Cover Stories
The X-Factor
Demolition is nearly finished, building materials are being trucked in, and workers have begun pouring the concrete for a foundation—literally and figuratively—for the future of space flight at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. A handful of employees from Space Exploration Technologies, better known as SpaceX, are overseeing the work being done at the south…
A cinephile’s paradise
For a relatively little town, Santa Barbara takes its films very seriously. In addition to boasting an impressive lineup of selections ranging from regional to international, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, now in its 27th year, will also host 37 American and 16 world premieres—among them Darling Companion, starring Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline,…
What was your very first car?
Sherri Willebrand Retired educator “It was a 1935 Cadillac that my husband acquired in 1960. It was quite a conversation piece.” Jenny Martin student “A 2001 Ford Ranger truck that I got from my brother.” Vicki McPartland Musician “A 1969 ugly, olive-colored Dodge Challenger.” Miri Avisar Food Service “It was a beautiful green Peugeot and…
Help a local school and get the chance to make money off of cow poop
Orcutt Academy High School PTSA is offering one lucky winner the opportunity to pocket an extra $1,250: Cow Chip Bingo—and it’s not the Bingo your grandma plays on Wednesday night at Chumash Casino. People will have the chance to purchase Cow Chip Bingo plots prior to the event for $10 each. On Feb. 4 at…
What kids are reading
What better resolution to make in 2012 than to pry your youngsters away from the television and video games and place a book in their hands? There is nothing like settling into a quiet nook with a child and sharing a good read. Speaking of good reads, the 2012 American Library Association (ALA) awards were…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Jolly is the key word. Ninety party-goers had a jolly good time at the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s annual fund-raising dinner on the evening of Jan. 21 at the Radisson Hotel. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should have been there: Reason No. 10: You would have had the opportunity to hobnob with…
Fatima Cobarrubios needs your help
Four-year-old Fatima Cobarrubios, like most girls her age, is a big fan of Disney princesses. They adorn her hat, her shirt, and even her shoes. But when she shyly removes her hat to point at her favorite princess, Belle, her thinning hair is uncovered, a result of the chemotherapy she is undergoing to treat acute…
Nat Fast: A community leader and lover of “Discovery”
As a beloved community leader who embodies the spirit of the arts, no one has accomplished more to further arts education for Santa Maria Valley youth than Nat Fast. His personal dedication and unwavering support of the arts has inspired me, and so many others, to reach for our dreams and be a catalyst for…
Spotlight on: DenMat
Want to have a more attractive smile? Then you should pay attention to the products offered by this Santa Maria-based corporation. There are the Snap-on Smile® removable arches, custom fit LUMINEERS®, which are permanent veneers that will cover up crooked or discolored tooth imperfections. There is the LUMItray®, which will whiten your teeth in only…
Money wars
As of press time on Jan. 24, hundreds of cities, redevelopment agencies, and labor groups across California were still waiting to hear the outcome of S.B. 659, emergency legislation aimed at postponing the dissolution of more than 400 redevelopment agencies. The bill is the most recent Band-Aid slapped on the festering wound that is the…
The saga continues
The curious case involving a pair of San Luis Obispo County men accused of filing false documents against a Santa Barbara County judge continues to drag on, trying the patience of prosecutors and judges. For more than six months, San Luis Obispo marketing executive Jeff Lind and co-defendant Tom Murphy of Los Osos, have been…
PG&E admits it ‘lost track’ of 300 miles of gas pipelines
Two years ago, on the night of Sept. 9, 2010, the city of San Bruno, Calif., looked like a battle zone. With a deafening roar and a geyser of flames that could be seen for miles, a natural gas line explosion decimated a residential neighborhood near Skyline Boulevard and Interstate 280 in San Bruno. The…
Santa Maria City Council puts proposed sales tax in voters’ hands
Much to no one’s surprise, the Santa Maria City Council on Jan. 17 voted to adopt a series of resolutions setting up an emergency election to decide on a proposed quarter-cent citywide sales tax. With a unanimous vote, council members agreed the “crisis state” of the city’s finances necessitated the special election, to be held…
National agencies rally for the steelhead trout
Some local fish are about to get a big hand from the government. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a press release on Jan. 10 that unveiled the agency’s plan to restore the steelhead trout population from the Santa Maria River in Santa Barbara County south to the United States/Mexico border. Steelhead trout…
Una Hertzog
There seems to be significance with the No. 1 in Una Hertzog’s life. Besides her name, she started playing basketball in the first grade and, according to the Valley Christian Academy (VCA) girls’ basketball team’s statistics, she ranks at the top in almost every category. But as Hertzog’s stats continue to rise this season, she…
Common goals
The old saying goes, “familiarity breeds contempt,” but it certainly doesn’t apply to the Santa Ynez Valley Union boys’ soccer squad. In fact, it’s quite the opposite for the Pirates; the team is in the driver’s seat to win the Los Padres League with a roster of 12 seniors, many of whom have played together…
A man and his guitar
The decision to become a professional musician is wrought with overtones of uncertainty. It means depending solely on one’s own talents, skill, endurance, and love for the art. One local blue-collar musician, Patrick Montgomery, made the decision early in life. “I learned guitar as a kid and started building up a repertoire in high school…
Learn Japanese with your child
Spaces are still available for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center’s language program. The infant and toddler playgroup meets Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Preschoolers ages 2 to 5 years old meet on Fridays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and adults and children ages 6 and older meet on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to…
Know someone with a bright mind?
