Spotlight

Nonprofit leaders will learn how to better navigate rough financial waters during the Nonprofit Support Center’s seventh annual Lompoc Collaboration Faire on Nov. 19.   The theme of the event is “taking care during challenging times” and features networking sessions and guest speakers. Ron Gallo, CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation, will discuss new approaches […]

To celebrate its one-year anniversary, staffers at Beauty Connection are holding a series of events to show their appreciation to the community and clients.   The salon will hold a Ladies Night on Nov. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. with Bare Escentuals’ representatives and wine tasting from Kenneth Volk Winery. On Nov. 13, from […]

Santa Maria’s longest-standing locally owned coffee shop, Coffee and Company, has changed ownership, just in time for its 24th birthday.   First-time business owner Candice Merás took over from the shop’s previous owner, Veronica Castenallos, in October. Merás, a 24-year-old master barista, perfected her craft working coffee in Santa Maria since she was 20.   […]

The organization behind the “10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Santa Barbara County,” Bringing Our Community Home, announced Hannah Wolf has joined the group as its new staff assistant.   Wolf boasts more than six years’ experience working with community programs. She served as a day camp counselor at the Santa Barbara Family YMCA, […]

Santa Maria doctor Michael Moats and the staff of Moats Laser and Skin Care recently welcomed Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Kathy Nicassio to their team.   Nicassio brings to Moats’ practice more than eight years of experience in the field of facial rejuvenation. She has extensive training in Botox and dermal fillers, is a certified allergian […]

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Committee to Improve North County invite business leaders to help start the economic recovery at the 2010 Economic and Business Outlook Conference on Nov. 17.   The conference will feature speakers covering all aspects of local and statewide economies. Chief of the Economic Development Division of […]

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for business owners to sponsor students for their Take a Future Business Leader to Lunch event, to be held on Nov. 10.   During the event, members of the Future Business Leaders of America from the Santa Maria and Orcutt Union High School districts will have […]

North County residents interested in converting their homes to solar have a newly certified installer available locally to serve their energy needs.   The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners recently certified Gary Gordon, owner of Santa Ynez Valley Solar, into its program. Certification holders must meet experience and educational prerequisites, pass a comprehensive […]

Tastefully Simple, an award-winning direct sales company specializing in easy-to-prepare foods, recently welcomed Santa Maria resident Jessica Elledge as an independent consultant.   Elledge will offer the company’s gourmet foods at home taste-testing parties, where guests get product samples, recipes, and serving suggestions.   Tastefully Simple is based in Alexandria, Minn., and was inducted into […]

Cell phone and service store Total Wireless is now under new ownership—and adding more carriers to its lineup.   Joining the T-Mobile service already offered, Sprint and Boost mobile services will now be available to Total Wireless customers. Owner Maggie Stukas, who took over on Oct. 1, invites the public to visit the store and […]

Female small-business owners can learn how to take advantage of federal contracting opportunities thanks to a new online U.S. Small Business Administration training course.    The free tutorial, Winning Federal Contracts: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, is part of a government-wide initiative to promote opportunities for women-owned businesses in the area of government contracting. It’s designed […]

Suffering from chronic headaches? Dizziness? Clicking jaws? They could all be signs and symptoms of a neuromuscular imbalance.   Dentist John Orchard is launching a campaign to bring awareness to neuromuscular dentistry and the health benefits it can bring to sufferers of a poor bite. He encourages the public to visit his practice and learn […]