A much-publicized trend this holiday season is to “shop small” and buy local; support your hometown businesses to keep them afloat during these tough economic times. Here are three ways to do just that, if you’re looking for holiday gifts for the cook or oenophile in your life. What could be a more appropriate holiday […]
Foodie gift ideas
Posted inOpinion
A new hope
So I was at my friends’ house, and their young daughter was playing with a toy that consisted of simple metal locks mounted on a wooden board. She spent quite a while—especially for a toddler—manipulating the various chains and fasteners to open doors that revealed images of cheerful farm animals. Having successfully figured out how […]
Posted inNews
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect, by Richard H. Schneider
Richard Schneider’s 1988 seasonal classic has everything children adore: a queen, a castle, a magic forest, and small animals. Schneider weaves a lovely tale with a wonderful message for all ages, which has never been more timely: Small, random acts of kindness do count and can have a lasting impact on both the giver and […]
Posted inNews
Need money for school?
The Allan Hancock College Financial Aid office distributed more than $11 million in student federal and state financial aid and scholarships during the 2010-11 academic year. Officials are encouraging current and future students to learn more about applying for their own financial aid. The application process is quick and easy, and those who qualify may […]
Posted inNews
Give the gift of books
Children’s books make great gifts, and during the month of December the Allan Hancock College Bookstore is making gift giving even more appealing by matching every children’s book sold with the donation of a book to Hancock’s Children’s Center Lab School. The books were purchased by the bookstore, but handpicked by the Children’s Center staff. […]
Posted inNews
Local schools donate food to charity
Schools throughout Northern Santa Barbara County are getting into the holiday spirit this year by collecting donations for local nonprofits. In Santa Maria, the students at Rice Elementary School recently collected two shopping carts’ worth of food to donate to the Santa Barbara County Foodbank and the People of Greatness Community Center. Located at 1503 […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen
So beautiful! So delicious! So congenial! How else to describe the extraordinary Palm Court Holiday Candlelight Tour held in a historic neighborhood near the Santa Maria Inn? Three wonderful period (circa 1930) homes, loaded with spectacular Christmas décor, were the focus of this tour, which is also a progressive dinner. Imagine French 75 cocktails (champagne […]
Posted inNews
The Discovery Museum is here for you this December
As Christmas approaches and things get hectic, don’t forget that the museum will be open during winter break from school. Need to get out of the house for a couple hours? Out-of-town visitors looking for something to do? Need a Christmas gift for that special family? Now is a great time to renew or purchase […]
Posted inNews
Celebrate Christmas with the Rescue Mission
Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year for people and families who are out of a job, out of money, struggling with addictions, or living on the streets. To help make the season brighter, the Central Coast Rescue Mission in Santa Maria is holding its annual Christmas Celebration for the needy on Dec. […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant
While it may not look like much from the outside for the time being, Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant rewards the senses with a true taste of Guadalajaran cuisine inside. Oscar Lucatero and his wife Orquida Cortez opened the family-run eatery in April, their first entrée into the restaurant business. Lucatero’s father ran a seafood restaurant, […]
Posted inNews
Have a blast
Tangible gifts are so last year. This year, why not think outside of the (gift) box and buy that woman in your life something that’s more about the experience? Give her the ability to pull the trigger. Range Master of Santa Maria offers a Women’s Shoot 101 class that combines a mix of physical self-defense […]
Posted inNews
Supes sign off on new plan for North County jail
On Dec. 6, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Sheriff Bill Brown’s request to apply for a new phase of state funding that could simultaneously offer a better-equipped facility and save the county a significant amount of money. Brown told the board the phase could be a major step in building better-equipped […]