The new school year is about to start, and with it will come foreign high school students participating in semester- and year-long academic programs. But in order to study here, students need families with whom they can stay. Pacific Intercultural Exchange (P.I.E.) is currently making its final plea for host families on the Central Coast. […]
Wanted: Host families for foreign exchange students
Do your homework before donating money
Much has been written lately about what should be expected of our local humane society. However, no one has mentioned what should be expected of all nonprofit humane societies. Many elderly people, such as myself, will leave humane societies monies and/or property in our wills. However, most people automatically assume that all nonprofits are honest. […]
Check out this hypocrisy in politics
In a letter in the Santa Maria Times, Steve McCoy (“Short memory for Democrats,” July 16) claims “one of the unsaid platforms of the Democratic Party is to avoid responsibility at all costs,” taxing the hardworking “to pay for many who don’t want to work all that hard.” I hear this a lot from those […]
That ad misleads readers
I like your paper. I read it weekly. That’s why I’m so disappointed in the paid advertisement you recently ran across from your opinion page. Why? Because it is nothing more than Andy Caldwell bashing John Laird. He paid you to bash John Laird in what looks like an op-ed piece when, in truth, it […]
We need John Laird, no bull!
Spike, the antithesis of a lap dog (in the July 22 issue), who is “no liberal or conservative leg-humper,” is indeed an extremely right-wing conservative leg-humper! The placement of the political ad, though it appears to be an editorial-type new column in the Sun, is in reality a strong partisan attack piece. The person who […]
Jhordy Ramirez
Before coach David Ramirez found him, he had lost two fights. But now, after starting a strenuous twice-a-day training regimen, 15-year-old Jhordy Ramirez is on his way to the top. He’s already made progress after becoming a Coachella East Coast champion, claiming a national belt. In fact, he mopped up the competition: He knocked down […]
A time to remember
The grainy asphalt of Telephone Road often sits beneath a bare, blue sky, its twists and turns surrounded by farmland and, farther off, rolling hills. It’s a tranquil setting, prized by cyclists—when there aren’t cars and semi-trucks blazing past. Eric Okerblom’s memorial stands as a reminder to both aspects of the road: its beauty and […]
Bid on unique sports memorabilia at an annual Hancock auction
Sports fans will get a shot at taking home one-of-a-kind memorabilia while supporting Allan Hancock College during the ninth annual Joe White Memorial Dinner and Auction on Aug. 21. Items up for bid this year include a John Madden autographed football, a UCLA jersey signed by the late John Wooden, a Kobe Bryant All-Star Los […]
Buttonwood serves up local delights
Here on the Central Coast, farms and backyard gardens produce tender edibles all year long. Our ocean waters yield fresh seafood, and area ranchers grow a variety of livestock, making it relatively easy to follow the lead of the locavore movement and “eat locally.” In a shining example of the movement’s best intentions, the folks […]
Clubs & Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS for men meets in San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach. Men interested in attending may contact representatives: 550-6718 or not_moses@fastmail.fm. ALL-AMERICAN QUILTERS’ GUILD meets […]
Spiritual
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH is located at 1000 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. “Jazz Devine” presents a new jazz worship service on July 11 at 6 p.m. at the church. Info: 735-3769 or ghmoran@yahoo.com. BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: […]
Farmer’s Markets
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and […]

