Keep your eyes on the sky. Vandenberg Air Force Base is scheduled to launch a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying the GeoEye 1 satellite from Space Launch Complex 2 on Sept. 4 at approximately 11:50 a.m. The GeoEye 1 satellite will collect high-resolution imagery for “a wide array of commercial and government applications,” […]
Vandenberg Air Force Base plans to launch Delta II carrying GeoEye 1 satellite
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Crow tests positive for West Nile Virus in Santa Barbara County; Canine Parvovirus rears its head
On Aug. 27, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department announced the first sign of West Nile Virus activity in 2008. A crow that ultimately tested positive for the virus was turned in for testing by the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County. West Nile Virus is a blood-borne virus typically transmitted […]
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Guadalupe City Council wants children to get inside earlier
It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are? That question—though cliche —was addressed by the Guadalupe City Council during its Aug. 26 meeting. The council directed city staffers to change the current 11 p.m. curfew written into city code to an hour earlier. The curfew would last from 10 p.m. to sunrise the […]
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Hancock leaders eye the possibility of on-campus student housing
Student housing on Allan Hancock College’s Santa Maria campus might not be an idea of the past anymore. The Allan Hancock Joint Community College District Board of Trustees is planning to discuss the idea at its Sept. 16 meeting—or at least the possibility of hiring a consultant to look into the feasibility of the project. […]
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Board sends a pro-oil letter, environmental groups react
Members of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors have made their voices heard, and the majority of them are encouraging oil exploration. The board voted 3-2 on Aug. 26 to send a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, asking him to reconsider his policy on offshore drilling. For the record, Schwarzenegger is against offshore drilling. […]
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Artistic expression and rules collide
Graffiti, as a concept, is about as old as the dust in the Santa Maria River bed. Well, maybe not that old, but it’s been around for a long time. The ancient Romans carved graffiti—including Latin curses, political caricatures, and the like—on walls and monuments. And they’re not the only ones. Everyone from the mighty […]
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Where do we draw the line?
In 2007, there were 36,247 people living in poverty in California. In a state with a population of 36 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that means one out of every 1,000 people in California is living in poverty. In Santa Barbara County, the latest Census Bureau information (from 2004) showed that 12.5 percent […]
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Yo-ho-ho!
Forget all that X-marks-the-spot business. If you’re looking for treasure, drop the map and grab a copy of this year’s Santa Maria Sun Best Of readers poll. No booby traps. No dead men’s chests. Just a bounty of booty, from top restaurants to hip shops to community movers and shakers. Sun Calendar Editor Joe Payne […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
The new City of Santa Maria Public Library opened officially with speeches and a ribbon-cutting on the morning of Aug. 23, but on the night before, major donors and guests were treated to a “sneak and peek” preview. What a great party. What a great evening. The pre-opening celebration was held from 5:30 to 7:30 […]
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CLUBS & MEETINGS
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 Way, 1660 S. Broadway. Info: 352-0026 or 937-4071. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. OF THE CENTRAL COAST meets at noon the second and fourth Monday of every month at […]
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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 […]
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FARMERS MARKETS
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and vegetables. […]