Although Sky’s the Limit has been flying hot air balloons for only six months in Santa Barbara County, the family-owned business has been operating out of San Diego for more than 20 years. For James Lawson, the co-owner and pilot of Sky’s the Limit Ballooning Adventures, hot air ballooning is more than a hobby: It’s […]
DORA SALTZMAN
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Community Corner: Palo Mesa is the best American pie in Italy
The U.S. Pizza Team recently traveled to Parma, Italy, to compete in the 23rd annual World Pizza Championships on April 7 through 9. More than 30 other countries joined the 16 American pizza makers. One of these “pizzaioli” was Michael Stevens of Palo Mesa Pizza in Arroyo Grande. Stevens has been a member of the […]
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SLO County offers free bus rides to celebrate Earth Day
In observance of Earth Day and to encourage environmentally friendly transportation, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and South County Transit (SCT) will be offering free rides for all passengers throughout the county on Sunday, April 27. The city will also be providing a special service on its popular double-decker bus to […]
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Champion Center will provide treatment for emergency and military personnel
For more than a year, the site of the old Lompoc District Hospital on Hickory Avenue has been a construction zone complete with cranes, bulldozers, and dumpsters. Although it’s not slated for completion until June 2014, residents of the south Lompoc neighborhood can finally see the finished product of the 18-month remodel: the Champion Center, […]
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Latino Outreach Council presents an inaugural Fiesta Latina
On May 2, the Latino Outreach Council of San Luis Obispo County will be holding Fiesta Latina, its first-ever Cinco de Mayo festival. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a silent auction, no-host cocktails and wine, live entertainment by the Mariachis Mexicanisimo, and a dinner featuring Mexican fare. Dancing to festive Latin music […]
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JDX Pharmacy is a stop on the Health Mart Healthy Living Tour
On Friday, May 2, the Health Mart Healthy Living Tour will stop at JDX Pharmacy from 3 to 6 p.m. Free health screenings and a sample bag will be offered to those in attendance. The national awareness tour honors pharmacists in the community and recognizes their vital roles as educators, counselors, and managers of various […]
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Spotlight on: Gray Electrical Consulting + Engineering, LLC
Heather Gray, principal electrical engineer
Heather Gray is the principal electrical engineer at Gray Electrical Consulting + Engineering (GECE), a woman-owned consulting business in Santa Maria. Though she is a female in a male-dominated field, Gray doesn’t feel it’s made an impact on her career. “I’ve always found being a woman to be one of my strongest assets: I’m good […]
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Co-working provides an alternative to the typical office in Santa Maria
Starting a business might be a dream for many entrepreneurs, but between working from home and ill-equipped coffee shops, finding a place to run one’s business can be a struggle. “Co-working” centers are a potential solution to this problem. They provide entrepreneurs a consistent space to work and the opportunity for collaboration with other business […]
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Local weight-loss institute receives accreditation
Dignity Health’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute of the Central Coast has been granted “level two” accreditation by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons. Dignity Health of the Central Coast includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, and Marian Regional Medical Center in […]
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Spotlight on: Old Town Market
Mark Steller, Owner
“Stellar service” and a trip down memory lane is what Mark Steller, the owner of Old Town Market in Orcutt, promises each customer who frequents his neighborhood grocery store. “Coming in here is kind of like stepping back in time,” he said. “It’ll remind you of going to the store with grandma when you were […]
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Spotlight on: Ascendant Spirits
Anthony Cano, Assistant Distiller
Ascendant Spirits is a trailblazer in its industry: Not only was it the first craft distillery to open its doors in Santa Barbara County, but it was also the first to legally manufacture liquor there since Prohibition. However, just because the Prohibition era has passed doesn’t mean the company is without its share of frustrations […]
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Community Corner: ‘Day of Hope’ helps local cancer patients
Hundreds of volunteers will be stationed at street intersections in Santa Maria and Orcutt on April 3 from 6 a.m. to noon selling $1 special edition “Day of Hope” Santa Maria Times newspapers. All proceeds from the fundraising event will go toward providing support to Marian Cancer Care patients at Mission Hope Cancer Center. “One […]