Cover Story
The last hurrah of foie gras
A liver is a private thing. Most organs are, really. They sit under layers of muscle, fat, and skin, quietly synthesizing or pumping, contracting or firing, carrying out their respective duties in the blood-tinged darkness. So the act of removing one of these organs, one of these specialized components, from its larger system, the act…
Former Cal Poly volleyball coach dead at 54
One of Cal Poly’s most successful, and controversial, volleyball coaches has died, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed June 26. Jon Phillip Stevenson, of Pismo Beach, was found in a residence in Van Nuys on June 24. He was 54. The cause of death is not yet known, according to assistant chief investigator at…
Holy chateau!
Basque in the glory of some great new, local grub. Alphy’s restaurant group’s fourth foodie facility has opened in Shell Beach and now it’s ready to throw out the lunch specials and happy hour deals. Chef Doug Simpson is at the helm of Alphy’s new Basque Chateau on Shell Beach Road, and he couldn’t be…
You have a filthy mind
As a second grader, Robert Burridge was terrified of burning in hell. His sins, he’d been told, were numerous, and included looking out the window during Catholic school and something about harboring “impure thoughts.” To his great relief, however, the confession booth offered an easy solution. “I thought, ‘I’ll just tell the priest I’ve had…
Fantastic planet
Sarah Jorgensen’s dream job is to be Earth’s ambassador to the aliens. It’s perfect, she explains at our interview, perhaps one of the only positions that would truly make use of her aptitude for science, language, sports, music, gardening, and the visual arts. An artist who majored in ecology and evolutionary biology, Jorgensen is one…
Morgan 2010 Pinot Noir 12 Clones Santa Lucia Highlands
I’ve always liked this friendly, Monterey-grown Pinot Noir from this consistently good producer. But this year Morgan’s affordable Pinot is one of its best vintages. It was recently rated 92 points out of 100 by Wine Spectator; I recommended it on April 19. A blend of Pinots grown in Double L, Tondre Grapefield, Lucia Highlands,…
Louis Latour 2009 Pinot Noir Marsannay
This delicious French Pinot Noir is a very good value at $19.99 at BevMo! in SLO. Good Burgundies at this price don’t come around often. If you prefer big, fruity California Pinots, you may not like this traditional Marsannay. Aromas and flavors of tangy cherry and plums meld nicely with the bold ribbon of herbs…
What is the cruelest food?
Eric Greening tutor “Any answer I could give would contain countless sins of omission.” Vince Jacob owner, Choo Skateboards “Balut. It’s a Filipino delicacy, basically a chicken fetus with the texture of an egg, but it’s crunchy on the inside. I’d never let it touch my lips.” Mike Kennedy professor “Kobe beef, because they force-feed…
What are they pedaling?
Well, it’s finally happened. The bureaucratic crapstorm that’s been brewing for the last couple decades—ever since we decided to arm the red tape-lovin’ pencil pushers with a cushy salary and just the teensiest bit of authority—is upon us. Luckily, I outfitted my trusty red Radio Flyer wagon with a can of waterproof spray and a…
Boo-yay!
As I stand in the shower, a deliciously continuous stream of hot water cascading over my head, I watch the swirl of dirty brown water wash off the last vestiges of Live Oak and snake down the drain. I’m tired, sun-kissed, and achy from all that accompanies camping: pulling out and loading up camping gear,…
Close encounters of the writerly kind
“When will the United States provide disclosure about UFO sightings and the presence of alien intelligence?” Peruvian-born, San Luis Obispo-based author and researcher Renato Longato wants to know. Longato, who holds a B.S. in law and political science, has researched UFO phenomena since his first encounter in 1979. He’s lectured extensively on the subject throughout…
Their loss is your gain
If you were looking forward to seeing Citizen Cope at the second annual Summer Solstice Music Festival on Sunday, June 24, at Avila Beach Resort, sorry, Charlie; you’re out of luck! “Citizen Cope had some scheduling problems and will not be able to perform,” explained Otter Productions Inc.’s Bruce Howard, who’s co-hosting the concert with…
Holy chateau!
