The price of beauty just went up: On July 1, lawmakers started turning up the heat on tanning salons throughout the United States by requiring them to charge customers an extra 10 percent tax to climb into their UV-powered booths. Congress slid the tax into the healthcare reform act at the 11th hour after surgeon-funded […]
The tanner’s dilemma
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Supervisors to consider increased funding for county agricultural program
Recently kindled concern over Santa Barbara County’s agricultural future is expected to die down soon. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled at its Aug. 10 meeting to decide whether or not to grant the additional funding needed to maintain the University of California Cooperative Extension program (UCCE). During its June budget hearings, the board voted […]
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Tax lien? What tax lien?
As quickly as it popped up on the political radar, Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado’s tax problem has disappeared. The Maldonado family’s Santa Maria-based farming business, Agro-Jal Farming Enterprises, was recently saddled with an $111,146 tax lien after the Internal Revenue Service claimed company officials used a fleet of trucks for personal purposes. Maldonado, who is […]
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Local business owners file letter in opposition to Measure S
“We’re taxed enough already! Vote ‘NO’ on Measure S 2010.” That’s the opening line of a letter filed on July 28 by Gregory Gandrud, chairman of the Santa Barbara County Republican Party, and a handful of local business owners opposing the addition of a half-cent sales tax on to the November ballot. The Board of […]
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The public clamors over access to dunes committees
When it comes to the often contentious battle over off-roading at the Oceano Dunes, residents of the Nipomo Mesa and recreational riders rarely find common ground. On July 28, however, the two sides were able to agree on something: They want to be involved. At its July 28 meeting, the San Luis Obispo County Air […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
New to the board
PCPA Theaterfest recently welcomed Robert Dickerson to its board of directors. Dickerson is president and CEO of Applied Imaginations, Inc., and has spent the last 25 years in business as an entrepreneur, having successfully founded, grown, and sold several businesses. An active community volunteer, Dickerson has been a member of the Santa Maria’s Community Development […]
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Help the theater
The Lompoc Civic Theatre needs adults and teens interested in volunteering. There are openings in acting, set building, costuming, props, stage managing, producing, directing, hospitality, publicity, ticket sales, and more, all awaiting volunteers. If you don’t have the time but still want to help, the theater is continuing its Summer Membership Drive. Meetings are held […]
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PCPA student gets a scholarship
The Santa Maria Women’s Network recently presented its community scholarships, including the first-ever award to a PCPA Conservatory student. Clare Lopez was among 26 applicants for the scholarship and was selected based on her hard work and enthusiasm in the conservatory, as well as having received her BA in music and theater arts from St. […]
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Gourd Diva tries something new
Lisa Toth is out of her gourd—at least for the moment. The artist otherwise known as the Gourd Diva has been dabbling with canvas for her latest show at Cypress Gallery in Lompoc. Her gourds will be on display as well, but at the moment, Toth is finding happiness spreading her brightly colored abstracts on […]
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Caffeinated and captured
Photographer Renee D. Miranda is always ready to snap a picture of that interesting character at a parade or a mysterious location that calls out to be captured. But her favorite subject is people—the more interesting, the better. “I like taking pictures of people who wear interesting clothes, have tattoos, or wear their hair in […]
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Steamatic owner wins award
Steamatic, Inc. announced that Darin Gossage, owner of Steamatic of the Central Coast, received the company’s Rising Star award during its recent Biannual International Convention. According to the company, Gossage received the award for expanding Steamatic’s marketing efforts, his reputation as an “up and comer,” and his continual advancement in the company. Steamatic offers cleaning […]
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Kumon comes to Orcutt
Kumon Math and Reading Centers, a year-round after-school academic enrichment program, announced the opening of a new location in Orcutt. Founded in Japan in 1958, the Kumon learning method employs an individualized approach, helping children develop a command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study […]