Metal thieves, beware: In response to the increasing rate of metal theft in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month signed a package of bills aimed at combating metal theft and illegal sales. From 2004 to 2005, the market value of metals—specifically copper and aluminum—increased significantly, leading to an increase of stolen metal from fire […]
AMY ASMAN
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It doesn’t always pay to be a ‘nice girl’
A local author explains ‘The Nice Girl Syndrome’ and its link to abuse and domestic violence
In her new book, The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused–—and Start Standing Up for Yourself, local author and veteran therapist Beverly Engel warns girls and women about being too “nice.” Being too nice, Engel writes, can be dangerous, because “nice girls” are more likely to be victimized—emotionally, physically, and sexually. Throughout her […]
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Nipomo High students help Mother Nature
A handful of Nipomo High School students worked over a recent weekend to enhance the Nipomo Creekside Preserve. Local volunteers joined members of the high school’s Progressive Club in an effort to help restore the preserve’s natural processes. The club has been helping with workdays at the preserve since 2006. Led by Land Conservancy Stewardship […]
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Million-volt Tesla coil comes to Orcutt
Danger Will Robinson! The Santa Cruz Institute of Particle Physics will bring a million-volt Tesla Coil to Orcutt Academy High School on Oct. 8. The coil, which looks like a cross between a robot and a giant generator, will be on display beginning at 1 p.m. at the Harold Black Sports Pavilion on the Orcutt […]
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Students learn about the importance of safety
Dozens of Santa Maria-Bonita School District students—kindergarteners through sixth-graders—learned all about being “Masters of Disaster” the week of Sept. 22, as part of a joint program between the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter and the district’s After School Education and Safety (ASES) program. Red Cross staffers made several presentations to the district’s elementary […]
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Make Adopt-a-Dog Month something to bark about
Throughout October, the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is paying tribute to “man’s best friend.” For the second year in a row, the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is using the national campaign to encourage community members to adopt a shelter dog. Shelter staff members are quick to list the benefits of adopting a dog, […]
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Farmers, environmentalists form a historic partnership
Following a much-talked about inaugural party on Sept. 22, the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance is already busy planning its first official meeting, during which alliance members plan to discuss some of the most important issues facing agriculture in the county. A specific date has yet to be announced, but Eric Cardenas, the alliance’s […]
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Hancock College to host suicide prevention forum
National Mental Health Awareness Week is fast approaching (mark your calendar for Oct. 5 through 11), and in order to educate the public about its importance, Allan Hancock College and the Glendon Association are holding a free public information forum called “Giving Voice to Hope: Stories of Survival and Change” on Oct. 7, at 6:30 […]
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Flying high
A Tommie Kunst teacher shares his zero-gravity experience with students
Who hasn’t dreamed of flying? That dream recently became a reality for Kurt Miltenberger, an eighth-grade algebra teacher at Tommie Kunst Junior High School in Santa Maria. Miltenberger was one of 54 California math and science teachers selected to participate in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program. The local teacher almost didn’t […]
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Creating a support system for cancer patients
Central Coast patients in need of specialized cancer treatment soon won’t have to travel out of the area, thanks to the shared vision of local oncologist Robert Dichmann and a local businessman and cancer survivor, Atul Patel. The two men, along with Patel’s father, are in the beginning stages of building an all-in-one, comprehensive cancer […]
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U.S. House passes bill approving offshore oil drilling
Late on the evening of Sept. 16, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 236-189 to approve a bill that would relax a longtime ban on offshore drilling. The bill would allow drilling 100 miles off of both the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. That distance would be cut in half to 50 miles if a state’s […]
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Paso City Council conditionally approves tri-county re-entry facility
On Sept. 16, officials from three counties let out sighs of relief after the Paso Robles City Council conditionally approved construction of a state-run re-entry facility on land adjacent to the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. The council voted 4-0, with Councilman John Hamon absent, in favor of building a 500-bed facility to rehabilitate inmates from […]