MICHAEL McCONE
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Faith and change

Hispanics in Santa Maria��”and throughout the United States��”are looking at life from a new point of view
by MICHAEL McCONE

A human’s search for the meaning of life can’t be constrained by culture or tradition. Searchers will follow whatever path they need to take to whatever end it meets. Bernardo Pichardo is a hard-working, honest mechanic. He seems to walk around with a warm glow. When a Sun reporter recently walked into his shop, he […]

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Time for a facelift

by MICHAEL McCONE

On Sept. 25, the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building will celebrate its 75th anniversary with much to-do. The event commemorates the three quarters of a century the building has been part of the Lompoc community and will raise funds for the building’s $3 million renovation project. The opening ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. and […]

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Spotlight on: Sprinkles and Scoops

by MICHAEL McCONE

What’s red and yellow and filled with coffee, pastries, candy, and ice cream? It’s the newest place in town. Sprinkles and Scoops opened its doors in the Evergreen shopping center on Aug. 31. This ice cream/candy shop/coffee house is already making a splash. Jeff and Sonia Howard have been working on Sprinkles and Scoops for […]

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Mother’s milk

by MICHAEL McCONE

Since the first birth, children have been consuming their mother’s milk. Yet it seems that the modern world needs reminding about the ancient, nourishing practice. Marian Medical Center recently received the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants Care Award, a recognition that’s only been given to 16 hospitals in California. The award was bestowed because of […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Troy Lara

by MICHAEL McCONE

As Santa Maria’s Troy Lara stepped onto the court for the finals of the recent Summer Slam’s Men’s A Singles match, the crowd could only see one of his opponents. About 78 feet away stood Shawn Porter of Arroyo Grande. Lara’s other opponent—nerves—hung on his shoulder whispering in his ear, reminding him of the last […]

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True magic

by MICHAEL McCONE

You know. You know you didn’t just see what you think you saw. You know there’s no way the man standing in front of you could do what he just did. It’s mind-boggling. You may not know in advance what illusions will pop up in Shawn McMaster’s magic show, but you can bet they will […]

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Spotlight on:

Ana-Margarita Sevcik, therapist
by MICHAEL McCONE

Picture yourself in a cell. This is no ordinary jail cell. It’s you-shaped. You can’t see it or feel it, but it goes wherever you go, moving as you move, holding the real you back from the rest of the world. No matter how you thrash and scream, you just can’t get out—at least not […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

MATTHEW LUNA

by MICHAEL McCONE

Amid the tempest of bowlers who filled Rancho Bowl on a recent Saturday there stood one young man who was very much the eye of the storm. Matthew “Matti” Luna patiently waited to bowl his next frame. When the time came, he stepped up, chose his ball, and sent it sailing with no wasted motion. […]

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The $1 Dollar Bookstore

Bonnie Sheehy, manager
by MICHAEL McCONE

I am a barbaric bibliophile,” Bonnie Sheehy said. I had to check my initial response of “Awesome alliteration!” We were already pretty deeply geeked out, and this was supposed to be a professional interview. Thankfully, we were interrupted by a customer, and I gathered my composure. Sheehy is the new manager of the $1 Dollar […]

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Carbajal lands a gig with the National Associations of Counties

by MICHAEL McCONE

Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County’s 1st District Supervisor, has been appointed to the National Associations of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors for fiscal year 2011-12. He will also chair NACo’s Environment, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee. NACo president Lenny Eliason said he appointed Carbajal to the position because be believes the South County supervisor […]

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