I have been following the recent letters regarding the plans of three oil companies to expand production in the Cat Canyon oilfield. Their plans are to use modern, state-of-the-art techniques to increase petroleum production in a well-established oilfield that has seen safe production for many decades. I find it disappointing that some local groups have […]
Oil companies contribute
Posted inOpinion
Run from Trump and Pruitt’s EPA
Well, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Scott Pruitt finally made the announcement, but will local Mike Stoker, a former Santa Barbara County supervisor, live to regret his recent appointment as Region 9 EPA administrator and his association with President Donald Trump’s EPA? Most competent people run the opposite direction from any appointments to the Trump […]
Posted inNews
Life’s a stage: Actors work to earn a living on the Central Coast
It was the 1980s and teenager Mark Booher decided to audition for PCPA’s (The Pacific Conservatory Theatre) summer cast in Santa Maria. “I remember sitting there thinking, ‘These people are a lot better than me,’” Booher said. He was right. Booher didn’t make the cut that year. But a decade or so later, he returned […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The Bread Shop in Solvang hits a sweet spot
It’s not necessary to know the exact location of The Bread Shop in Solvang. The smell alone will practically lead you right to their front door. Inside the unassuming shop on Atterdag, just off the busy intersections of the main thruway, a glass barrier teases onlookers with promises of fresh baked treats. A healthy stack […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Water awareness school poster contest winners announced
Santa Maria’s Utilities Department recently announced the winners of the ninth annual Water Awareness School Poster Contest for third grade students enrolled in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. Students were invited to compete by creating posters symbolizing Water Awareness Month and showing the importance of water conservation indoors, outdoors, and in the community. Student winners, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria offers free teen arts mentorship program
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and The Arts Fund are offering the Free Teen Arts Mentorship Program for aspiring teen artists ages 13 to 18 this summer. Teens will have the opportunity to work with mentor Angelina LaPointe while exploring printmaking and how it connects to the worlds of graphic design, […]
Posted inOpinion
Red, blue, and green
How do you spot a true political outsider? It’s easy—whichever candidate isn’t sitting on a mountain of money! I see an interesting parallel between two races for completely different offices happening right now—the 24th Congressional District (see page 7) and the Santa Barbara County sheriff (page 4). Both races feature incumbents comfortably perched on stacks […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Foxen Canyon Soap Company
It’s not often that someone starts a business primarily to save money on common household items. But that’s exactly what motivated Ellowyn Isaacson to jump feet first into the world of soapmaking. “I wanted to replace our soap with a more natural alternative, and after seeing the prices on the market, decided it was more […]
Posted inNews
Inspire Business Program lets businesses support foster families
Santa Maria resident Jessica Wasylychyn has temporarily cared for more than 35 children since she became a foster parent four years ago, and even in that short time, Wasylychyn said she’s learned to count her blessings. “It’s so mind-blowing what these kids have not experienced that we take for granted,” Wasylychyn told the Sun. “Like […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Will Rodgers
Solvang native Will Rodgers was inducted on May 15 into the NASCAR Next class of 2018-2019, a program that spotlights the best and brightest young drivers in NASCAR racing. Rodgers, 23, won his first and second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East events—Watkins Glen and New Jersey Motorsports Park—in 2017, according to Matt Humphrey of NASCAR’s […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 5/31/18
• Santa Barbara County voters who wish to vote in the June 5 primary but didn’t register by the May 21 deadline can take advantage of California’s conditional voter registration, also known as same-day voter registration, now through June 5. Registration can be done online, but a visit to one of the county elections offices […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen: Very merry month of May
This has been a month chockablock full of happenings. Among them were the fifth annual Make-a-Wish Foundation Golf Tournament, the Breakfast Rotary Club’s fabled annual Luau and Barn Party, and Community Partners in Caring’s 20th Birthday Celebration. These are only three of a series of events that deserved our attention. Worthy of note were also […]