Cover Story
Why worry?
Elaine McKellips vomits three to four times every day. When she sits, her legs knock together uncontrollably at the knees, a condition she apologizes for offhandedly. McKellips suffers from several chronic, debilitating maladies ranging from gastroparesis, which severely impedes digestion of even the most benign liquids, to restless leg syndrome. Nausea keeps her at home most…
Are you going to eat that?
Pop quiz! What band is named after a character from William Burrow’s experimental novel Naked Lunch? Need another hint? During the classic rock period, they stood out as a band that created a unique sound mixing jazz, blues, popular music, with highly ironic lyrics filled with black humor? Still nothing? Two of their most popular…
Another crude awakening
Thank you for having the courage to inform the community of this inevitable problem that we must acknowledge and quickly solve (“Taking Watch on the Montebello, July 17, 2008). I share [Gary’ Talley’s frustration in that no one will take this problem seriously and do anything proactive about it. It’s obvious that removing the oil…
Correction
Glen Starkey, while writing about “Breadcrumbs,” an exhibition at Arts Space Obispo (July 23, 2008), incorrectly mentioned that AdMinds had gone out of business. AdMinds is alive and well.
That sinking feeling
It seems we are between a rock (oil) and a hard place (nuclear generation) and they both leave us cold. To quote from Wayne Madsen’s “Voices” article “Nuclear energy is neither green nor renewable” (“Nuclear Not Green Enough for Solution,” The Tribune, July 19, 2008). He stated all the reasons this country (and the rest…
Home, sweet condo
Perhaps Ms. [Odile] Ayral should reconsider her harsh assessment of Bella Montana (“Build better faculty housing,” Letters, July 17, 2008). As a new resident of Bella Montana and a fledgling member of the Cal Poly administration, I can say that I am very pleased with my new condominium. My wife and I relocated from a…
Meanwhile, back at the ranch
Wow! The Santa Margarita Area Advisory Council has a poisonous atmosphere! Who feeds you this crap? You parroted the three members of the advisory council who did NOT support the proposed ranch development and who get nasty when others do not agree with them (The Shredder, “I am not funny,” July 17, 2008). They are…
Make hanging legal
My Mom was so proud of her laundry hanging in the backyard. She always bragged that her clothesline was so much better than Mrs. Murphy’s who lived nearby; I couldn’t tell the difference and thought “So what?” but as a good little boy, kept quiet. The instant city, Woodlands, has absolutely no clotheslines. I will…
Take a bow
Bravo to PCPA! The current offering from PCPA [Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts] deserves accolades. The staging, costuming, choreography, direction (musical and acting), and finally, the performers were absolutely outstanding. I truly believe a New York Broadway company could not have presented a better production. How lucky we are to have this kind of…
But limits on who?
I’m sure the Shredder meant well (“I’m not funny,” July 17, 2008), but if you raise the fee at the Dunes, only the rich can ride. Instead try a strict limit on occupancy.
Surfing into the Sunset
As a surfer residing in San Luis Obispo, who considers himself to be relatively “cultured and educated,” it was interesting to read, in the recent Sunset Magazine piece, about the City of San Luis Obispo (August 2008 issue, page 67),Üa quote attributed to SLO County accountant Merilee Wilhelm. She proclaims that: “You have a lot…
Fish and Game otter reconsider
I have been an abalone diver for 40 years (regarding “The snails did go quickly,” July 3, 2008). I recall free diving for large red abalone off Shell Beach. I personally witnessed the destruction of the abalone and Pismo clam resources by sea otters in the 1980s and ’90s. The only remaining abalone resource is…
Rock-ing the Montebello
For 50 years I have hunted rocks along our coast. In recent years I started noticing small globules of oil, specifically around Moonstone Beach. Because of their tacky nature, they accrete a gravel exterior that often hides their true nature. My first thought about their appearance was the Montebello. I have worked in the Santa…
Something from nothing
For centuries, drawing was considered a lesser art form, a skill employed only as a step in the process of creating a true piece of art: a painting or sculpture. “That’s something that I believe has changed in the last 15 years,” said Tim Anderson, the former SLO Art Center curator whose drawings will be…
Delish! Terrif!
New Times I was reading about Thoroughly Modern Millie and I noticed that the language is really colorful. Does that come across in the stage version? Ryan Cordero Yeah, they [the writers] used the lingo from the 1920s and kind of poke fun at it. In one scene, one of the characters says “I’m sorry,…
Choreographer girl goes to the Spanos
It wasn’t a dark and stormy night when SLO resident Lisa Deyo decided to found her own dance company. It was actually on a Russian train chugging away from St. Petersburg, a glass of champagne in hand, and flushed with success from a highly praised performance, that Deyo made the momentous decision. Deyo was originally…
Should the city have asked for more money for the Chinatown property?
