On Nov. 11, technology chain Circuit City announced that it’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On top of that, the chain said it will close approximately 20 percent—about 155—of its more than 700 stores in the United States by Dec. 31. Santa Maria’s Circuit City, located at 1535 South Bradley Road, is scheduled to close, […]
Local Circuit City branch is closing its doors
Posted inNews
City of Santa Maria eyes a new location for the police department
The Santa Maria Police Department is about to get an upgrade. The city recently announced that escrow is expected to close in mid-November on land and a building on West Betteravia Road, near the intersection of Blosser and Betteravia roads. In a release to the media, Santa Maria City Manager Tim Ness said that the […]
Posted inNews
Doreen Farr takes over the Third District
Doreen Farr had an exciting election night party, but she wishes she hadn’t. If the votes had gone in her favor earlier in the night, she could have avoided the long, nerve-wracking hours she spent waiting for the votes to be counted. Trailing behind Steve Pappas with 48 percent of the vote to his 51 […]
Posted inOpinion
Keep marriages to the churches
Despite opposing redefinition of marriage, Californians have already conceded civil unions to same-sex couples. But gays have rejected anything short of full use of the same word that applies to traditional couples. Therefore, I propose a solution: Marriage obviously means different things to different people, and carries many religious implications. Hence, like separation of church […]
Posted inOpinion
Prop 8’s passing presents a problem
The California electorate has approved Proposition 8, deeming marriage to be legal only for couples of one man and one woman. However, a significant legal and procedural problem not addressed in the wording of Proposition 8 remains unresolved. Unless the secretary of state acts immediately to deal with this heretofore-unrecognized threat, the legal veracity of […]
Posted inOpinion
Immigrants aren’t the problem, but they’re part of it
The news item “What’s behind those ads?” by Colin Rigley (Nov. 6) discussing the reaction to TV ads linking immigration to global warming was probably not intentionally biased, but it certainly misrepresented the opinions of many people concerned about unlimited population growth, and certainly didn’t capture the intent of the people who ran the ads. […]
Posted inOpinion
I may not have won, but I’ll keep spreading my message
It has been an honor for me to run for U.S. Congress in the November general election to represent the people in the 23rd District in California. When I immigrated to America at 16 by myself, little did I imagine that one day I would be able to do this. I thank the tens of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
His cheating heart
Last Sunday, I was living the dream. I was lying on my couch, lazily sliding in and out of consciousness. I was watching the NASCAR race, or I guess I should say listening to the NASCAR race since my eyes were shut. I don’t think I have ever watched a NASCAR race without falling asleep. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Union Hotel serves up death and dinner
Want a little murder and mystery with your turkey dinner? Head to the Gobble Gobble Death and Trouble murder mystery dinner theater at Union Hotel at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 and 28. Chef Ramsey Gordon has the world’s most sought after turkey recipe. What length would someone go to get it? Find out at […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Short on shillings, long on talent
It’s not unusual for a folk musician to strive for release from a conventional lifestyle, longing to take to the road to share music and a message. Then there are the brave souls who actually do it and are better for it. Four Shillings Short falls into the latter category. Being homeless and owning few […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Surf trip
Surfers travel to where the surf is. Likewise, art enthusiasts travel to where the art is. And sometimes, people are lucky enough to be able to do both. On a recent weekend, the marriage of three circumstances—falling gas prices, dismal weather, and an ever-present feeling of wanderlust—led us to pack up and take a drive […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CLUBS & MEETINGS
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the Santa […]