Two million visitors a year drive on Oceano Beach for a day trip or on their way to Sand City, 1,000 unmarked campsites for $10 a night, and the Sand Highway, the off-roading playground on the dunes. Driving back, they carry on their tires tons of sand. Most of it is deposited on Pier Avenue […]
The removal of Oceano Beach
Posted inOpinion
Trump exposed waste at national parks
During the recent government shutdown, the shortest on record, our national parks have become pigsties. Without government employees picking up after visitors’ refuse, the parks look like downtown LA or San Francisco. Solution: Hand out trash bags so people can cart out what they bring in. In fact, weigh each visitor and their tote bags […]
Posted inOpinion
Stuff happens
Clean water for drinking and ag use is surely a good thing. Three oil companies want to vastly increase drilling between Santa Maria and Los Alamos. If they have their way, hundreds of new wells would be drilled right through the groundwater basin that provides water for tens of thousands of people. If our water […]
Posted inOpinion
Where will some Measure U funds go?
Who would have thought that our Measure U tax dollars would allow the Santa Maria City Council to give tax rebates to the auto dealers waiting to create an Enos Ranch auto mall? We are talking about a tax revenue loss of close to $4 million. Here is what the city has to say about […]
Posted inOpinion
Public servants
Come on U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, how could you possibly think that anything President Donald Trump says is “manufactured”? The guy is the most intelligent. The most honest. The bestest guy, who knows all of the most up-to-date correctest facts–especially when it comes to immigration. He might actually be the very first president in all […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Trenton Mitchell
Allan Hancock College sophomore Trenton Mitchell has been a force for his school’s flourishing basketball program this season. Towering over the competition at 6 feet 6 inches, Mitchell has proven himself as both a consistent rebounder and scorer, averaging about eight rebounds and seven points a game, according to Anthony Cooper, Hancock’s sports information specialist. […]
Posted inNews
Residents impacted by disasters could get student loan relief
College students who were impacted by Santa Barbara County’s recent natural disasters could have their monthly federal student loan payments temporarily suspended or reduced. Some already have. Any current or former college student who borrowed a federal student loan and is currently involved in the repayment process could be eligible for a forbearance if impacted […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: OASIS Center
The OASIS Center’s campaign to raise $4 million toward its proposed new location recently reached the halfway point after three years of fundraising. The campaign launched in 2016 after the senior center acquired the 5-acre property where it plans to build a brand new 15,000-square-foot facility, which would include classrooms, a library, and a kitchen. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
New faces, fun places: Central Coast foodies found the time to explore new cuisines and welcome new ventures
No matter how you chew it, 2018 was a mouthful. In Santa Maria and Orcutt, new ventures dotted the landscape, as an ever-changing and evolving populace sought out more unique eats. The Santa Ynez Valley continued to increase its presence as the dominant local food scene. It was a year I Rebeccamended everything from big […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Shining stars: Arts on the Central Coast crossed new boundaries in 2018
Another year has come and gone, and for the greater Santa Maria Valley and beyond, the arts proved it still has a strong foothold in the community. And it was a busy year for local artists. Everything from ballet to poetry to abstract art to photography and stage seemed to ascend to an ever-higher perch, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Creative crescendo: Central Coast musicians performed more songs at more venues for more listeners in 2018
Sometimes, getting through the year is only as good as the soundtrack you have playing. Thankfully, the Central Coast is home to a variety of skilled and talented musicians who set the tone for 2018. There were competitions, awards, new albums, milestone performances, and more venues at which to enjoy live music. And there are […]
Posted inOpinion
Remember when?
Well, my feathers are more gray, there are fewer of them, and the bags under my eyes have gotten so big they’re about to get banned in California. It was a busy year (see page 8), with so many important stories competing for our attention on the local level alone, it’s hard to believe it’s […]