Jeff Hendrickson farmer “No down payment.” Elizabeth Beyea flower and succulent vendor “The location and size, such as the square footage and the yard. Also, carpet versus hardwood floors. I like hardwood.” Dave Connuely professional fruit salesman “Just to be a homeowner. It’s the greatest investment you can make.” Terri Castrellon cashier “If prices in […]
What sort of incentives would lure you to buy a house?
Posted inOpinion
Get smart about oil
Lois Capps needs to get past her 1969 oil spill mentality and embrace modern technology and science. Energy and oil are for everyone, not only for the elite who fly to Washington weekly on planes using oil. Our economy needs the oil. With increased drilling, prices will decrease because the oil producing counties will no […]
Posted inOpinion
Communism flourishes in environmentalism
How has communism flourished in so many countries? Two philosophers, Georg Hegel and Karl Marx, in the mid-19th century decided that the working man did not have any choice when working for his employer, and had to accept whatever demands his employer made of him. In subsequent years, unscrupulous politicians used this philosophy to gain […]
Posted inOpinion
You call those stories ‘winners’?
Once again, your selection of winners of the 55 Fiction contest (July 3) is the same old schlock. If you received 863 entries, why did you have to use the same few authors multiple times? Your editorial blurb claims that “you just can’t dispute the instinctive, irrational glow that quality reading material produces.” It’s too […]
Posted inOpinion
Stand up for cattle and health
It’s time we all took our heads out of the sand. As most of us have known for a long time, the meat industry does not stand up to the rigid standards it is supposed to, and there are loopholes in those standards. The Humane Society has been documenting abuse of laws and abuse of […]
Posted inOpinion
Avoid animal fat for health reasons
The June 12 issue of the Santa Maria Sun featured an extensive article on beef production (“Here’s the beef”), including a reference to cholesterol and a claim that the American Heart Association “has determined that cholesterol is controlled by hereditary factors and genetics.” This is only part of the story and is very misleading. A […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Arts Briefs
Central Coast band takes Refuge at MotionZ Central Coast middle school band Refuge will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 13 at MotionZ in Santa Maria. The band will take the stage to play originals as well as covers. Though they’re still young, the band members have been gigging since they were 10 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Musical roots
His name may ring a bell because of his acting credits, but Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. is also accomplished at striking another note—with his musical composition. The actor’s violin sonata will be part of a benefit performance for the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society, which will also feature a violin sonata by his father, violinist Efrem Zimbalist, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Mixed metal
When it comes to painting, Barbara Alloway can’t help herself. She likens the art to tying her shoes: It’s something that has to be done, although she admits, “Tying your shoes isn’t as much fun.” Alloway is a Central Coast abstract painter who likes to mix acrylics, metals, and foil. Her collections have been shown […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Everything must go
My house recently reached critical mass. My garage was bulging with old bicycles and broken car parts. My bedroom closet was bursting with clothes that don’t fit, are riddled with holes, and are out of style (not that they were ever actually in style). Each drawer in the house was overflowing with pens without ink, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Serving up fish food
Walking across the planks of the pier-like entryway, diners heading into Santa Maria’s The Jetty Restaurant can imagine a restless ocean stirring just beneath their feet. Couple that sensation with an occasional sea breeze wafting in from Guadalupe, and the effect just about mirrors a ramble to a real jetty. Located on the corner of […]
Posted inNews
College moves one step closer to becoming more affordable
The interest rate on federal student loans was reduced from 6.8 to 6 percent on July 1. The rate cut is the first of four scheduled cuts that will make need-based federal student loans more affordable for students and their families. The reductions are part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, legislation passed […]