Spotlight

Nonprofit managers, staffers, and volunteers are invited to learn ways to create a public policy that responds to clients and community needs at a workshop presented by the Alliance for Justice on Oct. 7.   Attorney-trainers from the organization will teach the difference between lobbying and advocacy, how to maximize 501(c)(3) lobbying, how to invite […]

The public is invited to the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Committee’s luncheon on Oct. 5 to hear its featured speaker, Gonzalo Fernandez.   Now boasting 46 years in the banking industry, Fernandez first immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1962 and worked his way up from a bank messenger […]

Community members and Allan Hancock College students can educate themselves about their employment options at the college’s annual Career Exploration Day on Oct. 2.   The free event will match future employees with employers and educators. Representatives from about 50 different companies—including employers from manufacturing, agriculture, law enforcement, and the medical field—will be on hand […]

National restaurant chain Wingstop is flying in to Santa Maria, opening its first location on the Central Coast. Represented by Michael Martz and Kristopher Roth of Hayes Commercial Group, Wingstop will move into its new space at 560 E. Betteravia Road.   Wingstop presents a nostalgic, aviation-themed atmosphere with a focus on cooked-to-order chicken wings. […]

Now under new ownership, Premier Auto Body held its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 18 and is inviting customers to celebrate with a 10-percent discount on the total cost of car repairs.   The shop specializes in body and paint and frame alignments. Premier accepts all insurance claims—except for color matching—and provides free estimates […]

Homeowners who want to learn more about the foreclosure process are invited to attend a free foreclosure prevention workshop hosted by the Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation on Sept. 30.   Participants will learn strategies to preserve home ownership and avoid foreclosure. Brian Kerrigan, a housing counselor, will facilitate. Kerrigan holds a degree in business administration/finance […]

Job seekers and workers looking to get promoted are invited to a free employment workshop on Sept. 18 and 19.   The event’s facilitator is Gregg Follett, career services consultant at Arbor Education and Training. Follett is a communication skills trainer with experience in sales and marketing and a reputation for coaching individuals to enhance […]

Established more than 80 years ago in Lompoc, Avenue Flower and Gift Shop now has a second home in Santa Maria’s Town Center Mall.   Featuring fresh flowers and bouquets, Avenue Flower creates custom floral designs and offers contemporary, traditional, dried, and silk arrangements, as well as gourmet gift baskets, greeting cards, and candles.   […]

Celebrating its sixth anniversary, Orcutt’s InSPArations Salon is bringing awareness to breast cancer with a ladies’ night on Oct. 22.   Raffle tickets will be sold for $3 apiece at the salon beginning Sept. 21, with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Entrants can win gift certificates for wine, spa […]

Vintage dolls, commemorative plates, Chinese art, and original watercolor paintings are just a few treasures to be discovered at Chez Jeanía, a new antique shop recently opened in Santa Maria.   Store owner Barbara Spencer named the shop in honor of her mother Jane, who died in January 2001. Barbara and her mother traveled the […]

Nonprofit organizations and businesses alike can learn how to connect, network, and benefit from local partnerships and philanthropy at the Nonprofit Support Center’s Community Outreach Roundtable on Sept. 29. The event’s special guest will be Laura Webster, project coordinator for Driscoll’s Philanthropy. Webster has been with Driscoll’s for three years, generating programs and support for […]

In time for summer’s swan song, the Santa Maria Town Center got a whole lot sweeter, welcoming Dairy Queen to its renovated food court.   The confectionery chain is teaming up with Orange Julius in a new joint store, bringing along its menu of signature Blizzards and cakes, complete with layers of chocolate and vanilla […]