My daughter has one of those enormous hearts that has all kinds of room in it to love all of the Earth’s different creatures. Unfortunately for her, the mom she was assigned to by the random draw of birth does not want any of the Earth’s little creatures inside “her” house. My wife, whom I […]
Hamster Dance
Posted inOpinion
What do you think is going to happen in 2012?
Jason Cassaro welder “Absolutely nothing. It’s absurd that people are even worrying.” Natasha Delgado teacher “I hope the world doesn’t come to an end, but the movie freaked me out. I just wanna be alive.” Emily Rodwald intern “I think it’s gonna be like Y2K and life is gonna go on. It’s all just marketing […]
Posted inNews
Farmworkers with 401Ks
It’s noon on the final day of wine-grape harvest, and Berta Gonzalez and Maria Cerna eat their homemade tacos, sharing stories and laughing together as they sit in the shade of an unusual trailer parked at the edge of a local vineyard. It beats crouching in the dirt in the hot sun at lunchtime, Mendoza […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 11-19
Earlier this month, the California State Assembly passed a legislation package to address the state’s water shortage, including measures on water conservation, groundwater monitoring, and a finance measure to build reliable water storage. In a release to the media, California Farm Bureau Federation president Doug Mosebar said the bills represent real progress toward meeting the […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 11-19
FRIDAY, NOV. 20 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen
Trattoria Uliveto’s back room is full of twinkling lights and—if the Orcutt Aquacenter board is meeting there—warm fuzzy feelings. At their Nov. 5 meeting, the board elected Paul Lee president. He is director of recreational sports at the UCSB Recreation Center and succeeds Tammy Rabska, who had fond parting words for the group. […]
Posted inNews
Come to the table
Thanksgiving is a time for people to come together, share a meal, and express their gratitude. But giving thanks can sometimes prove difficult, especially for those who are hungry or homeless. Once again, two local organizations—the Central Coast Rescue Mission and San Luis Obispo’s K-Love affiliate, KLVH 88.5 FM—are teaming up to spread the […]
Posted inNews
Where have all the foreclosures gone?
In the midst of the sub-prime mortgage mess, it shouldn’t be a problem finding foreclosed properties to buy—not necessarily on the cheap (this is California, after all) but at least readily available, right? Not really. There are plenty of foreclosed properties out there at the moment (the technical term is REO, or “real […]
Posted inNews
Be a Christmas miracle
As the leaves fall from the trees, children are preparing to leave the classroom for Thanksgiving break, and most are bracing themselves for the coveted Macy’s parade. Toys for Tots has distributed its donation bins so that people struggling financially will have a Christmas that many Americans take for granted. Last year, the […]
Posted inNews
North County is showing signs of economic recovery
Though it might not look like it at first glance, the recession is over in Northern Santa Barbara County. At least that’s the diagnosis from a prominent economic forecaster, who spoke before community leaders at the Economic Conference and Business Outlook for 2010 on Nov. 17. According to Mark Schniepp, principal for the […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria’s annual switch to groundwater is extended for repairs
The annual shutdown of the coastal branch of the State Water Project has been extended through Nov. 23 for routine repairs and maintenance, meaning Santa Marians will be drinking water from city wells for just a little bit longer. “A portion of the canal was inspected, and they found damage to a portion of […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria city employees agree to a voluntary pay cut
Santa Maria city employees have voluntarily accepted 4 to 5 percent reductions in wages and benefits for the 2010 calendar year, according to an announcement from the city. The plan is expected to save the city approximately $600,000 through June 30, 2010—the end of the current fiscal year—and about $1.2 million throughout the 2010 […]