Cover Story
The last page
Every good book, every popular story has a central conflict and resolution. Hercules tackles a fearsome to-do list and pays his penance. Jonah is partially digested by a whale and decides to finally follow omnipotent orders. Sam I Am overcomes a fear of garishly colored food and enjoys a green breakfast. The story of Leon’s…
Nanooks of the north
In 1867, United States Secretary of State William H. Seward offered Russia $7.2 million—or two cents per acre—for Alaska. The Russians took the money, probably wasting it on vodka, pickled herring, and fur hats. Still, many Americans weren’t happy about it, calling the purchase “Seward’s Folly.” Thirteen years later, gold was discovered. In 1959, we…
Elegant, yet casual
During one of several visits to the new Adelina’s Bistro, I had an unusual experience when I dined there with Rhonda O’Dell, with whom I’ve worked at New Times for 12 years (she’s been there from the paper’s start). We drove over early one Wednesday evening and found it packed with a friendly crowd sipping…
To the beat of a darabukka drum
If you plan to attend Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble’s newest performance, a spring concert on May 16 at 8 p.m., there are a few terms you might want to brush up on—most of them Arabic. The first of these is ethnomusicology, which, according to a Merriam-Webster online dictionary, means “the study of music in…
Where the vengeful, enlightened and incarnated play
It seems that as long as there has been art, there have been artists eager to use their creative expression as a tool of faith. Sometimes this manifests in a richly colored stained-glass depiction of Christ’s ascension, as in the cathedral of Le Mans. Or the lavish religious-themed frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Then there…
What would you like in your tap water?
Alyssa Barker student Beer, PBR, cold, there shouldn’t be a hot option Greg Hind business owner Black Horse coffee. Rebekah Hartnell pizza jockey Sunshine and happiness or whipped cream and pie. Tom Brown business owner I don’t want anything in my water, I just want it clear and cold.
SLO solar slow going
Ausra, a company out of Palo Alto, backed by the high tech and riches of Silicon Valley, unveiled its plan for a $500 million solar thermal plant in Carrizo Plain last November. Spokesmen laid out a one-year timetable for a groundbreaking early in 2009. But the venture is already running four months late as it…
One more reason to retire on the Central Coast: subsidized golf
At the May 20 SLO City Council meeting, the SLO Parks and Recreation Department will request an additional $40,000 in subsidies for the Laguna Lake Golf Course. That’s in addition to the more than $300,000 the course receives annually in subsidies and an additional $200,000 infusion that the city gave last year. If the city…
Dust to dust: valley fever outbreak prompts action
Construction workers in SLO County should wear respirators and special coveralls to reduce their risk of contracting valley fever on the job, the county Public Health Department is recommending after an outbreak of the potentially fatal disease at a North County construction site. Half of the 14 workers at the site were diagnosed with…
I endorse my niece
It is with great pleasure that I endorse my niece, Debbie Arnold for 5th District Supervisor. Knowing Debbie since she was 12 and having her as part of our family for over 30 years, I feel confident and knowledgeable about her qualifications. Debbie is an extremely hard working individual and very fair decision maker, who…
Israel turns 60
It is said that, like a person, you can tell a lot about a country from its enemies. In its sixty years of existence, Israel has attracted the enmity of every brutish totalitarian state on the planet. It’s existence stands as a stubborn example that free and decent people can beat back the thuggery of…
Vote for rational husbandry, Patterson
Jim Patterson’s opponent, Debbie Arnold, says she doesn’t buy smart growth guidelines, but does buy urbanization of rural lands by infrastructure expansion, and that the “development community” is “buying” her “vision for the county” (Tribune, May 2). They want to socialize the costs of sprawl on the backs of tax and rate payers and privatize…
New Times gets her vote for best purveyor of dishonest, tacky, crap
Now I am annoyed. After voting for hundreds of new housing units, you call me no-growth. I have come to expect this kind of crap from the Trib, but you, too? And far from annoying staff, I have received nothing but appreciation from staff for my hard work, clear positions, and ability to move on…
What about the pastors of Republicans?
