• On April 29, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 249-175 in favor of the Local Law Enforcement and Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913). The bill will give state and local law enforcement agents the tools and resources to prevent and prosecute hate crimes. The current federal hate crimes law only authorizes federal aid […]
Political Watch 5-7
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Community Notebook 5-7
MONDAY, MAY 11 • 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, MAY 12 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Kiwanis Gypsy Carnival When I learned that the noontime Kiwanis were having belly dancers and tarot readers at their Gypsy Carnival, I knew I had to go. Held on April 24 at the Veteran’s Memorial Building on Tunnel Street in Santa Maria, the carnival offered a buffet, entertainment, games of chance, and a no-host bar […]
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A night at the opera
Opera lovers throughout the Central Coast are invited to celebrate “An Evening at the Opera,” presented by the Community Partners in Caring on June 20. The event will benefit the Clergy Waiters Night Fundraiser, with proceeds directly helping support community seniors with screenings, lunches, materials, staffers, and coordinating events. Pastors, ministers, and religious leaders serve […]
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Study up for the GED at Allan Hancock College
Trying to get a job? Considering joining the military? If so, you’ll need a high school diploma—or a GED certificate. Beginning June 15, Allan Hancock College will offer free General Education Development (GED) classes to students who haven’t completed their high school diploma. GED classes help prepare students to take the GED exam and are […]
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Altrusa’s Central Coast chapter gives the gift of reading through a Santa Maria Public Library donation
Children in the Santa Maria and Orcutt areas will soon be given more access to books and other materials, thanks to a recent $55,000 donation to the Santa Maria Public Library from Altrusa International Inc. of the Central Coast. “This is a wonderful gift,” city librarian Jack Buchanan said in a press release. “It fills […]
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Local students receive Minerva Club Scholarship
On May 3, a dozen Santa Maria Valley high school seniors were awarded $1,400 scholarships at the Minerva Scholarship Tea. The students had no idea how much money they would be receiving, but as soon as they heard the club announce the amount, smiles lit up on all the faces in the room. The students […]
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There are jobs in the Army
It’s no secret that people looking for a job lately have been having a tough time of it. But with the economy in its second year of recession, there’s at least one job sector that’s doing well: the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Department of Defense recently reported each branch of service meeting or […]
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In a Sacramento state of mind
If everything goes according to plan for Hilda Zacarías, there could be two Santa Marians in the California State Legislature. The Santa Maria City Council member recently announced her intention to run in 2010 for the 33rd District Assembly Seat being vacated by San Luis Obispo Republican Sam Blakeslee because of term limits. In a […]
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Local group protests millions in proposed cuts to state developmental services
Another group of concerned individuals has joined California educators, health-care specialists, and others in speaking out against state budget cuts. On April 30, more than 100 people gathered at Santa Maria City Hall to protest approximately $100 million in proposed cuts to the California Department of Developmental Services for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The department […]
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Changes to Santa Maria tanker base prompt worries about fire safety
Recent changes in firebase operations at the Santa Maria Public Airport have some local fire officials worried about the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to fight fires on the Central Coast. Earlier this year, the Forest Service transferred two of the Santa Maria Air Attack Base’s full-time managerial employees to a nearby district office, and downgraded […]
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Santa Maria seeks input on disbursing $1.2 million in state funding
On May 11, the Santa Maria Block Grants Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss how the city should spend more than $1.2 million in state funding. The California state government has received approximately $145 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding from the federal government. The money is meant to help Santa Maria, […]
