The Santa Maria Police Department has received some much deserved criticism lately for its inability to stop gang-related crime. Each day I read about new acts of violence being committed against innocent citizens, and I’m outraged. While I know our peace officers have their hands full in combating crime, their efforts are not enough these […]
Start working now for peace on Earth next year
Posted inOpinion
An injunction is the only answer
During the last Santa Maria City Council meeting, several residents spoke about the need for a gang injunction. Amen! For many years, Santa Maria has been plagued by gang-related violence, with the last, most memorable, and spectacular demonstration having been made in the middle of the day just last month. Several gang members terrorized Santa […]
Posted inOpinion
Didn’t the politically correct ‘holidays’ die last year?
I see that Holiday Trees has once again returned to Skyway and Highway 135. But, to be fair, it appears the sign refers to the name of the company (Orcutt Holiday Trees). However, that sounds like an oxymoron to me to have a company called Holiday Trees selling Christmas trees. Don’t they understand that it’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ashley Bonenfant
In certain situations, it’s OK to steal and shoot your way to the top. Ashley Bonenfant has found herself in such situations, so she’s been doing just that. A freshman on the Allan Hancock College’s women’s basketball team, Bonenfant stands at 5-foot-5—but her modest height doesn’t shadow her skill as a basketball player. She has […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Panthers on the prowl
It’s still early, but Pioneer Valley High School’s boys’ soccer team is already setting some lofty goals: an undefeated season, a league championship, and a berth in the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs. So far, so good. “Our expectation is to win the league,” third-year head coach Humberto Robles said through an inter-preter. “I think that […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Youth get baseball skills
Baseball players ages 6 through 18 are invited to sharpen their hitting, fielding, and pitching skills at Allan Hancock College’s annual Holiday Baseball Clinic, to be held from Dec. 21 to 23. Players will take lessons from the entire Allan Hancock College coaching staff, along with former major league pitcher Bryn Smith; Santa Maria Valley […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Everybody out of the pool
For budget reasons, the Lompoc Aquatic Center will be closed until Jan. 11. The timeframe includes four weeks of complete closure with furlough for employees, and two weeks set aside for staffers to provide maintenance on the building and pools. In the meantime, the Lompoc Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Department will still accept registrations […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Don’t dodge this!
The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is set to host the inaugural “Duck and Run” co-ed dodgeball tournament on Dec. 12. Official dodgeball rules and regulations will be followed, but old-school playground fun is guaranteed. Teams can sign up at the YMCA front desk for $125, with proceeds going to benefit Righetti High School’s boys’ soccer […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Artists come together
Artists and people passionate about the arts are invited to get together to discuss and identify issues facing the arts in the Santa Maria Valley. A meeting will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Shepard Hall Gallery in the Santa Maria Public Library. Organizers hope to hear from a diverse […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Make a movie
Be part of a movie production. A locally based project is currently looking for crew members. Priority will be given to qualified Santa Barbara County residents. The project needs an assistant production coordinator, set dresser, prop assistant, interns, set costumer, costume assistant, key grip, best boy, key hair, key makeup, and loader and 1st and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Visit the Discovery Museum
In response to turbulent economic times and out of sensitivity to budget cuts many families are making, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is offering an end-of-year discount on an annual family membership. Through Dec. 31, families buying a museum membership for the first time can do so for $70. For more information, call 928-8414 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hear sweet sounds
The Tri City Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines 2009 Annual Christmas Friends and Family Show will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Lutheran Church of Our Savior’s Stahnke Hall at 4725 S. Bradley Road. A free will offering basket will be available to collect funds for local high school music scholarships. For […]