Stand up and be counted—and do some counting of your own while you’re at it. The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring. The Santa Maria Local Census Office was set to open on Jan. 21, and will employ around 1,500 locals at the peak of its efforts. The local office will serve as the hub for […]
The U.S. Census Bureau wants you
Posted inNews
Learn more about property taxes
A lot of numbers can mean a lot of confusion. Take Proposition 8, Section 51 reductions that impact current property taxes: Need help untangling the details? Business Enriched Network is bringing in Joseph Holland from the Santa Barbara County Clerk, Recorder, and Assessors Office to help. He’ll speak about how the county assesses property taxes […]
Posted inOpinion
Get the ball rolling toward making a difference
It’s a new year, and people have precise expectations for themselves. Some want to improve on their health, and others want to improve their savings account—and nowadays, who can blame them? Those pursuits are great, but I think people should also look outward. Recently, I signed on as a volunteer with an organization that provides […]
Posted inOpinion
Hold the outgoing president accountable
As the Bush/Cheney administration is air lifted off the roof of the sinking White House, giving the thumbs-up sign, we all know better. We all see the results of eight disastrous years. Who will pay? Will it be only our military families, or people losing their homes, or prisoners who have no rights, or Americans […]
Posted inOpinion
There’s always something to learn
Regarding Norman Mehl’s letter (“I stand by my original opinion,” Jan. 8) in rebuttal to a rebuttal of a letter from Norman: First of all, I appreciate your Armed Forces service in World War II. And also your service with the space program. Your comment about Obama was disturbing. Okay, so you are not a […]
Posted inOpinion
Every human life has value
U.S. complicity and support for the massacre of innocent civilians in Gaza by Israel must come to an end. U.S. taxpayers donate upwards of 3 billion bloodstained dollars yearly to supply Israel with the F-16 bombers and Apache attack helicopters that are currently being utilized to “teach Hamas a lesson” more for political gain that […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Knight ranks in the nation’s top basketballers
Ane McPike, a forward and guard for St. Joseph High School, is one of the top prep standouts in the nation. That pronouncement comes from McDonald’s, which recently announced McPike’s nomination to the 2009 McDonald’s All American High School Girls Basketball Team. A news release reported that McPike ranks among the top 1,000 nominees, who […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Fitting in fitness
First, an admission: I don’t keep a regular fitness routine. I’ve tried everything: Jogging. Uh … Well, that’s about it. Jogging. Yeah, I’m not really the healthiest guy around. So whenever we have a Health and Fitness issue, I start feeling guilty. Guilty about my health. Guilty about my bad habits. Guilty about my questionable […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Dave Bourbon never set out to be a world-champion arm wrestler. He and his wife were out one night in 1973 at the Black Eye Bar (now Rick’s) in Santa Maria when he was told to get weighed. “What for?” he remembers asking. The answer: There was going to be arm wrestling that night. Bourbon […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A year in the vineyard
Any winemaker worth his or her salt will readily admit that wine is not made, it’s grown in the vineyard. Dedicated viticulturists agree, and though they’re the ones who tirelessly feed, water, prune, and tie up the vines, they usually credit sun and soil with performing the alchemy that yields fat berries full of wondrous […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
SPIRITUAL
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy Communion […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CLUBS & MEETINGS
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the Santa […]