The Joseph B. Hernandez Memorial Food Drive, also known as the Keeping the Memory Alive Food Drive, recently completed its fifth year of work to help feed and clothe locals in need. Robyn Velasquez, niece of the food drive’s founder and one of its organizers, said, “[The food drive] collected this year 4,680 pounds [of […]
FRANK GONZALES
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week: Brent Dionisio
Brent Dionisio can jump higher than most people are tall. At a track meet against Righetti High School on March 14, the Pioneer Valley High School junior, who’s 5-foot-11, briefly elevated his entire body to a height of 6 feet and 6 inches during the high jump competition—his personal best. For this feat and for […]
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Spotlight on: Chomp
Peter Jensen, owner
Only four weeks ago it didn’t exist. And recently Aaron Petersen, co-owner of Solvang’s newest burger experience, Chomp, said, “We really have been overwhelmed the first three weeks. We had no idea that this many people would want to come in and try us.” But by having grown up in Solvang and by partnering with […]
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Nipomo developers’ thirsts are quenched–for now
Developers in Nipomo once again have access to water for new projects thanks to a recent ordinance by the Nipomo Community Services District. During its March 13 meeting, the district board unanimously voted to immediately suspend a previous ordinance that had halted the processing of new water-service applications. The new ordinance—along with the date of […]
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The ‘Star Wars’ not so far, far away
Recent threats put the spotlight back on Vandenberg
Ridiculed as “Star Wars” by critics, the Strategic Defense Initiative, or missile defense, that President Ronald Reagan initiated at the tail end of the Cold War appears to be coming of age. On March 7, North Korea threatened to attack the United States with nuclear weapons after the United Nations passed new sanctions against the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Concours de donut
Orcutt’s weekly car enthusiast gathering is a celebration of automobiles of all makes and models
Cars and coffee. The pairing has been sweeping the nation, the world, and the Internet over the last few years. The idea is simple: Step one is to find a parking lot that goes unused over the weekend and whose owners are open to impromptu gatherings on their property. Step two is to get the […]
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Spend 10 minutes, save a life
While saving a life isn’t on most people’s agendas most days, Dignity Health of the Central Coast—which includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center, and Marian Regional Medical Center—will be giving local residents just such an opportunity this March. The medical group is organizing three bone marrow registry drives that will take place […]
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A pipe dream becomes reality
The Nipomo Community Services District approves funding for an inter-tie pipeline with Santa Maria
A contractor bidding war in Nipomo is coming. The board of directors for the Nipomo Community Services District voted 4-1 on Feb. 13 to approve a $14.1-million financial plan for the first phase of an inter-tie pipeline to bring water from Santa Maria to the thirsty community. Funding for the project will come from a […]
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Lompoc says yes to a bicycle and moto-cross park
BMXers and mountain bikers of Lompoc rejoice! The Lompoc City Council voted on Feb. 5 to approve plans for a new bike park at River Bend Park. The council voted 4-0, with Mayor John Linn abstaining because his wife owns property near the project site. At the meeting, the council considered the new bike park […]
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The big new dog (and cat) house
The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society and its residents will soon benefit from shiny new digs. The upgraded facility is currently under construction off of Stowell Road in Santa Maria. On Jan. 26, the public is invited to stop by and check out the progress between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. At the same time, […]
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Spotlight on: Roemer Way Self-Storage
While the TV show Storage Wars and its imitators have shone a bright light on the self-storage industry over the last few years, they’ve only told a small fraction of the self-storage story. The much larger part has to do with the millions of moves in and out of storage spaces undertaken by Americans each […]
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A heart specialist with heart
Heart problems? If you have them and you are near Lompoc, then you should see Dr. Khawar M. Gul, the cardiologist who won Lompoc Valley Medical Center’s Physician of the Year Award for 2012 at the end of December. “[Physician of the Year] is an award that is voted on by all the hospital staff, […]
