Dr. Jack Garvin retires after two decades on the SMJUHSD Board of Education
Dr. Jack Garvin, who served two decades on the SMJUHSD Board of Education, retired after the December 10th school board meeting. For almost 67 years, Dr. Garvin mentored, tutored, advised, and has remained faithful to numerous students, teachers, staff, board members and superintendents. He used both his common sense and his plain talk to make sure elected officials, as well as the public, knew the reality facing the SMJUHSD. His interest in becoming part of the SMJUHSD Board of Education began when he was
Donate Blood for a Chance to Win a Car!
A Bold New Chapter Begins: Children’s Resource & Referral and Discovery Museum Merge to Launch the Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum
Santa Maria, CA – In a landmark move set to transform the landscape of early learning and family support services across the Central Coast, Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRR) and the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum (SMVDM) are thrilled to announce their official merger, effective July 1, 2025. As part of this transition, Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County will remain the umbrella organization, continuing its mission to support families, early
Orcutt Grocery Outlet Kicks Off Annual Independence from Hunger® Food Drive’ Campaign
Orcutt, CA (June 25, 2025) – Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, the extreme-value grocery retailer, today launched its 15 th Annual Independence from Hunger® Food Drive, to combat food insecurity and support families in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities throughout America. From June 25 to July 31, 2025, Orcutt Grocery Outlet is teaming up with the Santa Barbara County Food Bank to collect food and cash donations in-store. According to the USDA’s most recent food security survey 13.5%, or 18 million,
Join Us as a Sponsor – Celebrate Literacy, Leadership, and Live Music! (the nation’s #1 Eagles tribute band)
On October 4, we invite you to join us for an evening to remember, where great music meets a greater mission. The Mayors’ Bash is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action for our community to invest in the next generation through Literacy 2.0. This year's event features “The Boys of Summer”, live under the stars at Blast 825 in Orcutt.Why Sponsor? Your support fuels:Books in every home. Parents are empowered with knowledge. Children with real savings for real futures.It’s an investment in literacy,
Let’s Make a Deal
Selling your business is a major decision that involves many important considerations. To ensure a smooth and successful transaction, it's essential to prepare thoroughly and work with a team of professionals who can guide you through the legal, financial, and operational aspects. Key Legal Considerations 1. Structure of the Sale Decide early whether the sale will be a stock sale (selling your company’s shares) or an asset sale (selling business assets only). Asset sales are typically preferred by buyers
Santa Barbara Humane newsletter June 2025
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Employer Essentials: Navigating Unemployment Benefits & Workforce Support
Join the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) and the Employment Development Department (EDD) for an informative webinar designed with employers in mind. Learn how unemployment benefits can support your employees during reduced hours or layoffs—while helping your business navigate workforce transitions more smoothly. In this session, you'll gain insight into:What unemployment benefits offer your employeesEligibility requirements and how the process worksHow to guide your team through the
Chamber Welcomes New Members from May 2025
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of May!May 2025 New MembersDottie's Sweet Destinations Efren's Efren's Mexican Restaurant #2EquipmentShareRegal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX
Local Businesses Invited to Partner with Kiwanis for Bunco Bonanza 2025
Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Community-Minded Organizations SANTA MARIA, CA – July 5 - The Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime is seeking community partners to sponsor their upcoming Bunco Bonanza fundraiser on August 16, 2025. This exciting event offers local businesses unique opportunities to demonstrate their community commitment while gaining valuable exposure. "We believe in the power of community partnerships," said Donna Beal, Club President "When local businesses join forces with
Santa Barbara Foundation Becomes Fiscal Sponsor for The Legacy Lounge
