Cover Story
Getting off the ground
Before school let out for the weekend on a recent Friday afternoon, a dozen veteran skaters ranging in age from their late teens to their early 30s took advantage of the kid-free, uncrowded skate park in San Luis Obispo to work the half-pipe. Some had tattoos peeking out of their sleeves, others were without shirts,…
Citizen’s Alert
Monday, June 15 Morro Bay City Council meets at 6 p.m. at the Morro Bay Veterans Hall, 209 Surf St. Info: 772-6200. Tuesday, June 16 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission meets at 6 pm in the City Council Chambers. Meetings will be televised live on Arroyo Grande’s government access channel 20 and rebroadcast each day for…
Gidget goes big!
After a grueling season of ten Western Surfing Association contests from San Diego to Morro Bay, local 17-year-old SLO High junior Keenan Reeser has won the Open Women’s Championship, an all-ages competition that saw Reeser facing off against the state’s best amateur women surfers … and even a few chagrined boys in a local contest.…
Seeking fusion
Last December, PG&E employees at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant were asked to fill out a survey. It was of the “are you happy with your job?” variety. The results overall: many aren’t. And the survey is just a hint at a growing rift between employees and management. A copy obtained by New Times…
Private pilots raise civil liberties concerns over new rules
A new Department of Homeland Security regulation aimed at securing small airports from terrorist threats will mean new training requirements, criminal background checks, and security badges for at least 800 people who access San Luis Obispo County airport. The regulation, Security Directive 8F, which takes effect July 1 in San Luis Obispo, has caused controversy…
How does San Luis Obispo change when the college students leave?
Ryan Yorke high-school student “It’s less crowded at Farmers, that’s for sure. Usually (the drunk college kids) don’t bother me. Actually, they’re pretty entertaining.” Steve Espinosa postal clerk “It’s a little quieter, that’s all. I work in the Post Office and everything seems to slow down. It always seems like it’s not as busy, not…
Camp out
Skate Camp in Grover Beach for ages 6-12 takes place June 15-Aug. 14 at 1750 Ramona Ave. Info: 473-4580. Club 58 Day Camp in SLO for grades 5-8. Starting June 16. $105 and up. Info: 781-3518, Ext. 120 or abuchanan @sloymca.org. Club 58 Day Camp in Paso Robles for grades 5-8. Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson…
She makes us fall to pieces
New Times You are directing Always … Patsy Cline, but what else have you worked on? Thom Waldman I grew up in New York so I’ve done a lot of theater in New York and I lived in San Diego for 25 years and I did a lot of musical theater down there. I moved…
‘We give good backstage’
Behind the inspired performances on the outdoor stage at the annual Live Oak Music Festival is a magical and artistic world where musicians are treated like honored guests. Although the audience never sees it, the festival’s renowned backstage ambiance and hospitality have made Live Oak a top choice for local, national, and international musicians. “Performers…
The little cookie that could
The quiet, sea-washed town of Cayucos is the perfect setting for the Brown Butter Sea Salt Company. The specialty shop hand-rolls their signature cookies daily and ships them to gourmet shops and loyal followers all over the United States. The shop first opened as a specialty food store called the Little Market three years ago.…
What’s next for the county government?
It’s too bad the top levels of the county government have self-destructed. The county administrator and the assistant county administrator have been removed from their jobs: the top guy permanently and his assistant temporarily. These are the people who our elected board of supervisors depends on to handle budgeting duties; a tough job during these…
Wal-Mart’s on steroids
On May 28 Bloomberg reported that Wal-Mart Stores, the world’s biggest retailer, won preliminary court approval to pay as much as $85 million to settle 30 lawsuits that claimed the company didn’t pay employees for all hours worked. Meanwhile, under the leadership of the new Atascadero City Council majority, Wal-Mart has received nourishment to grow. …
Brush up on history, Mr. President
President Obama’s speech in Cairo was very eloquently presented. It is a known fact that today there is no peace in the Middle East. But I did not read of the president indicating his knowledge of how Israel, in compliance with the U.S., evicted its own citizens from the Gaza strip and how instead of…
What’s next?
