On a cold, wet Wednesday, the Sun showed up at the gates of Vandenberg Air Force Base to talk to some folks who were protesting against nuclear arms, the weaponization of space, and, more recently, ID checks for protestors. There was just one slight problem: the people the Sun had shown up to interview were […]
They can, but can they?
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The hardest working cats in the biz
Live on a large, pastoral plot? Having a bit of a rodent infestation problem? Can’t afford to hire a professional to get rid of the little pests? Think of this as a letter of recommendation. Santa Barbara County Animal Services is looking for people to take in feral and semi-feral cats. These felines, which have […]
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Local dog wins best in breed at Westminster
When it comes to dog shows, he knows how to walk the line. Central Coast Brussels Griffon Champion Cashin’s Walk the Line—better known as Johnny—recently won Best in Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club 2010 Dog Show. According to his breeder and owner, Felicia Cashin of San Luis Obispo, Johnny “performed marvelously in the Toy […]
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Santa Maria Police Department invites public to monthly gang forum
Continuing its efforts to improve public safety, the Santa Maria Police Department will host another community gang forum on March 25 at 6 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center in Santa Maria. To kick off the forum, the Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team will give a presentation on gangs and gang activity […]
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Let’s talk about pot
Guadalupe City Council members planned to hold a public meeting March 9 to discuss the possibility of placing a permanent ban on opening medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits. The council had yet to take a permanent stand against dispensaries that open up shop in their town. It did, however, place an almost one-year moratorium […]
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Local schools band together in defense of education funding
On March 4, students, teachers, and even some parents papered local streets and schools with flyers urging supporters to defend education funding from even more drastic cuts. Local members of the California Teachers Association held signs and passed out informational pamphlets to parents as they dropped their children off at several Santa Maria and Orcutt […]
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Santa Barbara Bank celebrates 50 years
Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, the largest regional community bank in Santa Barbara County, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Louis Lancaster, Reuben Irvin, and Ralph Raddue founded the bank in 1960. The trio established the first branch at 20 East Carrillo St. in Santa Barbara, which now serves as the bank’s main branch. […]
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Game over for MotionZ
After more than five years operating in Santa Maria’s Town Center mall, laser tag and family entertainment center MotionZ will close its doors for good on March 28. Mary Alice and George Majoue opened MotionZ in November 2004 to provide an environment for families and teens to enjoy themselves. The entertainment center had been slated […]
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Expand your psychic horizons
Enlightenment, a new spirituality shop in Santa Maria, will be celebrating its grand opening with courses in psychic development on March 20. The store will be offering half-off discounts of $150 for four classes. Attendees will learn how to attune their spirit through direct messages from loved ones and through enhanced psychic meditation and to […]
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Santa Maria Saints win one jazzy award
Sound the trumpets—or, rather, saxophones: Santa Maria High School advanced jazz ensemble won first place at the 27th annual Central Coast Jazz Festival, held on Feb. 27 at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. The Santa Maria Saints also won Best Saxophones, Best Trombones, Best Trumpets, and Best Rhythm Section; and Luke Rodriguez won Best […]
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Hancock instructor wins award for education excellence
For the second year in a row, an Allan Hancock College instructor has received the prestigious California Community College Association for Occupational Education Excellence in Teaching Award. This year, the honor went to Julie Kuras, the college’s nursing assistant programs coordinator and health sciences department chair. A nurse and educator for almost 30 years, Kuras […]
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Alex Grandy
Pioneer Valley wrestler Alex Grandy is ready for his close-up. By virtue of a fourth place finish in the state finals in Bakersfield on March 6, Grandy qualified for the prestigious National Wrestling Championships. The senior won five of seven matches at state, punching his ticket to Virginia Beach for March 25 to 28. “I […]