Even pessimistic forecasts see bright spots on the horizon
California Lutheran University economist Bill Watkins is not going to win any prince of light awards this year. But the normally pessimistic forecaster has a few glimmers of daylight in his latest state and national prediction. For the first time, Watkins sees a turnaround in California’s economy — but it’s weak and it will only Read More →
Investors wait for answers
Now that Don Lukens has been arrested in Chicago, maybe Ventura and Santa Barbara county investors will learn what happened to their money. Millions of dollars are still missing from failed investment programs run by Lukens, who disappeared amid a flurry of law enforcement activity. Much of the reporting on the Lukens affair was reported Read More →
In our thoughts
We’ll take a few sentences to recognize Ugo Melchiori, founder of Melchiori Construction Co., and Roger Heroux, the retired head of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Just before press time, we learned that Melchiori, patriarch of a construction company that’s been highly successful on the South Coast, passed away after a long illness. Read More →
Area leads the way in sustainable ag
Agriculture still dominates much of the landscape across the Tri-Counties. And thanks to a new wave of interest in creating a “sustainable” economy, agriculture is being reinvented for the 21st Century. Gone in large part are the pesticide-heavy, water-guzzling practices of the past. Instead, farmers across the region are focusing on efficiency, environmentally sound practices Read More →
Recognizing the gift of life
The gift of life is the greatest gift of all. That’s why we’ll take a few words to appreciate the extraordinary personal commitment of Randy Weiss, vice president of community relations at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Weiss, as has been reported, donated a kidney to help out Katherine Pinedo, a fellow bank employee whose Read More →
City College milestone marks vision
For the first half of its life, Santa Barbara City College operated from a number of venues including a theater and classroom operation at the current site of the popular Playa Azul restaurant on Santa Barbara Street. But 50 years ago, a single real estate transaction changed all that. In that all-but-forgotten deal, the predecessor Read More →
In our thoughts
It’s once again time to recognize a couple of folks whose recent passings remind us that life is indeed fleeting. Leo Trujillo was a good-natured Santa Maria resident, former city councilman and believer in the future of the North Santa Barbara County economy. He was a friend to the Business Times literally from the moment Read More →
