Cover Story
I want to believe
Somewhere a record turns in the forest, playing Sigur Ros to the trees. When it stops, the man with the pipe will simply play it over again. Somewhere an evil queen hunts a raven-haired Snow White. Her slender, pale fingers clench around a dagger. Somewhere Frida Kahlo takes herself by the hand. Her free hand…
Sheriff’s deputy arreted for alleged domestic violence
The San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department announced July 30 it arrested one of its own for a “possible domestic violence incident,” according to a department press release. Deputy John Pozdolski, 37, was arrested and booked into county jail for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, according to the department. Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Tony Cipolla said Pozdolski…
Don’t confuse me
If Libertarian candidate for senate Gail Lightfoot, for whom I have voted in the past, continues to confuse the words egregious and gregarious (“one of the most gregarious examples of government run amok,” from “Want to see government run amok?” July 19), that could induce me to confuse Gail and Gordon when I cast my…
Just admit it!
Even though we frequently make fun of the French, most Americans are Francophiles. We may lament French laze (“I am le tired!”) and the French penchant for making love with their faces, but we secretly envy their 30-hour workweeks, three-hour meals, and Gallic lifestyle. We especially like their music, and like Hemingway and other ex-pats,…
Hells bells!
Has anyone seen my socks? They appear to have been rocked off last Friday at SLO Brew. No, seriously. If you were wondering if North County AC/DC tribute band High Voltage can deliver the goods, the answer is hell yes! Last week I asked AC/CD fans to write and tell me why I should take…
From her (badly drawn) heart to yours
In one of her courses at UCLA, one of Taylor Murphy-Sinclair’s professors urged her to think about the chasm between “who you are and who other people think you are.” Her unexpected response? A one-woman show called I Can’t Draw a Heart and Other Episodes, an autobiographical piece written, directed, and performed by Murphy-Sinclair in…
What do you consider a form of art, beyond the traditional?
Ron Chamberlain gardener/boat builder “It doesn’t matter what the person’s vision is … it’s all cool.” Fred Moore disabled “Nature.” Penny Main teacher/SLO tourist “Opera and theater.” Julian Contreras retail lead “Humanity.”
A photographic trifecta
I have a friend, a brilliant fine artist who uses colors I didn’t even know existed, who told me one day over tea that he didn’t so much care for photography. “It’s too easy,” he said. “You just click a button and it’s done.” I understand what he was trying to say—that the tabula rasa…
‘If I can’t get in my body … ‘
To me, great poetry has always been synonymous with lucid insanity: piercing in observation, wild in expression, and utterly unnerving in its ability to expose the heart of its subject—even if that heart is grotesque, even if that heart is rotten. I am aware, of course, that to start a sentence with “great poetry is”…
Clubs 7/26
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music Fri. from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 7/27: Jim Townsend’s Blues Band at 5:30 p.m. THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in…
Butter me up, Mid State Fair!
Paula Deen’s life must feel like the Mid State Fair year round. I imagine her taking a dip in her butter-filled pool and then drying and styling her hair with a can of Pam. The pores and the arteries know when you’ve reached the gates at the Paso Robles Fairgrounds. They plead with you to…
Tablas Creek 2011 Patelin de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles
I thoroughly enjoyed this elegant white wine for its nectarine and tropical flavors with really juicy citrus and fine mineral notes. It’s a wine you’ll find makes a wonderful aperitif, and it’s equally enjoyable at the table. This value label from Tablas Creek is made from grapes specially selected from 11 top Rhone-producing vineyards in…
Tablas Creek 2011 Rosé Paso Robles
Winemaker Neil Collins is consistent when it comes to making this tasty pink that I love each year. Its bold cranberry color speaks of the fabulous flavors inside the bottle. Zingy, ripe flavors of cherry, strawberry, and spice are nicely woven with minerals and floral notes. Grown in the estate vineyards, this year’s blend includes…
Savor the good life
Savor the Central Coast, the popular event Sunset magazine created three years ago, is the most talked about food event of the year on the Central Coast. Yet when it all started, then Editor-in-Chief Katie Tamony admitted during an interview last year for New Times that she didn’t expect it to occur annually.But the hungry…
Smart spiders/ stupid people
I went recycling the other night. It was an all-night adventure. When I arrived back at my camp, I figured I had raked in a solid 30 bucks in plastic and aluminum. I also found stuff. Stuff being that which I can imagine to have value and fits in my backpack. I get back to…
Find hope in our commonality
The proper lady would never discuss politics or religion with friends. However this election, more than ever, I feel we each are determining the opportunities, debt, health, jobs, safety, education, and environment for our grandchildren and their children. I also feel this forum is a great place to debate. A good debate can help us…
Thou shalt not kill
In regards to the 12 who died and the 59 who were injured at the Aurora, Colo., theater, I have to take a long hard search into why this madman injured and killed people. It is not always the criminal insane that is the cause of so much pain, however it is more of spiritual…
It’s about time theists were challenged
Theism has bullied the American people into accepting its language and doctrines in public institutions and documents. Thankfully, this has been increasingly challenged in recent years. As an atheist, I do not want to see “In God We Trust” on our currency, recite “under God” in our pledge of allegiance, swear “so help me god”…
Atheists aren’t the threat to watch for
