As festivities came to a close at the Santa Barbara County Fair on July 13, the Santa Maria Fairpark released a statement reporting that the fair welcomed almost 115,400 people during its five-day run, July 9 to 13. Attendance was slightly down this year (about 4.5 percent), fair CEO Dennis Person said in the release, […]
News
Posted inNews
County supervisors extend SMOOTH for Ag Van program, consider future funding options
On July 8, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1, with 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone dissenting, to extend an agreement with the Santa Maria Organization of Transportation Helpers (SMOOTH) to continue running the Agricultural Worker Transportation Project in the Santa Maria Valley area through June of 2010. Based on the success of […]
Posted inNews
California legislators reject Bush’s lift of offshore drilling ban
On July 14, President George W. Bush lifted a nearly two decade-long executive ban on drilling for oil and natural gas off the country’s shoreline, thus challenging Congress to allow exploration for domestic energy sources to ease climbing energy prices. Democrats in Congress and environmentalists, however, have criticized the step as a political stunt, and […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission pushes forward Naples development
After years of controversy and scrutiny, the Santa Barbara Ranch Project, dubbed the Naples Project, came one step closer to reality on July 10. The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission accepted the development’s final Environmental Impact Report. Located on the Gaviota Coast two miles northwest of Goleta, the Naples townsite has been the focus of […]
Posted inNews
Get to the point
The trail is open and the beach is ready for visitors��
The sand has the consistency of sugar—no pebbles, no tar. Deep like a mattress, it invites a hiker to rest. Nobody else is here, and there is no alien sound—no automobiles or ATVs, no drone of airplanes, no yapping dogs—only the trill of gulls and the surf, crashing, dominant, primal. Beyond the surf, two brown […]
Posted inNews
Dangerous heat
Record high temperatures drive cities and the state to educate people about the seriousness of heat-related illnesses
On July 11, family members and friends held a funeral service at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church in Orcutt, honoring the life of 64-year-old Jose Macarena Hernandez. Hernandez died during last month’s record-breaking heat wave while harvesting butternut squash on a farm in Santa Maria, United Farm Workers of America reported. His death—along with […]
Posted inNews
Where is the art?
Santa Maria has plenty of artists, but not many outlets where they can show their work
Plump strawberries, mouth-watering tri-tip, award-winning Pinot Noir—Santa Maria is known for many things. But stuff like public art and fine galleries? Probably not on the list. The city is surrounded by art-loving communities and breathtaking vistas that have long inspired artists, but it hasn’t fully developed a definitive artistic identity. Sure, there are plenty of […]
Posted inNews
College moves one step closer to becoming more affordable
The interest rate on federal student loans was reduced from 6.8 to 6 percent on July 1. The rate cut is the first of four scheduled cuts that will make need-based federal student loans more affordable for students and their families. The reductions are part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, legislation passed […]
Posted inNews
Mechatronics Institute gears up for summer
Technology lovers listen up! Allan Hancock College is inviting high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college students to participate in a free, four-day workshop called The Mechatronics Institute, to be held July 28 through 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college’s Lompoc Valley Center. Institute participants will be immersed in the world […]
Posted inNews
Chapman University will host summer info sessions
Interested in starting or finishing a college degree? Chapman University Advisors will be on hand at the university’s Santa Maria Valley campus, on July 15 and 16, to discuss the school’s history and academic programs, especially programs for adult learners. All sessions are free, and begin at 5 p.m. at the Santa Maria Valley campus, […]
Posted inNews
A Night for the Families
Imagine having a job that required attention 24 hours a day. Whether it’s 6 a.m. or 9 p.m., family caregivers for Marian Medical Center’s home care, hospice, and cancer patients are always on call. Fortunately, their numerous hours of care and patience haven’t been overlooked, and Marian Medical Center, along with Dream Dinners of Santa […]
Posted inNews
Clarification
Congressional candidate Matt Kokkonen offered a few clarifications in regard to the “Meet Matt Kokkonen” article in the Sun’s July 3 issue: “My reference to the fact that there is not a pipeline big enough to move all of the ANWR oil out over six months was a response to the criticism that ANWR oil […]