Santa Barbara, CA — In a meaningful step forward for community-based storytelling, the Santa Barbara Foundation has officially become the fiscal sponsor for The Legacy Lounge, an emerging local initiative dedicated to spotlight long-term residents, local families, and charitable organizations through an ongoing series of in-person events. The Legacy Lounge creates a welcoming space for community members to explore what it means to belong, capturing the voices, values, and essence of Santa Barbara County
West Coast College and University Wine Festival
The West Coast College & University Wine Festival Saturday, June 14, 2025 1-4 p.m. This Festival will provide an oppertunity for universities and community colleges in California, Oregon, and Arizona to showcase their wines and viticulture and enology programs. Wine tastings will be provided by representatives from colleges and local wineries! Small bites will be served by local resturants. The festival is open to the public and will take place at Allan Hancock College. Tickets will be available for
City of Santa Maria Receives Energy Efficiency Rebate from SoCalGas, Saving Hundreds of Thousands in Annual Costs
[SANTA MARIA, CA. June 10, 2025] - The City of Santa Maria has been recognized for its energy efficiency efforts with a $14,731 rebate from Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). The rebate was issued for the recent installation of energy-efficient pool covers by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center. The measurement used for a unit of heat energy is a “therm”. Compared to pools that do not use covers, new energy efficient pool covers are projected to save the
Steering the Storm: How Small Businesses Can Grow Without Losing Control
Growth in a small business isn’t just about chasing bigger numbers or expanding into new markets. It’s a balancing act between building out and holding down what makes the operation stable in the first place. Too much, too fast, and it crumbles; too slow, and it risks irrelevance. Managing growth is less a rigid blueprint and more a constantly adjusted map, tailored to match the terrain as it shifts underfoot. Refuse to Scale Without Systems No business can grow on enthusiasm alone. What begins as a
Adulting Day with BGCMCC
Cloverlane Foundation LAUNCHES NEW Program for Nursing Students at Allan Hancock College
The nonprofit Cloverlane Foundation announced the launch of the Nurses Project, a new program to provide textbooks and other educational resources for nursing students with the initial savings for students of $35,000. Allan Hancock College is the first school selected to participate in what is intended to become a multi-college program.The Nurses Project is launching at Hancock with two initial grants. A new book fund will create a textbook loan program for students in the college’s Licensed Vocational
A.T. Still University Students Deliver 100 Summer Activity Kits for CALM Clients in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA. June 2025 – CALM was honored to receive a generous donation of 100 customized summer activity kits from students and faculty at A.T. Still University’s Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program. They were carefully assembled with age-appropriate items for CALM clients ranging from infants to teens, and each one includes a handwritten card of encouragement from the student who assembled it. The activity kits are a direct way for the students at ATSU to spread joy, promote
37th District Buyer’s Coalition Report
JOIN OUR EFFORTS The 37th District Buyer’s Coalition serves youth livestock exhibitors, the homeless, housebound individuals, veterans and those facing food insecurity. So why are we seeking help to purchase youth livestock projects? About 1/3 of the exhibitors at the 2024 Santa Barbara County Fair DID NOT BREAK even on their livestock projects and many others barely covered their expenses. We find that unacceptable as these kids work diligently to learn, lead, and succeed in agricultural
Santa Maria and Guadalupe City Councils Approve Transit System Consolidation
In a move poised to enhance regional connectivity and streamline public transportation, the City Councils of Santa Maria and Guadalupe have approved the consolidation of the Guadalupe Flyer with Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT). This landmark decision marks a significant step towards creating a more efficient, integrated, and rider-centric transit network across northern Santa Barbara County.Recognizing the close ties and shared ridership between the two cities, and acknowledging the challenges faced by
And the 2025 Hancock Honors recipients are...
