Cover Story
Cambria’s unique and amusing Scarecrow Festival combines community support and individual artistry
So you’re driving up Highway 1. Perhaps you’re on your way to Hearst Castle for a weekend trip with the family. Maybe you’ve got plans to jaunt about the lush forests of Big Sur. Perhaps you just need to get out of the house because your neighbor has decided that yes, now is the perfect…
SLO Brew project downscaled and owners will part ways
SLO Brew, the iconic downtown San Luis Obispo bar and music venue, is scheduled to shift locations in mid-2015, but on a smaller scale than originally planned and the business owners are in the process of dissolving their partnership. After a contentious approval process in 2012—when members of the public-advocacy group Save Our Downtown protested…
There’s no place like___?
Alex Valladaies cashier “Malaysia. That’s where my dad’s from. I don’t get to go there very often because it’s very expensive to travel there.” Miguel Acevedo dishwasher “School. School teaches you life lessons and improves you to become a better person.” Nicole Butler student “Heaven. Nobody on the surface has seen it, and it could…
Resignation aftermath: New details come to light after a departure in Arroyo Grande
Scandals, whether genuine or manufactured, have a way of shaking things up. Once hackles are raised and the spotlight is on, anything and everything is up for public scrutiny. Recent events in Arroyo Grande certainly appear to support that theory. Ever since five police officers discovered City Manager Steve Adams and Community Development Director Teresa…
A new investigation kicks off in Arroyo Grande
Despite some early-morning anger and fireworks that caused an emergency recess, the Arroyo Grande City Council unanimously voted on Oct. 8 to move forward with an independent investigation of a controversial incident. Chuck Hookstra, a Ventura-based private investigator and former Oxnard police officer, will commence the investigation first thing in the morning on Oct. 9.…
SLO County eliminates its General Service Agency, breaks it into four departments
Considering the many administrative layers involved in running a county, more is not always merrier. At least, that’s been the case for the county’s General Services Agency. The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors gave the go ahead on Oct. 7 for the reorganization of the many parts of what was formerly known as…
The Hendrix Experience celebrates all things Jimi on Oct. 12 at Avila Beach Resort!
In about a month and a half, on Nov. 27—if he hadn’t died at age 27 on Sept. 18, 1970—Jimi Hendrix would be celebrating his 72nd birthday. Who knows what those extra 44 years might have meant to rock music. One thing is certain: In his short six-year career, Hendrix brought a truly original new…
Open Studios Art Tour offers a glimpse into the creative process of some 200 artists across the Central Coast
Open season When you see a painting in a gallery, there can be a bit of distance. The atmosphere may be stuffy, other onlookers can get in the way, and rarely, if ever, do you get to meet the artist. As lovely as artwork is on display, it can sometimes lack a certain kind of…
Rev your engines! The Sixth Annual Central Coast Classic Motorcycle Show rides into town on Oct. 11!
Anyone with a passing interest in vintage motorcycles will no doubt be gathered this Saturday, Oct. 11, at SLO’s Mountainbrook Community Church, where dozens and dozens of classic motorcycles will be on display, many to be judged by this year’s Grand Marshall Virgil Elings, owner of the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum. Elings’ story is one…
Sing like an Egyptian: Opera San Luis Obispo performs Verdi’s ‘Aida’
When people think of opera, usually one of two things comes to mind: The Looney Tunes episode where Bugs Bunny dresses in drag and does a pas de deux with Elmer Fudd, or a stuffy, pretentious person in fancy dress talking about the merits of Renata Tebaldi, à la Frasier Crane. But regardless of what…
Pop surrealist painter Mark Bryan returns to SLO’s Steynberg Gallery
Since Mark Bryan’s last show at the Steynberg Gallery, the world has arguably grown a little gloomier. That year was 2012; the world was supposed to end. It didn’t, and now, we’re left with the consequential rubble: Ebola, ISIS, and yet another Nicolas Cage movie. These are bleak times, and if the name of Bryan’s…
Clubs 10/9/14-10/16/14
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…
I believe in community discourse, but won’t let minors see porn on my watch
As curator of the Girl: A Feminist Art Show at the Smart Studio in October, I was thrilled to see Ms. Dakota Moulton’s letter in last week’s edition of New Times (“Don’t keep art for adults,” Oct. 2). I couldn’t agree with Ms. Moulton more that art should be about engaging our community in diverse…
Critics allege the Diablo Canyon seismic studies lacked proper review
Local ratepayer advocacy group the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility has asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to partially deny Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) request to recoup $7 million from ratepayers for seismic studies of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. According to an opening brief filed Oct. 3, the alliance accused PG&E of…
