Photographer Renee D. Miranda is always ready to snap a picture of that interesting character at a parade or a mysterious location that calls out to be captured. But her favorite subject is people—the more interesting, the better. “I like taking pictures of people who wear interesting clothes, have tattoos, or wear their hair in […]
Caffeinated and captured
Steamatic owner wins award
Steamatic, Inc. announced that Darin Gossage, owner of Steamatic of the Central Coast, received the company’s Rising Star award during its recent Biannual International Convention. According to the company, Gossage received the award for expanding Steamatic’s marketing efforts, his reputation as an “up and comer,” and his continual advancement in the company. Steamatic offers cleaning […]
Kumon comes to Orcutt
Kumon Math and Reading Centers, a year-round after-school academic enrichment program, announced the opening of a new location in Orcutt. Founded in Japan in 1958, the Kumon learning method employs an individualized approach, helping children develop a command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study […]
Make wishes come true
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties Board is asking Santa Barbara County businesses to donate auction items for Wishnight 2011, an annual fundraising event. The organization’s Auction Task Group is putting together upscale packages with themes such as “I want to be a wine expert,” “I want to be pampered,” “I want to go on […]
TMHA gets a $150,000 grant
Transitions-Mental Health Association, a nonprofit human services agency serving Northern Santa Barbara County, received a two-year grant of $150,000 from the Weingart Foundation. The funding will advance the organization’s programs for youth and adults by supporting general operating expenses, including paying for client wages and staff at Growing Grounds Farm, an employment program in Santa […]
Ride the rollercoaster of love
Some say marriage is like a rollercoaster ride. Before you get on, you feel excitement and anticipation, but once you’re strapped in, you’re scared to death and thrilled all at the same time. Some people want the ride to last forever, while others become nauseous and lose their corn dog and cotton candy lunch. My […]
Wanted: Host families for foreign exchange students
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. […]
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 […]

