Cover Story
Where less is more
There’s something about a well-crafted bonsai tree that conjures notions of dwarves, hobbits, and enchanted forests. A product of the ancient Far East, this almost 2,000-year-old hobby grafts the most striking elements of art and gardening, mirroring both the sublime beauty and the rugged hardship of nature. But mimicking nature is no easy task, and…
Water board urges $.6m fine for CMC
In response to a year and a half of sewage spills from the California Men’s Colony’s aging sewer system, a local agency is asking the state to charge the minimum-security prison a $600,000 fine. Officials at the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) sent a letter to the CMC’s warden, John Marshall, on…
Don’t let Oceano pass the buck
I was shocked and dismayed at what I learned while attending a so-called “Town Hall Meeting” in Oceano on April 28. It seems our County Board of Supervisors have relinquished their authority for maintaining Arroyo Grande Creek for purposes of flood control to the state. The State Water Quality Control Board estimates that the entire…
I’m shocked!
Your article regarding the election night gathering of the “No on Marketplace” folks (“SLO says no to Ernie Dalidio’s Marketplace,” News, April 28-May 5) contained an error. “… councilmember Christine Mulholland stood with a martini glass in one hand … .” Wrong. It was a rock glass. I’m a bourbon drinker. Get your facts straight.…
What about the birds?
Cal Poly has announced plans to renovate and expand Mustang Stadium, beginning next month (June). This project will impact negatively the mature palm trees that line California Boulevard and provide prime habitat for a variety of bird species. My cursory examination of the palms adjoining Mustang Stadium revealed over 200 active nests, including those of…
What a riot!
I’ve been thinking about music lately, how it’s supposed to soothe the savage beast and help you visualize whirled peas and all that other long-haired cloth-grocery-bag-toting mumbo jumbo. Unless that music is rock’n’roll, in which case it’s more dangerous than Harley-Davison unicycle with a suicide shifter and a bald tire. And even more dangerous than…
Developer sues Paso resident for libel
When Doug Garrett and his wife moved into their new Paso Robles home, they had no idea that an ungrounded light switch would eventually lead to a $1 million libel suit against them. The couple moved into their Montebello Estates home in November, and within the first week Garret said he noticed something troubling. While…
Surf deco
Everybody knows that surfing is cool. But to stay afloat in the surf business, you need to be more than just cool – you have to be original. Steve Hennigh should know. He’s been surfing for 47 years – since he was 8 – and he’s run his own surf shop for almost 30. Good…
Los Osos: this is our money
Can you believe the cost of the Los Osos proposed sewer? The CSD Board approved by a 3-2 vote to charge ratepayers/taxpayers a monthly bill well over $200 that will only increase with time. The best estimates are $2,400 to $3,600 a year? That’s a lot of money to gamble on an incomplete project that…
Allergy attacks
Fellow Americans, citizens of San Luis Obispo County, I call on you for help. Hostile forces are holding our nation hostage. We face an enemy unlike any we have known before. This adversary knows no borders, moves virtually undetected, and can strike its innocent victims at any time without warning. We have nothing less than…
What the County’s Talking About This Week
Bank robbers strike Central Coast The robbery of Mid-State Bank and Trust at 899 West Grand Ave. in Grover Beach on Tuesday was the latest in a string of Central Coast bank robberies – the second in less than a week and the fourth since early April. A young Hispanic man robbed the South County…
Grand jury
In its second of three reports this year, The SLO County Grand Jury put various corrections facilities under the microscope and recommended certain policy changes, but overall the findings revealed no surprises. The most notable chapters in the report deal with the grand jury’s investigation of the county’s jails and holding cells and for three…
Keep teen-pregnancy rates low
Teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. and California are at the lowest level ever recorded. Young people are waiting longer to have sex, and they are more likely to use contraception when they become sexually active. In California we’ve had the biggest reduction in teen births of any state in the nation. Studies show that…
Plovers don’t pay taxes
U.S.A.: Naturalized during the 200th centennial year, I am continually surprised at our laws. I find that the biggest group of landowners never personally bought their land, or paid taxes. They have total protection under new laws that they can never be evicted. Their rights are administered by a giant bureaucracy which is totally IRS-supported…
Maldonado stands up to UC system
State Senator Abel Maldonado has proposed a very sensible bill, which would expel college students who are convicted of rioting or battery on an officer. Since the bill would exempt University of California students, the obvious but unfair implication is that UC Berkeley and UCLA students would be welcomed to riot in San Luis Obispo,…
I will not miss Steve
As a frequent reader and letter writer to New Times, please allow me to comment on Steve Moss. I take no pleasure in Mr. Moss’ passing, but feel the community has lost little. The Shredder exemplifies tabloid journalism at its worst. Mr. Moss was both radical and disrespectful. Telling those who disagree with him about…
Stop disrespecting trout, live and fiberglass
Steelhead are a symbol of clean water and watershed health. The poor treatment of the beautiful sea-going trout sculptures has parallels to the real thing. Steelhead are down to about 1 percent of historic numbers in Southern California. Please support the fishermen and conservationists who are trying to restore these incredible and critical species by…
Steve who?
What makes you think your readership wants to read pages of eulogies for your deceased publisher, Steve Moss, any more than we would want to read eulogies for your deceased relatives? Did we know Steve Moss? Was Steve Moss a public figure? Is your publication a company circular, or a newspaper? Joe Erikat San Luis…
Share the road
To the driver of the small brown pickup driving on North River Road in Paso Robles: Yes, I was one of the two bicyclists riding side by side on North River Road. We hadn’t seen a car in over 10 miles, and since we had much to talk about I moved up next to my…
