Cover Story
Asset forfeiture: The intended consequence of the war on drugs?
Pete Miller remembers staring down the barrel of a loaded gun in the early morning of Dec. 28, 2010. He remembers how the hand of the arresting officer—now a disgraced narcotics agent serving time for crimes related to stealing evidence—shook as it gripped the weapon. How the officer smiled, with blood-shot eyes and a sweaty…
Epileptic woman claims Pismo Beach police assaulted, arrested her
Update: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Andrea Hansen’s city of residence. Hansen declined to comment about her case, but told New Times she did not provide statements to Police State USA despite quotes attributed to her in other articles appearing online. On the morning of Nov. 18, New Times obtained a copy…
What are your three most prized possessions?
Larry Jamison cashier at Bali’s Yogurt “Family photos, my pinball machine, and my coffee.” Kristen Barneich Arroyo Grande City Councilwoman “My family, my wedding ring, and my favorite OSU hoodie.” Talia Ortega book connoisseur “My pocket journal, my shoebox of pictures, and my keys.” Dan Lynch manager at Fresno County Health Department “Family photos, my…
Steve Lieberman will be the new FCFA chief
In times of trouble, the Five Cities Fire Authority has decided to turn to a familiar face. Steve Lieberman, a former volunteer firefighter, former Grover Beach mayor and councilman, and major participant in the creation of the FCFA, has been appointed as the new fire chief/executive officer for the authority, the FCFA Fire Board announced…
Social insecurity: Several women allege that a local Social Security employee sexually harassed and victimized them
As she tells it, the first time Cassandra Rahn was hit on by an employee when she came into the San Luis Obispo office of the Social Security Administration (SSA), she thought it was strange, but she brushed it off. “He was a vet, I think, and he was in a wheelchair, so I didn’t…
Your Kitchen’s DIY Chai and Ancient Peaks’ 2012 Zinfandel
I am fully aware that this column is all about local drink reviews, but what could possibly be more local than your own kitchen counter? This November, I encourage you to create your own chai tea, perfect for livening up chilly mornings and adding a dash of spiced joy to microwaved or steamed milk…
Moonshiner Collective plays what may be their last SLO Brew show on Nov. 15
I’ve heard a lot of lamentations, gnashing of teeth, and pulling of hair over the change in ownership at SLO Brew. People are worried about the future of the club without Todd and Korie Newman at the helm. Of course, the good news is, with the first two sold-out Good Medicine Presents shows (Michael Franti…
SLO Little Theatre premieres Tony Award-winning ’25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’
Sure, it’s easy to assume you could spell “onomatopoeia” when you can see it right here in print. But get up on stage, under scorching lights and in front of a crowd of restless parents, and then try. That’s right friend. Spelling bees are hardly an ease. Thankfully, there’s one spelling bee you can enjoy.…
Festival Mozaic’s WinterMezzo series returns
Ah, classical music. The soaring strings, the climactic concertos, the arresting arpeggios—it’s a great time and so is Festival Mozaic, one of the premiere outfit for classical music on the Central Coast. Typically, the festival takes place during the summer. But you’re in luck. For the past few years, the festival has sponsored their WinterMezzo…
Pugslie Starkey gonzos Central Coast Pug Rescue’s Pugsgiving!
It’s daytime, and Food Guy and Mrs. Food Guy have finally allowed me in the cab of the car instead of throwing me in the back of the truck with those filthy animals. Fine Corinthian leather? Looks delicious. We soon pull along an unfamiliar road, and Food Guy wrestles a Super Dog costume over my…
Studios on the Park displays Untitled, a group exhibit of abstract forms from three artists
On the walls of Studios on the Park in Paso Robles, right behind the glimmering holiday window display, you’ll find some of the greatest artistic luminaries of the 20th century. To the left, there’s Henri Matisse, and not 20 feet farther down, you’ll see modern art masters Pablo Picasso and Cy Twombly. Mind you, these…
‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ star Joseph Marcell brings ‘King Lear’ to Cal Poly
Joseph Marcell has a beautiful voice. It’s the kind of elegant, English drawl that would make even the nutrition label on a box of bran cereal sound like poetry. It’s also a voice you’re probably familiar with if you, like myself, watched countless hours of television in the ’90s. For six years, the St. Lucian-born…
#Foodporn confidential: Behind the scenes at a steamy culinary photo shoot
Let’s do a little experiment. Grab your smartphone or laptop. Oh, and make sure your significant other is nowhere to be seen. No, it’s OK. I’ll wait. Ready? OK. Now, Google image search: “Food porn.” In an instant, you’ll be basking in the blue-light glow of tight, glossy-skinned duck breasts, perfectly julienned carrots, and impossibly…
Aspiranet’s open house demystifies adoption and foster care
November is national adoption month, so it’s the perfect time for curious parents to learn more about what adoption and foster care are all about. Sadly, though, it’s not all that easy to find useful information about adoption: a quick Google search for “SLO adoption” brings up the county’s (rather outdated looking) Department of Social…
