HELEN ANN THOMAS

It was impossible to be bored at the free, fifth annual Nat Fast Children’s Art Day held at the Discovery Museum on Sunday, Jan. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. The event honors the late and beloved local artist and educator Nat Fast. Children’s Art Day was like an indoor street carnival with face painting, […]

No one was more surprised than Jim Bray at the 100-plus turnout for his talk on the heritage of the oil industry in Santa Maria Valley. “Truthfully,” he told me, “I thought about 15 would be there.” These expectations did not deter him from spending a lot of time preparing a slideshow and a seamless, […]

We all know that retirement parties can be a big ho-hum and so borrrrring. This was most definitely not the case with Rick Sweet’s retirement party held on Dec. 10 at the Veterans Memorial Community Center. This was a party with a lot of heart. What made this one special was that the people on […]

There is much to like about the Minerva Club. I found this out both at its Christmas luncheon held on Dec. 16 at the Minerva Clubhouse and at its season opening luncheon held on Oct. 7 at the Radisson. What’s to like, you ask? Well, first of all, there are some mighty fine ladies who […]

‘Tis the season to be jolly and hobnob like crazy. Honestly, there is so much going on, it takes a girl’s breath away. Holiday parties, concerts, benefits, tree-lighting ceremonies, parades—oh, my, the social calendar is full! But not to worry. Holiday hobnobbing is not all flitting around and fluff and being on the prowl for […]

Sister Janet Corcoran is to Santa Maria what Peyton Manning is to Denver: an icon. Like Manning, Sister Janet watches to see if the ball is dropped in important plays, which—in Sister Janet’s case—are any activities that serve humanity. To that end, she frequently calls countywide decision-makers to prod them to do the right thing. […]

Election Day is over, but the memory lingers on. Hobnobbing hit the campaign trail at the tail end of the process and went to check out the action at two election-night City Council election celebrations—one each for incumbent Jack Boysen and council newcomer Etta Waterfield. The night was pitch black and dark as mud, but […]

Hard work and passion can pay off. Take the case of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society, the pending demise (to quote or paraphrase Mark Twain) of which has been greatly exaggerated “We are,” board member and violinist/pianist/teacher Lynne Garrett told me, “in the black.” Can you hear the collective sigh of relief rippling throughout the […]

Downton Abbey, one of the most popular television series ever, was the inspiration for the delightful and elegant Downton Affair Mayors’ Ball held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Santa Maria Country Club. More than 200 people attended the United Way’s annual gala that raises money for literacy programs and honors the mayors of Buellton, […]

This was one busy weekend. Santa Maria kicked off autumn with a swell of activity. On Friday morning, Sept. 26, I joined the Mega 97.1 gang in front of the Chamber of Commerce and adjoining Santa Maria Historical Society for their weekly Java Jam. It was 7 a.m., I might add, when I got there. […]

Pens, pens, and more pens: They were the primary giveaway (thank goodness—a hobnobber can never have too many pens) at the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce’s 29th annual Business Trade Show. Among the many freebies on parade were also food samples from local restaurants. Moxie made its trade show debut with its popular, mouthwatering tri-tip […]

More than 300 friends and supporters of Allan Hancock College athletics turned out for the 13th annual Joe White Memorial Dinner and Auction on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Fairpark. Not only did folks turn out, but they bid stratospherically high (and we mean high—how about $1,000 for a cake?) on a number of live […]