Jason Carmichael General contractor “Yes. The money could have gone to things we need like public improvements and parks.” Jenn Kent Cosmetic consultant “No. It was a trade off for ensuring the developer would build something that is consistent with the character of the community.” Ben Strickland Student “They were right in giving a deal…
Hello SLO
After about a month of preparation and a couple of days of frantic packing, I found myself crammed into a two-door Honda Civic with as many belongings as it would hold headed toward the California coast and a new job with the New Times. The journey began in San Andreas, which always spurs the…
Living the Good Life
In June this year, I celebrated my 12th anniversary of writing New Times’ Cuisine column; a milestone I’m quite proud of achieving. And I never fail to hear it whenever I first meet someone, resident or tourist, once they learn I’m the Cuisine columnist: They always tell me I’m “blessed.” I couldn’t agree more, but…
Margerum Wine Company 2006 M5 Santa Ynez Valley
Vintner and winemaker Doug Margerum says of his signature blend: “This multi-vineyard, multi-varietal cuvee illustrates the benefits inherent in a blended wine.” And the Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, Mourvedre and Cinsault that makeup M5 comes from 12 of the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County. Aromatic and luscious with its perfectly ripe flavors of cranberry, raspberry…
Fast facts
Celebrating 100 years of baseball’s catchy chorus “Take Me Out To the Ball Game,” the Paso Robles Post Office is collecting new and used baseball equipment for Pitch in for Baseball, a nonprofit organization that gives needy children a chance to participate in America’s favorite pastime. Donors can drop off their equipment in the lobby…
Helping others to help themselves
In this region, known for its expensive housing market, it can be difficult for first-time home buyers to get their foot in the door. One local nonprofit came up with a solution; let them build the door themselves. For more than 35 years, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corp. has been dedicated to assisting Central Coast low-income…
Don’t say I didn’t warn you
Colin Rigley’s in town and he’s joined the New Times as a Staff Writer. He’s keeping an eye on what’s shady, especially in government, and he is closing in. Colin kept Calaveras officials on their toes as a reporter for the Calaveras Enterprise and will turn up the heat in SLO. You can count on…
Tour of California
Imagine the route you’d take through California if you intended to show a stranger the best of the Golden State; maybe it would include tree cities, like Chico, Davis, and Auburn. Maybe, you’d throw in San Francisco, Monterey, and Pacific Coast Highway 1. Then consider the official route of the next Amgen Tour of California,…
‘Me-too’ clause lands deputy D.A.s more pay
Thanks to a clause in the labor agreement between the San Luis Obispo Government Attorneys’ Union and the county, union members will get another 1.7 percent salary increase—about $11,300 more in pay and benefits—without the hassle of labor negotiations. At the culmination of July 2006 negotiations, the union was granted a “me-too” clause, which duplicates…
Airport losses don’t dissuade expansion
Despite the loss of two airlines, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is moving forward with more than $5.8 million in improvements to pave the way for future expansion. SLO County supervisors gave the OK on July 22, for the airport to use Federal Aviation Administration funds in order to pay for two projects…
Lots of criticism in Humane Society shelter report
SLO County Animal Services, a source of both government and community scrutiny over the past year, is under the microscope once again in a new report by the Humane Society of the United States reviewing shelter policies and procedures. The report, commissioned by Sheriff Pat Hedges and the County Board of Supervisors as part of…
Little leniency for DeVaul
Dan DeVaul, the usually unflappable rancher and founder of Sunny Acres sober living facility, was literally hat in hand as the County Board of Supervisors talked about how to handle seven code violations lodged against him. In the end, he had good reason to worry. At their July 22 meeting, the supervisors showed few signs…
Farm fouled for shellfish
Hundreds of thousands of Morro Bay’s farmed oysters are growing fat and succulent in a new—and cleaner—part of the estuary, after their earlier home near the mouth of Chorro Creek was closed due to pollution. High levels of fecal coliform bacteria turned up in water samples at the oyster farm operated by Tomales Bay Oyster…
Is it a sign?
Other than the license plate, there are only two words visible on the white 1971 Jaguar planted in the side of the dirt embankment in rural Templeton. The words, written in the sort of small stick-on letters used on mailboxes, read “Slow down!” and make the vehicle seem a sort of warning to vehicles that…
Whose side are you on?
It’s time to decide. Are you on the side of law and order or are you on the side of lawlessness and perversion? Codes or chaos? I realize which one sounds like more fun, but think again. Drink in a couple of cautionary tales first. In this week’s New Times, we’re writing about two guys—I’m…
David Fitzpatrick – Attorney at law and previous San Luis Obispo County planning commissioner
NEW TIMES: How long did you serve on the County Planning Commission? FITZPATRICK: I served for two years. That was seven or eight years ago NEW TIMES: How do you become a planning commissioner? FITZPATRICK: You are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. NEW TIMES: What was the fun part of being a commissioner?…
