State officials stand up against scrap metal theft

Posted inNews

State officials stand up against scrap metal theft

by AMY ASMAN

Metal thieves, beware: In response to the increasing rate of metal theft in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month signed a package of bills aimed at combating metal theft and illegal sales. From 2004 to 2005, the market value of metals—specifically copper and aluminum—increased significantly, leading to an increase of stolen metal from fire […]

Posted inNews

Lompoc wind farm gets nod from county

by JOHN MCREYNOLDS

Forty years after Santa Barbara County oil platforms sloshed oily goo onto America’s front page, the area has returned to the forefront of environmentalism with the approval of the county’s first renewable energy plant.  The Lompoc Wind Energy Project won’t be built at tourist-draped Santa Barbara Harbor—victim of 1969’s world famous oil spill, which birthed […]

Posted inNews

It doesn’t always pay to be a ‘nice girl’

by AMY ASMAN

In her new book, The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused–—and Start Standing Up for Yourself, local author and veteran therapist Beverly Engel warns girls and women about being too “nice.” Being too nice, Engel writes, can be dangerous, because “nice girls” are more likely to be victimized—emotionally, physically, and sexually. Throughout her […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Arts Briefs

by SHELLY CONE

‘Pops’ goes the new director The Allan Hancock College Pops season opens with a new band director for the first time in 40 years. Greg Stoll has taken over baton duties from retiring longtime band leader Gary Thompson to lead the first concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 at First Baptist […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Enter a new Dimension

by SHELLY CONE

For more than two decades, the Allan Hancock College Dance program has impressed audiences with its ability to express emotion, ideas, and concepts through dance with its Dimensions in Dance production. This year, the department taps into the talent of students, both present and past, as well as tenured faculty, to produce the 22nd celebration […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

A majestic sound

by SHELLY CONE

With its unforgettable sound, an organ can be a majestic centerpiece to a concert or worship, but it can just as easily be used to bring a new element to ordinary music or even provide amazing sound effects. The instrument’s versatility is often underestimated, probably because it’s been used to such great effect: Listeners may […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Then and now

by K. REKA BADGER

There’s a new family of vintners in the Central Coast wine community, and they’re setting up their operation on a venerable tract of land in San Luis Obispo County. The Conway family of Santa Barbara, who purchased Rancho Arroyo Grande last June, stands poised to launch a fresh portfolio of luxury and ultra-premium wines on […]

Posted inOpinion

Remember American Hoovervilles

by KEN McCALIP

The Great Depression made a lasting impression on our family and many American families. Farming in middle America, my mother’s family had just lost my grandfather when bad times hit. Grandmother, unable to keep farming, and my mother, who was forced to quit school, went to work sewing in one of President Franklin Roosevelt’s make-work […]

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