Whether or not the Summer Olympics increased interest in local athletics isn’t really a question for Mike Ashmore, head coach of the Santa Maria Swim Club. “The phone has been going nuts!” he said. “Ability isn’t going to be affected by the Olympics, but there is definitely an increase in interest.” With highly publicized swimmers […]
Olympics got locals up and moving
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sign up now for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk is coming back to Santa Maria. The last time the walk came to town (in 2003), the event raised more than $100,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Central Coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has offices in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, including in Santa Maria. This […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
‘Take Me Fishing’ event is back for a second year
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department wants to invite boys and girls ages 6 to 12 to the second annual “Take Me Fishing” event, happening Sept. 21 at Jim May Park. The event is co-hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Sportsmen’s Association and Central Coast Salmon Enhancement. Kids can learn the basics […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Just three years ago, Rene Rodriguez, played competitive youth football for the first time. Today, at 15, he’s the quarterback for the Pioneer Valley High School junior varsity team. It’s safe to say that Rene ’s skills progressed fairly quickly. “Once he tried it, we were really proud of him, he really got it,” said […]
Posted inOpinion
The government must respect the law
When humans first came together to live in agricultural communities, the need developed for rules and laws. It became important for those early leaders, just as today, to set good examples to follow for the rest of the community. Those social rules and laws have become the glue that holds modern civilization and societies together. […]
Posted inNews
The wheels on the bus are spinning again
One way to tell that school has started up again is the addition of yellow buses on local roads and highways. On Aug. 25, Student Transportation of America (STA), the organization that manages school buses in the Santa Maria area, announced that its more than 6,000 employees are trained and ready to go back to […]
Posted inNews
AHC students: Get ready for a big ‘Bow-WOW!’
Allan Hancock College students will have something to bark about during the college’s annual Bulldog Bow-WOW! orientation event on Sept. 3 and 4. New and current students who attend the event will be able to learn about the college’s academic programs and other student services while also enjoying free music, entertainment, and food. Students will […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch
• OMG! Texting while driving has gtg, according to the California Senate, which voted 25-14 to approve a bill banning the activity on Aug. 22. Only two Republicans backed the legislation. One was Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), citing that the ban is an unnecessary infringement on personal behavior. However, supporters of the bill say […]
Posted inNews
Local AmeriCorps members head to New Orleans to help Hurricane Gustav evacuees
A little more than a week after settling in at the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter, four new AmeriCorps members are off to New Orleans to help Hurricane Gustav evacuees. On Aug. 29, Ally LeClair, Laura Parrot, Jeffrey Scott, and Ashley Spoto boarded a plane for the Big Easy, where they would help […]
Posted inNews
Maria Fabula to speak at Hispanic Business Committee luncheon
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Business Committee luncheon will be held on Sept. 8 in the Santa Maria Room at the Santa Maria Inn. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., with lunch and a presentation from noon to 1 p.m. Maria Fabula is the featured speaker. She’s the regional manager of Nonprofit Support […]
Posted inNews
Free foreclosure workshop offers help to locals
It’s an unfortunate fact that some people in Santa Maria need help holding onto their homes. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing can offer that help. The organization is hosting a “Foreclosure Prevention Seminar” on Sept. 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The seminar will present alternatives and loan options for first-time buyers. Brian Kerrigan, a counselor for […]
Posted inNews
Wells Fargo donates much-needed funds to Foodbank
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County serves more than 100,000 people in the county annually, and with increased demand this year, the group needs all the help it can get. That’s why a recent donation of $10,000 from Wells Fargo was so appreciated. “On behalf of all the hungry people or member agencies, I want […]