CalCoastNews Contributor

Dave Congalton

Dave Congalton is a radio talk show host.

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Concert Review: Sting at the Hollywood Bowl

By DAVID CONGALTON Let me cut to the chase. I went to the Hollywood Bowl last Tuesday night, my first visit ever to the magical venue, and saw my first concert ever with Sting, backed not by his Police mates, but by the Royal bloody Philharmonic Orchestra out of London. 26 songs, including 4 encores. […]... (Continue Reading)

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Video Pick: Coyote

By DAVID CONGALTON Steve is 31, already retired, and bored with life. He made his money quick and easy as a successful Tucson entrepreneur. Now he plays golf, lectures other young wannabe Donald Trumps and acts bemused as his beautiful fiance, Katie, worries over every detail of their impending wedding. This golden boy has it […]... (Continue Reading)

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The Boys at New Times and Ms. Velie

By DAVID CONGALTON Allow me to expand on a Comment I posted this morning under the story by Karen Velie entitled “New Times, Old Photo.” The article has generated many comments, some directed at me for deleting some comments I had originally posted about the controversy. So here is my response to all the Anonymice […]... (Continue Reading)

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Dining Out: The Neon Carrot

By DAVID CONGALTON I am but a poor media peon, so The Park was one of those wonderful San Luis Obispo restaurants normally out of my budget. I could go if others were paying, or it was a truly special occasion, but basically I learned to worship the food of chef Maegen Loring from a […]... (Continue Reading)

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Travel: Catalina calling

By DAVID CONGALTON it is almost May, so thoughts once again turn towards Santa Catalina Island. Charlotte and I have been making yearly pilgrimages to Catalina since 1995, mostly in May for our wedding anniversary. Heading for Catalina has become an old habit. We love the place. We’ve been there in May. And also several […]... (Continue Reading)

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Discovering Hearst Castle at your own pace

By DAVID CONGALTON Last Friday afternoon, I was part of the first group to participate in Hearst Castle’s new self-guided Gardens and Vistas Tour, arguably the most dramatic change in visitor policy since the castle first opened to the public in 1958. On this brand new tour, which officially begins on Friday, March 19, you […]... (Continue Reading)

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Concert Review: Elton John and Billy Joel

BY DAVID CONGALTON The Elton John-Billy Joel “Face 2 Face” concert tour has been the largest grossing act on the circuit for the last few years, and it’s not tough to understand why. Take the two top pop piano players around, aging as they may be. Put them on stage for more than three hours. […]... (Continue Reading)

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Movie Review: Crazy Heart

BY DAVID CONGALTON You have seen this movie before. Many times. In some ways, “Crazy Heart” is the cinematic twin of last year’s “The Wrestler.” Stop me if you’ve heard this one before—aging former wrestling/country music legend hits rock bottom and seeks redemption and past glory, assisted by a younger woman with a heart of […]... (Continue Reading)

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Dining Out: Sunday Brunch at McPhee’s

BY DAVID CONGALTON We’ve developed a new monthly ritual at our house — once a month, we hop in the car, cruise up to Avila Beach and enjoy Sunday champagne brunch at McPhee’s. People on the Central Coast who enjoy good food certainly know about Ian McPhee by now. He graduated from Cal Poly, where […]... (Continue Reading)

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The curse of Cuesta College

BY DAVID CONGALTON Baseball buffs are familiar with the “Curse of the Bambino.” True believers insist that the Boston Red Sox went 86 years without winning a World Series as punishment for selling Babe Ruth, “The Bambino,” to the New York Yankees in 1919. I submit that there has been a similar “Curse of Cuesta […]... (Continue Reading)

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