Cover Story
The hot seat: The 24th District Congressional seat is open for the first time in 18 years, and it has attracted a bevy of candidates
It’s 2016, and it’s an election year. Not only does that include a presidential race, but also one for California’s 24th Congressional District, which is completely up for grabs. In April 2015, Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced her retirement, leaving open a seat she’s held for the Democratic Party for the past 18 years. She…
Diablo Canyon evacuation plans inadequate, report says
After an earthquake-triggered tsunami damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan on March 11, 2011, causing the release of radioactive material, it got some people thinking: Could people be adequately evacuated if the same thing happened at Diablo Canyon Power Plant? In a report issued on March 10, Washington D.C.-based watchdog group Disaster…
Chumash chairman resigns, heads to culinary school
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ longtime leader is resigning, packing his bags, and moving to New York for culinary school—an unexpected move from Vincent Armenta. Armenta, who held the position of tribal chairman for 17 years, announced his resignation on March 17. He will now pursue an education at the Culinary Institute…
Learn silk painting at Valley Art Gallery in Orcutt
The Valley Art Gallery presents Friday Fun Night featuring a silk painting experience with member artist Beverly Johnson (pictured), who will demonstrate and lead participants in silk painting on March 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. The Valley Art Gallery is located at 1108 E. Clark Ave., suite 170, Orcutt. More info: 937-2278 or valleygallery.org.
Santa Maria Arts Council presents Student Art Show
The Santa Maria Arts Council welcomed the talents of local art students for display as part of the council’s 36th annual Student Arts Show, currently on display at the Santa Maria Town Center. Teachers of students from grades seven through 12 were invited to select student work in the categories of drawing, painting, design, and…
Santa Maria Civic Theatre features local playwright in reader’s theatre production
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre will present a reader’s theatre production of a play penned by local drama teacher from Righetti High School Dixie Arthur (pictured right) titled The Stepfather, which will show March 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. at the theater. The two-act play features 10 actors reading from scripts, explained Meg Smith…
Tunes for everyone: Diane Byington teaches music to babies and toddlers with Music Together classes in the Santa Ynez valley
Tiny little hands clutch colorful egg-shaped shakers. Babies not yet walking gripp drum sticks. Notes ring out from Xylophones struck by children still unable to form complete sentences. This is just a regular day for Diane Byington—a local music instructor and owner of the Solvang Conservatory—who leads regular Music Together classes in the Santa Ynez…
Honey Paper in Los Olivos showcases photos of Karen Gearhart-Jensen
View images from the exhibit Paper, Plant, Sun. So many breakthroughs in creative work are the result of accidents or coincidence. The current body of work by Los Alamos-based artist Karen Gearhart-Jensen is no exception, nor is the circumstance that led it to show at Honey Paper in Los Olivos. On a recent sunny morning,…
Political Watch 3/17/2016
• As a result of a law authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), California just launched the state’s first recognition program to encourage healthy eating and exercise in after school programs. Applications from after school programs are now being accepted by the California Department of Education for the California Distinguished After School Health (DASH)…
Community Notebook 3/17/16 – 3/24/16
TUESDAY, MARCH 22 • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. • The Lompoc Unified School District has its board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center Board Room, 1301 N. A St., Lompoc. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 •…
SMPD investigate March 13 ‘gang-related’ shooting on Newlove
The Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) is investigating a shooting in the Newlove Drive area of Santa Maria that occurred during the evening of March 13. According to SMPD Sgt. Andy Magallon, officers were called to investigate a report of gunshots heard in the 300 block of Newlove around 9:20 p.m. When they arrived, they…
What public office would you run for and why?
