Try as we might, there’s no denying it: Christmas looms, merry and bright, and we’ve got shopping to do. Fortunately, living in Santa Barbara County makes selecting gifts for wine and food lovers a fairly easy task, whether we’re wrapping up a special vintage or planning a wine country getaway. Universally welcome and always the […]
They’ve been nice
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Gotta keep ’em separated
Prompted by half a year of steady gang-related violence on city streets, public support for a gang injunction in Santa Maria is gaining steam from a small but vocal group of residents. In recent weeks, a movement spearheaded by members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps led to locals petitioning the City Council. They also […]
Posted inOpinion
Do you think Christmas starts earlier every year?
Doug Burden retired “Yeah, usually. It’s because it’s getting too commercial. I saw someone put up their Christmas lights up already; the holiday is getting to be too commercial for me.” Lily Barajas educator “Yes, I saw Christmas stuff out before Halloween.” Chad Roger student “Yeah, just because stores want to guilt us into getting […]
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Political Watch 12.03
Local environmental education could get a boost now that the House Natural Resources Committee has voted to pass legislation to formalize and expand the Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National Literacy Grant Program. Introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), the Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act is designed to improve ocean, […]
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Community Notebook 12.03
TUESDAY, DEC. 8 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, suite 141, Santa Maria. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in […]
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Hobnobbing With Helen
Sometime after 7 p.m., one Saturday a year, the Elks Lodge on Bradley Road is filled with giddy, excited screams as 57 raffle winners of gift-laden, decorated trees are announced. The winners scream. Their friends scream. People who don’t even know them scream. What a hoot! The event this year was the 19th annual Holiday […]
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If Abel goes, who will take his place?
The Central Coast is on track to have one of its own in statewide office. On Nov. 23, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named state senator and former Santa Maria mayor Abel Maldonado as lieutenant governor. As of press time, his confirmation by the Legislature was still pending. “I’m honored to take on the position of lieutenant […]
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Drawing the lines
A little more than a year ago, California voters narrowly approved Proposition 11, also known as the Voters FIRST Act, which changes the way the state’s legislative and Board of Equalization districts are drawn. Up until now, the state’s Senate and Assembly members have been responsible for drawing their own districts—a fact many people frowned […]
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Let your light shine at Marian Medical Center
For many people, the holidays are a time to gather with friends and family. Some they see every day, and others are seen on a rare basis. However, for some, loved ones have passed on. Marian Hospice will be holding an annual remembrance event, Light Up a Life, on Dec. 3 in front of Marian […]
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Former county employee pleads no contest to perjury charge
Gil Armijo, a former aide to 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno, was scheduled to go to trial earlier this month over a felony charge stemming from a DUI case. On Nov. 16, however, the 58-year-old Santa Maria resident pleaded no contest to the single count of perjury. According to court documents, Armijo is scheduled to […]
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Santa Barbara County supervisors approve controversial spay/neuter ordinance
After months of deliberation and several lengthy public comment periods, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1-1 at its Dec. 1 meeting to approve an ordinance that will require pet owners living in unincorporated parts of the county to spay and neuter their dogs and cats. The ordinance is expected to take effect […]
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Santa Maria mourns former city councilman’s passing
Former Santa Maria City Councilmember Leo Trujillo, who was known for his fiscally conservative budgeting and active community involvement, died on Nov. 29 at Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria. He was 76 years old. Trujillo was admitted to the hospital on Nov. 24 and underwent surgery for a ruptured aortic valve, the city announced […]