I’m a college student who recently graduated from Santa Ynez High School. As an upperclassman I came to know a remarkable man who seemed deeply involved in so many aspects of our local youth—Bruce Porter. He was there to cheer for me on the volleyball court. He was there to encourage me in the theater. […]
Porter demonstrates deep commitment to the community
Posted inOpinion
Keep out the KKK
Now that the Oscars have been handed out, the hoo-ha surrounding diversity in the motion picture industry will subside. But it won’t stay dormant for long. A young African American writer and actor named Nate Parker has made a movie about Nat Turner’s slave revolt in the mid-19th century. He has titled it Birth of […]
Posted inNews
Holding on to tradition: Some wedding rituals span centuries while others are relatively new, but every one is special
Weddings are arguably one of the most celebrated events of our lives. But they are also the most ceremonial. The way a couple takes their vows has evolved through the years. While some traditions are fairly new in the span of history, other traditions have withstood time. One of the oldest wedding traditions is called […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria community, police search for answers in December homicide
View photos from the Feb. 29 memorial walk. Detectives from the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) and members of the community walked with the parents of Brayan Mejia-Molina through the area of West Sonya and South Thornburg streets during the evening of Feb. 29, distributing fliers in the hopes of finding the person responsible for […]
Posted inOpinion
Are you registered to vote and whom will you vote for?
Meagan Ross psychology student at Allan Hancock College “Yes. I’m voting Republican, either Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio.” Christopher Paul kinesiology student at Allan Hancock College “I’m not going to vote. I’m just not interested in politics. Nobody can really make a difference.” Baltazar Melchor plant sciences student at Allan Hancock College “I’m registered to […]
Posted inNews
Race to the finish: The Lompoc Valley Motorsports Committee is on track to open an off-highway vehicle park, but not everyone is revved up about it
Surrounded by acres of wildlands, vineyards, and the ocean, many residents view Lompoc as a bucolic hideaway that’s far enough away from the traffic and general busyness of nearby larger cities. The weather is often ideal, moderately warm temperatures with a cool, moist breeze that is loved by residents and pinot noir grapes alike. Often […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 3/3/2016
• On Feb. 26, Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) introduced the Hallways to Health Act, legislation that would provide federal support for high-quality comprehensive health care and mental health services to students at School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) across the country. The legislation would improve the delivery of School-Based Health Center services by expanding access to […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 3/3/16 – 3/10/16
MONDAY, MARCH 7 • The Solvang Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang. TUESDAY, MARCH 8 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gifts of tin
On Feb. 18 the Sun published its wedding issue and I hope you all had a chance to read it. The articles were wonderful, and the Sun staff wrote a terrific piece about weddings from various cultures. Brenna Swanston included the traditions observed in Jewish weddings, and I shared photos and memories of my wedding […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Swing Shift Band keeps it funky on the Central Coast
The time that a band stays together can sometimes be akin to dog years. The more aged bands are truly impressive considering how many break up, often after a year or two. One local group—the Swing Shift Band—has gone through plenty of personnel changes over the years, explained the band’s leader Bernie Espinoza, but the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
St. Mark’s in Los Olivos hosts Sue Turner-Cray’s one-woman show ‘Manchester Girl’
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church hosts three special performances by Sue Turner-Cray of her award-winning one-woman show Manchester Girl on March 3, 4, and 5 at 7 p.m. at the church. The performance features 11 different characters who are all struggling against the limited choices girls face in Turner-Cray’s native Northern England. The show is recommended […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Music Association offers youth scholarships
The Lompoc Music Association announced the audition date and requirements for local music students hoping to compete for scholarships. The competition is open to students ages 14 through 18 who live within the Lompoc Unified School District’s borders. The audition takes place March 26 at 1 p.m. at the Valley of the Flowers Church of […]