Oceano Dunes is a state park gone bad. Given current global opinion about the negative impacts of the combustion engine, the use of off-road vehicles in the pursuit of frivolity is nothing short of a crime. To speak of 3-foot fences, barrier trees, or other mitigation is to dance in the wake of continued pollution. […]
The Dunes: like an asylum with sand
Posted inNews
Computer club meets
The Central Coast Computer Club, which meets the third Tuesday of every month, will hold its next meeting on April 20. Systems and “Non-nerd” SIG starts at 5:45 p.m. A business meeting commences at 7 p.m., followed by a presentation by Fred Adams and Jim Tonge titled “A Skype Communication Presentation.” The meeting will take […]
Posted inNews
Rizzoli’s scores in AAA evaluation
Rizzoli’s Automotive, a family-owned auto shop, announced a 100-percent score on the American Automobile Association’s annual customer satisfaction evaluation for 2010 at both its Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo locations. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Rizzoli’s services all makes and models. Rizzoli’s is located at 1149 W. Tama Lane off Skyway […]
Posted inNews
Learn conflict resolution for free
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
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.” […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
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 […]