I’m a disabled vet with a public health-care program, and I’m happy. My mother felt secure with Medicare and a supplemental insurance. Now, Congress wants to give all Americans an option to buy public insurance at a rate they can afford—creating competition with the for-profits, who have been declining care for decades and killing […]
Don’t compromise on health care
Posted inOpinion
‘Satire’ wasn’t very funny
When I read Jamie Ford’s letter advocating the dismantling of the veterans’ health care system (“Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” July 30), it certainly sounded to me like a position of advocacy and not a satire (as stated in “In support of the Veterans Administration,” Aug. 13). Maybe he should do as a […]
Posted inOpinion
No socialism for American medical reform
We have the best medicine in the world because the American free-enterprise capitalist system developed it. Let’s not ruin it with socialism. Medicare is a good example of what not to do. It costs too much, seniors older than 75 like ourselves are forced to use it, we are forced to pay for it […]
Posted inNews
Get a GED to succeed
Beginning Sept. 1, Allan Hancock College is offering free General Education Development (GED) preparation classes to students who haven’t yet received their high school diplomas. GED classes help prepare students to take the GED exam and are self-paced, in a personalized learning environment. Counselors are available to help students develop an individual educational plan. […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria now offers a Minami after-school program
Working parents have a new place to send their children after school: the Minami Community Center. Developed by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, the Minami After School Time program is open to children ages 6 to 12 and runs 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. during regular Santa Maria Bonita school days and noon […]
Posted inNews
Take a field trip to Los Flores Ranch Park
The city of Santa Maria is inviting local teachers and their students to explore Santa Maria’s newest outdoor classroom, Los Flores Ranch Park, this fall. The park offers views of the surrounding Central Coast hills, and the opportunity for students to learn about local wildlife and participate in a handful of recreational activities. Volunteer […]
Posted inNews
Go virtual with server technology
Santa Maria business owners in need of a server have a new option besides buying and configuring their own system. TekTegrity, Inc., an IT strategies and management company based in San Luis Obispo, has expanded to include hosted virtual servers. The company offers entry-level systems for small businesses and e-commerce, e-mail, and database servers […]
Posted inNews
Mingle with business leaders
The public is invited to a business mixer hosted by the Santa Maria Business Enriched Network group on Aug. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stinky’s Bar and Grill. Mix and mingle over food and drinks and meet the business members of B.E.N., an organization of business leaders that helps its members grow […]
Posted inNews
Red Cross selects an emergency director
The Santa Barbara County Chapter of the American Red Cross recently announced Dr. Paul Myers as its new director of Emergency Services. Myers previously served on the chapter’s Board of Directors and as a disaster volunteer. He was actively involved in the Gap, Tea, and Jesusita fire responses and was director of the La […]
Posted inNews
Solar company expands
After 30 years in business, Central Coast-based Solarponics announced the opening of a new home office in Santa Ynez that will service Santa Maria, Orcutt, Lompoc, and the Santa Ynez Valley. The alternative-energy company hired Todd Burnett to offer solar electric engineering and servicing to the area. Burnett worked in the electrical industry before […]
Posted inNews
Slow for the cone zone
Some Santa Maria streets will be getting a sprucing up thanks to the city’s 2009 street overlay and reconstruction project, according to a press release from the city. CalPortland Construction of Santa Maria has been contracted by the city to overlay Cook Street with fresh asphalt from Pine Street to Railroad Avenue. The company […]
Posted inNews
Plans for massive greenhouse, packing facility in Santa Maria to move forward
Canadian-based greenhouse grower Windset Farms received final approval from the Santa Maria Planning Commission on Aug. 19 for a conditional use permit to build a 178-acre hydroponic farm and produce-packing facility the city. Plans for the $75-million project call for four greenhouses and a 140,000-square-foot produce processing and packing facility to be built in […]
