The Morro Bay High School Music Boosters held a music celebration for the choir and band students and families. I had a lot of great help and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. The Los Osos Chamber of Commerce let us borrow their Hawaiian decorations. Albertsons of Morro Bay donated food and Ralph’s of Los Osos donated paper goods.

Elliott Gong made a wonderful video that showed all the activities that were done by both the band and choir for the year. I was also thankful to have some wonderful parents who helped plan the celebration as well as decorate and clean up. I would like to thank Rosemary Hollis, Marie Hollenbeck, Susan Quirk, Chris Kellett and Julie Gibson. And thank you to all the wonderful people who helped decorate, clean up and bring cookies. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/782615.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/782615.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:53 PDT In a tough economy, this was the last thing our many struggling businesses needed. After so much talk about the need for “special events” for Morro Bay, I can’t believe that the biggest weekend of the year for sales was blown.

I have personally fielded dozen of complaints from locals and tourists alike, who either came and were severely disappointed or didn’t come at all and chose Cayucos or Pismo because of fireworks shows. It’s just what we need: More of our tourists and locals are spending money in other coastal towns. (Are we seeing a pattern here?) ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/781698.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/781698.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:38 PDT Elderly drivers

What to do with an elderly relative who insists on driving but is no longer capable? Ellen Goodman had some thoughts about this in the July 3 Tribune. She urges conversations, rather than legislation. That sounds good, but it is hard to broach this subject. I bet my family was not the only one to put off taking away the car keys.

My dad, a Maryland resident, had Alzheimer’s and was no longer a safe driver. Though my mother was afraid when he drove, she just cringed in the passenger seat, white-knuckled and dreading both the accident she feared and the conversation about his driving privileges that would signify his loss of control.]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/781680.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/781680.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:25 PDT — Anonymous online reader

A: This question was posted on a recent Tribune story on our Web site about the Morro Bay woman who died after being found in her bathtub. The reader apparently thought our Web site (sanluisobispo.com) was a blog and called our reporter a blogger.]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/780946.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/780946.html Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:48 PDT Evaluate Bible’s claims

Recently The Tribune reported a Georgia congressman proposing President Obama designate 2009 “the year of the Bible.” Maybe a better idea is to designate 2009 as the year to actually read the Bible to evaluate key biblical truth claims in light of mankind’s current knowledge of human history.

A few of the many biblical truth claims to evaluate include:]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/780253.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/780253.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:57 PDT Healthy choices

I was disappointed with your opposition to the state’s new menu labeling law. Eating a poor diet and being overweight are contributors to many serious diseases, like cancer.

If we are going to fight disease and get healthcare costs under control, we need to find ways to help people make healthier choices. This is exactly what the new menu labeling law does and why the American Cancer Society co-sponsored the bill that required this change. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/779197.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/779197.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:38 PDT Neglecting future

Why is it that whenever a government agency wants to reduce costs it seems always to start with cuts that impact the future — our children — the most? Healthy Kids, First 5, schools, mental health and other programs will be drastically reduced. Prisons and prison personnel can always be financed and prisoners have access to more health care than homeless and senior persons.

By neglecting our children, our state legislators ensure that there will always be money to expand or build new prisons and assured employment for prison guards, who need only a high school diploma to be eligible for training, the same as a fast food server!]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/778069.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/778069.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:24 PDT Smart growth burden

In response to the Charles Carlson “smart growth” commentary of June 30: So, now we are supposed to be extremely concerned about future families and seniors who will be moving to our area and their ability to know in advance which communities would be most compatible with their needs?

My elderly blood is at the boiling point. We have worn out many a bootstrap in our lifetime of hard work. Now, because of our labor and fortitude, we can work and live a humble life in a great community. We have and are still working hard to fulfill our own family’s needs and will probably never be able to fully retire because we have accepted that living our dream will be costly. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/778064.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/778064.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:17 PDT Born and educated in her native Peru, Isabel P. Ruiz was trained as a physician and completed her residency there as an OB/GYN before following her fiancé to San Luis Obispo, where they married. 

