Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled … .” Chapter 2, verses 1 through 5 of the Gospel according to Luke historically document one of the earliest known censuses. But it was not the first. There are ancient Egyptian population records […]
Coming to your census
Rare finds
Since horse-and-buggy days, folks in the relatively isolated Santa Ynez Valley have looked out for one another, sharing tools, helping to build neighbors’ barns, and tending those who were ill. That collective spirit hasn’t changed, and the Valley continues to thrive as a cooperative community ready to rally behind those in need. Located in Los […]
Welcome to Nerd-dom
It’s 7:30 a.m. I’m zooming down the freeway, Glee soundtrack blaring, toward Geek Mecca—a.k.a. the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International—and already I’m getting a preview of the bountiful treasures to come: To my left looms a giant billboard of femme fatal Angelina Jolie, whose new movie Salt premiered the night before in theaters. Coming up […]
What’s your least favorite thing about the British?
Brenda Rowe restaurant manager “Their soccer team.” Peter Ward massage therapist “Their gun control laws.” Taylor Palmer student “They can be really, really rude.” Ashley Jordan Ortega (left) caregiver “I’m not a fan of their soccer team.”
Political Watch 07.22
Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act (HR 5114), which re-authorizes the National Flood Insurance program for five years and phases out non-essential premium subsidies. The bill also raises the maximum coverage limits for the first time since 1994. According to a press release from the office […]
Community Notebook 07.22
MONDAY, JULY 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. TUESDAY, JULY 27 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors […]
Judgment day
Most people try to avoid standing before a judge in court, but Dennis Apel’s been hoping to get in front of one for a while now. Apel, along with Father Steve Kelly and McGregor Eddy, are no strangers to being arrested. The three of them have been arrested numerous times while protesting in front of […]
Calories count
Ordering an entrée, beverage, or dessert at a restaurant can sometimes turn into quite an ordeal: Should you go with the chicken or the fish? The exorbitantly priced umbrella drink or the more economical pint of beer? And who hasn’t heard that all-important question, “You want whipped cream with that?” Thanks to a new federal […]
Rotary Club gets a new beginning
On June 19, the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club honored its retired president Ted Ortega, who led the club through almost 50 service projects, such as its work in the annual Christmas Parade of Lights, support of the Los Prietos Boys Camp, and Haitian relief efforts. Ortega said in an e-mail that during his time […]
Correction
The Sun failed to recognize a choreographer in its July 15 review of PCPA’s production of West Side Story. Although Jerome Robbins choreographed the original production of the musical, PCPA’s production was directed and choreographed by Michael Jenkinson. News Briefs is compiled by Sun staffers from staff reporting and local and national media. Information should […]
Santa Barbara County’s green retrofitting program is delayed as Attorney General files a federal lawsuit
EmPowerSBC, a program designed to help residents improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses for less money, is on hold pending resolution of a dispute over the impact of such programs on lending practices. On July 13, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution barring the county from accepting applications for the […]
Nipomo Community Services District shrinks by 1,000 acres
On July 15, the San Luis Obispo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted to decrease the Nipomo Community Services District sphere of influence—the area to which it provides water, sewer, and solid waste services—by about 1,000 acres. As a result, the NCSD will no longer be responsible for about 800 acres of rural land off […]

