Cover Story
The Art of Seeing
For an artist who has for decades made art about seeing, it’s interesting to note how many people do not see the work of Robert Irwin; there are people for whom an Irwin exhibit is just … an empty room. Imagine! But I, for one, don’t need to imagine, because I can remember: The first…
The Tipsy Gypsies release their new album of retro music
It’s Friday, July 19, and once again I appear to be underdressed! Who knew the Tipsy Gypsies’ album release party at The Z Club would lure in so many natty clotheshorses? And what happened to The Z? It’s been transformed into an underground jazz club/ speakeasy circa 1930s. It’s got all the trappings minus the…
What kind of artwork do you wish you could cover your fridge with?
Kori Good Caregiver “I would cover it in pin-up art, or find a surrealist artist and have them paint a mural.” Gabe Erno Student “The full fridge would be a picture of the ocean.” Colin Erno Student “It would be covered with cows in space.” Jim Pearce Employed “I would cover it with Georgia O’Keefe…
Alt-country icons Son Volt play SLO Brew
It’s a little shocking to believe that Son Volt will be playing in SLO Brew. After all, during their heyday, the band drew huge crowds, and their music is still wholly engaging. The alt-country act formed by Jay Farrar in 1994 after the break-up of his band Uncle Tupelo found immediate success with the release…
McCarthy’s regulars turn up in Ray Myles music video
Who knew that being a daytime regular at McCarthy’s could lead to fame, stardom, and also getting really drunk? That’s just what happened to a group of folks enjoying a quiet day-drink at this San Luis Obispo watering hole, when hip-hop artist Ray Myles rolled up. Myles was shooting the video for his song “Blacked…
PCPA stages Monty Python’s Spamalot
Spamalot, the official Broadway rip-off of 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is on the one hand, complete and total comfort food. The most memorable scenes and lines from the film are all there, and there’s a collective shiver of anticipation when the audience senses one of them coming. The payoff is, of course,…
Vina Robles 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Paso Robles
Typically, I prefer Rhone whites over white Bordeaux and Burgundy varieties grown in Paso Robles. This sauvignon blanc, however, was amazing from the first sip to the last. Whether you enjoy it with food or without I think you’ll share my feeling that it’s irresistible. Grown in the estate’s Jardine Vineyard, this crisp white was…
Deovlet Wines might not be big, but it’s quality
Driving into an empty parking lot beside two old-looking warehouses at the dead end of Suburban Road, I found absolutely nothing outside indicating the presence of a winery—not even a sign for Deovlet Wines. I guessed which door to open, not difficult since the first door let to a cabinetry business, and cautiously turned the…
Life’s a picnic at the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival in Paso Robles
There are many reasons to love the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival. Men in tights. The feeling of superiority you get when you tell your friends you attended a theatrical production of a Shakespeare play while all your friends are watching Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure for the 17th time. Balmy Paso Robles summer nights. The…
The Wellness Kitchen in Templeton aims to improve health and aid recovery with food
Cooking with just salt and butter wasn’t enough for Nancy Walker. It wasn’t until she enrolled in a holistic cooking program at Bauman College that she learned how to put love into food. Walker then decided to create The Wellness Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing food, resources, and education for people recovering…
Cougars & Mustangs
Welcome to the last week of July 2013. The year’s really only a little more than halfway over, but it’s in the bizarre transitional phase between summer finals—for Cuesta students with summer classes, what remains of summer break for both them and everybody else—and the start of a new year of school. So this has…
Santa Maria refinery seeks a railroad extension to cut crude costs, but will the savings be passed along to the consumer?
In June, San Luis Obispo County residents began receiving vague phone calls from an East Coast-based company, which asked a long list of rather nebulous questions. At first, it seemed political; the pollsters asked for the residents’ opinion of each of the county supervisors, and were even unaware of the recent passing of District 4…
Correction
An article regarding former Morro Bay dispensary owner Charlie Lynch (“Waiting for justice,” July 10) misstated a criminal charge for which he was convicted. Lynch was convicted of distributing marijuana, cultivating marijuana at his on-site nursery, conspiring to distribute marijuana, operating a drug premises, and selling to minors.
