Cover Story
Tarnished by light
Think about this for a second,” venerable photographer Santi Visalli told me. “You see an image, and your eye will tell your brain to tell your finger to click. And it is maybe a millionth of a second that passes, but there is a lapse of time. You have to be so sharp, so ahead…
What’s your favorite burrito spot?
Alexandria Landrum fashion buyer “Tacos de Mexico in Morro Bay because it’s an original spot and they’re amazing. And I like how the burrito guy always asks, ‘And for you, my friend?’” Pedro Arias busser “Since Tio Alberto’s is gone, Chipotle. Their meat is good, and they have all different kinds of salsa.” Mark Grayson…
How’s this for a feel-good story?
Babies. Bare feet. Money. Laughter. Sunshine. Chocolate. Coffee. Candy. Puppies. Road trips. Sex. Music. Water. Small-town feel. These are the words that bring joy to the inhabitants of San Luis Obispo, the happiest people in North America. We know this because a book called Thrive, after a complex, highly scientific analysis, deemed our town the…
Get to know the new laws
Hey, you dope-smoking hipster wannabe anarchists, I’ve got some good news for you. Starting this year in California, when you get caught smoking an ounce or less of Mary Jane, the penalty is a mere ticket. It’s an expensive ticket at $100, but still: no court appearances, no arrest, and nothing on your record. Undoubtedly,…
From bad to worse
When Phil Jones left his Oceano home on the morning of Dec. 19, the water in his front yard was about a foot deep. Every year his sea-level neighborhood floods. However, this time when Jones returned home, he was greeted by fire and police crews evacuating residences. By that point, the water was about two…
SLO Police union foregoes a pay increase
The San Luis Obispo Police union kissed and made up with the city, agreeing to a one-year extension of the previous working agreement that will contain no pay raises. Though the extension forgoes any cost-of-living increase for 2011, it does differ in one respect from last year’s agreement: It lacks a no-layoff clause. Most of…
Financial report: SLO council doesn’t want to hear it
The San Luis Obispo City Council turned down the chance to hear a presentation about the results of the city manager’s Fiscal Sustainability Task Force. The suggestion was voted away 3-2, with Mayor Jan Marx, Vice-Mayor John Ashbaugh, and Kathy Smith voting against and Andrew Carter and Dan Carpenter voting for the idea “I think…
Ian Parkinson steps up, quotes Lincoln
Ian Parkinson was sworn in as San Luis Obispo County sheriff on Jan. 3 in the county government center. New county supervisor Paul Teixeira and re-elected supervisor Bruce Gibson, along with other re-elected county officials, were sworn in as well. But the star of the show was Parkinson, who replaced Pat Hedges, the controversial three-term…
Narcotics Task Force arrests 12 in mobile dispensary investigation
Just days before Christmas, roughly 50 agents with the San Luis Obispo County Narcotics Task Force (NTF) raided eight residences throughout SLO and Los Angeles counties after an investigation into mobile medical marijuana dispensaries. Twelve people—ranging in age from 21 to 60—were arrested under a heap of charges, from possession of marijuana for sale to…
County clerk shuts down passports
Travelers will no longer be able to obtain a passport from the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder as of Feb. 1. Citing dwindling fee revenues and increased regulations on the issuance of passports, County Clerk-Recorder Julie Rodewald told county supervisors on Jan. 4 that it’s no longer cost-effective for her office. The Office of the…
Tougher graffiti stance triggers worries
San Luis Obispo County is planning to crack down on graffiti vandals, hard. Actually, harder. On Jan. 4, SLO County supervisors unanimously approved the introduction of an anti-graffiti ordinance, which is scheduled for a formal public hearing on Jan. 25. Though the vote was unanimous, not all supervisors were so hot on the ordinance—not because…
Josh Barnhart–all by his lonesome
If you’ve hung out in this county over the last 20 years, you’ve probably met the humble Josh Barnhart. Whether you were his high school English teacher, the customer who bought a record from him at Boo Boo’s, or an old Port O’Brien fan, you probably know him as a very talented percussionist. But for…
I will eat and drink my way across the city!
Paul Klee once said, “A drawing is simply a line going for a walk.” That has absolutely no connection to anything; I just like that quote. I also like that Andy Warhol said, “Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job,” which makes more sense when you understand that Banksy said, “The…
Tentacled lamps, feathered vases, and shiny ray guns?
