Spotlight

Employers with questions about the new rule changes to the I-9—the Employee Eligibility Verification Form—are encouraged to visit a Santa Maria United Staffing Associates meeting on the topic on April 22. USA staffers in the know will hold a pair of hour-long workshops that day—from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 […]

Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County recently announced Richard Kavetz as its new interim director. “Domestic violence is on the on the rise during these stressful times, when our organization has suffered from government cuts. We are determined to continue to offer shelter and counseling to the families in our five facilities in the […]

Livestock exhibitors planning on camping for the 2009 Santa Barbara County Fair have from now until 4 p.m. on May 8 to apply for a spot at the Adams Lot. Find applications at the Santa Maria Fairpark Administration Office or santa mariafairpark.com. The Santa Barbara County Fair runs July 15 to 19.  For more information, […]

It’s about that time of year: time to start getting back in beach-body shape. Agape Health and Fitness at 485 North Frontage Road in Nipomo takes a holistic approach to help locals do just that. Relocating from the L.A. area, owners Jason and Michiko Rice believe in an “East meets West” philosophy of self-improvement. Offering […]

Kady Fleckenstein, executive director of the Santa Maria Valley Wine Country Association, will talk about the role of women in the wine industry on April 4. The event is “Wine and Women … Santa Maria Style” at the Quail Meadows West Clubhouse at 866 Whippoorwill Drive. It runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Local wine […]

Support local merchants and farmers and put money directly back into the community by visiting the Nipomo Olde Town Marketplace. On Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., the open-air market sets up shop in the parking lot of the Adobe Plaza at 330 West Tefft St. The market features locally grown organic and pesticide-free foods, […]

Communication giant Comcast announced, as of March 17, it’s offering Comcast Digital Voice service in communities throughout Northern Santa Barbara County. Prices start at $39.95 per month for the program. “Smart Zone” (which allows customers to manage e-mail and voicemail in one place), universal caller ID, and other features are available, too. For more information, […]

Homeowners and industry professionals looking to hire contracted construction work have a new local resource available to them: Jobtrio.com. The Santa Barbara-based website allows users to search a database of more than 250,000 statewide contractors. Results can be sorted by union and non-union labor, and individual cell phone numbers are available for specific employees. Contractors […]

For the 10th straight year, radio station Sunny Country 102.5 will hold a radiothon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event is set for March 12 and 13. The donations benefit children afflicted with cancer and other debilitating illnesses. The station has raised more than $500,000 for children in past radiothons. […]

The Santa Maria Fairpark is accepting nominations for people who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry of Santa Barbara County. Submit nominations for Agri-Business Person of the Year, Farmer of the Year, and Livestock Producer of the Year until April 17. Applications should provide background information to support the nomination, as recipients will […]

Parents who want babysitting or tutoring for their children need look no further than Help For Mommy, an organization dedicated to connecting families with skilled childcare workers, nannies, and tutors. Now at a new location—515 E. Clark Ave. in old Orcutt—Help For Mommy places local job ads for families seeking child or pet care services […]

For many, a lost job also means lost health insurance coverage. Santa Maria Valley residents concerned with affordable health care plans are invited to attend a free forum to be held by the League of Women Voters on March 12. A panel of health care experts will be on hand to discuss available options and […]