PHILLIP 66 TRAIN SPUR

While I was driving around this past weekend I noticed the No Oil Train Signs posted here and there. Perplexed as to what they mean. I spent a few hours learning what the issues are. Bottom line is the Phillips 66 refinery in Santa Maria is petitioning to link a track from their current location to the mail line track which travels along Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo.

The organization who is mounting an effort to stop the spur from attaching to the mail line is ProtectSlo.org click here for the website

Of all the lings I read this exserpt from Calcoastnews.com's opinion piece By LAURANCE SHINDERMAN and TOM RYAN

More than 56 public and private schools are in the blast zone as well as major hospitals and public safety facilities. These hospitals that are in the blast zone would have to be evacuated should there be an explosion with a debris field of toxic ash raining down; thus where would those needing treatment go?

That’s why more than 22 municipalities and school districts along the mainline including: Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Fremont, as well as the National Education Association and the local Lucia Mar Teachers Association and California Nurses Association have written letters to the SLO Planning Commission and County Supervisors in opposition to this dangerous project. Simply stated; lives matter, not profits.

Phillips 66 has repeatedly included comments in their corporate publications that higher profits from cheaper crude oil are the reason for bringing in oil by rail. This is a project that benefits the singular interests of one large multinational company, Phillips 66, the sixth largest company on the Fortune 500, while putting at risk the health, safety and financial well being of thousands of residents along the UPRR mainline.

Click here for the full article.

If this many residents are speak out against the spur it can't be good for the locals but the oil companies are well versed in getting what they want. 

MORRO BAY TSUNAMI VIDEO

photo courtesy of the Morro Bay Historical Society.

Mike Jones owner of Azhiaziam (surf and apparel shop) who is a Morro Bay resident filmed the Tsunami which hit the Central Coast on March 11, 2011.

The footage is quite interesting to watch. For those of you that know the bay, the water comes in via one small opening near the town's famed rock. When the tide is moving either up or down it is more like a river. Imagine what its like when there is a massive wave. Video below.

Tidal Wave From the Japanese 8.9 Earthquake

FOOTBALL PREVIEW - LOMPOC AT ARROYO GRANDE 2015

Every week I will look for the best match up of the week and provide interviews, statistics and who should win the game. This Zero Week contest pits

 The Arroyo Grande Eagles varsity football team will be favored on Friday night for both teams 2015 season opener. But the Eagles have struggled while playing the Braves in past years. This match up pits two of the areas elite football programs. AG is led by a Junior QB while the other is led by an All-League MVP senior QB. The Eagles signal caller is a much better passer than his counter part but the Braves QB can do a bit of everything including outrun most players who will try to contain him. The running game for AG will be a power one while Lompoc will use multiple options as they have in years past.

  

Here is the full  interview by Joe Bailey of the SM Times. The final few minutes the players discuss the zero week contest with Arroyo Grande.

Santa Maria Times interview - Torry Smims LPL MVP QB and Toa Taua RB/LB 

2014 CIF Playoff Preview Story

2014 CIF Playoff game story

SLOCALSPORTS- High School Football - 21 November 2014 
CIF Southern Section - Northern Division Quarterfinal 
Doug Hitchen Stadium - Arroyo Grande, CA

AG 28 - Lompoc 3 

The CIF Northern Division Quarterfinal contest was the first time the senior class was able to defeat a Lompoc football team. While AG is the favorite, they are the home as well as ranked #1 in the division. 

AG should win by double digits.

SOUP BOILS OVER - DAY TWO 25TH STONE SOUP FEST - GROVER BEACH

Day two of the 25th Annual Stone Soup Festival in Grover Beach California 2015. Video enclosed. This is Sunday's performance. English Beat was the night prior.

 

ENGLISH BEAT VIDEO - GROVER BEACH

I arrived at the 25th annual Stone Soup Festival near 5:45 as I was interested in getting a good viewing location for the closing band the English Beat. My early arrival payed dividends as I stood 3 feet from the stage. I have added a few video clips below. You will see Annie in the white shirt dancing on stage!

The falafel was outstanding.

SOUP IS ON IN GROVER BEACH - ENGLISH BEAT

Saturday and Sunday's musical acts on two stages.

The musical line up for the 25th annual Stone Soup Music Festival and Street Faire is sure to get Grover Beach locals out to Ramona St. Park today. The kicker is it is FREE! The English Beat played in July to a standing room only crowd at the Slo Brew in San Luis Obispo. The ticket price for that event was $25. The event  is scheduled for Saturday, August 22: 10 am to 9 pm & Sunday August 23: 11 am to 5 pm

The Festival is designed to celebrate diversity though music, food, arts and crafts. World class musicians from throughout California are scheduled to perform. Two stages ensure music flows uninterrupted from 10 am to 9:30 pm on Saturday and from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

Beer and wine are served 

Doggy Parade on Sunday, August 23. Visit www.aggbchamber.com for more info. Retail Vendors still needed. Contact the AGGB Chamber office to reserve your spot now.

I will have a follow up post after the show with additional photos and video.

There is plenty of free street parking in the area. 

ARROYO REVENGE - LOMPOC - CIF FOOTBALL

It is said that defense wins championships. If that holds true the Eagles of Arroyo Grande are surely in the drivers seat as the have only given up 3 points in their two post season games.

Arroyo Grande High School prior to Friday night had not beaten Lompoc since 2010 including a week one loss. 

That is a statement which can no longer be made as they ran, passed and played nasty defense on way to a 28-3 throttling of Lompoc High School. 

The Eagles did fall behind 3-0 on the Braves opening drive. Lompoc score was set up by a 32 yard pass which set up the field goal to take the lead.

AG's Jordan Harrigan a 6'0 and 200lb running back rambled for a 50 yard bust up the middle with a cut back for a score and the kick was good. The score moves to 7-3 Arroyo Grande midway through the second quarter. Lompoc failed to drive and was forced to punt.

A second and 8 pass interference from the 16 by Lompoc and a unsportsmanlike call led to a Joey De La Rosa running play for the touchdown. 14-3 with 2:20 to play in the half.

Lompoc answered with a 45 yard pass play beating the AG secondary to the 26 yardline on their next possession. AG answered with their biggest play of the half which was a sack near midfield with 14 seconds going into the half. Lompoc was forced to punt. The scoreboard read 14-3 at the half. 

The a Eagles drive on the opening drive to a 4th and 4 from Lompoc 30. May lofted the ball that resulted in Lompoc batting the ball down. AG's Alex Cecchi defensive back picked off an errant Lompoc pass with under 7 min to play in the third. AG's Griffin Lintner bounced outside for the score moving the scoarboard to 21-3. 

Cecchi who was big on defense also dotted the "i" in win with a fourth quarter scamper moving the score to 28-3. The Lompoc fans began the adventure home as the filed out of the stands.