The ribbon has been cut, opening a new thrift store with the lofty goal of benefiting the homeless and the poor of the Central Coast. Free hot dogs and sodas weren’t the only benefits attributed to the grand opening of the Central Coast Rescue Mission’s thrift store on 306 N. Broadway in Santa Maria, although […]
Benefits of Being Thrifty On the Central Coast
Santa Maria, Guadalupe to receive millions in state funding for water treatment plants
The cities of Santa Maria and Guadalupe announced earlier this month that they are planning to use a little over $9 million, awarded by the state, to help fund two major projects in the Santa Maria Valley area. In Santa Maria, $4.8 million will go toward expanding the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The city of […]
Deadline for hands-free cell phones approaches
Starting July 1, Californians ages 18 and older, will be required to switch from using hand-held wireless phones to hands-free devices while driving a car. According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol, there are two acts going into affect in July. The first law prohibits all drivers from using handheld wireless phones […]
County supes put out fireworks’ fire
Waving sparklers and other non-explosive fireworks in honor of Independence Day is now a thing of the past in Santa Barbara County following the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors June 17 decision to ban all fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. The board voted 4-1, with 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone dissenting, to […]
Delta II rocket carries ocean reading satellite to space
A satellite intended to collect information about the ocean’s topography successfully launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base Saturday. The Delta II rocket launched from Space Launch Complex-2 at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, carrying the OSTM/Jason-2 satellite into an 830-mile near-circular orbit. Col. Steve Tanous, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift […]
Plane, train, or automobile?
Melissa Enriquez housewife “Plane—I feel safer. They’re safer and faster.” [image-2] Kaylie Emry student “A car, because I’m afraid of heights, and [for the trains] I don’t like … going through the hills and tunnels and the cliff areas. I’m kind of claustrophobic.” [image-3] Karen Sandquist doctor “A train, because I wouldn’t have to focus […]
State parks are an endangered species
Each year, The National Trust for Historic Preservation comes out with a list of the most endangered historic places in the United States. Most years, this includes buildings, houses, and locations that are at risk for destruction or irreparable damage. This year’s list includes among other things, an airplane hanger built in 1932, an old-fashioned […]
While some kids are swimming, others are shooting hoops
The West Coast Xtreme Basketball Academy has released its clinic schedule for the month of July. All clinics will be held in the St. Joseph High School gym and focus on ball handling, passing, shooting, and three-on-three play. The first clinic will be held July 6; with grades 3 to 6 reporting to the gym […]
One Way for kids and adults to play water polo in Santa Maria
With record heat on the Central Coast, there’s no better time to get into a new sport—if that sport involves lots of water, that is. Luckily One Way Water polo is offering the first two weeks of lessons free to anyone willing to try the sport. And by anyone, they mean anyone, cjildren and adults. […]
Athlete of the Week
Shea Herrera isn’t following in his brother’s footsteps; he’s following in his tracks instead. More specifically, the tracks left behind by the four tiny wheels on a skateboard. Shea is only 11, but he’s already got his first skateboarding contest behind him and he’s ready for the next one. His coach is his older brother […]
How to become a professional wino
Get out the wine glasses. The decade-old wine program at Allan Hancock College is offering several new classes to students and members of the public interested in learning about making wine and growing grapes. An Introduction to Winemaking/Enology will be offered from 6 to 9:05 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Aug. 27 at the college’s Solvang […]
AHC geology students tour American southwest
Earlier this month, a handful of Allan Hancock students embarked on a 15-day tour of the Colorado Plateau that included several national parks in Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nevada. Led by Robert Meyer, a geology and physical science instructor at Allan Hancock College, and four other staff members, the students explored and studied sections of […]

