Cover Story
Secrets of recycling
The scene is a massive cacophonic and visual feast. In a way it looks like the end of a political convention, with every part of the tableau in apparent movement and all manner of colorful bits of paper products in transition. This is the “murf,” or the Material Recovery Facility, the recycling center at Cold…
Happy graduation!
I love Cal Poly. I love the energy its students bring to the community. I enjoy seeing all the peppy young things engaging in their shenanigans about town. I also love it when they leave for the summer. I know it’s hard to tell when I’m being sarcastic (always) or not (never), but I seriously…
Scott Romaine – poet, creator of the monthly poetry slam “Destination Uptown” (next slam June 25th)
NEW TIMES: When did you start Destination Uptown? SCOTT ROMAINE: The first one was on May 27th. NEW TIMES: How many poets read at this poetry slam? SCOTT ROMAINE: It’s kinda unpredictable, really. Last time, we had ten poets come and read. I hope for more this time. NEW TIMES: How did you come up…
Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio California
Admittedly I never thought I’d see this as a pick of the week, but that’s part of the fun when you love wine. When I read this was rated “a steal” by the Wall Street Journal, I laughed. Then I got out the sample I’d received and said: “Wow, they’re right.” This tasty white is…
Do you think we need universal healthcare?
Ken Shaw Union carpenter “Yeah, of course we need it. Not a whole lot of people are fortunate enough to be able to afford their own healthcare.” Heidi Rhys Massage therapist/window decorator “I think so… I would vote for it. They should do it because everyone deserves it, but we should be able to choose…
My Fair Lady of the gutters
With the exception of a hushed word or two, and a bit of scurrying and scuffling, stage crews are usually silent as they arrange a set between scenes of a live performance. Not at SLO Little Theatre’s My Fair Lady. Here the cast turns rearranging into a mini-show. Talking in broad cockney, they giggle, deliberate…
Left of right and right of left
When he was 10 years old Tony Hertz used to study the photographs in Life Magazine. Now, he teaches photography at both Cuesta College and Cal Poly, and his images have been featured in countless publications, including LA Times, New York Times, Sunset Magazine and USA Today. And he just began his first solo exhibition,…
Ax the Shredder
Your column, “The Shredder,” should be terminated. It may have been fine when Steve Moss first started it, but no more. I am not a journalist, but newspapers have an obligation to clearly and accurately cover the news and to indicate who wrote it. I send in commentaries on a variety of subjects (e.g. dunes,…
Keep up the fight you may beat the system
I thoroughly enjoyed Steve Jones’ commentary about Dan DeVaul (“The D.A. and Dan DeVaul,” June 5). The piece is very well done and takes the view more and more of us have about the stupid, stupid attitude of local government. Any thought of benefit to help for the homeless is nonexistent. Stay with it, young…
Thanks for supporting Tibetan art
For the last two months, we have been hosting the Tibetan artist, Karma Thupten and his son, Tsering Topgyal, who exhibited their work and visited with well-wishers at the Steynberg Gallery in March, and at a month-long show that just concluded at ARTS Space Obispo in the Creamery. We were moved and inspired by the…
Keep the momentum of change alive
Bravo to all those who showed the wisdom and intelligence to elect Adam Hill county supervisor. He will renew progressive action on behalf of the people in the South County. It all begins locally: May the groundswell for positive change continue through to November when Obama is elected. Vote the rascals out!
Learn to live with the state supreme court’s decision
Charlee Smith states in the May 29 letter (“Marriage isn’t a pick-and-choose institution”) that the GLBT community “need to learn to live with that” regarding their current domestic partner benefits. Her argument is that heterosexual unions produce children, and homosexual unions do not. As a matter of fact, many same-sex couples desire equal treatment precisely…
We must change or face extinction
Global warming is finally being taken seriously, and with a new administration coming in, hopefully more will be done to cut greenhouse gas emissions with dispatch, which has not been the case for all too long. There are still too many leaders all over the world who refuse to admit this is a deadly problem.…
The D.A.’s office should lend a hand
I read, with disbelief, about the possibility of Dan DeVaul going to jail as a result of prosecution by the District Attorney’s office (“DeVaul faces charges over code citations,” June 5). Sunny Acres, provided by Mr. DeVaul, has been the home to many unfortunate and troubled people whom the county has ignored. The District Attorney’s…
Do the research and get educated about medicine
It’s sad that you’re propagating the duplicitous medical establishment’s lies and disinformation, as evidenced by Kirsten Flagg’s “Support the fight” AIDS commentary (May 29). She states “More people have AIDS in the U.S. than ever before,” and “Clearly, this is still a public health crisis,” but doesn’t reveal the real reason and who’s to blame:…
Support impeachment: Write to your representative
Please support Representative Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment of Bush and Cheney, which was introduced on June 9, 2008. It is my belief that the Democrats should have launched impeachment proceedings as soon as it was known that Bush lied in order to invade Iraq. I am bitterly disappointed with Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic…
Go ahead and close the parks
Though I dislike tax increases and cuts in essential programs, I must speak out against those who want more government services for free. With so much already being spent on government aid, something has to give. Closing some parks would be a good start. These are not essential to anyone’s well-being, and I’ve learned to…
We’re both north and green!
