Warm up your feet: The annual Obon Festival is fast approaching. Dance practice, in preparation for the event, runs Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., culminating with the July 25 festival at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 313 W. Tunnell, Santa Maria. Send items for consideration to scone@santamariasun.com..
Get dancing
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Shapes and shadows
Branch-like hands reach across fields of light. Silhouetted jellyfish float upward. Tiger-headed women stare at viewers from blue-green forests. Imagine Wine and Art Gallery in Santa Ynez will feature the artwork of Santa Ynez artist Karina Puente, who’s exhibited her artwork around the country and internationally. She’s also part of the artistic directing team that […]
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Digital disaster
To get away from the 90-degree summer heat, my wife and I escaped to Las Vegas, only to find 108-degree extreme heat. We still haven’t figured out that thing, what do they call it? Climate? But what can I say, even though it’s in the desert, we still love The Vegas. Where else can you […]
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Chamber luncheon highlights wine
Local wines are on the menu for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “A Taste of Summer” luncheon on July 21 at Riverbench Winery. The event’s guest speaker will be Kathy Fleckenstein, executive director of Santa Maria Valley Wine Country. Fleckenstein is also the former director of special events for the Santa Ynez Inn […]
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Help-U-Sell will Help-U-Buy
Though the federal government’s program is over, Help-U-Sell is assisting new homebuyers with its Homebuyer Stimulus Program. From now through Sept. 30, buyers can get 3 percent—up to $8,000—paid at closing by the seller of an eligible property and applied to non-recurring costs. Help-U-Sell is a full-service set-fee organization whose brokers are fully licensed by […]
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BofA awards housing grant
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County a $5,000 grant to further affordable housing options in the county. The grant money will go toward funding the Trust Fund’s First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Program and its Revolving Loan Fund, which provides below-market interest rate loans to start […]
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Energy Watch talks efficiency
Retrofitting businesses to become more energy efficient will be the topic of an upcoming joint meeting of the Business Development Committee and Hispanic Business Committee on July 20. The Santa Barbara County Energy Watch Partnership will present information on programs offered by PG&E, So Cal Gas, and other companies to help businesses lower their energy […]
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Got what it takes to be a leader?
Santa Maria Valley has some new leaders in the community. On June 21, a total of 27 local high school students graduated from the second Teen Leadership Santa Maria Valley class, which is run by several local organizations and teaches participants about important valley issues, as well as leadership skills. Graduating class members came from […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Tri-the-Bull is back
It’s not too early to start preparing for the second annual Tri-the-Bull Triathlon, an event organized by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. The triathlon takes place Aug. 7 at Pioneer Valley High School, and consists of a half-mile swim, 7-mile bike ride, and 3-mile run. Cost is $40 per person or $105 for […]
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… and more golf!
Big Brothers Big Sisters and the San Luis Obispo Exchange Club will be host to the Golf for Youth Charities Summer Classic, a 21-hole tournament at the Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo on July 23. Golfers will be treated to lunch, on-course contests, and a post-tournament awards social. Cost is $125 per golfer, and […]
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Golf, golf, …
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria promises a fun-filled day on the links at its 11th annual AG for Youth Golf Tournament on July 26. The tournament is a four-player scramble and will be held at Santa Maria Country Club, 505 W. Waller Lane. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. A barbecue lunch will […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Alfred Plaza
Alfred “Alfie” Plaza began skateboarding not because of the hit video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but because his uncle influenced him. “I started skateboarding when I was 9,” Plaza said amid loud bangs and thumps from nearby skateboarders. “He got boards for me, and he showed me everything.” Once inspired, Plaza knew there would […]
