By SLO City Council Member, John Ashbaugh

Published in SLO Journal Plus, September 2010 (download PDF)

EACH YEAR IN MID–SUMMER, our City’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts the San Luis Obispo Triathlon in Sinsheimer Park. This event attracts 1,250 participants, mostly individuals but also teams of three.

The Triathlon involves a 1/2-mile swim at the City’s pool; a 15.1-mile bike ride through the scenic wine country along Orcutt Road; and a 3.1-mile run along the City’s Railroad Safety Trail, over the Jennifer Street Bridge and back up Johnson Avenue to Sinsheimer Park. This year’s winner was Chris Stehula with a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes and 53 seconds … No surprise there: 25-year old Chris has won this event seven years in a row. (more…)

By SLO City Council Member, John Ashbaugh

Published in SLO Journal Plus, April 2010 (download PDF)

SAN LUIS OBISPO IS NOT A “MUSEUM” – BUT OUR history is a vital part of our present vitality, and of our economic future.

In 1951, William Faulkner wrote: “The past is never dead. In fact, it’s not even past.” When it comes to historical buildings and sites, however, much of our nation’s history has indeed “died” -lost to neglect, demolition, or natural disasters.

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By JOHN ASHBAUGH

Published in the Tribune, November, 2009 (download PDF)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one – and you probably have, if you’re a fan oC”A Prairie Home Companion” – A guy walks into a bar, orders his beer and notices that guy next to him has a mangy-looking mutt at his feet. He asks his fellow barfly, “So, does your dog bite?”

“No” the fellow replies. Thus reassured, the man reaches down to pet the mutt and gels promptly and decisively bitten. I thought you said your dog doesn’t bite!” he complains. “He doesn’t,” says the barfly. “That’s not my dog.” (more…)