Cover Story
In their own words …
Every year summer draws to a close and the New Times staff tries to remember what it was like to be a student preparing for a new school year. The anticipation, dread. It’s there, tucked into the backs of our minds, along with other spare memories and information for which we have no current purpose.…
The dancing behemoth
The first time I met Drew Silvaggio, the Civic Ballet’s artistic director, he had a very ballsy thing to say about dance. Are you ready for this? “Dance,” he said, “is the most unselfish pursuit.” Damn, I thought. But the more I considered it, the more it began to make sense. The art form is,…
Don’t fear the clown!
My fiancée, like a lot of people, has an irrational fear of clowns. I mean, sure, if it’s John Wayne Gacy, go ahead, fear the clown, or Ronald McDonald with his children-fattening recipes for lifelong health consequences, then yes, fear away, but Red Skelton? Bozo? Clarabell? Harmless, one and all. Now please add Stix the…
‘Patterns, numbers, secrets, and stories’
Frame Works is exploring philosophical and metaphysical ideas with “Time Space Place Shape,” an exhibit featuring the unexpectedly whimsical musings of four local artists on the mysterious concepts that govern existence as we know it. While these themes are universal, they’re darn near impossible to define with words, which is why Beryl Reichenberg, Meryl Perloff,…
Bikini madness!
Being the only single male staff writer here at New Times pretty much means I’m expected to take it on the chin every now and again, to make certain sacrifices in the name of getting the story out and doing what I can to preserve my coworkers’ marital harmony. I am often forced to spend…
Dystopia 2.0
Like all great works of science fiction centering on unlikely heroes navigating through dystopian futures, Upgrade succeeds because it’s so chillingly and comically akin to the present. Louis Rosenberg, a local screenwriter and former Cal Poly professor of mechanical engineering and education technology, has come out with a deliciously satirical graphic novel based on his…
Presqu’ile 2010 Pinot Noir
Classic Santa Maria Valley, this Pinot has a rather aromatic, herbal nose—but on the palate its array of red and black fruit flavors wowed me. This beautifully balanced red has notes of cherries, blackberries, and blueberries weaved with minerals, spice, and herbs. Winemaker Dieter Cronjer, originally from South Africa, is making impressive Pinots that are…
Tangent 2011 Albarino
Christian Roguenant, winemaker for Niven family wines, makes Tangent white wines that are true to their original source, in this case Rias Baixas, Spain. Refreshingly bright, it has flavors of white peach that meld with zingy citrus notes and a delightful minerality. He doesn’t use oak or malolactic fermentation in order to showcase the vibrant…
Homegrown health
Here at New Times, we work hard for the money. At least, those of us who actually get paid in money do. Some of us get paid in hard-boiled eggs. Eating protein-rich foods, like eggs, helps maintain equilibrium. We journalists are sensitive by nature, and the New Times working conditions—a windowless basement with an in-progress…
Who’s the best cook?
My first interview in 1996 with winemaker John Munch of Le Cuvier in Paso Robles was unforgettable to this former chef. He was the first winemaker I ever heard say: “Winemaking is like cooking.” Indeed, it seems so, and most winemakers I know love cooking as much as they do making wine. Gary Eberle grilling…
Cougars & Mustangs
It’s not often I get to tie the bonds between schools and generations (it happens, but not often), but I think I’m about to do that here. Regular followers of my approximately 400-word exploits are probably quite aware of the borderline warfare—I mean, competitive atmosphere—I encourage between our colleges, but this time it’s going to…
¿Qué diciste?