For more than three decades, Ruiz worked to help local people access and use the health-care system, to advocate for the rights of the underrepresented, and to educate and inform all people, but especially women and members of the Latino community. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/776765.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/776765.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:30 PDT A respite earned

The fourth-graders from Georgia Brown Elementary School in Paso Robles recently went to Sacramento on a three-day field trip. I, along with the other parents, would like to thank Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Bland and Mr. Martinez for organizing this trip.

These students toured Sutter’s Fort, the California Capitol, the state Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento. They stayed and dined at Sacramento State University, where they were given a private tour of the campus. These fourth-graders experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about our state and create memories that are priceless!]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/775553.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/775553.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:50 PDT At least its final report did not include the numerous misstatements and erroneous information evident in the initial report. The implication remains that the Adelaida Cemetery Board lacks members who are “knowledgeable of the relevant law and responsibilities.”

The Adelaida Cemetery board are members in good standing with the California Association of Public Cemeteries. We make every reasonable effort to keep informed on pertinent issues and have the utmost respect for our 135-year-old cemetery. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/775552.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/775552.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:48 PDT Use turn signals

As a long-time former professional driver, my forever frustration is with drivers who do not use turn signals.

What does it take for someone to simply turn on the signal before turning the wheel? Let those either behind you or coming toward you know your intention. It’s a very simple driving rule — and it’s the law! ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/774390.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/774390.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:34 PDT Thanks from Altrusa

This is to express thanks from the Altrusa Club of San Luis Obispo to the donors and participants who contributed to the success of its recent golf tournament at Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course.

The best ball format was enjoyed by a great group of golfers, as was the early breakfast table and barbecue lunch following play.]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/773654.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/773654.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:39 PDT Rethinking government

If there’s a silver lining to the state budget crisis, it is that we are being forced to rethink the way government operates. Rather than repeat the failed ideas of the past, like raising taxes and mortgaging our children’s future, some state lawmakers like Sam Blakeslee are coming up with innovative solutions.

For instance, Assemblyman Blakeslee’s ACA 3, which recently cleared its first policy committee hurdle, would bring real fiscal accountability to the process of passing state general obligation bonds measures. … something that’s been missing for years.]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772084.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772084.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:17 PDT Let’s enjoy our ritual

Bird-brains in Morro Bay are snuffing Fourth of July fireworks because it might ruffle the feathers of our fine feathered friend, the snowy plover.

Plumage over patriotism. What a bunch of loons. Just another example of environmental lunacy on parade. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772073.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772073.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:09 PDT Cheers for lasers

I see many letters from people who are indignant that Morro Bay is skipping the fireworks this year. Well, I’m thrilled!

I live in Morro Bay Heights, and the fireworks have been an annual nightmare at my house, dreaded for weeks beforehand. It is as though the house is being bombed. I think about the British in World War II. My cats are terrified. There’s no place to hide.]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772065.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772065.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:03 PDT Not getting rich

Several things saddened me about the article entitled “Group home under fire” (June 7).

First, doesn’t front-page coverage and good journalism warrant coverage of the other side of the story? You admitted all the charges of the neighbor in question were unsubstantiated. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772063.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/772063.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:00 PDT In fact, it is where we should invest to build our state’s future economy. The proposed cuts to education are huge and ongoing.

The recent editorial decrying the closing of state parks as bad for business was appropriate. ]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/770973.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/770973.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:07 PDT Lyme awareness

Thank you for your June 2 article, “Beauty in Pain.” I have struggled with Lyme and another tick-borne illness for four years.

People are unaware of how common, and serious, tick-borne illnesses including Lyme disease can be. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the Lyme is under-reported, and spreading, with new cases ranging from 140,000 to 220,000 each year. Lyme is now the fastest-growing infectious disease in the United States, ahead of AIDS. California is one of the top 10 states for Lyme. You can get more information and prevention tips at www.lymedisease.org]]> http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/770970.html http://www.sanluisobispo.com/letters-to-the-editor/story/770970.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:03 PDT They don’t get it

The letter from the state worker in the June 25 Tribune is amazing.

These guys don’t get it. Six million private sector workers have lost their jobs in the last year, and government employees are complaining about taking a pay cut that is being offset by time off. Give me a break. ]]>