Cover Story
Winning Images 2010
Open publication – Free publishing – More photography
One last shot for Bookout
Bill Bookout is taking his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. At least, that’s his plan. Bookout, the former owner of Oceano Nursery, has long argued that annual flooding of Highway 1 is to be blamed on Caltrans crews and five other government agencies. After losing an appeal to the California 2nd District Court of…
Off to the races!
At long last, election season is over. Here’s how the county voters made their marks. • Former Democratic governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown beat Republican businesswoman Meg Whitman in the race for governor 53 percent to 41 percent. San Luis Obispo County voters, however, selected Whitman by a margin of 49 to 45…
Solar goes under review
Two large-scale solar projects proposed in the Carrizo Plains are officially in the environmental review process. The Draft Environmental Impact Report for First Solar’s proposed 550-megawatt solar power plant is now out for public comment. Much of the initial environmental findings are no surprise. Given the size of First Solar’s Topaz Solar Farm, roughly six…
In light of the decreased value of the U.S. dollar, what would you recommend substituting the dollar for, when paying employees?
Kelly Monighan barista “Products or services of the job that cost.” Corey Kreidler business owner “Experience. You guys are getting experience. This will help you in the future. Haha. You are NOT unemployed.” Ellie Morgan Cuesta student “Candy.” Aubrey Hurst Bakery worker “Offering better healthcare and good benefits.”
Catch a buzz
Andrew Bees is best known as lead singer for the legendary reggae act Black Uhuru, but he’s also got a healthy solo career going, as attendees will see when he plays Mongo’s Saloon on Friday, Nov. 5with Ras Danny, Vance of Resination, Reggae Soundclash with MC Drakee of I Powersounds, and DJ Katchafiya of Majestik…
There and back again
Nobody’s Home: A Modern Odyssey, the latest play from former Cuesta student Dorie Kinnear’s theater company Grafted Cede, has embarked on a strange and wonderful journey. The production, a modern retelling of the classic Odyssey, was devised at Cuesta College but premiered at London’s Blue Elephant Theatre. Nobody’s Home was loved by audiences in the…
Peep show
There’s something hairy and delightful going down at the Claassen Gallery, home to friendly street artist Jeff Claassen and his disgustingly cute rabbit muse, Pascal. For a limited time, 45 artists are exhibiting their most animalian creations, some adorable, some—like Jamie Bruzenak’s I’m more afraid of you—the stuff of nightmares. Pirate monkeys grin and purring…
Life changer
About halfway through our conversation about his upcoming art show at Sustenance Cooking Studio, Michael Ackerman looks me straight in the eye and says, “So about now you’re probably thinking, ‘This guy is half full of shit.’” “Half?” I think. No, Michael Ackerman doesn’t do anything in halves. He’s an all or nothing guy. Let’s…
(Not) for sale
Don’t be confused by the sign outside—the Laureate School is not for sale. However, the building is for sale. Confused yet? Just wait. Leading up to the placement of a “for-sale” sign in front of the private school on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo is a trail of tension, disagreements, and legal action. That’s…
Clarification
The number of deputies from the SLO County Sheriff’s Department on the County Narcotics Task Force was unclear in a recent cover story (“Not going to live in fear,” Oct. 21). The Sheriff’s Department contributed only one deputy to the task force.
Accreditors come Cuesta
The next few months could be critical in Cuesta College’s fight against its accreditation woes. The college is preparing to host a two-person team from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, who are following up on a 40-page response drafted by Cuesta administrators to address the agency’s previous recommendations. The team will confirm…
San Luis Obispo fires, beware
The city of San Luis Obispo has hired a new fire chief to replace former chief John Callahan, who died of a heart attack during a city softball game. The new chief, Charlie Hines, has spent the last three years as the fire chief of Yakima City Fire Department in Washington. Hines was chosen from…
Finney found guilty of assault
A jury found an Atascadero man guilty of assault for the July stabbing of a downtown San Luis Obispo transient, but failed to agree on a verdict for attempted murder. The jury found Harley Paul Finney, 28, guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, but deadlocked 10-2 in favor of guilt on a…
California Valley abuse charges reduced
Animal abuse charges against Neal and Jeanne Smith, a California Valley couple whose ranch was raided three times this year, have been dropped, but will be re-filed as misdemeanor charges, according to the District Attorney’s Office. “Given the circumstances of the case, as known to me at this time, our office would not anticipate seeking…
The Zen of paddling
“It’s like walking on water,” he said as his board skimmed over the surface. A little earlier, after a brief lesson, Hudgens helped myself and New Times Office Manager Tanya Gallardo scoot our thick foam paddle boards into the water off Coleman Beach just east of Morro Rock. Despite winter swells crashing over the rocks…
Carrizo solar plants would harm California
SunPower and First Solar, in cahoots with Pacific Gas and Electric, propose two huge industrial solar power plants that would sprawl over 12,000 acres of the amazing, irreplaceable Carrizo Plain. Their public relations machine has been in high gear trying to convince us we are going to burn in, well, California unless we get with…
You voted. So what?
