Cover Story
Coming back from the dead: The Central Coast feels the effects of a new cheap drug–heroin
Jake had been clean for just a couple of weeks, and he was struggling. Facing a possible 15-year sentence in state prison on a joint suspension for burglary and possession of heroin, it was his “last shot.” He’d spent weeks between sober living facilities and jail while waiting to be admitted to a treatment program…
Pismo Beach hit with lawsuit from religious watchdog
They’ve been agitated for years, and now a coalition of individuals and organizations who object to Pismo Beach’s brand of public prayer filed an extensive, strongly worded lawsuit in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Nov. 1. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit, is the official name on the suit, with Dr.…
Much ado about fencing: SLO city and Union Pacific Railroad officials ramp up the fight against illegal track crossing
Whoever claimed that there are no shortcuts in life never lived on Murray Street. The ongoing tug-of-war between Cal Poly students and the city of San Luis Obispo has a new focal point, this time at a short stretch of fencing along the railroad tracks near Cal Poly. Fencing installed in recent years on both…
Words for the human community: The SLO Poetry Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary
I first met Kevin Patrick Sullivan when I was a student at San Luis Obispo High, where Sullivan seemed to be known among the English faculty as the school district’s most poetic groundskeeper. I can still recall him bursting into my first-period class with the announcement of a new composition. Back then, I thought of…
Have you ever had a supernatural experience?
Mitch Shilkoff student “Personally, no, but I’ve seen way too many Paranormal movies.” Jacob Spencer student “No, but I had a dream where I saw the Smiling Man.” Crystal Garcia outreach coordinator “My encounter happened at the Santa Maria Inn. While I was sleeping I felt something grab my feet. I went back to sleep…
The plastic fashion passion of Sarah Bellum
Although they’re illegal in SLO County, someone you know and love has one—several maybe—stashed away in a dark place. They were probably smuggled in from some nearby safe haven. These plastic bag delinquents need not hide in the shadows anymore, however. Their savior is here to make everything beachy keen. Sarah Bellum is a fashion…
Cougars & Mustangs in costume
Dear Reader, If you picked up this week’s 400-word column expecting a witty romp full of wordplay and entertainment, I am sorry to say that you have come to the wrong place. The column you hold in your hands is an exercise in severe misery that only the lowest dregs of Hallowe’en fare could offer.…
Correction
A cover story (“Lawyers, jail, and money,” Oct. 24) incorrectly stated the nature of an event on attorney Scott Whitenack’s last day of work with attorney Darryl Genis. Whitenack never had to officially fight a contempt of court violation on that day.
Beechwood development inches forward in Paso Robles
An incoming housing development project has moved one step forward to adding a new neighborhood to eastern Paso Robles. The Paso Robles City Council held a public workshop on Oct. 29 to discuss elements of the Beechwood Specific Plan, hearing from the applicant and city residents. The project originally proposed 674 homes, which was consistent…
Sierra Club ditches ‘moot’ Spanish Springs suit
On Oct. 25, the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club dropped its lawsuit against the now-nixed environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Spanish Springs development in Price Canyon. Though this was an expected action—as the Pismo Beach City Council has beat a hasty retreat from Spanish Springs in recent weeks—it threw the status…
The SLO County auditor will set up a whistleblower hotline
A San Luis Obispo government version of Edward Snowden or Chelsea Manning wouldn’t find salvation in a new county hotline, but local efforts to limit financial misappropriation and waste will now include an anonymous venue for whistleblowers to expose misdoings or shortcomings. On Nov. 15, the head of the county’s newly consolidated Office of Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax…
Family wins $1.5 million from Pismo, hopes for more from Cliffs
The family of Tricia Rittger—a Los Osos woman who was struck and killed by a car while crossing a Pismo Beach road in 2011—won a $1.5 million settlement from the city of Pismo Beach on Oct. 24. One day later, the family’s attorney, Ryan Harris, announced that he’d be aggressively moving forward with a lawsuit…
Grover Beach’s police chief is pulling double duty
The Grover Beach City Council unanimously approved expanding the responsibilities of Police Chief Jim Copsey during its Oct. 21 meeting. On Oct. 28, Copsey began serving the dual roles of assistant city manager and police chief for the staff-strapped city. According to a city staff report, Copsey is slated to earn an additional $13,230 per…
Locals’ year-long fight against neighboring SLO Wine Studio will go before the city
