AMY ASMAN
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Local animal sanctuary seeking public’s help to save horses from slaughterhouse

by AMY ASMAN

Calling all horse-lovers—the Animali Farm, located on Tepusquet Road in Santa Maria, needs your help. The nonprofit animal sanctuary is looking for people willing to adopt nearly a dozen appaloosa horses. The sanctuary was recently contacted by an Alberta, Canada-based appaloosa and quarterhorse breeder who, because of medical problems, has decided to put her horses […]

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Pet palace

Santa Maria Valley Humane Society breaks ground on new facility
by AMY ASMAN

Heading west on Stowell Road toward the ocean, it’s crop fields and industrial buildings as far 
as the eye can see—but not for long. On May 21, the Santa Valley Humane Society broke ground on its new adoption and boarding facility. Once completed, the building will be home to not only the organization’s adoption and […]

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And the GEM goes to…And the GEM goes to…

by AMY ASMAN

The city of Santa Maria recently recognized its water resources division customer service team—Rod Rodriguez, Cynthia Torres, Karl Kovarik, and Bill Cyr, of the Utilities Department—as the Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award winners for the first quarter of 2009.  Each employee received a GEM certificate from City Manager Tim Ness during a presentation at […]

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Fire assistance center open for business

by AMY ASMAN

It’s just since May 18 that the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services (OES) opened its Local Assistance Center for victims of the recent Jesusita Fire, but according to OES spokesman Richard Abrams the center might end up closing soon. “We were anticipating more people being in need,” Abrams said. “This fire wasn’t the […]

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All in the name of scholarship

by AMY ASMAN

“Community Supporting Community” will be the theme of the day May 28 when the Allan Hancock College Foundation plans to award 289 scholarships worth more than $250,000 to 250 students at the college’s 40th annual scholarship awards banquet. More than 700 students, relatives, friends, donors, and community members are expected to attend the 6 p.m. […]

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Accredited childcare recognized in Santa Barbara County

by AMY ASMAN

Research has shown that “warm, loving, and home-like settings” are natural environments for children during early childhood, according to a press release from First 5 Santa Barbara County. According to the release, accreditation from the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is recognized as the highest indicator that a family child-care program offers a […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Drea Prescott

by AMY ASMAN

Don’t let 4-year-old Drea Prescott’s size fool you. The pintsize Santa Marian is one powerhouse of a swimmer, according to Santa Maria Valley YMCA’s aquatics and sports program director Angeli Guerrero. When she nominated Prescott for the Sun’s Athlete of the Week, Guerrero said Prescott is a bit of a paddling phenomenon in the Y’s […]

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The United Nations comes to Orcutt Academy

by AMY ASMAN

More than 100 ninth graders—each representing a specific country—swarm around the Orcutt Junior High School gym enticing each other to sign resolutions they’ve written to address the effects of global warming. “If [the resolution] doesn’t serve the self-interest of your country, don’t sign it,” Sharir Chan, Orcutt Academy’s world civilizations/world history teacher, tells one student. […]

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And then there were two

Etta Waterfield becomes second Santa Marian in race for 33rd District State Assembly seat
by AMY ASMAN

Another longtime Santa Maria resident is planning to enter the 2010 race for the 33rd District Assembly Seat, soon to be vacated by Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) because of term limits. On May 14, Santa Maria Planning Commissioner Etta Waterfield announced her intention to run for the open seat. Waterfield joins a growing number […]

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