Posted inNews

Election Day is coming

Novembers often represent a time when U.S. citizens particularly enjoy their freedom to exercise their vote, to take a stand and have a say in what happens in their homeland. That time of year is quickly approaching; November is just around the corner, really, and the Santa Maria City Clerk’s office is busily preparing for […]

Posted inNews

Advocates for the elderly

Joyce Lippman, executive director for the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens/Area Agency on Aging, said there are 152 senior living homes in Santa Barbara County, and 70 in North County alone. With a long list of facilities to monitor, it’s no wonder the commission is asking for more volunteers for its Long-Term Care Ombudsman […]

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Philanthropy calls

The power of people in numbers was evident at this year’s Women’s Fund of Northern Santa Barbara County award ceremony. On June 27, the Women’s Fund awarded $80,000 to six local nonprofit organizations. Members of the Women’s Fund and representatives from the nonprofits mingled at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, enjoying delicious appetizers and good […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Taking the plunge

Once a necessary form of transportation, zip lines are now the ultimate adventure for adrenaline junkies around the world

I had never looked death in the face before, but I think that’s what I did when I stood on a platform 190 feet in the air, serving as my launch-point into space. With my heart racing and images of my imminent demise racing through my mind, I heard one of my sarcastic companions say, […]

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Advocates for Autism

According to Autism Speaks, more children this year will be diagnosed with autism than AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined. Unfortunately, the specific cause of autism remains a mystery that scientists and doctors are trying to solve. With one in 88 children diagnosed with autism, Easter Seals of the Tri-Counties continues to provide services to autistic […]

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Spotlight On: Pacific Coast Landscape

These days, the Home & Garden television channel is full of do-it-yourself shows, instructing people how to complete their own home renovations for a better price. In these tough economic times, cheaper seems to be better. According to local businessman Damon Boggs, more people are taking pride in owning their houses. “People everywhere are losing […]

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Scream for ice cream

Students from Family Partnership Charter schools were able to enjoy a night of friends, fun, and their teachers serving them ice cream at a fundraising event held at Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab in Orcutt. Mark Palmerston, assistant director for Family Partnership Charter; Nancy White, Santa Maria Montessori Instructional Aide; and Mindy Lambert, Orcutt Learning […]

Posted inOpinion

Unplug and unwind

Turn off the input for a day

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the kind of Sunday made for being unproductive and lazing around in the sunshine. With no pressing obligations for the day, I decided to sit on the back porch and drink coffee. As I sat there, letting the rays of sun warm my face and listening to the steady […]

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