Cover Story
Drill, spill, or chill, baby
Morro Bay fisherman Jeremiah O’Brien can barely imagine how his counterparts in the Gulf of Mexico will cope with all the oil spewing from BP’s failed Deepwater Horizon well. “It’s devastating to the fishing industry. The resource will take years and years to recover,” O’Brien said as he prepared his boat for a summer of…
The Neon Carrot shines!
Have you heard about the Neon Carrot, a great new little café owned by chef Maegen and Jeff Loring? This hot eatery hasn’t been open a month but it’s already a favorite of foodies. I loved the carrot club; a huge sandwich on grilled whole wheat bread, only $7.95. It’s piled high with thinly-sliced turkey…
Morgan 2008 Monterey County Cotes du Crow’s
This delightful red Rhone blend is an easy drinking wine that offers ripe aromas and flavors of blackberries, black cherry, and spice, with nuances of earth. A blend of 55 percent Syrah and 45 percent Grenache, it’s a great choice for grilled steaks, pork or lamb chops, or sausage pizza. It also drinks quite deliciously…
Taking flight
Last year at the New Times Music Awards, a lanky, bird-like, toe-headed Cal Poly student took home Best Solo Performer based largely on his arresting song “1937.” It was clear then that Chase McBride had it all: rare songwriting talent, an infectiously interesting voice, and the sort of comfortable, casual stage presence that creates immediate…
Downtown Association and Farmers make up–and sign on it
After three and half months of negotiations, the SLO Downtown Association and the SLO Farmers’ Market Association have kissed and made up. Only after the San Luis Obispo City Council threatened to terminate its contract with the Downtown Association did the factions parley successfully. The Farmers’ Association will once again be running the farmer’s section…
Judy Polsky
NEW TIMES: What does the SLO Newcomer’s Association do? POLSKY: We’re an organization that helps people meet other people. We gather together for a luncheon once a month to allow people to get the chance to become acquainted with the county. We invite a speaker to give us an idea of what is going on…
Lien on him
Who said anything about political scandal?? Oh, The Tribune did! I read their editorial of June 20 regarding sheriff candidate Ian Parkinson’s tax liens, and The Tribune’s language sounds like a preemptive strike in defense of their endorsed candidate. In discussing Parkinson’s tax lien revelation since I first heard the news, my group of voter…
One less voice
I am 83 years old and have been quite sick for years but always voted. Well, that has ended. I am tired of being rushed to the phone to hear a recording about who I should vote for and why, each time thinking one of my five children might be phoning me for a chat.…
Dan Carpenter responds
As the current Chairman of the Cultural Heritage Committee, and the owner of a Mills Act Historic Property in the City of San Luis Obispo, I’d like to respond to Richard Schmidt’s commentary in the May 20 edition (“Scrutinize Mills Act tax breaks”). Sadly, he has chosen to attack one of the most significant incentive…
Charles Lynch’s endorsements
People are asking me who I support for Sheriff, so here are my thoughts. I sent a personal email to all the candidates regarding medical marijuana via the addresses on their websites and heard back from Mark Adams and Michael Teixeira. Adams said he would like to go after doctors who hand out recommendations like…
I’m Shredder, and I approve this message
An endorsement from Tom Bordonaro must be like a kiss from a chocolate-covered angel. Or maybe I’ve got it wrong. Endorsing Katcho Achadjian must be like kissing a chocolate-covered angel. Mmm … heavenly. Confused yet? So was I. I’ve been scratching a hole through my skull trying to decipher the stunt Tom had to pull…
Speak out about Garden Street Terrace
On February 6, 2007, in anticipation of approving the Chinatown Project and the Garden Street Terraces Project, the City Council approved increasing building heights from 50 feet to 75 feet in the SLO Downtown Commercial Core based on the following findings: 1. increasing affordable and workplace housing; 2. increasing pedestrian amenities; 3. increasing view access;…
Old liens shadow the Parkinson campaign
Ian Parkinson, San Luis Obispo Police captain and candidate for county sheriff, has been dogged by accusations he’s had tax liens filed against him and that he denied having any on a local radio show. “I think you have the wrong person,” answered Parkinson when a caller asked him about the liens on the May…
Quick! Learn the propositions on the June 8 ballot
Deciphering the legalese of propositions can be a daunting task come voting time. So, to help interpretation, New Times compiled a summary version of the five statewide initiatives in this year’s primary. Proposition 13 is essentially an amendment to the property tax initiative of the same name that became law in the 1970s. According to…
Nipomo water rates go up
