Santa Marians don’t have to be afraid of things that go bump in the night. Thanks to the largesse of the Santa Maria Police Council, the city’s SWAT team can deal with nocturnal crime issues with dispatch, because it has infrared goggles and can see in the dark. The council held its second annual membership […]
HELEN ANN THOMAS
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Valentine’s Day in Santa Maria was oh-so-social! The town was awash with festive and romantic dinners and dances on Feb. 14. I looked for Cupid at the Good Samaritan Shelter’s annual fundraising dinner, “Hearts for the Homeless,” held at the Santa Maria Country Club. More than 125 people bought $125 tickets ($214 per couple) to […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
The proposed Orcutt Aquacenter is making waves, and in the very nicest way. The Aquacenter held its 13th Annual Benefit Dinner on Jan. 24 at St. Joseph High School’s Hofschulte Gymnasium. “We raised $14,000,” reported a very pleased Terri Lee Coleman, director of development. More than 200 hundred-dollar tickets (two dinners per ticket) were sold, […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
He did it again! Yes, the irrepressible Judy Hearn won the bid to lead the Santa Maria Philharmonic in the “Star Spangled Banner” at the first concert of the orchestra’s 2009-2010 season. Fans will recall that Clark-Center-Follies-tap-dancing star Judy also guest conducted at a previous season-starting concert. The bidding took place at the Philharmonic’s annual […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Food, glorious food.” That refrain, from one of the songs in the musical Oliver, reminds us that food can sometimes be hard to come by and that basics like rice, beans, and bread are beyond glorious when you are hungry. Thanks to the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, hundreds of pounds of food were […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
What is the Christmas season without a trip to the Madonna Inn? A holiday must is checking out the elaborate decorations at the popular San Luis Obispo hotel and restaurant. Thanks to the Santa Maria Valley Friendship Club, which had its December luncheon meeting on the 17th at the inn, I got to meet some […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
It’s easy to love the little town of Guadalupe, and even easier to be totally enamored of the Dunes Center on its main street, also known as Highway 1. Situated in a lovingly restored, cozy, Craftsman-style cottage with a fireplace, the Dunes Center is dedicated to preserving the local ecosystem and educating the public […]
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Big name, big heart
Liz Addamo has won over plenty of locals with her successful business ventures (look for a new restaurant soon), help with nonprofits, and commitment to improving her community
If you drop by the Addamo Wine Tasting Room and Bistro on East Clark in Old Orcutt at lunchtime, chances are you will see a tall, blond, young-looking woman in her late 30s. She will no doubt be swathed in a large, dark green apron. While she delivers water or buses tables in the two […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Oh, those gorgeous trees!
Altrusa’s Holiday Extravaganza was a smash hit and a roaring success! This is no surprise to Santa Maria ladies who look forward to this colorful, exciting, and fun event every year. Tickets went on sale March 1, reported past president Diane Alleman-Stevens, and were sold out by April 1. Held Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Santa […]
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Celebrate Philanthropy!
inaugural luncheon makes a fine start
“We are here today to celebrate people who do good things.” The Rev. Dr. Brian T. Parcel of First United Methodist Church was talking to the 240 guests at the inaugural Celebrate Philanthropy! Luncheon held Nov. 6 at the Santa Maria Country Club. Tickets were $20. The event honored three local couples well known for […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Be still my heart! A bevy of dashing, charming male waiters tended to milady’s wine and food needs on Oct. 23 at the Santa Maria Country Club. Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) activist Peggy Blough and friends hatched the idea for this first-time event. It was billed as “Santa Maria Men Against Domestic Violence Present Girls’ […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
PCPA Foundation’s Puttin’ on the Ritz annual gala Despite the iffy economy, the PCPA Foundation raised a bunch of big bucks to help support the acting conservatory at its annual gala, Puttin’ on the Ritz. The Radisson Hotel was the scene of all the theatrical fun on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 11. More than […]