A couple of weeks ago, I gave an opinion about Tom Knepher’s commentary in the Sun, and it attracted a juvenile response from a Michael Smith (“Get it straight: Take a history class,” Dec. 18), who felt that I was wrong about most every opinion. I reread my submission (“History and another point of view,” […]
I stand by my original opinion
Posted inOpinion
End the recession by bailing out the states
Once again, our bumbling president and his cohorts have proved they know nothing about our economy or how to fix it. To top it off, this crew single-handedly brought about a worldwide recession. What a legacy! Their ineptness and hindsight saw fit to bail out our financial institutions and the auto industry with billions of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Special athletes need stellar volunteers
When athletes test their bodies and wills at Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics’ area games at Vandenberg Air Force Base in April, the base will provide its own volunteers to make sure the track and field events run smoothly. When competitors need help with drills at their weekly basketball practice, or tips […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Join up for flags, sand, and football
The local Women’s Beach Flag Football League is looking for players and teams. Games (five-on-five, no-contact) will be played on Pismo Beach starting March 8, but sign ups are open now. For more information, call 489-1340.
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Jonathan Ramirez
His jersey says he’s No. 1, and so does his coach. Jonathan Ramirez plays for the Allan Hancock College men’s basketball team, and Head Coach Ralph Gorton can’t say enough good things about him: Ramirez has the “kind of maturity all coaches would like to have.” “He’s a coach’s dream.” “He’s our best player.” […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Warm up with port
During the sun-drenched days of summer, fans root for their favorite golfers and baseball teams, and when winter rolls around, they pile into football stadiums and basketball arenas, ready to cheer the action. Just as sports have their seasons, so, too, do many wines. Searing hot days call for crisp white wines that cool […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Word problems
After a long, hard day at work (checking my personal e-mail, trading fantasy football players, and watching old Saturday Night Live skits on YouTube), I like to have a relaxing evening at home away from all of the stresses of my job (like my fantasy players being put on injured reserve). I like to sit […]
Posted inNews
Allan Hancock College will offer head START, faster classes
Allan Hancock College is inviting students to “attend college at the speed of life” by earning a full semester course’s credits in eight weeks through the college’s Fast Track/Term classes. More than 140 eight-week term classes are being offered during the spring 2009 semester. Almost 50 of the classes are being offered at the […]
Posted inNews
Cal Poly Rose Parade float wins first-ever Viewers’ Choice Award
On Jan. 2, “Seaside Amusement” translated into voter amusement when a parade float co-designed and built by the Cal Poly universities won the inaugural KTLA Viewers’ Choice Award for the Tournament of Roses. The float nabbed 3,219 out of a total of 10,618 votes, according to a Cal Poly press release. The float was […]
Posted inNews
Think outside the page
Here’s the deal: You’re blind, and you want to find out what happened to Harry Potter in the last book of J. K. Rowling’s series, so you check out a stack of CDs from the library and let narrator Jim Dale’s crisp British accent bring the halls of Hogwarts to life. A few chapters […]
Posted inNews
Their wishes are your command
When someone suggested in 2000 that Stefanie Hassett get involved with the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Santa Maria resident had her doubts.She wasn’t donating money at a fundraiser or volunteering her time—she was contemplating signing up her 10-year-old son, Alex, who was suffering from lymphoma, for his special wish. The decision […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook
MONDAY, JAN. 12 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, JAN. 13 The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors […]