Seventh and eighth graders from Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Guadalupe will be partying in a drug- and alcohol-free environment on Oct. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Santa Maria Saturn dealership thanks to Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. “This is a chance for kids to have a good time without the pressures of […]
Yes, it’s a party; no, there won’t be alcohol
Posted inNews
Caltrans to fund local school safety programs
Traveling to school is about to get safer for Santa Barbara County, following Caltrans’ Oct. 9 awarding of $46 million to cities and counties throughout the state—including Lompoc and Santa Barbara County—for projects funded through the federal Safe Routes to School program. The program is designed to help students in Kindergarten through eighth grade travel […]
Posted inNews
County drops felony charges in Zaca Fire case
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Zel Canter recently dismissed five felony counts and additional charges filed against a local ranch and two of its employees for allegedly starting the Zaca Fire last summer. On July 4, 2007, Rancho La Laguna LLC employees Santiago Iniquez Cervantes of Santa Maria and Jose Jesus Cabrera of Santa […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County supervisors reject PXP project appeals
On Oct. 7, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1, with 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray dissenting, to deny appeals against an offshore oil-drilling project that would give Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) sole drilling access to the county’s Tranquillon Ridge. The board voted in favor of a previous decision made by […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria Public Airport hires new general manager
After a nine-month search, the Santa Maria Public Airport finally hired a new general manager. Chris Hastert, the former deputy director of two Ventura County airports, began on Oct. 14. As general manager, Hastert is responsible for managing hundreds of commercial leases, private and county hangar license agreements, and the future development of several airport […]
Posted inNews
Peace by peace
Community members from all walks of life came together to enjoy food, music, and religious reflection in honor of Santa Maria’s 12th annual Peace Week, Oct. 13 through 18. Hosted by the People for Nonviolence Committee of Marian Medical Center, Peace Week offers a series of free public events aimed at bringing the communities of […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s the worst bicycle accident you’ve been in?
Brenda Lee mother “Ran into the back of a car and hit my ‘personal area.’ What’s worse, I hit the same car in the same spot two weeks later.” Lewis Height retired from Shell Oil “Never had a bike. I grew up during the Depression.” Mary Height retiree “I fell off my granddaughter’s bike and […]
Posted inNews
County Public Works prepares for an emergency
There’s no such thing as being too prepared, and county officials have taken that sentiment to heart recently. Officials launched a mutual aid agreement between county public works departments, while at the same time treating land scorched by the Gap Fire to prevent flooding and mudslides. The two projects are happening simultaneously, and both are […]
Posted inNews
Roll with it
Who was the first in your circle to take the plunge and buy a computer? Or a cell phone or an iPod or ; (drumroll) ; who was first to park the car and bicycle to work? Was it goofy Uncle Jimmy, who used to ramble on about health and flax seed tea? Or was […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Ty-D-Bol Man on wheels
It’s all Michael Phelps’ fault. While watching hours and hours of the Olympics, waiting to see if he won 175 gold medals in one event, I was subjected to repeat commercials of RV sales and motorhome dealership closeouts. They said that there has never been a better time than right now to buy an RV. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Arts Briefs
Stinn and Shinn take their show on the road Two local artists are packing their works and heading south. Gerry Stinn and Bill Shinn will have a reception, demonstration, and book signing at the Santa Barbara Art Museum Store. The Stinn and Shinn Trunk Show will take place on Oct. 25 at the store. In […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A dash of the surreal
Splash a Disney cartoon character with bright paint, then slowly melt it on a barbecue while listening to one of the trippier Beatles’ albums. Your end result may begin to approach something born from the brain of Brent Parker. The jack-of-all-visual-artsy-trades, Sun freelancer, and former Santa Maria Arts Council grant recipient is currently showing his […]