Anyone who’s ever tried to learn a foreign language can attest to the fact that it’s a difficult undertaking, but imagine for a moment the Herculean task that befalls American schoolchildren who don’t speak English. As their teachers explain the concept behind dividing numbers or the conflicting ideologies that sparked the Civil War, English learners…
Back to school
The Avila Beach Schoolhouse isn’t much of a looker anymore: White paint is peeling and flaking, revealing the scarred wood beneath its façade. Its landscaping consists mainly of construction cones and a portable toilet. But there are those who remember the glory days of this weatherworn century-old building. “The opening of the school day was…
From the counter to your stomach
If you’re craving a taste of the Central Coast, Matthew Pearce, owner of the Old San Luis BBQ Co., has a heaping plate of authentic Santa Maria-style barbecue waiting for you. The new eatery opened it doors on June 26. Santa Maria-style barbecue is, as Pearce says, “part of the culture of the Central Coast.”…
The stops for the bus move round and round
Bus routes are like rubber bands—stretch ’em too tight and they break. In the case of actual rubber bands, the snap-back injures eyeballs, but with broken bus routes, the reverberations force drivers to skimp on state mandated lunch breaks or simply arrive late to transfer points, slowing buses down across the county. The Regional Transit…
Homeless center planned in Five Cities
If homelessness is a problem in the happiest city in America, it can be a problem anywhere. This was the message bestowed to a crowd gathered in the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Arroyo Grande during a forum to discuss homelessness and a planned South County Community Services Center. County Supervisor Paul Teixeira emceed the…
Gunfire keeps cops busy over weekend
Paso Robles police officers responded to two separate shooting incidents July 27 and 28, which resulted in one injury. Luis Angel, 26, was shot once in the chest the night of July 28 in the parking lot of Dry Creek Apartments, a 400-unit complex located near Creston Road and the Paso Robles Golf Club. He…
Grover wants to go charter
Grover Beach is hoping to become the second city in San Luis Obispo County to cut its cord with the state. On a 3-2 vote July 16, the Grover Beach City Council voted to place an initiative on the November ballot that, if approved by voters, would give the city the authority to switch from…
Two more to challenge Marx
In just the last week, two more people have indicated they plan to run for San Luis Obispo mayor, bringing the political playing field to at least five likely mayoral candidates. Since May, four city residents have filed paperwork laying out their intent to challenge incumbent Mayor Jan Marx in the November election. As of…
Sheriff’s deputy arrested for alleged domestic violence
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department announced July 30 it arrested one of its own for a “possible domestic violence incident,” according to a department press release. Deputy John Pozdolski, 37, was arrested and booked into county jail on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge on July 16, according to the department. Sheriff’s Department spokesman…
Clubs: 8/2
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. 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: Two locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the…
Questions for: Sabina Miklowitz, photographer
NEW TIMES How did you become interested in photography? MIKLOWITZ I grew up in a very artistic family, and I was exposed to art from an early age, through books and gallery exhibits and my father’s travel slides. I suppose I first became interested in actually doing photography when my parents gave me a camera…
Stop allowing Wall Street to be in control
I’m pleased with the Tribune for publishing the article on Matt Damon (“Damon: Public fury burns leading into election,” July 24). There is a sense of fury building in America, and it is because of the lies the politicians and the media are feeding us. More and more people are reading between the lines and…
Where’s the butt?
Considering all the Libby garbage we are forced to view in our media today, I find it unusual we never see pics of President Obama smoking a butt. Is this really freedom of the press for all?
We’re all addicts of sorts
Hello, my name is Craig Mesman. About two years ago, I walked from my home in Eureka down here to SLO. It was a faith walk of sorts. Shortly after the end of this walk, I found Sunny Acres and met Dan DeVaul. It was meant to be. I ended up volunteering there and then…
Change horses in mid-stream
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking to Egypt’s military, said “real democracy means that no group or faction or leader can impose their will, their ideology, their religion, their desires on anyone else.” Madame Secretary, ask that of your boss. A majority of Americans did not want Obamacare, yet his will and his new taxes…
Speak up for these three little letters
Your story on the SLO City Council’s vote to adopt a Climate Action Plan (“SLO City progresses on climate plan,” July 19) noted that “the council amended the draft to require an in-depth cost-benefit analysis to accompany a proposal whenever specific strategies could end up costing residents.” At the July 17 council meeting, staff did,…
Let doctors design a health-care system
After reading the opinion commentary by Maeva Considine (“Damn you to health, July 19), I thought I would like to add a few more thoughts. Most of you will remember Nancy Pelosi’s famous statement, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” Our Obama health care was…
Discord can ultimately strengthen a country
Charmaine Coimbra, your article about political frustration in a July 4th context (“Why I missed this year’s 4th of July,” July 12) moved me enough to send out a brief response. You have lots of company sympathizing with you. Many emotions run this gamut, and we each have to deal with it to continue living…
School’s in session
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, and to the Republic for which He stands … able to leap tall buildings in a single bound … wait. That doesn’t sound right. Damn it, I should’ve paid more attention in church. Okay, how about this? Dear Mr. Jesus: Help! It won’t be long…
Bravo!
All the world loves a show. There’s a song about that, right? Razzle dazzle, something something flash, bamboozala. Truer words were never spoken. And I know the perfect place to go when you want to see a show, complete with sleight of hand and hair so slick it no longer moves—no, not Vegas—that’s too expensive,…
What new type of curriculum should be made mandatory in schools?
Beth Mott arts administrator “Its not about new … it all starts with the 4 R’s: reading, writing, arithmetic, and arts.” Rob Aguerio student “Music; it’s a practical medium for kids to tap into their creative side.” Annie Zolynsky animal care “Theatre or music.” Kenneth Duncan grocery “Geometry.”
