The Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center started in 1972 as Social Advocates for Youth in Santa Barbara, former Executive Director Judi Nishimori told the Sun. “It’s been such a long-standing program; it’s evolved into different areas and it’s changed over the years. … I began in 1978; this would be my 45th year […]
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Retired music teacher launches Young Voices of Santa Maria, a new children’s choir program
Eileen Boyd considered herself a singer from an early age and always dreamt of a professional career. The Sacramento native ended up studying music in college and then decided to get a teaching credential to support herself while chasing her dreams. “I ended up teaching for 40 years, and I kept my hand in the […]
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Santa Barbara and Ventura nonprofit SEEAG hosts annual Farm Day for residents to meet farmers in their backyard
Growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Mary Maranville said she always felt a deep connection to farming and saw value in understanding where our food comes from. “When I moved to California 24 years ago, that connection continued and led me to want to educate students on where our food comes […]
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Solvang Senior Center offers new programs as its membership expands and construction for a new building begins
With more people filling up classes and its membership rates growing every month, the Solvang Senior Center added new programs and more opportunities for seniors to explore their community and make new friends. “It’s important for people to socialize, and that’s something we also offer: the chance to socialize while they are also keeping healthy, […]
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C.A.R.E.4Paws begins offering pet wellness clinics to Oceano in August
Three mobile clinics rolled into Oceano on Aug. 6, aiming to treat animals in the community at no cost to town residents in need. Although Santa Barbara-based C.A.R.E.4Paws charges for its services on a sliding scale and does comp services for those who can’t afford to pay anything, the nonprofit is now able to help […]
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Local Boys and Girls Clubs, Planet Fitness organize school supply drive in Santa Maria and Atascadero
Students from lower-income families are poised to receive much-needed school supplies through a debut partnership between the Central Coast chapters of Planet Fitness and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast. Theresa Cappelletty, Planet Fitness’ regional manager, told the Sun that the two groups came together to promote a judgment-free environment for kids. […]
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The Santa Barbara County APCD opens up new grant programs to help residents transition to equipment that relies on renewable energy
For 35 years, the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District has been helping residents and business owners replace old equipment with newer, more environmentally friendly versions through its Clean Air Grants. “It’s been interesting to see how the technology has evolved over time and how the options have grown for cleaner engines, and also […]
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Lompoc has a track and field that everyone in the community can use this summer
The revamped Lompoc Community Track and Field provides an outdoor exercise zone for people to work out and spend time with friends and family. “The idea was to create a safe space that was well lit when it was dark, that was free, that was accessible and centrally located in the heart of the community,” […]
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The Santa Barbara County Education Office offers externship programs to CTE teachers
Career technical education courses give students the opportunity to learn from professionals in fields like engineering; business and finance; agriculture; and media, arts, and entertainment, said Noelle Barthel, director of curriculum and instruction for the Santa Barbara County Education Office. “Many students participate in career technical education classes; there are different academies and stand-alone courses […]
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Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm celebrates the flowers’ peak bloom and grand opening with July events
The lavender at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is coming into full bloom just in time for the farm’s grand opening, Lucas Neumann said. Neumann works as the vice president of the Lompoc-based farm alongside his mother, Denise. The pair held a soft-launch for their farm in 2022 with property tours and private events because […]
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Central Coast cities host panel discussions and screenings of new film, American Hospitals, Healing a Broken System
See for yourself To request a showing of American Hospitals, Fixing a Broken System, visit fixithealthcare.com/host-a-screening to sign up to host a free screening of the film in your community. While he doesn’t believe the current hospital industry is wholeheartedly corrupt—and in fact, he’s proud to see the innovations the industry has made over the […]
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Rescue shelter holds Pony Parties for children to spend quality time with farm animals
As someone who’s worked with animals and as an agriculture teacher her whole life, Julie Hilton wanted to share this lifestyle with others. In 2021, Hilton and her two daughters opened up Hoofprints—a farm animal rescue center that teaches children and youth how to work with the animals. “Ideally, it’s just basic animal care: how […]
