SLO County News Blog

Residents Voice in SLO County Future

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Residents want to save open space, solve traffic issues

More than 150 participants in a countywide summit on the future of San Luis Obispo County are committed to preserving the county's open spaces and quality of life.

The last session in the local Community 2050 process ended with recommendations that supporters want to see included in the county's future planning processes, including to preserve open spaces and concentrate growth around existing developments.

Government officials and planners, developers and real estate professionals, Cal Poly students and residents from throughout the county met last week at Grace Church in San Luis Obispo for the third and final session of Community 2050, "Planning Tomorrow's Growth Today."

Attendees included 4th District Supervisor K.H. "Katcho" Achadjian and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, who thanked the group for "creating a process for long-range strategic planning in the county."

Previous Community 2050 sessions mapped possibilities for growth in the county's coastal and inland areas. The last session summarized workshop proposals, looked more closely at traffic issues and set a path for future community involvement in development decisions.

The meeting included interactive polling with "clickers" to give speakers instant feedback from the audience.

R. Thomas Jones, dean of Cal Poly's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, was the Community 2050 keynote speaker. He observed "there's a high demand for this great quality of life," with a culture of outdoor recreation and a relaxed, family-centered pace of life.

"Our towns are unique," he said, and fit the "gems on a green necklace" development model rather than a more concentrated plan of growth that would fill in green spaces between towns.

Jones used the "clickers" for polling and found attendees were open to new kinds of housing if denser designs would preserve green spaces.

Aeron Arlin-Genet, head of the County Air Pollution Control District's planning department, summarized conclusions from the previous two workshops, where participants generally agreed growth should occur near existing developments and along urban corridors.

Open spaces, including agricultural areas and scenic viewsheds, are "where not to grow" in San Luis Obispo County, Arlin-Genet said.

Don Hubbard of the Fehr & Peers traffic engineering consulting firm outlined some peculiarities of San Luis Obispo County traffic.

"Jobs (and) housing imbalances are endemic (65 percent of San Luis Obispo County workers work outside their hometowns, including 40 percent of the residents of the town of San Luis Obispo who work elsewhere)," he said. "And there is a sparse road network with few opportunities to change routes to avoid congestion -- and very little chance of building new major roads."

Hubbard also noted most county towns are split by Highway 101 and have trouble establishing town centers.

"Freeways concentrate local traffic into a few choke points," he said, later observing, "Nipomo is a town that really needs to decide which side of the highway it's on."

Hubbard argued that it isn't simply population increases that cause traffic jams.

"Traffic is growing faster than the population," he said. "There's an increase in trip lengths, an increase in the number of trips and a decrease in vehicle occupancy."

More than 80 percent of schoolchildren are now driven to school, Hubbard claimed.

"As more kids are dropped off at school, the roads become less safe and fewer kids walk," he said.

Hubbard's basic lesson for Community 2050 planning was that "location matters. The same amount of growth produces different traffic levels, depending upon how it's done."

Although the three scheduled workshop are now completed, Community 2050 participants want to see the process go forward. They hope to publicize Community 2050 findings and see their recommendations become a part of the county's General Plan and zoning rules.

The Community 2050 workshops were coordinated through the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, the county Air Pollution Control District, the Local Agency Formation Commission, the San Luis Obispo County Planning and Building Department, ACTION for Healthy Communities and Cal Poly's Landscape Architecture GIS Technology Lab.

The workshops were funded by grants from Caltrans and the Air Pollution Control District.

Freelance writer Gail Roberts can be reached through the Adobe Press at 489-4206.

Residents want to save open space, solve traffic issues
Adobe Press, Gail Roberts

SLO Makes Top-10 in Coffee Shops

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

A recent study came out analyzing the coffee "restaurants" per capita of American cities indicated that San Luis Obispo is among the Top 10 Cities in the United States with 1.6 Coffee Shops per 10,000 residents.

With an average temperature in Anchorage, Alaska of 35.9 degrees it's understandable that it has the most coffee restaurants per person in the country. Anchorage has nearly 3 coffee shops per 10,000 people compared with New York, for example, which doesn't even make the top 10 list and has less than 1 coffee shop per 10,000 people.

Coffee shops are one of the fastest growing segments of the restaurant industry in terms of units. The latest numbers according to The NPD Group's restaurant census ReCount finds coffee shops increased seven percent in units across the country- with 11 percent of that growth coming from chains and four percent coming from independents. New York did make the top 10 list when you look at total units.

ReCount has tracked the locations of about 529,000 restaurants across the country with chains making up about 235,000 units (56%) and independents making up nearly 294,000 units (44%). While the industry has stayed relatively flat from 2003 to 2004, it has increased units by 4 percent since 1998, with chains seeing an increase of 12 percent since 1998. The restaurant units are split in half when you look at quick-service restaurants and full-service restaurants. There are about 269,000 fast food outlets in the U.S. and about 260,000 full-service restaurants included in ReCount. The largest category of restaurants is Quick Service (QSR) Pizza/Italian with over 60,000 units followed by QSR Hamburger with about 47,000 units.

The NPD Group Releases Its Restaurant Census
NPD FoodWorld

SLO Homes just shy of $500,000

Monday, March 28, 2005

Home buyers rushing to beat further interest rate hikes fueled demand for homes in February, pushing up the San Luis Obispo County median to within a whisker of the half-million-dollar mark.

The $496,430 median home price set a new record for the second consecutive month, increasing $1,430 above January's figure, according to information released Wednesday by the California Association of Realtors.

The median is the statistical point where half of the homes sell for more and half for less.

Local increases largely are driven by rising prices at the lower end of the market, said Richard Watkins, chairman of the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service.

"There is very little for sale under $400,000 anywhere in the county," he said. "I think there is general agreement that the train is about to leave the station for marginal qualifiers who are out there aggressively looking to get into the real estate arena."

February, which is typically one of the slowest selling months of the year, posted a nearly 7 percent increase in sales over the same month a year ago.

Statewide, sales increased 3.2 percent from a year earlier, but the median home price slipped to $471,620, a 2.9 percent decline from January's record $485,700. Still, February's median represented a 20.4 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

The state's most expensive markets included Los Altos and Burlingame at $1.4 million, Newport Beach at $1.29 million and Santa Barbara at $996,500.

Conversely, the biggest percentage gains year over year were in the state's more affordable inland areas. In the San Bernardino County city of Adelanto, prices rose 81.8 percent; Tehachapi was up 70.1 percent; and West Sacramento, Hesperia, Twentynine Palms, Norco and San Bernardino all saw increases above 50 percent. Fifty-percent gains also occurred in the Bay Area towns of Union City and Menlo Park.

Home prices nudging $500,000
The Tribune, Leslie E. Stevens

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

ECOSLO to watch over Pirates Cove

Sunday, March 27, 2005

The Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo could become the newest steward of more than 26 acres of open space at Pirates Cove.

Pirates Cove is located between Cave Landing Road and the coastal shoreline south of Avila Beach and owned by San Miguelito Partners, a development company that has proposed developing some of the bluffs area for homes.

San Miguelito Partners offered the county the 26-acre open-space parcel in the late 1990s as part of the development plan, according to Pete Jenny, county parks manager, who said the county never accepted the offer of dedication.

"We're struggling to fund (county parks) today," Jenny said. "That's why we've never taken the offer of dedication. This offer of dedication has been hanging out there waiting for the county to accept."

Because the county lacks funding to assume the maintenance and management responsibilities at Pirates Cove, county crews aren't sent to the site to pick up trash or keep the area maintained.

"It hasn't been managed by anyone," Jenny said. "Someone has to accept that responsibility. "

ECOSLO is ready to accept that responsibility if the nonprofit organization gets the green light from the County Parks and Recreation Commission when it meets Thursday evening in San Luis Obispo.

The proposal in front of the commission requests that the county accept the offer to dedicate the land from San Miguelito Partners and then transfer it to ECOSLO.

Jenny doesn't think the commission will turn down the proposal but also said he couldn't speculate how the body would vote.

"Everybody acknowledges that this is a great idea," Jenny said about the proposed maintenance partnership for Pirates Cove. "It needs to have a better level of oversight and management. I can't see them turning it down, but I don't really know."

He added that the only drawback to the proposal would be if ECOSLO were to close its doors; then the county would be handed the management and maintenance duties of the area.

Pam Heatherington, ECOSLO executive director, said a collaboration between the county and ECOSLO to manage Pirates Cove would be a "win-win situation" for all involved.

"We've offered to take the property off their hands," Heatherington said. "Looking at these types of partnerships is key (when there's no funding); it will help to maintain that greenbelt that so many people in this county embrace."

If the offer is accepted by the county and the land transferred to ECOSLO, the nonprofit organization doesn't plan to institute any drastic changes to the area, which the agency feels is an important county ecological resource.

"It would remain a rural beach," Heatherington said. "The only thing that we'd probably change is (we would be) closing the gate at night."

The County Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the San Luis Obispo Veterans Hall, 801 Grand Ave. Consideration of the Pirates Cove dedication offer and management plan is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

ECOSLO could keep watchful eye over Pirates Cove area
Times Press Recorder, April Charlton

To see more of the Times Press Recorder, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.timespressrecorder.com. (c) 2005, Times Press Recorder, Arroyo Grande, CA.

