Recent changes in firebase operations at the Santa Maria Public Airport have some local fire officials worried about the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to fight fires on the Central Coast. Earlier this year, the Forest Service transferred two of the Santa Maria Air Attack Base’s full-time managerial employees to a nearby district office, and downgraded […]
Changes to Santa Maria tanker base prompt worries about fire safety
Posted inNews
Santa Maria seeks input on disbursing $1.2 million in state funding
On May 11, the Santa Maria Block Grants Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss how the city should spend more than $1.2 million in state funding. The California state government has received approximately $145 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding from the federal government. The money is meant to help Santa Maria, […]
Posted inNews
Panda Express comes to Lompoc
Quick and tasty Chinese cuisine is headed for Lompoc. Hayes Commercial Group announced that Panda Express, a fast-food chain specializing in wok-cooked gourmet-style food, will be moving into a location at 1405 North H St. on March 31 of 2010. The group announced the sale of the property to CFT Development, which will redevelop the […]
Posted inNews
Teens, get to work
Local businesses and agencies in Santa Maria will be distributing applications and conducting formal job interviews at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, which hosts its sixth Teen Job Fair on May 7. The fair is sponsored by the Families for the First Decade Project Collaborative and will take place at the center, located at […]
Posted inNews
Propane facility gasses up
Local and family-owned propane marketer Delta Liquid Energy recently announced that its newly constructed rail facility in Santa Maria is now fully operational. The site, which will be used to import propane from Texas and Canada, includes more than 300 feet of private railroad track, a propane storage capacity of 90,000 gallons, and an office […]
Posted inNews
Uncle Sam wants you for 2010
The Los Angeles Regional Census Center, comprised of 19 counties in California—including Santa Barbara County—is looking to hire help for its 2010 census counts. The 26 local census offices in Southern California will open in the fall of 2009 to direct field operations for the region’s population count. The focus of the Regional Center is […]
Posted inOpinion
Who wants to be a dog catcher?
It seems that in California’s current/annual budget debacle, it’s one public employee union against another. “Guns or butter?” we are asked, each side having valid points. What we really need is a healthy private sector that can provide a robust tax return to an inclusive and functioning government and at the same time can provide […]
Posted inOpinion
The United States doesn’t make cars I want
Chrysler will not survive if it becomes part of Fiat and the UAW. When I purchased my new Dodge truck in 2006 it was then Daimler/Chrysler. That is Mercedes Benz. They invented the automobile and the diesel car and truck. My truck had Mercedes and German technology. After three years, I have had no problems, […]
Posted inOpinion
Step up the enforcement
About 10 years ago, my son was rear-ended by an illegal. “Hit and run,” my son’s vehicle was disabled and unable to chase the driver of the damaged-but-not-disabled vehicle that hit him. The police were called. They wrote the usual report, but cannot take the time to look for all of these “minor” incidents. My […]
Posted inOpinion
Contribute to the amazing PCPA
I just sent a donation to PCPA Theaterfest, not because I am rich, but because PCPA makes my life richer with the live theater they bring to me year round. I came to Santa Maria in 1985 to perform at PCPA in Gypsy, and last performed and taught there in 2000. I know from the […]
Posted inOpinion
Bring on more Rob Krider
Why isn’t that (sometimes) nice young fellow Rob Krider in every edition of the Sun? He’s funny. He’s self-effacing. O.K., maybe he’s just honest. But his column is the reason I read the publication. Truly. Won’t you consider it? Or, how about alternating with a column by his wife, whom he loves? Might be interesting […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Arts council highlights artists
The 2009 Santa Maria Arts Council Grants Showcase will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 18 at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Santa Maria. This year, the council is awarding $10,000 in first- and second-place awards to the valley’s top emerging artists in dance, drama, visual arts, and music. The evening includes visual […]