Cover Story
Fed up: October’s partial federal government shutdown is just the latest manifestation of the cyclical crises plaguing SLO County and the nation
In Monty Python’s 1979 classic Life of Brian, a group of rebellious, oppressed peasants gathers in secret in order to plan an overthrow of the Roman Empire, which they blame for all of their woes. “What have the Romans ever done for us?” asks John Cleese’s ringleader, his voice dripping with disdain. “The aqueduct?” one…
Buy Catherine Lee Neifing artwork at a discount and help her pay medical bills!
The work of Catherine Lee Neifing literally bursts with hyper-intense color, riotous color, peel-your-eyelids-off color! Her work celebrates life and exudes relaxation, often set in a sort of tropical paradise where the sun always shines. For Cathy, however, life hasn’t been so sunny lately. “I’ve been having severe neurological issues for a year now and…
At SLOMA, three artists present abstract interpretations of Earth with ‘Thresholds’
How often does a group show’s press release hint at the possibility of a kiss from “one or all of the artists?” One … or all! After the shameless flirtation of its press materials, dizzy with whispered promises of baroque patterns and ambiguous structures, I stumbled panting into the SLOMA exhibit “Thresholds,” a group exhibit…
Eve Fowler exhibits work at the Cal Poly University Art Gallery
Los Angeles artist Eve Fowler’s current exhibit at the Cal Poly University Art Gallery offers two different yet related ideas, which seem to run parallel throughout the room—always close, never quite touching. First, there are pieces from Fowler’s project of posters containing phrases from Gertrude Stein’s book-poem Tender Buttons. The quotes in themselves, like the…
Al Moriarty swaps lawyers, fights bail
Al Moriarty—a former Grover Beach financier accused of fraud, embezzlement, and orchestrating a massive “Ponzi-like” scheme—had an active day in court on Oct. 16. Moriarty elected to dismiss his attorney, Tom Allen, and retained the services of Santa Maria-based attorney Scott Whitenack, whom Moriarty met when both men were in County Jail in September. Moriarty…
What do you think of Christopher Columbus?
Keith Cosmo Self-Employed “We wouldn’t be here with out him.” Brian Spazzoid Entrepreneur “He didn’t know where he was going but still got credit for it all.” Stephanie Couch Youth Services employee for the city “As far as teaching goes, they could be more honest in elementary schools.” Michael Satchell Journalism student “I just read…
Central Coast Oyster & Music Festival serves up tasty treats!
To some, oysters are a rare delicacy, to others, a disgusting slurp of sliminess. Hopefully you’re in the former category and not the latter since this Saturday, Oct. 19, from noon to 8 p.m., it’s time for the Second Annual Central Coast Oyster & Music Festival on the Morro Bay Golf Course. The word “oyster”…
SLOMA screens Ray Johnson documentary
Who was Ray Johnson? This is the central question of How to Draw a Bunny, the 2002 documentary by John Walter and Andrew Moore, presented in an upcoming screening at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA). Curiously, not even his most intimate friends seem to know. Johnson was a collagist, correspondence artist, and…
SLO County’s Stewardship Travel Program offers an opportunity to travel with purpose
The San Luis Obispo County Business Improvement District (SLO CBID) has created a new Stewardship Travel Program for the county’s WineCoastCountry regions. As the name implies, the program gives travelers a chance to act as stewards by volunteering or making donations that will benefit natural, historical, or cultural sites within the regions. Through a variety…
Cougars & Mustangs: The big announcement
My dear, dear Cougars and Mustangs readers, I have a big announcement to make, even if it will end up making little to no impact on your life whatsoever. It’s the announcement. The counting-my-chickens-before-they-hatch announcement, perhaps, but also the there-have-been-enough-goshdarned-eggs-at-this-point-that-one-of-them-is-bound-to-hatch-eventually announcement. In other words, this has been a long time coming, as anyone who knows…
People’s Kitchen in Grover Beach may be homeless come November
Hours before lunch, a timer kicks on the coffee machine so it’s warmed up and ready to start brewing for the coming crowd. For most of the guests who regularly seek a hot meal at the Grover Beach People’s Kitchen, the coffee table is the first stop before they get in line for food. On…
Corrections
• A cover photo (“Temporary beauty,” Oct. 3) was incorrectly credited. The photograph should have been credited courtesy of Anet Carlin. • A news brief (“Atascadero City Hall: Now available for rent,” Oct. 10) incorrectly stated the occupation of Audrey Banks. She’s a management analyst in the Atascadero city manager’s office.
Spankin’ it in D.C.
Local troubadour and Pismo Beach resident Greg Baldwin—known to fans as “Spanky”—dropped his drawers and opened his vocal cords in protest of the federal government shutdown on Oct. 15 on the capitol steps in Washington, D.C. A staff photographer for Politico snapped this photo, which has since attracted national—ahem—attention.