Perhaps it’s something in the Pasadena water, but it seems that Evan Chambers’ functional art pieces have sprouted tentacles. And chicken legs. And bat wings. The artist cites Bay Area sculptor Bella Feldman among his influences, and indeed, there’s an echo of Feldman’s “War Toys” series in his retro-futuristic ray guns, and his appendage-sprouting lamps…
Hello, 2011!
I’m back! Did you miss me? What’s that? You didn’t notice I was gone for four freakin’ weeks? Fine! I didn’t miss you either, but I hope your New Year’s resolution was to see more live music this year, though this first week of the year looks like it’s starting out like a lamb. Still,…
Soul food
If you take yoga classes at Smiling Dog Studio, you may notice a new scent wafting through the space—not quite sweat or inner peace, but a gentle, intricate aroma. Surrounded by a patio, the kitchen is situated so visitors can peep through the windows to watch the chef in action. Pull up a stool at…
Clubs
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What’s next, Cash for Geezers?
On my drive home yesterday, an advertisement over my car radio told me how much the Cancer Society needed old cars donated to help them fight cancer. Then I remembered watching the Youtube video where cars were turned in for the government program called “Cash for Clunkers.” They took in cars, some better than mine,…
Clear up Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division dealings
The article “State dunes study held up by appeal” (Dec. 30) implies that the state study is part of the “multi-party process for developing a dust control strategy.” It is not. This state’s wind study was not publicly requested nor authorized by either the Board of Supervisors nor the Air Pollution Control District. These agencies…
Shame on you, Mr. Kee!
I find it curious that Mike Kee recently took the time to write a long and detailed letter against a performance of “No Shame Theatre” at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre without actually taking the time to attend the performance in question (“What’s happened to the Theatre?” Dec. 30). His opinion is that “this…
Some people in the community enjoyed No Shame
In response to the Letter to the Editor in the Dec. 30 paper titled, “What happened to the Theatre?” by Mike Kee: Loosen up. There’s a reason “No Shame” started at 11 p.m. and was free. Everyone who didn’t want to see it should have been in bed. To everyone who was offended by “No…
This is one Cambria resident’s complaint
Dear CSD Manager Rudock, I am a Cambria homeowner who lives on a very limited income. There are times when we do without just so we can pay our CSD bill. I just read in New Times that your salary is $121,548 per year (“Righteous bucks,” Dec. 22). You also receive $55,641 in benefits, a…
Next time, leave the chest hair out of it
Thank you, New Times, for Colin Rigley’s piece on stolen jewelry (“Diamonds, gems, and gold in the rough,” Dec. 16). It’s fascinating to learn how it all works with second-hand dealers and the law enforcement. I agree with the deputy district attorney that the thief should be responsible for the pawn fee, not the jewelry…
Civilization depends upon regulations
I frequently travel Highway 166 from the Santa Maria Valley to the Cuyama Valley and am always struck by the diversity and beauty of this road trip. My voyage traverses the rolling, sometimes green other times golden hills of the Santa Maria Valley, which are bounded by miles of sandy beaches and crashing waves, through…
Aaron Ortiz, Modern Music Academy graduate
NEW TIMES How did the teaching at the MMA differ from private lessons or a music class at school? ORTIZ Darren Clarke, who is our teacher and founder of the MMA in SLO, doesn’t just teach you how to play your instrument. Whether you play bass, electric, or acoustic guitar, percussion, it doesn’t matter because…
Parting is such sweet sorrow
The tradition is as old as myself, which is to say it’s as old as the hills—which is my pet name for my biceps. I call the right one Islay and the left one Irish. Every year, the Old Shredder steps down at the stroke of midnight and hands the ceremonial tools of the trade—the…
Big House Red 2009
I was surprised by this tasty, value-priced wine that seems to have a little of this and a little of that with more than 13 varieties in the blend. It tastes of wild briary blackberries and boysenberries that meld with notes of smoke, spice, and earth. Well balanced with bright acidity, this easy drinking wine…
Forefront by Pine Ridge 2009 Pinot Noir
This Pinot is ripe with rich fruit yet maintains an impressive elegance. It offers delicious black cherry and plummy aromas and flavors woven with notes of allspice and tangy raspberry liqueur with nuances of mocha and cedar. It’s irresistible alone, and it’s a great choice with salmon, ahi, prime rib, or lamb chops. This was…
Solid as a rock
Is dining out simply a means of quenching your hunger? Or do you seek a special experience with a great chef; comfortable ambiance; and friendly, knowledgeable servers? As a restaurant critic, I prefer the latter and never frequent fast food chains. Yet there are plenty of times when I wish for a good meal that’s…
