Multitalented must be an adjective Heidi Lethcoe hears attributed to her quite often. Playing a varied mix of shortstop, second base, and catcher for the Orcutt All Stars, this 12-year-old doesn’t shy away from stretching her abilities to cover the whole field. After all, softball is in her blood. “My dad coaches,” she said, and […]
Athlete of the Week
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Learn from home with Allan Hancock College
Enrollment in the Allan Hancock College’s distance learning classes (classes taught online and outside of the classroom) has increased dramatically over the last several years, from 500 students in 1996 to 2,800 students in 2008, according to a press release from college staff. This fall, the college plans to offer 190 distance learning classes, including […]
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Need cash for college?
Last year, a large portion of Allan Hancock College students received more than $4 million in grants, scholarships, and loans last year, with students receiving up to $8,000, helping them make their dreams of a college education come true. “I encourage every student to apply for financial aid,” financial aid specialist Nohemy Ornelas said […]
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Gifts Gone Gourmet online store opens showroom in Santa Maria
Based in Santa Maria, but with most business done over the Internet, Gifts Gone Gourmet is a local online success story. The shop carries gourmet foods, specialty foods, wine, and gift baskets. Though online shopping is easy and fast, locals who want to see in person what Gifts Gone Gourmet has to offer can visit […]
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Last chance for laser tag at MotionZ
The place to go for laser tag, video games, and some good clean fun, MotionZ, is shutting its doors for the last time on July 27 at 7 p.m. “The economic times have affected everyone and has hit us especially hard. We are proud of the product we have offered to our guests and patrons. It […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
Our recent bout of record-breaking heat did not deter animal lovers from attending “A Four Legged Affair —A Night Among the Stars,” Saturday evening, Jan. 21 at the Addamo Estates Vineyard on Clark Avenue. Starting at 6 p.m., this outdoor fundraiser for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society (SMVHS) attracted about 200 guests. The $100 tickets included […]
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Helping the Red Cross Help You
Emergencies don’t often happen when expected. The unforeseen is usually what contributes to panic and disorder during a crisis. This is when the American Red Cross Preparedness and Response Center in Santa Maria would step in. That is, if it existed. In order to help residents of northern Santa Barbara County more efficiently the Red […]
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What was the last book you read?
Jonathan and Abraham Students “We like to read comics and Star Wars books.” Arlene Martin Teacher “I don’t know if I should say … Skinny Bitch in the Kitchen.” Betty Ramos Instructional Aid “We Were the Mulvaneys.” Larry Durgess Director of IT “I normally read a lot of publications, like magazines.”
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Santa Barbara County joins efforts to ease volatile fire season
Planning on grilling steaks or roasting marshmallows over a campfire during the Fourth of July weekend? Well, don’t do it—unless it’s at a designated campfire location. According to a press release from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the county fire department, in conjunction with all other fire departments in the county, is banning open […]
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Federal funds for repairs to Santa Maria River Levee await final approval
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the earmarking of $8.5 million in the 2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill on June 25, to help stabilize and repair the Santa Maria River Levee. Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) requested federal funding to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin […]
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Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury questions status of Child Welfare Services
A recent Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury report, investigating the county’s Child Welfare Services, found that the department “lacks stability.” According to the report, “While Child Welfare Services (CWS) has a process to deal with the children at each age stage in the system from initial contact, to court hearing, to permanent placement, to […]
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Meet Matt Kokkonen
To hear him answer the question “How do you see yourself?” Matt Kokkonen is a living embodiment of the American Dream. “I’m just an immigrant boy from Finland,” he answers, deliberately understating his achievements and his ambitions. He may have washed up on the shores of New York with only a single suitcase, and 16 […]