Cover Story
The business of the beyond
Death isn’t the type of subject material we bring to the dinner table. In the secular West, it’s rarely something to bring up at all. But for families who see death every day, it’s not something that can easily be avoided with a clever change of topic. It’s their livelihood, but, more importantly, it’s part…
Well knock me down and zap my body
I was all set to go a whole week without writing about the sheriff. There I was, walking along, whistling a jaunty tune, my hands shoved deep in my pockets, thinking of which locals have avoided my rapier wit of late, when–bam!–I tripped over a lawsuit. That “bam!” was the sound of me falling over…
Poetry in paint
When it comes to American cuisine, most people think of Julia Child as the mother of modern cooking in America, and she earned the respect of her peers for inspiring people to get back into their kitchens. However, the credit for America’s culinary transformation goes to her longtime friend and confidant James Beard (1903-1985), who…
Chief deputy files federal civil rights lawsuit
The chief deputy who Sheriff Pat Hedges secretly videotaped a year ago has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Hedges, Undersheriff Steve Bolts, the county, and other sheriff employees, alleging violations of state law and the U.S. Constitution. He’s seeking unnamed damages and an accounting of how much public money was spent on alleged…
I wasn’t born yesterday
I haven’t given too much thought lately to my daughter’s birth. She’s now nine months old and busy crawling and teething, which keeps me on my toes. On Oct. 17, I was reminded what a powerful and awesome experience her birth was. I got to see a local screening of The Business of Being Born,…
Locals anxiously await sewer and water voting results
Residents of Los Osos and Cambria are looking forward to the end of the complicated voting process under Proposition 218, which will determine the size of their bills for water and sewer services. Officials from the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s office are expected to count mail-in ballots from Los Osos homeowners on Oct. 25, with results…
New director appointed for SLO County Public Works
Paavo Ogren, SLO County’s lead staffer on the Los Osos sewer project, has been tapped to become the county’s new director of Public Works. Ogren, currently assistant director of the department, will succeed longtime director Noel King, who’s retiring after four decades with the county. His appointment was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors…
Babbo beats the rap
In the twilight hour of July 15, Jeffrey “Babbo” Milne, owner of SLO’s Babbo’s Pizza, returned to his San Luis Obispo home following a hike up nearby Bishop’s Peak. Fatigued from the climb, the 52-year-old business owner said he kicked off his shoes, peeled off his shirt, and sank into his favorite recliner. He cracked…
Democracy on display
# Members of the SLO City Council, after listening to hours of feisty opposition from nearly 300 people who jammed a special meeting at the SLO Veteran’s Hall on Oct. 23, voted 5-0 to reject plans to have the city annex and allow development on two parcels on the hillside above Johnson Avenue. Opponents said…
Letters
I’m a Vincent man myself I was much interested in your recent article (“The world’s fastest Vincent,” Sept. 27), as I owned and rode a Vincent H.R.D. for more than 20 years and was acquainted with Marty Dickerson and his dealership. I didn’t set any records, outside of a personal one (107.46 mph, electronically timed…
Which candidates are raising the most money locally?
Rudy Giuliani is still in the lead. On Oct. 11, New Times consulted with the Federal Election Commission to report donations made by locals to national presidential candidates as of June 2007. The September figures have arrived, and the up-to-date information reveals that Republican Giuliani stayed in the top spot with a total of $74,550,…
Take a sonic cruise
I’m a big fan of songs where dancers with their arms crossing their chests can squat down and then jump up and do the side # splits onto their heels and yell “HA!” It’s even better if they’re in traditional Russian garb and have been drinking vodka and eating smelly salted fish and boiled potatoes.…
In all due respect
When it comes to American cuisine, most people think of Julia Child as the mother of modern cooking in America, and she earned the respect of her peers for inspiring people to get back into their kitchens. However, the credit for America’s culinary transformation goes to her longtime friend and confidant James Beard (1903-1985), who…
Paul Brown ordered to stay away from estranged wife for three years
San Luis Obispo Councilman Paul Brown must stay at least 50 yards away from his estranged wife Jayne for the next three years, a San Luis Obispo County commissioner ruled in extending a restraining order against him. A two-day hearing that began on the couple’s four-year wedding anniversary Oct. 18 focused in intricate detail on…