In response to Otis Page’s letter in your May 8 issue, let me suggest that if we’re going to examine Obama’s past association with Reverend Wright, then, to be fair, we should take a look at Senator McCain’s past associations as well. We can start with Reverends Falwell and Robertson, who agreed with one another…
You lost, Lamb, get over it
In your story about the Mitchell Park parking lot, I was a bit rankled by Stephen Lamb’s quote disparaging the process that led up to the decision. It’s obvious that Mr. Lamb is just a sore loser, mad that the vote didn’t go his way. I thought the whole issue to be a fine example…
Stop griping
Thank you for the informative article about new sand and gravel mining in the Salinas River. Residents of San Miguel who are opposed to this mining appear to be classic NIMBYs. In living memory the upper Salinas River that runs through San Miguel was a vibrant river. It had steelhead runs, where seagoing trout came…
Bush, supporters, lack common sense
While Otis Page hopes to continue the disaster of the past eight years, Fred Hartman tries to assert he is more patriotic because he doesn’t question the status quo. (Both letters from May 8). He cries when the flag passes at a parade? Why, because of the mockery the Cheney /Bush administration has made of…
How dare they?!
How dare the Tribune shake its editorial finger at citizens who get involved to make SLO’s government work, call them “fanatics,” tell them to “let it go,” order them to “move on,” and “do not, we repeat do not” make their concerns an issue in November’s election. How shameful! The late Telegram-Tribune was a fine,…
Lay off Debbie
I was appalled to see cartoons of such poor taste from Russell Hodin and Jerry James in New Times May 8. Both of their depictions of Debbie Arnold were dirty politics at its worst. They should take the time to meet Debbie before printing such false images. In the paper, if you donate to Patterson…
Paranoid hogwash and the Carrizo
Our thanks to Kevin Rice for mentioning the Sierra Club four times in a three-paragraph letter (“Carrizo heritage site debate is a trip-wire,” May 7). He wonders why the Board of Supervisors’ refusal last year even to allow the Carrizo Plain National Monument to be considered for nomination as a World Heritage Site “is now…
Smoking the vote
Editor’s note: In their lead-up to the June 3 SLO County Board of Supervisors election, two seemingly mild-mannered 5th District candidates—Supervisor Jim Patterson and former legislative aide and rancher Debbie Arnold—have been exchanging some punchy letters. Here’s one recent exchange over the issue of medical marijuana dispensaries in the county. Arnold: Patterson voted for pot…
Fast Facts
Gym One, a Cambria gym, is hosting a Karaoke Spin-a-thon, lasagna cook-off, and wine tasting on May 18 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Lasagna is $10 per plate, including salad and bread. It’s all part of a fundraiser for AidsLifeCycle. Call 927-4961 for details… Working out is like a dance party now at Cambria’s Gym…
Bo and Jerry, golf and green
Take 1: I was wondering why Supervisor Jerry Lenthall’s mustache has recently been braided into cornrows. Now I think I know. (Cut! Excuse me for a minute … I’m cackling maniacally as I write this … Cornrows! … They say only narcissists can make themselves laugh, but the people who say that aren’t as funny…
Copywrong?
A change is looming over the arts. It will be subtle, like removing lead from paint, but the implications are huge for small-time artists. Right now, a pair of bills is being discussed in the U.S. Congress, either of which could change the way art—music, film, paintings, sketches, what have you—is bought, borrowed, and used.…
Bag-Lady Chic
“I’m pretty funky. I mean, I’m all tattooed,” says Beebe Bags creator Ellen Baxter, describing her nonconformist approach to fashion. Baxter, who fearlessly pairs satin and polyester without thinking it a heinous crime, sells her handmade tote bags at New Frontiers and Coalition (a Monterey Street skate company). Baxter apparently has a head for numbers.…
Leticia Miller – hip hop dance instructor
NEW TIMES: When did you get into hip hop? Leticia Miller: I started with it four years ago when I moved to America [from Australia]. NEW TIMES: Can you only do hip hop dance to rap? LM: I try to give [the students] a wide range. Sometimes I’ve done hip hop to Jack Johnson.…
Robert Hall 2006 Rhone de Robles Central Coast
This cuvee of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Counoise is delightful. A well-balanced red layered with ripe flavors of black cherries, plums, cranberries, and spice, it drinks quite deliciously on its own. They recommend pairing it with rack of lamb, and it’s versatile enough to complement beef or roast chicken. It’s a good value, too, at…
