Ethan Stewart, Author at The Santa Barbara Independent

Briefs By Ethan Stewart | Thu Feb 15, 2007 | 3:56pm

S.B. Teachers Protest Fails

More than 400 Santa Barbara School District teachers crashed the party at the S.B. School Board meeting Tuesday night hoping to break the stalemate in their current contract negotiations with the district. But despite the raucous, occasionally heated, and constantly high-energy union-organized demonstration, the two sides – still miles apart in their now several-month-old negotiation process – failed to reach an agreement during Wednesday’s eight-hour final round of state-mediated talks.

Uncategorized By Ethan Stewart | Thu Feb 15, 2007 | 12:00pm

Reversal of Fortune

Supes Beat a Retreat on Controversial Ag Changes

With frustrations in full flare, the gloves came off at the Santa Barbara County Supervisors’ meeting late Tuesday afternoon as the board attempted yet again to take action on the long-simmering proposed changes to the Uniform Rules, which govern what can and cannot be built on 90 percent of all privately owned county land.

Uncategorized By Ethan Stewart | Thu Feb 08, 2007 | 12:00pm

Taking it to the Streets

San Marcos Students Weigh In on Teacher Pay Debate

Contentious and gridlocked, the salary negotiations between the Santa Barbara School District and its teachers took an unusual turn last week, as more than 100 high school students skipped school in a show of support for their teachers. Risking Saturday detention and possible repercussions on the home front, dozens of San Marcos High School students ditched class last Friday in an effort to call attention to the labor talks between teachers and district officials currently being mediated by a state official.

Uncategorized By Ethan Stewart | Thu Feb 01, 2007 | 2:31pm

An Anonymous Paradise

Forgotten Coast, which premieres tonight at the 2007 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, tells the story of a surfing odyssey in which the pursuit of perfect waves become more important than actually finding them.

Briefs By Ethan Stewart | Wed Jan 31, 2007 | 4:51pm

Puppies Stolen from Animal Adoption Center

DAWG employees and the Santa Barbara Police are asking for anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the missing canines to call in with their information.

Arts & Entertainment By Matt Kettmann, Nicole de Ayora, Sarah Hammill, Sheyla Molho | Mon Jan 29, 2007 | 10:36am

Reggae Ready

FEELIN’ IRIE: Arguably the best California-grown reggae band touring today, Soul Majestic returns to Santa Barbara this week for what is sure to be a skank-heavy and brick-rockin’ good time at SOhO this Friday, January 26.

Film & TV By Ethan Stewart | Thu Jan 25, 2007 | 6:00am

To the Maxxx Films

Not quite the Mountain Dew-soaked ode to extreme that it has
been in the past, this year’s To the Maxxx category is a
treasure-filled grab-bag of thought-provoking surf films, mountain
bike documentaries, skateboard devastation tours, a mother’s look
at her son’s rise to water polo glory, and the obligatory
death-defying motocross debauchery.

By Ethan Stewart | Wed Jan 24, 2007 | 3:00pm

Shoring Up Liquid Natural Gas

EPA Asked to Defend Its Flip-Flop on Ventura LNG Project

The long road toward final approval of the liquid natural gas (LNG) facility proposed for construction off the Ventura coast became even bumpier last week when Congress began asking tough questions about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) controversial stance on the project.

Uncategorized By Ethan Stewart | Thu Jan 18, 2007 | 1:00pm

Out In the Cold

Jack Frost Slams Santa Babylon

From Santa Maria to Carpinteria, the mercury dropped to record-setting lows last weekend, destroying crops, freezing flowers, bursting pipes, and creating a potentially deadly environment for homeless people throughout the county.

By Ethan Stewart | Thu Jan 18, 2007 | 1:00pm

Paradise Sold

Cojo and Jalama Close Escrow

The news took its time solidifying. Rumors from the Gaviota speculation from Montecito, and worst case scenarios from everywhere in between eventually gave way to an official statement issued on January 10: the historic, sprawling, and awe-inspiring Jalama and Cojo ranches-collectively and popularly known as the Bixby Ranch-had officially sold.

Author: Ethan Stewart