Cover Story
Pismo Beach won’t pay LAFCO legal fees
The City of Pismo said ‘No’ to the San Luis Obispo Local Agency Formation Commission’s (LAFCO) request to reimburse them for legal fees accrued in a battle against land developers. Developers of a now-defunct project calling for the construction of 250 homes and 60 senior apartments filed suit against LAFCO on May 8. The project,…
What’s your plan if Diablo Nuclear Power plant melts down and the sirens start going off?
Justin Jurgens mechanic “Jump in a car, drive over the grade, and never come back. There’s not much else you can do.” John Clawson student “I really have no idea. I’d assume it’s far enough away and wouldn’t effect me. I hope that’s right.” Jasmine Starfire massage therapist “I’d probably leave the area, go north…
The invasion!
If the bad driving, lack of neighborhood parking, and partying noises aren’t enough to clue you into the return of Cal Poly, perhaps SLO Brew’s run of eight shows in eight days will. There’s something for everybody, starting this Thursday, Sept. 20, with The Bright Light Social Hour, a band simply dripping with irony (7:30…
Lights, camera … action?
“Where’s the knife? Because I only found the handcuffs,” says Sarah Linn, assistant director on the new Red Eye Junction music video for the song “Wolves.” “Did you check the center consol?” asks director Chris Daly. It’s Saturday, Sept. 15, and when I arrive about 25 minutes late for the 9:30 a.m. shoot at the…
Changing the world, one haiku at a time
The tides of change start with one. Or 100,000. 100 Thousand Poets for Change is a worldwide event that unites poets, artists, and musicians in a collaborative effort to raise awareness and bring resolution to social and environmental issues. Through readings, concerts, workshops, and other forms of expression, artists will focus on cultural tensions such…
The end of the future
I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but the future happened already. You missed it. It was super awesome, with streamlined cars, chic furniture, and bold, optimistic public sculptures. But now it’s done, and there’s nothing left to do but sweep up the wreckage, assess the devastation. There are no people in…
Clubs: 9/20
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music Fri. from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 9/21: Spoonfed Lightning at 5:30 p.m. THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 773-1892…
Soda sorrows
The Big Gulp. Arguably one of man’s greatest feats. I’d rank it right up there with curing polio. The state of New York recently passed a ban on soda drinks larger than 16 ounces from restaurants, concession stands, and other food outlets. The idea behind the law is to help combat obesity and diabetes, two…
You have to have water to divide it
Those of us living in the rural areas over the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin depend entirely on groundwater. We have no other source of supply. Stabilization of the basin is critical. Without water, our homes are worthless. Local media has hardly covered the groundwater declines in north county. Why not investigate this newsworthy issue of…
Dry Creek Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Grown in the Dry Creek appellation for which the winery is named, this bold Cab is a delicious treat at a value price. Although it has some age, you’ll find it has big tannins and oak aromas, but decanting it will improve the taste experience at this stage. Clearly, this complex wine will age well…
Dry Creek Vineyards 2011 Fume Blanc Sonoma County
This classic Sauvignon Blanc has fresh and tasty aromas and flavors of grapefruit, sweet melon, fresh lime, and pretty nuances of minerals. The sweet melon tames the dominant citrus notes, making it easy drinking alone and a good choice with foods like chicken green chile enchiladas, Tex-Mex dishes, or grilled prawns with mango, avocado, tomato,…
When in Greece, eat like the Greeks
Whenever locals ask where to find the most authentic ethnic food, I advise dining with the local expert. If you said you were craving Greek cuisine, I’d say you’ll find the best at the Wild Donkey in SLO, owned and operated by chef George Kartsioukas and his wife Kay. George started his culinary career in…
I’ll support a candidate who takes the pledge
I, many of my ilk and many more, agree with Grover Norquist and his pledge. Were that not the case, no one would care about it one way or the other. Our government in Washington (and California) has a spending problem—not a revenue problem—and any additional tax or fee revenue will support and encourage an…
Maldonado is the best choice
We are rapidly approaching national election time, and, if you care, it is time to make up your mind on who is best to represent the Central Coast. Lois Capps is a nice older lady who votes straight liberal and spends her time explaining to constituents what their benefits are. Abel Maldonado is a local…
Remember in loco parentis?
Here I am at 4:40 a.m., awake, having been awakened at 2 a.m. by my neighbors as their party broke up. I heard at least one girl screaming “I am a WOWie!” Good advertising/PR for WOW. Actually, this is the third night of partying on my block, and by Cal Poly students who are supposedly…
A huge change for downtown behind our backs?
