SanLuisObispo.com: News

Sanluisobispo.com launches redesigned site

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:43 PDT

We've worked hard to make all the news, information and features on sanluisobispo.com easier for you to use. Here’s a look at some of the changes you’ll find.

Navigation: Navigation to the sections has moved from the left side to the top, with the major ones featured in tabs across the page. Click on those to get to the sections or on the items listed horizontally below to go directly to more specific content. There's also a site map at the bottom of every page to help you find your way around, as well as the search bar up top.

Commenting and more: You'll still have the ability to comment on every story, but now you'll be able to track your activity, upload a photo, participate in blogs and forums and contact other users from a personal profile page. We'll be adding even more features to this in coming months.

Wine Notes: Booker Vineyard owner gave up OC life for winemaking

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:28 PST

By Janis Switzer -- Ten years ago, when Eric Jensen left his high-profile life as a concert-and-event promoter in Newport Beach, the self-described wine geek simply wanted a more bucolic experience growing grapes and living in quiet Paso Robles. With no viticulture experience, the 41-year-old bought 72 acres of rugged, rocky hillside and sought the advice of his Westside neighbors, especially good friends Pebble and Justin Smith of the James Berry Vineyard.

“Pebble Smith is, to me, the smartest guy on the Westside,” Jensen says. And of his son, Justin, “I owe him such a debt of gratitude.”

Today, Jensen is supplying grapes to some of the area’s most respected premium wineries and making wine under Booker Vineyard. He also is paying his debt of gratitude, by passing down his advice and leadership to another generation of wine enthusiasts who are working with him in his winery and tasting room.

Amateurs snap shots for real estate cyberscrapbook

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:11 PDT

By By Stephen Curran -- Since late last year, a team of amateur photographers has slowly fanned across San Luis Obispo County as they attempt to snap photos of every tract home, quaint bungalow and modest condominium in the region.

Their employer, ZAIO Corp., has launched an ambitious plan to catalog photos of every home in North America as part of a database of appraisals and other real estate records targeted at mortgage lenders and property brokers.

To do that, they have hired a small army of amateur photographers whose job is to take quick photos from nearby roads and other publicly accessible areas.