JEREMY THOMAS
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Perfection in the pool

Nipomo boys’ water polo team heads to CIF playoffs in the afterglow of a first-ever league title
by JEREMY THOMAS

After a comeback win in the finale of the Los Padres League tournament against Cabrillo on Nov. 3, Nipomo High’s water polo team rushed head coach Justin Jewell, sending him into the Paul Nelson pool, fully clothed. It was a fitting dénouement to a thrilling season for the Titans, who finished unbeaten in the league […]

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Layoffs coming to Vandenberg

by JEREMY THOMAS

Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base announced on Nov. 2 they will cut nearly 100 civilian jobs within the next year under directives issued by the U.S. Department of Defense. As part of an overall restructuring of the U.S. Air Force, Vandenberg must eliminate 62 jobs by April 1, 2012, and 35 more by Oct. […]

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Take a hike at Las Flores

by JEREMY THOMAS

Local residents can find nature in their own backyard during docent-led walks at Los Flores Ranch Park, held on the second Saturday of every month. Docents will lead attendees along the park’s beginner and intermediate trails from 10 a.m. to noon, pointing out plant life, geology, and wildlife. The walks start promptly at 10 a.m., […]

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The city of karts and dragsters?

With a bevy of local support, Lompoc Motorsports Park revs up to reality
by JEREMY THOMAS

The concept of a multipurpose auto racing complex in Lompoc isn’t a new one, but for the next few months, supporters of the Lompoc Valley Motorsports Park will be driving their best laid plans into the final lap. The park has become the pet project of Carl Creel, a lifelong racing fan who envisions it […]

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Welcome to Bannertown

Old Town Orcutt merchants slam ‘excessive’ county permitting fees for signage
by JEREMY THOMAS

After two years in business, Core Wine Company in Old Town Orcutt still has a temporary banner draped across its building to attract customers. Core’s co-owners, Becky and her husband Dave Corey, would like to get a more permanent sign for their building, but say they can’t afford the nearly $2,000 in fees Santa Barbara […]

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Land of the free?

Locals bemoan a lack of recreational open space in Northern Santa Barbara County
by JEREMY THOMAS

A web of agricultural communities, the Santa Maria Valley is surrounded on all sides by thousands of acres of pristine, open land. Unfortunately for hikers, bikers, and runners, almost none of it is permitted for recreational use. Now, a grassroots movement comprised of local outdoor-minded residents, calling themselves the Santa Maria Valley Open Space Partnership, […]

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There’s something happening here

The ‘Occupy Everywhere’ movement comes to Northern Santa Barbara County
by JEREMY THOMAS

With one hand holding an American flag, the other holding a sign scrawled in red ink reading “We Are the 99%,” 84-year-old Doris Stephens joined a smattering of protesters at Central Plaza Park in downtown Santa Maria. While passing cars—many honking horns in support—rolled down Broadway, the Orcutt resident decried years of government overspending. “I’m […]

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