A proposal by developer Hamish Marshall to move SLO Brew to Higuera Street was recently unanimously passed by the Planning Commission and has been appealed by Save Our Downtown, a concerned volunteer citizens’ group that has paid to have this issue brought forward to the attention of SLO citizens and possible action by the City…
Turn the faucets back on in Nipomo
I am a landowner in Nipomo and am being refused water for an assisted living facility near Von’s. After exhaustive research, I have come up with the following reliable facts: Within a vast area of 384 square miles, 10 public water purveyors utilize portions of the same water aquifer. Of the 10, only one, the…
The dogs are taking over
Regarding “Noisy animals are a problem” (Sept. 13) by Andrew Hayter of Los Osos: Mr. Hayter must live in my neighborhood. Don’t stop and smell the roses, or the neighbor will send out the barking dogs until you go away. In fact, don’t even walk in front of their home, or I will hear the…
Hear hear for soup
Regarding “Soup sippers party hearty” (Sept. 13): Upon arrival at Camp Ocean Pines, we were greeted by “FESS,” a full-size model of an adult elephant seal. The model was in the Cambria parade and made such a splash that we hope to see it again. Nick Powell did a great job of reporting on the…
Your critic lives in a subjectivity-based fantasy land
I normally respect, or at least tolerate, the subjectivity of theater critics. After all, we all see the world in our own unique way. It seems to me, though, considering the impact a critic may have on the tenuous and fragile world of art, that some measure of objectivity is required as well. In the…
Questions For: Tory Campbell
NEW TIMES What’s the most popular drink in SLO? CAMPBELL A shot of Jameson. NEW TIMES What’s the most outrageous experience you’ve had with a drunk customer? CAMPBELL An older couple comes in when there’s a younger crowd, and they sneak off into the bathroom to have sex. NEW TIMES What’s the weirdest…
Good ol’ witch hunt
Praise be to me. Praise be to my intelligence; my asymmetrical looks, which in some other cultures might be considered attractive; my humor; my gift with words. Praise be to my editors. Praise be to this building, which shelters us and provides ample space for our creative genius. Praise be to last week’s issue. Praise…
It’s Caturday
Remember Morris the Cat, the mascot for 9Lives brand cat food in the ’70s and ’80s? Well, regardless of whether you were old enough or television-savvy enough to remember that long-forgotten feline pop culture icon, there’s a new Morris on the Central Coast, and he’s the namesake of new Pismo Beach coffee shop Orange Cat…
Cougars & Mustangs
If you have no Internet access, no library card for public Internet access, and no friends, co-workers, lovers, or probation officers with Internet access, then I’m sorry, this column won’t do a thing for you. Either find people in your life to fill one or more of the above roles to finally gain that access,…
Add to cart
With engaging displays, familiar faces, and sometimes locally made goods, brick and mortar businesses lend a lot of character to a community, but such establishments have been struggling in the last decade to compete with an online shopping experience that’s much more convenient and usually comes with huge discounts, due in part to a loophole…
Given ‘take’?
Much has been said about Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to conduct high-energy, three-dimensional seismic studies off the Central Coast that ratepayers will pay some $64 million for. Opponents have vilified the project as harmful to the environment, marine life, and local economy. PG&E reps, on the other hand, assure that they’re doing everything in…
Clarification
A cover article regarding California’s upcoming Proposition 34 vote (“Debating death,” Sept. 13) needs clarification. Jan Chilton, spokesman for the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers, said he has his own personal concerns about the death penalty, but that the academy had taken no official position on the ballot measure.
Highland Ranch to get permanent protection
On Sept. 18, the SLO County Board of Supervisors threw its support behind a conservation easement that would preserve 240 acres of scenic farmland south of Los Osos Valley Road, roughly two miles outside of SLO city limits. The nonprofit Land Conservancy of SLO County wanted to buy the easement using a $525,000 grant from…
Local ‘joke’ gets national attention
A family-oriented show, this year’s Creston Classic Rodeo, garnered national attention—but not for its mutton-busting. On Sept. 15, a rodeo clown grabbed the microphone and made a joke about First Lady Michelle Obama posing for National Geographic. Many spectators were appalled by the remark, and the incident has since made national headlines. In a statement…
New ordinance equals tickets
It was a close call, but a narrowly split San Luis Obispo City Council approved subtle changes to its challenged overnight camping ordinance. In what could have been its last chance to get an updated ordinance on the books ahead of a looming Dec. 31 deadline, the council reached a vote that divided members 3-2.…
Dirty details emerge in Mason trial
Bathroom patrons, scorned former friends, and doctors testified in the San Luis Obispo firefighter assault trial in recent days, some speaking to the defendant’s demeanor the night in question, his allegedly violent history, and multiple facial fractures to the victim, which the doctor attributed to four to five likely “blows.” John Ryan Mason, of San…
New ordinance rubs masseuses the wrong way
In an effort to combat prostitution hiding behind the guise of massage, the Paso Robles City Council on Sept. 18 unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would strictly regulate the city’s massage industry with 13 pages of explicit guidelines and requirements. The new rules stipulate that in order to get a business…
Pay up for seismic studies, people
The state’s chief regulatory agency for utility companies has handed Pacific Gas & Electric a key victory in the utility’s fight to recover expenses for the controversial seismic studies off the Central Coast. On Sept. 13, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved PG&E’s aim to recover $64 million for its upcoming three-dimensional offshore studies,…
Paso Robles to slap off-road motorists with fines
Dirt bikes are loud, fast, fun, and soon to be illegal to operate on public land within the city limits of Paso Robles. On Sept. 18, the City Council approved the first reading of a new ordinance that will allow police to punish off-road riders with $100 fines for first offenses and up to $500…
