InterContinental Hotels Group recognized Holiday Inn and Suites Santa Maria for its superior guest satisfaction, making the hotel one of just four in the state to receive the group’s award for quality excellence. The award is based on scores compiled from guest surveys, in which visitors evaluate hotels on the quality of product, service, […]
Holiday Inn snags top award
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Cook out with the Lions
The Orcutt Lions invite the public to have a spooky old time at the club’s Halloween cook-your-own dinner event on Oct. 16. Taking place at 126 S. Broadway, the fun begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a costume contest, prize raffles, a 50-50 drawing, and a no-host bar. The cost is $10 per person. […]
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Auction benefits Alzheimer’s caregivers
Volunteer assistants for people with Alzheimer’s will soon see some added relief thanks to the Central Coast Wine Classic Fund-A-Need Auction, which presented the Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association with a gift of $66,750. The money will allow for the continuation of the group’s Respite Care program, which provides services for unpaid […]
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Luncheon topic: budget cuts
The impact of the state’s decision to borrow city government money on civil services will be the topic of consideration at the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Committee Luncheon set for Oct. 20. The event’s guest speaker will be Santa Maria’s assistant city manager, Rick Haydon, who will discuss the possible […]
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Santa Maria gets back to business
Santa Maria business owner Lester Dalisay is hoping for a merry Christmas. In fact, he’s counting on one to save his hobby shop on Main Street. Dalisay opened Big Boys Toys, a store specializing in remote-controlled cars and planes, after relocating in January. With the recession and online merchants teaming up to dwindle his profits […]
Posted inOpinion
If you could open a business tomorrow, what would it be?
Sandra Alvarez teeth whitening technician “A clothing store. I feel like the stores that we have here are just for girls. We need more stores for males to shop for besides Anchor Blue.” Jim Brenneman subcontractor administrator “Something like Camp ’N‘ Pack. I like the kind of material that they sell there. Also, I served […]
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Political Watch 10-8
California Assembly candidate Etta Waterfield has added another endorsement to her list. On Sept. 28, Atascadero’s former Mayor Pro Tem Roberta Fonzi announced her support of the Santa Maria Republican for the open 33rd District Assembly seat. “Etta Waterfield is exactly the type of legislator we need in Sacramento,” Fonzi said in a press release. […]
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Community Notebook 10-8
MONDAY, OCT. 12 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, OCT. 13 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Such a busy weekend it was! Santa Marians had a jam-packed social schedule on Sept. 26 and 27. The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society holds its annual autumn fundraising dinners at the very nicest places. This year, it was at Rancho Miranda, a property awash with gazebos, trellises, plants, greenery, and views. Jeanne Miranda […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
YMCA registers for basketball and soccer
The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is currently accepting registrations for rookie sports basketball and adult arena soccer. Designed for children aged 3 to 6, the rookie sports program encourages participants to learn at their own pace and develop confidence. Players of all levels are welcome to sign up before the Oct. 14 deadline. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hancock honors troops at an upcoming game
For the seventh straight year, Allan Hancock College will salute the armed forces during the Bulldogs’ home game against Bakersfield on Oct. 10. The first 250 active-duty military members, veterans, and their families to pick up advance tickets will get free admission to the game and a tailgate-style tri-tip meal before it starts. The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Follow the rules
“Emhasize the physicality.” That’s what Executive Editor Ryan Miller told me when I asked him if I could do a sports (and recreation!) story on lobster diving at Anacapa Island. Later, as I stood—red faced and swearing horribly—in the dive shop fitting room struggling to get into a wetsuit that, I’m sure, was […]