Spotlight

Financial planning firm Monarch Wealth Services announced it’s named a new president and chair of the board. Aaron Clark co-founded the firm in 2008 and is now its president and chief executive officer. The firm’s new chair of the board and chief financial officer is Vanessa Patterson, a trustee for the Santa Barbara County Retirement […]

Homeowners worried about their current mortgages, facing foreclosure, or just interested in learning more about available options can watch videos of foreclosure prevention workshops on Santa Maria Community Television. The 30-minute programs were recorded at workshops presented in February at the Santa Maria Public Library and sponsored by the City of Santa Maria and the […]

Marian Medical Center awarded San Luis Obispo-based Thoma Electric an electrical contract for a new 220,000-square-foot patient tower expansion. The four-story tower—expected to take 34 months to build—will eventually house 188 beds, a birthing center, a critical-care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit, radiology department, a cafeteria, and a chapel. The contract is the largest […]

Rabobank Regional President Steven Harding has organized an advisory council made up of 11 local business and civic leaders to guide the bank’s activities in northern Santa Barbara County. Bank board member Carrol Pruett will chair the council. Other members include Marian Medical Center Chief Financial Officer Sue Anderson, Maguire Investments President and Chairman of […]

 Realtor Gary Gracia of Keller Williams Central Coast Realty was named the company’s Regional Impact Award recipient for 2008. The award is given to one realtor in the company’s California central and southern region. It recognizes the realty associate who made the most significant impact to the market through building profit share, recruiting top associates, […]

Earth-friendly and health-conscious are the buzzwords for a new coffee and smoothie shop just opened in the lobby of Lompoc’s In-Shape City at 501 W. Central Avenue. “I Need Coffee” is the brainchild of a local couple, Lindsay Manzo and Joshua Cossman, who sought to open a business that would be accountable to both its […]

During these turbulent financial times, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is in desperate need of sponsors in order to produce this year’s Fourth of July fireworks show.  The show, which takes place at the Santa Maria Fairpark, will cost the city about $15,000. So far, Rabobank, the Santa Maria Times, People for Leisure […]

Put on your dancing shoes, kick up your heels, and enjoy 50 years of Motown sounds at the 3rd annual Mayors Ball on June 13. This year’s ball, a “Plain & Fancy” affair, takes place at the Santa Ynez Marriott in Buellton and honors all five North County mayors.  The event raises money for the […]

The city of Santa Maria announced the appointment of Larry Appel as its new director of community development beginning June 8. Appel replaces Kirk Lindsay, who retired in December 2008 after seven years.  He has served for the last two years as deputy director of planning services with El Dorado County Development Services Department. Appel […]

After 14 weeks of classes, Women’s Economic Ventures graduated 91 participants in its Self-Employment Training Course from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties on May 18. Of those graduates, 14 came from the group’s Spanish and English SET courses in Santa Maria.  The graduates will go on to fulfill their dreams of owning their own businesses, […]

A new metaphysical and new age bookstore, Wisdom Island, has moved into Nipomo. The bookstore specializes in astrology software, fountains, feng shui elements, sacred statuary, incense, candles, tarot cards and oracles, jewelry, crystals, greeting cards, and more. Owners Kalua Kuhnle and Sampa Tacorda serve Hilo Hawaiian coffee and exotic teas and offer a relaxed atmosphere […]

The Northern Santa Barbara County United Way announced the hiring of Donna Polizzi to help the organization with fundraising and public relations. Polizzi boasts more than 20 years of experience in PR, advertising, media buying, commercial production, and event marketing. She’s a 22-year resident of the Central Coast and lives in Orcutt with her husband […]