Cover Story
The man who knew too much!
I think one can safely assert that Bryce Wilson knows quite a lot. Too much, one might even venture. Really, an inappropriate amount. I might even go so far as to claim that, when it comes to film, television, and literature, New Times’ own “Blast from the Past” film columnist is one of the most…
Wallace Group ‘resigns’ from Oceano CSD
They have been the focus of increased scrutiny for their role in a 2010 sewage spill at the Oceano treatment plant, but as of November, the Wallace Group will no longer be the Oceano Community Services District’s engineer. On Oct. 15, John Wallace sent a letter to the Oceano Community Services District Board of Directors…
Morning radio controversy put to bed
All is well in Radioland once more. Adam Montiel, host of the morning program “Up and Adam” on local oldies station Q104.5FM, was back at the mic as of Oct. 25 after a short period of unpaid leave. On Oct. 24, Cayucos resident Jack Smith—whose offense at the radio host’s use of his…
What word comes to mind when you hear the word … soup?
Dane Senser entrepreneur “Tomato bisque.” Ruth Goodnow writer “Amy’s Natural Soups.” Cj Kobliska student “Bumblebees.” Lauren Fanella student “Yellow.”
Photography in flux
Traditionalists may be unnerved by the new exhibition at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. “Photomorphosis II” epitomizes a fresh approach to creating and viewing photographic images. Juror Richard Martin selected the final exhibits from a statewide call for entries, and the finalists’ work contains High Dynamic Range (HDR), texture addition, and numerous other…
Always something there to remind me …
Looks like it’s time to bust out your parachute pants, leg warmers, neon, male eyeliner, and colorful cloth hair weaves, because Options Music Festival is back with another installment of That ‘80s Thing. This time around, you witness the New Wave goodness of Berlin with Terri Nunn, A Flock of Seagulls, Naked Eyes, and Dale…
Gone ghost huntin’
Things tend to get a little morbid around October, whether we’re talking about the diabetes-induced obesity that starts as childhood candy worship or the lovely dead bodies and ghosts that decorate suburban lawns across the country. It’s objectively strange that we all got together, chose one month, and decided to spend it embracing our deepest…
Days of miracle and wonder
Carrie Fisher wrote, in her autobiography Wishful Drinking, “I loved this man’s lyrics. They were one of the reasons I fell in love with words. How can you not love someone who writes medicine is magical/ and magical is art/ think of the boy in the bubble/ and the baby with the baboon heart?” Her…
Political animals
The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre’s production of The Best Man could not arrive at a more appropriate time. Into the heated final days before our next presidential election—as the airwaves become saturated with mudslinging ads and opinion polls fluctuate by the hour—enters Gore Vidal’s deftly written tale of political infighting and intrigue, directed by…
Ravenswood 2009
This friendly Zinfandel provides ripe flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, and plums that are nicely offset by notes of earth, leather, and smoke. Quite drinkable on its own, it’s much better with food. Pair it with a cheesy pepperoni pizza, a really good cheeseburger, or Santa Maria-style barbecue. Do skip tomato-based dishes, which won’t pair nicely…
Qupe 2009 Syrah Edna Valley “Sonnie’s”
This outstanding Rhone red will turn you away from Cabernet—momentarily, anyway. Rich and intense, this beautifully structured red is complex and layered from start to finish. It was my favorite of winemaker Bob Lindquist’s fall releases, and when I told Bob, he said it was his favorite, too. Deeply flavored with wild blackberries, plums, and…
Learn winemaking in Edna Valley
One of the beauties of wine appreciation is that it makes you curious about what it takes to turn luscious-looking clusters of dark purple grapes into a fine Pinot Noir or Syrah. Most winemakers truly enjoy showing you how it’s done; that’s why the finest wine festivals always provide educational experiences. During the upcoming SLO…
Political animals
The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre’s production of The Best Man could not arrive at a more appropriate time. Into the heated final days before our next presidential election—as the airwaves become saturated with mudslinging ads and opinion polls fluctuate by the hour—enters Gore Vidal’s deftly written tale of political infighting and intrigue, directed by…
Fight abuse; keep talking about it
With the release of the “perversion files” made public by Boy Scouts of America, there may be a temptation to close the book on this story and focus on other concerns, such as the economy and our national security. But to do so would be to ignore another concern that impacts all of us: the…
Without a shot
Round 3 is over, and we can all relax. In the first presidential debate, Obama was essentially a no-show. Then there was the VP debate; Biden’s dentist loved that one! Round 2 was an unprofessional slugfest for both candidates and the moderator. We all waited for Round 3; most expected the boys to go to…
We voters are shareholders
“Business is not the solution to our problem; business is the problem.” “I’m not in favor of abolishing the private sector. I just want to shrink it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub.” “Government is much more effective than business in most areas.” O.K. I’ve flipped some familiar partisan…
Don’t vote down education
Our nation had approximately two dozen colleges when Lincoln signed the Morrill Act in 1862, providing public funding so that a university education might someday be available for all who had the will and the capacity for it. The result was the best educational system in the world and a realization of Enlightenment ideals. Today,…
We can’t step over this problem
I was recently mortified to read about a homeless man being arrested, but was deeply saddened when I read he had witnessed the rape and murder of his family in Africa. I am certain this man’s mind must have shattered witnessing such brutality. But to end up homeless and wandering the streets, only to have…
I’m withholding my vote in Atascadero
While studying my absentee ballot, I was reminded of the joke suggesting that democracy should amount to more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. This is particularly true as related to the incumbents running for office in Atascadero. Although I know that it is a citizen’s patriotic duty…
Aren’t we at risk?
