Cover Story
Image makers: The art of wine branding and labeling
All wine labels share one common purpose: They’re trying to sell wine. But the art of creating an effective wine label goes far beyond simple marketing. Wine labels can tell a story, communicate ideas, and create brand recognition that turn wine drinkers into loyal customers. About 330 million cases of wine are sold annually in…
Higginbotham pulls out of SLO County supervisor race
Pismo Beach Mayor Shelly Higginbotham withdrew from the SLO County 3rd District Supervisor race on July 24, citing family and being Pismo’s mayor as factors in the decision. “I remain deeply committed to seeing a change in the 3rd District and will continue to be a staunch advocate for issues and organizations that deserve and…
Journalism, where for art thou?
The once venerated Fourth Estate has fallen on hard times. I mean, being a journalist used to be an honorable profession. Think of the greats! Margaret Bourke-White, the first female war journalist. Elijah Parish Lovejoy, martyred for his stand against slavery. Walter Winchell, the first American journalist to openly criticize Hitler on radio. Joseph Pulitzer,…
How important is the label when you buy wine?
Angela Tahti director of ARTSobispo “If I’m buying wine at a grocery store, the label might draw me in to take a closer look, along with the name and use of language. I’m drawn to color, and I like a label that tells a story.” Addie Daily server “It’s medium important, but I care more…
Try this
Get your garlic on! FARMstead ED is hosting a culinary adventure celebrating the savory, fragrant garlic we all love led by Chef Evan Funke formerly of L.A.’s Bucato Restaurant. It all takes place at Windrose Farm this Aug. 1 (get tickets at farmsteaded.com) … Nothing says “summer” quite like fried chicken, and Apple Farm is…
Nautical Bean’s Açaí Smoothie and Sextant Winery’s 2013 CC Chardonnay
There’s been a lot of buzz around açaí bowls lately (SLO alone is home to two eateries dedicated to the Brazilian craze, Bowl’d and The Neighborhood). I’m all for granola and honey, but sometimes you just need a simple hit of açaí to the dome. The solution? This icy, sweet-tangy smoothie that turns your tongue…
Cook like a local with ‘SLO Farmers’ Market Cookbook’
Bright yellow squash blossoms, plump strawberries, and blood oranges so juicy they’ll stain your chin red. What do all of these sexy summer treats have in common? They are nothing less than edible rock stars to Kendra Aronson. She literally squeals with delight when strolling the Thursday Night Farmers’ Market—or any number of the 19…
Media war ends in concession from the online news site formerly known as Atascadero Daily News
It was a voice mail heard ’round the county. It was a declaration of war. At least that’s how John Tompkins—president and CEO (and owner) of News Media Corporation headquartered in Rochelle, Ill.—described what the future would bring for Scott Brennan, owner of Paso Robles Daily News and the website formerly known as Atascadero Daily…
SLOMA’s new show celebrates the scenery
It’s easy to forget we live in an incredibly beautiful place. Let SLOMA’s new show, Re-Imagined Landscapes, reveal a fresh appreciation for California’s magnificent splendor. Two new contemporary landscape artists, Carol Paquet and Phoebe Brunner, are happy to take this trip with you. As a third generation Californian, Phoebe Brunner spent a large part of…
Central Coast Shakespeare Festival delivers thespian fun at Filipponi Ranch
All the world’s a stage and all the dogs merely players. Wait, what? You heard right. The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival is continuing its summer season starring a rotund little rat dog with a rub-worthy belly made for the spotlight. Pack up a blanket and some snacks and venture to scenic Filipponi Ranch for The…
Mason Bar mixes new age bartending with old school cocktails in Arroyo Grande
The rattling tinkle of ice furiously tumbling in a metal shaker is drowned out by voices colliding against the tall rough-hewn timber and brick walls of a cozy cocktail bar in downtown Arroyo Grande on a Friday night. A July evening breeze eases in from a warehouse-door-sized open window overlooking the sidewalk. People stand by…
J Dave Montgomery reveals secret lives of colors in Santa Margarita exhibit
I’m sitting at The Porch in Santa Margarita with artist J Dave Montgomery, and I probably look high. At the moment, we’re both staring at our palms, searching out the faint blue of veins; examining the hot pinks, orangey reds, and bright yellows that come together to make up “flesh.” With his bold paintings, and,…
Chameleon Productions celebrates 20th year with ‘Into the Woods’
Imagine this iconic scene from Westside Story: The Jets, clad in member’s only jackets and cuffed khakis are dance-fighting against rival gang the Sharks, who are looking lean and mean in leather and denim. Temperatures are flaring as the actors snap, twirl, and leap across the stage to the patter of bongos. Now imagine that…
Clubs 7/30/15 – 8/6/15
Goin’ South 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 Arroyo Grande. 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the Pismo Beach location every Fri. and Sat. from 6-9pm. Tennessee Jimmy Harrell and Doc Stoltey play on alternating…
Professional boxer turned singer-songwriter Paul Thorn plays Tooth & Nail Winery on Aug.1st
Paul Thorn’s got quite a pedigree. Born in the Midwest in Kenosha, Wisc., he moved to Tupelo, Miss., while still a toddler, landing smack dab in the heart of Southern blues and gospel territory. His dad was a Pentecostal preacher, and his first singing experiences were in church. He worked in a furniture factory, as…