SLO's Edna Valley Wineries

Saturday, March 26, 2005

I've been analyzing and writing about the wine business for 26 years now, and it's no secret that what maintains my interest is not the wines. Sure, the wines intrigue, and it's always a pleasure to discover a new pocket of vinous quality, a new take on an old theme, and particularly a wine that delivers both flavor and value. And yes, wine is a worthy adjunct to sensual and civilized living, and yes, wine even offers sound philosophical foundations (on subjects ranging from crafting quality to moderation in consumption).

But what continues to bring me back with enthusiasm and vigor is the people - their resilience in the face of Ma Nature's vagaries, their desire to create wines that reflect both the ground in which they are grown and the personality of their producer, and their dazzling range of diversity, the one from the other. Wine people are interesting, simple enough, because they are interested. Where many folk run into shoals and shallow water when nudged from their prime area of expertise, winegrowers seem always to possess an array of interests that is as broad as that of wine-making itself, which demands diverse skills in agriculture, business, science, technology, the arts and more.

One small pocket of inestimable pleasure is tucked into the southernmost aspect of San Luis Obispo County. While Paso Robles gets most of the county's accolades, it would be an egregious mistake to pass over its southern sidepocket, Edna Valley (and it's own little hip pocket, Arroyo Grande). Though demand and climate make Chardonnay this region's leading light, there remains a wide variety of varietals and styles in this limited loci, from the opulent Zinfandel of Saucelito Canyon to the oily Viognier of Alban, from Talley's stylish Chardonnay to Edna Valley Vineyard's supple Pinots, from the crisp sparklers of Maison Deutz to the memorable dry Gewurztraminers of Claiborne & Churchill.

One must begin the story of this little pleasure pocket with the more than 700-acre Paragon Vineyards, the lynchpin of this viticultural region, which comprises nearly half of Edna Valley's 1,500 vineyard acres. (Compare to Paso Robles, which has more than 6,000 acres planted to vines, and Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley's hip pocket, at less than 500 acres.)

The late Jack Niven, who once ran Purity Stores' 100-plus food emporiums, began planting Paragon in the early 1970s. Chardonnay accounts for more than 500 acres at Paragon today. Though Riesling and Gewurz are gone, Paragon still has 100 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon (Sutter Home is the buyer), 40 acres of Sauvignon blanc (also Sutter Home) and only 40 acres of Pinot noir. Says CFO John Niven, "Pinot noir is very much in demand down here, and we could sell what we have four times over. Still, Chardonnay is easier to grow. It's not the headache that Pinot is."

Nearly half of Paragon's crop goes to Edna Valley Vineyard, a winery in which Paragon shares ownership with Chalone. In addition, Paragon has its own label, Baileyana (formerly Tiffany Hill), for a $15 Chardonnay that is forward with oak, lemon and orange rind fruit, and a fat, buttery finish. "The Chardonnays here are good because our growing season is so cool - nothing stops the marine influence coming in form Morro Bay - and extended," notes Niven. Our season typically starts two weeks earlier than Napa Valley's, and ends two weeks later! We occasionally harvest Cabernet after Thanksgiving!"

Edna Valley Vineyard's history is inextricably tied to Paragon. "In 1977 Paragon had unsold Chardonnay fruit and Chalone had excess winery space," explains Edna Valley Vineyard's president/winemaker Eric Laumann, who once made Hacienda's exquisite meritage red, Antares. "After making a couple of vintages under the Chapparal label, everyone decided it was time to build a winery." And build they did, a facility that is Chalone's double (in layout, and in size). At one point the 22,000 case facility produced nearly four times that amount, though recent vintages have settled in closer to 60,000 cases (all but 3-4,000 cases being Chardonnay).

Pretty much all you see at Edna Valley are barrels. "That's the (Chalone chairman) Dick Graff philosophy - "Wine belongs in barrel" quotes Laumann, who's such an art hound that he spent money on original art works before buying even a couch. He knows his way around the art of wine, too. His Edna Valley Reserve Chardonnay 1993 ($22) is redolent with French bread oakiness and fruit that ranges from orange peel and clove to sweet butter. The Pinot noir from the same vintage ($15) boasts brittle strawberry and raspberry fruit that is so tightly drawn that it's going to need a few years in bottle to best show itself off with the likes of lamb or pork. (The winery press release also suggests risotto with wild mushrooms. Yum.)

One time aerospace engineer Andy MacGregor was another pioneering Edna Valley grower, starting his 65-acre planting along Orcutt Road in 1975. Today, his daughter Cathy produces fresh apple-fruiting Chardonnay from his fruit under her Windemere label (named for the small town in Scotland where the MacGregor clan hailed from). Cathy - a Davis grad who apprenticed at Grgich Hills, La Crema and Mill Creek - also produced an iodine-label Napa Valley Cab and a dense black cherry-and-cinnamon-fruited Pinot noir.

Neighbors to the MacGregors are Margaret and Meo Zuech's tiny Piedra Creek Winery, where Chardonnay (MacGregor) is flush with butterscotch and pineapple and Zinfandel (Benito Dusi) is zingy with black pepper, spiced raspberry and French bread-like oak.

The Beko family's Cottonwood Canyon's vineyards are in the Santa Maria Valley, but the winery presently is on Santa Fe Road in San Luis Obispo, where the Chardonnay exhibits roasted oak and ripe orange peel fruit and the Pinot noir is leathery, with strong mintiness.

North county neighbor Meridian Winery has the 95-acre Davenport Creek Vineyard (planted in 1989) in Edna Valley, adjacent to Paragon and Edna Valley Vineyard. Planted entirely to Chardonnay, the fruit goes to Meridian's Edna Valley Reserve Chardonnay. The '94 vintage, released at $14, shows off toasty French oak and a mouthful of fruit, including broad clove, ripe apple, plenty of papaya, and a rich, oily texture that is quite captivating.

A couple of truly intriguing operations - in a whole valley of intriguing businesses - are Alban Vineyard and Claiborne & Churchill. The former is John Alban's paean to Condrieu in particular, the Rhone Valley in general. "I was celebrating a birthday when I was at Fresno State, and people had tried to bring wines that nobody knew. I tasted my first Condrieu that day. . .and was absolutely seduced!" Alban went on to finish most of his degree at Davis in 1986 (though he didn't finish his orals until two or three years later). Working at Leeward Winery in '87 and '88 he came into contact with MacGregor Vineyard Chardonnay. "To zero in on San Luis Obispo County, I planted vines at five sites from West Templeton to Edna Valley," says Alban. "The Edna Valley had a long and well-protected growing season, with a little heat from the Santa Ana winds in late September, early October."

Alban has more than 60 acres planted at the southeastern extremity of the appellation ("the 400-foot contour line marks the southeastern boundary of Edna Valley), over half of that planted to Viognier. The rest is dedicated to Rhone varieties Roussan, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. "I was lucky, I grew up with fine wines. My father was an amateur collector, and I grew up drinking Grgich, Chalone, Heitz, Hanzell and Stony Hill Chardonnays. What I love most about Viognier is its heady perfume, its pristine apricot and lemon fruit, its great body, and its lengthy finish. It's the only white that combines the aromatic perfume and that much weight of body and length in a dry white wine. All things to excess!"

Claiborne & Churchill is another tiny operation whimsical enough to think that consumers will fall in love with their Dry Gewurztraminer. Which they will, if only they take the time and effort to taste this exquisite, delicate floral masterpiece. Bright apple and pear give way to grapefruit and cinnamon spiciness that finishes razor sharp (this is the '95). It's a complex little thing, with just a hint of oak vanillin, and it'll only get better with a few years of bottle age and a hearty Alsatian stew or the like. (There's also a lush and lovely Chardonnay, from MacGregor Vineyard, and some supple, filet mignon-like Pinot noir, too.)

Claiborne Thompson and his partner/wife Fredericka Churchill started the business working out of Edna Valley Vineyard in 1983, when they produced 550 cases of wine (they're now up to about 4,000). "I taught ancient Scandinavian languages and literature for twelve years at the University of Michigan," notes Clay. "I had tasted a lovely Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay, made at Chalone, and came out there to investigate. The people were very friendly, and so refreshing in their enthusiasm and their support. In August of '81 I moved out here, working in the cellar at Edna Valley for five years. Serving my apprenticeship, as it were. I'd always like Alsatian wines."

After working out of Edna Valley Vineyard, and later in an industrial park, Clay and Fredericka have a new winery out behind their home on Carpenter Canyon Road. "It's an eco-friendly, strawbale structure," laughs Clay. "No 'three little pig' jokes, please. It uses sixteen-inch thick bales of rice straw - which would otherwise be burned and add to pollution - which give us an insulation value of R-50, and when they're sealed with stucco, they're impervious to fire, water or other natural elements."

Corbett Canyon, like Alban, sits right on the edge of the Edna Valley, but most of its fruit comes from Santa Barbara County, to the south. The first winery built in the southern half of the county, Corbett Canyon came into existence nearly full-grown, the flamboyant child of winemaker Jim Lawrence. He broke ground in April 1979, and crushed more than 3,000 tons of grapes that fall, producing nearly 250,000 cases of wine!

