Faculty member Tracy Trotter of Trotter Productions and Brooks Institute alumnus Stephen McGee recently brought home a couple of Emmy awards. Trotter won his Emmy as the director of photography for his public service announcement, “Voter.” The announcement is currently showing in the Los Angeles area. McGee won his third Emmy for his project, “40 […]
Brooks Institute celebrates Emmy wins
Classical KUSC comes to the Central Coast
The most listened to public radio station in the Los Angeles area is expanding its service to the Central Coast, starting in early 2009, according to station president Brenda Barnes. “We are very pleased to bring our all-classical format to the Central Coast. KUSC has recently been ranked by Arbitron as the most listened to […]
It’s a last-minute chance to receive loans for Gap Fire losses
Nov. 6, the same day this issue of the Sun came out, is the last day to fax in paperwork for an Economic Injury Loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). On Nov. 6, the county is sending in the paperwork for local businesses that lost revenue during the Gap Fire. The Economic Injury Disaster […]
Political Watch
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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’ […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]

