Santa Maria

Local Dems get together for kickoff

A slew of local Democratic candidates and local officials including Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, will be together today for an election kickoff at the Santa Maria Democratic Club. The event begins at

10 a.m. at 327 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 2.

Also invited is Marta Jorgensen, who’s running against Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, for the 24th Congressional District, and Robert Cuthbert, who’s campaigning for the 33rd State Assembly District against Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo.

Capps and others are scheduled to be joined by local volunteers for presidential hopeful Barack Obama and a representative for Measure A, the county’s transportation tax.

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Goleta

New center opens on pier

Santa Barbara County officials held the grand opening of the new Goleta Pier Angler Center on Friday.

The multipurpose angler and marine education center replaces an antiquated restroom along the 1,450-foot recreational pier and centerpiece attraction of the county’s Goleta Beach County Park.

The center is a partnership between Santa Barbara County Parks and Recreation and the United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC).

The UPSAC staffer at the center will be known as the Pier Host and will teach both new and experienced anglers to fish successfully and responsibly while using environmentally friendly techniques and equipment.

The host will also sponsor angling clinics and provide on-pier assistance, promote appreciation of the environment, and oversee the UPSAC Line Recycle Project and maintain line bins designed to prevent injuries to sea birds from stray fishing lines.

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Guadalupe

Festival to close down section of Hwy. 1

Highway 1 in downtown Guadalupe will be closed Sunday for the annual Fiestas Patrias or the “Festivals of the Homeland” parade and celebration, according to Caltrans officials.

The highway closure will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. between 5th and 10th streets and detour signs will be posted for motorists.

The celebration honors the Sept. 16, 1810, call of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla that ushered in Mexico’s independence from Spain.

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Santa Barbara County

Capps announces receipt of grant

Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, announced that a $289,150 federal Department of Health and Human Services grant was awarded Friday to the Santa Barbara County Department of Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health program for methamphetamine recovery services.

The announcement comes days after a gang sweep in the Santa Maria Valley by a multi-agency, FBI-led task force that resulted in 25 arrests including federal charges of sales of large quantities of methamphetamine for 17 of the suspects who are related to the Northwest gang.

Several of the suspects potentially face life sentences or long terms in federal prison.

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Santa Maria

‘Valley Speaks’ event set for today

In its continuing mission to preserve the valley’s history, the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society is sponsoring its second “Valley Speaks” event today from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Santa Maria Inn.

The scheduled speaker in the series is Jim Glines, president of the Community Bank of Santa Maria, and a longtime resident of the valley.

The free event will be held in the Cabana Room next to the pool at the Santa Maria Inn on South Broadway, to accommodate the large number of people who are expected.

The first talk in the series on Aug. 9, featuring local attorney Richard Weldon, was moved to a larger room to handle the turnout.

Glines, a former president of the Santa Maria Historical Society and Santa Barbara County Fair, has belonged to Rancheros Visitadores since 1974 and has been a member of the Elks for 37 years.

The “Valley Speaks” series will feature various members of the community who will bring Santa Maria’s history to life on the second Saturday of the month for those new to town, too young to remember or in the mood to reminisce.

The third scheduled speaker in the series on Oct. 11 will be Mayor Larry Lavagnino, a Santa Maria native.

Those interested in attending the event or suggesting the name of someone who might want to speak at one of the sessions can call 934-3514.

— From staff reports