What with a Nouveau Chardonnay and a pink Gewurztraminer, it was more than the market could take, and shortly thereafter Kentucky's Glenmore Distillers bought the place and brought in Cary Gott (who had previously founded Montevina and now runs Sterling) to reform the grand, Mission-styled facility and its wines. Concentrating on San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara fruit, Gott did just that. Of particular note, today, are the value-priced "Coastal Classic" wines. A pair of Reserve wines mark the upper end of Corbett Canyon's spectrum: Chardonnay (the '94 Santa Barbara County has a silky Golden Delicious apple fruit and high-toned peach in a buttery finish) and Central Coast Pinot noir (the '94 has forward berry and bright cherry, framed by an intriguing herbaceousness).

"Epernay yeast is a part of our signature," suggests winemaker John Clark, who presides over the winery's 400,000 case crush. "It's a slow fermenter, and brings out more character in the wines than, say, Pris de Mousse would. Three-quarters of our production is Chardonnay, much of that from our 350-acre Los Alamos vineyard, all of which is planted to Chardonnay."

Nearby is the fine Chamisal Vineyard, known for its coconut and oak-toasted Chardonnays. Planted by the late Norman Goss, which sat fallow after his death. Recently purchased by Terry Speizer, the vineyard was torn out in 1995 and replanted in 1996 to 30 acres each of Chardonnay and Pinot noir.

Moving into the Arroyo Grande Valley is Talley Vineyards, built upon the soundest of foundations: diversified farming. Oliver Talley started farming in 1948, and the Talleys today farm more than 2,000 acres, only 102 of which are devoted to wine grapes. Given their early success with Chardonnay (lively pineapple and butterscotch), and now Pinot noir (supple black cherry, with brisk hazelnut spiciness), one expects that number to increase in the coming years. "We have bell peppers over there on the flat," says Oliver's grandson Brian Talley from behind his neatly-trimmed goatee (we are standing next to the ancient adobe tasting room Talley shares with Saucelito Canyon at 3031 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande). "Right now, Chardonnay accounts for about eighty percent of our production. We have ten acres of Pinot noir and five of Sauvignon blanc, an acre of white Riesling and nearly an acre of Semillon. We barrel-ferment the whites, which gives them a bit of character.

Character is a good descriptor for the sparkling wines of Maison Deutz (correctly pronounced "duhtz"), situated just off of Highway 101, just south of Arroyo Grande. Just three miles from the Pacific, whitecaps can be spied on a clear day. Production is 25,000 cases a year and marketing is through partner Wine World (Beringer, et al). Drawing from the winery's own 160 acres (equally divided among Pinot blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir), winemaker Christian Roguenant produces a crisp strawberry and bread dough Brut, a lean strawberry Blanc de Noirs, a lush, plum-filled Brut Rose, and a richly toasted Brut Reserve.

Bill and Nancy Greenough are proprietors of Saucelito Canyon Vineyard. Their vineyard is 20 miles southeast of San Luis Obispo, east of Lopez Lake (and 10 miles east of their shared tasting room with Talley Vineyards). "We bought the property in 1974 from the granddaughters of Englishman Henry Ditmas, who planted Zinfandel there in 1879," cites Bill. "Having been abandoned for more than thirty years, the vine tops were dead, but the roots were still alive. So I picked out one shoot from each root crown, then cut off the rest to create a new trunk." That accounted for three acres of dry-farmed Zinfandel. In 1976 an additional five acres were planted; the first wines were made in 1978.

Cooler than Paso Robles ("the fog comes up from Santa Maria), but warmer than Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande, the uplifted ocean terrace (800 feet above sea level) along Saucelito Creek is cool enough to embody their Zinfandels with great depth and zest of black pepper and tar, yet warm enough to add on layers of fleshy, mature fruit in the form of black cherry and chocolate. The '94, released at $15 the bottle, show dense raspberry, sweet tar and licorice fruit that is juicy and supple, with just the right accent of graham-like oak.

The biggest danger to this wonderfully diverse region is residential pressure. But that, like additional vineyard development, is contingent upon the availability of water, historically scarce in this neck of the woods. "We are concerned about the San Jose syndrome," remarks John Niven, as we tour the silent rural roads of Edna Valley's shallow natural bowl. "Land with water, for row crops, was going for fifteen to twenty thousand an acres, but the same land without water sold for maybe three or four thousand an acre."

Money concerns aside, this troy little pocket of pleasure is home to interestingly interested people who, not surprisingly, produce a delightful array of interesting and distinctive wines. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Not at all.

Edna Valley: pleasure, pure and simple - San Luis Obispo County
Wines & Vines, Richard Paul Hinkle, 1996

SLO Affordable Housing Plan

Friday, March 25, 2005

City gets an award for program of affordable homes, downtown housing and faster approval of projects

San Luis Obispo is part of an elite group -- one of only four cities that earned state awards for their housing plans.

Under the city's new housing plan, 4,087 new homes should be approved by 2009. The largest annexation in city history, for example, is scheduled to have 870 homes developed on the property.

To meet the plan's goal, city officials will give people living or working in San Luis Obispo first crack at affordable housing programs, making the process move more quickly.

The plan gives the go-ahead for more housing downtown and speeds up the approval process for small residential developments by limiting the number of city commissions that must approve them.

"The plan seriously attacks the housing crisis that is plaguing many California communities," said Cathy Creswell, deputy director of the state's Housing and Community Development department.

Creswell gave the rare Local Government Leadership award to city officials Tuesday night, in part, because of the long battle to develop a state approved housing plan, Draze said.

While the state recognizes 70 percent of municipalities' proposals for developing new homes, it approved the city's plan for the first time last year. With the designation, the city can apply for state grants to develop housing that sells below market price.

The city is already up for a $60,000 grant for affordable senior housing. Officials earmarked that money for a senior housing project on Johnson and Ella streets.

That grant is only the beginning, Deputy Director of Community Development Mike Draze said.

Some grants could bring in more than $100,000.

"We can now apply for any grant awarded by the state," he said.

The city has long battled to cap housing growth at 1 percent, an idea the state approved for the first time last year.

Homes restricted to sell below the city's $500,000-plus median housing price aren't added toward the cap.

"The adoption (of a state approved housing plan) is real landmark for the city," Creswell said.

The state rejected a 1994 housing plan because it did not help create enough new housing.

The city spent more than two years creating its newest housing plan, a move Mayor Dave Romero credits for helping them "get it right" this time.

But Creswell said the difficult work is about to begin.

"To do justice to all of the hard work you have put into it, you need to put the plan into effect," she said.

State sky high over SLO's housing plan
The Tribune, Leslie Griffy

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Shack for Sale

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Restaurant owners trying to unload a San Luis Obispo eatery established by Modesto's best-known murderer and victim are using that footnote as a selling point.

"The Shack was founded by Scott and Laci Peterson in 1998," reads an eBay advertisement for the sports bar and grill with an asking price of $199,000.

A man who answered a phone at the restaurant Monday refused to discuss the sale. The ad asks potential buyers to contact owners via e-mail.

The Petersons opened The Shack with help from his parents after attending California Polytechnic State University -- about a mile away -- and sold it before moving to Modesto a few years later.

The eatery's link to the high-profile murder of Lacy Peterson could draw potential buyers, said agent Angel Polhemus of CoSol Commercial Real Estate in Modesto. Her job includes helping owners develop sales strategies.

"I would think that's going to bring them lots of interest," Polhemus said. The "creepy" factor shouldn't affect the restaurant because it had nothing to do with the crime, she said.

It appears the owners are trying to sell the eatery without using an agent. No listing was found on industry sites. The eBay ad says The Shack is 2,100 square feet, including a patio, with a lease at $4,600 per month running through May 2008. Its owners hope to move to the Bay Area, the ad reads.

The $199,000 asking price includes a 61-inch big-screen TV and three smaller TVs, a satellite TV system, audio system, soda machine, ice machine, 55 chairs, 15 tables, a bar and 25 bar stools. A beer and wine license is transferable, according to the ad.

"Somebody not even in the restaurant business who wants a piece of fame might buy it just to be recognized," Polhemus said.

Three eBay sellers also are trying to move three copies of Thursday's Bee, which included in-depth reports on Peterson's formal sentencing. The highest bid as of Monday afternoon for one copy, sold last week for 50cents, was $10.

'Creepy' factor might help find buyer
Modesto Bee, Garth Stapley

Cypress Ridge 2nd Only to Pebble Beach

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Cypress Ridge Golf Course second only to Pebble Beach in Golf Digest's reader opinion poll.

Last May, twenty thousand hard core golfers, evaluating some 3,500 golf courses in the US, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, awarded Cypress Ridge their rare four and one-half star rating. The highest possible score is five stars and, in California, only Pebble Beach ranks higher.

This years' Golf Digest's ‘Best Places to Play" survey asked participants to judge the public venues based on course condition, pace of play, service, value for the money and overall golf experience. The four and one-half star rating places Cypress Ridge among the very top ranked courses in North America.