On Saturday, Oct. 20, at midnight, I put on my shoes and coat and prepared to run inland as a 5.3 earthquake shook my hotel room on Morro Bay. I was prepared for a Juan De Fuca Tectonic Plate rupture, which could happen any day in the coming decade. Massive upheavals in the plates off…
The bag ban is about making a point
This letter is to respond to Jennifer Johnson from the Oct. 18 paper (“The bag ban is about greed”) and to a few like-sounding whiners from the weeks past. First off, Jennifer, you really didn’t explain how this ban you speak of is “nothing more than an exercise in greed.” Who’s being greedy? Why? Second…
Now that I understood
I don’t always understand Russell Hodin’s art. However, the “Keep Space for Peace” cartoon (Oct. 11) I did understand and really liked! I am a big fan of the paper. Thanks.
Questions For: Stuart Denker
NEW TIMES What medium do you work in? DENKER I’ve narrowed myself down to acrylic, usually on canvas. NEW TIMES What do you like about that medium? DENKER Acrylic dries reasonably quick, and I don’t have to drag my first through wet paint. My school training emphasized watercolor and gouache, which all apply to…
Only seven?
There’s something about autumn. It’s hard to pinpoint the magic of a season, but you always know the time of slow decay is upon us when you begin to see 5,000-calorie pumpkin spiced lattes clutched in fat American fists. Other people note the vibrant shades of foliage, the shift from nature’s standard, unimaginative hues of…
We need money now
I didn’t see his face, but the anxiety was evident. When a student in my European Literature class confirmed that he wouldn’t be able to transfer without ENGL 246B, Survey of British Literature, many hidden fears, uncaged by vindication, flew from their tiny cells to envelop the room. As we read aloud from Virgil that…
Cougars & Mustangs
Y’know, college is a good time to broaden one’s horizons, and cultural celebrations, such as Halloween, can certainly help with that. For example, just this morning I took the time to read the tiny ingredient list/nutritional information on a piece of candy I’m going to hand out. I mean, does anyone ever read those before…
It’s a SLO news week
The three incumbents may hold a lot of cards in the San Luis Obispo council race, but five challengers are throwing in all the chips for a top spot in city government. Unlike the exhausting presidential election, with Gallup polls providing updates every step of the way, this local race is tough to gauge. The…
Real-life Sessions
Linda Poelzl has been working as a professional surrogate partner for 17 years. What that means is frequently misunderstood. Poelzl, who lives in San Francisco, works with a sex therapist to help clients overcome sexual issues. But where a sex therapist’s work is psychological, Poelzl’s is physical, employing exercises focused on intimacy, body image, relaxation,…
Homebuilders get a big break in Morro Bay
Anyone considering a construction project in Morro Bay might want to act quickly. For the next 18 months, many impact fees for residential construction will be cut considerably, thanks to an incentive plan approved 4-1 by the City Council Oct. 23. The temporary fee schedule only applies to projects with three units or less, and…
Officers search for a sexual aggressor in Paso Robles
Police are looking for a white male, approximately 30 years old, who is believed to be involved in two separate sexual assaults that happened Oct. 19 and 20, according to a press release. One victim told police that a man followed her into her residence on Cary Street, sexually assaulted her, and fled the scene.…
(Some) SLO candidates get the green
Campaign money is flowing to and from the candidates in the San Luis Obispo City Council race, the highest spenders being incumbents Councilman Dan Carpenter, Mayor Jan Marx, and Councilman John Ashbaugh, respectively. According to the latest campaign finance statements—good up to Oct. 1—Marx led the mayoral candidates in both contributions and spending, receiving a…
Groundwater committee survives supes’ decision
It was rumored publicly that some stakeholders would abandon negotiation efforts aimed at conserving the North County’s dwindling water supply if the SLO County board of supervisors didn’t vote their way on a controversial ordinance, but such threats were apparently blown out of proportion. At the Sept. 25 meeting, Supervisor Frank Mecham said representatives of…
Report: Hearst Castle gave freebies to the connected
Despite the fact that almost 70 of California’s state parks were fighting to stay open amid sweeping budget cuts, Hearst Castle reportedly waived hundreds of thousands dollars in event fees over the last decade. According to an Oct. 21 report by the investigative reporting organization California Watch, since 2002, Hearst Castle waived approximately $611,000 in…
Mason’s off the hook after his bar fight trial
The off-duty San Luis Obispo firefighter who was accused of severely beating another patron at a bar and grill in June 2011 will not face a retrial. A mistrial was declared in the criminal case against John Ryan Mason on Sept. 27, with jurors splitting 8-4 in favor of acquittal following the three-week trial, which…
Morro Bay’s big badge goes to Amy Christey
After six months of searching, interviewing, and vetting applicants, Morro Bay has selected a permanent police chief. City Manager Andrea Lueker announced Oct. 22 that Amy Christey, a lieutenant with the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department, will take the helm from interim chief Mike Lewis, who has led the Morro Bay department since Tim Olivas left…
Be very afraid
This just in:. Mutated creatures have overrun Los Osos Middle School, and the site has been quarantined with civilians and children inside. According to military sources, flight YF-155 departed from Vandenberg Air Force Base bound for Area 55, carrying genetically engineered organisms (GEOs), but the aircraft never reached its destination. B, bred as a destructive…
