Cover Story
Opening doors: Central Coast colleges work to cultivate and maintain a diverse student population
Starting college is a big step toward adulthood. For some students the college experience offers exposure to a richer world, not only academically but socially too. Taking students from a community largely curated by their families into a society of diverse personalities, cultures, and ethnicities often shapes perspectives in a broader way. Sometimes though, depending…
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County provides classes for the diabetic, food-insecure
Santa Maria residents who struggle with both diabetes and food insecurity now have opportunities to educate themselves on their condition, through the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s Healthy Eating for Diabetes program. The program begins with a series of four weekly classes, which educate attendees on diabetes, nutrition, and cooking. Those who attend three of…
Do you feel there’s enough diversity among students, staff, and faculty at Allan Hancock College?
Michael Ayala Hancock student, wine cellar worker “Yeah, I’d say so.” Nicole Cason Hancock student “I would honestly say there’s a pretty good amount. I don’t pay that much attention.” Ernesto Lopez Hancock student “Yeah, there’s diversity here.” David Morales Hancock student, janitor “Yeah, I think so.”
Community Notebook 9/22/16 – 9/29/16
MONDAY, SEPT. 26 • The South County Advisory Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Services District Headquarters, 148 S. Wilson St., Nipomo. • The Solvang City Council has its regular meeting at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang. agendas are available at cityofsolvang.com. TUESDAY,…
Spotlight shines on Pioneer Valley High School performing arts center
It was part of the original plans when the school was first built in 2004, and now Pioneer Valley High School’s performing arts center is finally becoming a reality. The 16,411-square-foot structure will seat nearly 300, and will include three classrooms in addition to the stage. The project is estimated to cost around $10 million…
Spotlight on: Davey’s Voice
In the U.S. and in many other nations, dogs are considered loyal and loving pets, not a food source even though slaughtering dogs for meat in this country is, for the most part, legal. The situation is different in China where dogs are celebrated as dinner at the annual Lychee and Dog Meat Festival, or…
Doctoral dedication: Allan Hancock College’s Jill Thayer shares a career-spanning exhibit of her art
It takes quite a lot of resources, both financial and intellectual, to achieve a doctorate in any field of study. A Ph.D. in the arts, however, also calls on a tremendous amount of creative energy to earn the distinction. Allan Hancock College’s fine arts instructor Jill Thayer braved all the burdens of higher education and…
Santa Barbara County Arts Commission hosts exhibit celebrating Californian Mixtecos
The recent opening reception for the Betteravia Gallery’s latest exhibit was buzzing with voices. The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission welcomed the traveling exhibit Campos de Ensueños along with the photographers whose work is showcased therein, and the commission pulled out all the stops. There was food, drink, artist presentations, a video segment, live dance…
Los Alamos to celebrate Old Days Sept. 23 – 25
Each year the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club sponsors the Los Alamos Days Celebration, which showcases the town’s unique and historic character with a parade, artisan fair, car show, auctions, and more. The festivities begin with a chili kick-off party on the evening of Sept. 23 and continue through Sept. 25. The Los Alamos Valley…
The alpaca life: Lompoc couple runs one of California’s few carding mills, selling yarn for a living
View more photos from the Goehrigs’ ranch. Mette and Tom Goehrig trudged across one of their pastures, parting a mob of nosey alpacas. “They’re like potato chips,” Mette said of the animals. “You can never have just one.” At least, that’s how it’s been for the Goehrigs their 20-acre farm is home to 43 alpacas…
Forced reduction: Zodiac Seat Shells in Santa Maria is cutting some of its workforce following production issues
On the campaign trail, U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump balks at the idea of outsourcing jobs to Mexico. But here in Santa Maria, Zodiac Seat Shells, one of the city’s largest employers, may be going that route. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notices (WARN) report filed with the California Employment Development Department…
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approves tasting rooms for small wineries
Small wineries in Santa Barbara County are allowed to have tasting rooms under a new ordinance change approved by the Planning Commission during a special meeting on Sept. 19. The commissioners voted 4-1 to approve changes to the ordinance. Cecilia Brown, commissioner for the 2nd District, was the only dissenting vote. She suggested that rather…