"We're delighted to receive this honor," said Bonnie Lauer, Cypress Ridge's General Manager and two-time LPGA tournament winner. "We've been committed to providing our County and our players with a premiere golfing experience from day one. To have an independent group of folks, who love the game, recognize our efforts is very gratifying". The Peter Jacobsen, Jim Hardy designed layout is one of tour professional Jacobsen's rare signature courses, and also holds a prestigious Audubon Silver Signature certificate which indicates an uncompromising commitment to environmental and ecological accountability.

"Think about this," said Head Pro, Rick Ventura, "the only course in California with a higher rating (than ours) is Pebble (Beach), with greens fees exceeding $350 a round. At Cypress Ridge, weekday play is closer to $50. We're making top caliber golf accessible for fans who love the game but don't want to pay exorbitant rates – to me, that's an accomplishment".

Additional plans for Cypress Ridge include the currently available Lakeside Craftsman style luxury homes, a deluxe hotel with bungalows, a spa and golf oriented fitness center. For inquiries about tee times, group play, accommodations, greens fees and the on-site Golf Academy, the Cypress Ridge web site at www.cypressridge.com or call 888 781-4653.

The 2004-05 edition of Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play", is available in bookstores now.

SLO Business Improvement District

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

San Luis Obispo County lodging owners may soon be asked to impose a new fee on their guests to help fund tourism promotion.

The fee would be $1 per room per night, and it would be collected through a countywide business improvement district (BID) being proposed by the Visitors & Conference Bureau to offset dwindling municipal support for tourism efforts.

"It's new for us, certainly, but it's not a new idea," said Jonni Biaggini, executive director for the county's VCB. Cities such as Sacramento and Huntington Beach, as well as San Mateo and Sonoma counties already have these districts in place, she said.

"I would venture to say that in the next two to three years, almost every tourist destination will be establishing BID's," Biaggini said. Local governments, faced with declining revenues or budget deficits, are limiting their tourism funding in favor of maintaining such essential services as police, fire and social programs, she said.

The additional fee could boost the VCB's current $826,901 budget by as much as another $2 million annually. That would put San Luis Obispo County in a better position to compete with neighboring tourist destinations in Santa Barbara and Monterey counties, whose current tourism budgets are $1.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, Biaggini said.

The self-assessment district, which would operate similarly to the SLO Downtown Association, would first require local governments' consent, as well as approval by more than half of the VCB's lodging members before it could be implemented. Biaggini estimates the review and approval process will take about a year.

Visitors bureau targeting tourism bucks
The Tribune, Leslie E. Stevens

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Jobs

Monday, March 21, 2005

The Tribune recently published a list of the top 20 private employers in San Luis Obispo County. We've added links to their websites and posted the list to our San Luis Obispo County (SLO) Jobs page.

The Top 20 Employers in San Luis Obispo County

• Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
• Tenet Healthcare Corp.
• Catholic Healthcare West
• Boutique Hotel Collection
• Albertson's Inc.
• Vons
• Compass Health Inc.
• Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
• Mid-State Bank & Trust
• F. McLintocks
• Home Depot
• JIT Manufacturing Inc.
• Economic Opportunity Commission of SLO County
• Food 4 Less
• The Tribune
• Joslyn Sunbank Co.
• Gottschalks
• Kennedy Club Fitness
• Madonna Inn
• San Luis Personnel Services

San Luis Obispo County Jobs

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Pages Featured Photographer

Sunday, March 20, 2005

We'd like to introduce you to Sara Heinrichs, one of San Luis Obispo's most talented photographers. She's become somewhat of a celebrity over at flickr.com - where we all look forward to viewing her latest shots - yet remains relatively unknown here in SLO.



We first learned of Sara when compiling our list of SLO Bloggers here at SLO Pages, after finding both her photography blog and personal blog. While reading her latest post on her personal blog, we learned that she was traveling by her lonesome in Mayanmar, taking photographs of their lovely people and places, and had just had her wallet stolen. Since Sara seemed to be in a bit of a desperate situation, we added a comment on her blog offering to wire her some cash if that would help - afterall, she is from SLO. It turned out Sara was only a couple days away from visiting friends in Chiang Mai, so she'd be in good hands soon. Although she didn't escape Chiang Mai before breaking a couple ribs after taking a spill on a motorbike.

After discovering Sara's superb work, we asked if we could feature some of her local photography here at SLO Pages. Thanks to Sara, you'll now find a very small sample of her San Luis Obispo County photographs in our front page banner. You'll often find her photos over on our Photos page as well, which is populated by an RSS feed from the San Luis Obispo County Photo Group at flickr.

Although we haven't hooked up yet, we plan to meet for coffee one of these days. Looking very forward to it!

You can see more of Sara's photography at the websites below. Make sure to contact Sara if you're in need of a wedding or portrait photographer or to order prints of her lovely photographs of the Central Coast.

www.saraheinrichsphotography.com
www.flickr.com/photos/awfulsara
www.photoreflect.com

SLO County Golf Trail

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Eleven top-notch courses make the San Luis Obispo County Golf Trail an unheralded golf getaway. These courses can be found on our new San Luis Obispo County Golf Courses page.

The drive down Highway 101 from Northern California to Southern California is famously scenic, but what's the rush? That's the question being posed by tourism interests in San Luis Obispo County, who are hoping more people stop over and play golf on their way to and from L.A. And, specifically, stop over and play on the new SLO County Golf Trail.

The Trail is composed of 11 public courses -- from Paso Robles in the north county, to Morro Bay in the west, to Nipomo in the south - that have banded together for publicity purposes. The hoped-for result is an increase in play by visitors to the Central Coast, whether they are regulars or first-timers. Regulars to the area, such as parents with students at Cal Poly or Cuesta College and coastal cavorters on their way to artsy Cambria and Hearst Castle, presumably are familiar with local golf venues. But, first-timers may be thinking more about their planned back-road forays into the vineyards than about where to plant tees in the ground.

"The wineries have a presence with tourists," says Gary Setting, head professional at ocean-breeze-kissed Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos. "We want people to bring their golf clubs, too. We want to establish golf as a 'destination' on the Central Coast."

Setting is chairman of a new Golf Advisory Board set up by the SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau to take on challenges facing the golf industry in general - such as how to "grow" the game in an era of aging Baby Boomers. Additionally, in SLO County the royal-and-ancient game must compete for attention with the area's splendid natural attractions and many special events. For example, if one missed the Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande, well, there's always the Harbor Festival in Morro Bay. Couldn't get to the Farmer's Market last night? Well, there's another one this afternoon. This is a dilemma faced by both tourists and locals: So much to do, so little time when experiencing life in an area where life truly is a beach.

Also, the SLO public-golf scene is immersed in its own embarrassment of riches - supply of tee times exceeds demand in the wake of the 1980s and 1990s golf "booms." "Golf courses have been built at a faster rate than new golfers have been created," Setting said. The upside, he added, is "we have a wonderful product, the courses aren't swamped with people and the prices are very reasonable."

The product is, indeed, as varied as a scratch player or a weekend hack could want. Topping the list are the two big layouts, the 4-star-plus-rated, championship 18-hole layouts at Hunter Ranch, a few miles east of Paso Robles, and Cypress Ridge in "A.G," as locals call Arroyo Grande. The latter is a Peter Jacobsen Signature Course built on the wildlife-rich Nipomo Mesa. The course has been awarded Audubon International status for its sensitivity to its surroundings.

On the next tier are the perfectly pleasant, full-length tests at Avila Beach and Blacklake (Nipomo) resorts; the parkland experience at Chalk Mountain GC in Atascadero; the wild and wooly Dairy Creek GC, exposed to the wind that pours down Highway 1 from Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo; Morro Bay GC itself, perched on a bluff above the Pacific; the Links Course at Paso Robles -- a bit of Scotland out near the city's airport -- and, finally, three nine-hole courses: Sea Pines (Los Osos); Laguna Lake (SLO), and Eagle Creek (Atascadero).

"Every course has a different personality," says Billy Gibbs, director of instruction at Avila Beach and a Central Coast golf instructor since 1993. "At Avila, we've got two distinct nines. Morro Bay? Beautiful - you look out at the ocean. We've got beautiful weather 340 days a year; you've got a huge destination for people to play golf."

Gibbs said that "in a few years" the county could be ready to go out and seek a professional-tour event for a course such as Hunter Ranch, which demands A-game performance, especially in the afternoon wind. (The only professional tournament currently being played in the county is the Straight Down Invitational, a successful two-day pro-am that brings a handful of big-name players to San Luis Obispo Country Club each fall.)

While county tourism officials wait for tourist golfers to saddle up and ride the Golf Trail, the face of the game is changing locally, Gibbs said. "The biggest change I've seen is in the growth of junior golf and ladies golf. For the kids it's the (Tiger) Woods- (Michelle) Wie thing. Golf is a cool thing to do. When I started teaching junior programs here, I had eight players, average age 12. This year I have 55, average age 7. It's all being driven by the new lightweight equipment. In the old days the clubs were so heavy you couldn't start swinging them until you were about 12." As for women's golf, at Avila Beach, Gibbs is overseeing a 20-player Ladies Twilight League. "Ten years ago you couldn't even get them out at twilight," he said.

