Strawberries are having their time in the sun. This year marks the 22nd annual Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, where family, festival rides, and strawberries meet. This year’s theme is “Red, Ripe, and Ready”—fitting for the two-day extravaganza. The festival launch marks the beginning of strawberry season. It also highlights the importance of the strawberry […]
GABHENDRIKSEN
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One woman’s trash is another’s treasure
The Minerva Club has been meeting in town since its start in 1894 by a group of women who called themselves “The Ladies Library.” Now, more than 100 years have passed since those 25 pioneering women made the decision to take a step up and establish a club that would focus on the community. This […]
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Handmade quilts benefit local children
A Santa Maria quilting guild has been hard at work with various fabrics, cutting cloths of different colors into shapes that fit together, all in the service of local children who need a little help. The All American Quilting Guild of Santa Maria is made up of women with a desire to make a difference […]
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Sitting down at the table of brotherhood
The Santa Maria-Lompoc National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is kicking off its Centennial Celebration with a prayer breakfast served buffet style. The grassroots-based civil rights organization began on Feb. 12, 1909. Association members aim to eliminate race prejudice and ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority group citizens […]
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Michael Ybarra
Santa Maria High School varsity baseball team member Michael Ybarra is drawing attention for his excellence and competitive drive out on the field. He’s been playing baseball since he was a youngster. He began at just 6 years old after he was influenced and encouraged by his mother )who played softball) and his father (who, […]
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Underprivileged kids get new threads for school
New clothes are always in fashion—and sometimes a necessity. The Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties’ Assistance Leagues are combining forces to provide their Operation School Bell Program for 2009. They’ll be helping Santa Maria Valley students in need shop for school clothes and supplies they wouldn’t be able to afford without the program. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Kylie Mugg
This young and aspiring senior at Valley Christian Academy is only a few months away from graduating and moving toward a new chapter: life as a college student. Kylie Mugg started playing sports when she was 9 years old after joining a recreational soccer team. “I’ve always been a klutz, so naturally my parents were […]
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The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more
The Santa Maria Valley is full of young students ready to work, and thanks to the State Department of Education and Marian Medical Center’s Workability program, they get the chance to do so. Marian Education is serving the community by providing job opportunities for high school students from Santa Maria High School and Pioneer Valley […]
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Unsung heroes celebrate 50 years of giving back
United Way will commemorate its 50th year milestone at the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria on March 19, when past board presidents and campaign chairs will be honored. The dedicated volunteers have given their time, talent, and resources to meet the needs of local communities. All members, past or present, are invited to participate. United […]
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Tee up to fight cancer
Cancer patients currently undergoing treatment—or who’ve already been through it—are invited to join Marian Medical Center and Monarch Dunes Golf Club’s Swing Thru Cancer support program. The program is open to caregivers, family members of patients, and people dealing with cancer or life after cancer. It aims to get them involved in outdoor activities and […]