Need to learn how to peacefully resolve a conflict? Conflict Solutions Center in Santa Maria is offering free monthly one-hour workshops teaching mediation skills. Attendees to the introductory workshop will learn to resolve conflicts with bosses, neighbors, spouses, or strangers and ways to effectively mediate conflicts among others. Participants will also be taught how to […]
Learn conflict resolution for free
Alliance releases ag buffer proposal
Members of the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance—a 12-member organization of agricultural, labor, environmental, and community groups—recently released a proposal for a county ordinance providing land buffers for agricultural operations. The group worked for more than a year developing the ag buffer proposal, intended to benefit agriculturalists who have operations adjacent to a proposed […]
Discovery Museum offers free field trips for local schools
Local schools looking for a fun and free field trip for students needn’t search farther than their own backyard. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is offering scholarships so kids can have hands-on learning experiences despite cuts to education funding. “Schools have been taking advantage of this financial program throughout the year, but there are […]
AHC gets a techno-boost
Beginning this summer, Allan Hancock College students won’t have to stand in line to register for classes anymore, college officials recently announced in a press release. Hancock is using Measure I funds to update all of its operations technology, including a simplified online class registration process and student records. The new operations system replaces the […]
Mind the gap
The decision involves a $15 million chunk of Santa Barbara County’s estimated $39 million deficit for 2010. Its implementation will significantly impact county taxpayers and employee pensions for at least the next 17 years. An influential Board of Supervisors’ meeting to discuss its finer points happened behind closed doors, a move some contend occurred in […]
What was the best prank you pulled on someone?
Cheyenne Larson student “My cousin is a heavy sleeper, so a bunch of my strong friends carried him while he was asleep out to a field.” Caleb Wallace entrepreneur “Putting red Kool-Aid powder in someone’s shoes. Then, when they are walking around and their feet get all sweaty, they get red all over their feet.” […]
Clubs & Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. OF SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Altrusa Theatre of […]
Spiritual
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy […]
Farmers Market
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and […]
Barbecues
ONGOING FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY barbecues Filipino food at the Smart and Final parking lot, N. Broadway on Saturdays and Sundays. Menu items include tri-tip, chicken, beef kabobs, chicken adobo, salad, rice, and bread. Meals cost $6. Info: 922-3422 or 922-3799. FILIPINO CATHOLIC SOCIETY, under the direction of St. Mary’s Church […]
Health
SANSUM CLINIC presents a cholesterol management class April 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. A diabetes essentials class is April 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. The clinic is at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. Info: 737-8700. WISDOM ISLAND […]
Art
COFFEE AND COMPANY presents the art of Sean Grady Carroll for the month of April in the coffee shop’s Lucmann Gallery, 245 Town Center West, Santa Maria. Info: 928-6492. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the exhibit “Shifting Sands of the Central Coast” by Cathy Gregg showing April 1 through 30 in the Shepard […]