Introducing the 2025 Hancock Honors Recipients This year, the Allan Hancock College Foundation is recognizing three deserving honorees who collectively have made significant contributions to the college and to northern Santa Barbara County. Jim GlinesCo-founder, Community Bank of Santa Maria Jim Glines (1942–2025) was a Santa Maria legend who raised millions of dollars for Allan Hancock College and other local causes through his distinct homespun style of auctioneering. Jim co-founded Community
Chamber Welcomes New Members from April 2025
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of April!April 2025 New MembersAmerican Solar CompanyElectronic Payments El Toro Loco SupermarketHerencia Indigena LLCHotel Virginia, Tapestry Collection by HiltonInn at the Pier, Curio Collection by HiltonMeraz Catering and Events
Chamber Welcomes New Members from March 2025
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of March!March 2025 New MembersAllure BallroomAvila Lighthouse SuitesCorazon Latino Empire Real Estate Group - Maressa Martinez, RealtorOff Broadway Mini StoragePismo Lighthouse SuitesRestoration Masters LLC RowCal Property ManagementShore Cliff HotelSnapit360Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach
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Chamber Welcomes New Members from February 2025
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of February!February 2025 New MembersBMW of Santa MariaCommunity VolkswagenFive Star FencingOrcutt Grocery OutletPeople's Self-Help HousingPINK LegalRenewable Properties - EV Fleet Charging HubVandenberg Senior Residence
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Chamber Welcomes New Members from January 2025
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of January!January 2025 New MembersAdelina's BistroApricot Lane ForeverGreen Agriculture, Inc.Partners in Housing SolutionsPhotoworks Heidi GruetzemacherRamirez Cleaning Solutions, Inc.Santa Maria SpeedwaySanta Maria TerraceSmart System Booking LLCTrilogy Monarch Dunes
Chamber Welcomes New Members from December 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of December!December 2024 New MembersLLCArclight MediaEdward Jones - Office of Alid GonzalezLittle House by the Park Santa Maria Youth and Family CenterWilliams Bros. Properties, Inc.
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Leadership Santa Maria Valley Youth & Education Day
“Messy Play” encouraged in Certified Outdoor Classrooms at two different facilities and a Community College program that boasts a nearly 100% transfer rate were just a couple of highlights at Leadership Santa Maria Valley’s most recent session as we gathered to learn more about Education and Youth Services. The day began with breakfast sponsored by Celeste Coelho-Hudson, and food provided by Panera Bread at the YMCA. Following breakfast, we enjoyed an in-depth tour of the YMCA Preschool where we
Chamber Welcomes New Members from November 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of November! November 2024 New MembersLLCBBSI - Santa MariaBBSI - Santa BarbaraEb5 Investors Mision Libertad Vasquez Financial Group
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Santa Maria Valley, CA Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
Chamber Welcomes New Members from October 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of October! October 2024 New MembersLLCBeen There Caught That LLCCentral Coast Web DesignEdward Jones - Troy ProberIdler's HomeIdler's Home - SLO Sleep & Comfort StudioJAYBIRD Brand + Creative + Marketing ConsultancySerendipity Event RentalsSMI HVAC ServicesValley View Estates Homes
Chamber Welcomes New Members from September 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of September! September 2024 New MembersDiversity Coalition San Luis Obispo CountyNow Realty Brokered by eXp Paul CookRed RobinSanta Maria Firefighters Local 2020U.S. Bank U.S. Bank Mortgage
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Chamber Welcomes New Members from August 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of August! August 2024 New MembersAdi Ringer PhotographyCen Cal Business Finance Group Glenn MorrisLincoln Group Inc. & Lincoln IndustrialReadyWork IncWicks Roofing and Solar
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Chamber Welcomes New Members from July 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of July! July 2024 New MembersBeso Cocina / 1920 SpeakeasyCapuno’s Lutong BahayOld Orcutt YarnerySanta Maria Tax and Bookkeeping ServiceSKYWAY NIGHTSVere Marketing Group
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Chamber Welcomes New Members from June 2024
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome these businesses who joined membership in the month of June! June 2024 New MembersA Mi Manera Mexican Cuisine & MariscosCassia ApartmentsAmeriCorpsCity of Santa Maria Transit DivisionCentral Courier LLCTheodore Harmand AppraisalsWalkthrough ProductionsWater Fixers Plumbing & Filtration, Inc.
