Community Spirit

P.A.L. Mentor Program Seeks Mentors This Summer

The Police Activities League (P.A.L.) has a high need for mentors to work with Santa Maria’s teens. Mentors are caring individuals who want to make a difference in the life of the city’s youth. P.A.L. is in the recruitment phase of its new Mentoring Program and invites adults in the Santa Maria community to become a part of P.A.L.’s efforts to provide youth with positive and healthy lifestyle choices.

PAL provides recreation and leisure programs taught by local law enforcement officers and volunteers to the community’s youth.

The P.A.L. Mentoring Program will require each mentor to spend one hour a week with a youth in our after-school or evening program. Through one-on-one relationships, mentors and teens will be engaged in a number of fun activities that may include, but are not limited to: Reading, games, sports, music, arts and crafts, and more.

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Santa Barbara County Fair Opens

By John

SANTA MARIA- 119th Annual Santa Barbara County Fair themed "Summertime Fun" Features carnival, fun & educational exhibits & shows, plenty of "fun" Fair food and bbq, Destruction Derby, Country Rodeo and Free Main Stage entertainment including Grand Funk Raiload, WAR, Little Big Town and The Beach Boys, and MUCH MORE!

Fair opens Wednesday, July 14th at 11am.

More Info:http://www.santamariafairpark.com/scheduled-events/

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Free Swim Days

By Laurie

The People for Leisure And Youth Inc., P.L.A.Y. Inc., is sponsoring “Free Swim Days” again at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center’s Olympic sized swimming pool in Santa Maria. The dates for free swim are as follows: June 27, July 25 and August 23 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. “Free Swim Days” are open to community members of all ages. Children 5 years and under need to be accompanied by an adult.

P.L.A.Y. Inc. is a non-profit public benefit corporation committed to promoting public welfare and education through the acceptance of contributions for use in enhancing, maintaining, and promoting the recreation, leisure, and parks services offered by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department.

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"Stuff the Pet Food Pantry" Food Drive and Fundraiser

By Laurie

A "Stuff the Pet Food Pantry" food drive and fund raiser for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is planned from today through Sunday, 27 June, in Santa Maria. The event will be produced by the Santa Maria Valley Leadership Class of 2010 and sponsored by KCOY CBS 12 TV.

The event’s goal is to fill the Pet Food Pantry with leashes, collars, toys, food and other items to shelter animals and assist the community during these tough economic times. "Many people are unable to afford their pets and have to turn them into the humane society and other facilities. This is hard on the family and the pets.

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Public Library Receives Gift of Books

By John

SANTA MARIA-The Santa Maria Public Library is pleased to receive a gift of two sets of books about
California’s historic Missions, from Hesperian Lodge # 264 in Santa Maria. The twin
sets of 21 books are available in the Children’s Library.

The organization’s support enhances the Library’s objectives to encourage reading and
to assist children in their educational endeavors.
Since 1975, the lodge has supported a Spelling Bee for fourth-grade through sixthgrade
students at Santa Maria public schools.

An estimated 2,000 patrons per day visit the Library, located at 421 S. McClelland
Street. Information about the Library and its services is online at http://www.ci.santamaria.
ca.us/201.shtml

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New Kiosk Display Highlights City Landmarks

By Aaron

Information, photos and a map about Santa Maria’s 13 historical landmarks are featured on a new kiosk panel on the east side of the Public Library, in Lavagnino Plaza, near South McClelland Street.

Photos depict the former Pacific Coast Railway Depot; the downtown flagpole that
honors World War I veterans; the Four Corners at Main and Broadway where the City
began; the Veterans Memorial Cultural Center; the Minerva Club designed by architect
Julia Morgan; site of the first City-owned Water Works; and the Long House, now the
administration offices of the Recreation and Parks Department.

The panel, designed by Deborah L. Hildinger of the Library’s staff, is the latest project of the city’s Landmark Committee. The committee’s work is aimed at informing residents and visitors about significant historical, architectural, and cultural milestones in Santa Maria.

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Museum Hopes to Help Families in Need

By Katherine

SANTA MARIA—The benefits of being a member of the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum are exceptional and the Museum is beginning an ambitious drive to recruit 200 new members by June 30.

Achieving this membership goal now will set the Museum at 75% of it’s ultimate goal to have 1,000 before the end of the calendar year.

“Museum members are who we work for and who we think about when we plan programs, exhibits, and outreach projects,” says Kelly White O’Neill, executive director of the Museum.

“Having as many members as possible assures that we are serving lots of families and that we have a stable programming base so we can afford to offer some membership scholarships to needy families. If we can meet our goal of 200 new members by the end of June,” White O’Neill continues, “than we’d have some flexibility in our budget so that we could help families who need our museum but can’t afford a membership on their own right now.”

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Elks Rodeo Stampede 1 Mile Run to Kick of Elks Rodeo Parade

By Laurie

The People for Leisure And Youth Inc. or (P.L.A.Y. Inc.) of Santa Maria is pleased to host the 1st annual Elks Rodeo Stampede 1 Mile Run Saturday June 5. The race will be on Broadway and Main and go south to Broadway and Stowell. The Elks Parade will begin at Broadway and Main at the same time and the runners will precede the parade and run in front of 20,000 spectators.

Participants may register at the Santa Maria Recreation & Parks Department, 615 S.

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Police Activities League Searching for Volunteers

By Aaron

SANTA MARIA - The Police Activities League (P.A.L.) is looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the life of our youth. P.A.L. is in the recruitment phase of its new Mentoring Program and invites adults in the Santa Maria community to become a part of P.A.L.’s efforts to provide youth with positive and healthy lifestyle choices.

The P.A.L.

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KIDS DAY IN THE PARK! Sunday, May 23

By Katherine

Save The Date: May 23, 2010

For "KIDS DAY IN THE PARK!"

It is that time of year again! “Kids Day in the Park” is fast approaching, and the date for this year’s event is Sunday May 23, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

It will once again be held in Santa Maria’s Waller Park and we are hoping for a great turnout. We are celebrating our 25th year.

We will be serving lots of tantalizing food; there will be live entertainment and plenty of EVENTS for the kids, as well as a petting zoo, bounce houses, obstacle course, police/fire dept. etc.

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