By noon on Sunday, Dec. 13, more than 400 people had lined up in front of the Altrusa Central Coast Festival of Trees site at 1447 S. Broadway in Santa Maria. They were waiting to get into the year’s hottest open-to-the-public raffle. About to be given to the holders of winning tickets were 49 spectacular […]
Hobnobbing with Helen
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Have no fear shopping for teens
Buying a gift for a teenager can be a difficult and overwhelming task simply because teens can be very opinionated and the market is saturated with, well, tons of holiday crap. If you’ve put off gift buying for a teen, hoping for a holiday epiphany, allow us to offer a few quick ideas. Go to […]
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Geek gift giving gets good
It can sometimes be daunting, shopping for a geek. You’re pretty sure sweaters and socks aren’t going to cut it, but at the same time, you’re not sure what to get them other than a gift certificate to the big store with the yellow letters. Plus, we geeks can be maddeningly unhelpful when it comes […]
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Christmas for baby
Buying for babies may seem like one of the easiest gift assignments. After all, they won’t express displeasure with the item, they won’t return or re-gift it, and the mere act of tearing into wrapping paper primes them for what’s inside. Baby gifts do, however, take some thought. There are concerns about age appropriateness, and […]
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Look for the inner-taxman
It’s been an ongoing battle ever since Roman times: hate for the taxman. However, VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, is trying to change the public’s perception of the taxman by ensuring all qualifying families file their tax returns and take advantage of special offers within taxes. The program isn’t run by robots, yet; it […]
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Delta II rocket launch declared successful
Vandenberg Air Force officials are celebrating a successful final launch of the year. On the morning of Dec. 14, mission planners launched a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2. The rocket is carrying NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite. Now that it’s in orbit, the WISE satellite will scan the entire sky […]
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Local environmental group sues U.S. Forest Service over Tepusquet project
Los Padres ForestWatch, a local nonprofit conservation organization, has teamed up with the San Diego-based California Chaparral Institute to sue the U.S. Forest Service. The groups claim regulations approved by the service deny the public’s right to participate in land-use decisions impacting national forests. The suit alleges that on Aug. 10 of this year, the […]
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County moves to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries
Despite the Obama administration’s recent decision to halt raids of medicinal marijuana dispensaries operating legally under state laws, Santa Barbara County is one step closer to enacting a temporary ban on the controversial pot shops. On Dec. 8, the county’s Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to move forward with an ordinance putting a moratorium on […]
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Santa Barbara County ag commissioner retires
To celebrate his first day of retirement, former Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner Bill Gillette went golfing. “That was kind of weird to do in the middle of the day,” he later told the Sun. Gillette has worked for the county for 34 years, 16 of which were spent as the agricultural commissioner, the county’s […]
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Haircuts for the holidays
The clippers were flying on Dec. 15 at Trends Salon in Santa Maria, where a group of Arellanes Junior High girls, along with their mothers, sisters, and teachers, came together to donate their hair to Locks of Love. Santa Maria-Bonita School District officials estimated the final donation total at 37 feet of hair—all of which […]
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Diamonds are for-evah
Dazzled by diamonds? Gaga for gold? The grand opening of JB’S Jewelers is going on now at Town Center West. The shop specializes in custom-made jewelry. Owner Jose Barrientos has more than 30 years’ experience in the jewelry business, 20 of them local. The store offers diamond rings, wedding sets, and diamond earrings, and also […]
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Dirty car? Hand it to Mario
In these times of economic hardship and busy schedules, cars can easily be neglected. Nipomo’s new 100-percent hand car wash, La Placita Car Wash, has come up with a quick fix for dirty vehicles and an affordable way to avoid scratches and dings caused by automated car washes. For $7, Mario will give your car […]