Some 450,000 rounds of golf are played on SLO's public courses each year, but there is room for an increase in play. That's one reason why future plans of the Golf Advisory Board include getting more connected with the local lodging industry in hopes of assembling some package deals and linking up with golf-minded business groups and conventions. ("Stay and Play" packages are available at Sea Pines, which has lodging just off the first tee.)

"And we've talked about having a Golf Trail ticket - value, say, $50," Setting said. "Each course could decide what could be in the package."

One thing that seems certain for SLO County golf is that its future success lies in playing the hand it was dealt and not trying to become Pebble Beach or Santa Barbara. "I hear from local golfers who go north or south, and they're saying things like, 'They parked my car' and 'They cleaned my clubs,'" Setting said. "Yes, but they paid $160 for the round, too.

"The question is, would you rather have 50 players (come to the county) at $10 each or one player at $500?"

The answer is blowing on the SLO County Golf Trail.

SLO Hand
Pat Sullivan, NCGA Magazine

Learn more about San Luis Obispo County Golf opportunties at Coastal Concierge.

A SLO Economic Recovery

Friday, March 18, 2005

After three years of little or no growth, San Luis Obispo County's economy is starting to show signs of recovery -- even if it is weak.

The North County is expected to lead the way, predicted Bill Watkins, executive director of the UC Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project.

"When you build things, that counts as growth," he said. "And there are a fair amount of homes being built there."

Last year, the county's gross product, which measures the value of the goods and services produced here, increased 0.5 percent -- lower than the 1.8 percent economists predicted for 2004 and worse than the state's growth rate of 1.4 percent.

This year's growth countywide may be 1.6 percent, Watkins said.

While the prospects for growth are moderate, local business leaders -- notably those in agriculture, tourism, finance and other sectors -- are upbeat. They point to an influx of baby boomers who are likely to boost home prices and buy more goods.

Watkins discounted a recent UCLA Anderson Forecast, which said the state's economic health will sputter because of a downturn in the real estate market.

"I expect to see a slowdown in the growth rate of home prices, but not a slowdown caused by a declining real estate market," he said.

Still, the county's economy, which is heavily dependent on government employment and lower-paying service jobs, faces its share of challenges. State budget woes, increasing health care and workers' compensation costs and weak job growth could impact business owners' financial performance.

Even though the utilities sector should provide a lift, given anticipated spending to upgrade facilities at PG&E's Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, residents should not expect significant amounts of new business or a great deal of expansion, Watkins noted.

Many firms have left the county because it has become increasingly difficult to recruit and retain employees in an area with high housing costs and a historically low unemployment rate of about 3 percent.

Median home price growth has been in the double-digits since 1999. The January median home price of $495,000 set a county record and represents a 21.5 percent increase from the same period a year ago, according to the California Association of Realtors. That's a price only 13 percent of county residents could afford. The median price is the statistical point where half the homes sold for more and half for less.

Economists say the real median home price will increase by 9.6 percent in 2005 and 8.1 percent in 2006.

Salaries for lower-paying jobs are not expected to keep pace with rising housing prices, but highly skilled professional and technical jobs will demand that employers increase wages, Watkins said.

The Central Coast was a popular destination for tourists last year, despite last summer's sluggish season and the December 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, which damaged North County businesses.

The county saw a 3.4 percent increase in lodging revenues for 2004, said Jonni Biaggini, executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau. Occupancy remained unchanged at 63 percent.

So far, this year has been disappointing. The heavy rainfall and subsequent road closures kept travelers at home, she said. Higher gas prices are also causing people to postpone travel, she said. In January, hotel tax revenues in San Luis Obispo were down 10.8 percent and slipped by 9.8 percent in the unincorporated areas. Pismo Beach dipped 7.4 percent.

"The economy is slowly coming back, and hopefully, there's that pent-up demand," she said. "But the economy is on people's minds, with the feds and local cities looking at ways to balance their budgets."

That could mean fewer tourism promotion dollars from the state, Biaggini noted.

Still, she's confident that efforts by the bureau and other organizations in the region will result in more visitors. The bureau has seen an increase in traffic to its Web site and is working with Central Coast wineries to attract guests.

As well, local tourism officials will promote the Central Coast's recreational opportunities and wine country when they meet international and domestic travel media in New York in May.

"We're being as creative as we can," Biaggini said.

Signs of recovery
The Tribune, Julie Lynem

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO's Embassy Suites

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Embassy Suites Hotel San Luis Obispo offers 196 beautifully designed and newly renovated two-room suites surrounding a lush four-story garden atrium.

Each two room suite features a private bedroom with one king or two queen size beds and a separate living room with a full size sofa bed. All suites are fully equipped with high speed Internet access, two televisions, a refrigerator, microwave oven, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, a well lit dining/work table, and two telephones with data ports and voice mail.

Whether it's their complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast or their evening manager's reception in our luxurious garden atrium, they're unlike your average hotel. You'll love the two-room suites, heated indoor pool, and fitness center. The Atrium Cafe is superb, in-suite Internet connection is simple to use and fast (really fast), and their conference facilities are unsurpassed in the county.

Whether you're planning an annual convention, wedding reception, small meeting, or simply a leisurely getaway, Embassy Suite's staff will gladly accommodate your needs.

At Embassy Suites Hotel San Luis Obispo, every meeting receives their full attention, no matter how big or small. Whether you meet in one of our fully equipped meeting rooms, host a luncheon in our atrium, or convene in a conference suite, you'll always enjoy quality accommodations and a responsive, efficient staff.

The Conference Center contains over twelve thousand square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space. The largest single room capacity is six hundred people. Audio/Visual equipment is available on site, along with high-speed Internet access.

Make Reservations at Coastal Concierge - your connection to only the best San Luis Obispo County has to offer.

Embassy Suites - Luxury Accommodations in San Luis Obispo County

Apple Farm Inn

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Traditional American hospitality can be found at Apple Farm Inn, one of San Luis Obispo hotels that embodies a true atmosphere of tranquility. Combining the charm of Victorian country inns with the modern conveniences of a luxury hotel, Apple Farm Inn offers the best in San Luis Obispo lodging.

Their rooms are uniquely appointed with cozy fireplaces and seating nooks. Most feature grand canopy beds - the bygone comforts of yesterday's country inns. Deluxe accommodations await you in a lush, quiet garden setting. We are conveniently located just off US 101, on the Central Coast of California. When looking for San Luis Obispo lodging, the Central Coast visitor cannot go wrong in choosing Apple Farm Inn from the many San Luis Obispo hotels.

From your home base at Apple Farm Inn, explore San Luis Obispo: festivals, farmers markets, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a historic mission, superb food, and a creek that runs through town. Minutes away, rolling valleys offer the best in wine tasting. A short drive north on Highway One brings you to William Randolph Hearst's dream, Hearst Castle, and the spectacular shoreline of Big Sur.

Everyone there will be delighted to see you, whether you're just looking for a night's lodging, a weekend getaway, or a memorable experience including the romance of country inns, lush gardens, a brimming gift shop, and a step back in time at our authentic millhouse. To enjoy the finest in San Luis Obispo lodging, check into the Apple Farm Inn, unique among San Luis Obispo hotels. You will leave your heart with us and return again and again.

Make Reservations at Coastal Concierge - your connection to only the best San Luis Obispo County has to offer.

Apple Farm Inn - Luxury Accommodations in San Luis Obispo County

Oceano Dunes Tourism Discussion

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Thousands of people flock to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area each year for an inexpensive vacation. Those tourist dollars give a boost to the South County economy.

The president of Friends of the Oceano Dunes will speak Wednesday about the economic effect of the recreational area, which in 2004 drew 1.7 million visitors -- nearly twice as many who visit Hearst Castle each year.

It is the only beach in the state that allows visitors to drive onto the beach and camp. The estimated economic benefit to the local county is about $160 million a year, based on a 1993 report from the state parks department, said Jim Suty, president of Friends of the Oceano Dunes, a lobbying group that promotes responsible recreation at the Dunes.

Suty said access restrictions to the Dunes would be devastating to the local economy. "Environmental interests are working hard to do what ever they can to remove vehicles from the beach," he said.

Environmentalists oppose allowing vehicles on the beach because of their impact on habitats for several endangered species, such as steelhead trout, snowy plover and the least tern.

"This is not rocket science," said Mark Massara, who directs the Sierra Club's coastal programs. "When you're driving over the tops of these nests, you're killing the birds."

As California's only drivable beach, the Oceano Dunes sets San Luis Obispo County's coastline apart from other areas of the state, said Jonni Biaggini, executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau. Biaggini will discuss tourism's impact on the county during a luncheon with members of the Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Pismo Beach chambers of commerce.

"There aren't a lot of lodging facilities in Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande to generate the kind of revenue the people who go to the Dunes generate," Biaggini said. "How would you replace that kind of income without spending an awful lot of time and money on infrastructure?"

Dunes tourism focus of talk
Cynthia Neff, The Tribune

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

San Luis Obispo County Lodging, Dining and Visitor Information

SLO's new Natural Cafe won't be jinxed

Monday, March 14, 2005

Natural Cafe to occupy 'jinxed' downtown SLO location

What many people believe to be that jinxed corner location at Broad and Higuera in downtown SLO will soon be home to a new restaurant.

