Journalists are in the business of asking questions. So when someone–especially those in a public office or agency–won’t bother to answer, it ruffles our feathers. It could be about something as simple as an elected official not bothering to return phone calls or emails, like Lompoc City Councilmembers Dirk Starbuck and Victor Vega did for […]
Fear of access?
Posted inNews
Catherine Farley named Hancock’s newest police chief
At the beginning of this year, it was unclear whether the Allan Hancock College Police Department would continue to exist. Now, the department has a new permanent chief. Catherine Farley, who currently serves as UC Santa Barbara’s assistant police chief, was appointed to Hancock’s highest ranking public safety position on Sept. 11 at a Hancock […]
Posted inNews
Founder of Flutes Across the World indicted on child sex charges
The founder and leader of a music program that contracted for years with Santa Ynez Valley’s Circle V Ranch Camp was recently indicted and charged with several sexual crimes against children. John Zeretzke, a former Ventura-based music teacher who founded Flutes Across the World, an educational program he led for years at Circle V Ranch […]
Posted inNews
Tally of two cities: Santa Maria and Lompoc candidates prepare for first district-based city council elections
More than 50 senior citizens sat in rows listening intently as candidates presented their platforms, speaking in six-minute chunks with a wood-grain patterned wall and bingo board serving as a backdrop. The Sept. 10 forum at the Casa Grande Mobile Estates clubhouse in Santa Maria was like many candidates forums of years past, ending with […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Artist and writer Susan Rowland to give talk at Wildling Museum
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature will host a talk by artist Susan Rowland (Ph.D.) titled Art as Alchemical Portal to Nature on Sept. 23. Rowlad will discuss elements from her book, The Ecocritical Psyche, which examines the idea of art as a portal to nature. Rowlands will share her work in depth psychology […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Civic Theatre to hold auditions
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre is holding auditions for lead and supporting roles in an upcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. The organization is currently casting for the following roles: Blanche DuBois, age 28 to 34, described as a “fragile, delicate beauty, desperate, and unbalanced”; Stella Kowalski, age 23 to 26, described […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Dunes Center hosts rummage sale
The Dunes Center in Guadalupe is planning a rummage sale on Sept. 22. The sale will feature used items such as clothing for adults and children of all ages, toys, home goods, art, tools, sporting supplies, and more (the deadline to donate items to the sale has passed). Proceeds from the sale benefit activities and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Under pressure: Krider laughs in the face of a cardiac ‘episode’
Like most men, I’m not a huge fan of going to the doctor. I don’t enjoy sitting in waiting rooms, I don’t like being poked with needles, and I’m not a big fan of having a finger placed in my tush. To avoid all of the unwanted poking and prodding, I just don’t go to […]
Posted inOpinion
FEMA money for barbed wire camps?
So, FEMA just transferred $92-plus million out of its coffers, as a major hurricane approaches the central eastern coast, to build internment camps for people seeking asylum. Welcome to Amerika.
Posted inOpinion
The Russians are coming!
It’s happening again! The Russians are trying to “influence” the next election in our country. Strike that, “overturn” our election. No, hang on a minute, they’re trying to “ruin” our election, except in the case of Democrats winning. Then, to quote, paraphrase, or obfuscate President Obama (when they all thought Hillary would win) “… Ha […]
Posted inOpinion
Congressional leaders must support environmental program
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides critical funding for California’s open spaces, parks, rivers, and wildlife habitats. Unfortunately, this vital program is set to expire at the end of September. Without congressional reauthorization, up to $900 million in annual spending for our environment and local communities will be lost. In a year of […]
Posted inOpinion
Millennials must vote Democratic
Platinum-selling millennial rapper Post Malone muses on his latest album, Beerbongs and Bentleys, “Politicians and their lies, tell me what’s the point in pickin’ sides.” Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Nike luminary Colin Kaepernick admitted in late 2016 that he had not even bothered to vote in the presidential election, despite spending a year […]