Air Force mulls offshore oil drilling at Vandenberg
A company that wants to pull oil from the ground below Vandenberg Air Force Base or from deposits offshore needs to choose its location carefully. The last request to drill was proposed between two major launch sites on the base. That was a definite no go; putting a drill pad there would have prevented access…
San Luis Obispo jumping death ruled suicide
Brian Joseph Lawler, 26, died after jumping from a multistory parking structure at the corner of Palm and Morro streets in downtown San Luis Obispo. According to a press release, SLOPD received multiple 911 calls at around 4:30 p.m. on July 18, reporting that someone had jumped from the top of the building. Units were…
Avila Beach divers narrowly avoid whale, go viral
It was just a regular dive, until it wasn’t. On July 20, just more than two miles off the coast of Avila Beach, Shawn Stamback and Francis Antigua of San Luis Obispo were snorkeling during a diving break while two of their friends shot video. Suddenly, a frenzied swarm of sardines enveloped the divers. “At…
SLO Fire Chief Charlie Hines to retire
San Luis Obispo City Fire Department Chief Charlie Hines plans to retire on Sept. 10, according to an e-mail from the city manager’s office obtained by New Times. According to the e-mail, sent at approximately 10 a.m. on July 23, Hines and City Manager Katie Lichtig had been discussing his desire to “spend more time…
Achadjian says bill authorship dispute kept rape loophole open
California still can’t prosecute as rapists people who trick an unwilling partner into sex through impersonation, unless the perpetrator is posing as the victim’s spouse. Assembly Bill 65 seemed poised to close the rape-by-fraud loophole on July 11 when the California Senate scheduled a third and final reading of the bill. Instead, legislators delayed a…
History came to life
What a splendid performance was put on recently by the citizens of Atascadero! The Colony musical was part of a centennial celebration and enacted some of the early events from the founding of the city. Anet Carlin and Colleen Goulding wrote the script and brought early founders to life, telling their stories and dreams. E.…
To the county supervisors
Greetings supervisors, I am a lifelong resident of the Paso area, a vineyard manager, and a new homeowner in the Jardine area. I attended the board meeting on July 9 in support for Pro Water Equity, my community, and myself, for I too am an overlier on the Paso Groundwater Basin. I hope now you…
Enough with diversion tactics
County Supervisor Adam Hill concluded his recent spoof opinion piece concerning “Agenda 21” with enlightenment about “unintended benefits of pollution and drought” (“Agenda 21 and me,” July 4). Although I am not yet enlightened, I do see benefits of diversion tactics to those who place agendas for personal aggrandizement ahead of the common good (including…
Rim was awesome
I beg to differ on the review of Pacific Rim (“Pacific Rim fails to enthrall,” July 18). That movie totally ruled. Considering the way New Times dishes out $10 reviews, I’m surprised to see so much criticism of Pacific Rim. Why such a scrutinizing review on a movie whose sole purpose is entertainment? The movie…
You’re caving to vague threats, New Times
You’re caving to vague threats, New Times I am appalled that you not only published the letter from Jon Claxton (“Show some respect,” July 18) regarding the July 4 cartoon by Jerry James, but that you issued an apology, and thanked him as well. Maybe you did not actually read the letter, which concludes with…
We can’t wait for water
I live in rural Paso Robles, on a well that’s not dry. Yet. As our groundwater basin dries up, many of our neighbors have run dry, lowered their pumps, or drilled a new well ($20,000 to $30,000; no guarantee of hitting water). The water levels are severely declining—by some accounts more than 100 feet in…
How I roll
Say what you will about the putrid stench of vomit and urine, there’s no better community theater than Friday night drunks around midnight to 1 a.m.—the quarreling hour. “I hate your face! I don’t even know why I’m looking at it! You’re irrelevant. Did you know that? You’re just a stupid, stupid, and I don’t…
