SanLuisObispo.com: Local

Magazine says Cal Poly among the best at preparing students for aerospace jobs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:30 PST

By Nick Wilson -- Cal Poly is the second-best university in the nation at preparing students for aerospace jobs, according to a survey by a popular aviation magazine.

The Aviation Week and Space Technology 2009 Workforce Study gathered feedback from 43 members of the Aerospace Industries Association in a report that ranked Cal Poly second along with Penn State University and Purdue University.

The aerospace companies ranked their top five colleges in the country based on reputation, alumni job performance and proximity of the college�s campus to the recruiting organization. Virginia Tech was the survey�s only top-ranked university.

In new book, Clarence Clemons says he met with Bruce Springsteen at Pozo Saloon

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:14 PST

By Patrick S. Pemberton -- You�d think someone would recognize Bruce Springsteen if he walked into the Pozo Saloon.

And if not Springsteen, then surely fellow E Street Band member Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life sax player known as �Big Man.�

�He�d be a memorable person,� said Rhonda Beanway, the saloon�s owner for 26 years. �But the saloon�s gotten more eclectic lately.�

Grandmother Standing Woman: Local Indian elder shares her traditions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:02 PST

By AnnMarie Cornejo -- Grandmother Standing Woman is a strong believer in tradition � and of preserving it by sharing it with others. An American Indian with ties to three tribes, she has spent nearly her entire life studying the ways of her elders and now passes that knowledge on to those around her.

On Thursday, she shared a small piece of what she has learned with a group of children at the Atascadero Library � bringing song, stories and her own handmade regalia to the discussion.

�Kids are our future, and as elders � all elders � we should be out there teaching,� she said.

Religious group takes on Darwin

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:22 PST

By Bob Cuddy -- An evangelical group handed out 1,000 free copies of Darwin�s �The Origin of Species� at Cal Poly Wednesday morning, but there was a hitch � the group�s version included a 50-page introduction discrediting the author and promoting its version of Christianity.

As many as 1,000 students on the campus received�the 150th anniversary edition of Charles Darwin�s historic work that set forth his ideas of evolution, according to Alan Peek of the religious group Living Waters, based in Southern California.

There were no conflicts, Peek said, whereas at some campuses the group�s effort was met with hostility. Some students accept the book and rip out the introduction, he wrote in an e-mail to The Tribune.

Biz Buzz: Natural food store expands its facilities

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:52 PST

A Templeton-based natural foods store and nursery is adding a second location in Atascadero and at the same time expanding to a larger location in Templeton.

Nature�s Touch Nursery and Harvest, owned and operated by Melanie Blankenship at 140 Seventh St. in Templeton for eight years, sells items such as grass-fed beef and fresh juices.

All products are grown or produced within California and are certified organic and naturally grown. Blankenship requires a soil analysis from all producers to guarantee that she only sells products of sustainable practices, she said.

Beginning steps taken for proposed prison site

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:57 PST

By Tonya Strickland -- Caltrans wants to prevent the possibility of aircraft radio interference and distracting lights at the proposed site of a medium-security prison adjacent to Paso Robles Municipal Airport.

Officials are in the beginning stages of a 10- to 12-month draft of an environmental impact report for the state-owned land formerly home to the El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility. That institution, which much of the community knew as a boys school, closed in June 2008.

The state transportation agency�s aeronautics division has concerns with the potential effects on safety for the airport and its pilots, according to a recent letter to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Prepare for rain tonight, next week

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:54 PST

Increasing clouds today will lead to rain by tonight, weather forecasters are predicting.

John Lindsey, community relations representative for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. in San Luis Obispo and a local forecaster, said a storm system has developed off the Oregon coast.

It is expected to slide southward today and should pass over San Luis Obispo County by this evening.

SLO County Roundup

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:50 PST

North County

A former Cal Poly wrestler pleaded no contest this week to charges of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing bodily injury in a crash in April on Highway 41 that killed two people.

Masson Blow, 19, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 19 by San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Dodie Harman.

Wine Notes: Judd Family Wines

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:30 PST

By Janis Switzer -- Ever since James Thurston Judd�s great-grandfather planted grapes on his Utah ranch and started quietly making wine for the Mormon Church, farming and wine have been Judd family traditions.

But after leaving Utah more than 50 years ago to pursue business opportunities in a wide range of industries, Judd thought farming was forever behind him. That was until 10 years ago, when faced with retirement and a decision about what to do with the future of his 80-acre apple farm and cattle ranch in San Miguel.

�None of the family wanted to do apples, and they weren�t that crazy about cattle, either,� Judd remembers. �So we said, �What are we going to put on here?� � His wife, Janis, offered a suggestion: �Why don�t we do grapes? There are grapes all around us now, so that must mean something!�

Candidate for governor visits SLO: Whitman wants to trim the fat

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:38 PST

By Bob Cuddy -- California GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman says she would �skinny down the bureaucracy� if she is elected, saving 12,000 jobs a year for three years by not hiring people to replace state employees who leave.

