The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is welcoming students from Pioneer Valley High School to partake in free after-school activities at the Edwards Community Center from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The program started on Aug. 19 and provides recreational activities, snacks, games, and more for the students. Recreation and Parks Department Associate Teresa Rayburn […]
BRIAN WRIGHT
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Rodeo association kicks off high school season with an initiation meeting
The California High School Rodeo Association District 7 Commission will welcome past and future members at a general meeting on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. at the Madonna Inn. Junior high and high school students interested in participating in the 2013-2014 rodeo season are invited to attend the meeting, which kicks off another year. District […]
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Robotics challenge pits LEGO machines in battle
A robot battle showcase topped off an eight-week robotics program held by the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County in Lompoc. On Aug. 13, small teams of elementary and junior high school students in third through eighth grades built and programmed LEGO robots for various tests and competitions. The “Sumo Challenge” showcase […]
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Community Corner: Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser event set for Sept. 28 at Waller Park in Santa Maria will welcome runners and walkers of all ages with the inaugural 5K run and half-mile kids’ fun run. Registration for both events begins at 7:30 a.m. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s event will also feature the 3K and 5K walk […]
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Spotlight on: Blue Sky Vapes
Frank Compston and Kristi Allen, owners
Unjustifiably taboo to some, a complete mystery to others, and something celebrated by fans, “vaping” is a relatively new alternative to smoking standard analog cigarettes. Frank Compston and Kristi Allen are excited to open Blue Sky Vapes for business in Santa Maria on Aug. 9 to provide this service to all interested customers— mostly cigarette smokers. […]
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Javier Cardenas
The sound of reggae music and grunting fighters echoed as soft-spoken Javier Cardenas (pictured in white) wrestled with his partner at the Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Santa Maria. With sweat running down his brow after several intense practice rolls—which are informal matches of sorts solely for practice—Cardenas said, “Jiu-Jitsu is for the smaller person […]
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Sober promise, pleasant prize
Elmer Barrueta wins the “All In Driver” drawing
anta Maria High School graduate Elmer Barrueta recently won a Mini Cooper for pledging to drive unimpaired for one year. He was selected from hundreds of students in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties. The drawing was a part of the “All In Driver” program sponsored by McCarthy’s of San Luis Obispo. The […]
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Spotlight on: Beacon Barber Shop
Winston Bennie, owner
The Beacon Barber Shop in Orcutt now belongs to an enthusiastic new owner: certified barber Winston Bennie, who has no shortage of plans for his new digs. Bennie recently described to the Sun his aspirations for the shop: “I want this place to be old-school; sort of a time warp, Americana style, harkening back to […]
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Southside Little League All-Stars
The Southside Little League All-Star team has truly stepped up to the plate this season with dominant performances and rapid individual player growth. The 13 All-Stars—elite selections from their league pool of 12-year-olds—have been playing together since before they were 5 years old. This season they’ve developed their skills further and proven their worth with […]
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Ten thousand lives transformed
A surge in community awareness and outreach has led to a massive milestone for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, which recently saw its 10,000th adoption since the creation of its “no-kill” program. The staff, which rings a bell upon every successful adoption, will be celebrating this feat with a luncheon to “thank them for […]