🌱 How a $66 million county gap could hit Santa Maria services
Greetings Santa Maria! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $66 million county gap could hit Santa Maria services
- How you can help replace stolen toys for Santa Maria families
- How did Santa Maria High dominate Valley Christian on the hardwood?
Also on today's calendar: Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in San Luis Obispo, CA and 6 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Santa Maria? Post it to Santa Maria photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 49 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 73, low: 44.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 65 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Santa Barbara County Forecasts Budget Challenges For Next Five Years (keyt.com) — Santa Maria hosted Tuesday’s Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting, where officials warned of a projected $66 million General Fund deficit over the next five years. The shortfall could strain Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other safety-net services, prompting a new Budget Balancing Framework focused on cuts, efficiencies, new revenue, and careful use of reserves. 
• Scrooge Steals From Catholic Charities Toy Giveaway in Santa Maria (noozhawk.com) — A break-in at Knights of Columbus Hall in Santa Maria emptied bags of toys, bikes, and clothes meant for about 50 local families in Catholic Charities’ Christmas giveaway. Santa Maria Police investigated but made no arrests, and organizers are urgently seeking new donations at 507 S. McClelland St. to salvage the event for children in need.
• High school basketball: Monday's scores (latimes.com subscription) — Santa Maria High’s boys and girls basketball teams both rolled past Valley Christian Academy on Monday, winning 86-69 and 61-37 in Southern Section play. The roundup also lists dozens of other boys’ and girls’ scores from across the region, but Santa Maria’s strong showings stand out for local fans.
📸 Around Santa Maria
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Santa Maria
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in San Luis Obispo, CA
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo, 333 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo
7:00 pm
Tuesday January 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Bar Takeover at Steller's Cellar
Steller's Cellar , 400 E. Clark Ave. , Orcutt
4:00 pm -
Karaoke Night
Lark + Sparrow , 155 E. Clark Ave., Ste. 110 , Orcutt
6:30 pm -
Live Music & Dinner
Steller's Cellar , 400 E Clark Ave , Orcutt
5:30 pm -
Holiday Vibes- Teen Takeover: Pj's Holiday Hangout
Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center , 600 S McClelland St , Santa Maria
6:00 pm -
Live Music Fridays
Lark + Sparrow , 155 E. Clark Ave., Ste. 110 , Orcutt
7:00 pm -
Trivia Night
Lark + Sparrow , 155 E. Clark Ave., Ste. 110 , Orcutt
7:00 pm -
Wine Wednesday BINGO!-Wine Stone Inn
Wine Stone Inn , 255 W. Clark Ave. , Old Orcutt
5:00 pm -
Bar Takeover at Steller's Cellar
Steller's Cellar , 400 E. Clark Ave. , Orcutt
4:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Monday December 22
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
📣 Santa Maria Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Atascadero @ Ernest Righetti
Ernest Righetti High School , 941 E Foster Rd , Santa Maria
3:30 pm -
Wine Wednesday BINGO!-Wine Stone Inn
Wine Stone Inn , 255 W Clark Ave , Orcutt
5:00 pm -
Wine Bingo Wednesday's!
Wine Stone Inn , 255 W Clark Ave , Orcutt
5:00 pm -
Pet Wellness Clinic, SBCAS Santa Maria shelter
County of Santa Barbara: Santa Maria Animal Shelter , 548 W Foster Rd , Santa Maria
10:00 am
Wednesday December 17
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Santa Maria PatchAM possible:
- Mobile Detailing — (805) 668-7518
Professional mobile detailing services
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Copied☑️☑️☑️
Many of our friends are no longer with us. And those of us still here are lovingly called “the elderly.” But what a journey it has been. We were born… (Nextdoor Downtown District) - Morning All,
Who does online deliveries for groceries, or to be more precise, who is the best grocery store to order groceries for my mother? I am not feeling… (Nextdoor Santa Maria/Waller Park)
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Santa Maria. Apply here.
- TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for 70120 - Seasonal Retail Associate Part Time in Santa Maria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Maria here.
🗞 Nearby News
Orcutt
- Veterans Stand Down 2025 Helps Some 420 Former Service Members (noozhawk.com)
- Mark your calendars: Weekly sports schedule for Dec. 15-21 (lompocrecord.com)
Nipomo
- Our Lady of Guadalupe procession to Nipomo returns for fifth year (ksby.com)
- One of SLO County's premier golf resorts plans a 125-unit housing expansion (sanluisobispo.com)
- Basketball Game Preview: Reedley Pirates vs. Mt. Whitney Pioneers + Official Tickets (maxpreps.com)
Mission Hills
Ok Santa Maria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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