Estate tax rules challenge middle-class heirs
The federal estate tax is gone for 2010. But estate planners and political scientists say a crop of uncertainties and unintended consequences have sprung up in its place. In a move that surprised longtime lobbyists and observers, the U.S. Senate let the federal estate tax — the tax levied on wealth passed on to heirs Read More →
Banking
Jim Glines sure knows how to seal a deal. The fifth-generation Santa Marian developed his knack for dealmaking during his early years on a cattle ranch near Cuyama. Now, as president of the Community Bank of Santa Maria, he’s finding new ways to put his auctioneering skills to use, implementing country strategy into the community Read More →
Film ordinance preliminarily approved
The Santa Paula City Council is moving to make it easier for producers to film in the Heritage Valley. The City Council voted 5-0 on Jan. 4 to preliminarily approve an ordinance that would make the process of getting permits to film television shows, commercials and movies in the city easier, the Ventura County Star Read More →
Getting better with time
Walking into the Liquor and Wine Grotto in Montecito is like stepping into a mom-and-pop store one would expect to find in Italy. The store has stone floors, vine-covered walls and racks stocked with wines and liquors of every age, origin and price. The front entrance itself resembles a large, wooden wine barrel and lights Read More →
Insurance merger aids Hub International
The first major deal of 2010 will see two insurance heavyweights combine forces in the Tri-Counties. On Jan. 6, the Central Coast arm of Hub International Insurance acquired Ogilvy-Hill Insurance of Santa Barbara in a transaction that will net Hub millions in additional revenue, an office in Oxnard and 40 more employees. Full terms of Read More →
Breaking news: Former Santa Barbara mayor Harriet Miller dies
Former Santa Barbara Mayor Harriet Miller, a driving force behind the restoration of the Granada Theatre, has died. An educator and former executive director of AARP, Miller served on the Santa Barbara City Council beginning in 1987 and was mayor from 1995-2002. Media reports put her age at 90 years old. Feisty but with a Read More →
