About 750 students, parents, friends, and educators crowded into Allan Hancock College’s Joe White Memorial Gymnasium on June 3 to attend the 41st annual Allan Hancock College Foundation scholarship awards banquet. According to college officials, the foundation awarded more than $235,000 in scholarships to 201 students. The theme for the evening was “Community Supporting Community,” […]
Hail to the scholars
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
It’s summer camp time at the Y
Summer camp registration at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA has begun; for $20, parents can reserve spots for their children. The YMCA is offering several new summer programs this year, including Lego camp, “Itty-bitty” camps for kids ages 4 to 6, and sports camps. Also available are traditional three- and five-day summer camps, splash camp, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Special Olympics softball program receives gift
The Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics softball program in Lompoc recently received a $1,100 donation from Cabrillo High School senior Brian Engler. An avid baseball player for 14 years, Engler held a baseball camp for local youth in April with the goal of raising funds for the Lompoc Special Olympics softball program through the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Manny Flores
As Manny Flores was finishing the first-ever Elks Rodeo P.L.A.Y. 1-mile stampede, he thought to himself that he should start pursuing running more for a sport. Flores, who just wrapped up his freshman year at Pioneer Valley High School, quickly established himself as a great athlete. He’s already earned a letter for being on the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Surfin’ (school) safari
For a few seconds, floating a little more than a foot over the sandy ocean floor felt like being on top of the world. It took about 10 tries and numerous wicked wipeouts, but I finally stood up on a surfboard for the first time ever, a moment of Zen in the shadow of the […]
Posted inOpinion
Kick the oil habit
We should strive to understand the connection between national security and energy, and start working on solutions that can end our oil addiction. We are seeing one of the most devastating consequences of this oil addiction in the Gulf of Mexico as the BP disaster worsens every day. If we remain dependent on oil, it […]
Posted inOpinion
‘Do-gooders’ would misuse the Afghan resource
The U.S. Army just discovered resources of over a trillion dollars of minerals in Afghanistan. It would be expeditious for our government to sign a compact to mine and market this; it would pay off a third of our national debt. Unfortunately our “do-gooders” would want this money to provide condos, unlimited food stamps, medicine, […]
Posted inOpinion
Cuba is still Chinese-drilling free
In response to Bob Blair’s comment (“Environmentalists have oil on their hands, too,” June 10), the Chinese are not drilling off the coast of Cuba. Glen Beck started that rumor and it has been proved a lie. He does not retract any of his lies, so people who don’t check him still believe it […]
Posted inOpinion
Where’s the humanity?
Lucia Casalinuovo claims off-roaders are no windfall because they purchase food at local supermarkets which “don’t need the off-roaders to make money” and camp for a $10 fee when they should be spending $500 to $600 for a three night stay at a local hotel (“Fewer beach campers would bring in more money,” June 10). […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Red, white & blues
On the threshold of Independence Day, thoughts naturally turn to patriotic displays, festive parades, and family barbecues. Sensing an opportunity for a little pre-holiday fun, two local wineries have come up with a sure-fire way to jumpstart the celebration. On Saturday, June 26, the folks at Longoria Wines and Buttonwood Farm Winery invite oenophiles, picnickers, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
It’s ag art!
Shepard Hall Gallery at the Santa Maria Public Library will feature the work of artist Sunni Gibbons during the month of July. The exhibit, titled Farm Workers of the Central Coast, showcases the produce teams that are at the agricultural heart of the valley’s economy. Gibbon’s work features farmland settings, the harvesting and assembly teams, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
See silk at Chef Rick’s
Something different is coming to Chef Rick’s. Barbara Alloway, known for her landscapes and abstracts on metal and foil, has turned her brush to silk. She has created a series of paintings emphasizing the colors and character of the Central Coast. Vivid bunches of grapes, a dream of wine, and haunting landscapes, characterized by Alloway’s […]