So you want to open Pandora’s box? Let’s say gay marriage is a done deal. What is next? Are we opening the door to brother-and-sister unions, father-and-daughter unions, or as Canada is experiencing (debate-wise) multiple unions? This can’t happen, you say? Twenty years ago, nobody would have believed the gay marriage debate could happen. You…
Talk love
Regarding Karen M. White’s letter (“Hate is no divine belief,” June 4), I completely agree: too many people who claim to be Christians, or a follower of any other organized religion, have misconstrued the ideals of their gods. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, and never do I remember reading anything that says…
Rodeos are cruel
Last year I remember New Times had an article about some controversy concerning the Cal Poly Rodeo. I must admit at the time I was leaning more toward the side of the rodeo folk. I guess I trusted that it was all in good fun and the animals were taken good care of. In a…
Oak Park speed trap violates law
The City of Grover Beach has reduced the speed limit on Oak Park Boulevard south of Highway 101 to 25 MPH. Signs warning of radar enforcement of that speed limit have been added. California’s “speed trap” law makes it a crime to use radar to enforce speed limits on such roads as Oak Park Boulevard…
End NRC funding by the nuclear industry
At the very end of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission “Town Hall” meeting at Embassy Suites on May 28, we in the audience were made aware that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is almost entirely funded by the nuclear industry itself rather than our government, through taxes. They consider it a “user fee.” On Sunday June 7,…
Protest proposed water charges
The San Luis Obispo City Council is proposing double-digit increases in water/sewer rates for each of the next five years. These graduated increases will take place unless a mass of people attend the council meeting at city hall at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 11, to protest. With the economic situation the way it is…
Sunshine and TRANNYs
Ol’ Shred put on the yellow turtleneck to write today’s column, the one with the big smiley face. No bad news for me; I’m happy as a geek in a Disney movie. I’m happy because things, I tell you, are looking up. Today, when I accidentally stepped in dog crap, most of it fell off…
Jim Shivers
New Times: What work is being done on Highway 101? Shivers: Well, this is a $17 million project that involves a grinding and rolled paving of the 101 in both directions. It also involves a repaving and widening of several on-ramps in SLO. Basically a rehabilitation of the 101, which is heavily used not just…
King Estate 2007 Pinot Gris Oregon
This rich and tasty wine offers notes of apricot, nectarine, and Meyer lemon, nicely balanced by tangy lime notes. Easy drinking on its own, it’s also a good choice as an aperitif with aged Cheddar or dry jack cheeses, main dish salads, or white fish dressed in beurre blanc. Only $15.99 at BevMo! and a…
Windward 2007 Pinot Noir Monopole Paso Robles
Winemaker Marc Goldberg proudly labels this wine monopole because his vineyard and his brand is dedicated to the production of the finest Pinot Noirs. This vintage, his 15th commemorative bottling, is delicious, offering elegant aromas and flavors of black cherry, plums, and strawberries, nicely weaved with wild berry, spice, and mineral notes. Pinot Noir is…
The wild one
It’s well off the beaten path but only a short drive to one of SLO County’s best known and favored wineries, Wild Horse. And whether you’re a tourist or a local, you can’t help but appreciate the picturesque drive along Templeton Road from Vineyard Drive. The long, winding road takes you past ranches where magnificent…
Putting on a youthful face
The 2009-2010 season marks Steve Lerian’s first full season as director of Cal Poly Arts. With many people clinging all the more protectively to their pocketbooks, the challenges and demands of putting together the PAC’s most recent season grew. “I think we went into this [season] with the idea that we wanted to expand our…
Hip-hop underground
When you think “SLO County,” hip-hop doesn’t exactly spring to mind. We’re not very urban. We’re not especially diverse. And we don’t have the kind of strife and blight that frequently inspire hip-hop music. That’s why I’m always surprised to see local hip-hop acts, and even more surprised to find exceptionally good ones. I’m no…
