Suicide is a complex issue. It’s also a subject many people don’t want to talk about because of its painful and taboo connotations. But according to many experts, it’s that very societal need to keep suicide—and the thoughts and feelings surrounding it—secret and shrouded in shame that partly drives people to the point of taking […]
Breaking the silence
Posted inOpinion
Is there anything you would like to accomplish before the year ends?
Ismael Conas retail employee “Finish the nine-book series X-Wing before I go to basic training on Dec. 8.” George Ramos sales representative “Basically they are work related: stay in business, and make money.” Alisha Logan fashion designer “Start my clothing website: Rock n’ Roll Inject.” Jared Mack M.P. “Get my finances in order.”
Posted inNews
Political Watch 11-5
Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams recently announced that Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, vice chair of the California Democratic Party, has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District seat, which is being vacated by Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) in 2010 due to term limits. “Nobody has been a bigger champion for the Santa Barbara and […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 11-5
MONDAY, NOV. 9 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, NOV. 10 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen
What is it about the Foodbank’s annual Empty Bowls event that attracts ever so many people? About 700 showed up for lunch on Oct. 28, 11:30-ish, at the Fairpark. This is amazing! Every year, the crowd gets larger. Those at the head of the line got first crack at choosing a bowl from […]
Posted inNews
A tree grows in Lompoc
As a gift to beautify the façade of Homebase on G, a new housing development for disabled residents and low-wage earners in Lompoc, four adult trees were planted with help from a $1,500 donation from the Lompoc Valley Botanic and Horticultural Society. The trees are two holly oaks, and two Chinese flames. “It […]
Posted inNews
Local cops aren’t subject to drug testing
Many jobs these days require random drug testing: If you want to drive a bus in Santa Barbara County, get ready for random drug tests. If you drive a limousine, a taxi, or an ambulance, you’ll be tested over the length of your driving career. And while the Santa Maria Joint Unified School District doesn’t […]
Posted inNews
Kokkonen to race again
When he was 16 years old, Matt Kokkonen emigrated from Finland to the United States. Kokkonen said he knew he wanted to live in America shortly after his father died. “I dragged my mother down to the U.S. Embassy at Helsinki and went [abroad] by myself,” Kokkonen recalled in a recent interview with the […]
Posted inNews
Book teaches people what to do If Love Hurts
Santa Barbara County nonprofit Domestic Violence Solutions recently published the book, If Love Hurts, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Written mostly by survivors of abuse living in Santa Barbara County, the book is a collection of stories designed to tell the truth about the effects of physical and emotional violence on children, […]
Posted inNews
Hancock development workshop is open to all local contractors
On Nov. 6, Allan Hancock College will be hosting a free contracting workshop where participants can learn more about the upcoming capital improvement projects being developed as part of the college’s facilities master plan. This includes the Student Services Center set to break ground early next year. Sponsored by the college and the Santa […]
Posted inNews
Vandenberg schedules controlled burn to collect air quality data
Vandenberg Air Force Base engineers are planning to conduct two separate controlled burns on land near the base in Lompoc from now until Nov. 13, base officials recently announced. The burns will take place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in two different locations. The Grant Burn includes more than 300 acres north of […]
Posted inNews
Waterfield leaves Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce to focus on Assembly race
After almost six years of service, Etta Waterfield is stepping down as head of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee to focus on her campaign for the 33rd District Assembly seat. Her last day at the chamber was Oct. 30. “The reason I am stepping down from this wonderful organization […]