It’s hard to believe that, with its lunch hour traffic, expansive housing developments, and myriad big box stores, Santa Maria once housed a mere 3,500 people, a few horses, a train, and some oil drills. What’s harder to believe is that many of Santa Maria’s current senior citizens remember those days from their childhood. The […]
Those were the days
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Her town
Elizabeth Monks Hack considers herself an “art person.” From crayons to paintbrushes, she feels most at home when she’s expressing herself on canvas—so much so that she doesn’t remember ever becoming an artist. She’s always been one. “I just remember doing very big crayon drawings and scraping the crayon off and creating different textures with […]
Posted inOpinion
What is the last piece of art you’ve created?
Erin O’Neil assistant manager “I made a scrapbook for my fiancee for his birthday.” Gianna Diaz cashier “I helped a friend complete an angel and demon chalk picture at Righetti High School.” Anthony Leedom student “I drew a doodle on scratch paper for telephone pictionary.” Brandon Womack Taco Bell employee “I made a card for […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get Downieville
Two nights ago, I made the most marvelous chicken. It was a joint effort, actually, between my friend Suzie Weir and me. We were cooking up some protein for our racers at the Downieville Classic—my boyfriend Anthony, her husband Mark, and assorted others—and somehow we stumbled upon the perfect barbecuing technique to make moist, flavorful, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hancock to host girl’s tennis tournament for young players
Allan Hancock College is set to host a girls doubles tennis tournament for girls entering grades 9 through 12. The tournament will be held Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. Each participant is guaranteed to play five 10-game pro sets. The entry fee is $25 per player, with proceeds benefiting the Hancock women’s tennis team. For […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Locals win at Orcutt Star Spangled Softball Tournament
All-star teams from Santa Maria, Five Cities, and Nipomo made it to the championships on July 6 at the Star Spangled Softball Tournament at Lakeview Junior High School, hosted by the Orcutt Youth Softball Association. The Santa Maria Dream Team took a 3-1 victory against Moorpark in the under-10 finals, led by pitcher Hannah Diaz. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Whether he’s hitting the ball or pitching it, Zach Kennedy knows baseball. He plays both first base and pitcher for the Northside All-Stars. This is a big accomplishment for Kennedy, who originally got started in the sport by playing T-ball in Texas. “It’s exciting and fun,” he said of why he chooses to play. “I […]
Posted inOpinion
Fix these root causes
Correcting three root cause problems will go a long way toward making America self dependent and move us toward regaining the honor and respect we no longer enjoy on the world stage. Root Cause 1: The oil standard. Our next president should immediately initiate a “Manhattan Project” on energy, using our best and brightest to […]
Posted inOpinion
I’m not surprised, but what happened?
I don’t think anyone is surprised government is broke, and we all know government employees have no incentive to work hard or fast. I get upset that government is now competing with private sector companies—WHY? Vector control … electrical … plumbing. This is a big problem and needs to be addressed. If the service is […]
Posted inOpinion
We have had enough suffering
How much more heartache must we endure? Congress continues to fund the war even though it is inconceivable with proven evidence that Bush and his subordinates used deceit for attacking and occupying Iraq. “Incorrect information,” says the White House—but now we know lies were used. And the terrorist threat is now greater than ever with […]
Posted inOpinion
Work hard, search for opportunity
I saw this country evolve from (what my grandfather found to be) a place where a person could work hard and become anything they wanted to be, to an entitlement society where people somehow believe they have an absolute right to a high standard of living. We have been lulled into a false sense of […]
Posted inNews
Avoid long lines, register for high school now
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District invites students to register early for fall classes. Registration is open July 29 through 31 from 3 to 7 p.m. at three of the district’s high schools. Registration will take place in the administration buildings at Pioneer Valley High School, 675 Panther Way, in Santa Maria; Righetti […]