The Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics will be holding its annual Harry Wood Area Games Track and Field competition on April 9. More than 100 athletes from Santa Maria and Lompoc will compete in run/walks, shot-put, and standing jumps. There will also be special events for athletes requiring wheelchairs. The event takes place at […]
JEREMY THOMAS
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Spotlight on: Valley Sweets
Tracy Angel, Shannyn Tupper, and Claudia Contreras, owners
In the heart of Solvang’s bustling downtown, three Santa Ynez Valley moms—Tracy Angel, Shannyn Tupper, and Claudia Contreras—have found a way to transform their love of baking into a business. The enterprising trio started out in June 2010 as a baked goods delivery and catering service, specializing in children’s parties and weddings, before moving into […]
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County looks to restructure departments
In a cost-cutting move, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is considering the formation of a new Community Services Department, unifying a diverse range of public services under one umbrella. Instructed by the board to restructure county government, County CEO Chandra Wallar recommended consolidating the county Department of Parks, Housing, and Community Development; the […]
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You know the drill
Middle East turmoil and rising gas prices renew calls for oil drilling off California’s coast
Skyrocketing oil prices are doing more than providing fuel for a rash of “pain at the pump” stories; they’re also being used to pressure the Obama administration into reopening oil-drilling operations off the Central Coast. On March 29, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced three bills in Congress that, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local girls earn CIF honors
Area high schools were well represented when the CIF Southern Section released its 2010-11 All-CIF basketball teams on March 23. Coaches named St. Joseph junior Aly Beebe as the section’s Player of the Year for Division 3-AA. The center led the Lady Knights with 20.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, and three blocked shots per game, and […]
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SM Youth Football takes signups
The Santa Maria Valley Youth Football League will be accepting registrations for football and cheer beginning April 3. Football fees are $200, plus players must sell five cash calendars. A $100 deposit is due at the time of signup. Scholarships won’t be accepted, but payment plans are available. Fees include a jersey, photos, insurance, a […]
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Y holds Healthy Kids Day
For parents, instilling healthy eating habits can be a challenge. The Santa Maria YMCA can help at Healthy Kids Day on April 16. Healthy Kids Day is the nation’s largest health day of its kind for kids and families. The event is free and features activities for families to have fun, be active, and learn […]
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The hunt is on!
What’s Easter without a classic Easter egg hunt? Parents and their children are invited to take part in the holiday tradition at the eighth annual Spring Eggstravaganza on April 17. The day’s festivities are geared toward children ages 3 to 12, and include bounce houses, carnival games, and more. The event is free and takes […]
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Drivers, start your engines
Santa Maria Speedway opens its 2011 season, weather permitting
April 2 is the date local racing fans and drivers have been waiting for all winter: the start of the 2011 racing season at Santa Maria Speedway. The one-third-mile, clay oval track has held races continuously since Doug Fort built it in 1964, and after recent heavy rains flooded the parking lot, track officials are […]
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Spotlight on: Wine Country
Don O’Neill, owner
After four years doing business in the Santa Ynez Valley, Wine Country owner Don O’Neill knew it was time to make a move. So he brought the cozy, no-frills wine bar he purchased in 2005 to a brand new building in the heart of Old Town Orcutt. “Los Olivos was getting pretty saturated, so we […]
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Space Center relaunches
The California Space Authority taps Lompoc as the future home of an ambitious project
Though the California Space Authority recently broke off plans with the U.S. Air Force for a California Space Center, the nonprofit group may have already found love on the rebound in Lompoc. And both sides are hoping it’s a marriage made in heaven. On March 25, the CSA simultaneously announced it had scrapped negotiations with […]
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Census figures will reshuffle Santa Barbara County supervisor districts
Santa Barbara County supervisors will have their work cut out for them this summer when it comes time to redraw district boundaries, thanks to a population boom in the North County over the past decade. According to the U.S. Census, the county added nearly 25,000 new residents from 2000 to 2010. The city of Santa […]