After bleeding its reserve fund dry, San Luis Obispo County Public Works imposed higher sewage and water rates for hundreds of Nipomo residents. “We’re caught in a very difficult bit of public process here,” Supervisor Bruce Gibson said as the board reticently approved the last of three proposed rate increases. “I think you can tell…
Krinsky is found guilty on all counts
The Arroyo Grande man police say had a large cache of assault weapons in his home has been found guilty of six weapons-related felonies. Howard Alan Krinsky, 62, had waived his right to a jury trial. Superior Court Judge Michael Duffy found him guilty on all charges, including possessing, selling, and converting machine guns. He…
You just bought Kimberley Marshall’s pot
Without admitting any wrongdoing on the part of the sheriff’s department or the district attorney’s office, San Luis Obispo County counsel has settled a civil complaint with a medical marijuana patient, coughing up $20,000 in the process. The May 24 settlement made to Los Osos resident Kimberley Marshall, 46, a liver cancer survivor who also…
Pushing the limits
San Luis Obispo is home to two of endurance racing’s best college athletes: Blake Anton and Chris Stehula. Both men are Cal Poly students who recently finished first in the national collegiate championships for their respective sports. Anton has been racing bicycles for 11 years, and his Division One victory in the USA Cycling Collegiate…
AG City Council says no to sex offenders, yes to new councilmember
The Arroyo Grande City Council appointed Caren Ray as its newest member and approved an ordinance requiring sex offenders to stay 300 feet away from areas where children congregate at its May 25 meeting. The city council voted 3-1 to appoint Ray, a history teacher and a five-year veteran of the Arroyo Grande planning commission.…
Green bait
An advertisement on a campaign mailer sent to residents by the committee Californians Vote Green endorses Proposition 16, accompanied by the headline “Vote for a Greener California.” Several candidates who strongly oppose the proposition, including San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson, say they were not told their advertisements would appear alongside that endorsement. If…
Striking up the bans
A series of three new city ordinances—prohibiting public smoking, “unruly” gatherings of 20 people or more, and even feeding ducks—as well as the expansion of an existing ordinance doubling fines on certain holidays, went into effect May 20. Was it the End of Days many residents feared would befall them? Not quite. In fact, at…
Is the expense of a college degree worthwhile?
Amanda Cech Cal Poly student “Yes, definitely, because getting a college education provides more than just getting a good job.” Craig Smith architect “Absolutely. It’s an investment and a no-brainer.” David Harrell development consultant “Absolutely, but judging by my first-hand knowledge of the education system, it has failed.” Leilani Miller
CLUBS
Goin’ South CAFÉ ANDREINI: 131 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 481-6117. Thurs.: Live music at 6pm. COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF: 750 Five Cities Dr., Pismo Beach, 773-6420. Music Night every Sat., 6:30-8:30pm. DOLPHIN BAY/LIDO: 2727 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach, 773-4300 or TheDolphinBay.com. ELMO’S NIPOMO SALOON: 131 South Thompson Road, Nipomo, 929-5362. Karaoke on…
Now and Zen
Tucked among the golden hills in a serene wood building off See Canyon Road near Avila Beach, Crow’s End Retreat Center is a place to shed distraction, a place to quiet the mind. Except for bird songs, there is profound silence, merely the sound of the world itself. Bamboo outside the windows gently filters the…
Fast Facts
Volunteers are needed for “One Day, One Dollar” on Thursday, June 3. This Hunger Awareness Day will help the Food Bank Coalition to raise money to distribute food to 200 nonprofit groups that feed hungry clients. Call Allix Valentine at 238-4664 and visit slofoodbank.org for more information. … Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream has introduced dog-friendly…
Apples, oranges, and guava
On June 9, at 11 p.m. Bravo is debuting a new reality television series called “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.” The competition pits 14 artists from around the country against one another with the winner walking away with $100,000 and a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum. One of those competitors is Santa…
Kick off Memorial Day weekend right!
I’m working on my lingo for the chili cook-off in Paso Robles this Friday, May 28. Since I’m a very special, venerated, highly qualified judge, it’s important I find ways to explain my discerning tastes in language such non-epicures as you can understand. You know, like wine judges explain tannins and bottle stink? Anyway, check…
Reading in Public
On Saturday, May 15 Mignon Khargie and Catherine Trujillo staged their fourth Reading in Public event, called Typing in Public. For months before the event contributors sent in opening lines from writers, lovers of literature, and even creators of language (Paul Frommer, creator of the Na’vi language). Author George Oates submitted the following: “I always…
