Cover Story
Black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love
It’s a mild late-March day in Berkeley, but at the Gaia Arts Center, the atmosphere is tense, and the intoxicating scent of coffee wafting through the auditorium only underscores the gravity of our gathering. The Western Regional Barista Competition comes but once a year, and only one champion can move on to compete in the…
Bikes, trikes, unicykes, and the wheel deal
The Bike Art Show opening May 2—San Luis Obispo’s second celebration of wheels and gears put to creative aesthetic use—is unmistakably the work of SLO’s Tall Bike Posse. The exhibit, opening at 1060 Osos St. in San Luis Obispo (formerly the home of the Dwelling) and at 466 El Camino Real in Atascadero, is called…
What’s the next hot new wine?
Can you guess which varietal will be California’s next hot new wine? If you have the answer to that question, most winemakers’ would trade you a case of their flagship wine to learn of it in advance. But there’s one young Edna Valley winemaker who’s pretty confident he knows exactly which wine it is: Grenache…
I have some questions about the solar plan
Regarding the proposed solar panel installation on the Carrizo Plain, some questions come immediately to mind. Based on the photos I saw, it looks like the panels would be very close to the ground. The plain has endangered animal species: tule elk, pronghorn antelope, kit fox, and California condor, among a dozen others.…
Dan Brumbaugh IV – owner of SLORides.com
NEW TIMES: What services do you offer? BRUMBAUGH: Classic automobile restoration. NEW TIMES: How do you advertise? BRUMBAUGH: It’s pretty much just word of mouth and talking to people at car shows and various local events. If they have a project, they bring it on in. NEW TIMES: How did the company get…
Check out those Melons!
Imagine a wildly popular band with a wildly popular lead singer, and at the peak of their wild popularity, the singer dies of a drug overdose. The singer was so integral to the band’s sound, so irreplaceable to fans, that a fruitless replacement search by the remaining band members was eventually abandoned and the band…
Eyes are on Paso prison plans
State officials are steaming ahead with plans to convert the Paso Robles Youth Authority facility into a prison for senior citizens, regardless of what the neighbors and city leaders think of the idea. But the Paso Robles City Council will have a say on another prison proposed for the 160-acre Airport Road site: a “rehabilitation”…
The renewable energy gold rush is on
OptiSolar, a Hayward-based startup with roots in the oil sands of Canada, is proposing to build a colossal photovoltaic electricity generation farm on 6,000 acres in the Carrizo Plain, the company announced last week. The installation would yield 550 MW of power, enough to serve 190,000 homes, and would cost $1 billion dollars to construct.…
Fast facts
Picture Stable, a local video production company, recently teamed up with local copywriter and independent producer Bruce Brown to create two television commercials for a new computer tech support company, Nerds to Your Rescue, which offers on-site computer support from Paso Robles to Thousand Oaks. The commercials will feature a “nerd” who saves the day…
Surfers: Love your ocean
It’s hard to imagine that surfers—those archetypal lovers of the sea—would do anything to hurt their playground. CHANGING THE WORLD Ryan Milliman hopes that the Earth-friendly boards and more that he offers through the Shell Beach Surf Shop and the online Seahuggers will push the industry toward preserving the ocean. PHOTO BY STEVE E.…
Free walls for street artists
Regarding the recent uproar over graffiti in our area—due in no small part to Nic Rodriguez’s arrest as a suspected graffiti vandal—I ask: What constitutes art in SLO County and who is responsible for deciding? Certainly, notions of art, beauty, comedy, style, and taste vary wildly within any single population and far more so…
Start the impeachment proceedings
My wife and I simultaneously answered a phone call Sunday from a Democratic National Committee (DNC) representative seeking contributions to help our new president have a strong Congressional majority by defeating Republicans in weak districts. Simultaneously, we interrupted him to say that the DNC will receive no money from us until House Speaker…
Where’s the party?
In the main, there are two parties in the United States, and the American people are not invited to either of them. The Republicans do not hide their belief that corporate interests are paramount. So, too, the present Supreme Court as evidenced by their recent ruling that private property rights are subordinate to…
Listen up, Barack Obama
I have some input that would help Barack Obama to deal with this incessant Rev. Wright clip, but it is difficult to pass it along to him. Maybe his staff will read my e-mail. In the meantime, I am sharing it with you. I am writing as the daughter of a Church of…
We’ve got your back, Jim
I’ve never really stood up for any politicians in my 28 years of being able to vote; few, if any, ever met my criteria as worthy of much support. There are exceptions, though, and Jim Patterson is one of the few who merits my support. I sent his campaign a check, to help…
Do your homework before voting
Several months ago, I attended a “tea” for Adam Hill to learn more about him and his vision for making our county a better place. During the past few months, I have become appalled with Mr. Hill’s actions, which I believe speak louder than his words. Rather than explaining how he is going to…
Don’t vote for a shortsighted supervisor
Wine and tourist industries, listen up. Jerry Lenthall and Harry Ovitt threw millions of free advertising dollars, which would have benefited your industries, away last year. Both of these supervisors opposed trying to add the Carrizo Plains as a World Heritage Site. They let the oil interests from Taft and the paranoia of a…
Learn the truth about Jim Patterson
The 5th District incumbent county supervisor, Jim Patterson, is courteous, hard working, and well liked. He’s a known quantity because voters can judge him by his first term. According to common political practice, the most effective way to defeat a popular incumbent is to cast him in a negative light. Question his honesty. The…
Get ready for the June 3 election
Let me get this straight: County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian says he changed from a swing voter to a rabid pro-growther, joining ranks with Harry Ovitt and Jerry Lenthall, because “previous incarnations of the Board of Supervisors were more ‘extremist,’ and this one is more moderate.” (“Together, going it alone,” April 24) So, to be…
Thanks for helping strengthen democracy
Excellent article about the Board of Supervisors of SLO County (“Together, going it alone,” April 24). They are often split 3 to 2 in their vote. The three vote often ignores staff and Planning Commission recommendations. The three vote is typically in favor of “developers.” Compliments to Patrick Howe in researching it and New…
Ponzi 2006 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley
I simply cannot get enough of this refreshing white—a blend from only certified sustainably farmed vineyards in Oregon, which speaks volumes for this excellent producer. Don’t let the screwcap scare you off; this is serious wine even if it is value priced at $15.99 a bottle. This elegant Pinot Gris offers delightful notes of fresh…
Everybody will know my name
I’ve recently been trying to play catch-up in the endorsement business in my scribble-in race for county supervisor. I’m not sure which district I’d be in, because all of the district boundaries seem to intersect in SLO, where I’m currently squatting. Just scribble me in wherever you think appropriate. Any ballot—or even a napkin (sanitary…
Who was the last person you talked to on your cell phone?
Rob Variano hotel guest services My sister, because she sent me a text message asking where her cell phone charger was. Hannah Loomis private chauffeur I talked to my mother yesterday to tell her we were coming home to Santa Barbara. Toni Fleming radiographer My best friend last night. I asked if she wanted to…
