COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL
JEREMY BEALE
Santa Barbara News-Press
Century club welcomes a new member
Few people are welcomed into the century club, mainly because the cost of admittance is so high. But not for Norma Cornish. The Santa Barbara native, born June 11,1915, gained entry Thursday after celebrating her 100th birthday at Garden Court on De la Vina Street. More than 160 friends and family were in attendance to honor her first century of life. More»
SB County jobs rate best in seven years
Unemployment down to 4.6 percent in April
Santa Barbara County unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in April, the lowest since May 2008 and down nearly 2 percent from the beginning of the year. With a growth of nearly 4,500 new workers and a net job increase of 3,100 since January, the county has experienced a drop of approximately 3,900 unemployed workers and an increase of 8,400 paid workers, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. "When compared to the 5.4 percent that prevailed in April of 2014, the current unemployment rate is substantially lower, indicative of a strengthening labor market," said Dr. Mark Schniepp, director of the California Economic Forecast. More»
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Minimum wage tops restaurant meeting
The head of the California Restaurant Association met with The Greater Santa Barbara Lodging and Restaurant Association on Wednesday to discuss the adverse affects of minimum wage hikes on the industry. After the California attorney general announced May 19 that a $15 statewide minimum wage would be on the ballot in November, Jot Condie, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association, felt the need to discuss the potential repercussion with local businesses. "Here looms our greatest problem within both the restaurant industry and their workers," Mr. Condie said. "Where minimum wage is a big nationally debated issue, what once was a public policy initiative is now a politically motivated issue." More»
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New sick leave rules take effect in July
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A law extending paid sick days to select California workers will go into effect July 1, causing some employers to re-evaluate how they manage their businesses. The Healthy Workforce Healthy Family Act of 2014 is aimed at assisting a workforce of approximately 6.5 million who go without paid sick days. Paid sick days will be permissible to employees in need of diagnosis, care, or treatment of an existing health condition and preventive care for themselves and their families, and to employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. More»
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Veterans gather in SB to honor the fallen
For many, the long Memorial Day weekend is all about a trip to the beach, a barbecue with family or simply a sunny countdown to the beginning of summer. But for Navy veteran Bob Handy and others, it's so much more. "We memorialize the supreme sacrifice by which tens of thousands of our country's servicemen and women gave for our freedoms, as we should," Mr. Handy said during a Memorial Day observance at the Santa Barbara Veterans Memorial Building on Cabrillo Boulevard. More»
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Speaker calls for global effort against radical Islam​
A retired Marine Corps colonel told the Channel City Club on Wednesday that stopping ISIS and radical Islam should be a global effort involving the world's leading powers. "This should be a United Nations problem, in which the United States, Russia, Europe and China are involved," Col. Christopher Starling said during a luncheon at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort attended by about 130 people. "This inherent evil, this violent evil propagation of beheadings, mutilation, burnings and heinous acts of terrorism is a global problem in desperate need of a global solution." More»
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Speaker raises awareness of women's rights in Afghanistan
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Charlie Ponticelli, program director of the American Committee of Foreign Relations, visited the Channel City Club Monday morning, bringing with her the voices of many striving Afghan women. Addressing a room of more than 130 club members, Ms. Ponticelli stressed the importance behind America's continued aid and support of women's rights within the Middle East. "I like to think as Americans we keep our promises and our promise is not a gift taken lightly by the people of Afghanistan," Ms. Ponticelli said. More»
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Judging for themselves: Occupation Week lets El Camino students look behind
the scenes of law
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A packed courtroom is nothing new to Santa Barbara County Superior Court Presiding Judge Brian Hill. It's just not every day that the seats are filled with second-graders. Monday was the start of Occupation Week at El Camino Elementary School, and as part of a visit to the County Courthouse in Santa Barbara, teachers Dawn Schroder and Kelsey Hanley led 20 or so 7- and 8-year-olds into Dept. 2, where criminal cases are heard, to see what a day in court is all about. More»
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Art and sports help struggling immigrant fit-in
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Name: Komi Fabrice Tay
Age: 16
High School: Santa Barbara High School
College: Allan Hancock transfer to EMT School
Career Goals: EMT Firefighter
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It isn't always easy moving to a new school, but that was an understatement for 16-year-old Santa Barbara High School Senior Komi Fabrice Tay.
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When Komi and his family moved from the African nation of Togo to the United States,
he was challenged with more than starting a new school, but beginning a whole new life More»
Tesla opening Santa Barbara store
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Elon Musk's $30 billion Palo Alto-based electric car company, Tesla Motors, is unveiling a new regional sales and service center in Santa Barbara. A grand opening celebration is being held today and Saturday at the center, 400 Hitchcock Way. The location does not stock vehicles, but customers can design their own vehicle with the assistance of the Tesla team. Test drives will be offered. More»
Company makes silent return to SB
After years of absence, the Big Dog Sportswear brand has made a silent return to downtown Santa Barbara in an almost "prodigal son" manner. The company, established in 1983 by a group of friends, once sold its fun, novelty-dog-trademarked apparel for years downtown and have now made their return in a new location, 400 State St. However, the questions for many locals are, "Where did they go and why did they leave?" More»
American Riviera and Bank of Santa Barbara to merge
Locally owned and operated competitors American Riviera Bank and Bank of Santa Barbara announced an approximate $400 million merger Wednesday. The merger has been approved by the boards of both banks and is set to take effect in late October. The banks will operate independently until then. Jeff DeVine, president and CEO of American Riviera, describes the merger as a powerful opportunity. More»
Union Bank to close Los Olivos branch
Closing their doors after 25 years, the Los Olivos Union Bank branch on Alamo Pintado Avenue will be consolidated with the Solvang Union Bank on Mission drive, by Oct. 30. With this closure, Los Olivos Union bank customers will be forced to drive an additional 10 miles south for all banking services. "This was a tough decision," Union Bank's Santa Barbara Regional Manager Vince Caballero said. "Right now, we are focused on a smooth transition for our employees and our customers." More»
'Dry Drunk'
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Author and substance abuse counselor Carole Bennett breaks down the stigma of "once an addict, always an addict" in her new book, "Is There a Dry Drunk in Your Life?" (Sea Hill Press, $14.95). Diving deeper into the Santa Barbara author's Huffington Post and Psychology Today blogs published in 2010, readers are guided through the personal experiences between recovering addicts and their families. Through a series of unsettling questions and answers, she helps readers through the issues they often tip-toe around when it comes to deciphering the nature of a "dry drunk," which she describes as a person who may have embraced a recovery program to abstain from alcoholism, but hasn't worked on the other important elements to complete a clean and sober lifestyle. More»