Cover Story
A long, strange trip
“You want to see the Weird Al memorial?” Jimm Cushing asks. “I’ll show you.” Jimm Cushing has too many titles to list most recently, he’s San Luis Obispo’s Poet Laureate, but they call him the dirty old hippie at KCPR, where he has two radio shows. They mean it in the best way. Cushing leads…
Meridian 2006 Pinot Noir California
Here’s a great buy I discovered after reading an excellent review about this bargain-priced Pinot in Consumer Reports. Not only is this fruity, spicy Pinot easy-drinking, it continues to improve as it opens up in your glass. For a holiday dinner, I suggest decanting it an hour before serving. If your budget for the holidays…
Sinor-LaVallee 2006 Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard Arroyo Grande Valley
During the holidays, I love bringing special bottles of Central Coast wines up from my cellar to share with my guests. And this winery is always among those I like showing off. This complex wine offers a mouthful of ripe black fruit and wild berry notes, highlighted with spice, earth, leather, and smoke. I find…
Celebrate the holidays in wine country
I’ll never forget my first taste of Barrel 27 2005 Syrah (a bottle costs only $15), from winemakers McPrice “Mac” Myers and Russell From. I couldn’t believe the quality of that delicious Rhone varietal at such a price. I knew little about the brand when I visited the Monterey St. Wine Co. in SLO store…
Strictly Starkey
If you didn’t get enough of Sweeney Todd in last year’s Johnny Depp-driven film version, Cal Poly Arts has Director John Doyle’s wholly re-invented take on Stephen Sondheim’s classic tale of revenge coming to the Cohan Center next Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. In Doyle’s version, the tale of the “Demon Barber of Fleet…
Clubs
Goin’ South … BILL’S PLACE: 112 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9989. Fri.-Tues.: Karaoke. CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. Live music on Sat. from 1-5pm and Sun. Jazz from 11am-3pm. Mon. and Tues.: Louie Ortega. DOLPHIN BAY/LIDO: 2727 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, 773-4300 or TheDolphinBay.com. Mon. and Wed.:…
Deadlines people! Deadlines!
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival wants you and your creations. Film competition deadlines are fast approaching for the 15th annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, happening March 6-15, 2009. The George Sidney Independent Film Competition, open to international filmmakers, has a final deadline of Dec. 1. Approximately 40 films of varying lengths…
Zany. Bob Zany.
New Times Tell me about this traditional Thanksgiving show you are doing at Spyglass. Bob Zany I’m bringing people on stage and hypnotizing them and then& they think I’m funny.& I am doing it without the chairs, since traditionally hypnotists put like 12 chairs up. I am making them stand so they fall down laughing.…
They’re not racist they’re Texans
The first three statements that SLO Little Theatre director Bill McLaughlin makes about playwright Del Shores are that he’s got a cult following, he’s gay, and he grew up in Texas. And while the only circumstance more grueling than growing up gay in the Lone Star State is growing up gay in Utah, Shores explores…
From Goon Docks to the White House
It’s been a career-altering year for Josh Brolin, a Los Angeles resident who clings tenaciously to his Paso Robles roots. On Feb. 24 Brolin’s film No Country for Old Men, a production written and directed by the Coen brothers, received the Oscar for Best Motion Picture of the Year. Then, on Oct. 14, W.—a biopic…
Keep kissing!
When Ashley Schwellenbach dropped by my office to talk about kissing for her article in the Holiday Guide (New Times Special Issue, Nov. 20), I was tickled to provide suggestions for snogging under mistletoe or other festive occasions. & I eagerly rushed to pick up my copy and was pleased to find she used my…
The supervisors deserve thanks
As a longtime resident of the Santa Margarita area, a member of the Santa Margarita Area Advisory Committee (SMAAC), and a member of the SMAAC Ranch subcommittee, I would like to provide my perspective regarding the time and effort that has been put forth by the owners of the Santa Margarita Ranch to reach a…
Off-roaders want more land
I’m glad someone is concerned about health and safety of off-road recreators. In fact, the reason for increased fatalities is the closing of areas to ride. The sport keeps growing and the open areas to ride are shrinking: Shutting down Pismo Beach will only make it worse. Glamis Dunes is a perfect example, and now…
What happened to transparency?
I was sad to note the first meeting between President Bush and President-Elect Obama was shrouded in secrecy. Many of us voted for Senator Obama in part because of his promise of transparency. That is, that the government would more openly let its intentions and actions be known to the people so that the people…
Save trees
Fall has officially come to the Central Coast and the fall colors are all around us. Trees are turning amber shades, voters are changing from blue to red, or red to blue and orange telephone bags are fading in the sun at our mailboxes. My question isn’t about the foliage or the political color change…
Who’s biased?
