Cover Story
Ideological differences
The sensationalized themes shouted by pundits and protestors nationwide are making their way into local discussions, specifically in the campaign for one of the seats on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. Jim Patterson has held the position for seven years already, during which time his detractors painted him as a reckless spender…
Atascadero rejects scavenging ordinance
Atascadero Police Chief Jerel Haley proposed an anti-scavenging ordinance May 22 that would have made it illegal for anyone but city staffers and collection contractors to remove items from solid waste containers. Haley said that his department has received numerous complaints from residents who were afraid to leave their homes while suspicious individuals raided curbside…
Wanna hear some funky Dixieland?
I’d just turned 13 when the Doobie Brothers climbed to the top of the charts with “Black Water,” a relentlessly catchy tune that personified the San Jose band’s signature sound: acoustic guitars, three-part vocal harmonies, and a inventive mix of R&B, country, bluegrass, rock, roadhouse boogie, and funk. The band had formed back in 1970,…
History lesson
As I climb a ladder to enter the B-17 near its nose, I first have to crawl on my knees through a small passageway. I turn around behind me and peer into the nose turret with its twin machine guns, then continue to crawl up and look back into the cramped cockpit, its instrument panel…
Everyone loves strawberries. Everyone.
The 29th annual Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival is packed with rad activities. Taking place the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (May 26 to 27) in the Village of Arroyo Grande, this free event boasts a lineup of musical acts on 11 stages, four carnival areas, camel rides, art and crafts booths, and, naturally,…
Artfully inverted
Dancers are rolling heavily across the floor like seals making their way toward the ocean. They writhe over one another organically, seemingly unaware of the concept of others. But gradually, as rhythmic drumming begins to sound, they find their feet. It’s a dance with a primitive, animal heart, and it’s the namesake of modern dance…
Beyond plein air
Erin Hanson is in a very good mood. Perhaps that’s because the rock climber, explorer, and plein air artist spends a great deal of her time outdoors. Her exuberance shows through in her bold, bright, impulsive paintings of Utah’s rock formations, Arizona’s deserts, and, more recently, the smooth folds of Paso Robles’ hills. Photorealism isn’t…
Clubs 5/24
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…
Presqu’ile 2011 Rose Santa Maria Valley
This delightful pink, made of 100 percent Pinot Noir, is dry, elegant, and delicious. I loved its delicate strawberry, raspberry, and cherry notes that are nicely offset by a touch of minerality—perfect as an aperitif to substitute for bubbly before a dinner party, and a good choice for an alfresco meal with fried chicken, shellfish,…
Kim Crawford 2011 Pinot Noir Marlborough
This value-focused New Zealand producer consistently makes excellent Sauvignon Blancs, but here at last is their Pinot Noir, which I hope will also remain in that category. I admit to a preference for Central Coast Pinots, so this was a wonderful surprise. The aromas and flavors of plums, strawberries, and black cherries with nuances of…
Location, location, location!
Luna Red in downtown SLO is the latest eatery created by restaurateurs Robin and Shanny Covey, co-owners of the wildly popular Novo (Shanny also owns Robin’s in Cambria). The Coveys are partners in Luna Red, and I must say I admire these inspired restaurateurs. They allow their talented Luna Red chef Shaun Behrens creative license…
Vote for someone who’ll preserve this unique spot
I would be willing to bet most of the people who moved to San Luis Obispo County in the last 20 years or more came for the beauty, lack of crime, less stress, and—yes—fewer people. Had we come here for the opportunities uncontrolled growth provided, we should and would, most likely, have stayed where we…
Jim Patterson is out of touch
Over the years, one of the hardest people to pin down is current supervisor Jim Patterson; I have ensured that he had his vegetarian meal at functions I worked on, walked by him on the street, and, unless I walk up to him face to face, he has yet to acknowledge my presence. On one…
What can we do?
