Cover Story
Overcoming a sour note
Tourists always seem to marvel at San Luis Obispo’s beauty. Sometimes they remark on the cultural vibrancy, the myriad plays, concerts, exhibits, and performance groups. Nobody comments on the fact that while adults may be living in a cultural paradise, their children subsist on the crumbs of former after school and arts programs. While adults…
The ball’s in your court
How about them Royals? I don’t mean dreamy Prince William, though he is quite a looker. He’s fairly rich, too. And talk about a Renaissance man! If only I were 30 years younger and in line for the throne of France or something … No, when I say Royals, I mean the good people of…
Simmering septic saga
The ongoing battle over Los Osos septic tanks is mired in arguments again, but this time it’s not about pollution, it’s about lawyers, with the fairness and the fees of the various attorneys involved now in the spotlight. As the Regional Water Quality Control Board pushes its case for a sewer system for the town…
Transient ruling aftermath
On May 2, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a California state statute requiring anyone found loitering to provide identification to approaching law enforcement officers. The plaintiff in the case was Edward C. Lawson, an intelligent, dreadlocked black man with a penchant for taking late-night constitutions through San Diego’s most affluent neighborhoods. Following an…
Peckerheads
A bizarre new twist on the death penalty debate is taking flight at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. The experts have testified, the evidence is in, and the sentencing continues on the prison’s only entirely free residents—a petulant flock of wild turkeys. # According to prison officials, the facility recently ran afoul…
Letters
McMansion mystery Russell Hodin’s cartoon in the May 11 issue was difficult for me to figure out. Is Hodin in favor of McMansions on ridgelines for all to see? Does Hodin, like most realtors in the 2nd district, have a Rodger Anderson for Supervisor lawn sign in his yard? Seems to me Hodin would work…
Crazy for Camrys
A local homeless man with a Toyota Camry key that fit numerous older model Toyota Camrys, has been charged with stealing five Camrys in just four days within a half mile of the San Luis Obispo Homeless Shelter, police say. “There is no such thing as a master key for Camrys,â€? says John Boyd, a…
No agreement yet on Morro Bay sewage outfall
After a six-hour hearing of conflicting testimony over the ecological impacts caused by Morro Bay’s and Cayucos’ Estero Bay sewage outfall, water quality officlals remain deadlocked on the issue. Described as “a doozieâ€? by Regional Water Quality Control Board engineer Matt Thompson, the hearing last week pitted Morro Bay and Cayucos sewage plant officials and…
Trader Joe’s for Templeton?
Speculation continues to mount over whether the popular grocery chain Trader Joe’s has settled upon a new location for a North County store, with a new building using “green” standards, under construction at the Highway 101 and Vineyard Drive interchange in Templeton. It’s also been speculated that Atascadero might provide space near the Factory Outlet,…
Growing success
Tucked behind Cuesta College, the Achievement House is easy to miss, even for those who know that it’s been functioning there for close to 50 years, with the same mission: to expand the opportunities for disabled persons. The Achievement House provides vocational services for developmentally and physically disabled clients around SLO County. Clients learn skills…
What about the homeless in our county?
I screen documentary films in SLO, with permission from either the filmmakers or the distributors. I usually screen them at the SLO Public Library, a great place because of ample seating and the large screen. Typically between 50 and 80 people come to our film screenings. On Friday night, April 28, I screened two films…
FAST FACTS
San Luis Obispo will soon be home to an accredited Law school for continuing students and working adults. The University of San Luis Obispo Law School is offering bachelors degrees in law for concurrent enrollment students. SLO law school offers evening and weekend classes and promises to be affordable. An informative reception will be held…
Pier pressure
Fed up with what they say is mismanagement by the Port San Luis Harbor District, Barry Cohen and his son Leonard, the owners of Hartford Pier’s Old Port Inn and fish market and the recently closed fish processing business are asking a jury to award $4 million in damages. The Cohens claim that the district…