It's the same spot that housed the original Earthling bookstore, which moved across the street and eventually went out of business. In 2000 a much maligned Carl's Jr. set up shop, surrounded by large picture windows that were deliberately smashed by vandals most of the time. Its departure left space for what was to become Milagro's, a Mexican eatery that failed miserably.

Undaunted by such mystical mumbo-jumbo, the owners of the Natural Cafe, a healthy-style and locally produced fast food restaurant with a Mexican flavor and fare, which has carved a niche for itself in the Santa Barbara area for the past 12 years, is taking up the challenge.

With three established locations under its belt, Natural Cafe is opening up two new venues, one in Westlake Village and the other here in San Luis Obispo.

"The quality of our food and low prices... that's what makes us successful," said Dan Sturtevant, regional general manager and the guy who will operate the SLO location.

"We specialize in organic produce, breads, and tortillas and top quality chicken, turkey, and fish. Vegetarians will also enjoy the fare, as our menu is extensive and very popular," said Sturtevant.

Natural Cafe is just that, not a store. It is similar to a buffet in that you order, pay, sit, and serve yourself.

"No waiters or servers, and that is what keeps prices down," said Sturtevant.

Takeout orders are down to a science. Local wines and beers of all kinds are available, as are organic drinks and an array of natural smoothies.

"Everyone said our Goleta location on Hollister was jinxed and it would never work, but it did with a little luck and lots of hard work."

Sturtevant is so confident he's already eyeing north SLO County and Santa Maria.

Natural Cafe is expected to open and dispel the jinx this coming June.

News of the Week
King Harris, New Times

Find the Best of SLO County

Sunday, March 13, 2005

In order to make your stay on the beautiful California Central Coast even more enjoyable, a new in-room and online Concierge service has been launched for San Luis Obispo County, highlighting only our best in Luxury Accommodations, Fine Dining, Fun-filled Activities, Unique Attractions, Festive Events, and Professional Travel, Health and Real Estate Services.

Enjoy exclusive hotels offering luxury accommodations and fine dining. With miles of clean, pristine sand and surf, a perfect climate, and a convenient location off Highway 1 or 101, these hotels remain surprisingly quiet and quaint -- California's best-kept secrets.

Savor world-class California cuisine along with spectacular 180-degree ocean views from premier restaurants. Experience fine dining with eclectic cuisine featuring classic seafood and steak entries as well as more cutting-edge cuisine with a hint of international flavors.

Experience the best of San Luis Obispo County's abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and experience its unique beauty, history, arts and culture. The Central Coast's mild, sunny climate, pristine beaches, world-class surf, stunning peaks and lakes, and quiet country roads offer something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Visit popular attractions such as the famous Hearst Castle, historic missions, museums, wineries, performing arts, art galleries, antiques, wildlife and other points of interest.

Coastal Concierge - your connection to the very best San Luis Obispo County has to offer - has compiled an exclusive listing of Central Coast hotels, restaurants, activities, attractions, events and services, carefully selected for their consistent quality, superior service, safety record, value and knowledgeable friendly staff.

Each room in these first-class hotels now provide a glossy in-room brochure highlighting the Coastal Concierge exclusive choices for dining, recreation and points of interest on the Central Coast. After browsing these recommendations, the visitor simply dials a toll-free number and follows the directions. It's that simple to find and make reservations at San Luis Obispo County's very best.

These hand-picked San Luis Obispo County listings are also available online at Coastal Concierge's new website - www.sloconcierge.com. Here, you can make online lodging reservations or dial a single toll-free number to make reservations to experience only the best in cuisine, activities, attractions and services.

When making reservations using Coastal Concierge, you are identified by the selected establishment as a special guest who desires only the best San Luis Obispo County has to offer, and are given that little extra VIP treatment.

Coastal Concierge is now publishing their "Concierge Picks" right here at SLO Pages under our Lodging, Dining, Attractions, Recreation, and Services menu. Treat yourself with a reservation at one of SLO's Best!

Coastal Concierge - Your connection to the very best San Luis Obispo County has to offer in Luxury Accommodations, Fine Dining, Fun-filled Activities, Unique Attractions, Festive Events, and Professional Travel, Health and Real Estate Services.

Visit Coastal Concierge online at:
www.sloconcierge.com

SLO Breweries

Saturday, March 12, 2005

With six breweries to choose from, county residents are sure to find a beer to their taste in the area

Wine has taken center stage in San Luis Obispo County, thanks to a thriving local industry and the Oscar success of 'Sideways.' The increased attention to the county's grapes is great if you love to swirl and sniff, but with St. Patrick's Day next week, it's time to shift the spotlight to another fermented beverage: beer.

The handful of county breweries, which use more malt and brew in smaller batches than, say, Budweiser, manipulate beer's main ingredients - malted barley, hops, yeast and water - to create an array of flavors. Additional ingredients such as wheat, fruit and spices add unexpected tastes.

The best way to sample local creations is to get as close to the tap as possible. Bottled brews are good, but the same concoction will taste even better if it flows straight from the brewery into your glass. The increased freshness - and the chance to talk with the brewmasters - makes specialty breweries with bars the venue of choice for beer aficionados.

We stopped at the four county spots, which all have award-winning blends and the relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere that is standard-issue when you pair good beer with good company.

SLO County breweries

Firestone Walker
1400 Ramada Drive, Paso Robles
238-2556
www.firestonebeer.com

Despite being the biggest brewery in the county, Firestone Walker has a homey, hands-on feel. The tall, warehouse-like building visible from Highway 101 hides a small bar decorated in dark wood. The primarily North County, over-30 crowd fills the two rooms after work on Fridays, relaxing to the sounds of live acoustic guitar. It's definitely family-friendly - some folks bring their infants along, and during our visit, one man brought his dachshund.

The Double Barrel Ale is fermented in oak barrels, giving it a slightly toasty flavor. We also recommend the mild lager; the unfiltered ale with its hint of caramel; and the Walker's Reserve porter, which has coffee-flavored undertones.

Morro Bay Brewing Co.
280 Harbor Ave., Morro Bay
772-3534
www.morrobaybrewing.com

This small brewpub has gained a loyal following since opening on Independence Day in 1998. Owner and brewer John Gould likes to chat with customers as he works with his staff to pour beer and serve food, giving the place a real community feel. The low-key crowd either plays pool or dines at one of the square tables covered with red-and-white-checked tablecloths. The pub fills up fast on Wednesday nights, when music from a local Irish band fills the small space.

Top of the list is the Dad's Pale Ale, with a delicate scent, nice bite and an overall smooth taste. Don't overlook the smooth Rock Lager, which has a hint of citrus. For the nonalcoholic crowd, Gould crafts a refreshing root beer.

SLO Brewing Co.
1119 Garden St., San Luis Obispo
543-1843
www.slobrew.com

One of the best-known county brewpubs, SLO Brew has managed to avoid turning into a wholly college-age bar - except when a punk band is playing. If you prefer camaraderie to a crush, stop in after work on a weekday. The bartenders know their stuff, so if you have questions about the beers, ask. They'll also dish with you about their favorite TV shows. Patrons eat sitting at the bar or at one of the many tables, or skip the food and play pool.

India Pale Ales are a specialty here. Recent pours include the Imperial IPA, with double the hops (and double the alcohol), and the Nitro IPA, which is nitrogenated instead of carbonated, so the bubbles are smaller and it's smoother in your mouth. Other recommended beers are the Blueberry Ale - light and bright with a hint of fruit on the finish - and on the darker side, the smooth Cole Porter.

Santa Maria Brewing Co.
112 Cuyama Lane, Nipomo
349-2090
www.santamariabrew.com

Founded in 1999, this South County brew house is more like a rustic living room than a bar. The walls are covered in old road signs, military and law enforcement memorabilia, a pair of boxing gloves and an enormous moose head. Co-owner Dan Hilker said it's all the stuff wives won't let their husbands keep at home. He also said there's one rule for customers: Don't invite anyone you wouldn't bring into your own house. Longtime patrons have their own beer glasses behind the bar, and the place has a quiet, jovial feel.

The Especial Pale Ale is smooth and easy on the palate, with a nice floral nose. Also try the honey blond. Orange blossom honey gives it a sweet flavor without being cloying. The porter wasn't ready when we were there; Hilker said it has hints of mocha java.

Two county breweries where the beer is take-out only

Local breweries also sell their beer in bulk. If you need a keg or a half-gallon 'growler' to-go, call ahead to set it up. Besides the spots listed above, you can also try Central Coast Brewing on Monterey Street in San Luis Obispo. Regulars get a growler to take home, and then bring the glass jug back for refills. Make sure to try the Belgian Wit - a full-flavored wheat beer that's fruity but not too sweet. Their flagship is the Stenner Creek Stout, which is made with 'chocolate' malt and has a slight mocha scent. The place also makes beer for individuals, and brews for local businesses that want a house label. Open 2 to 9 p.m weekdays; noon to 5 p.m. weekends. Closed Mondays. 783-2739 or www.centralcoastbrewing.com.

