A Hancock student wins big for his take on student life Dustin Peterson, an Allan Hancock College photography student, beat out 340 contestants to take grand prize in the Foundation for California Community Colleges contest, College Seen II. The photo contest was sponsored by Adobe and challenged entrants to depict the life of a community […]
Arts Briefs
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
It’s independence time!
The United States celebrates its independence on July 4 with fireworks, and the beginning of the school year in September with a sigh of relief. For many Latin countries, however, September is the time for celebrating independence. Las Fiestas Patrias is the national celebration of two holidays, Cinco de Mayo (which technically happens in May) […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The active artist
In an artists’ world, nothing is really ever complete. Everything can be improved upon or changed. The smallest details can be an artist’s harshest enemy and most difficult challenge. Such is the case with Santa Maria artist Hattie Stoddard. Sitting in her dining room, sipping Crystal Light, Stoddard reflected on her mural work at the […]
Posted inOpinion
Poor delivery service aided newspapers’ decline
Daily newspapers have only themselves to blame for their demise. The publishers have missed one of the most important reasons why subscriptions have gone down: deterioration in delivery service. And now with the Internet in almost every household, it is probably too late to change. When we began a home in ’51, the morning and […]
Posted inOpinion
Be kind to Mother Nature
When the paved asphalt ends, so does the road. Why do trucks continue into areas where children make sand castles and people happily run their dogs and enjoy a peaceful hike? The Nipomo Dunes are such a unique display of Mother Nature’s genius that the roar of trucks, ATVs, and the RV city really does […]
Posted inOpinion
Survey the surveyors
I had two uninvited, and ultimately unwelcome, visitors knock on my door recently. Their stated intentions were to “conduct a survey” about Proposition 8, the upcoming ballot measure that would reverse recent judicial and legislative decisions that open the state of marriage to any couple seeking it. The visitors soon revealed that they were not […]
Posted inOpinion
Where is the outrage?
When the Chinese government silenced the voice of dissent during the Olympics, the media and many Americans expressed outrage at their tactics. Now, when producers of the news show Democracy Now, filming a peace march at the Republican National Convention, are manhandled and bloodied by law enforcement coordinated by the FBI, where is the media […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ready to play? A new stadium is open for the season
Just one day before the grand opening of the new Santa Maria High School stadium, athletic director Ralph Baldiviez stood in the middle of the new field, recalling his own days of playing football for the Saints. “I wasn’t a starter,” he said, “but I worked hard.” Then he looked up and immediately saw the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Punt, pass, and kick past the competition
Instead of watching the NFL on TV, kids can get a chance to emulate their favorite players at the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Skills Competition put on by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. The free event will be held on Sept. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hagerman Sports Complex, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
One Way Water Polo starts new practice times
Every Sunday through December, the pools at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center will be full of water polo players. To join them, just show up to one of their open swims. The players in the masters (18 years and older) division are in the pool from noon to 1 p.m., and kids of all ages swim […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Dan Ando wasn’t expecting to rush for 180 yards in his first game this season. He was hoping to play well, but a guy never knows. “First game, I knew coach would give me a couple carries,” Ando said. But he prepared, just in case. He’s practiced hard all summer, he’s been eating well, and […]
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 […]