I need to point out to Mr. Michael Southern that, while extreme views regarding God or the nonexistence of God have no place in governmental decision making (be it local, state, or federal), we are in much greater danger from fundamentalist Christian evangelicals in that regard than from any group of atheists (“We can’t let…
Check out what free-thinking science can do
Regarding “We can’t let atheists go unchallenged” (July 19) by Michael Southern: You say if one does not believe in something, most people ignore the item and get on with life. Wow! And you say atheists fear all references to religion because religion undercuts their position as “free thinkers.” Wow! Mr. Southern, I can clone…
Show some respect, New Times
After reading New Times for many years, especially the Shredder, I have to wonder if the writer(s) of this commentary (or rant) were bullied as children (“Don’t slouch,” July 19)? I still believe that people only read the paper because it’s free. Does it make your staff feel more powerful now that they can unfairly…
Waste not, want not
You’ll have to excuse this week’s column. My 36-year eighth grade reunion is coming up, so I took a couple of days off and hit the streets in search of some new threads. Parachute pants and a blingin’ clock necklace? Don’t mind if I do. I’m also assembling a collage titled “What I did the…
End the death penalty
This November, Californians will vote on Proposition 34, the Savings, Accountability, and Full Enforcement Act (SAFE). The SAFE act replaces California’s death penalty with a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, saves California taxpayers billions of dollars, and establishes funds to improve rape and murder investigation. California executed 13 people since 1978 and…
Cougars & Mustangs
Claps hands.* Congratulations, Cougars. You made it through your summer classes. Now you have three weeks to yourself. You need to clear your head from all that learning and thinking, don’t you? Well, here are some tips for getting the most out of your freedom. Students recovering from math classes should head to Captain Nemo…
Let there be Lighty’s
Upon entering Lighty’s Independent Volkswagen Repair, visitors will notice the spaciousness of the garage, as well as its cleanliness. As owner Scott Lighty is quick to state, the garage is also thoroughly organized, from multiple toolboxes to the spare parts from Porsches, Jeeps, and El Caminos Lighty’s uses to repair cars to the black stereo…
States of denial?
Sticking to your guns in the face of mounting challenges is one of those noble traits held upon high in the classic American storytelling tradition. But, as officials working on the Morro Bay/Cayucos Sanitation District’s wastewater treatment plant project may soon learn, you can also end up shooting yourself in the foot. In the North…
Old wounds
It’s been almost exactly two years since Rodi’a Monterroso-Bragg was thrown to the asphalt on a 93-degree day in downtown Paso Robles. A lot’s happened in that time: The city’s chief of police resigned, Paso Robles has been hit with multiple lawsuits from former police officers, and the cop who arrested her resigned. Now Rodi…
Hand, foot, and mouth disease–not just for kids anymore!
San Luis Obispo County health officials are warning residents to be vigilant in light of a new virus strain causing hand, foot, and mouth disease being reported throughout the state. Health officials announced July 19 that since the beginning of 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a strain of the disease…
Clarification
The July 19 article, “Recent Paso Robles train death was a possible suicide,” incorrectly stated the cause of death for James Dahlgren. Dahlgren was found dead on the railroad tracks in Paso Robles but he sustained fatal injuries due to a fall from a bridge, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.
Templeton tension doesn’t resolve
By the end of the Templeton Community Services District special meeting, a few people seemed to wonder what they were doing there in the first place. “I have a personal opinion that this is a witch hunt,” said Director Greg O’Sullivan, who was the target of the special meeting organized to discuss his conduct. The…
KCBX takes SLO supes out of lineup
NPR is taking the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors off the air. On July 23, Frank Lanzone, president and general manager of local NPR affiliate KCBX Public Radio, informed SLO County officials it planned to stop broadcasting the weekly Board of Supervisors meetings by the end of the month. The station later agreed…
Debate over tree mural gets Funke
The ARTery unveiled a new weapon in the fight to keep its controversial mural in downtown Atascadero: defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu, who’s volunteering his services. The Atascadero Design Review Committee (DRC) assembled July 24 to consider possible changes that would trim foliage and remove some wording from the painted tree on the side of the…
Homeless Alliance and city head to mediation
A civil lawsuit filed by homeless residents in San Luis Obispo against the city will head to mediation, a judge ruled July 25. At a case management conference, San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Charles Crandall scheduled a mediation date of Aug. 2. At the hearing, Crandall urged both sides to prepare and come to…
Carter withdraws from mayor race
In a surprise move, San Luis Obispo City Councilman Andrew Carter announced July 24 that he’s withdrawing from the race for city mayor. “I have decided to discontinue my campaign for mayor of San Luis Obispo,” Carter said in a written statement. “Although it is an honor to serve on the City Council, that service…
Buckshi for the win
Assistant County Administrator Dan Buckshi is moving to the corner office of the San Luis Obispo County Government Center. Buckshi was selected to step into the role of county administrative officer, replacing his higher up, Jim Grant, who will retire from the top county post. County officials made the announcement following a July 24 closed…
Supervisors kill an anti-free speech ordinance
By the end of the day, San Luis Obispo County Administrator Jim Grant had to fall on the grenade that was the proposed ordinance to regulate, permit, and potentially fine public gatherings and free speech. “This was my idea to bring this forward, and I take full responsibility for it,” Grant told an irritated crowd…