Bonnema Brewing Company is another local outfit, though it has no on-site distribution. Instead, it sells its Pozo Pale Ale and Red Kroeker Ale through bars, liquor stores and grocery stores, in bottles and on tap. 462-3660 or www.bonnemabrew.com.

Find the perfect brew for you
The Tribune, Lisa Miller

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Real Estate Eludes More

Friday, March 11, 2005

The dream of homeownership slipped beyond the reach of even more San Luis Obispo County families in January.

Affordability slid to 13 percent, a four-point drop from a year ago, according to figures released Thursday by the California Association of Realtors. The index also reached that same level in September, but it still doesn't match the record low of 12 percent reached in August 1990 at the peak of the last housing price surge.

The index, which measures the percentage of households that can afford to purchase the county's median-priced home, has fluctuated between a low of 13 percent to an annual high of 20 percent last March and April when median prices briefly dipped below $400,000.

Strong buyer demand, low inventories and favorable interest rates continue to drive up prices for county homes, according to real estate professionals.

Homebuyers would need an annual income of $115,510 to purchase the county's record median-priced home of $495,000 in January, based on a traditional loan with a 20-percent down payment and a mortgage interest rate of 5.78 percent. That's nearly double last year's county median family income of $61,700.

Statewide, the situation isn't much better.

Affordability fell to 18 percent in January, five points below the same period a year ago. California homebuyers needed an annual income of $113,340 to afford the state's median-price home of $485,700 in January.

Neighboring Santa Barbara County again held the least affordable spot in the state at 7 percent.

Nationally, 55 percent of residents had the $44,100 income needed to purchase the U.S. median-priced home of $189,000.

More potential homebuyers squeezed out
Leslie E. Stevens, The Tribune

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Rated a Best Place to Live

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Folks looking for a fun, healthy and sexy place to live won't do much better than San Luis Obispo, according to a new magazine report.

The city ranked as the nation's 13th most desirable place to live in Men's Journal magazine annual Top 50 survey published in its April issue.

The men's active lifestyle magazine touted the city's "near perfect" climate and nearby beaches. It also had good things to say about the city's lack of development - "SLO has resisted over-development, making for a genuine small-town feel - rare on California's Central Coast."

She couldn't have put it better, said Jonni Biaggini, executive director of the county's Visitors & Conference Bureau.

"What they said is perfect," she said. "This is exactly what we have been trying to tell people - SLO County is the real deal, the California everyone dreams about."

But having someone else say it lends credibility, Biaggini added.

The magazine used nearly 50 variables to come up with its rankings, giving added weight to college towns and an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Local residents have gotten used to publications heaping praises on their fair city in recent years. Money and Sunset magazines and the Milken Institute have placed the city on their best lists, as did the Men's Journal last year.

Still, for a city trying to lure more tourists, a little free, positive publicity certainly can't hurt, officials say. The men's magazine had a paid circulation of 657,000 in 2003, according to the Magazine Publishers Association.

50 Best Places To Live
We rate the healthiest, sexiest, most fun, and most affordable towns in the land. You reap the benefits.
Men's Journal, April 2005

SLO-down in SLO Tourism

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

San Luis Obispo might not see the 3 percent growth in hotel tax revenue it hoped for this year.

The city is already facing a $2.4 million annual deficit for the next two years and saw a nearly 11 percent drop in hotel tax revenue in January.

Hotel tax is a key revenue source for the city, making up about 10 percent of the cash used to pay for firefighters, street improvements and police.

The drop pushed hotel tax revenue growth to 1.7 percent for the year, down from 3.1 percent before winter rains started battering the Central Coast in January.

"We were very excited back then. But we still have some time," said Jodi Polk, the city's customer service supervisor. "We are guessing it has to do with the fact we had so much rain in January."

Road closures and rainy weather forced many visitors to cancel reservations at the beginning of the year. City officials hope to see a turnaround in hotel tax revenues as the sun returns.

The news was in contrast to the rebound officials experienced in the fall, following a disappointing tourist season. Transient occupancy taxes rose in November and also showed strong gains in September and October.

Officials are banking on joint efforts by the city, San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau and the local wine industry to lure more guests to the area.

In the meantime, better weather will do nicely.

"We are hoping for a few sunny days," Polk said.

SLO tourism slumps in January
The Tribune, Leslie Griffy

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

Sideways Author visits SLO

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

WIne enthusiasts wrapped up this weekend's world of Pinot Noir festival with a toast to one man, whose writing helped bring some big business, and national attention, to the central coast.

Rex Pickett, the author of the novel 'Sideways' stopped in Arroyo Grande Sunday afternoon for a special screening of the film, and a question and answer session, about his journey this past year.

"You write a novel, you're lucky to get it published," said Pickett. "You're lucky if you get an option to the movies out of those that get optioned one of them gets made, and if it gets made, very few are made exactly like your novel."

Pickett's next stop will be at the Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 19-21.

Sideways Author Comes To Town
KSBY

SLO Employment Rates

Monday, March 07, 2005

Unemployment in January climbed in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties - and in California and nationwide - compared to December as holiday season jobs ended, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

Preliminary figures for January show an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent for Santa Barbara County, up from a revised 4.7-percent figure for December but down from a 5.5-percent rate in January 2004.

In SLO County, the preliminary figure for January was 4.7 percent, up from a revised 4.0 in December and the same figure as for January 2004.

For California, the preliminary unemployment figure climbed in January to 6.2 percent from a revised figure of 5.7 percent in December.

The January rate was down from the 6.9 percent of a year prior.

Nationwide, the preliminary January rate was 5.7 percent, up from the revised 5.1 percent in December but down from the 6.3 percent of January 2004.

In the January figures, the EDD added listings for Orcutt and Los Alamos. The biggest rate change was in Guadalupe, which, for the first time in a long time, was below 10 percent, coming in at 6.9 percent, the same as for Santa Maria and less than Lompoc.

SLO County had the seventh-lowest unemployment rate in January, with eight of California's 58 counties coming in under 5 percent. Orange County had the lowest rate at 4.0 percent.

On the other end, eight counties had rates of higher than 12 percent, with Colusa County posting a 21.3 percent.

Unemployment climbs in January
Santa Maria Times

SLO iPod Store

Sunday, March 06, 2005

The popularity of the iPod, Apple's sleek music player, has spawned a new enterprise in San Luis Obispo -- the iPod Shop.

Shane Williams, owner of the Mac Superstore in San Luis Obispo, used this hot musical commodity to open the stand-alone iPod store. Williams said it's the first such shop in the country.

An Apple Computer spokeswoman would only confirm that the company does not have any retail stores in San Luis Obispo.

"We were originally selling the iPods out of our Mac store, and when they became all the rage, we found that we didn't have enough room for them and all of their accessories," Williams said.

Consequently, Williams decided to turn the nearby Mac training room into the iPod Shop for the Christmas season. He had no idea that the business would last well after Christmas was over.

Williams' Mac Superstore is a re-sell store, which means he's authorized to sell Apple merchandise. The company has sold Apple products for 10 years, and he said he didn't have to obtain a special agreement with the Cupertino-based company to open the store.

So far, the shop averages about $4,000 per day in revenues, Williams said.

The iPod Shop has a high-tech atmosphere with comforts for all music lovers -- from a comfortable chair in the middle of the room to listening stations along the walls. The shop has 14 iPod models and more than 100 accessories, including color covers, speakers and headphones.

Softec, the Central Coast Software and Technology Association, will host an open house for the public at the iPod Shop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 23. The shop is at the Pacific Coast Center where Madonna Road and Higuera Street meet. The event is free, and there will be refreshments.

IPod success leads to new SLO business
The Tribune, Jamie Brady

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

California Wildflowers

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Native plant enthusiasts are abuzz over what they're predicting will be the best wildflower display in nearly half a century. Credit our abundant winter rains for the spectacular rainbow that is unfolding from the deserts of Southern California to the Oregon border.

You won't have to go far to see the show. Prime sites for "wildflower peepers" are right here in Northern California. And if you're willing to take a drive -- say, to Death Valley National Park -- you'll be rewarded with even more memorable sights this spring.

"It's already an incredible year," says Ranger Barry Breckling at Henry W. Coe State Park, east of Morgan Hill, where lowland shooting stars (Dodecatheon clevelandii) have been blooming since December. "We have 30 different species already blooming, and some are as much as two months earlier than usual."

At Death Valley -- which averages less than two inches of rain a year but has had close to six inches since July -- the bloom is "coming along nicely and promises to get better, peaking around mid-March," according to Ranger Charlie Callahan. He says great wildflower viewing will continue through at least mid-April.

Sid Dutcher keeps track of the situation for the Theodore Payne Foundation for California Wildflowers and Native Plants, a non-profit organization based in Sun Valley (near Los Angeles) that is dedicated to the preservation of California's rich and diverse flora.

He says all of the botanists he has talked to say "this will be the best show in at least a quarter century." But Dutcher adds his own superlative:

"I've lived here 45 years and have never seen the desert so green," he says.