VTC Enterprises named in wrongful death lawsuit
A Santa Maria vocational training service for developmentally disabled adults is being accused of failing to seek medical attention for one of its members who later died of pneumonia, according to a lawsuit filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The case was originally filed in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Feb. 18,…
Teenager arrested in connection to murder of Luis Castaneira
On Sept. 16, the Santa Maria Police Department arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with the death of Luis Alberto Castaneira, according to Sgt. Rob Morris, a detective on the case. Castaneira, 18, was stabbed while walking to his home in a northwest Santa Maria neighborhood. According to Castaneira’s sister, Rosio Garcia, a gray Honda…
Vandenberg fire ‘remains significant and unpredictable’
A vegetation fire at Vandenberg Air Force Base, called the Canyon Fire, has escalated rapidly, causing launch delays and drawing efforts from hundreds of local firefighters. The flame started on Saturday, Sept. 17, on South Base, initially affecting 50 acres near Arguello and Santa Ynez Ridge roads, according to Vandenberg’s public affairs office. As of…
Political Watch 9/22/16
• On Sept. 10, Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) received the National Distinguished Service Award from the Sierra Club, which honors individuals in public service who have a strong, consistent commitment to conservation. Capps was nominated for the award by the Santa Lucia chapter of the Sierra Club, located in San Luis Obispo. She was…
In defense of the Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte: Confessions of a ‘basic white girl’
I used to be one of them. It started with the smallest of triggers: a yellowed leaf on the tree outside, or a 15 percent chance of scattered showers in the weather forecast, or a promisingly puffy cloud—that’s all it took. In 30 seconds flat, I’d be at the front of the line in Starbucks,…
Leo Partida Ruiz
Leo Partida Ruiz’s high school football career all started with a cheesy, carb-loaded snack. The Pioneer Valley High School senior plays wide receiver and strong safety for his school’s football team. But three years ago he was a basketball player. “After one of my games the coaches saw me and said ‘You look good out…
The trail less traveled: Santa Maria Valley Trail Runners group strives to get locals excited about trails and open space
The Santa Maria Valley Trail Runners started when a group of runners and open space enthusiasts sat around having breakfast after a run and discussing why Santa Maria didn’t have such a group. With the quick setup of a Facebook page, the group was instantly born. The group meets to run together at 6 p.m.…
In the political spotlight
I grew up in a nest full of siblings, and that probably tells you all you need to know to understand what I’m going to say next. When you aren’t the only baby bird in the nest, there is a lot of shoving and elbowing, and plenty of name-calling. But let some other bird come…
Why I can’t vote for Salud Carbajal for Congress
Congressional candidate Salud Carbajal should explain in his own words why he supports the policies and politics of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Robert Reich. Relatedly, voters should ask Salud about his leadership role in an international organization called ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. ICLEI’s mission is to encourage climate change legislation throughout…
Friday night lights
The day my son was born, fat and screaming as he was forced out of the safety of his mother’s body, I hoped one day he would grow up to be a football player. During the first year outside of his mother’s womb, he was on track for football since he was quite fat. He…
Charter schools video competition deadline nears
The Center for Education Reform will close the entries for its “Hey John Oliver! Back Off My Charter School” video contest on Sept. 26. The contest was born after John Oliver of HBO’s Last Week Tonight ran a segment criticizing charter schools. Charter school students, parents, and teachers are welcome to send in informal videos…
Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation annual Chalk Festival happens Sept. 24
The Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation (OCAF) celebrates its fifth annual Chalk Festival in Old Town Orcutt on Sept. 24. The fundraising event welcomes visitors for an afternoon of amateur and professional-level chalk painting, with all proceeds going toward arts programs for kids in Orcutt schools. The festivities this year include live performances, kids’ crafts, and…
AnnKathleen takes you on a spiritual, musical journey
Watch a video of AnnKathleen performing. AnnKathleen leads a number of classes and spiritual sessions at CovenTree Books and Gifts in Santa Maria, from meditation to transformational mentoring. But one regular get-together there uses music to help attune her and others to mindfulness. The meditation and devotional chant sessions she leads includes silent meditation followed…
