A request by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians for federal legislation to annex 1,400 acres of tribal-owned land near Santa Ynez recently drew the attention of Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr. Farr met with a staff member for U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks) on March 9 in an attempt […]
JEREMY THOMAS
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc will see low-speed autocross
The Vapor Trail Vettes are holding a low-speed autocross event on March 26 at the Allan Hancock College campus in Lompoc. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. All makes and models of cars are welcome. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Vapor […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
All-star seniors to shine on the court
Senior high school basketball stars from Northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County will show their stuff at the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria Valley’s 21st annual Central Coast All-Star Basketball Spectacular on March 27. The girls’ game takes place at 3 p.m., with the boys hitting the court at 5 p.m. inside […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Liftoff, we have liftoff
Despite a roller derby squad’s break-up, the sport’s still alive in Santa Maria
Exit the Ruff Rollerz, and enter the Rocketeer Rollers. Last summer, Santa Maria came face to face with the spectacle of roller derby, with the Ruff Rollerz drawing raucous crowds to the Fairpark’s indoor flat track on a regular basis. However, issues with team management caused a rift among the players, and organizers walked away […]
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North Santa Barbara County jail blues
Undeterred by a tax measure’s defeat in November, jail proponents go back to the drawing board
Though November’s voters refused to fund the construction and operation of a new North Santa Barbara County jail, the concept isn’t dead. In fact, some Santa Maria city leaders are saying it’s a question of when—not if—the jail will be up and running to house the county’s burgeoning prison population. Undeterred by the public rejection […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Y promotes basketball for kids
To help young children develop their basketball acumen, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA is now registering for its Rookie Sports Basketball program. The classes are intended for youth ages 3 to 6, who can practice their social, physical, and gross motor skills with a focus on fun. Classes will be offered Mondays from March 7 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Play flag football in the sand
Amateur football players from all across the Central Coast are invited to sign up for the 11th season of the 5-on-5 Pismo Beach Flag Football league. The spring/summer season starts April 3 and runs through Aug. 21, including playoffs, with games happening every other Sunday. Rosters must have at least seven players, and all teams […]
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Is driving while old a crime?
Elderly drivers battle bias on the roadways
As the baby boomer generation hits senior status, a growing number of their family members will be faced with the question: When is it time to take away the car keys? Senior drivers are the fastest-growing demographic on the road, and as a group, they’ve recently come under intense scrutiny. On Feb. 13, an 83-year-old […]
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Maldonado eyes a congressional seat
Former Santa Maria mayor and California Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado appears ready for the next step in his political career, forming a campaign committee to make a congressional run in 2012. The Federal Elections Commission on Feb. 18 confirmed Maldonado filed the necessary paperwork to open an exploratory committee, which can begin collecting campaign funds. […]
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Santa Maria braces for federal grant cuts
Santa Maria city officials expressed “grave concern” about a budget proposal that would gut funding from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by more than 60 percent. President Barack Obama’s budget proposal for 2011-12 includes a 7.5 percent cut to the CDBG program, representing $300 million of the $4 billion federal program. However, […]
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Pensions for plebeians
The Sun presents a primer for the pension crisis
Amortization schedules. Defined contribution plans. Actuarial tables. Unless you’ve got a degree in economics, the words alone are enough to make the head spin. Unfortunately, these terms and others are likely to come up a lot in the near future, as pensions for public employees continue to be the hot button issue at the county […]
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Aim for the crown!
On March 4, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce will begin accepting applications for 2011 Strawberry Queen contestants, open to girls ages 5 to 18. The honor of queen will be awarded to the girl who sells the most prize drawing tickets through April 15. Tickets cost $1 each, and prizes of $500, $300, […]
