Cover Story
Masterpiece classical: Festival Mozaic brings diverse and high-quality music to the Central Coast
Back in January, Slate magazine made a bold declaration: “Classical music in America is dead.” The author’s reasons included the genre’s niche appeal, lack of funding, and perceived inaccessibility, as well as the scourge of any self-respecting American: “fancy clothes.” Yes, it would seem that classical music is now among the ranks of vaudeville and…
Excelaron appeal denied
A state appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling against oil-drilling company Excelaron. On July 24, the Second Appellate District court issued its ruling that will uphold the denial of Excelaron’s proposed drilling operation on the Mankins Ranch in the Huasna Valley. In the 16-page ruling, the court determined that Excelaron failed to file…
Bigotry and beans
Just when you thought the worst thing you could get from Chipotle was a generic pile of rice and beans and some intestinal complaints, a lawsuit filed by a former local Chipotle manager paints a picture infinitely more ominous: a regional manager referencing the television show Roots while threatening to hang a black employee from…
Conner drops out of SLO mayor race
One of San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Marx’s only competitors announced he is dropping out of the race. In an email, John Conner, who owns Petit Soleil bed and breakfast in SLO, said he decided to drop out of the race for mayor. “I have decided to end my run for Mayor of San Luis…
John Shoals announces his candidacy for Grover Beach mayor
Longtime Grover Beach politico John Shoals will be running for the city’s mayoral seat in the upcoming Nov. 4 general election. Shoals debuted the news in a July 14 press release and made a formal announcement outside Grover Beach City Hall that afternoon. “It’s not going to be an easy campaign,” said Shoals, addressing a…
Fed up: A former Chipotle employee is suing over allegations of racial discrimination
It was mid afternoon and Janeka Samuels had her first opportunity to take a break since starting work at 7:30 a.m. As the only manager working at one of two Chipotle locations in San Luis Obispo, she wasn’t able to take a break unless another manager was there to take over. And when the regional…
What fair food would you invent?
Hector Rodriguez student “Pizza.” Dee Wilson RMA “Tacos.” Sandra Cruz sales associate “Tortas.” David Atkinson clinical lab processor “Most of the best foods have been invented. Perhaps a pulled-pork burrito.”
Dulcie Taylor delivers an emotionally affecting new album
When Dulcie Taylor speaks, there’s no hiding her South Carolina roots, reflected in both her drawling accent and her unrelenting southern charm. After establishing her singer-songwriter bonafides in the Washington D.C. area, she moved to SLO County a couple years ago and wasted no time immersing herself in our own local music scene, even while…
Clubs 7/17/14-7/24/14
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…
Revel in the merriment of two upcoming fairs on the Central Coast
Here ye! Here ye! Fair maidens, noble vassals, and even thou motley-minded serfs! By my troth, it is mine duty to announce the coming tidings. Gather thy codpieces, festooned ruffs, and goblets of mead my merry folk. Forsooth, the Central Coast Renaissance Festival is upon us. Yes, this July 19 and 20, at Laguna Lake…
Adopt a cat or kitten July 19 or 26 outside PETCO in SLO Town!
As my wife and I pull into the PETCO parking lot, I can see crates of kittens set up under a white pop-up. It’s just 11 a.m., opening time, but there are already people soaking up the adorableness that are kittens. Christine Collie, one of the Feline Network’s volunteers and board members, immediately greets me.…
Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ gets a local twist.