Cayucos Pier work could be soon underway
Very shortly—perhaps as soon as November—some much-needed work could be underway on the distressed and dilapidated Cayucos Pier, should the county approve the funding. On Oct. 22, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors is set to approve on its consent agenda spending $510,000 to perform initial stabilization work that will bring the pier…
Cal Poly unveils a Blakeslee public policy institute
Cal Poly’s latest undertaking pledges to bridge the gap between technology wonks and often-myopic legislators, founded and led by the Central Coast’s former state senator, Sam Blakeslee. University President Jeffrey Armstrong announced on Oct. 9 the official unveiling of the new Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy, which Cal Poly promises will be multidisciplinary…
Vacation renters lose a battle, but hope to win the war
During an Oct. 9 San Luis Obispo City Planning Commission hearing, commissioners rejected an appeal by SLO resident and vacation rental advocate Sky Bergman, ruling she can’t use a room in her house as a short-term vacation rental. Though Bergman told New Times she was disappointed with the ruling, she emphasized that the appeal concerned…
Pismo takes another step away from Price Canyon development
The Pismo Beach City Council unanimously voted to scrap a proposed “inland arterial” road crucial to the floundering Spanish Springs and Los Robles Del Mar developments during its Oct. 15 meeting. The vote was the council’s most recent step back from the controversial developments. Ever since a lengthy June 18 hearing that ended in the…
Arroyo Grande’s council seeks a Ray replacement
After the governor filled an empty county supervisor seat earlier this month, the appointment process has rolled south to Arroyo Grande. The Arroyo Grande City Council has had a vacant seat since former council member Caren Ray was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to fill San Luis Obispo County’s 4th District Supervisor seat, left open…
Candidate announces aims for 2nd District supervisor
Meanwhile, up the coast a bit, Supervisor Bruce Gibson has a challenger in the upcoming 2014 race. Muril Clift recently announced that he plans to challenge Gibson for the 2nd District seat in the upcoming June 3 election. Clift is a current director of the Cambria Community Services District, current chairman of the San Luis…
Nipomo businesswoman enters county supervisor race
Almost immediately after San Luis Obispo County’s newest supervisor was sworn in, the seat quickly attracted competition. Lynn Compton, of Nipomo, announced her candidacy for the board’s 4th District seat on Oct. 10. The seat, which represents parts of South County—including Nipomo, Oceano, parts of Arroyo Grande and east along Hwy 166—was left vacant in…
S … L … O … JUSTICE (AL MORIARTY STORY)
Ed. note: This poem came attached to an e-mail to Shredder from attorney Scott B. Whitenack, in reference to accused embezzler Al Moriarty. Attributed to Lowell Henslin (“Tuesday”), it came with the following message: “All rights reserved, however permission is given to reproduce this poem for purposes of any and all news reports, stories, and…
Do not vote for Republicans
The Republican Party has become dangerously irresponsible. Shutting down the government (in a time of war at that) and threatening a credit default are nothing short of insane. While putting America’s economy at risk, Republicans smugly repeat Fox sound bites to each other and fail to see outside their self-made bubble to the real world.…
We must remove impediments
It is clear from the decisive election last year of a new mayor and City Council majority in Morro Bay that the citizens want a change in direction for the city. The largest infrastructure project in the city’s history is on the table, among other things. As painful as it may be to upset the…
Keep it civil in Morro Bay
I have lived in Morro Bay for 30 years. I am interested in what happens in my government and often go to the council meetings. I have especially enjoyed going and staying for public comment period, when people of our community can speak on any subject that interests them. I believe that people speaking at…
Visit ‘The Weir’
I just returned from a trip to a rural Irish pub, and the experience was an eye-opener. It was a cold and blustery night—just the kind of Gaelic reception you’d expect, and a perfect backdrop for some pretty riveting tales. The little establishment is tended by Brendan, a likeable, earnest fellow. He’s a good listener…
It’s like kindergartners are in charge
I certainly have to agree with the Oct. 17 letter from Susan Gerakaris from Paso Robles (“Dear members of the Senate and Congress”). Obamacare is a done deal, so get on with it. Put it aside and do your job. There is a whole country that needs guidance and a workable budget. It is very…
Fight back against the change in Paso
Gerry Manata hit the nail on the head with the city of Paso Robles’, and specifically the “head in the sand” City Council’s—especially the mayor’s—attitude as to the impact of the proposed Gateway Project annexation, along with the development plans for Chandler Ranch, Olsen Ranch, and Beechwood, in light of not only the water situation…
Please actually review the movie you’re reviewing
I sincerely hope that inviting Archie McLaren to expound at length about himself under the pretense of contributing to a movie review about racing was an ill-thought anomaly that won’t happen again (“Frenemies,” Oct. 10). I really don’t care a whit whether Msr. McLaren has met Niki Lauda, what it cost to service his Ferrari…
Build community through storytelling
Laughter, shared joy, mutual discovery—these kinds of experiences bring people together, build commonality, and increase a sense of belonging. These are the essential ingredients for building community. Commune, in unity: community. Throughout time, storytelling has been at the heart of community. It is our most ancient cultural transmission device. It’s central to our human experience,…
Redneck bunny hop
Planning a wedding, retirement party, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, holiday fete, birthday celebration, gala, seminar, conference, or funeral? Looking to rent a space that’s shabby chic—emphasis on the shabby, nonexistent on the chic? For the low, low price of $125,000 per day you and your lucky guests can rent out my grandparents’ basement! And the…
Trailerites unite in Morro Bay
Securely stow all your cooking utensils and Airstream it over to Morro Strand State Beach the weekend of Oct. 25-27 for the very first “Stranded in Morro Bay” Vintage Trailer Rally! No tiny sink and stove necessary for this camping trip. Food and beverages will be supplied by amazing local chefs, wineries, and breweries. The…
True Myth 2012 Chardonnay Edna Valley and Canals & Nubiola Cava (Non-vintage) Spain
The latest label from Edna Valley’s pioneering Niven family, True Myth is their salute to classic Central Coast Chardonnay from their famous Paragon Vineyard. During the first two decades of professional winegrape growing in this beautiful valley—the latter ‘70s and ‘80s—wine experts (growers, winemakers, and media) all believed that Edna Valley was best suited to…
Soup’s on: At Soupabration in Cambria, chefs bring on the comfort food
Few comfort foods are as righteous at soothing both body and soul as a great bowl of soup. While it’s delicious when it has just finished cooking on the stovetop and it’s hot—it’s far more heartwarming when the soup has a chance to sit a day or two to allow the flavors to meld into…
Clubs 10/17/13
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…
