The Human Rights Campaign recently recognized U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) for her support of issues important to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities (LGBT). “I am pleased to receive this recognition for my efforts to fight for equality for all Americans,” Capps said in a press release. “All Americans will benefit when […]
Political Watch
Posted inNews
What Kids are Reading
Marveltown by Bruce McCall recommended for ages 5 to 8 Marveltown is a gleaming, retro-futuristic city of wonder. Flying vehicles soar over, under, and around suspended roads and improbable towering buildings. Daredevil antics, such as sky-skiing and elevated marlin fishing, are commonplace. And every Saturday, all of the kids in the town get access to […]
Posted inNews
For troops, care packages really are service with a smile
On Oct. 25, members of Altrusa of Santa Maria met at the Santa Maria Post Office with Si Tenenberg to ship 49 boxes of supplies to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Altrusa of Santa Maria members donated boxes of supplies and spent a morning at Tenenberg’s home packing and labeling the boxes. Fundraising efforts […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen
Be still my heart! A bevy of dashing, charming male waiters tended to milady’s wine and food needs on Oct. 23 at the Santa Maria Country Club. Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) activist Peggy Blough and friends hatched the idea for this first-time event. It was billed as “Santa Maria Men Against Domestic Violence Present Girls’ […]
Posted inNews
Central Coast cities face new storm water standards
Storm water collection has a lot of people worried these days, mostly because they’re not sure what exactly to be worried about. What’s definite is that new storm water standards passed down by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board will require a truckload of environmental studies and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. […]
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Local complaints of voter fraud link to a statewide investigation
Election Day may be over, but trust in the political process could be slow in returning for some Central Coast residents. When Lompoc resident Carolyn Garrett was asked to sign a petition strengthening sentencing for child molesters in October, she never imagined what would happen next. “I got a call from the Republic National Convention […]
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Terrorism isn’t a problem for Diablo Canyon, feds say
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has permission to store spent fuel in above-ground storage containers without further study of a potential terrorist attack. The decision was announced on Oct. 23 by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which ruled that an existing eight-page environmental assessment was adequate despite protests by Mothers for Peace. The SLO-based nuclear […]
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What’s behind those ads?
Immigration and global warming: If ever there were two public policy issues that would seem unrelated, it’s these two. One well-heeled group, however, sees them as inextricably linked. A recent TV commercial, sponsored by Santa Barbara-based Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS), purports that increased immigration—both legal and illegal—will quadruple America’s carbon footprint. In the commercial, […]
Posted inOpinion
We need to change
Change is always difficult, but our culture must change if it is to continue. There is a movement that is coming from the people/citizens. It has been given a title of “green,” but I prefer “sustainable.” Basically, it is change from a high consumption rate to living within the capacity of our habitat. Resources are […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Karting Association members worry about losing their track
It’s not so much a surprise as it is gratifying to find out that something in Santa Maria, relatively small Santa Maria, is revered by others throughout the country. Santa Maria-style barbecue is an example, and so is the rodeo. A bit lesser known—but no less important to racing fans—is the Santa Maria Karting Association’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
It’s time for the Turkey Trot Family Fun Run
Forget the shopping trips and pie baking—the best way to get ready for Thanksgiving is to go on a run, especially if it’s the annual Turkey Trot Family Fun Run, put on by the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. The run starts at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the Hagerman Sports […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Sydney Delgado kicks far and she kicks hard, but she doesn’t have to practice, she said, because she was just born to play. “My family is a soccer family,” she said. Delgado, 7, plays for the Coral Crush soccer team. It’s a name Delgado said she came up with because their team shirts are a […]