Santa Barbara County Clerk, Recorder, and Assessor Joe Holland announced on Oct. 6 that a record number of absentee ballots have been mailed out for the Nov. 4 Presidential General Election. More than 98,000 registered voters—more than half of the registered voters in Santa Barbara County—are now casting their ballots by mail. In a release […]
Vote by mail: Everyone’s doing it
Posted inNews
County to collect household hazardous materials
Got some hazardous materials lying around the house? On Oct. 11 and 12, the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department will host collection events in New Cuyama and Santa Ynez for household hazardous waste, such as paint, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, cleaning supplies, and old electronic devices. The Cuyama event will take place on Oct. […]
Posted inNews
EPA takes over cleanup at Greka’s Gato Ponds lease
With winter rains approaching, it was time to take action, according to Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Mary Simms. The federal agency has stepped in to complete the most crucial aspects of cleanup at Greka Oil and Gas, Inc.’s Gato Ponds lease, located at 6057 Palmer Road in Santa Maria. “This is the third time the […]
Posted inNews
State officials stand up against scrap metal theft
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
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’
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
‘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
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
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
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
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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Yoga brings relaxation to Santa Maria
On a recent Tuesday night in Santa Maria, about 40 men and women lay peacefully on the floor of a darkened room, breathing in and out. Vicki Forman walked among the prone figures, checking up on them, making sure they were okay, making sure they were relaxed. That’s Forman’s job. She’s a yoga instructor, entrusted […]