It wasn’t just the garbage bag full of petrified candy corn I funneled down my gullet like a ravenous baby bird over Halloween—it might have been the rock-hard expired Peeps I found that are now expanding and tearing at the walls of my large intestine. That’s not so bad. What really twists my colon is…
Shame on you and your zombies
I have seldom seen such a sloppy and stilted job of presenting candidates’ views prior to an important national election (“Election night of the living dead,” Oct. 28). I have placed a lot of importance in New Times as a news source, one which is not beholden to the McClatchy clan. I no longer feel…
Elections are no little blue pill
After using the supposed congressional miracle drugs, vitriol and hyperbole, for the past year, I have had an election lasting more than four months. I am not impressed at all. Matter of fact, I am sickened by it all. Where, finally, is the antidote for an election lasting more than four months? This election/political business…
Arada 2009 Albarino Edna Valley
I loved this delicious white Spanish variety by winemaker Justin Kahler of JK Wine Company in Paso Robles. Grown in Jack Ranch Vineyard in South County, farmed by Paragon Vineyards, it’s planted with clones from the Rias Baixas region of Spain. Kahler ferments the grapes in neutral oak to get the richness without the oak…
Meridian 2009 Pinot Grigio California
This good-value white wine makes a tasty aperitif before a dinner party. Most of the grapes were grown in Santa Barbara County vineyards. Stainless steel fermented to preserve the fresh citrus flavors, it offers an array of flavors: juicy pear and nectarine woven with notes of apple, lemon, lime, and spice. Drinkable alone, it’s also…
Taste Gather’s new menu
Ever since this popular spot opened in spring 2009, Gather Wine Bar has been a great choice for tasting new Central Coast wines coming into the marketplace. Recently, owner Kari Ziegler added a new menu to lure people to the historic village of Arroyo Grande for lunch and dinner. She always offered a small menu…
Shannon Lee, Art in the Park at Dinosaur Caves, event coordinator
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Project Amend is no more
On Oct. 15, Project Amend, Inc. was forced to close its doors. Since 1999, P.A. had operated as a sober living facility and served the recovery needs of scores of SLO County men. In November 2008, after so many years of trying, P.A. was able to obtain state licensing to provide residential treatment for drug…
Thank you, GoWesty and community!
How do you ever thank a group of people for coming together on your behalf? I wish I could yell out, in the biggest way I know how, THANK YOU! But it doesn’t seem big enough. I was a six-year cancer survivor and recently found out my cancer returned. Cancer itself changes you in so…
It may be smart to balk at Smart Meters
We recently received notice from PG&E that a new “Smart Meter” will be installed on our house replacing their traditional meter. It was worded as an “exciting” product that will allow customers to discover peak times of energy use and thus cut down on their electric bill. It is billed as good for the environment.…
Students should at least be respectful
In response to Maggie Nichols’ letter to the editor in last week’s paper (“Not all students are the same,” Oct. 28): I agree that your friend was treated unfairly by being accused of being drunk when really he was in need of help, and I’m sorry that happened. I also agree that not all college…
Thank you, local voters
I am humbled by the opportunity given to me by the good people of San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties to serve as their representative in the state Assembly. It is especially satisfying that this long campaign has been remarked upon for its serious and positive discourse on the issues. I look forward…
You and your zombies are hilarious
I loved the “Election night of the living dead” article (Oct. 28). My husband and I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. Thanks for the comical relief during a sometimes trying political season. — Trudy Jarratt – Arroyo Grande — Trudy Jarratt – Arroyo Grande
Clubs
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