Rick Sweet, director of utilities for the city of Santa Maria, will be the featured speaker at the Business Development Luncheon on Aug. 19. Sweet has worked for the city for 21 years, starting as an assistant civil engineer, then becoming Santa Maria’s city engineer, director of public works, and finally director of utilities. Sweet […]
SARAH E. THIEN
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Find a piece of Southern Italy in Orcutt
The Trattoria Uliveto, a new restaurant in Orcutt, is set to open its doors for the first time on Aug. 22. Owners Jim Spallino and Alfonso Curti, formally of Grappolo in Santa Ynez, have created a menu emphasizing the simple tastes of an Italian kitchen, from a salad of arugula and parmesan to a spinach […]
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New superintendent is ready to start the school year
Hometown educator Phil Alvarado is excited and ready for change
Phil Alvarado can trace his career in education back to one single moment. It was 1973, and Alvarado was leaving after his last day as an instructional aide at Oakley Elementary in Santa Maria. It was to be his last day as an educator—he was on his way to the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
All Olympics, all the time
By the closing ceremonies, the couch and I will have become one
Michael Phelps is cool and all, but Jason Lezak is my new hero. By the time you read this, you’ll have heard all about him. (If you follow the news at all, that is.) The 32-year-old veteran swimmer had the race of his life the night of Aug. 10—otherwise known as the morning of Aug. […]
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Athlete of the Week
Ryan Newman ran his first triathlon on a whim. That’s right: on a whim. His cousin was in town for the Lompoc Sprint Triathlon in April 2007 and her friend couldn’t race, so they had an extra spot. Newman borrowed a bike and gave the race a shot. “The first one was brutal,” Newman said. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local company earns ‘Fit Friendly’ certification from the American Heart Association
With walking breaks, healthy snacks, and ping-pong play at work, it’s no wonder that Hardy Diagnostics has been certified as a “Fit Friendly Company” by the American Heart Association. According to a news release from Hardy Diagnostics, employees at the company have become healthier under the leadership of President Jay Hardy. Employees are encouraged to […]
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A matter of great import
Locals may love or hate outsourcing and the impact it’s making on area businesses – but they can’t ignore it
What are you holding right now—besides this newspaper? A pen? A mug? Take a closer look at whatever you’ve wrapped your fingers around, and you might find these familiar words stamped into the bottom: Made in China. Sometimes those three little words—or variations on them—are a great thing: Cheap materials and cheap labor add up […]
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Odds are better than ever in St. Jude’s Dream Home raffle
Organizers of the Central Coast St. Jude Dream Home raffle report that fewer than 2,000 of the 10,000 available tickets have been sold, making the odds of winning better for everyone. They’ve even added another incentive. Now, a $100 raffle ticket buys a chance to win a $350,000 house being built by Flatley Homes at […]
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In-Shape Health takes over Club 24 in Santa Maria
Are you a Club 24 member? Not anymore. In-Shape Health Clubs has bought the Club 24 gym at 1318 S. Broadway in Santa Maria and will be converting it into an In-Shape gym instead. “We’re thrilled to come to Santa Maria and welcome this great club to the In-Shape family,” In-shape CEO Paul Rothbard said […]
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Lt. Mike Cordero makes a bid for City Council
After 36 years with the Santa Maria Police Department, Lt. Mike Cordero wants a change, and he definitely doesn’t want to retire. Instead, he’s throwing his hat in the ring for one of the two open spots on the Santa Maria City Council. “People have approached me for years about running for City Council,” Cordero […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Small cars, big speed
Santa Maria Karting hosts the Grand Nationals at its home track
On a normal day at the track, there might be 40 go-karts. Last weekend, at the Santa Maria Karting Association track, there were more than 300. It was the International Karting Federation Grand Nationals, held at the Santa Maria track for the third time, and the smell of gasoline and burnt rubber filled the air. […]
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Athlete of the Week
Dr. Brenda Forsythe and Kadence are quite a pair. She’s a 45-year-old veterinarian practicing in Orcutt, and he’s a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding who likes to jump. Together, they’re winners, and they’ve taken home countless blue ribbons throughout the years in hunting, jumping, and dressage competitions. They’ve even taken home a few division championships. “He’s […]
