Supporters of the American Red Cross’ Santa Maria office congregated on Aug. 21 to celebrate a name change to honor philanthropists James and Jeannie Dodson, who, among others, helped the Santa Maria office transform from an empty warehouse on Skyway Drive to a thriving Red Cross center with state-of-the-art equipment. The Dodsons had become […]
Red Cross celebrates a generous donation
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Come dancing
Top ballet professional Sayat Asatryan, former principal dancer with the Moscow Kremlin Ballet, will perform the roles of Nutcracker and Cavalier with the Santa Maria Civic Ballet and Everybody Can DANCE at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 3 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks in […]
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Get Wildling in the sequoias
The Wildling Art Museum in Los Olivos is planning a four-day, three-night trip to Sequoia and King’s Canyon national parks. The trip, scheduled for Oct. 9 through 12, will be led by retiring Wildling Art Museum Director Penny Knowles and her husband Joseph. It’s designed to complement the educational experience provided by the museum’s fall […]
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Here’s the story
Chris Lambert likes a good story. Most songwriters do. When he figured out how to tell a story of his own, there was no stopping him. The Santa Maria musician started writing when he was 13 years old, but he was actually experimenting with writing on an acoustic guitar at the age of 9. […]
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Turn the page: another chapter
I first started to go to Phoenix Bookstore not by choice, but by force. It was my dad who began to make me sit through his scouring for books, and, like the good child I was, I would beg for mercy to leave. I pulled the “Dad, can we go now?” Or the “Dad, you […]
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Ronnie Souza
At age 68, the Santa Maria Speedway’s oldest living champion is still sitting in the driver’s seat. Ronnie Souza was a familiar face behind the wheel for fans at the Speedway’s first-ever go-kart racing event on Aug. 17. Taking to the venue’s new kart track against 40 other drivers—some half his age or younger—Souza […]
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The Bleacher Bum Chronicles, Vol. III
I have a confession to make. No, I’m not going to watch Chuck Liddell dance with the stars—but it’s equally embarrassing: I suffer from Seasonal Geek Obsession Disorder (SGOD), a condition generally marked by a dramatic increase in weekend television watching and box score analyzing, particularly on Sundays. I begin to notice the symptoms in […]
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Santa Maria wants you to recreate
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department sent out its 2009 Fall/Winter Recreation Guide, encouraging everyone in the Santa Maria Valley to get active. The guide features Los Flores Ranch Park and community programs, such as Adopt-A-Park and the Police Activities League. Sections include programs for active older adults, aquatics, adult arts, […]
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Lompoc police: Do I hear $10?
Need a bike but low on cash? Used bicycles—unclaimed from being previously lost or stolen—will be up for sale at bargain basement prices during the Lompoc Police Explorer Bicycle Auction on Sept. 19. Minimum bids start at just $7, which includes the fee for a bicycle license provided by the department. The auction will […]
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Support local recreation with ‘A Taste of Mexico’
The People for Leisure and Youth (P.L.A.Y.) encourages the public to sample Santa Maria’s finest Mexican cuisine, beverages, and entertainment while supporting local recreational programs at its upcoming fundraiser. The organization’s annual “Tastes of Mexico” event will take place on Sep. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Community Center. This […]
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Clubs & Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the […]
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Spiritual
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy […]