Cover Story
‘Accountability’ and the chief
A stack of lawsuits, departmental policy guides, office memorandums, staff rosters, and hand-scribbled notes sat conspicuously between Arroyo Grande Police Chief Steve Annibali and two New Times reporters. Annibali, who’s headed the department since 2007, had returned just days before from a training session in Sacramento, where he represented the city as a member of…
County court cuts public database access
In response to a barrage of questionable activity by a small army of private background investigators, officials with the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court have decided to limit public access to their criminal databases, according to Court Executive Officer Susan Matherly. The public will continue to have access to information on local criminal cases…
Backlash
San Miguel Community Services District General Manager Rene Salas says he wasn’t retaliating; it’s just a case of bad timing. And bad timing it was—depending on your perspective. For Salas and the district’s Board of Directors, the CSD is in a financial hotspot. Things are so bad for the small district, which serves a community…
Clubs
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music Fri. from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 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…
Which historical figure would you most like to punch in the mouth, besides Hitler?
Lawrence Frank retired English professor “So many options, so little time. For contemporary leaders, of course, George W. Bush.” Alex Dickinson financial analyst “Probably Tony Blair, because his grin really annoys me. So to knock his teeth out would give me some satisfaction.” Vince Fonte contractor “That’s a tough one. Mussolini, I guess.” Jim Gabel…
Music soothes the savage beast
After semi-ignoring them for years, I’ve become a fawning, gushing, ridiculously enthusiastic fan of Café Musique. Maybe it’s because they make me laugh and cry every time I see them. OK, over-share. In any case, now it’s your turn to catch the wonder of Café Musique. “As usual, the band’s up to its typical high-jinks…
‘Broke as the Ten Commandments and sometimes harder to follow’
Please accept the flowing lyrics as proof that Todd Snider is the funniest folkie in music today: “B-double E double R U-N beer run/ B-double E double R U-N beer run/ all we need is a ten and five-er,/ a car and key and a sober driver./ B-double E double R U-N beer run// A…
Concerned with stones
Lapidary may sound like an uncomfortable medical procedure, but its actual meaning is far more pleasant. The word, which literally means “concerned with stones,” is used to describe an artist who carves stones, minerals, gems, and other durable, naturally occurring materials—shells, pearls, or coral—into jewelry and other decorative treasures. Since 2007, local artists Paula Willoughby…
Blue lips, Bieber fever, and atomic dreams
To really get into a Rhythms show, you have to enjoy a healthy dose of cheeze now and again. That’s not to say there aren’t poignant moments to CORE Dance Company’s annual buffet of jazz, swing, tap, and contemporary ballet. Stacy Estrada’s breathtaking duet “Blue Lips,” set to the song of the same name by…
Welcome to Snoozeville
In the Neighborhood has such a good heart. It’s a shame it couldn’t be a more interesting read. The Cuesta College Book of the Year, In the Neighborhood chronicles author Peter Lovenheim’s quest to get to know the inhabitants of Houston Barnard, his affluent Rochester neighborhood, and specifically Sandringham Road, the street he grew up…
Simpler times
I’ve always favored the simple life: dandelion chains tipping roguishly over sun-warmed hair; a barn full of cows; the sweet smell of hay after early spring showers; happy, contented workers who don’t gripe when they don’t get promised raises or don’t file lawsuits accusing their boss of sexually discriminating against them. You know, the simple…
Questions For: Duane Waddell
NEW TIMES When did you start your efforts to remove Limbaugh from KVEC—creating an e-mail list to raise awareness, contacting the station and its sponsors, and so forth? DUANE WADDELL A couple weeks ago, with the outrageous statements that were recently made, the “slut” statements, that were going out on the air all over the…
The American warlords are guilty
It is very difficult living on the streets; I know this firsthand. It is also difficult being a soldier; I know this firsthand. Soldiers are treated like second-class citizens. Unfortunately, they are deemed disposable. More than 6,000 of our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, have recently been sent to their graves prematurely because…
I will be proud and ashamed
In our world of triumphs, who have we left behind? Let’s not reenact our disgraceful homecoming of our Vietnam vets. Just as in the past, we put our selfish interests ahead of what’s really right. We have large parades for winning sport teams, closing entire cities down, but fail to recognize the men and women…
An open letter to Ron Paul
After reading this letter, I hope you have already considered my suggestions to you. First of all, I think you should run as a “third party” candidate in November. Secondly, I think you should choose Bill Richardson as your running mate. He is a Democrat, thereby allowing the left as well as the right to…
It’s just business?
KVEC, your station’s infatuation with Beck and Rush has driven me away from all your shows, even the beloved Congalton show. You’ve heard our comments; yours boil down to “It’s just business.” That’s what the mafia says when they shoot your dad: “it’s just business.” If you have any integrity and intelligence, you will cease…
We need more than a cosmetic solution
Some years ago, my then-wife and I had just arrived in SLO County in our 15-year-old 20-foot motor home and parked on a semi-private side of the road in Oceano. We weren’t hassled that night, but understood it was illegal (call me a felon lite). We were there because a campground catering almost exclusively to…
Some of us live this way by choice
I am writing to you regarding Colin Rigley’s well-written, timely article (“You can’t go home, and you can’t stay here,” Feb. 23) on the plight of motorhome residents in SLO city and county. I am a “full timer” mostly by choice, and I absolutely love the freedom this lifestyle allows. Not all fulltimers are out…
Here’s an opportunity for consolidation
There is today a special opportunity for the police, fire, and emergency services of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Pismo Beach to consolidate their forces into a single location. There is a two-acre parcel located at the conjunction on Oak Park Boulevard, and contrary to some opinions, its access can be easily built. This access…
Excellent coverage of the invigorated Occupy SLO
We want to congratulate New Times and contributor Maeva Considine for a timely and fair article about Occupy SLO in the March 15 edition (“Space available”). It was great to read a positive article explaining Occupy’s “growing pains” and the groups’ renewed determination to continue spreading the message of the 99 percent. Occupy SLO’s 24/7…
You succeeded in highlighting misogyny
Shame on you for approving the most offensive article I have ever read out of New Times (“High balls,” March 15). The most recent article by the Shredder truly showcases to San Luis Obispo how ignorant and misogynistic his beliefs are, leaving the public full right to “shred” you all apart for approving such an…
Spring is for detox
When I take a deep breath, I smell spring in the air. Join me and take a deep breath to awaken your senses. Inhale the cool air, fragrant with blossoming flowers and budding trees. Spring is in the air. The days have grown longer, the air warmer. Spring is the time of year for rebirth,…
Spring clean your body
Spring has sprung, and what better way to show it than to drop old, cliché mass de-hoardings of closets and attics for newer enterprises like ridding your body of unwanted toxins? We’re talking, of course, about a body cleanse, and it can be the perfect way to usher in the arrival of the spring season.…
Tangent 2010 Pinot Gris
This pretty, elegant white wine offers subtle fruit flavors of nectarine, minerals, and lemon that are quite nicely balanced. It’s delightful as an aperitif and versatile enough to pair with an array of lighter foods such as crab omelet, prawns, white fish, Chinese chicken salad, or alongside a cheese tray. A value-driven brand, Tangent’s wines…
Argyle 2010 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
I love the Burgundian-style Pinots grown in Oregon’s Willamette Valley (it’s will-lam-it, dammit, as Oregonians exclaim). Leaning more toward red fruit and herbal hints, it’s an earthy style of Pinot that’s nicely balanced by notes of bright red cherries, ripe strawberries, plums, and spice-box. While that earthiness puts some people off, it’s exactly what makes…
Awesome Easter dishes
As a child, my Easter Sunday preference for breakfast was the See’s chocolate bunny, and I had a special proclivity for eagerly chomping off his ears. My appetite changed but hardly because I grew up; I’m still a kid about chocolate. Thankfully, adult foods satisfy me much more, particularly Easter brunch with Champagne. With its…
Skynet’s gonna win for sure now
It seems I’ve been thinking out loud about the coming robot apocalypse lately. Didn’t really realize it until Wife mentioned the other night: “Y’know, you’ve been saying ‘we’re just making it easier for Skynet’* a lot.” Closing the article on autonomous gun turrets bordering the Korean DMZ, I mutter under my breath: “Dunno what you’re…
Cougars and Mustangs
The hoary frost of Winter’s breath was stifled with a gasp. The engineer … err … blacksmith on his graphite sword did clasp. The tyranny of Skanntronne filled the hallowed halls no more, but peace, it seemed, would shortly live, when came Semester Four. What is this madness? The week’s relaxation is approaching a tragic…
Jane Doe vs. Santa Maria?
Roughly one month after the police-on-police shooting that shook Santa Maria and the nation, the underage Police Explorer who was reportedly having a sexual relationship with slain officer Albert Covarrubias, Jr., is fighting back. In late February, the Woodland Hills-based law offices of Goldberg and Gage sent a notice of governmental claim to the city…
Central Coast balance
The Green Lotus Energy Center, a new holistic transformation hub that offers everything from yoga to herbal healing, has opened its doors in Morro Bay. Owner Janne John received her training from Deepak Chopra, a leader in the field of mind-body medicine, and holds the elite title of Vedic Master, an expert in all three…
Water supply deemed too tight for Pismo development
The 180-acre Los Robles Del Mar sub-area won’t be joining the city of Pismo Beach any time soon. Members of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted 5-2 on March 15 to deny plans for annexation into the city, citing insufficient water reserves to supply the proposed development of 312 sprawling homes in the seaside…
Billy Mannon sentenced for threats
A Templeton resident acquitted of annoying teenage girls after a contentious five-day trial, who later pleaded no contest to criminal threats against his prosecutor, received his sentence March 20 in San Luis Obispo Superior Court. Billy Mannon, 52, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to three years of formal probation and subject to roughly $1,000…
First Solar talks trucks
There were two big things First Solar wanted to convey to the community at a recent meeting: The company isn’t the only one building something big in California Valley, and it’s probably a good idea to avoid riding bikes on Highway 58 during weekdays until construction is over. It all boils down to trucks. “We’re…
SLO approves a safe-parking program
Following community outrage over a police sweep of overnight camping in vehicles, the San Luis Obispo City Council has thrown its support behind a program to allow overnight parking on Prado Road for a limited number of vehicles. During a six-month initial phase of the program, the city won’t enforce a section of the municipal…
Chief Lisa Solomon resigns
The Paso Robles city attorney announced March 20 that Lisa Solomon resigned from her position as chief of police. Her decision came amid public accusations of sexual harassment and pending litigation from an officer claiming unfair retaliation after attempting to blow the whistle on an alleged traffic ticket quota. “We cannot confirm or deny that…
