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 […]
KRISTINA SEWELL
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 […]
Athlete of the Week: Emily Mangione
The day before Emily Mangione and her family left for the Silver State International Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nev., she didn’t sound nervous. In fact, she sounded confident and ready. Mangione, going on her sophomore year at Nipomo High School, recently qualified for the International Rodeo in the pole bending category, finishing third in overall points. […]
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 […]
Athlete of the Week: Hope Goodall
The Nipomo Heat 12U softball team is on fire this All-Star season, with pitcher Hope Goodall fueling the flames. The 13-year-old Nipomo resident helped lead her team to a first-place trophy on June 24 at a tournament in Clovis. The Heat run-ruled all of their opponents in the tournament, except for the semifinal game, when […]
Taking the plunge
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, […]
Athlete of the Week: AUSTIN KAISER
For Allan Hancock College sophomore Austin Kaiser, signing with the San Diego State University golf team was a dream come true. On June 7, Kaiser signed a National Letter of Intent to represent the Aztecs as a golfer. SDSU maintains a prestigious golf program and finished in the top 10 of golf teams in the […]
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 […]
Athlete of the Week: Meghan Zimmer
When local swimmer Meghan Zimmer heard the news that she was going to compete in the Olympic trials, the first thing she thought was, “I finally made it.” Zimmer missed her chance at the trials in 2004 and 2008, but never gave up her goal of going to the Olympics. “I’ve been training for so […]
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 […]
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 […]
Unplug and unwind
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 […]