Morro Bay Aquarium has our full attention now (“The aquatic anachronism,” May 17). With its focus on commercial fishing and tourism, Morro Bay is the ideal community to improve this site. Let’s get together and do it. Mr. Alcorn, are you willing? Morro Bay’s resources for fishing and marine mammals are among the best anywhere.…
Thanks, and I’ll see for myself
Being new to the area, I’ve never heard of the Morro Bay Aquarium (“The aquatic anachronism,” May 17). Next time I’m in Morro Bay, I will check it out personally because of this article and draw my own conclusions. Just their poor record alone speaks volumes, and I’m sure I will be horrified, but I…
The Tylers deserve praise
I am appalled at your article about the Morro Bay Aquarium (“The aquatic anachronism,” May 17). Given the size and age of this facility, of course it can’t compare to Monterey. But when the Monterey aquarium had a motherless baby otter, they contacted Bertha Tyler, because she created a formula that saved another baby otter’s…
You could use some humanity, New Times
I found your article on the Morro Bay Aquarium (“The aquatic anachronism,” May 17) disturbing, but not for the reasons stated by the author. I think New Times missed an opportunity to report on a subject which is far more complex than just how deep the pool is. I have known Dean Tyler for 50…
Waiting to die
I want my mom to die. Even knowing I’m experiencing completely normal emotions, I marvel at the sheer power of these words as they connect to the paper. I’m experiencing every emotion she feels, every pain that engulfs her body, every thought that delves to work its way into the limited thought capacity that remains…
Questions For: Marlin K. Brown
NEW TIMES What do you offer at the Republican office? BROWN All kinds of campaign literature, lawn signs, scripts, and phone lists. Anyone can come in a volunteer. It is a Republican office, so we are looking for Republicans to come in and help. NEW TIMES Who are your personal political heroes? BROWN I’d…
Wool blinders
My Nana coined the phrase “actions speak louder than words.” Then she’d smack me over the head and chase me around the house with a squirt bottle filled with Tabasco sauce because she knew that reasoning with me verbally didn’t do any good. Talk is cheap. And, as it turns out, so is politics. In…
Cougars & Mustangs
Man has a thirst for knowledge deeply rooted in the wonder it feels as it gazes deep into the poetry of the universe. From the majesty of a starry sky on a crisp and quiet evening and the overwhelming sensation of being a part of something bigger, with or without meaning—the mystery of every caressing…
Fortress of solitude
The city of Arroyo Grande is pushing once again for a new police station. But this time around, it had hoped a prospective merger with the Grover Beach Police Department, in the face of shared budget woes, would add a little weight to its plea for new digs. The Grover Beach City Council recently put…
Share scare
On the list of bad things that could happen to you, having your lawyer sue you is probably near the top. If you’re a government agency these days, having your employees take you to court over pension cost-sharing probably isn’t fun, either. For more than two years, San Luis Obispo County has been fighting its…
Oh, honey
Bees are known for their work ethic, and rightly so. You don’t spawn catchy sayings that start with “busy as a” by sitting around watching Glee and letting fields pollinate themselves. No, you build a hive, you protect the queen, you patrol flowers far and wide, you make honey, and you never settle for status…
Eccentric radio reporter Travus T. Hipp dies
Alternative radio newsman Travus T. Hipp, who kept local radio listeners in tune with “All the news you never knew you needed to know until right now,” died May 18 in his sleep at his home in Silver City, Nev. He was 75 years old. For more than 24 years, Hipp’s gravel-strewn voice contrasted with…
County shifts funds to prevent floods
Take a deep breath: San Luis Obispo County needs a loan to pay the matching requirement for a grant to pay for a project to stop flooding in Oceano. Officials from the County Public Works department even laughed that the funding scheme sounds like a shell game, but assured county supervisors on May 22 that…
Grover turns down a consolidation proposal
The Grover Beach City Council, in one relatively quick vote, put an end to the idea of consolidating police services with neighboring Arroyo Grande—at least for the foreseeable future. On May 21, Grover Beach City Manager Bob Perrault presented to the skeptical council members his staff’s report on the most recent proposal by Arroyo Grande…
San Luis Coastal’s no longer safe from recession
The richest school district in San Luis Obispo County cut $4.74 million from its budget on May 22, a move that will decimate the district’s technology replacement fund, reduce adult education offerings, suspend the early music program for kids in grades 1 through 3, and restructure services for English learners. Thanks to higher-than-average local property…
Three cross burners get jail time
Following a case that spurred local outrage and brought federal investigators to the Central Coast, three defendants in an Arroyo Grande cross-burning have been sentenced to jail time for terrorism charges. Jason Kahn, Sara Matheny, and William Soto were sentenced May 21 following their pleas of no contest to allegations they burned a large wooden…
Elderly residents face eviction in Port San Luis
Ten residents at the Port of San Luis Trailer Park in Avila Beach are facing eviction from their landlord of more than 25 years: the Port San Luis Harbor District. In 1984, the Port Harbor District took over the small trailer park, located on superior real estate overlooking the ocean. At the time, port officials…
If you could be a character in any cartoon, who would you want to be?
Lauren Barriscale Urban Outfitters employee “I would want to be a Power Puff Girl.” Michelle Aguayo sales associate “Rigby from the Regular Show. It’s a cool cartoon, considering the movies and shows out now.” Drew Ross student “Speed Racer, because he has the coolest car on the block.” Terry Hedger construction worker “Alley Oop. He…
