Lon Allan

Although students at Atascadero High School know it as Building B, for many in the community it is the last of the original Margarita Black Union High School built on a bluff overlooking the downtown civic center.

About 20 years ago, I complained editorially that a stepchild of mine who I think was in the fourth grade was getting presents for doing her schoolwork. In reality, I think the teacher had a box of treats or toys in one corner of the room and when you turned in your work, you got to reach into the box and pull out a surprise. It was a tiny trinket and admittedly didn’t cost much.

Two weeks ago, I was stuck in traffic on Highway 101 near Buellton and soon ordered by a CHP officer to turn around and head back to Santa Barbara. Up ahead I saw black smoke.