The Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) and the local branch of the California Conservation Corps recently worked together to clear an accumulation of illegally dumped appliances, computers, car parts, a travel trailer, trash, and debris from an access road in Nipomo. To help prevent trash from building up there again, locked barricades have been placed […]
Nipomo agencies put a stop to illegal dumping
Officials secure funds to repair Santa Maria River Levee
Local officials visited Washington, D.C., two weeks ago to secure federal funding for the Santa Maria River Levee, and the trip paid off. On Feb. 23, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced that she helped secure almost $6.7 million in federal funding for repairs to the Santa Maria River Levee in the 2009 Omnibus […]
NASA satellite launched from Vandenberg fails to reach orbit
Officials for Vandenberg Air Force Base and NASA said they experienced “an anomaly” on Feb. 24 when a NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellites failed to reach orbit. Launch officials suspect the satellite likely crashed in the ocean off the coast of Antarctica. The Taurus XL rocket carrying the satellite launched successfully from Vandenberg Air Force […]
Local blood banks need more donations
Recent trends in donations have local United Blood Services officials concerned about the health of the local blood supply. Fallout from a down economy—such as layoffs and a cloudy business climate—have forced several businesses to cancel or postpone scheduling blood drives for the month of March. “Based on trends for scheduled drives in March and […]
Land lovers
At the headwaters of the Santa Maria River lies a vast oak-studded ranch, the quintessence of the Central Coast’s characteristic rural landscape. Here in the fresh air of the Avenales Ranch, the gentle mooing of cows and calves is likely to be punctuated by the otherworldly bugling of tule elk or the high-pitched yowl of […]
What do you like to sing in the rain?
Brettly Beidinger YMCA events coordinator “It’s not a song, but I like to splish-splash. That’s all that goes through my head when I’m in my rain boots.” Eleanor Byars YMCA fitness instructor “‘I Think I Love You’ by the Partridge Family. I actually like to sing that all the time, even in the sunshine.” Angeli […]
See the world with the Central Coast Study Abroad Consortium
Current Allan Hancock College students interested in studying in far-off destinations this summer or fall are encouraged to attend an orientation on Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the college’s Santa Maria Campus. Summer programs are open to a limited number of students through the Central Coast Study Abroad Consortium. Participants can go to Spain, […]
Fesler Junior High gets ‘Heart’ smart
On Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, students from Fesler Junior High School’s physical education classes jumped rope to raise money for the American Heart Association. “Junior high students are not too young to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s what our emphasis has always been,” Fesler P.E. teacher Paul Cole said in […]
Righetti High School welcomes Warriors
On Feb. 26, Righetti High School will host its annual 8th grade Warrior Welcome from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school gym. The Future Farmers of America will host a barbecue, to be followed by a welcome orientation and clubs and class sessions. Righetti staff members and students will give tours of the […]
Political Watch
• Earlier this month, Congressman Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), chairman of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, announced that he had asked Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) to again serve as vice chair of the committee’s Health Subcommittee. Capps was also appointed to the position during the 110th Congress. The Health Subcommittee […]
Community Notebook
FRIDAY, FEB. 20 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference […]
Community clock comes to Old Orcutt
Shoppers and diners in Old Town Orcutt will soon be able to tell perfect time from a 17-foot-tall, 1,000-plus pound Orcutt community clock. On Feb. 24, at 5 p.m., locals and Santa Barbara County supervisors Joni Gray and Joe Centeno will watch the clock start to tick. The dedication and tree-planting celebration is at 120 […]

