In a recent issue of the Sun (March 3) there is a letter written by Mr. Larry Bargenquast: “Liberals need to grow into responsible adults.” This letter says that liberals hate conservatives as people and are reduced to a state of rage when exposed to conservative ideas with which they—liberals—disagree. Reduced to rage? I don’t […]
Conservatives don’t want rules to trip up profits
Posted inOpinion
My fresh, electric start
In the fourth grade, my friend Michael would sneak a pack of Kents from his mother’s carton and, after school, a bunch of us would go to the woods by Nichols Park and light up. We used the code word “Superman” to refer to the Kent cigarettes, with Superman being Clark Kent. I stopped smoking […]
Posted inNews
Doing it for themselves
Anyone can publish a book these days. Some writers simply sell their books to family and friends and never get beyond that. Others gain local exposure. A few find their way to a national audience. And they do it all themselves. Because the self-publishing trend is growing so quickly, there’s little in the way of […]
Posted inNews
Adventure time!
Anyone who wants to go on safari and bring home some precious game should keep April 10 open for the fifth annual Santa Maria Safari. The museum-themed adventure begins at noon at base camp—Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall—and children will receive a free copy of Zoobooks Magazine, courtesy of Altrusa International of the Central […]
Posted inNews
PG&E officials say it won’t happen here
According to officials from Pacific Gas & Electric, the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant isn’t susceptible to the same catastrophic failures as Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi, which is currently belching out radioactive material after several of its units exploded. “There are some very significant differences,” John Conway, PG&E senior vice president and chief nuclear officer, said […]
Posted inNews
Committee donates to VTC
The Committee to Improve North County announced the presentation of a $500 donation to VTC Enterprises on behalf of the late Harrell Fletcher, a longtime community leader. VTC Enterprises is one of Santa Maria’s 10 largest employers and is currently in the process of constructing a new building, campaigning to raise $1.3 million to complete […]
Posted inNews
Nominations needed for ag awards
The 37th District Agricultural Association is looking for nominations of people who’ve made important contributions to the county’s agricultural industry for its annual Agriculture Recognition Awards. Awards will be distributed at July’s Santa Barbara County Fair in the categories of Agri-Business Person of the Year, Farmer of the Year, and Livestock Producer of the Year. […]
Posted inNews
Nipomo nurseries open doors
Four Nipomo plant nurseries are scheduled to open their doors to the general public as part of the Central Coast Greenhouse Growers’ Association’s 10th annual Open House on April 2. The event is an opportunity to visit with growers and learn about care and handling of plants and flowers. Clearwater Nursery, Eufloria Flowers, Pacific Sun […]
Posted inNews
Young professionals celebrate kickoff
It’s a few months old as an organization, but the Santa Maria Young Professionals Networking Group (SMYPNG) is holding its official kickoff event on March 26. The event will celebrate the group’s official beginning. The organization seeks to connect young professionals on the Central Coast with each other and with community leaders. The event will […]
Posted inNews
Join hands to fund California community colleges
Several dozen Allan Hancock College students, teachers, and staff members stood hand in hand at the Santa Maria campus on March 9 in preparation for a statewide event designed to educate people about funding cuts affecting the community college system. On April 17, Hancock, along with more than 100 other community colleges, will participate in […]
Posted inNews
Oceano Dunes wind-monitoring towers approved
The towers—to be built by the California Department of Parks and Recreation Off Highway Vehicle division—will be used to collect data on sand and other particulate matter blowing off the dunes and into residential areas in Oceano and Nipomo. Residents complain dust kicked up by off-road vehicles is a health hazard. County officials from various […]
Posted inNews
Bountiful harvest
One day, about a year ago, Santa Maria resident Stephanie Hull was on Pabst Lane, driving through her neighborhood with her two daughters in the car. In front yards on both sides of the street stood fruit trees weighed down by overripe fruit. Rotten oranges littered the ground. “I said, ‘Look at all this fruit! […]