Don’t lump all of Paso Robles residents into one opinion (“Don’t lump Cambria into the North County,” June 5). We do care about air quality and we believe climate change is a problem and is man-made. We are not supportive of rural development and we do not resent terms like “global warming,” “carbon footprint,” and…
Fast Facts
The front of the “Tin Building” at Old Edna now houses Zoey’s, a new boutique selling quality antiques, contemporary gifts and home décor items. The antique selection includes furniture, with styles ranging from Victorian to Shabby Chic. Smaller gifts include jewelry, glass, and wood items, as well as soaps, lotions and candles. Owner Zoey Schrage…
See these trees
We pass them everyday, as they sway and rustle in the wind, but we often fail to appreciate how vital they are to our lives. They help moderate temperatures, help clean the air, and their beauty provides serenity. To call attention to the wide variety of trees growing in the area, the City of San…
Ag education funding faces plow
Agriculture is a way of life in San Luis Obispo and area ag products from broccoli to wine to cattle are also big moneymakers: SLO crop values topped $653 million in 2007 alone. It’s no wonder Central Coast kids pursue farming. And no wonder Californians get a little peeved when Governor Schwarzenegger rocks the tractor.…
Lame duck session worries some
The election-night confetti had barely been swept aside when some local activists switched from celebrating the election of two new members of the Board of Supervisors, to fretting about what may happen before the new members take their seats. It will be six months before the new members take their posts. That’s because, as a…
Patterson squeaks out victory
Supervisor Jim Patterson eked out a victory in the 5th District race against challenger Debbie Arnold on June 3, winning by 288 votes in a race that saw 11,249 cast. The victory—the race was too close to call definitively in New Times’ last issue—cemented a shift on the board toward candidates who have publicly embraced…
Love is in the air
SLO County will start issuing same-sex marriage licenses June 17, along with the rest of California. The date comes one month after the Supreme Court ruled that marriage is an inalienable right. County Clerk Julie Rodewald said her office is stocked with the new gender-neutral application forms, and ready to serve the public. All a…
Church gets okay for Edna Valley location
To applause, the Board of Supervisors June 10 turned away an attempt to stop construction of a church along Highway 227 in Edna Valley. The decision clears the way for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to construct 11,000-square-foot facility. Neighbor Philip Da Silva had appealed an earlier decision allowing the church, saying he was concerned about…
David Sues Goliath
The owner of Cheap Thrills record store in SLO has sued Best Buy for $4 million, citing unfair business practices since the retail giant moved into town in 2002. The suit was filed in August last year in SLO County, but has since moved to federal court at Best Buy’s request, where it is expected…
Caught in the path of progress
Mike Strobridge dreams of relaxing on his Carrizo Plain porch with his daughter, watching golden eagles soar and antelopes play, but two solar energy firms that have optioned neighboring land may spoil his vista. Ausra of Palo Alto has optioned 640 acres to the south. To the west, north and east, 6,000 acres have been…
Damage in the dunes
I led my last nature hike in the Nipomo Dunes today. This, after 48 years and probably more than 10,000 people and almost weekly hikes. I tried to change our culture, tried to educate, tried to inspire like John Muir in Yosemite. I’ve failed. On May 23, I had the honor and pleasure of showing…
When I think about me…
I adore adoration. So adorable. Like a sheepskin blanket of warm love, on a bubble mattress, with unicorn-kiss pillows. You really should get yourself some adoration; it’s better than steak. Not quite as good as sex as I remember it, or mind-altering drugs, or a good massage. But better than steak, for sure, and steak…
Canyon sets precedent in downtown SLO
We had no tasting room in downtown SLO for the wares of a single winery until Shadow Canyon Cellars opened one in May on the busy corner of Monterey and Osos streets. Frankly, that dearth surprised me, considering there are 10 such sampling sites in downtown Paso. The great popularity of that wonderful venture is sure…
