Cover Story
What trait has caused you the most trouble?
Bob Donaldson retired superintendent “Honesty. I once caught a guy doing something dishonest at my work, told the truth about what he was doing, and as a result I left the employment.” Jamie Price insurance agency employee “Outspokenness.” Sarah Spelbring homemaker “Honesty or tenacity. I say what’s on my mind and I don’t always know…
The tanners’ dilemma
The price of beauty just increased: On July 1, lawmakers started turning up the heat on tanning salons throughout the United States by requiring them to charge customers an extra 10 percent tax to climb into their UV browning booths. Congress slid the tax into the healthcare reform act at the 11th hour after surgeon-funded…
Aggression rages at ASH
Aggressive incidents between patients and staff at Atascadero State Hospital have more than tripled in recent months. Due to a recent court decision, the hospital admitted 165 new patients in the past two months, many of whom are unstable and prone to violent acts. Though hospital officials are blaming the trend on the court order,…
Court overturns Prop. 8
A federal judge has overturned Proposition 8, the controversial California measure that made gay marriage illegal in 2008. Judge Vaughn R. Walker, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, released his decision on Aug. 4, ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional for limiting marriage to only between a…
Whooping cough bedevils county
Whooping cough is still slowly spreading in San Luis Obispo County, according to figures just released by the county health agency. As of Aug. 4, San Luis Obispo County’s whooping cough count has reached 276 confirmed, probable, and suspect cases. Eleven of those cases involve infants younger than one year old, two of whom were…
Nuclear plant security found lax
Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspectors found security deficiencies at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in March. Exactly what the inspectors found, though, is classified because of security concerns. What little information is available to the public amounts to a cover letter sent to plant operators on July 23, saying inspectors found a problem of “greater…
SLO cracks down on landlords who lack business licenses
The city of San Luis Obispo is targeting landlords who don’t have business licenses. Property owners who rent to tenants but don’t comply with the newly enforced regulation could face up to a $500 daily penalty after a month grace period. The city will be sending out nearly 3,900 letters on Aug. 23 to suspected…
SLO’s Councilman Settle to retire … for now
Allen Settle, longtime San Luis Obispo city councilman and former mayor, has announced he will not run for reelection. This brings to an end more than 30 years of nearly continuous service on the City Council. Because of term limits, Settle couldn’t run for reelection to the council, but could have run for mayor. Settle…
SLOPD gives two convicted cops the boot
The two San Luis Obispo police officers convicted in federal court of attempting to illegally bring pharmaceuticals into the United States from Mexico have been fired following a three-month internal investigation by the city. Officers Armando Limon and Daniel McDow were placed on paid administrative leave after being detained at the San Ysidro border checkpoint…
Two bits!
Can I get you a beer?” Kristen Charbonneau asked. “Absolutely,” I said, still a bit shocked she had offered one. Charbonneau walked toward the back of the building, past the leather couches, flat-screen TVs, and—here’s the weird part—barber chairs. Clippers, at 1351 Monterey St. in SLO, is more akin to a sports bar than a…
Get ready to party!
Winemaker Stillman Brown predicts his upcoming annual Wet Zeppelin wine and music event will be the wildest winery party ever held anywhere. Unlike winemakers who fear that if they admit they’re having too much fun in the business people might not take their wine seriously, Stillman—who’s definitely a maverick with a sharp wit—makes seriously good…
Ancient Peaks 2007 Syrah Paso Robles
This tasty Rhone variety offers aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, and blackberry, nicely balanced with nuances of earth, dark chocolate, leather, and spice. It drinks well on its own, and is a good choice for grilled steaks, braised short ribs, or a hoagie with sausage, onions, and bell peppers. It’s value-priced at $16…
Salisbury 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve
This delicious Pinot Noir is a must for pinotphiles like me. I love the rich, exotic flavors of this well-balanced wine that’s loaded with flavors of plums, blackberries, and black cherry; with strawberry, herb, smoke, and spice box notes. The fruity finish lingers long. Enjoy this selection with herb-roasted leg of lamb, dry-rub spareribs, or…
Susie Simmons Manager of Pismo Bowl
NEW TIMES: When was Pismo Bowl established? SIMMONS: It was established in 1939 and has become a landmark for people who are familiar with Pismo Beach. Our family has done their best to keep a retro vibe and look to the bowling alley that’s classic even for the ever-changing times. We’re really proud of the…
Uphold the right to die
Imagine being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. This incurable illness of the brain first manifests itself as low-level weakness and muscle atrophy. Soon you are unable to stand, get in and out of bed, speak, or swallow food. You depend on loved ones and professional caregivers for such basic tasks as eating, bathing, and going…
Hey! Stop it!
