More than 300 Allan Hancock College students received 410 scholarships worth a total of nearly $500,000 at the Allan Hancock College Foundation Scholarship Banquet on May 24. Hundreds of Hancock faculty, staff, scholarship donors, and students and their families filled the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium to celebrate another round of scholastic awards. “I’d like to […]
Hundreds of Allan Hancock College students win scholarships, graduate
Posted inNews
Big Truck Foods up and running despite destructive truck fire
An accidental fire caused an estimated $25,000 in damages to a local food truck on May 27, but the owners plan to get back to business as soon as possible. Robert Slores, owner of Big Truck Foods, said his favorite of two food trucks was parked in the driveway of his house on the northwest […]
Posted inOpinion
Make America grateful again
Memorial Day was first widely observed in May 1868, and serves as an opportunity to honor all who have died in service for our nation. I believe there is not a more appropriate time to respond to a letter in the Santa Maria Times claiming President Trump recognizes our Vietnam War veterans. If that was […]
Posted inOpinion
Reply to Alena Simon
We were disappointed to see a recent letter criticizing Aera’s financial support of Mission Hope Cancer Center and questioning our company’s motives for doing so (“AERA Energy’s efforts at greenwashing don’t fool cancer survivors,” May 23). While we understand there are differences of opinion regarding energy production in Santa Barbara County, we hope that those […]
Posted inOpinion
Food trucks in Santa Maria
Many people, with short time and money, enjoy the convenience of food trucks. The offerings are often fresh, diverse, and tasty. If the city is smart, it will work hard to locate land to place food trucks around work areas. Restaurants will always complain about the competition. Let them open their own trucks.
Posted inOpinion
Carbajal’s foreign influence
George Soros, the Hungarian-American billionaire investor and business magnate, known for his donations to Democratic candidates and liberal causes, is shoring up the 24th District’s Salud Carbajal’s campaign funds with donations through his son, Jonathan Soros. Others from the foreign country of Hollywood are doing the same. With all this foreign money we can expect […]
Posted inOpinion
Christensen has my support
I worked for Santa Barbara County for more than 36 years in the Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector.� I dedicated my career to protecting our county funds. The Treasurer-Tax Collector works directly with the Auditor-Controller’s Office to account for tax and other revenues collected and invested. During my long tenure with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote Bill Brown for sheriff
We hired Bill Brown to protect us, and he has done as good or better than any sheriff has ever done. The last thing we need is to experiment with a new sheriff. California has a total of only 58 sheriffs. Choosing the right and best person to lead and represent them is a decision […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote Christensen, Olmstead on June 5
I would like to give my endorsements in the upcoming election to Jennifer Christensen for auditor-controller and Brian Olmstead for sheriff. I have known Jennifer for the five years I have served as supervisor. She has been a trustworthy steward of county finances as chief investment officer with more than $1.6 billion under her able […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Leonardo’s Ristorante and Pizzeria in Solvang is a perfect spot for a luxurious lunch
Tucked in the corner of the Nielsen’s shopping center in Solvang, it might be easy to miss Leonardo’s Ristorante and Pizzeria. It’s separated from the busy tourist-heavy streets of downtown Solvang and the shopping and dining districts of Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. But once inside, it’s clear the venue is playing on the same […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Artists Debby Fuller and Gabriel Bustamante feature art inspired by a wooden world at the Cypress Gallery
Artist and wood turner Gabriel Bustamante has no plans to put his work online. He politely brushes off questions about where one can see photographs of his exquisite wooden pieces, explaining the digital world just isn’t for him. “People keep telling me to get a website, but that’s not for me,” he explained. “For me, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Photography of Dugan Aguilar, on display at DANA Adobe, chronicles California’s Native American population
Liz Aguilar has become comfortable talking about her husband and his visionary photography. She has been married to photographer Dugan Aguilar for 44 years, a fact that still makes her smile proudly and laugh as she describes his long history documenting native cultures in California. It’s something she has to do, since her husband, now […]