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Groups seek to limit methyl bromide exposure

Health advocates hope that a state appeals court ruling will ultimately create safer working and living conditions
by SARAH E. THIEN

Methyl bromide. It’s a chemical that residents of the Santa Maria Valley have heard a lot about, especially if they pay attention to the news. Most recently, it’s being tossed around in discussions about combating the “charcoal rot” fungus in local strawberry fields. The pesticide-that-could is back in the news—and has been back in court—since […]

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Let your geek flag fly

If there were ever a time to admit geekdom, it’s now
by Sun Staff

The highest-grossing movies of this summer have been comic-book adaptations. Think Hollywood invented Iron Man? Hellboy? Batman? The Hulk? Please. Tinsel Town writers have been mining the most hallowed trusts of geekdom for their latest blockbusters, and comic books aren’t the only film fodder. Audiences still want to believe in Fox Mulder and Dana Scully: […]

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Packed with care

by Sun Staff

El Montecito Presbyterian Church saw a lot of sorting and stuffing on July 19. Specifically, volunteers sorted and stuffed 900 backpacks to be distributed to students all over the coast, from Carpentaria to Guadalupe. Four Montecito churches worked together to provide the backpacks filled with school supplies for People’s Self-Help Housing students. Members of the […]

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MotionZ is back in business

by SARAH E. THIEN

There’s good news for MotionZ, the beleaguered laser tag and arcade destination. It’s back in business and staying in the Santa Maria Town Center. According to a news release from MotionZ owner George Majoue, the owner and mall manager of Santa Maria Town Center East were touring several units in the mall and were impressed […]

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Commute challenge: Drive less and win prizes

by SARAH E. THIEN

It’s back: the Traffic Solutions Commute Challenge. The annual competition has returned with more prizes for participating teams. Here’s how it works: Teams of five people resolve to drive alone less and keep track of how often they succeed. At the end of the competition, the team with the highest number of sustainable transportation days […]

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Hancock offers college on Saturdays, substance abuse prevention, and parent-child preschool

by Sun Staff

This fall, Allan Hancock College is offering Saturday-only classes—ranging in credit from a half unit to three units—at the Santa Maria campus and the Lompoc Valley Center. Class subjects include winemaking, art, business, drama, English, global positioning systems (GPS), math, speech, and more. Internet/Hybrid classes, which combine online study with some onsite attendance, are also […]

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Picnic prizewinner

by Sun Staff

On July 13, Cabrillo High School graduate Clayton Williams won a $1,000 scholarship from the Lompoc Valley Republican Club during its annual picnic. The club selected Williams’ essay, “What I Would Do if I Were President,” as the winning essay. Williams is planning to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, in the fall to study […]

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Buynak Law Firm opens new office in Solvang

by SARAH E. THIEN

Santa Barbara-based law offices, Buynak Law Firm, have opened a new location in Solvang, with Lana Clark, a 35-year resident of the city, serving as resident attorney. “We specialize in business, corporate, real estate, land use, tax, and estate planning,” S. Timothy Buynak, founder of the firm, said in a press release. The new office […]

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Lompoc Collaboration Faire brings nonprofits together

by SARAH E. THIEN

The sixth annual Lompoc Collaboration Faire’s purpose is to help nonprofits do their work better. To help achieve that end, the coordinators of the event have brought together guest speakers and are planning on holding panel discussions, seminars, and networking opportunities for nonprofits. Panels and discussions include “An Honest Look at Board Development,” with Joyce […]

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