intention to retire in September. Previously a paralegal, Devine managed Hill’s successful campaign to take the seat from former supervisor Jerry Lenthall in 2008 and went on to serve as Hill’s campaign chair for another successful win in this year’s heated…
Tablas Creek 2010 Mourvedre
In the past I never cared much for Mourvedre as a stand-alone variety, but that was until I tasted this amazing wine. It proves that Mourvedre can be impressive in the hands of the right winemaker and this one is stellar. At Tablas they consider it their “most important red grape” because it is the…
ARTery tree mural survives city scrutiny
After a permit denial and two months of heated debate, the Atascadero City Council voted 4-0 on Aug. 14 to allow the ARTery to keep its tree mural as is. The mural has been a source of contention after ARTery owners painted the west-facing wall of the business before obtaining a city permit. Council member…
Drink pink!
To make a great wine truly exceptional, share it with friends,” vintner Maurice Wedell stated on his website WedellCellars.com. And when it comes to sharing, Maurice and Susan “Susie” Wedell are two of the most charitable people I’ve ever known. Over the decade or more that I’ve known the Wedells they have shared very special…
SLO city backs off on overnight campers
The city of San Luis Obispo will expunge all tickets issued this year to people caught sleeping in vehicles. In addition, the city agreed to refund fines and explore “alternate regulatory paths” following a civil settlement reached in an Aug. 9 closed session meeting. After about two hours of deliberation, the SLO City Council voted…
Final Doobie Dozen case dismissed
The judge called Peter Miller to the stand, and in less than two minutes, his legal troubles were behind him. A fleeting look of disbelief passed over his face, testament to the one year, eight months, and 17 days he spent under the criminal spotlight. At an Aug. 13 hearing San Luis Obispo Superior Court…
Rhymes with boil, reeks of oil
As I said to the Supervisors and also to the National Science Foundation: “We are having the wrong conversation here. Rather than deciding how to kill whales, we should be discussing the dismantling and removal of the Diablo Nuclear Power Plant.” I am writing to comment on a story in last week’s New Times (Supes…
Free to puff
Though I have never smoked and own no interest in the tobacco business, I believe the recent extensions of San Luis Obispo’s tough no-smoking laws are too strict. I approve of laws against second-hand smoke in restaurants and other public gathering businesses and appreciate health benefits to restaurant employees and other patrons. But further extensions…
An alternative to Diablo
Many of us in San Luis Obispo County are concerned about the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The plant is around twenty five years old and luckily hasn’t had any serious mishap that we know of. It does produce “clean” electricity in terms of its CO2 footprint. The dangers of a mishap are still present…
Where’s the care in my healthcare?
Is Obama Care a looming national disaster? How about the healthcare fiasco that we presently live with? Last year I thought I had a cotton ball stuck in my ear canal. I thought it best to get it looked at because I didn’t want an ear infection. It was a Saturday, so I went to…
Who is the real ripoff artist?
I was watching the news about the refinery fire and noticed the gas prices started to go up the same day. They said the refinery only supplies 16% of the gas for California so why does the price go up everywhere right away? The service stations raised the prices on gas they already had paid…
Happily ever after
If I’ve learned anything from co-habitating with my computer these last six months it’s that every once in awhile you need a reset. A little button that you push to make all the bad things disappear, so that you and your dancing unicorn wallpaper can start over together. No spinning wheels. No parking tickets that…
What creeps you out?
Steve Yeash Educator “Nothing—been there, done that, seen it all. Nothing creeps me out.” Xavier Yeash Being a Kid “Big spiders because they’re hairy, ugly, and possibly venomous.” Chaela Ciongola Student/ Server SLO Brew “What’s hidden underneath the water when you’re surfing.” Bobby Gallo Teacher “When the weather gets hot people wear less clothes than…