God bless stupidity. Over the past week, I’ve spent most of my time posting fake ads on the missed connections section of Craigslist. Then I went to bed last night with nothing to write about today. I woke up this morning hoping inspiration would hit, but when I reached into my bag o’ snarkyness, my…
The major parties cause gridlock
California voters had a chance in June to send a strong message to Sacramento and had a chance to take one small step toward breaking the political gridlock that has gripped this state for decades. Voters could have cast ballots for one of several non-major-party candidates for governor, lt. governor, attorney general, and even the…
Appreciate good fortune by helping the less fortunate
In a letter recently published in the Santa Maria Times, a writer claimed, “one of the unsaid platforms of the Democratic Party is to avoid responsibility at all costs,” and to tax hardworking people “to pay for many who don’t want to work all that hard …” I hear this a lot from people who…
Noori should have stayed
Shame on the clique of Cal Poly professors who forced out Mohammad Noori, Dean of the Engineering College, under the false claim he was setting up a sister school that would be subject to Saudi Arabian discrimination. They knew better or should have. The nation in the Middle East that discriminates is Israel, not Saudi…
DUI risk is no argument against legalizing cannabis
It’s very easy for people who have no first-hand experience with marijuana to give into the “Reefer Madness” thinking that is still common in the U.S. because of the media. I can report it is no more addicting than video games (which would also be unsafe to do while driving). Though there may be a…
Marijuana smokers do not deserve arrest
None of the supposedly harmful effects claimed by the author of “Legalizing marijuana makes no sense” (June 17) are sufficient cause for arrest. Millions of otherwise law-abiding citizens have had their lives ruined on the basis of a blatant lie: that cannabis has no safe, accepted medical use in the United States. The truth is…
Fences won’t prevent train deaths
Railroad fencing? What’s next, fencing streets and highways? How about teaching our kids to use common sense? Maybe there should be a memo to the schools to have a common-sense awareness day. In Europe, if you walk up to a cliff (Rousillon in Provence, France, for example) and fall off, too bad for you: no…
Oppose cuts to education and health care
The League of Women Voters provided the citizens of the 15th Senate District in San Luis Obispo County the opportunity to hear the candidates’ opinions about the state of children’s health and education in our community. The issues are complex and difficult to discuss, yet each candidate provided a glimpse of their history of supporting…
Corporate tax breaks yield jobs
The opinion piece “Tell legislators not to cut health services” (July 14) concerning state budget issues was unfortunately riddled with errors that will mislead readers. I’d like to discuss three of them. The author spent much of the piece denouncing the benefits Chevron would get from the new single sales factor formula to determine a…
Comment about quarry project now
Kathy Johnston did a great job of making people aware of the purposed granite quarry on Highway 58 (“Moving mountains,” July 29). I would like to let readers know the SLO County Planning Department has extended the deadline for comments to Monday, August 9. Comments can be e-mailed to Jeff Oliveira in the department via…
Are undercover police trying to entrap concertgoers?
This is truly ridiculous. I have to tell you of an experience I had at the mission plaza in San Luis Obispo last Friday evening at the free concert. I was standing in the crowd when I was approached by a woman whom I did not know or recognize. She acted as though she knew…
Clubs
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music on the patio at 5:30pm. 8/6: 5 Cities 5. 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.…
JumpBrush Schedule
The inaugural JumpBrush: Pacific Coast Dance Convergence, takes place Aug. 12-14 at Cal Poly’s PAC. The following is a schedule of classes, lectures, and performances. Aug. 12, 8 p.m. ODC Dance of San Francisco performs at the PAC. Also on Thursday, participants will have an opportunity to register and there will be a welcome party.…
Shaken and stirred!
It’s Saturday, July 31 and Anna Robertshaw and I are walking into the SLO Little Theatre to see Suzy Miller’s Shimmy, Shake, Shine! It’s martini night, and since Anna and I came directly from McCarthy’s where we were drinking Jameson whiskey and cheap American beer, my first thought is, does gin go with whiskey? …
Visiting Charlie
Pete Pepper left Vietnam in the spring of 1968, after serving with the 101st airborne division for more than a year and a half, first as a lieutenant and then as a captain. But leaving Vietnam was not the same as forgetting what had happened there, what he had done and seen and the people…
Are they human or are they dancer?
Call them the Big Four. Not the Fantastic Four. Not those weird dance-y people. Although at a planning meeting for the PAC’s first collaborative dance festival—Jumpbrush: Pacific Coast Dance Convergence—the choreographers’ stress is palpable. Three of the four are wearing reading glasses, an accessory you rarely spot in a dance studio, and all are staring…
Get wet!
Monday, Aug. 16 will mark the 33rd anniversary of Elvis’s death (moment of silence, please!). But The King’s ghost lives on in the person of Tortelvis, frontman to the greatest band on earth, Dread Zeppelin, an electrifying live act that presents Led Zeppelin cover songs done reggae style by an Elvis impersonator. Yes, let that…