PG&E recently established the Bright Minds Scholarship program as a way to help people pursue a higher education. Approximately 10 scholarships of up to $30,000 each will be awarded, and any remaining awards will be $2,500 each. In order to apply, students must be at least 16 years old, a high school senior or graduate,…
Explore Las Flores Ranch Park
Beginning in February, Santa Maria residents will be able to experience the beauty of Los Flores Ranch Park for free with guided nature walks held the second Saturday of each month. The walks start promptly at 9 a.m. and are approximately two hours in length. Participants will learn about oak trees, plant life, birds, and…
City holds Madden 2012 tournament
Think you’re a Madden All-Pro? Prove it at the city of Santa Maria’s Madden NFL tournament for seventh to 12th graders on Feb. 4. Entrants will go head-to-head, tournament style, on the Playstation 3 version of the football video game, with a minimum of two games per player. Prizes will be given to the top…
Tennis tournament to help ‘Smash out’ breast cancer
For his senior project, Cabrillo High School student Dylan Damschroder is organizing a charity tennis tournament at the school on Feb. 11 and 12, with all proceeds being donated to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. The doubles tournament will have four age brackets: 11 years and younger, 12 to 14 years, 15…
Braves reap rewards
Lompoc running back Lavon Coleman, who helped lead the Braves to a 14-0 record and their second consecutive CIF Southern Section divisional title, was named to the first team offense of the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Junior Team. Coleman rushed for 2,038 yards and scored 26 touchdowns during the 2011 season for the Braves. Teammate…
Battle of the sexes
I have this theory that the battle of the sexes really comes down to this: there are some people who like nighttime sex and others who like morning sex. I happen to like night nookie, much to the disappointment of my husband Ron who is a happy, whistle-a-song morning person. It’s not so much that…
Looking for teen stars
The Teen Star Santa Barbara competition will hold auditions on Feb. 2 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Righetti High School. Audition applications must be turned in by Feb. 1. Prizes include $1,000 in cash, recording in a world-class studio, radio and TV appearances, opening performances at major local events, and the prestigious title of…
Best Friends author to sign books
Elizabeth Fields, former Los Alamos resident and author of Best Friends Forever, will kick off her California book tour with a book signing event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bookworm, 230 E. Betteravia Road, suite K, on Feb. 11. Then she’ll be at the Bookstore, 1137 North H St., in Lompoc for…
PCPA for all
A new $31,200 grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation and PCPA Foundation is ensuring that students from low-income households aren’t barred from the arts. The grant will allow schools to apply for fully subsidized special PCPA Education and Outreach touring performances, which bring live theater to the school. Made possible through the Santa Barbara Foundation’s…
Fifteen years of discovery
It wasn’t very long ago that Santa Maria was a different place—a smaller place, and definitely a place with few venues devoted to appealing to children’s sense of curiosity about the world around them. These days, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum fills that need. But it took a lot of brainstorming, planning, and, of…
Watch and listen
The 16th annual Morro Bay Bird Festival is held for four days over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend every year, drawing nearly 500 birders (yes, that is a word) from all over the country to Morro Bay, a globally important birding area. Registration for the entire four days is $75 and includes access to more…
Let love, not hate, prevail
My name is Mohammad Mohabbat and I’m the author of the internationally selling book “My Name is Mohammad,” which is a heart-wrenching story of my life. I have been working diligently for decades to bring people of the world together and not allow just a few misguided individuals to pit us against each other. My…
A love story
A new ray of sunshine is radiating from the old California town of Los Alamos. Her name is Sonja. Sonja Magdevski, of Malibu. The blonde beauty opened a charming wine tasting room in a prime location in downtown Los Alamos a month ago, and the townsfolk have lovingly taken her under their collective wing ever…
