Bonita Packing Company (Bonipak) fired nearly 300 farmworkers last week following a visit by agents from the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, according to Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) Community Organizing Director Hazel Davalos, who confirmed the firings to the Sun. Messages left with Bonipak by the Sun were […]
Bonipak lays off hundreds of workers amid ICE investigation
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Santa Barbara County bans plastic bags
Orcutt shoppers should start hanging onto their dimes, because checking out at the grocery store just got a little less convenient and a little more environmentally friendly for residents of unincorporated communities. A Santa Barbara County ordinance banning single-use plastic bags went into effect Tuesday, March 22, prohibiting large grocery stores, liquor stores, and pharmacies […]
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Vandenberg Air Force Base protestor Dennis Apel refuses to obey probation sentence
Arrest, jail, and even probation aren’t enough to keep Dennis Apel from protesting against the use of nuclear weapons around the world. On March 17, a federal judge sentenced Apel to six months of supervised probation and 200 hours of community service. Apel made his appearance at the federal bankruptcy court in Santa Barbara, where […]
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Chumash chairman resigns, heads to culinary school
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ longtime leader is resigning, packing his bags, and moving to New York for culinary school—an unexpected move from Vincent Armenta. Armenta, who held the position of tribal chairman for 17 years, announced his resignation on March 17. He will now pursue an education at the Culinary Institute […]
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Learn silk painting at Valley Art Gallery in Orcutt
The Valley Art Gallery presents Friday Fun Night featuring a silk painting experience with member artist Beverly Johnson (pictured), who will demonstrate and lead participants in silk painting on March 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. The Valley Art Gallery is located at 1108 E. Clark Ave., suite 170, Orcutt. More info: 937-2278 or valleygallery.org.
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Arts Council presents Student Art Show
The Santa Maria Arts Council welcomed the talents of local art students for display as part of the council’s 36th annual Student Arts Show, currently on display at the Santa Maria Town Center. Teachers of students from grades seven through 12 were invited to select student work in the categories of drawing, painting, design, and […]
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Santa Maria Civic Theatre features local playwright in reader’s theatre production
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre will present a reader’s theatre production of a play penned by local drama teacher from Righetti High School Dixie Arthur (pictured right) titled The Stepfather, which will show March 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. at the theater. The two-act play features 10 actors reading from scripts, explained Meg Smith […]
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Tunes for everyone: Diane Byington teaches music to babies and toddlers with Music Together classes in the Santa Ynez valley
Tiny little hands clutch colorful egg-shaped shakers. Babies not yet walking gripp drum sticks. Notes ring out from Xylophones struck by children still unable to form complete sentences. This is just a regular day for Diane Byington—a local music instructor and owner of the Solvang Conservatory—who leads regular Music Together classes in the Santa Ynez […]
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Honey Paper in Los Olivos showcases photos of Karen Gearhart-Jensen
View images from the exhibit Paper, Plant, Sun. So many breakthroughs in creative work are the result of accidents or coincidence. The current body of work by Los Alamos-based artist Karen Gearhart-Jensen is no exception, nor is the circumstance that led it to show at Honey Paper in Los Olivos. On a recent sunny morning, […]
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Political Watch 3/17/2016
• As a result of a law authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), California just launched the state’s first recognition program to encourage healthy eating and exercise in after school programs. Applications from after school programs are now being accepted by the California Department of Education for the California Distinguished After School Health (DASH) […]
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Community Notebook 3/17/16 – 3/24/16
TUESDAY, MARCH 22 • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. • The Lompoc Unified School District has its board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center Board Room, 1301 N. A St., Lompoc. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 • […]
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SMPD investigate March 13 ‘gang-related’ shooting on Newlove
The Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) is investigating a shooting in the Newlove Drive area of Santa Maria that occurred during the evening of March 13. According to SMPD Sgt. Andy Magallon, officers were called to investigate a report of gunshots heard in the 300 block of Newlove around 9:20 p.m. When they arrived, they […]