A Lompoc woman is accusing the Laguna County Sanitation District in Santa Maria of denying her a job because she is a woman, according to a lawsuit filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on April 28. In the civil complaint filed in Santa Maria’s Cook Division, Bethann Swiderski accuses Santa Barbara County of violating […]
Lompoc woman accuses sanitation district of having a ‘backdoor’ hiring process
Posted inNews
Chumash elect Kenneth Kahn new tribal chairman
Tribe members from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians have elected Kenneth Kahn as their new tribal chairman, following Vincent Armenta’s mid-term resignation from the position. Kahn, 39, was nominated for chairman at the tribe’s April 12 general meeting and later voted into the position via absentee ballots. “I’m honored by the tribe’s vote […]
Posted inNews
Vandenberg protester Dennis Apel sentenced to four months in jail
A Santa Barbara federal judge sentenced Dennis Apel to four months in jail on April 21 for a trespassing conviction he received in August 2015 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Apel was arrested and cited by Vandenberg security after crossing the green line at the entrance to the base during a demonstration protesting the atomic […]
Posted inNews
Nipomo farmworker housing plan canceled following fire
The Mads Place development in Nipomo will no longer go forward as temporary farmworker housing under the federal H-2A program following a fire that destroyed one of the development’s structures last week. Greg and Donna France, owners of Mar Vista Berry Farms, were purchasing a development of seven three-bedroom homes with the controversial intent to […]
Posted inOpinion
Where do you go to shoot on the Central Coast?
Matthew Park Get R Gun Firearms store manager “Personally, I like to shoot at the Santa Maria Gun Club or up at the San Luis Obispo Sportsman’s Association.” Jackson Hooper service manager “I go shooting at a friend’s ranch off of Highway 166, and sometimes over to the San Luis gun range.” David (last name […]
Posted inNews
Target practice: How unmanaged recreational shooting affects health and safety in Los Padres National Forest
View a slideshow of target shooting in Los Padres National Forest. Jared Herrera unzipped a gun case and lifted his Saiga semi-automatic from it, smiling. “This is my baby.” He and his buddy Mario Martinez pressed protective plugs into their ears and crouched behind their rifles, aiming toward a hanging metal target on the nearby […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Good night, sweet Prince
I was writing a very different column for this week. Outside, on our roof I heard the soothing coo-hoo of a dove. We have quite a few around here on the hill where we live, but this bird’s song was different. My husband noticed it too. “Coo-hoo, coooo-hoo!” It persisted. I finally decided to take […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Bowing out: Chris A. Bowman moves on after 20 years directing the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale and Orchestra
It may have come as a surprise to fans and those involved in the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale and Orchestra, when longtime music director and Maestro Chris A. Bowman announced that he would resign from the position and move on musically, though remain in the area. Bowman began directing the local audition ensemble two […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Community Partners in Caring preparing for fundraiser
The Community Partners in Caring—a local nonprofit that offers volunteer assistance to seniors to help them stay active, independent, and safe in their homes—is preparing for their annual fundraiser dinner and auction event happening May 14 at the Santa Maria Country Club. The event will include a live auction, a fiesta-inspired dinner, and live entertainment. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sweet Adelines provide grant to Youth in Harmony
The Sweet Adelines International’s local chapter, the Tri City Sound, awarded a $1,000 grant to the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Central Coast Chordsmen, in support of the expenses from the annual Youth in Harmony Festival held last month. Young Women in Harmony coordinator of region 11 for Sweet Adelines International, Janice […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Valley Master Chorale takes listeners around the world
The Lompoc Valley Master Chorale, directed by Kathleen Abrams Hacker, will perform a concert titled Around the World in 80 Minutes on May 6 and 7. The program is designed to deliver music from across the globe, including England, France, Germany, Russia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Russia, Japan, Taiwan, Kenya, and the United States. The two […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Latino Outreach Council holds Cinco De Mayo celebration
The Latino Outreach Council of San Luis Obispo County presents Fiesta Latinas, a colorful and festive event commemorating Mexican Independence from Spain on May 1 in Nipomo. The event will include dinner, dancing, and live entertainment by Mariachis Mexicanisimo during dinner, and DJ Rawger after dinner. The dinner is catered by Field to Table with […]
