On Jan. 22, the Santa Maria City Recreation and Parks department held its Meritorious Community Service Awards dinner at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center in Santa Maria. According to Dennis Smitherman, recreation supervisor with the city, the awards, which are handed out every two years, recognize community members who have a history of helping improve […]
They’ve improved Santa Maria recreation
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Vandenberg Air Force Base airmen handle a lot of (fake) casualties
Members of Vandenberg Air Force Base’s 30th Space Wing medical group are in the final stages of completing their annual Medical Emergency Response Capability Assessment and Training (MERCAT) exercise. The four-day exercise, which ends on Jan. 29, tests the ability of airmen to respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack on the base. […]
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California Conservation Corps is in danger of closing
The California Conservation Corps is facing possible extinction under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most recent budget plan, which proposes nixing the 33-year-old program to help relieve the state’s $42 billion deficit. The cut could save the state as much as $17 million, according to estimates from the Capitol. If approved, the cut would force dozens of […]
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New U.S. Census Bureau will generate jobs in Santa Maria
A newly opened U.S. Census Bureau office in Santa Maria could create more than 200 local jobs and as many as 1,500 jobs in five counties, according to estimates from bureau officials. At an opening ceremony on Jan. 21, potential employees, along with a handful of local and state representatives, met at the new office […]
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Parents: Sign your children?
Allan Hancock College’s Parent Participation Program is accepting applications for 2009-2010 preschool enrollment through March 31. Children must be at least 3 years old by Aug. 1 to be enrolled. The program creates an environment based on the premise that learning is an active process for families, not just children. It aims to supports a […]
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A New President Speaks
In D.C., many people anxiously started the day, greeted by cold weather and huge crowds with only the tops of people’s heads visible for what seemed like miles and miles ahead. As early as 3 a.m., I could see people begin to walk up toward the National Mall to line up for their place in […]
Posted inOpinion
What do you think Santa Maria could do to promote a healthier lifestyle?
Gari Valdez satellite operator “Expand the city bike trails.” Amber Summerville employment research “Cheaper gyms. A health food store. We don’t have a Trader Joe’s.” Nicole Applegate eligibility interviewer “More walking paths.” Danielle Applegate kids’ club attendant “Everyone should come workout at In-Shape!”
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Community Notebook
MONDAY, JAN. 26 • The Nipomo Community Advisory Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Services District Headquarters, 148 S. Wilson St., Nipomo. TUESDAY, JAN. 27 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing […]
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Political Watch
• On Jan. 14, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 289 to 139 to approve the reauthorization of the bipartisan State Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization, H.R. 2. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) released a statement commending the decision. “This bill goes a long way toward helping children grow up healthy and strong. As families […]
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Take the time to get tested
January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is reminding women about the important role of regular screening in detecting cervical cancer. According to the department, cervical cancer can be caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. The HPV virus is also responsible for […]
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Bikes and boxes
“You can do a lot on a bicycle,” Santa Maria resident James Stoughton said. He spoke with a clear intensity, shifting with ease from intricately detailed descriptions of threads-per-inch on screws and casters’ maximum weight capacity to accounts of how the Lord woke him up at 3 in the morning with the inspiration for his […]
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Get to know vegetarianism
Ever think about going vegetarian? Interested in the idea, but don’t feel ready to cut out meat just yet? Do you equate vegetarian fare with bunny food? Worried that all vegetarian dishes are going to taste like lettuce? The folks at the Society for Vegetarian Inclined People (SoVIP) and the Healthy Palate restaurant would like […]