It’s not money, but it’s close. The Nipomo Swapmeet will be handing out Santa Swapmeet Bucks to kids at noon on Sundays until Dec. 21. Recipients can use the bucks just like cash at participating vendors throughout the meet. The Nipomo Swapmeet is located at 263 N. Frontage Road in Nipomo. The bucks will be […]
Kids get more to spend at Nipomo Swapmeet
Posted inNews
Looking for work? Or the perfect employee?
In a season of perceived economic uncertainty, there are people seeking to bring hope and stability through the staffing industry. Kim Mundell opened an Express Employment Professionals office at 222 W. Carmen Lane, suite 102, in Santa Maria on Nov. 3, and business is already brisk. “I have no doubts,” Mundell said. “This is a […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch
State Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) is in the process of forming legislation to negate the hefty pay raises recently awarded to a handful of California State University administrators. In an interview with the Sun, Maldonado said CSU Chancellor Charles Reed’s decision to approve salary increases of up to 19 percent—placing some salaries in the […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County raises awareness of HIV/AIDS
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has a number of events planned for Dec. 1 to inform locals about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in conjunction with World Aids Day. The county is emphasizing the presence of HIV and AIDS in the local community, according to Dan Reed, program administrator for HIV/AIDS programs in Santa Barbara […]
Posted inNews
Correction
The licensed marriage therapist interviewed for the Holiday Guide’s kissing story, “Only connect,” was misidentified. Her name is Jill Denton.
Posted inNews
Happy ‘paw-lidays,’ Santa Maria!
On Dec. 6., the cats and dogs at the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society will be wishing the community a happy “paw-liday” season during a free open house from noon to 4 p.m. at the Humane Society shelter, 751 Black Road, in Santa Maria. Guests at the “paw-liday” party will have the opportunity to visit […]
Posted inNews
CHP: Drive safely this holiday season
The California Highway Patrol is asking motorists to help make the state’s roads safer by planning ahead for all holiday travel. The Thanksgiving holiday driving period runs Nov. 26 to 30. During that time, the CHP will employ maximum enforcement, putting every available officer on the road, according to a press release from CHP officials. […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc businesses successfully prohibit sale of alcohol to minors
On Nov. 20, the Lompoc Police Department conducted a “Shoulder Tap” decoy operation at numerous liquor and convenience stores in Lompoc. During the four-hour operation, about 25 adults were asked by two minor decoys (16 and 18 years old) to buy beer for them. Only one of the adults purchased and provided alcohol to the […]
Posted inNews
Flash food watch issued for Tea Fire area
On Nov. 24, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Santa Barbara area, including the Tea Fire Burn Area and the Sycamore Creek area below. Santa Barbara County officials are closely monitoring the incoming storms and activating initial response plans in anticipation of the potential flooding or debris flows that might […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County residents line up for federal aid
On Nov. 19, President George W. Bush made a major disaster declaration and ordered federal aid to be channeled to California communities struck by the wildfires. Since then, about 170 Santa Barbara County homeowners affected by the Tea Fire have applied for aid, said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spokesman Don Daniel. Currently, federal funding […]
Posted inNews
Mmmm … pie
Dale Schumacher, regional manager of the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, served pumpkin pie at Rancho Gardens Senior Community in Santa Maria at the end of the commission’s free annual holiday meal for seniors. Along with residents at Rancho Gardens, Schumacher, program director Matt Dwyer, and other Community Action Commission employees served seniors […]
Posted inNews
Proposition 8 is still making waves
On Nov. 4, Proposition 8 passed with a four-percent margin, amending the California Constitution to define marriage as a union “between a man and a woman.” The longevity of that controversial clause, however, remains in question. On Nov. 19, the California Supreme Court announced it would review three petitions challenging the legality of Proposition 8. […]