Julian Carlson-Kanach student “I would probably run for school board, because a lot of schools in this district don’t have enough electives, and I want a good education with more options.” Mateo Ramirez student “I would like to run for school board, too, because we do need more activities in the schools.” Brady Smith student…
We were there
Rarely does it happen that you’re in the right place when something happens. I mean something big, something fun, and something that makes a fantastic cocktail party story. It’s never like, “I was having a drink at the bar, and in walks Bill Murray and he bought everyone a round of drinks.” That just doesn’t…
Great American Melodrama wags its tail with ‘A Dog’s Life’
A dog can be anyone’s best friend, not just man’s. They befriend men and women, children, other dogs, and sometimes even cats. The incredible mindset and temperament of the canine is the subject of A Dog’s Life, currently showing at the Great American Melodrama in Oceano, which explores the subject with wit, humor, music, and…
Authentic Cuban, rain or shine: Cubanissimo food truck hits the ground rolling in Santa Maria
At 12:41 p.m. on a recent Friday, I stood behind waiting customers at the Cubanissimo food truck. I propped up an umbrella with freezing fingers and fumbled with my armful of notebook, pen, recorder, and camera. The truck, whose paint job sported a tangle of cheery colors, stood bright against the solid gray sky. Rainwater…
Trevor Garcia
Pitching a perfect game or no-hitter in baseball is the dream outcome for most pitchers, but the feat is so hard to pull off that very few pitchers actually get to live the result. Santa Maria High School sophomore Trevor Garcia, however, is lucky enough to have thrown a no-hitter not just once—but twice. Garcia…
Hancock women’s aquatic programs provide opportunity for junior college students
Mike Ashmore knows a thing or two about competitive swimming in Santa Maria. From serving as coach and general manager of the Santa Maria Swim Club since 1999, Ashmore repeatedly noticed a glaring opportunity gap for young swimmers in Santa Maria when the important transition from high school to college came around. “At the club,…
Hartmann is a local asset
This note is in support of the candidacy for election of Joan Hartmann as a supervisor for the county of Santa Barbara. I believe and value her honest integrity and her good and likable character. I have had the pleasure of knowing her for several years and have found her bright and cheerful, polite and…
Porter needs to get the facts straight
I’d like to correct an error that was made at the 3rd District candidate forum, March 9. Bruce Porter said the Goleta Union School District is in financial trouble because of revenues lost when the platforms shut down after the Refugio oil spill. This does not fit the published facts. The 2015-2016 Goleta Union School…
Teacher shortage a concern to all
From New York to California, and seemingly everywhere in between, the bad news proliferates: We’re falling short of teachers. In California, the situation has been described as “horrific” and “dire.” A new report, Addressing California’s Emerging Teacher Shortage, analyzes the sources and solutions to this major challenge. The problem is clearly based on supply and…
Keep your eyes open
Is it over yet? Can I open my eyes? Oh wait, it hasn’t even started yet, has it? You know what I’m talking about because you’re thinking the same thing. Election season. It seems like it’s been going on forever. And yet, as good citizens we have to remain awake and attentive through it all—and…
Spotlight on: C.A.R.E.4Paws
C.A.R.E.4Paws has had a presence in Santa Barbara and Lompoc and has watched its efforts to control the pet population make a difference. So naturally representatives of the nonprofit wanted to expand its reach. This month they’ll start offering free and low-cost services in Guadalupe. On March 19, C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a clinic at the…
Reading and team building showcased at Battle of the Books
Students from 12 Santa Maria-Bonita School District elementary schools participated in the district’s Battle of the Books event on Friday, March 11, at the district office. More than 100 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students tested their knowledge of 30 books on a required reading list. This year’s reading list included classics like The Black Stallion…
Literacy is the focus in Guadalupe
Literacy took center stage in Guadalupe on Friday night, March 11, at Mary Buren Elementary School, when more than 30 parents, who call themselves THRIVE Community Changers, put on the fourth annual Literacy Theatre. The event, which is designed to increase opportunities through literacy, featured a theatrical play, storytelling, free books, and other positive messages.…
Saints Jazz Ensemble hits high note
Hitting a solid groove that would’ve made Duke Ellington himself smile, the Santa Maria High School Jazz Ensemble clinched first place, its second consecutive triumph, at the Jazz in Paradise II Competition in Goleta. The Saints’ saxophone section also was chosen in the Outstanding category and Francisco Chicas won an Outstanding Soloist award during the…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Right on the heels of the Oscars came another highly anticipated awards program. The Women’s Network of Santa Maria Valley has made its mark with its annual Women of Excellence Awards. Santa Maria had long been remiss in recognizing the talents and contributions of the women of the community, and the Women’s Network has done…
Central coast ag sector aims to thrive in dry spell
Climate change looms over California agriculture, threatening increased invasive pest problems, fewer winter chill hours, more saltwater intrusion, and weaker flood resistance. On the Central Coast, drought and temperature increase have become the most prevalent dangers to the area’s typically rich farmland. Studies show projected climate-related declines in California crop yields, pressuring growers to adapt.…
Santa Maria summer parks program shortens hours, expands outreach
Plans are falling into place for a new kids’ summer program from Santa Maria’s Recreation and Parks Department, which will replace the city’s usual summer day camp. Recreation Division Manager Teresa Reyburn said the new program, called Safe and Strong All Summer Long, will provide free childcare for kids aged 6 through 12 at city…
Snowy plover nesting season faces threat from beach traffic, drought
March kicks off nesting season for the endangered western snowy plover, a shore bird whose beach nesting habitats are protected along the West Coast. For many Santa Barbara County beaches, the season signifies closures or restrictions until the end of September as part of a program to protect nesting snowy plovers from foot traffic. Surf,…