The proposal was one of several suggestions Whitman proposed for tackling the state�s budget crisis. A report issued by a legislative analyst on Wednesday predicted a $20.7 billion budget deficit in the coming fiscal year.

Whitman, one of the leading candidates for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, stopped by Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday evening to speak with supporters. The event was co-sponsored by the county Republican Party and the Lincoln Club.

Does the IRS still owe you a refund? Search our database to find out

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:39 PST

Search for your name or your ZIP code to see if you're owed a tax refund check.

Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.

Lender may stall Weyrich foreclosures

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:34 PST

By Melanie Cleveland -- Although prominent businessman David Weyrich is facing a public auction on some of his key properties Friday, the rest of his county holdings may be safe from the auction block � for now.

Foreclosure is pending on Weyrich properties held under the Martin Weyrich LLC umbrella, including the Paso Robles winery bearing his name, the luxury inn Villa Toscana, York Mountain Winery and Edna Valley�s Jack Ranch Vineyard.

If he does not produce about $20 million, creditor Transamerica Financial Life Insurance will auction the properties Friday on the steps of the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse.

Cal Poly-Saudi Arabia deal falls through

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:33 PST

By Nick Wilson -- Cal Poly�s proposed deal to develop an engineering program at a Saudi Arabian university has fallen through in part because of a disagreement over language in the contract.

Saudi Arabian officials backed out of a partnership after attempts to hammer out a contract satisfactory to both sides failed, said Susan Opava, Cal Poly�s dean of research and graduate programs.

The deal would have paid Cal Poly $5.9 million to help set up a program in four engineering fields at the state-run Jubail University College.

Biz Buzz: Wineman Hotel marks its opening

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:04 PST

The newly refurbished Wineman Hotel marked its grand opening Wednesday with the lighting of the newly installed, historic marquee sign on Higuera and Chorro streets.

The mixed-use building at 839-849 Higuera St. has been undergoing a seismic-safety retrofit and renovation since mid-February. After about 15 years without residents, the second and third floors now offer 47 mixed-income studio apartments ranging in size from 160 to 230 square feet and subsidized so that the rents will be between $580 and $850 per month.

Twenty-seven of the units are low income and available for those earning a maximum annual income of $39,650. Three will be very-low income, or affordable to individuals earning a maximum annual income of $24,800. Seventeen will be available at market rate for those who have a maximum annual income of $59,450.

Charles Paddock Zoo may get renamed

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:09 PST

By AnnMarie Cornejo -- A preliminary discussion has started on the possible renaming of Atascadero�s zoo in order to better suit the city�s budding regional tourism campaign.

The city Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss the options tonight for the Charles Paddock Zoo. Alternative names include �Atascadero Zoo� or the �Central Coast Zoo� to make it more marketable to communities outside the area.

Commissioner Tom Zirk, who introduced the topic, will lead the discussion. The change is necessary, he said, to best promote the zoo.

Study finds few female execs at state firms

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:52 PST

By Don Thompson -- SACRAMENTO � The corporate glass ceiling remains firmly in place at companies based in California, according to a study released Wednesday.

The University of California, Davis, study found women account for about 10 percent of executives and board members at the 400 largest publicly traded companies headquartered in California. The findings have changed little since the first survey in 2005.

�Unfortunately, we�ve seen virtually no progress,� said Steven Currall, dean of the university�s Graduate School of Management. �Our findings paint a somewhat disappointing picture.�

Michael LeBrun named interim district manager of the Nipomo Community Services District

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:45 PST

By David Sneed -- Michael LeBrun has been named the interim general manager of the Nipomo Community Services District.

LeBrun was named to the post Wednesday by the district�s board of directors. He replaces Bruce Buel, who recently retired because of cancer.

LeBrun will start on Nov. 30 and will be in place until a permanent general manager is named, said Lisa Bognuda, assistant general manager.

SLO County Roundup

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:51 PST

Shandon

New buildings, expanded restroom facilities and parking upgrades are on the way for the rest stop off Highway 46 East near the Highway 41 interchange.

Paid for in part by the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $2.9 million project will close the Shandon Roadside Rest Area for a year.

Judge denies rancher�s appeal: Dan De Vaul won�t get new day in court

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:48 PST

By Nick Wilson -- Dan De Vaul, the San Luis Obispo County rancher convicted on two charges of violating building safety and vehicle storage codes, was denied a new trial Tuesday.

Superior Court Judge Michael Duffy ruled against De Vaul and his lawyers, who had argued that misconduct by jurors and Judge John Trice tainted the verdict.

De Vaul�s sentencing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday in Trice�s courtroom. He faces a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a year in County Jail.

Man claims dog tripped him, caused him to fatally shoot wife

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:12 PST

By Nick Wilson -- A 25-year-old San Miguel man accused of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his wife told a sheriff�s investigator his dog ran underneath his feet, tripping him and causing the handgun to mistakenly fire at her.

John Aaron Norris was in Superior Court on Tuesday for the start of his preliminary hearing � which is scheduled to resume Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Judge Michael Duffy�s courtroom.

Norris has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge and to allegedly possessing an illegal weapon at his home � a semiautomatic rifle found by investigators.