What is California’s most important resource? Human beings, of course. Yet each year, the revolving door of the criminal justice system sends thousands of nonviolent young men and women to prison, principally based on the continuing inane belief that we are making our streets “safer” and that we can lower our crime rates through incarceration. […]
Incarceration doesn’t prevent crime
Posted inOpinion
Check out the South County class warfare
While the gentrified, upper-middle-class residents of San Luis Obispo are arranging to ban loud parties and smoking on the sidewalks, and those of Pismo Beach have already banned smoking on its beach, the residents of Oceano Beach are forced to tolerate the hideous noise and ghastly pollution brought on by the Off Road “Recreational” State […]
Posted inOpinion
Off-roading opponents are reaching with this one
Regarding Nell Langford’s letter on the particulates at the Oceano Dunes OHV Park (“Stand against health-threatening particulates,” Jan. 21): Come on, Nell, you’re certainly reaching on this one. Do you mean the exhaust from the off-road vehicles, or do you mean the sand that is kicked up out there? Regarding the pollutants coming from the […]
Posted inNews
Merger group certifies Hardy CFO
The Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors announced the certification of Nathaniel Graessle, chief financial officer of Santa Maria-based Hardy Diagnostics, as a certified merger and acquisition advisor. Graessle joins a group of more than 300 experienced corporate financial advisors and corporate development executives to earn the CM&AA certification nationwide. Hardy Diagnostics is an FDA-licensed […]
Posted inNews
Dog days come to Toy Zoo
Spend a day with everybody’s favorite Big Red Dog as Santa Maria’s Toy Zoo gets a visit from Clifford on Feb. 6. Clifford will be signing books, and children will have the opportunity to make a Clifford puppet, enter a coloring contest, and create Valentines for their friends. Clifford is scheduled to appear at 11 […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc’s Hughes dives into AmEx ad
The owner of Lompoc’s Skydive Santa Barbara is one of several small business owners being featured in American Express OPEN’s new TV ads: “How Can I Get Paid Faster?” David Hughes, a 22-year skydiving veteran and former British skydiving champion, has operated Skydive Santa Barbara for 15 years. The center offers an 18,000-foot tandem jump […]
Posted inNews
VITA program offers free tax preparation
If you or your family earned less than $49,000 last year and you’re puzzled by the tax law, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program can help with free tax preparation beginning Jan. 30. Sponsored by Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, VITA assists low- to moderate-income families and individuals in claiming special credits like the […]
Posted inNews
Tapestries aren’t just for museums anymore
The art of weaving tapestries is making its way straight from the Middle Ages to Allan Hancock College. The college’s Community Education Department is now offering two sessions of Beginning Tapestry Weaving, to be held on Saturdays Jan. 30 through Feb. 27 and April 10 to May 1, for a fee of $65. Enrollees will […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sara Epps
Much like Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the St. Joseph girls’ soccer team prides itself on the motto, “All for one and one for all.” However, as the Knights look to stay perfect in league play, one prolific scorer stands head and shoulders above the rest of her teammates: junior forward Sara Epps. Epps leads the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
School of hard knocks
At almost any hour of the day, seven days a week, Santa Maria’s Infinite Boxing Gym is awash with the hiss of pounding gloves, throbbing workout music, and the syncopated whip-cracking of jump ropes. The gym’s owner, Julio Avila, always knew the city he grew up in was a hotbed for boxing, but the extent […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Breakfast with Xtreme Basketball
West Coast Xtreme Basketball Academy will be holding a breakfast fundraiser on Feb. 6 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. For $7, attendees will receive a hearty old-fashioned breakfast including pancakes, eggs, sausage links, and a drink. Proceeds will go toward purchasing basketball supplies for players and coaches in the Academy. The event takes place at […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Teens: Catch the Super Bowl in style
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department invites teens to watch the Super Bowl on a 72-inch big screen and more at the Big Game Super Bowl party on Feb. 7. Teens from seventh through 12th grade will be able to witness the NFL’s two best teams battle for supremacy and enjoy a day full […]