JEREMY THOMAS
Posted inNews

Cities just say no to medical pot

Attempted dispensaries in Guadalupe, Orcutt go up in smoke, at least for now
by JEREMY THOMAS

George Alvarez has been many things in his life. He’s been a certified drug counselor, a four-year commissioner on the Santa Barbara County Advisory Board on Drug and Alcohol Problems, a former Guadalupe city planning commissioner, and a distant relative of that city’s mayor. It may seem an unlikely résumé for a man who wants […]

Posted inSpecial Issues

Beard-a-reno

by JEREMY THOMAS

The 50th annual Beard-A-Reno showcased facial hair of the blackest, wildest and most original varieties.             Belt buckles went home with all the winners at Elks Rodeo Lodge, including the longest beard grown over the course of the three-month competition.               Judges analyzed beards […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Matt Miller

by JEREMY THOMAS

Whether he’s on the baseball diamond or on the football field, one thing is for sure about Matt Miller: He likes to hit. The 5-foot-11, 184-pound Righetti High School junior is a standout as a slugging left fielder and as a starting free safety for the Warriors. While his football team ran through its first […]

Posted inNews

It’s an emergency

County officials and civil grand jury call for a new Emergency Operations Center
by JEREMY THOMAS

In light of the Jesusita Fire burning near Santa Barbara, the county’s substandard Emergency Operations Center—which coordinates multi-agency response and recovery plans during catastrophes—is under scrutiny from the Santa Barbara County civil grand jury. In a prescient report released on April 29—one week before the inferno broke out—the grand jury found that operating the EOC […]

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United Way hires PR

by JEREMY THOMAS

The Northern Santa Barbara County United Way announced the hiring of Donna Polizzi to help the organization with fundraising and public relations. Polizzi boasts more than 20 years of experience in PR, advertising, media buying, commercial production, and event marketing. She’s a 22-year resident of the Central Coast and lives in Orcutt with her husband […]

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Prevent a foreclosure

by JEREMY THOMAS

Homeowners who want to learn about alternatives to foreclosure are invited to attend a free foreclosure prevention seminar put on by the People’s Self-Help Housing Corporation in Santa Maria on May 20. The bi-lingual workshop takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Building at Los Adobes de Maria II, 1148 W. Boone St. Brian […]

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Kids get a day at Nipomo Park

by JEREMY THOMAS

Children can enjoy a free day of pony rides, bounce houses, community booths, live entertainment, and a petting zoo at Nipomo Recreation Association’s annual Kids Day event on May 16. The fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Park. Other entertainment includes a magic show, Little Bits Preschool, Spirit […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Take a dip in the pool

by JEREMY THOMAS

It’s beginning to warm up outside, and the pools at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center and Pioneer Valley High School are opening for recreational swimming. From now until June 12, the pool at Paul Nelson is open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:30 to 3:30 […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

It’s been a long time coming

Hancock finally gets a taste of playoff baseball
by JEREMY THOMAS

Allan Hancock College and post-season baseball are two phrases that haven’t been heard together for some time—six years, to be exact. But this year’s Bulldogs have a bite that’s worse than their bark, and on a club without superstars, the name of the game is teamwork. “This team has no one standout player, but they […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Tennis, anyone?

by JEREMY THOMAS

Kings and queens of the (tennis) court have until May 11 to sign up for the Five Cities Tennis Association’s annual Spring Tournament and Barbecue. The tournament, also sponsored by Arroyo Grande Recreation, will take place May 16 and 17 at Soto Sports Complex in Arroyo Grande. The Famous Fuhrmann’s barbecue lunch at noon on […]

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