In my opinion Lisa Ellman (“Change, Dr. Baker,” Nov. 20) did far more to damage her integrity than she ever hoped to do to Dr. Baker with her “two cents”. Ms. Ellman proved that a college education is only as good as its application. She could not stay on her point without insulting the community…
Some legacy
It was good to see the county supervisors at our Veterans’ Memorial dedication and I thank them for their support of that wonderful tribute. With that in mind, I want to believe the supervisors are all good and decent people who want to do the right thing but I can’t, for the life of me,…
A good man, a good cause
Howard Myers, a 98ish-year-old Los Osos resident, will ring the bell for Salvation Army donations from noon to 2 p.m. each Saturday in December at Ralph’s market in Los Osos. I believe he is the oldest volunteer Salvation Army bell ringer, at least in San Luis County. Howard is a WWII veteran and a long-time…
Speak up
On Dec. 16, the Santa Margarita Ranch issue will come back to the supervisors for a final vote and approval of the reasons why this development is a benefit to the public—findings for approval. Such findings, if they stand, will set a legal precedent on which to base other rural developments around the county, including…
Zelma Fishman – Founder, Central Coast EVs
NEW TIMES: What was your motivation for starting an electric scooter business? FISHMAN: It was largely my desire to breathe less CO2 and car exhaust. I’ve been into the environment all my life, and I want to keep our planet by helping reduce people’s carbon footprint. NEW TIMES: What would you say is the biggest…
Fast facts
Change of A Dress will hold its grand opening on Friday, December 5. Owners Diana Gabriel and Suzanne Clover celebrate the opening of their women’s boutique in Los Osos, providing high fashion at bargain prices. The consignment/resale shop at 950 Los Osos Valley Road offers trendy clothing, exclusive Diana Gabriel jewelry and accessories, and everything…
A crafty combo
Ahbeer. There’s no secret that it pairs nicely with pizza, pretzels, and the Superbowl. But knitting? According to two local craftswomen, the two hobbies couldn’t have more in common. And to prove it, Anne Gough, owner of Yarnsat the Adobe, and Jenne Hiigel, author of a book in progress called A Knitter’s Guide to Beer,…
Council OKs demolition of historic buildings in SLO
Two historic buildings in San Luis Obispo will be torn down to make way for the Chinatown project, following City Council approval of the demolition on Nov. 17. The proposed removal of the Sauer Bakery building and the Blackstone Hotel next door was controversial, since both buildings were recognized by the city as historically significant.…
Only a few weeks later, it’s official
The final Nov. 4 election results have been certified for SLO County. While some races were squeakers, results stayed the same as they appeared on voting day. In the two tightest races, Morro Bay Mayor Janice Peters retained her seat, defending a challenge from businessman George Leage, by 47 votes. In Paso Robles’ mayoral race,…
Solar farm goes under the lens
The Carrizo Energy Solar Farm Power Plant could take a toll on the local habitat, environmentalists say, and they now have a better chance of influencing the project’s scope. Local environmental group ECOSLO was granted a seat at the California Energy Commission hearings on the project application. Executive Director Morgan Rafferty said environmental groups did…
Diablo Canyon gets shakier
A fault found just off the shore of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has shown that the plant is more earthquake prone than previously thought. And there could be even more faults. There is a lot still unknown about the unnamed fault. It could be as close as 1,600 feet from the plant based…
Bids to be sought for Sunny Acres cleanup
County Code Enforcement officials say that, despite his cleanup efforts, Dan DeVaul hasn’t done enough to get his Sunny Acres recovery center into compliance with county codes. Now, they say, they’ll have the work done for him. Then they’ll send him the bill or put a lien on his property. Marie Cowan, a senior code…
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving leftover?
Brett Worthington stay-at-home dad/entrepreneur “Everything, because my wife takes all the leftovers and makes them into a Shepherd’s pie that’s even better than the Thanksgiving dinner.” Jason Metaxas student “The leftover turkey that I use to make sandwiches.” Craig Macfarlane personal banker “The peace and quiet of not having to deal with your family until…
Keep out
What was once a narrow path between a Shell Beach street and the beach has become a battleground pitting neighbors in a dispute that has embroiled state bureaucracies, councils, and courts. The path is a 10-foot-wide strip of land along the northern edge of homeowner Mark Yandow’s property. For more than 40 years, it provided…
Resistance mounts to planned ag cluster
For those who thought the Santa Margarita Ranch development caused a stir, stay tuned. A plan to develop the Laetitia winery estate south of Arroyo Grande is heading down the same contentious path. Laetitia’s developers hope to build their project as an “agricultural cluster” like Santa Margarita Ranch. And like critics of the plan for…
Messages to the new board, part 3:
Editor’s note: This is the third of five monthly Sierra Club commentaries devoted to policy recommendations for the incoming County Board of Supervisors Preserving agriculture is a widely shared goal that has supposedly been one of our county government’s top priorities for decades. Generations have loved and carefully managed their land, recognizing the connection between…
Claiming it
Nobody ever wants to take credit when they cut gas. But when a politician hears that somebody else has gotten credit for cutting off the gas, they’re all over it. It’s a freakin’ fart fight! Look here, reader, I have repeatedly encouraged you to never use my column as a news source. Now you see…
