HELEN ANN THOMAS

Club K Speakeasy celebrated the Roaring Twenties on Friday, Aug. 9, at the Vets Memorial Hall in Santa Maria. It was a roaring success. Noontime Kiwanis has come up with a surefire formula for pleasing people at its annual signature fundraiser. The basics are scrumptious food, madcap gaming activity, and irresistible silent auction items—with a […]

Amelia Earhart made a guest appearanceat the Orcutt library’s special program held on Earhart’s birthday, July 24. But, you say, how could that be? The famous aviatrix and aviation pioneer was lost over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937. Not to worry. It was not a mirage. Local pilot Patricia Lynn paid homage to […]

Who knew that Rancho Bowl, at the corner of Donovan and Broadway, is more than just a bowling alley? Certainly not I. But at the Chamber of Commerce’s regular monthly mixer held on Thursday, July 18, at this locale, I found that the sprawling bowling alley building is part of a business that includes a […]

Saturday, June 29, was a big night for Frank and Scottie Ortiz. This popular couple “retired” from their year as district governor and first lady of Rotary District 5240, a big chunk of Central California. Their service was recognized and applauded at an annual awards ceremony held at the Radisson Hotel. For the past year, […]

Hip, hip hooray! Let’s hear it for Beaujolais! This fabulous musical trio performed during cocktail hour at the 13th annual fundraiser dinner and auction of Community Partners in Caring (CPC). It was wonderful. In the bar, Jimmy Enos played a real piano—not just a keyboard—while Liz Douglas played guitar and Bo Cudd vocalized. Where and […]

The Santa Maria Police Council (SMPC) is a nonprofit group that raises money for the Santa Maria Police Department. They fund equipment and programs that would not otherwise be possible. Over the past five years, this civic-minded group has raised more than $250,000 for the police department. This figure doesn’t include the more than $30,000 […]

For some of us—that would be me—the annual Santa Maria Valley Humane Society 4-Legged Affair fashion show, held this year on May 25 at the Elks Club, was a one-legged affair. Guess who now breezes through her day—slowly—with a medical device? I recently took the fall of my life, injured a leg, and now can […]

It was Amy Curti’s night to shine. And shine she did. This charming chairperson of the Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation (OCAF) was in charge of OCAF’s Annual Gala and major fundraiser, held Saturday evening, April 27, at the Santa Maria Country Club. Around 5:30 on the big night, Curti beamed as she went through the […]

It was your basic, old-fashioned, old-time variety show. There were singers, dancers, harmonica players, keyboard players, guitarists, and violinists from all age groups. These locals performed with pizzazz when they were on stage at the Rotary Club’s annual “Santa Maria Has Talent” show on April 11, 12, and 13. This event grows in popularity each […]

Is it my imagination, or are the regular monthly Chamber of Commerce mixers getting to be more fun? The level of networking and business buzz seem to be on the upswing as more people come to eat, drink, and be merry. Chamber members Mary and Ed Hernandez were hosts for the March 21 mixer at […]

The Big Event of the month of March was the long-awaited (for a whole year) St. Joseph High School 27th annual BASH. This chic soiree took place Saturday evening, March 9, in St. Joe’s all-purpose gymnasium. Transformed from a jock shop into a glamorous venue, the gym proved its versatility. Laura Badenall, decorations chairperson, and […]

Gotta dance! Gotta sing! That was surely the mantra of those who tried out for the Rotary Talent Show, which will be held April 11 to 13 at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Quite a few from the area (which includes Santa Maria and points north, south, east, and west) turned out on Feb. 23 and […]