Spotlight

Local wines are on the menu for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s  “A Taste of Summer” luncheon on July 21 at Riverbench Winery. The event’s guest speaker will be Kathy Fleckenstein, executive director of Santa Maria Valley Wine Country. Fleckenstein is also the former director of special events for the Santa Ynez Inn […]

Though the federal government’s program is over, Help-U-Sell is assisting new homebuyers with its Homebuyer Stimulus Program. From now through Sept. 30, buyers can get 3 percent—up to $8,000—paid at closing by the seller of an eligible property and applied to non-recurring costs. Help-U-Sell is a full-service set-fee organization whose brokers are fully licensed by […]

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County a $5,000 grant to further affordable housing options in the county. The grant money will go toward funding the Trust Fund’s First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Program and its Revolving Loan Fund, which provides below-market interest rate loans to start […]

Retrofitting businesses to become more energy efficient will be the topic of an upcoming joint meeting of the Business Development Committee and Hispanic Business Committee on July 20. The Santa Barbara County Energy Watch Partnership will present information on programs offered by PG&E, So Cal Gas, and other companies to help businesses lower their energy […]

The Central Coast Wine Competition announced the results of its 2010 vintners’ contest on June 17, with Santa Barbara County wineries taking home many of the top prizes. Local winning labels included Santa Maria’s Rancho Sisquoc for Best of Merlot and Best of Super Tuscan Red, Santa Ynez’s Quail Crossing for Best of Pinot Grigio, […]

Western Village Health Club, a 47,000-square-foot fitness center in Santa Maria, is now open to help residents get into summer beach shape. The new health club offers more than 150 pieces of cardio equipment, an indoor pool, steam rooms, a whirlpool, saunas, a women’s workout area, certified personal trainers, and a group exercise department. New […]

Local chiropractor Fred Carbone would like to honor the sacrifices of Santa Maria-area veterans throughout July with an Independence Celebration at his practice, Aloha Family Chiropractic. All month long, Santa Maria vets and active duty personnel will qualify for a free health and wellness checkup. Carbone specializes in spinal correction and family wellness care and […]

Yeehaw! The Santa Maria Women’s Network took the bull by the horns and nabbed the top prize at the Chamber of Commerce’s “Big Corral Trade Show,” held at the Fairpark on June 17. Decked out in western wear, booth representatives greeted all comers with a cheery welcome by ringing a cowbell. The Network would like […]

The Guadalupe Dunes Center is currently looking for high school Counselors in Training (CITs) for Fun in the Sun, a summer enrichment program for middle school students from sixth through ninth grades. The position involves helping the site coordinator and program leaders with instruction and providing logistical support when needed. To qualify, applicants must be […]

The McCune Foundation, a grassroots organization dedicated to building social capital, announced the contribution of nearly $350,000 for community organizing and social justice initiatives in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The organization made 17 grants this year including grants in the Santa Maria area to Conflict Solutions Center, Cuyama Christian Academy, Future Leaders of America, […]

Following 14 weeks of training, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recognized 94 graduates of the group’s Self-Employment Training and Business Plan during a ceremony at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara. Of those, 20 hailed from Santa Maria and the Northern Santa Barbara County area. During the ceremony, Citi Foundation also presented a check for […]

San Luis Obispo-based American Principle Bank recently announced a name change to American Perspective Bank and the opening of a new branch office in Santa Maria. The change was completed June 10. American Perspective hasn’t made any changes to infrastructure or personnel and will continue to use the same phone numbers and mailing addresses. No […]