The roast turkey, glistening ham, and juicy prime rib are just a memory, and the holiday pies and frosted cookies have been eaten down to the last crumb. With the new year well underway, many revelers feel the urge to simplify not only their social calendars, but their diets, too, by incorporating lighter fare, along […]
Healthy comfort
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Food, glorious food.” That refrain, from one of the songs in the musical Oliver, reminds us that food can sometimes be hard to come by and that basics like rice, beans, and bread are beyond glorious when you are hungry. Thanks to the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, hundreds of pounds of food were […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
What is the Christmas season without a trip to the Madonna Inn? A holiday must is checking out the elaborate decorations at the popular San Luis Obispo hotel and restaurant. Thanks to the Santa Maria Valley Friendship Club, which had its December luncheon meeting on the 17th at the inn, I got to meet some […]
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Can’t sleep? Allan Hancock College is here to help
Allan Hancock College is set to offer a four-week class on shut-eye health. The free class, titled “Sleep Wellness: Using Relaxation to Alleviate Sleep Disorders,” is designed especially for people suffering from sleep disorders, including veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or other stress conditions. Allan Hancock College Community Education is repeating the class three times […]
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Parents: It’s time to head back to school
Parents in Orcutt and the Santa Maria area are invited to go back to school for a series of parent education sessions provided by the Orcutt Union School District Parent Education Program and the Santa Maria Valley Council of PTAs. The first class in the series, titled “Effective Solutions to Common Parenting Dilemmas,” will be […]
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Let Peoples’ Self-Help Housing allay your fears
Worries of questionable mortgages may plague homebuyers in today’s market, but Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is helping put those fears to rest with a predatory lending seminar on Jan. 14. Brian Kerrigan, housing counselor for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, will lead the free event, sponsored by Bank of America, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, and Rabobank. The seminar runs […]
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New site points searchers to healthcare providers
Find the perfect dentist you’ve been searching for all these years with help from centralcoasthealthsource.com. The site compiles information and profiles on local healthcare providers, including doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, all sorted by areas of expertise. There’s no medical advice on the San Luis Obispo-based site, but it does encourage Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, […]
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Lunch with Andy Caldwell
Have a bite to eat, and learn a little more about COLAB at the same time. Andy Caldwell, founding executive director for the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture, and Business, Santa Barbara County, will speak at the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee luncheon on Jan. 20. Caldwell hosts a radio talk show […]
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Political Watch
• The Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley is inviting the public to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony in style at its Inaugural Celebration Dance on Jan. 20. The dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at Yoyo Hall, 725 E. Foster, in Santa Maria. Dr. Danger will provide music, and light […]
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Community Notebook
MONDAY, JAN. 12 • 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, JAN. 13 • 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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Pass the pajamas
Traditionally, bedtime revolves around a special routine for children, filled with soft, cozy pajamas and comforting stories read by a loving parent. But for many children—especially those living in unstable environments—such an ideal tradition isn’t necessarily a reality. The nonprofit Pajama Program collects and distributes new pajamas and books to children in need. Since its […]
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Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors postpones fee increase decision
After a brief discussion between board members and county staffers, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to postpone action on another fee increase proposal made by the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office. The issue will come up again on Jan. 27. The Clerk-Recorder’s Office is recommending that fees charged by the county […]
