Dressed in powder-blue scrubs and green Crocs, Gina Parker looks and acts like the ideal registered nurse. She is friendly and sincere, confident and soothing. One would never guess she graduated from Allan Hancock College’s Registered Nursing Program a little more than a month ago. But Parker isn’t hiding her rookie status—she’s wearing it like […]
A nurse for all seasons
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Got yard waste?
Beginning next month, the city of Santa Maria will run a yard waste recycling pilot program. Three neighborhoods were selected for the test: the Hancock Park area, Driftwood Meadow and the Los Cabos/Toby Villas area, and the area bounded by Fesler Street, Benwiley Avenue, Alvin Avenue, and Dejoy Street. From Jan. 28 to 30, […]
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County Fire, Greka employees respond to another spill
On Jan. 19, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to a reported oil spill at Greka Oil and Gas Inc.’s Bradley Land Lease off of Telephone Road in Santa Maria. According to a press release from the fire department, the leak was caused by a faulty pipe fixture on one of the flow lines […]
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Santa Barbara County Fire Department will host wildfire safety forums
With flames from the Tea Fire still vivid in the public’s memories, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will hold a series of wildfire safety town hall community meetings in February. On Feb. 9, the meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Blochman School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Road, in Sisquoc. There’s also a meeting […]
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Federal grant will fortify Santa Maria Fire Department’s ‘wildfire arsenal’
The Santa Maria Fire Department was one of several local fire departments and emergency medical organizations to recently get a one-year grant through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The city’s fire department was awarded almost $49,000. “The Santa Maria Fire Department has applied for and received several grants over the last few years, […]
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UCSB Economic Forecast Project predicts few bright spots in 2009
California is entering its worst recession since the 1940s, according to a Jan. 15 report from the UC Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project. The recession’s impact on the state will be more severe than in other states because of its “well-publicized and very serious budget crisis,” Economic Forecast Project officials said. “California’s outlook is bleak,” […]
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court approves Gottschalks credit plan
Bankruptcy’s on the table, but stores should stay open: Gottschalks filed for reorganization under chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 14. On Jan. 16, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved a $125 million debtor-in-possession credit plan, which will allow the department-store chain to pay employees and suppliers and fund customer services, such as gift card […]
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PLAYing at Paul Nelson
Regional leaders for PG&E awarded a $50,000 grant to the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s nonprofit partner, People for Leisure And Youth (PLAY, Inc.). On Dec. 16 (from left to right), Mayor Larry Lavagnino and City Manager Tim Ness accepted the grant from PG&E representatives Tom Jones and Patricia Wilmore at a ceremony at […]
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Back to school, back to school
Most students in school districts in Northern Santa Barbara County have been back in classes for more than a week, and now—as of Jan. 21—the Santa Maria Bonita School District has followed suit. District information officer Maggie White said the district starts later than most for two reasons: “Partly, it’s a hold-over from when we […]
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Allan Hancock College is still registering students for online classes
Online registration for spring 2009 classes at Allan Hancock College has ended, but students interested in enrolling in online classes can still register via fax or mail. They can even show up in person. Late in-person registration will be held Jan. 26 to 29. Fax and mail registration for semester-length and Term 3 classes is […]
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Welcome a new bank vice president
Robert Bloch is the newly appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer for Community Bank of Santa Maria. Bloch counts more than 34 years of banking experience—26 as a chief financial officer—and is a certified public accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public […]
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Panera wants to treat you to breakfast
Free coffee. Yes, free coffee. And breakfast sandwiches. And parfait. Sample Panera Bread’s breakfast offerings on Jan. 28 at 540 E. Betteravia Road. The shop will offer light and dark roast coffees, three varieties of grilled ciabatta sandwiches, and a strawberry granola parfait. Panera Bread is also inviting customers to donate a dollar toward its […]