Oktoberfest, through rose tinted glasses: Madonna Inn and Firestone Walker partner for Munich-style beer fest Oct. 11
If the Madonna Inn were a performer, it would be a man. Before you get all up in arms, let me explain. It would be 1960s Liberace, adorned with a pink feathered cape, dripping with gratuitous jewels—a glorious, fearless spirit strutting like a proud pink peacock. This is why, before my recent interview with the…
Sally Loo’s Wholesome Cafe Chai Tea Latte and Rabbit Ridge’s 2013 Allure de Robles
Sally Loo’s Wholesome Café Chai Tea Latte There’s nothing cozier than basking in the hot steam of a spicy chai tea latte while pretending it’s drizzling outside. Although pumpkin spice has risen to massive stardom in recent years (New Times Arts Editor Jessica Peña is quite aware), chai has always been the OG fall…
Speaking of Oktoberfest
Looking to get some extra mileage out of those rented lederhosen? Vendor spaces are available for Los Osos/Baywood Park’s 36th Annual Oktoberfest & Car Show by the Bay, slated for Oct. 26 in Downtown Baywood Park. The free community event will feature the beers of Central Coast Brewing Co., Cambria Beer Co., Figueroa Mountain Brewery,…
Fifth annual Central Coast Bioneers Conference coming Oct. 23
You are a middle-aged person with some savings who cares about society’s well-being and the environment. You put your investments in mutual funds, thinking that you’re helping businesses grow while earning some returns. What a perfect plan! What your financial advisor didn’t tell you is that these mutual funds can be financing the very companies…
Cougars & Mustangs
Ah, I see you have not yet had your fill of the terror our beloved Central Coast has to offer. Fear not, or rather fear greatly, for I’ve a great deal more to chill you with. How would you feel were I to inform you of a sinister plot by the Cal Poly MultiCultural Center…
Who discharged? Sewage discharges are an issue for Morro Bay, and liveaboard residents feel unfairly targeted
The first question that needs answering is who might be dumping sewage into Morro Bay. The more complicated question involves how to stop that dumping from happening. The heart of the issue is the city’s residents who live aboard boats—dubbed “liveaboards”—moored in the bay. Michael Roland—who also goes by the nickname “Bear”—was one of about…
Clarification
New Times wanted to be sure readers know that credit for the Chinatown seal used on the Oct. 2 cover goes to Pierre Rademaker and Debbie Shibata
Half of the original ‘doobie dozen’ still facing local charges
Six defendants were back in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Oct. 7, once again facing charges stemming from the late-2010 medical-marijuana arrests of the Doobie Dozen. The morning began with a shuffling of defendants and attorneys, with two attorneys saying they came to court that day as a courtesy appearance, six defendants scattered…
Going to extremes
I’m a bitch. But don’t freak out, all right? ’Cause I’m also a lover. I’m a child, but—and I’m about to blow your mind, here—I’m also a mother. I’m a sinner. I’m a saint. I do not feel ashamed. Maybe those words are not my own, but they so perfectly sum up the duality of…
We do need to address California warming
“It’s called global warming, not California warming. Why is it our responsibility to save the world?” Katcho said. Katcho, if you can’t see the connection between your so-called priorities—“Drought, Jobs, and the Economy”—and the impacts of “California warming,” then you are a fool! Our entire agricultural economy and rural way of life is at stake…
We need to stop inflation
Conversations about minimum wage are often like a blind person describing a sunset—no mention of what is going on and why our dollars buy less. It’s not the productivity of the market declining; we still see prices of manmade gizmos falling. It’s not that we work fewer hours. It’s not workers losing incentive to work…
Don’t forget to vote to Save Price Canyon
If you were one of the 1,865 Pismo Beach signers of the 2013 referendum and/or the 2014 petition placing the Save Price Canyon initiative on the November ballot, please remember to vote yes on H-14. All of us who circulated the petitions and those of you who signed those petitions are almost at the finish…
I won’t say ‘I told you so’
Two years ago, the Atascadero City Council was repeatedly warned that exempting Wal-Mart from funding freeway interchange improvements would place an unacceptable burden on city coffers and taxpayers. The council refused to consider the matter, and unanimously approved the corporate socialist bailout. Now that costs are estimated to be about three times the original guesses,…
Read like a teen (even as an adult)
This week, I want to command all of you adults, lurking in the shadows of the Teen section, to come into the light! You know who you are. I am speaking to those of you who sneak in for a clandestine copy of Mockingjay, The Maze Runner, Divergent, or the latest James Dashner book. You…