Basque in the glory of some great new, local grub. Alphy’s restaurant group’s fourth foodie facility has opened in Shell Beach and now it’s ready to throw out the lunch specials and happy hour deals. Chef Doug Simpson is at the helm of Alphy’s new Basque Chateau on Shell Beach Road, and he couldn’t be…
Chardonnay, if you please
It appears that no red or white wine variety can beat out Chardonnay for its title as America’s favorite wine, and it has lasted as top dog for an incredible number of years. Nevertheless, you’ll appreciate this classic white wine even more after attending the Chardonnay Symposium in Santa Maria Valley. The educational event takes…
A farewell to SLO
San Luis Obispo seems like the siren town of California: No matter where you are in the state, its dreamy scenery, irresistible cuteness, and advertised happiness snare you eventually. Well, here I am, happy victim of that siren song, and having been captured by whatever it is that makes San Luis Obispo so special, as…
Look what it’s wrapped in and carrying
“Fascism” is defined as the merger of corporate and state institutions. This is what we have evolved into and what Mitt Romney and the “hard right conservatives” will foster with their platform should they be successful in buying the White House in 2012. Amazingly, there is no attempt on their part to mask their plans…
Friends in high places
It was heartening to hear the president’s and vice-president’s recent statements of support for marriage equality. It’s exciting that expressing support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population has become helpful to one’s political career. On the subject of LGBT marriage being equal under the law, minds change slowly and uncomfortably while people sift…
It’s your last chance to speak up about Walmart
A day of reckoning is coming to Atascadero on the Walmart/Annex project at the June 26 City Council meeting. Multi-million-dollar risks to the city’s businesses and residents are on the table. This will be your last chance to ensure the project is done the right way, and that your interests are served. But that way…
How to punish people for enjoying an event
Freeway off ramps have breakdown lanes on the right separated by a white line. A disabled vehicle can safely pull into these lanes. During the car show this past weekend of June 16, these lanes were used for parking; the alternative being a spot halfway to Nipomo. After a happy, festive day of wandering through…
Thanks for the reminder
Thank you, Mr. Gajdos, for remembering why those bombs were dropped in Germany (“Don’t forget why we dropped those bombs,” June 7). My husband flew B-24s (flying coffins) over Germany from Italy, and was shot down but safely landed in the Basque Country. Many young men (boys) from my high school in East Bakersfield flew…
Let’s keep rampant powers in check
Kudos to New Times (“Morro Bay bar patron maced and tased,” June 14) and Shredder (“Who you gonna call?” June 14) for documenting the civil rights violations of the Morro Bay Police Department. If the officers had a warrant to arrest Martinez, they had every right to arrest him. Otherwise, Martinez was not obligated to…
Keep the medal; pay songwriters
Regarding your June 14 publication “Songwriters rule,” I quote: “Steve Key’s Songwriters at Play keeps bringing you original music week after week; someone ought to give him a medal.” Hi. My name is Peggy Penny. I am a professional singer/songwriter. I am “paid” to perform my original music because it is “work.” In fact, event…
Cougars & Mustangs
Summer classes have begun at Cuesta College, but you might not be able to tell by walking the streets. The recent surge in electronic activities has made people eager to be indoors, so with shopping malls and parks being barely less empty this week, the only people who have really taken note of this fact…
Yargh, and so on
When Bob McNure was 17 years old, living in Georgia and drawing pictures on his friends just for kicks, he had a run in with a local tattoo artist who told him to back off or, well, he won’t say exactly what, but McNure got the distinct impression it’d be bad. “And I said to…
All eyes on water
Fields of leafy green vegetables and ripening strawberries in the Santa Maria Valley look innocent enough as the food crops get ready for dining tables around the country, their growth spurred by farmers’ addition of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. But deep below the root zone lurks an unappetizing problem. A new study by UC Davis scientists…
Horse remorse
Starstruck Mate is a magnificent, golden-hued, sorrel gelding, strong and muscular, with a “great potential as a performance cutting or reined cow horse,” according to Cal Poly. When Tina Reis saw the then 2-year-old listed in a catalog as one of roughly 20 performance horses for sale at last year’s Cal Poly Annual Performance Horse…
Paso prepares to raid penny jars
A half-cent here and there could add up to an extra $2.9 million in annual revenue for the city of Paso Robles to spend on things like roads, police salaries, and recreational activities. The Paso Robles City Council met June 19 to unanimously approve the first reading of an ordinance that would raise the city’s…
Sewage spill brings fines
The South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District plans to dispute a $1.38 million fine levied by the Central Coast Water Board. The fine stems from fierce storms in December 2010 that flooded the district’s electrical equipment, triggering a chain of events that caused hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewage from a treatment plant…
SLO booze rules pass Go
After a bit of give and take on the part of the city and downtown San Luis Obispo bar and restaurant owners, it looks like new rules for businesses that sell booze will soon be on the books. On June 19, the SLO City Council approved its “Deemed Approved Ordinance,” which creates a new set…
Sewer contract approved
A key contract to build a piece of the Los Osos sewer project has been approved. On June 19, San Luis Obispo County supervisors awarded a $26.2 million contract for two pieces of the sewer’s collection system to ARB, Inc. The contractor was, in fact, the second lowest bidder. County officials rejected a $24 million…
Art, meet bureaucracy
Rory Landon Aronson’s bike arch is this gigantic, colorful, metal absurdity. It’s pointless and charming and all things that seem doomed to fail. And fail it did. Itook three days for Aronson to build the arch, a monster of six bikes anchored at the axle, bending over the front walkway of his downtown San…