Tabletop blues: A bizarre prank marks the closure of North County favorite Hoover’s Beef Palace in Templeton
It was the last week that North County favorite Hoover’s Beef Palace would be open for business in the restaurant’s long-time location. Regulars came in herds to get one final breakfast or supper served in large portions on big oval plates, all for 20th-century prices. The activity culminated on Nov. 9, when the restaurant served…
Cougars & Mustangs
Greetings, retail workers! As the much-maligned company mix CD has no doubt informed you, Christmas is on its way! Never mind Thanksgiving, that doesn’t get music … with one important exception. Have you ever wondered why “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” mentions spooky ghost stories? Yeah, by “spooky ghost stories” it means “scary…
Business time: A Morro Bay business license audit is ruffling feathers
To get an idea of what can happen after an audit from Municipal Auditing Services (MAS), look no further than an April 2013 lawsuit filed by Stanton-based Hospitality Enterprise Management, otherwise known as 007 Showgirls. The lawsuit came after MAS was contracted to review business licenses and unpaid fees in Stanton, a city west of…
Cal Poly PD tries to teach adults that 911 is for emergencies
At a very early age, all American children are taught one very important phone number: 911. Kids have it drilled into their heads–if there’s an emergency, if you’re in trouble, just call 911 and you will get help. According to California’s 911 dispatchers, many of us learned this lesson a little too well. In growing…
Ashbaugh condemned, but not censured
San Luis Obispo city councilmembers chose to criticize, disapprove, and condemn the behavior of Councilman John Ashbaugh, but not take further punitive action. Ashbaugh was the focus of the final item at the City Council’s Nov. 10 meeting after an argument on Oct. 21 that resulted in his revealing closed session proceedings. He was recused…
The future at present
I am deeply fascinated by Walt Disney’s facelift of the “new” Tomorrowland of 1967 at Disneyland, as well as well as Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek, because of how they portray dreams of the future. My favorite attractions at Tomorrowland are now greatly missed. That includes Monsanto’s Adventure Through Inner Space, Goodyear’s (WEDway) Peoplemover, and GE’s…
Will we demand real change?
Nationwide, some $8 billion was spent getting people elected this year, with most earmarked for television and radio ads. As someone who has been in broadcasting for 50 years, and has sold both TV and radio time for a living, I have benefitted from this practice. But that doesn’t make it right; in fact, I…
Money shouldn’t talk
This past national political contest was not an election. It was a marketing machine where representatives and ideologies were bought and sold. The most expensive midterm campaign in history, approximately $4 billion changed hands under the guise of free choice and democracy. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s Citizens’ United and McCutcheon decisions, “dark money,” provided…
Stars all around, Morro Bay!
I’m a 30-year resident of Morro Bay. I recently emailed city staff about a serious concern. By noon, there were responses from everyone I copied: the mayor, three council members, the new city manager, and our new chief of police. A concrete plan of action was in place by close of business, and I saw…
Brant hunting–and my disappointment in it–continues
As my husband and I sat having coffee and looking out over the Morro Bay Estuary, we heard shotgun blasts! The brant hunters have returned. We leave, forced to abandon our early morning walk along the State Park Marine walkway. We are told they “get to shoot” because their license pays for them to preserve…
Adjudication is not the answer
Laurie Gage’s fact-based analysis, which exposed the fallacy that adjudicated basins are better managed, obviously struck a nerve with the litigants who have filed the Quiet Title lawsuit. While they are oblivious to the fact that many believe they possess a selfish sense of entitlement by being more concerned about their rights than their sense…
Remember to not get raped
Five weeks ago I wrote about how a member of Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) fraternity posted an indefensibly misogynistic rant entreating his fraternity brothers to lure Sigma Kappa sorority sisters to a party. “We just facebook stalked a large amount of them and my dick is currently harder than [insert additional douchebaggery],” he said. “While…
Local Buzz
Whole Foods celebrated its grand opening Nov. 5, unveiling its new sign and breaking bread with the locals. Shoppers should be sure to check out the bounty of local goods, including a plethora of regional wines and produce (handy signs showcase where each Central Coast purveyor is located), Hearst Ranch beef, Baba Hummus, Live Local…
Clubs 11/13/14-11/20/14
Goin’ South … THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. CUVEE BISTRO AND CHAMPAGNE BAR: 550 1st St., Avila Beach, 595-2245. Live music Thurs. and Sat. 6-9pm. 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…
