Cover Story
Snitch
Snitches. Rats. Turncoats. Squealers. There’s no shortage of names for people who start their criminal justice career on one side of the law, and then, through a series of self-preserving acts, find themselves working on the opposite side as confidential informants. Police informants get evidence, they help make cases, and they put themselves in danger…
Traveling through time and space
A few decades ago, the Mozart Festival began in SLO County, and with it came an expanding tradition of lush classical music concerts. The past few years, however, the festival began to morph into something well beyond what most of us traditionally think of as classical music, and so it re-branded itself Festival Mozaic and…
Cook like a pro
Aspiring chefs ask with great regularity: “Where can I find professional cooking classes on the Central Coast?” Sadly, I can only answer that we don’t have anything like the California Culinary Academy (CCA) in San Francisco, or the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York or St. Helena, California, where you can earn…
What book would you most want to have if you were stranded on a desert island?
Sandra Gibson behavioral therapist “It’s called A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. It’s really funny; I’ve read it four times and I’m not sick of it.” Martin Raft retired “Encyclopedia Britannica. It has a lot of information and maybe it could teach me how to get back to civilization.” Julie Sears lab technician “Maybe [something…
Flaccid stimulus
Almost $24 billion has been allocated to California since the federal government appropriated $787 billion to jumpstart the economy. With that money state lawmakers could have all but solved the most current budget crisis. Except they couldn’t. Although unemployment is at record levels and government services are being hacked away like gangrened limbs, in SLO…
Big plans for Morro Bay
A new private college campus dedicated to alternative energy studies would be built on the site of Morro Bay’s power plant under a major “reimagination” of the area that has been presented privately to city officials in recent weeks. Meeting with city council members and the mayor individually, a team led by officials with San…
Correction
• A Sierra Club lawyer was misidentified in the June 18 story “Deception or bumble.” It was Sierra Club attorney Babak Naficy who discovered the missing text from a county staff report. • Regarding the article “Coincidence?” (July 2): Julie Blunden is the SunPower vice president who is quoted. • A portion of a July…
EPA gives grants for clean diesel
Organizations in San Luis Obispo and other communities are set to receive stimulus money to reduce smog-causing diesel emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on July 8 announced the recipients of eight competitive grants for clean diesel projects within the state of California. The agency said these projects will improve air quality in some of…
Unlicensed contractors busted in sting
After a two-day sting operation in Cambria, 24 people were busted for landscaping without a contractor’s license. Members of the Contractors State License Board teamed with the County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office to conduct the sting. Such operations are routine throughout California, spokeswoman Venus Stromberg said, and there’s usually one per week. Members…
Voters smack down plan for mosquito district
A majority of city councils couldn’t support it and SLO County supervisors wouldn’t back it even though they started the process. Voters followed suit. In the end, there was nowhere near enough support to expand the mosquito and vector control program. Out of more than 39,000 returned ballots, 60 percent came back opposed to the…
Sober driving service co-owner faces third DUI charge
The owner of a wine-country sober-driver bus service in Paso Robles is scheduled to appear in court July 9 to face drunk-driving charges stemming from an April accident. Jason Westfall, who is part owner of The Wine Line, had two prior drunk driving charges from 2000 and 2004, according to court records. In a March…
SWEAR NOT BY THE MOON
The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival, which had to cancel its 2008 season losing its longtime home in Avila Beach, is set to reopen in a new location July 10 at the River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles
Dry Creek Vineyard 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley
Vintner David Stare was the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley appellation in 1972. Although he formerly named it Fume Blanc in respect to the Loire-style classic, Stare switched to the varietal name because of its “world-wide acceptance.” It was fermented in 100 percent stainless steel to enhance its fresh fruit…
Bomb It!
Bomb It! is like really good prime-rib sandwiched between week-old bread that cuts the roof of your mouth. The film, a documentary on the world of graffiti, begins and ends with features on taggers who come across with as much eloquence as a drunken 5-year-old on a temper tantrum. But by the end, director/producer Jon…
The Bard’s factory of dreams, realized
Shakespeare himself had problems securing a venue for his venerable plays. Whether torn down by Puritans or burnt to the ground after a cannon misfire during Henry VIII, there was always something going awry at the Globe Theatre. When a landlord claimed the Globe belonged to him, Shakespeare’s company waited until the landlord went away…
Wine, where art thou?