In Northern California, Dutcher recommends viewing at Pinnacles National Monument near Hollister and Point Reyes National Seashore. Yosemite National Park, he says, will have a "nice show" later in the spring, and all of the Sierra foothills should be "stunning" by mid-March.

Other close-to-home viewing sites include the Forest of Nisene Marks and Wilder Ranch state parks in Santa Cruz County, Montara Mountain north of Half Moon Bay, Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve near Redwood City, Tilden Park near the University of California-Berkeley and Almaden Quicksilver County Park and Alum Rock Park in San Jose.

In Central and Southern California, the hot spots will include the Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve west of Lancaster, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park near Descanso and the hills surrounding Gorman in the Tejon Pass, Dutcher says.

Already heading toward peak bloom is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park east of San Diego, he says. Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs should be at its best around mid-March.

How long will the historic displays continue? Depends on the weather.

"Last year was a bad year because the rains stopped in March and things dried up," says Coe State Park's Breckling. "March and April rains are important to prolong the bloom."

Shower of wildflowers
California bracing for a Wild Spring Show
Mercury News, Holly Hayes

SLO Pinot Noir

Friday, March 04, 2005

World of Pinot Noir this weekend is sold out.

The movie "Sideways" created a buzz over pinot noir from Santa Barbara County, but it's hard to measure whether that craze has spread to the north.

This weekend's World of Pinot Noir -- a series of tastings, dinners and other activities in Shell Beach and Arroyo Grande -- has sold out, but organizers said that's typical. The event features 130 pinot noir producers from around the world and usually draws large crowds, said Patricia Rogers, event coordinator.

Local pinot noir producers also find it hard to measure the movie's effects.

"We've seen increased tasting room traffic," said Brian Talley of Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande. "But our tasting room manager attributes it to the time of the year."

San Luis Obispo-based Claiborne & Churchill's wines appeared in the movie on a shelf in the background of a dinner scene. But winemaker and co-owner Clay Thompson isn't sure if this is related to an increase in sales.

"Our sales are up 34 percent from where we were in January and February last year," said Clay Thompson, winemaker and co-owner of Claiborne & Churchill. "But I'm not sure if that's attributable to 'Sideways.' "

Marcella Tate, manager of the tasting room and wine club at Windward Vineyard in Paso Robles, feels the movie's effect is minimal.

Others wonder if the pinot noir craze is just a trend.

"It could be a fad like any other, and it might go away," said Anna Othman, assistant winemaker at Kynsi Winery in Arroyo Grande.

Sales and tasting room traffic at Kynsi have risen since "Sideways" hit theaters, but not dramatically, Othman added.

Meanwhile, Terry Speizer of Domaine Alfred in San Luis Obispo thinks pinot noir's popularity is because of the wine itself and not the movie.

"Pinot noir is doing it on its own," Speizer said.

Ready to hit the road, Packed with Paso spirit
The Tribune, Michaela Baltasar

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Movie Scene

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Commercial film crews have long capitalized on SLO County's people, vistas and pastoral atmosphere.

San Luis Obispo County has little of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It has something film makers want even more.

The area's undulating sand dunes, sparsely populated beaches, rural small towns and twisty country byways provide the kind of backdrop popular with commercial and movie producers.

The Oceano Dunes recently proved irresistible to the makers of a DirecTV commercial.

"It was a location that wasn't available anywhere else," said Christine Maskobi, a free-lance production supervisor hired by Tool of North America, the commercial's production company. "It provided just the creative background for the commercial that they wanted - dramatic sand dunes and easily available access."

When production crews like Maskobi's visit the county, they add much more than a little movie industry excitement. They also spend money at local hotels and restaurants, providing temporary work for caterers, vehicle and equipment leasing companies, security services, local media companies and acting "extras."

On-location spending can run anywhere from $15,00 per day for low-budget documentary or educational films to $100,000 daily for big-budget movies or commercials using helicopters and special effects, according to estimates by the Association of Film Commissioners International.

Actual local figures are not available. However, the San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau fielded 205 film requests last year for shooting locations within the county, resulting in 35 productions, according to the VCB's Baxter Boyington, who helps promote the area through the county's Film Commission. State parks process their own requests, so they are not included in the VCB's totals for the county and local cities, he said.

Even using a conservative estimate of two days per production, that means about $3.5 million, or $50,000 per day, was spent on local filming last year for salaries, lodging and extra services, according to AFCI estimates for an average budget commercial.

For high-budget commercials and movies that can take weeks to shoot, the money can amount to much more.

Filmmakers have been scouting the county for shooting locations ever since the South County's sand dunes doubled as the biblical desert scenes in movie producer Cecil B. Demille 1920s epic, "The Ten Commandments."

From small town America to the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Vietnam - San Luis Obispo County has played them all.

The vast majority of those productions are for commercials, particularly car and fashion shoots, Boyington said. In fact, this month kicks off the unofficial "car season," when new vehicle models are released and ad agencies scramble to put together brochures and commercials promoting them.

"Someone should really promote this location to people here in L.A.," she said. "It was really easy to film here, the people were very friendly, and it wasn't too expensive."

SLO scene is a magnet
The Tribune, Leslie E. Stevens

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

SLO Straw and Wine

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

A centuries-old building method is the latest in energy efficient technology for a Paso Robles winery.

Carmody McKnight Winery, which focuses on environmental stewardship, has begun construction of a barrel storage facility made primarily of straw bales covered in plaster. The thick walls should keep temperatures fairly constant, which is important for winemaking, and reduce energy costs by eliminating the need to install a refrigeration unit.

Additionally, straw bale construction helps recycle rice straw, an agricultural waste product that doesn't decompose easily.

"We like to say we're using nature's product to produce nature's product," said Greg Cropper, Carmody McKnight's winemaker and general manager.

Working with Atascadero-based sustainable building firm Semmes and Co., Cropper and winery owners Gary and Marian Conway began planning the 2,500-square foot building three years ago and expect it to be ready for use by fall.

If it's kept fairly sealed up, the facility should function like an aboveground cave, with temperatures at around 55 degrees.

This is comparable to temperatures at the neighboring Justin Vineyards and Winery's Isosceles Center, which has 40,000 square feet of underground gunite caves used for wine storage at 52 to 56 degrees. Justin winemaker Fred Holloway couldn't say how much the facility cost.

Neither would Cropper disclose the price tag of Carmody McKnight's new facility. However, he did say straw bale buildings are cheaper than underground caves. But his facility will be a third more expensive than a traditional warehouse with a cooling system, Cropper said.

"But our goal is the savings to the environment in using sustainable products as well as a reduction of as much as 90 percent of man-made energy to cool the building," he said.

Carmody McKnight isn't the only local winery to use straw bale construction.

The first California winery and commercial business to use straw bales was Claiborne & Churchill of San Luis Obispo. In 1995, Claiborne & Churchill constructed an approximately 3,000-square-foot building that serves as tasting room, winery and storage facility.

"We love it," said Clay Thompson, winemaker and co-owner of Claiborne & Churchill. "It saves money and energy and is good for the Earth. Plus it just feels good to be there, surrounded by those thick walls."

Straw bale buildings also do well in earthquakes, Thompson added. More than a year ago, the magnitude 6.5 San Simeon Earthquake shook Claiborne & Churchill's tanks and knocked barrels over, but Thompson didn't find a single crack in the building.

Thompson wouldn't reveal construction costs but said his building ended up being a little less than $100 per square foot cheaper than he what he would have paid for a structure with traditional wood siding.

He worked with San Luis Obispo architect Marilyn Miller Farmer of Habitat Studio Architecture on the design, which features 16-inch-thick walls.

Interest in straw bale construction has greatly increased in the 10 years since Thompson built his winery, Farmer said.

"Almost all of my clients come in interested in it," she said.

Farmer designs about three or four straw bale structures each year.

Straw has been used in construction for centuries. However, the first straw bale structures were built in the Midwest more than 100 years ago, when a shortage of lumber forced people to look for alternative construction methods.

Straw walls stand tall
The Tribune, Michaela Baltasar

To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

All Aboard the SLO Train

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Amtrak's trains are finally chugging through San Luis Obispo County after fierce winter weather damaged tracks and stalled railroad traffic for two months.

On Saturday, many of the Pacific Surfliner trains again rode the rails between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles.

Surfliner stops on the Central Coast also include Grover Beach, Guadalupe and Surf Beach near Lompoc.

All the trains were working along that route -- which stretches from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, by Sunday.

The other service that passes through the Central Coast -- the Coast Starlight, which goes from Los Angeles to Seattle -- is set to resume service today.

Recent mudslides near Moorpark and Santa Barbara caused train service to be temporarily suspended along the Pacific Surfliner route north of Los Angeles.

For more information, call (800) USA-RAIL.

All aboard! Trains roll again after being idled by Mother Nature

Read More

• April 2004
• May 2004
• June 2004
• July 2004
• August 2004
• September 2004
• October 2004
• November 2004
• December 2004
• January 2005
• February 2005
• March 2005
• April 2005
• May 2005
• June 2005
• July 2005
• August 2005
• September 2005
• October 2005
• November 2005
• December 2005
• January 2006
• February 2006
• March 2006
• April 2006
• May 2006
• June 2006
• July 2006
• February 2007