Cover Story
Diablo and the deep blue sea: A shelved NRC tsunami study is generating new interest 11 years later
On March 16, 2011, the full picture was beginning to come into focus of just how bad things were in Fukushima, Japan. A massive earthquake and corresponding tsunami knocked out power and backup systems at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and at the time Japanese officials were asking residents within 12 miles of the…
Diablo safety committee asks for further review on cooling system
In a special meeting of the Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee, members announced that they would like to see further review and analysis of the current proposal to convert cooling systems at the nuclear power plant. On Aug. 8, the committee held a special meeting outside of its normal quarterly meeting schedule. The committee, tasked…
What’s one movie you want to see remade and why?
Laurie Smith gardener “Most of the movies that I’ve seen I wouldn’t want to see remade because then that would ruin it.” Trish Mayer political consult “The Shining, because Stephen King didn’t like the cast and they remade it a second time and it wasn’t good.” Korinn Kunert student “Casablanca, because it would be really…
Al Moriarty takes a plea deal
After 15 months in custody and a convoluted legal battle, former Grover Beach financier Al Moriarty agreed to a plea deal on Aug. 4 that will see him serve limited jail time but also ensure complete-as-possible restitution for his victims. As part of the deal, Moriarty, 81, pleaded no contest to seven felonies and agreed…
Oceano Dunes agreement thrown into doubt
The tentative “consent decree” agreement between the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and California State Parks over how to mitigate air pollution from the Oceano Dunes has taken a step backward after a recent appellate court decision. In a brief, unsigned order issued on July 30, California’s Second District Court of…
The Tedeschi Trucks Band bring their soulful blues to Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Aug. 9!
After a bit of a slow wind-up to the concert season, Vina Robles Amphitheatre will really start hitting its stride this Saturday, Aug. 9, when the amazing Tedeschi Trucks Band performs (8 p.m.; all ages; $40.80 to $87; vinaroblesamphitheatre.com). First of all, did you see Muscle Shoals, the great documentary about two Alabama recording studios…
Clubs 8/7/14-8/14/14
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…
Jeff Mitchell wins the 5th Annual SLO Brew Karaoke Contest!
It’s Friday, Aug. 1, and I’m watching, dumbfounded, as more and more people are streaming into SLO Brew for the karaoke contest! Seriously, there’s a ton of people vying for a chance to be the king or queen of karaoke! Who knew? Manning the judging table with me are disc jockeys Jeff and Jeremy from…
Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast features local artist Rena Doud
Grayish, dark blue strokes of watercolor seem to have been scrawled on a canvas. Or, maybe, they originated from a splash of a watercolor drop, which landed on the upper right of the canvas. A splash or not, these strokes are not ordinary; they form unusual shapes like the face of a pondering man, vivid…
PCPA premieres new play, ‘The San Patricios,’ about a little known part of U.S. history
San Patricios opens with a solemn chorus, calling to mind honor, war, and noble ideals. The play’s cast stands at attention, singing, with the set looming in the background and a series of ropes suggesting a hangman’s noose. But the solemn scene is quickly shattered, as a carnival barker caricature of 11th president, James K.…
Indie pop band Grouplove comes to Avila Beach Resort with Portugal. The Man and Tokyo Police Club
The band Grouplove met the way paramours do in an elegant, European novel. Frontman Christian Zucconi met artist Hannah Hooper in Manhattan. Days later, the two are in Greece, at an artists retreat, where they meet guitarist Andrew Wessen, bassist Sean Gadd, and drummer Ryan Rabin. Five years later, the alternative pop group has now…
Bring on the bounty: Early harvest promises awesome abundance on the Central Coast
The fierce, blue-feathered hawk slices through the air with jet-like intensity. I snap blurry photos in vain as the majestic bird of prey–named Dexter by his gloved handler–swiftly patrols Laetita Winery’s 630-acre Arroyo Grande vineyard. Dexter’s dexterous occupation? Eliminate pesky critters keen on munching the vines, many of which are already heavy with luscious, ripening…
Trader Joe’s 2011 R.G.M.V. and BarrelHouse Brewing Company’s Templeton Ale
Trader Joe’s 2011 R.G.M.V. When it comes to fashion, I look at the quality and construction of the garment (say, a vintage dress with well-crafted seams and detailed finishes) rather than a fancy price tag or big-name brand. I apply the same philosophy to wine, which can cost an arm and a leg (and…
Powered by wine
Dive in: Explore the refreshing world of grenache blanc at a Rhone Rangers Hot Tuesday Varietal Night Series slated for Aug. 12 at Summerwood Winery in Paso Robles … Play some bocce ball and dance to the sounds of CV Wells at Laetitia Winery on Aug. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. … Tunes at…
They’ll be your Huckleberry
There’s something about that homemade touch that gives an exciting spark of life to any event. Guests notice if the invitations are hand drawn, or if the centerpiece has the unique spirit of the host about it rather than looking like it came from Pier 1. The trouble is, though, it’s tough to know where…
Cougars & Mustangs
Some people try to hide from an education during the summer, thinking that they’ve earned not learning anything, thank you very much, let me fill my head with dead flies and bits of fluff. The world is just too massive for that ever to go down, however. A local Cougars and Mustangs correspondent, who wished…
Pismo’s crowded field: Six candidates are vying for three city council seats in Pismo Beach
There’s a clear dichotomy in this year’s jam-packed, developing race for Pismo Beach City Council. On one side, incumbent Mayor Shelly Higginbotham and council members Mary Ann Reiss and Kris Vardas tout a combined 36 years of City Council service and experience. On the other, mayoral challenger Kevin Kreowski and council aspirants Marcia Guthrie and…
UC Davis and the Strawberry Commission are wrestling over a strawberry breeding program’s future
Those tangy, sweet, red berries that yielded $210.58 million for San Luis Obispo County in 2013, making them the county’s top crop in 2011 and 2012, are way more complicated than the average consumer could ever fathom. In addition to the actual farming and harvesting, there’s also the research and development that happens before any…
Clarification
In the July 31 article, “Exploration Station closes temporarily after an employee arrest,” the end of employment for former program director Tosha Punches was misstated. Punches was laid off.