July 9 2 to 5 p.m.—Barrel Tasting, featuring yet-to-be-released wines from an array of California wineries, at the Dolphin Bay Resort in Shell Beach, $35. 5 p.m.—Dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, featuring chef Michel Richard. 7 p.m. —Central Coast Wine Classic Paulee/Bring-Your-Own Special Bottle Dinner, presented by Dolphin Bay Executive Chef Evan Treadwell,…
Vegas, baby. Vegas.
New Times Last time I saw you, you were doing some crazy, beautiful dance on the SLO Little Theatre stage with fabric hanging from the ceiling … you were wrapping your body around it; dancing, doing the splits … what the heck was that? Suzy Miller The Cirque du Soleil skills have become huge all…
Study aims to prevent gestational diabetes
Cal Poly’s kinesiology department and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center’s Sweet Success Program are collaborating on a study delving into new theories about the prevention of gestational diabetes (GDM). GDM is a form of diabetes that women develop during pregnancy. Though GDM is a temporary disease that normally goes away after pregnancy, women who have…
Keep – under God – in the Pledge of Allegiance
Editor’s note: A commentary by Emily Thurston, “Remove ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance” (June 25) provoked many strongly worded letters in support and in opposition, as well as this reply from Cindy Sandman from Atascadero. Sandman describes herself as a disabled 65-year-old woman who loves God, honor, and country and believes in truth…
The reference to God is harmless
While visiting a sister-in-law at a San Luis Obispo hospital I read Emily Thurston’s commentary about the Pledge of Allegiance, and her opposition to the reference to God (“Remove ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance,” June 25). It was a well-crafted document, in which she expressed her views with clarity, but since she espoused…
Question authority
Regarding the commentary “Remove ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance” (June 25), Emily Thurston’s education seems to be paying off with her questioning of indoctrinated dogma. Unfortunately, many in my generation, those who generally subscribe to the right-wing, FOX News doctrine, have allowed themselves to be brainwashed by their hate and fear of free-thinking…
Respect God and speak English
First off let me say, regarding the commentary “Remove ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance” (June 25), I will be praying for Emily Thurston’s soul. As an incoming high-school sophomore, that puts her at about 15 years of age, if that. Truly, she has lived long enough to form an opinion but not long…
The pledge need not include “under God”
I missed the issue that gave Emily Thurston space to write her suggestion that “under God” be removed from our pledge (“Remove ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance,” June 25), but I enjoyed the responses it brought from readers. I remember when that phrase was added. At the time I was too busy raising…
Watch out for hot-shoe CHP prowlers
In case you have not noticed the increase of CHP cars whether visible or hiding within San Luis Obispo County and beyond, it has gotten heavy. Obviously, this is due to the state needing money: but at what cost? I have never experienced such aggressive and dangerous behavior when these hotfooted CHP officers are scaring…
Couch surfing means more than a borrowed bed
I was somewhat disappointed with Colin Rigley’s article on couch surfing (“Surf’s up for couch surfing,” June 25). The article did nothing to make known the CouchSurfing mission, which states: “CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding.” It’s not about a free…
Sewage would dishonor dead soldiers
The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission did what many people think is unconscionable. In a straw vote they decided to locate the sewage treatment plan adjacent to the Los Osos Valley cemetery. The new plant will be within a football field of the graves of U.S. soldiers who died in the service of their…
Heed the message, supervisors
The voters sent a clear message in the recent election regarding Proposition 218 that they do not want their taxes raised for what would have been, a very expensive new county bureaucracy. This election told the county Board of Supervisors that government must become more accountable to do things in the most efficient way.…
Ban fireworks sales
I enjoy the public fireworks displays provided by cities like Pismo Beach. Why do we need the “legal” fireworks sold at the booths lining Grand Avenue in Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande? Each year those legal fireworks injure hundreds of people, damage property, ignite wild fires, and cause pollution. The resulting visits to emergency rooms,…
The media retreats
I’ve just returned from the Annual Liberal Media Retreat, that heady woodsy conference held every year amidst the redwoods of Marin County. I never used to get invited to these things, but ever since I’ve become a repeat award winner (have you heard?), now I get the coveted invitation. It comes printed on a complimentary…
Kent Lauble,head professional
New Times: What are some of the main responsibilities of a course marshall? Lauble: Pace of play, etiquette, and service for the customers. We want to help them out in any way. They are the eyes of the golf course. New Times: How many rounds around the course does a marshal make on an average…
