Pearls are the traditional gift of choice for celebrating a 30th anniversary, but in order to commemorate its three decades of service, Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) hosted several events Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, thanking longtime riders and the Santa Maria community. On Sept. 30, customers received commemorative pins. The following day, Oct. 1, […]
Happy Anniversary, SMAT!
Posted inNews
Flying high
Who hasn’t dreamed of flying? That dream recently became a reality for Kurt Miltenberger, an eighth-grade algebra teacher at Tommie Kunst Junior High School in Santa Maria. Miltenberger was one of 54 California math and science teachers selected to participate in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program. The local teacher almost didn’t […]
Posted inNews
County officials determine the impact of the state budget
The state budget is here, and unfortunately it hasn’t really made anyone happy. Republicans and Democrats alike have complained that they didn’t get exactly what they wanted, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has publicly complained about the entire budget process and its end result. That end result is exactly what the county is grappling with right […]
Posted inOpinion
Explain conservatives to me
I’m a little confused. Would someone please explain to me what exactly a “conservative” conserves? What can they lay their hands on and say, “This is what we stand for”—is it the American way of life? That question only raises these questions: Which Americans? And what “way of life?” I always understood that to be […]
Posted inOpinion
‘The angry left’
The president spoke of the “angry left” during his convention speech the other day. I cannot speak for all, but I am angry. I am angry because at the end of your two terms as “steward” of the country, you leave us and our children and grandchildren with a $10 trillion debt. I am angry […]
Posted inOpinion
Do you have some problem with Lompoc?
I write this letter with great concern. I have never had a reason to contact any editor of any newspaper to complain of the unprofessional ethics and insensitivity of an article that was allowed to be printed in their newspaper. This is a first for me—but I feel that it is absolutely necessary that you […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Warriors bounce back from loss of quarterback
What does a team do when its star quarterback goes down seven plays into the first game of the season? First, coaches send in the backup—in this case, a junior named T.J. Jordan. Then, they move on. In the tough Pac-7 league, there’s no time to dwell on misfortune, and the Righetti Warriors know that […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Solvang gets ready to welcome back Lance
The news that Lance Armstrong has come out of retirement has made it all the way through the press and back again, but there’s one small city that has yet to sing his praises. Solvang is very happy that Armstrong is back and will be racing in the Amgen Tour of California. “We are thrilled […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Locals get a chance to compete in Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series
This year, the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is adding something new to the competition—besides the funky name. For the first time, the event will include an open qualifier for local professional and semi-professional riders. Racers from around the state can enter and race on the same […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Gwen Pryor loves a particular kind of music: the sweet sounds of the cardiovascular system humming. She’s been helping her students fine-tune their bodies for the last 14 years. Now, thanks to an essay she wrote likening her students’ bodies to musical instruments, Pryor and her fellow teachers in the P.E. Department at Tommie Kunst […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CLUBS & MEETINGS
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., in the downstairs conference room at United […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
SPIRITUAL
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy Communion […]