Light Brown Apple Moth and Asian Citrus Psyllid detections in SLO County
The discovery of two pests in San Luis Obispo County has put agricultural officials on alert and will expand ongoing quarantine efforts. On Aug. 4, the SLO County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures announced that three light brown apple moths were discovered in Arroyo Grande. The moths, often referred to as LBAM, have been found…
An interim general manager for the California Valley Community Services District resigned in less than a week
Less than a week after he started work, the recently hired interim general manager for the California Valley Community Services District submitted his letter of resignation. Whether he’s actually resigned, however, is still a matter of discussion. Two representatives with the CSD confirmed that John Eulberg was hired July 29, but submitted a letter of…
Paso Robles to issue business licenses to mobile medical marijuana dispensaries, narrowly avoids a second vote on an outright ban
Just three weeks after an unsuccessful bid to ban mobile medical marijuana dispensaries, the Paso Robles City Council revisited the topic and voted to begin accepting business licenses for such dispensaries. It was a tense evening on Aug. 5, with more than 100 people filling the room and spilling out into the lobby. City councilmembers…
High tide
I’m looking for a good home for three mostly house-broken editors. Must be willing to feed them twice daily, fill their bowls with craft beer, and give them a good scrubbing at least once a week. I feel bad that I can’t keep them. I’m not moving or dying or anything. It’s just that when…
KCPR has been a lifeline
KCPR is an important community resource, and deserves to stay unsold and on the air—preferably untouched by what seems to be an overly excitable and prudish administration at the university (“Mixed signals,” July 31). I did not attend Cal Poly, but as an aspiring musician growing up in San Luis Obispo County, KCPR was a…
Statistics aren’t on ‘global warming’ scientists’ side
I read with dismay the article about El Niño and the worn-out claims of manmade global warming, which simply is not true (“Rain on the brain,” July 31). When will the journalists do their job and properly research this? I know David Hovde and respect him a great deal. He is one of the finest…
If this is true, how could it happen?
In response to “Fed up” (July 17): It is incomprehensible, if the allegations are true. The published allegations against San Luis Obispo’s Chipotle restaurant’s regional manager are extremely serious. If true, they paint Chipotle in San Luis Obispo as an egregiously hostile workplace. How many of us would like to exchange our hard-earned money for…
‘Offenders’ still have humanity
Regarding “Transcending solitary” (July 31), by Joe Payne: In her work for Arts in Corrections and the Poetic Justice Project, Deborah Tabola confronts and examines accepted practices of institutional abuse. Rather than railing against the profound injustice, she offers hope and potential healing in her work with inmates. She leads them from the depths of…
Preserve the flavor
Obviously I’m from a different generation, if not from a different walk of life. The answer I would have given to Street Talk (July 31), “What’s your favorite summer jam and why?” would be, “Apricot, especially homemade straight off the tree with its full fruited flavor and its great taste on toast.” — Al Thompson…
Here’s how to make SLO even more boring
I read the article “Mixed signals” (July 31) and was disturbed deeply by the idea that Cal Poly would use a pseudo sex-scandal as a pretext (pre-sext?) for shutting down one of the few non-corporate outlets for artistic expression that exist on the Central Coast. Those of us who grew up in this area and…
Climate change denier arguments are bizarre
For some odd reason, while reading Gary Wechter’s commentary, “Climate change nonsense,” in your July 3 issue, the long dormant image of Richard Nixon standing in front of the press proclaiming “I am not a crook!” popped into mind. Very soon after making that proclamation, of course, Nixon became the first American president forced to…
