Spectrum, Allan Hancock College’s schedule of Community Education classes, will be available Jan. 5, 2010, the college announced earlier this month. Registration will begin that same day. Community Education classes are free, noncredit classes that focus on subjects such as parenting, health and safety, senior living, and more. College officials said some fee-based classes have […]
AMY ASMAN
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When school is out, the Y is in with winter camps
The YMCA is celebrating this holiday season with several specialty camps. For kids whose parents are working over most of the holiday season, the YMCA is offering winter break camps Dec. 21 through Jan. 19. Camp members will get to participate in plenty of fun activities, such as skateboarding, Wii game days, swimming, and arts […]
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Women’s Economic Ventures graduates 78 future business owners
Aspiring business owners from Santa Maria to Ventura descended on Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort in Santa Barbara on Dec. 16 to pick up their Women’s Economic Ventures Self-Employment Training program certificates. The 14-week program teaches women and men how to start their own business, from developing a business plan to getting a business license […]
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From jail to new beginnings
Local nonprofit Bringing Our Community Home starts a homeless inmate jail discharge program
For people who are homeless, getting out of jail can sometimes prove to be more of a problem than a relief. An ongoing lack of local facilities and services for homeless people with mental illness, chronic alcoholism, or substance abuse problems has turned jail into the largest de facto in-patient psychiatric and detox facility in […]
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Santa Barbara County Fire Department lifts ban on permitted burning
Low-risk fire season has officially begun, according to a recent announcement from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The transition to a “low fire-preparedness level” means the ban on permitted burning in designated areas within the jurisdiction of Santa Barbara County has been lifted. As a result, fire department officials said, smoke may be visible […]
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Marian Medical Center lauded for its diabetes education
The American Diabetes Association has recognized Marian Medical Center’s Diabetes Education Center for exceeding national standards for diabetes self-management education. The only one of its kind in Northern Santa Barbara County, Marian’s diabetes education program received the same recognition in 2006. And according to the ADA, it continues to excel in providing excellent diabetes management […]
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Santa Maria police still search for answers in fatal stabbing
The Santa Maria Police Department is reaching out to community members to help them solve the recent homicide of a Santa Maria man. Eighteen-year-old Erik Alonso was stabbed to death earlier this month. On Dec. 18, the police department’s gang suppression team arrested a handful of suspects after receiving information that fights and/or a possible […]
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Delta II rocket launch declared successful
Vandenberg Air Force officials are celebrating a successful final launch of the year. On the morning of Dec. 14, mission planners launched a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2. The rocket is carrying NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite. Now that it’s in orbit, the WISE satellite will scan the entire sky […]
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Local environmental group sues U.S. Forest Service over Tepusquet project
Los Padres ForestWatch, a local nonprofit conservation organization, has teamed up with the San Diego-based California Chaparral Institute to sue the U.S. Forest Service. The groups claim regulations approved by the service deny the public’s right to participate in land-use decisions impacting national forests. The suit alleges that on Aug. 10 of this year, the […]
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Santa Barbara County ag commissioner retires
To celebrate his first day of retirement, former Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner Bill Gillette went golfing. “That was kind of weird to do in the middle of the day,” he later told the Sun. Gillette has worked for the county for 34 years, 16 of which were spent as the agricultural commissioner, the county’s […]
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New First 5 website offers resources for parents, child-care professionals
First 5 Santa Barbara County has launched a newly redesigned website, first5santabarbaracounty.org, featuring pictures and personal stories told by local parents. The site also provides new child-care tools and resources for parents, educators, caregivers, and health-care professionals. “First 5 Santa Barbara County has spent months working hard to create a powerful new resource for parents, […]
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Holy days
Central Coast Muslims share the meaning behind Islam’s religious celebrationsCentral Coast Muslims share the meaning behind Islam’s religious celebrations
A group of men gathers to pray in a corner room of a second-story office building on East Plaza Drive in Santa Maria. On the street below and a few blocks over on Broadway, someone has hung Christmas decorations and twinkling lights, signifying the beginning of the Christmas holiday. But unlike many of their neighbors, […]
