Stunted plant growth, discolored leaves, and brittle roots: the symptoms of pallidosis, a disease currently affecting strawberry fields in Guadalupe and other parts of the Santa Maria Valley. “It’s a little bit of a perfect storm that has happened and it’s really hurting some of the growers,” said Laura Gregory, grower communications specialist with the […]
Local strawberry growers battle a crop disease linked to last year’s whitefly infestation
Posted inOpinion
Prevention fund needs our support
If current childhood obesity trends hold, we could see for the first time that our nation’s children will live shorter lives than their parents. What a troubling future that lies before them. The good news is there is an opportunity to stop this historic health debacle. To prevent chronic disease, a community must invest in […]
Posted inOpinion
Your racism writer showed his true colors
In response to the strangely titled commentary, “The economy is paramount” (Aug. 1): While the piece was solely about racism, the only lifelong racist in this article is the author, Mr. Otis Page. Judging our president as strongly biased, because he has commented on the Trayvon Martin murder, Mr. Otis shows his own true colors. […]
Posted inOpinion
When life gives kids lemons …
There’s this thing online called “trolling.” It’s when you post something really outrageous just to get a reaction out of people. That’s what I think the online magazine Slate was doing recently when it posted an opinion piece critical of lemonade stands. I’m not making this up. In a piece headlined, “Down with Lemonade Stands,” […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Malia, Analea, and Leila Pule
Local residents Kevin and Maria Pule have enough children to form a family soccer team. For non-soccer types, that’s 11 kids. There isn’t actually a family Pule team, but there are three Pules currently playing for the Orcutt Crusaders: 10-year-old twins Analea (pictured right) and Malia (left), and 9-year-old sister Leila (center). Analea plays goalie, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Memorial auction returns
The 12th annual Joe White Memorial Dinner and Auction is quickly approaching. Scheduled for Aug. 17, the event will be held at the Santa Maria Fairpark Pavilion. The doors open at 5:30 with a silent auction and social hour. The evening will also feature a New York strip steak dinner served at 7 p.m. with […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A new coach and schedule are on the way
The Santa Maria Saints cross-country team will start playing host to summer training on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saints athletic director Joe Graack will soon announce the new head coach for girls’ cross-country. “We have the goal to take the Santa Maria […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Run with the big ‘Dogs
Allan Hancock Athletics announced that the women’s cross country team is now recruiting both experienced and inexperienced runners to race this season. For more information, contact Coach Louie Quintana at 705-3299.
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Give to the Saints
The Santa Maria Saints will hold a fundraising golf tournament at Marshallia Ranch Golf Course on Saturday, Aug. 24. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the boys’ and girls’ golf teams of Santa Maria. The tournament will feature a four-man scramble and prizes for longest drive and straight drive; there will also […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Explore wide-open spaces
On Aug. 13, the Orcutt Trail Commission and Santa Maria Valley Open Space will play host to a free picnic barbecue at Rice Ranch Park in Orcutt. The event will feature docent-led hikes and an introduction to the trail system at the park; docent hikes begin at 4 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get clinical with Misty May-Treanor
The City of Pismo Beach Recreation Division has partnered with the Dream in Gold to bring legendary volleyball Olympic Gold-Medalist Misty May-Treanor to the Central Coast. The city will be holding one-day clinics on Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the beach volleyball courts. Located at the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Water polo goes Olympian in Santa Maria
Three water polo Olympians—Maggie Steffens, Andy Stevens, and premier coach Ricardo Azevedo—are drawing 65 young people from around California to Santa Maria for an instructional camp set for Aug. 8 and 9. The instructors will be working with the youth at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, and the event will culminate with an exhibition game on […]