Thai in Morro and more -- news and notes from the week

Morro Bay is getting a popular Thai restaurant at the loss of the former International Cafe. Jasmine Thai, forced out of its Atascadero spot because of highway construction, will move into the space. Read more about the move here then check out our Dining Out story on the restaurant from a little while back.

Orchid Hill has joined the growing number of tasting rooms in downtown Paso. Read Janis Switzer's Wine Notes on the winery and its unexpected start here.

In my excitment over SLO's Roll Out the Barrels this weekend, I neglected to mention it's also the 15th annual Hospice Du Rhone, the largest celebration of Rhone varietals in the world. Janis gives you the low-down -- tickets are still available for this afternoon's Library Tasting and Saturday's Grand Tasting -- and a run-down of the other downtown Paso tasting rooms.

Rather have your own winery? Five Rivers Winery -- one of the county's largest operations -- is up for sale. Tribune business staffer Melanie Cleveland writes: "Wine industry expert Barbara Insel said the sale could be a sign of Paso Robles’ increasingly good fortunes — and an opportunity for the next buyer to focus more specifically on a Paso Robles regional brand." Read the rest of her story here.

If you've been wanting to play "the poor man's Pebble Beach" -- the county-run Morro Bay Golf Course near the ocean, you may want to do it now. Maintenance and funding problems have been plaguing the course and threaten to shut it down. The county supervisors take up the issue next week. Read more about it http://www.sanluisobispo.com/183/story/33145.html.

The SLO airport is seeking the addition of a direct flight to Sacramento. With the addition of direct flights to Salt Lake City in June, this would be another expansion of options for flying out of SLO.

Dining Out this week takes up tacos and the best stands to find them. So seek out these spots if you're craving a little taste of Mexico.

Fans of the Mighty Croon Dogs are mourning the unexpected death this week of lead singer Laura "Mo" Carvalho. Along with our story on Carvalho, we've got an audio slideshow of Carvlho singing with the band.