Beauty and the Beast has always been a favorite movie of mine. This is partly because I was a total bookworm growing up, like my soul sister Belle, and partly because the song “Gaston” was, and always will be, the single greatest thing to ever come out of a Disney princess movie. Don’t even try…
Mitchella Winery’s 2011 ‘Shameless’ GSM and Folkway Winery’s ‘Deviator’
Mitchella Winery’s 2011 “Shameless” GSM Would you like some cheese with that whine? To that age-old question, I will forever proclaim, “Bring it on, baby!” If you give me cheese and you give me wine, chances are, I will have absolutely nothing to complain about for the next 20 minutes. Mitchella Vineyard & Winery rendered…
Food should be fun
Pork play: Sign up for a Makin’ Bacon class to be held at Cass Winery with Chef Jacob Lovejoy on July 27 (email info@farmsteaded.com) … The Yard Supperclub in SLO is offering monthly “secret suppers” with a rotating theme, chef, and musician at each feast (Google: The Yard SLO) … July 20 is all about…
Kreuzberg’s new lounge is still poor, more sexy
To understand Kreuzberg, CA’s new lounge, we must first jet set to Kreuzberg, Berlin. Every time Kreuzberg, CA Coffee Company Co-owner James Whitaker returns to the eclectic neighborhood, he discovers a new, titillating layer to its allure. During a recent trip, the Cal Poly alum found himself hanging out at a buzzing late-night restaurant that,…
The new generation: Exploration Station in Grover Beach offers Science 4 Girls Camp
Everyone knows that boys are made of slime, and snails, and puppy dog tails, and girls are made up of sugar, and spice, and everything nice. While boys are encouraged to explore and create, girls are encouraged to be passive, pretty little dolls. But this summer, the Exploration Station in Grover Beach will be offering…
Cougars & Mustangs
The rumor is that rain is on its way to the Central Coast, but the rumors I hear are usually just from eavesdropping on people who happen to be walking outside of my apartment, which is a sub-group of the population not necessarily renowned for accuracy. However, if the moodiness of the cloudy sky outside…
Coastal intervention: Pirate’s Cove is staying exactly the same
From the outset, the message from those who love and frequent Pirate’s Cove was simple: Keep it the same. The secluded stretch of coastline between Avila Beach and Shell Beach is known for its spectacular views, unspoiled nature, and clothing-optional culture. After San Luis Obispo County assumed ownership of the Pirate’s Cove land in February…
Clarifications
• In the July 10 article “Anti up,” New Times used an incorrect homophone in a quote from Paso Robles City Councilman Steve Martin. The correct quote should read, “I thought that the manufacturing zone should be kept as discrete as possible.” • An article about Debbie Peterson’s mayoral campaign (“Grover’s Peterson will seek a…
San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney Tim Covello has resigned
Assistant District Attorney Tim Covello has resigned from his position in San Luis Obispo County and transitioned to a new role with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Covello made the announcement by email to the office, saying that his last day would be July 11. However, the office announced the move one day…
Coastal Commission cracks down on Ontario Ridge
Siding with local hikers, county officials, and staff recommendations, the California Coastal Commission unanimously voted during its July 11 meeting to issue a cease and desist order and notice of violation to Ontario Ridge property owner Rob McCarthy. McCarthy had already been ordered to remove unpermitted fences and signs on his property that deter access…
San Luis Obispo City Council approves a Laguna Lake conservation plan
The video showed a happy boy, swimming in the waters of Laguna Lake. The colors were oversaturated, the picture grainy—the type of quality now most associated with Instagram. But this was no social media post. It was a home video, recorded in the ’60s, that resident Brett Cross used to help convince the San Luis…
Paso Robles City Council kills proposed ban on mobile medical marijuana dispensaries
The political winds surrounding marijuana shifted a bit at the July 15 Paso Robles City Council meeting; city staff were unsuccessful in an attempt to pass a ban on mobile medical marijuana dispensaries within city boundaries. The attempt brought to mind a similar effort made by San Luis Obispo city staff in May, which the…
Cayucos officials consider prohibiting early set up for the town’s annual Fourth of July parade
Most of the time, the small beach town of Cayucos is known as a laid-back surf town, but on the Fourth of July, tens of thousands of people flock to the downtown area to watch the annual Fourth of July parade. And now, some local officials are proposing a ban on locals setting up seats…
Increase climate change understanding
California students will soon be learning science and critical thinking under the Next Generation Science Standards. It is unfortunate that Mr. Gary Wechter (see his July 3 commentary “Climate change nonsense”) was not similarly taught. He would then learn the concept of “time scales” and that the climate change associated with the ice ages took…
I’ve been waiting for this strategy
Heidi Harmon wrote an informative commentary explaining why a carbon tax charged on all fossil fuels and rebated to the public would serve as the best solution to climate change (“Climate crisis has no party affiliation,” May 22). Gary Wechter wrote a response to her commentary that criticized every point she made, however, he failed…
We do need panhandler handling in SLO
Dear Shredder, The Shredmeister, His Shredness, El Shredderino, if you’re not into brevity: While I agree with your opinion of downtown security being the pedantic and litigious I’m-in-charge-till-mom-gets-home eldest sibling babysitters of the city (“Over a double barrel of ale,” July 15), I must also agree with their efforts to minimize the homeless/panhandling population here.…
Bring on the compost (and food and wine)!
Much thanks for the article about composting a couple weeks ago (“Anatomy of a compost pile,” July 17)! Black Diamond Vermicompost is awesome stuff. (And I immediately bought both of the books Cristy Christie recommended; I can never have enough books about soil!) I always enjoy hearing about agriculture- and food-related hacks people can do…
It’s time to fight
A few months ago, the city of Pismo Beach voted to end invocations during their council meetings, buckling to legal pressure by Freedom From Religion Foundation and the San Luis Obispo chapter of Atheists United. The city agreed to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees of $47,500 plus one dollar to each of the two plaintiffs…
