Cover Story
Writing history: The biggest issues of 2014 evolved until they took on a life of their own
There’s more to a big story than one article. Covering a gigantic issue takes more time than one story does, more digging, more questions, more stories, more than the first few hundred words that are written about it. The good stories are the ones with nuance and depth, the ones with subjects that encompass more…
Should Congress lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
Paul Roland information technology “It probably should be lifted because it hasn’t achieved its goal. It’s not working.” Drew Wilson disabled veteran “I think we should allow it because I want some good Cuban cigars.” Robin Sinor Salvation Army volunteer “I don’t know if lifting the embargo will make a difference. It hasn’t done the…
Judge rules that Phillips 66 news media policy violates the law
In late 2012, amid labor negotiations between management and employees at the Phillips 66 refinery in Santa Maria, the company emailed a news media policy to employees prohibiting them from speaking to reporters. But on Nov. 25, a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge found that the policy violated federal labor law. The ruling…
Fine-tuned in 2014: fantastic live music, burgeoning young talent, and world-class visiting performers
This last year gifted our local live music venues with motivated and skilled soloists and ensembles, representing the fine-art music sphere to the late-night rock groups that kept feet on the dance floor. A wealth of musical knowledge was shared with young people who proudly showcased their new skills in various ways. Whether casual or…
The Central Coast brought its best in artistic output for the year of 2014
Looking back on the output given to Central Coaster’s by local artists, ensembles, and organizations during the year 2014, it’s hard to believe that all of it was contained in a single solar rotation. Lone artists embarked on crusades of creativity, giving us stunning handcrafted paintings, sculptures, and abstract art. Others came together en masse…
Santa and corporate espionage
This year seemed like the year we got our peep on. Businesses like Target, Home Depot, eBay, and JP Morgan were hacked for financial and personal information. The private cell phones of celebrities were hacked and nude photos were leaked. And most recently hackers hit Sony pictures leaking movie scripts, internal memos, and personal information…
Open up for 2015
As birds are wont to do, the Canary packed her nest up and headed south for a much-needed vacation this week. I don’t know what it is about the holidays, but apparently, it’s family time in the bird world, too. She’ll be back soon, but without her, you loyal canary column readers are stuck with…
Giving education in 2014 the once over
As teachers made the move in 2014 to incorporate technology into the classroom because of the Common Core curriculum local school districts pushed their pocketbooks to get new buildings, classrooms, schools, renovations, and expansion plans into place. Guadalupe Union School District has the goal of putting a tablet or computer near the hands of every…
Political Watch 12/25/14
• California’s population increased at the fastest clip since before the economic downturn in the year ending July 1, new state figures show, even as the state’s birth rate declined to levels not seen since the Great Depression, according to the Sacramento Bee. The state Department of Finance recently reported that California’s population grew by…
Hobnobbing with Helen
There is much to like about the Minerva Club. I found this out both at its Christmas luncheon held on Dec. 16 at the Minerva Clubhouse and at its season opening luncheon held on Oct. 7 at the Radisson. What’s to like, you ask? Well, first of all, there are some mighty fine ladies who…
Community Corner: Recycle that Christmas tree!
After the presents are unwrapped, the holiday lights get packed away, and ornaments get pulled off the tree, Waste Management will be collecting the trees for recycling from residents in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County and in the cities of Guadalupe and Solvang. Customers can place their discarded trees next to their trash…
County supervisor wants to help resolve Santa Maria property dispute
A dispute between neighbors on Pennsylvania Street in Santa Maria over property boundaries recently got the attention of a Santa Barbara County supervisor. A story published in the Sun’s Nov. 18 issue, “Challenge Thy Neighbor: Santa Maria’s Pennsylvania Street lies at the heart of a 40-year-old dispute,” reported on the story of a decades-long feud…
Hancock applies for four-year degree program
Nancy Acheoual finished her studies at Allan Hancock College a year ago and left to pursue a nursing degree at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, but she went back to Hancock this December to see what had changed. Touring the campus over Christmas break, the 30-year-old student wanted to see what the campus looked…
A year of Eats on the Central Coast
This year brought many exciting new places to enjoy wine, beer, and food here on the Central Coast; for example, a Hollywood star opened a wine tasting room, a Master Somm came to town, a health-minded corporation started a restaurant, and a high-end bakery set up shop. For the last week of 2014, the Sun…
Year of champs: 2014 saw its share of title taking local teams
Maybe with two or three handfuls of high schools to cover, the Sun was bound to get some champions in the mix, but his year had more than usual, including Allan Hancock College’s softball team taking the Western Division title after a 16-year hiatus, and Nipomo High School winning its first CIF title ever. There’s…
