On Dec. 28, shares of Pacific Capital Bancorp—parent company of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust—are expected to increase 100-fold. No, this isn’t some insider tip or indication that the bank is about to have a fiscal explosion. Though the bank’s share price will likely skyrocket, its overall value will remain unchanged. Here’s how it works: […]
Pacific Capital Bank Corp is all split up
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Political Watch – 12.02
On Nov. 29, President Barack Obama proposed a two-year civilian pay freeze for federal employees. It’s expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2011. In a fact sheet posted on the White House website, the Obama administration estimates the pay freeze will save approximately $2 billion for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011, $28 billion […]
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Community Notebook – 12.02
TUESDAY, DEC.7 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Conference […]
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Hobnobbing With Helen
Altrusa’s Diane Alleman-Stevens had the hottest tickets in town—to nighttime Altrusa’s 20th Annual Holiday Extravaganza. Last March 1, 672 $45 tickets to this super popular event went on sale. On March 2, the tickets had all been spoken for. “It was an immediate sell-out,” said treasurer Alleman-Stevens. “We never had this happen before.” On the […]
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A bazaar Christmas
Shopping is usually a must when it comes to preparing for the holiday season. Fighting crowds at stores, the numberless card swipes, and the seemingly infinite drives—it’s all so exhausting. Wouldn’t it make more sense to put a bunch of local businesses together in an area, and, since it’s the holidays, put a portion of […]
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Meet Santa Maria’s Orthodox
No, it’s not a mosque. Beginning Dec. 5, the edifice on which the cupola sits will be the new home for the congregation of the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, the only Orthodox Christian parish in Santa Maria. Church members say the sanctuary is literally a godsend. “It’s beautiful,” said parishioner Helen Manolas. “I didn’t […]
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California Supreme Court upholds AB 540, but plaintiffs vow to appeal
A group of out-of-state students and parents opposed to a California law granting undocumented individuals access to in-state tuition has announced it will appeal its case to the United States Supreme Court. In November, the California Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold AB 540. The bill, which was signed into law in 2001, qualifies undocumented […]
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Warming centers open in Northern Santa Barbara County
November’s heavy rainfall and drop in temperature, combined with a prolonged bitter economic climate, prompted a couple of local homeless shelters to open their doors early to provide a place for the Central Coast’s homeless population to come in from the cold. Two shelters in the North County—the Bridge House in Lompoc and the Good […]
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Listen to the Valley
The December Valley Speaks presentation, sponsored by both the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society and the Santa Maria Public Library, will feature Victor Tognazzini as its guest speaker. Tognazzini, a native Santa Marian, will talk about his memories of a small town. The Valley Speaks, a free event, is scheduled to take place on Dec. 11 […]
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Off to Paris
The UCSB Chamber Choir really has something to sing about this season. Founded in 1995 by current conductor Michel Marc Gervais, the group is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and members have a chance to celebrate in a unique way. The ensemble was invited to travel to France for a major collaboration with the famous choir […]
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Life on film
Like many others, John Larson went to Vietnam in the 1960s. He didn’t spend his months on the front lines, however. As a photographer for several military news outlets, he wasn’t bound to one place. Larson often snapped the usual “grip and grin” shots—posed officials and leaders shaking hands and smiling—but he also had opportunities […]
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City organizations offer holiday fun for children home from school
The holiday season is fast approaching. School-aged children will soon be on vacation. To help families with working parents, some local organizations are offering Winter Break camps. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is inviting children ages 5 to 12 to “explore their dramatic side” in weeklong drama workshops held at the museum Dec. 27 […]