The Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley welcomes Marta Jorgensen to its monthly meeting, set for Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the International House of Pancakes, 202 Nicholson Ave., in Santa Maria. Jorgensen is a Democratic candidate for Congress in the California 24th District, which includes parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Jorgensen, […]
Political Watch 11-12
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Strike out teen crime
It’s not every day that you can bowl and support a worthwhile cause simultaneously. However, on Nov. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., Teen Court will offer a chance for bowling aficionados and community supporters to play a game to raise funds for North County Teen Court. The bowling extravaganza will be held in […]
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Locals decry the affordable housing shortage
As the Santa Maria City Council prepares to consider an updated housing plan, local advocates and officials are concerned the city isn’t doing enough to provide its sizable low-income population with places to live. While city housing projections exceed state requirements in Santa Maria’s newly revised Draft Housing Element, the goals won’t make up […]
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Unemployed locals get some breathing room
On Nov. 6, Congress passed legislation extending unemployment benefits for 14 weeks. Those people living in states with unemployment higher than 8.5 percent (California’s rate as of September was 12.2 percent) will get an additional six weeks of benefits beyond that. Adriana Barbara, customer manager and the sole local face for the Employment Development […]
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Give the gift of life this holiday season
Want to help save a life? The city of Santa Maria will host its last 2009 blood drive on Nov. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center along South McClelland. The city is asking members of the public to sign up and join city and […]
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Santa Maria buys new buses for SMAT
Santa Marians riding public transit will soon notice some new buses rolling around town. Earlier this month, Santa Maria city officials announced that the city has purchased three 2009 diesel buses for Santa Maria Area Transit. The 40-foot-long Gillig diesel buses will replace three older vehicles in the fleet. “This helps us keep […]
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PG&E conductor sparks fire outside Santa Maria
On Nov. 8, Pacific Gas & Electric equipment sparked a highway fire that scorched almost 85 acres of grass where Highway 166 and Twitchell Dam Road meet. A spliced connector on a conductor sparked, and wind was a factor, but no cost has been calculated, according to a release from CAL FIRE. Calls began […]
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California Democrats could oppose a state power initiative
A resolution may soon have state Democrats agreeing on energy consumers’ right to choose how they get their power and against a proposed constitutional amendment initiative critics say would make expanding public power in California nearly impossible. State Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) will present the resolution to the rules committee at the party’s […]
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Locals weigh in on a spay-and-neuter ordinance draft
During an emotionally charged hearing in Santa Maria on Nov. 10, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors listened to recommendations from the public and a county task force on a draft ordinance that would require pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered. A crowd of about 40 people, split roughly in […]
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Santa Barbara County, schools team up to protect students from swine flu
To address school absenteeism and the H1N1 virus (more often referred to as swine flu), the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is offering parents some health tips. According to a press release from the county, healthy children can attend school even if there’s a sick parent or sibling at home. However, at the […]
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Stop, collaborate, and listen
Nonprofit leaders will learn how to better navigate rough financial waters during the Nonprofit Support Center’s seventh annual Lompoc Collaboration Faire on Nov. 19. The theme of the event is “taking care during challenging times” and features networking sessions and guest speakers. Ron Gallo, CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation, will discuss new approaches […]
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Join Beauty Connection’s first-year festivities
To celebrate its one-year anniversary, staffers at Beauty Connection are holding a series of events to show their appreciation to the community and clients. The salon will hold a Ladies Night on Nov. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. with Bare Escentuals’ representatives and wine tasting from Kenneth Volk Winery. On Nov. 13, from […]