In the mid-1970s, the Firestone family built Santa Barbara County’s first post-Prohibition winery to bottle their homegrown wine grapes under their own label. Tony Austin, prote;ge; of Andre; Tchelistcheff, the godfather of the California wine industry, came aboard as winemaker and eagerly shepherded the fruit of the young vines into remarkably good wines. Since then, […]
Making headlines
Posted inOpinion
You just founded a new high school. What’s the mascot, and what are you team colors?
Brad Memberto sports information specialist/journalist “The Bruins, because I’m a huge UCLA fan, but the colors would be blue and gold. Go Bulldogs!” Kim Ensing Allan Hancock College athletic director “The mascot would be a big wave: The Waves. The school colors would be blue and white. I picked the waves because I’m learning to […]
Posted inNews
Success on the green screen
There are two types of visual effects: the in-your-face explosions and monsters and aliens for some muscle-bound actor to blast, and the low-key, the subtle, the kind you can’t pick out at all. This summer, someone at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences saw something in the second category—something that most viewers don’t usually […]
Posted inNews
Chapman University welcomes adult learners
Looking to complete your college degree? On Sept. 23 and 24, academic advisors from Chapman University will be on hand at the college’s Santa Maria Valley Campus to answer questions about Chapman’s history, academic programs, and adult learning programs. All sessions are free, and begin at 5 p.m. at the Santa Maria Valley Chapman University […]
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Future Stars of Science return to Guadalupe Dunes Center filled with knowledge and inspiration
Last month, Guadalupe Dunes Center interns Diana Perez, Mariah Gonzalez, and David De la Garza spent two weeks on the East Coast where they toured the Smithsonian Institution, did some sightseeing in Washington, D.C., and learned how to (humanely) tackle a deer. While that last part doesn’t sound like a typical tourist attraction, it’s an […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch
• Green is the new black. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) participated in a roundtable discussion with several leaders of Central Coast green businesses and organizations on Sept. 4. Topics included sustainable energy practices and steps the federal government can take to promote the issue. Two days later, Capps kicked off her fall re-election campaign […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc launches new marketing campaign to promote ‘Lompoc Wine Country’
Ever heard of Lompoc Wine Country? If the city of Lompoc’s new marketing campaign works, then the answer to that question will be yes. The city has partnered with the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission to promote Lompoc Wine Country. The city’s website will be linked to and from the city […]
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Panel brings nonprofits and philanthropists together
Attendees at the Nonprofit Support Center’s Funder Panel symposium on Sept. 25 will be able to talk directly to some of the voices of philanthropy on the Central Coast. Participants will be able to ask questions and address issues that directly impact their organizations. Members of local nonprofits will participate in discussions designed to provide […]
Posted inNews
Among ‘Friends’ at the library
By now, everyone probably knows about Santa Maria’s brand-new, state-of-the-art library. But what people probably don’t know about is the brand-new library shop. Located just outside of the main library and next to the library cafe;, The Library Shop is an enhanced version of the old Friends of the Santa Maria Library bookshop. What used […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Great food, a celebrity guest, and exciting auction items—Allan Hancock College’s seventh annual Joe White Memorial Dinner had it all. Held on the evening of Aug. 23 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, the event is the Hancock College Boosters’ major fundraiser for the Athletic Department. The dinner attracted close to 400 friends and fans. It […]
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Santa Maria needs a Block Grants Advisory Committee member
The city of Santa Maria is looking for someone to fill an unexpired term on the Santa Maria Block Grants Advisory Committee, ending in July 2010. Applications will be accepted until 2 p.m. on Sept. 25. Members of the Block Grants Advisory Committee assess the community’s needs, conduct public workshops and hearings, review applications for […]
Posted inNews
New Lompoc Valley Senior and Community Center project is finally online
Staffers and volunteers at the Lompoc Valley Senior and Community Center can start packing up their boxes. On Sept. 3, the Lompoc City Council voted 4-0, with councilman Will Schuyler absent, to allocate more than $300,000 in funding to begin designing a new center at a new location on West Ocean Avenue in Lompoc. The […]