Dear Shredder, you’re a liberal comrade
You and your modern liberal comrades’ excitement over Bernie Sanders is disturbing, to say the least (“Vive la révolution!” July 23). If you dig deep into history, yes deeper than Wikipedia, and follow the trail of money and relational cronyism, beginning with the mercantilism and the populists of the late 1800s, who then mutated into…
Oh, the porn possibilities
The July 23 New Times article “Porn hack targets local store” was interesting reading and brought an idea to mind. In the entrepreneurial spirit that helped make this country great, Kmart, as a Target competitor, may wish to consider pumping porn audio tracks into its stores. Kmart could then offer “Red Light Specials” as well…
The real freedom takers
Ralph Bush (wrote the letter “SLO’s media is full of liberals” in the July 23 issue) claims the SLO County print media consist only of “liberal freedom takers,” who “never” print anything positive about “conservatives.” His Romney-esque slur characterizing liberals as “freedom-takers” suggests he has fallen for the Orwellian tactics of the modern GOP, which…
Say no to rail or create enforceable mitigation
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County shares the deep concerns of many in our community regarding the Phillips 66 rail spur project and the risks to the public that it entails. When deciding on the project, our local officials cannot ignore the tremendous increase in rail accidents, property damage, and deaths…
A marine sanctuary’s the answer to ocean woes
The idea that we need a reason to protect the sanctity of our sea is preposterous. However, allow me to address it if only to humor the detractors, and their benefactors, their biologists, and apologists. The one thing the oil companies, nuclear waste producers, and over-fishing industry does not want is decisive action to be…
Is SLO the Happiest Place?
Writer’s note: San Luis Obispo has been described as the “Happiest Town in America” by National Geographic and Oprah Winfrey. While I have lived in San Luis Obispo for most of my life and love this town, I take issue with this nomination, and this letter is a response to it, outlining the problems I…
SLO-based Access Support Network extends HIV/AIDS services to Monterey
Two months ago, it looked like hundreds of HIV-positive men and women in Monterey County would lose access to critical housing and medical services. That was when San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit Access Support Network (ASN), formerly the AIDS Support Network, stepped in. “Things have gone phenomenally well,” said ASN Executive Director David Kilburn. “We have…
Cougars & Mustangs
On the language-centric edge of Cuesta College, near a pair of gendered bathrooms and a vending machine, lies Room 6102. This wonder of campus, often passed by students traversing to and from the RTA bus stop at Parking Lot 3, is the site of KGUR, Cuesta’s very own college radio station, which can be heard…
Internal emails reveal doubts over Diablo Seismic Study, says watchdog group
When PG&E released a report assessing seismic risks at its Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in September 2014, the headlines in the press were confident and reassuring. “Diablo Canyon can withstand earthquake, PG&E study concludes,” the San Luis Obispo Tribune stated. The headline in that week’s New Times echoed a similar sentiment, beginning its headline…
Former SLO County DA investigator charged with perjury
The California Attorney General’s office recently charged a former SLO County District Attorney’s Office investigator—who left his post under a cloud of suspicion—with perjury. The office confirmed that it filed a felony criminal complaint against August Justino “AJ” Santana on July 20 in SLO County Superior Court. According to a letter from Deputy Attorney General…
Nipomo dispensary appealed to SLO County Supervisors
Will Nipomo be the home of SLO County’s only brick-and-mortar medical marijuana dispensary? Looks like that decision will be up to the five members of the SLO County Board of Supervisors. A Nipomo resident filed an appeal to the county Planning Commission’s July 9 vote to approve a minor use permit for mobile medical marijuana…
CalCoastNews loses SLAPP fight
A recently issued appellant court ruling on an anti-SLAPP motion may still sting a bit for a local online news site. The July 29 ruling handed down by a three-judge panel of the California Court of Appeals said that a defamation lawsuit brought against CalCoastNews may continue after an attorney for the online news site…
Residents’ love of dogs means no turf at Pismo parks
The city of Pismo Beach is nixing plans to install water-saving artificial turf at some of its parks, and it’s all your dog’s fault. Well, not your dog specifically, but man’s best friend is the primary reason why city staff aren’t recommending turf installation at city parks. The recommendation comes after city staff evaluated the…
SLO supes leave water conservation ordinance out to dry a little longer
Stakeholders on the long, bumpy road to possible management of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin hit yet another pothole. This time, the rough route got the best of the county code amendments needed to approve the proposed Countywide Water Conservation Program. The SLO County Board of Supervisors was originally scheduled to consider the amendments on…
