Santa Barbara County has always been a tourist attraction. With its Mediterranean climate, ocean views, and mountains speckled with orange poppies and oak trees, it’s not hard to see why. And you can’t forget about the hundreds of wineries that attracted more than 860,000 unique visitors to the county in 2013, according to a report […]
Vacationland: Will a Santa Barbara County ordinance regulating short-term vacation rentals benefit everyone?
Posted inOpinion
Unity among the divide
It’s probably not surprising to some that there has been divisiveness around us. Within Santa Barbara County income, diversity, and crime has caused an economic divide, an ethnic divide, and a class divide. In a bigger sense those same issues discussed in the political arena have caused a divide within our country. We’ve become a […]
Posted inOpinion
Sanctuary will not affect fishing
Regarding “Don’t interrupt the circle of life” (The Canary, May 5), thanks for siding with nature, but we can assure you that Andy Caldwell does not have “a valid point” that “the sanctuary would hurt the fishing industry more than it would benefit marine health.” Here’s one of many studies that refutes Mr. Caldwell’s assumption: […]
Posted inOpinion
Achadjian has what it takes
As a retired Air Force officer and Central Coast resident, I want to publicly wish state Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian a successful bid for the 24th District seat in the United States Congress. At first meeting, I realized Katcho is not a politician; he put himself through school and is a community-focused businessman and public servant […]
Posted inOpinion
Porter, students, and veterans
This year on the Saturday before Memorial Day, more than 100 students from Santa Ynez High School will gather at Ballard Cemetery to help decorate more than 800 veterans’ graves with flags and crosses or Stars of David. Each year it’s an amazing event that brings students and veterans together to honor those who served […]
Posted inOpinion
Joan Hartmann stands out
For the first time in years, the 3rd District has good candidates for supervisor. However, for a number of reasons, Joan Hartmann stands out above the rest. Work ethic: Joan has proven by her past community involvement that she will spend the time and effort necessary to study the issues, meet with her constituents, and […]
Posted inOpinion
The freedom to say, ‘no’
Our First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.” Is it fair, then, that peace activist and Catholic Worker Dennis Apel should go to prison on May 9 […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: J. Wilkes Wines
The secret is out about Santa Barbara County wines, but it’s important to keep the recognition ball rolling. And perhaps there’s no better recognition than being selected to represent the Santa Maria Valley in Washington, D.C. On May 4, federal officials and D.C. folk alike got a taste of the valley in the form of […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 5/12/16
• On May 3 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response released a report analyzing its response efforts to the Refugio Oil Spill. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement: “After an event as significant as last year’s Refugio oil spill, I am pleased to see that […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 5/12/16 – 5/19/16
TUESDAY, MAY 17 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. • The Santa Maria City Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 110 E. Cook St., […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen: CALM gets loud
All definitely was not calm at CALM’s annual fundraiser Ladies Get Loud. The conversational buzz generated by a full house of attendees was in keeping with the theme of the evening. Two hundred ladies turned out at the Santa Maria Country Club on Thursday, April 28, for libations and a light supper served by a […]
Posted inNews
The Refugio oil spill, one year later
When Steve Gonzales’ boss heard about an oil spill in Santa Barbara County, he put Gonzales and his teammates on a plane from Sacramento that night. They arrived at the spill site around 10 p.m., when it was too dark to see the incident’s visual impact. Gonzales’ first memory from that night: He asked his […]