“Gross.” “Foul.” “Noxious.” These are just some of the words neighbors have used to describe the smell in the west end of the Villa Fontana condo complex in San Luis Obispo since a wine manufacturing plant began operations next door. For more than a year, residents of Fontana Avenue and Loma Bonita Drive have attempted…
Crack slippers
I was going to get around to mopping up that puddle sitting directly under the frayed wire running from my electrical outlet to the toaster oven, but I’ve been really overworked lately. Like really overworked. How overworked? First, I had to carry a big bag of ice from my car to my sink, all by…
Oceans of trouble
The Pacific Ocean has provided tasty foods (fishes) to millions of hungry people for many years. Collapsing fisheries are forcing the boats to go after less desirable species as the harvesting continues. Because local water (coastal) laws do not apply way out in the deep, the big harvest continues without much concern for laying off…
Let’s not stop with Congress
Carolyn, your letter—”Regarding Congress” on Oct. 24—was right on the money. You are not alone in your beliefs. Our elected officials, who are our public servants, need to remember they are there to do the bidding of the people. We are the people, we are the government, not our elected officials per se. We give…
Irons is just
Even though I, as others, do not know all the details of the current Morro Bay City Council dealings, I feel that Mayor Jaime Irons is a just and honest man, a man who cannot be bought by money or power and who, empowered by the citizens of Morro Bay, acts out of a heartfelt…
Some Morro Bay clarifications
I realize, Shredder, you are an opinion writer rather than news reporter and therefore you make no claim to objectivity. However, although facts can be a problem for someone with a subjective and personalized viewpoint, a few may be in order about the Morro Bay Waste Water Plant project, the Coastal Commission, and Mayor Jamie…
Community service should be a community effort
Almost a decade ago, a friend of mine told me that World AIDS Day was coming up. I had never heard of it before. He had been a touring musician in the ’80s and spent time working to raise awareness about this “new” deadly disease. That phone call from Tennessee prompted me to head downtown…
Lisa Marie Presley plays SLO Brew on Nov. 1
Let’s have a contest. Which performer had to overcome the longest shadow? Was it a) Julian Lennon, son of John; b) Chad McQueen, son of Steve; c) Colin Hanks, son of Tom; or d) Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis? If you guessed “d,” then you and I agree. I can’t imagine a bigger shadow…
Poetic Justic Project stages ‘In the Kitchen with a Knife’
The Poetic Justice Project (PJP) is back with another arresting drama: In the Kitchen with a Knife plays at the SLO Grange Hall from Friday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 3. (Tickets cost $10 to $20; see poeticjusticeproject.org for full details.) The play is an interactive murder mystery that puts audiences in prison and asks…
Taking on my (phantom) fears: The Point San Luis Lighthouse Halloween tour!
It’s noon on the most gloriously sunny Saturday, Oct. 27, and I’m about to embark on the haunted Halloween ghost tour at the Point San Luis Lighthouse, near Avila Beach. The beaming sunshine doesn’t bode well for creating a haunting atmosphere. I am the worst person for horror. I hate it. I do like Halloween,…
Paso Robles celebrates the legacy of Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Polish pianist, composer, and statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski seems to have been the world’s original Most Interesting Man. He spoke seven languages fluently. He was Poland’s third Prime Minister and represented his country at the Treaty of Versailles. He knew every American president personally, from Wilson to Roosevelt; the latter called him “a modern immortal.”…
International Sandwich Day
It may be extraneous, and possibly a marketing ploy invented by food industry overlords, but International Sandwich Day, which takes place on Nov. 3, is pretty much the easiest fake holiday to celebrate ever. You’re probably going to eat a sandwich that day anyway, so just remember that it’s International Sandwich Day and you’re good.…
Chamisal Vineyard 2010 Chardonnay and Verdad 2012 Tempranillo Rose
Chamisal Vineyard 2010 Chardonnay This wine tribute to Chamisal Vineyard’s history as Edna Valley pioneers was very well made by winemaker Fintan “Fin” Du Fresne. It was created to be enjoyed during the 40th anniversary of when the vineyard was planted in 1973 (not the year its first grapes were harvested to make wine). Fin…
Filipponi Ranch Winery: Family-run in the heart of wine country
There’s a lot of heart and soul behind the small family wineries doing business in San Luis Obispo wine country. You’ll find they’re run by people who love what they’re doing, and they strive to improve with every vintage. These passionate people also understand the importance of supporting the community they call home. That’s exactly…
Clubs 10/31/13
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…
