Spotlight

VTC Enterprises, a local vocational and life skills training center for community residents with developmental disabilities, is looking to move into a new home in the coming months. A big new home. An increasing caseload in the organization’s Quality Life Services Program and Santa Maria’s plans to extend McCoy Lane prompted VTC Enterprises to gear […]

If you drop by the Historic Santa Maria Inn to find Bethany Endy and her catering managing skills, she won’t be there. That’s because she’s now the special events coordinator for Santa Ynez Inn in Santa Ynez. Her new job will see her promoting, planning, and overseeing all special events—receptions, winemaker dinners, weddings, luncheons, meetings, […]

While nothing may compare with crunching through a field of fresh snow to choose your own Douglas fir, winning an already decorated tree and some gifts to go with it comes mighty close. Altrusa International of the Central Coast is descending on Santa Maria Town Center for its sixth annual Festival of Trees, the group’s […]

It’s not money, but it’s close. The Nipomo Swapmeet will be handing out Santa Swapmeet Bucks to kids at noon on Sundays until Dec. 21. Recipients can use the bucks just like cash at participating vendors throughout the meet. The Nipomo Swapmeet is located at 263 N. Frontage Road in Nipomo. The bucks will be […]

In a season of perceived economic uncertainty, there are people seeking to bring hope and stability through the staffing industry. Kim Mundell opened an Express Employment Professionals office at 222 W. Carmen Lane, suite 102, in Santa Maria on Nov. 3, and business is already brisk. “I have no doubts,” Mundell said. “This is a […]

On Dec. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., locals are invited to drop off a wrapped toy worth at least $10 at JR’s Drive-In Burgers, 603 E. Main St., Santa Maria. Locals can also take their toys to David Ryan Gallery, 205 E. Clark Ave. in Old Orcutt, between 1 and 4 p.m. on Dec. […]

Community West Bank recently announced that Ruth Moran has been hired as vice president, commercial loan officer in the bank’s Santa Maria branch office. According to a press release, she spent most of her 14-year lending career with California Coastal Rural Development Corporation, which provides loan capital and other financial services to businesses and farms […]

The American Heart Association has a new executive director for its Tri-Counties Division. Julia Nagy, who served as business development director for the association’s Santa Barbara Division, is now heading up the organization that covers Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties. Nagy replaces Liz Adams, who has taken on a new role in […]

In honor of its 50th birthday in 2009, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County is holding its fifth annual Taste for Justice on March 7, 2009, starting at 2 p.m. at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum. The event features food and drink, so Legal Aid is looking for about a dozen or so […]

Maria Shriver, in partnership with The Women’s Conference, has recently launched WE Invest, a statewide women’s economic empowerment initiative. The WE Invest program is partnering with Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) and two other nonprofit organizations in California to launch this initiative. The WE Invest partnership will help link women with WEV’s Self-Employment Training Program, the […]

For the first time, Touring and Tasting Magazine and wine club is selling off cases of their inventory of limited production wines. The Holiday Warehouse Sale will take place on Nov. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 125 S. Quarantina St. in Santa Barbara. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit three […]

To recognize the importance of wine grape vineyards and winemaking to the county’s economy, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution during their Oct. 28 meeting. The resolution was sponsored by Supervisor Joni Gray and presented to Kevin Merrill, vineyard manager for Mesa Vineyard Management in Santa Maria. “Winemaking and vineyards are […]