Newly elected Santa Maria city councilman Jack Boysen will share his background and goals as the featured speaker of the Chamber of Commerce’s next Business Committee meeting on Jan. 18. The meeting runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Fairpark’s Satellite Wagering Center, located 937 S. Thornburg. Check-in and networking begins at […]
Boysen to speak at luncheon
Posted inNews
Fairpark hosts Baby Expo
In addition to showcasing vendors of baby-related merchandise, this year’s event will feature a “Funny Baby Photo Contest” in which the top three winners will take home prizes. It will also feature a contest with a $1,000 gift card grand prize. The Fairpark is located at 937 S. Thornburg St. in Santa Maria. For more […]
Posted inNews
Let your fingers do the reading
It was the first day of school after winter break at the Braille Institute, but classes were trimmed down for a special occasion: Helen Frederickson’s birthday. It wasn’t just any birthday, though. Frederickson was turning 99. At just shy of 100, though, she hasn’t let her age slow her down one bit. She attends the […]
Posted inOpinion
Lend helping hands and share time
Mother Teresa said it best: “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with love.” One of the rarest commodities for many today is time, and giving of our time to volunteer is very precious indeed, but it is the best way I know to do small things with love. So […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Edgar Espinosa
If David fought Goliath today, David would’ve used judo instead of a slingshot; it’s a form of fighting that doesn’t put importance on size between opponents. That’s why it attracted Edgar Espinosa. At the time of his first fight, he was 5-foot-4, weighing 120 pounds when he squared off against a 6-foot opponent weighing more […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A volunteer for the hall of fame
Inside the local Boys and Girls Club gym, a wall bears six names. They’re the club’s all-time “Honor Coaches,” those who’ve made indelible marks on the youth they’ve guided. Listed among the group is Eddie Navarro. If the name rings a bell, don’t be surprised. There’s a good chance you’ve either been coached by him […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Give those extra pounds the boot
The new year is a perfect time to think about getting back in shape. To help locals reach their fitness goals, CCE Performance Training is offering a Boot Camp on Jan. 15. The camp takes place at 9 a.m. at Robin Ventura Field, located next to Rotary Centennial Park at 2625 S. College Drive. Cost […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc pool reopens
After being closed for six weeks for economic reasons, the Lompoc Aquatic Center is again open for all regularly scheduled programs. Beginning Jan. 15, the Aquatic Center will hold a Recreation Swim on weekends and any day all schools in the Lompoc Unified School District have the day off. To register for programs or find […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
‘Holiday’ extended
Due to popular demand, the inaugural “Mega Holiday on Ice” skating rink at the Santa Maria Town Center will stay open until Jan. 23. Located in the old Gottschalk’s parking lot, at the corner of Broadway and Cook streets, the rink is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It was originally scheduled to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brew of the mountain
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company recently opened its doors on a sleepy street in Buellton, bringing pub fun and stylish beers to the Central Coast. To the delight of locals, the handcrafted brews honor regional lore with names evoking the colorful character of the Santa Ynez Valley. According to Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer, the founding father-and-son […]
Posted inNews
For whom the bell tolled
May Grisham sits in Old Orcutt, surrounded by rustic foliage and a neighborhood that calls to mind an episode of Leave it to Beaver. You half expect to see Wally tossing around a football in the street. It also sits next to the Orcutt Union School District (OUSD) office, Orcutt Junior High School, and a […]
Posted inOpinion
How are your New Year’s resolutions going?
Victor Rasgado retail “Going great. My resolution was to live every day to the fullest.” Britanni Meza barista “I was going to start doing PT for the military, but there isn’t any PT going on.” Luis Garcia student “Good. I wanted to finish painting my car, buy a new car, and go back and visit […]