Sharon Brown is the new senior vice president, director of human resources, for Community West Bank, based in Goleta. She will oversee all human resource functions for the bank’s 150 employees at multiple locations. “Sharon brings over 20 years of human resources experience to Community West Bank,” Lynda Nahra, CEO and president of Community West […]
Community West Bank adds new senior vice president
Posted inNews
Local businessman completes professional development series
Timothy Holt, president of Preservation Capital Group LLC, successfully completed level II of the Professional Development Series at the Grubb and Ellis 2008 Real Estate Symposium. The two-day event was held in Newport Beach, and sponsored by the Tenant-In-Common Association. The topics covered were recent developments in commercial real estate, specifically relating to 1031 tax […]
Posted inNews
Rice Ranch celebrates grand opening in Orcutt
The 580-acre development with a sports field, walking trails, bike paths, and, of course, houses, is now open for business in Orcutt. Western Pacific Land Group, the developer behind Rice Ranch, held a grand opening on June 7 and, according to a news release, about 2,000 people turned out to tour the new housing development. […]
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Hancock forum to offer solutions to gang-related problems
Allan Hancock College is offering a forum on gangs in the Santa Maria Valley on June 19 and 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Atkinson Community Center, 1000 N. Railroad, in Santa Maria. The forum will be offered in Spanish, and English translation will be provided. The event is free and open to the […]
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Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approves new Firestone event center
On June 11, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approved plans to use land and facilities, owned by outgoing 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone, for a special events center. The commission voted 4-0-1, with Firestone-appointed 3rd District Planning Commissioner C.J. Jackson abstaining, to send the proposed rezoning and events center permit on to the Board […]
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Santa Maria Restorative Justice Task Force pushes for North County jail, crime prevention
In an effort to create a safer, crime-free community, the Santa Maria Restorative Justice Task Force welcomed members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to its June 12 meeting, where they presented the final report and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Jail Overcrowding’s recommendations. According to the report, the Santa Barbara County jail system […]
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Suicide ‘destination’ may soon be no more
On June 13, a passerby who saw a man walking along the Cold Spring Canyon Bridge called for help. When California Highway Patrol officers got there, the man claimed to be out for a walk, but after further questioning, he made a break for the edge of the bridge, said Commander Dominick Palera with the […]
Posted inNews
Making cents – heads and tails – of the budget
On June 13, after a week filled with lengthy presentations and impassioned pleas from the public, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a final 2008-09 budget, which comes in at around $760 million and features millions of dollars in cuts to county-sponsored programs. The supervisors deliberated over the county’s available fiscal balance—approximately $4.1 […]
Posted inNews
Right on track
The president of Santa Maria Valley Railroad loved trains as a kid, but never laid a penny on the track to watch a locomotive flatten it. “Most of the time they just fly off,” he explained. Such no-nonsense practicality is the driving force behind management at the railroad, led by Robert Himoto, a man with […]
Posted inOpinion
How would you describe the color of your eyes?
Nicole Rivero student “Blue-green and glossy.” Dolores Woods retired “Mine are dark brown, and a little dim at my age, but they were sparkly at one point.” Winston Harris student “Kind of a blue. … They’re mixed with blue and green.” [image-4] Brooke Robertson outgoing Sun intern “They’re usually blue/gray, but they can look green […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Open box, then assemble
The paint on my rain gutters is peeling. The backyard gate won’t close. Two of the front window shutters need repairing. My house needs some tender loving care. The big question is this: Am I working diligently on household to-do items and keeping my wife, whom I love, happy? Nope. Instead, I’ve been in the […]
Posted inOpinion
Support the fight
On June 5 and 6, Santa Barbara County residents may notice an odd though not unknown scene on local roadways—3,000 cyclists and crew pedaling through the wind and fatigue. Hopefully, most will look long enough to realize that this is not just some mega-bike club or century ride. This year, the 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle is expected […]