Stressing the multiple benefits of maintaining family farms and ranches, a coalition of California farm organizations has endorsed tax-reform legislation that would exclude farm assets from the federal estate tax. The Family Farm Preservation Estate Tax Act, H.R. 3524, would exempt farm and ranch assets from estate taxes as long as the property remains […]
Farm organization endorses tax reform
Posted inNews
State tax rates adjusted
The Franchise Tax Board released the 2009 state tax brackets, indexed each year by adjusting them to reflect changes in the California Consumer Price Index. Filing requirement thresholds, standard deduction, and certain credits were adjusted, along with income tax brackets, based on the deflation rate of -1.5 percent. The standard tax deduction will […]
Posted inNews
Share career info at Hancock
Local employers are invited to sign up for Allan Hancock College’s Career Exploration Day, taking place this year on Oct. 2. Businesses will be able to share information on careers and meet with more than 1,000 high school and college students to excite them about employment opportunities within local companies. Exhibit registration forms […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Beyond the shack
Among the early, brave souls to tackle winemaking in Santa Barbara County, Bill Wathen and Dick Doré turned a messy hobby into a booming business. In the nearly 30 years since they slid a fresh cork into their first bottle of wine, the pair has earned global fame as “the Foxen boys.” “I remember, […]
Posted inNews
Allan Hancock College course aims to take the unknown out of cancer treatment
Learn all about the advances being made in cancer prevention, treatment, and research by attending a series of free presentations Sept. 22 through Oct. 20 at the Allan Hancock College Student Center. Each session will focus on a different topic, and will be presented by Marian Medical Center physicians and other health-care providers who specialize […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria Valley Industry Education Council is ‘Wild About Partnerships’
In honor of Santa Maria’s education-friendly businesses, the Santa Maria Valley Industry Education Council and Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce will be co-hosting the 2009 business appreciation luncheon, “Wild About Partnerships,” on Sept. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge. The luncheon will include an awards ceremony to […]
Posted inNews
Local TV station, Realty company pledge to make a difference ‘One Class at a Time’
To help ease the fiscal burden put on schools by severe budget cuts to education, KSBY and Century 21 Hometown Realty have started “One Class at a Time,” a grant program for K-12 classrooms in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Every two weeks, KSBY and Century 21 Hometown Realty will award a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Juan Campos
Lompoc’s Juan Campos is proof that some things get better with age. The 49-year-old turned heads in the Aug. 8 debut of the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s Tri-the-Bull Triathlon, an event consisting of a quarter-mile swim at Pioneer Valley High School, a 10-mile bike ride, and a 3-mile run along Bull Canyon […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
It’s not all academic
Heading into its second year of operation, Orcutt Academy is a small organization with big expectations. Along with adding four more fall sports, school administrators tapped Chad McKenzie to help propel the school’s sports program to new heights as its athletic director. “Everything’s fresh and exciting,” McKenzie said. “The athletes here are happy […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Warriors get wet
Righetti High School is celebrating its new swimming pool and P.E. facility with a grand opening at the school, 941 E. Foster Road in Santa Maria, at 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 9. For more information, call 937-2051, Ext. 2702. Sports Shorts is compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Take me fishing
Boys and girls ages 6 to 12 years old can learn the basics of fishing for free at the third annual “Take Me Fishing” event on Sept. 20. Kids can also take part in a casting contest, fish printing activities, and a GPS treasure hunt, and learn about lake life. Fishing poles and tackle […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Punt, pass, and kick
Young football fans will have the opportunity to test their football skills against their peers at the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition. The free event will be held Sept. 17 at Hagerman Sports Complex from 5 to 7 p.m. The competition is open to ages 8 to 15. Registration takes place on site […]