The first time Joseph Rodriguez, 12, hit a home run, he got a piece of a low pitch and lobbed it out past center field. It was a bit of a surprise, he said, when that hit sailed out of the park. But the second time Rodriguez hit a homer, it was much more definite. […]
Athlete of the Week
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hancock softball team recognized for rising stars
An all-freshman team, led by coach Angeli Guerrero, has earned recognition from the Western State Conference. Guerrero was named Co-divisional Coach of the Year for her efforts with the team, leading them to a third-place finish with a record of 15-26. Three players were also named to the all-conference second team: first baseman Lily Ruiz […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Two pools are ready for swimmers, just in time for summer
This summer, Santa Maria Valley residents have more pool choices than ever. Both the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center and the new Pioneer Valley High School pool will be open to the public and hosting special lessons and events. At Paul Nelson, the People for Leisure and Youth and the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Wines shine in summer
While the summer sun shines and area grapes happily ripen on their vines, winemakers not patrolling vineyard rows often throw parties to pass the time. They celebrate their bottled gems by discussing their craft over glasses of red, white, and pink, and much to our good fortune, occasionally invite the rest of us to come […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hanging it up
It was a sad day at the Town Center Gallery as artists filtered in and out of the space, taking their artwork down and packing boxes. On June 13, the walls were bare at the rent-free venue where local painters, sculptors, and other artisits have displayed their work for the last three years. A group […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Battles of the heart
There’s hardly a war story out there that isn’t heart wrenching, that doesn’t touch the soul on some level. In that respect, Jos» Cruz González’s play, Heart’s Desire, is no different than any other tale of wartime strife—but just when you think you’ve seen it before, this play reaches out and hits you were it […]
Posted inOpinion
Clean up your fruit, or eat it
I was walking down Branch Street in San Luis Obispo the other day and passed a house that had an apricot tree with overarching branches loaded with fruit growing in the front lawn. The tree had dropped many apricots on the sidewalk and I had to step carefully to not soil my shoes on the […]
Posted inOpinion
Consider that God doesn’t make mistakes
Human beings have a strong tendency to need to be “better than” or superior to others. This tendency is driven by the ego and helps make an individual feel better about him or her self. Often, humans group together, in clubs, religious organizations, political parties, and even entire nations. Then the motivation often is a […]
Posted inOpinion
We should keep vehicles off the beaches
Thank you for this long over-due commentary (“Damage in the dunes,” June 12). I am also writing to the California Coastal Commission to plea for vehicle-free beaches. There is no excuse to ruin the dunes and the beach with noise and pollution and endangering animals, so thank you, thank you. I don’t seem to be […]
Posted inOpinion
Tell us your name, little bird
Suggestions for your column, “The Canary”: The writer’s name should go with the piece. Your letters to the editor require names—why not columns? The New Times Shredder/Sun Canary may have been fine when Steve Moss first started them, but no more. I am not a journalist, but newspapers have an obligation to clearly and accurately […]
Posted inOpinion
Keep your chin up, Bill
I feel so much safer now that the Off-Highway Vehicle law enforcers gave elder Bill Denneen a citation for walking his “tour” of kids in a preserve in order to protect from vehicles and “preserve” their safety (“Damage in the dunes,” June 12). I feel so much safer knowing that the OHSVRA cops are on […]