Sometimes she’s quiet and reserved, but she’s never at a loss for words. She just keeps them carefully guarded. Santa Cruz singer/songwriter Amy Obenski pours the right words into songs with profound lyrics sung with smooth honey vocals. “What’s really important to me is in those songs. The stuff I write about is the […]
Folk fusion
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Death and games
What do a rooster, mermaid, umbrella, watermelon, shrimp, musician, spider, and cactus have in common? Each is an image depicted on a lotería card—a game much like bingo but most prevalently played in Mexico. The lotería cards are putting in an appearance at ARTS Space Obispo in San Luis Obispo through Nov. 13 as part […]
Posted inNews
Another Republican enters the race for California’s 33rd District Assembly seat
The candidate roster for the Republican nomination for the 33rd District Assembly seat has been bumped back up to four. On Oct. 21, longtime San Luis Obispo resident Matt Kokkonen filed papers to run for the position, which is being vacated in 2010 by Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) due to term limits. Locals […]
Posted inOpinion
What are you going to be for Halloween?
Kiara Estrada princess “Jasmine, because I like princesses.” Christian Williams part-time hero “Spiderman. He’s my favorite superhero, and I have webs for my costume.” Sedyna Tovak student of costumes “A genie. Or a goth, which I think would be awesome.” [image-4] Aedyn Taylor explorer “Indiana Jones, because he does cool stuff.”
Posted inNews
Political Watch 10-29
Following former Santa Maria City Council member Marty Mariscal’s decision to withdraw from the race for the 33rd District Assembly seat, fellow Republican candidate and San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian (4th District) told the Sun: “I’m sorry to see him drop out. I had an opportunity to meet with him a couple times, […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 10-29
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office […]
Posted inNews
Strong makes a case for new leadership
If Republican candidate Fred Strong gets elected to the 33rd District Assembly seat, it won’t be his first time representing Central Coast citizens at the state level. The Paso Robles mayor pro tem has spent several decades in Sacramento, first as a lobbyist and then as a member of two League of California Cities […]
Posted inNews
Marian nurses to stage single-day strike?
Barring a last-minute resolution of a labor dispute between the state’s nurses union and Catholic Healthcare West, Marian Medical Center nurses could walk out on Oct. 30, joining ranks for the union’s one-day strike. Talks between the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee and CHW on a new four-year contract are hinging on nurses’ […]
Posted inNews
Following in Carnegie’s footsteps
Andrew Carnegie wasn’t the first—and definitely wasn’t the last—philanthropist to be honored for his gift to Santa Maria. On Nov. 5, the annual Celebrate Philanthropy! luncheon will honor people who have contributed immensely to benefit the community of the Santa Maria Valley. The Allan Hancock College, Marian Medical Center, and Santa Barbara foundations originally […]
Posted inNews
Anti-gang effort sweeps north Santa Maria
A group of approximately 40 law enforcement officials recently conducted a gang sweep in response to reports of increased criminal activity in the northern Santa Maria area. On Oct. 23, officers from a handful of city, county, and state agencies worked together to target 49 suspected West Park gang members. According to a press release […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara supervisors approve Union Valley Parkway project
After decades of deliberating and planning, the Union Valley Parkway project—a freeway interchange and extension running through Orcutt and Santa Maria—is finally becoming a reality. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved at its Oct. 27 meeting the portion of the project under county jurisdiction, giving the OK for phase one of development […]
Posted inNews
Army compound dedicated in honor of fallen Vandenberg engineer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers compound on Camp Victory, Iraq, has a new name. On Oct. 22, the compound was officially designated Camp Wolfe in honor of Navy Cmdr. Duane Wolfe. An activated Navy reservist and civilian employee with Vandenberg Air Force Base, Wolfe was killed on May 25 when an improvised explosive device […]