Cover Story
What’s with weed?
Whether you think of it as a gateway drug or miracle medicine, you have to admit: Marijuana has been in the news lately. From the debate over a proposed marijuana dispensary in Orcutt, to the 30,000 plants found near the origins of the Los Padres fire in August, to the recent Santa Maria arrest…
Another Republican enters the race for California’s 33rd District Assembly seat
The candidate roster for the Republican nomination for the 33rd District Assembly seat has been bumped back up to four. On Oct. 21, longtime San Luis Obispo resident Matt Kokkonen filed papers to run for the position, which is being vacated in 2010 by Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) due to term limits. Locals…
What are you going to be for Halloween?
Kiara Estrada princess “Jasmine, because I like princesses.” Christian Williams part-time hero “Spiderman. He’s my favorite superhero, and I have webs for my costume.” Sedyna Tovak student of costumes “A genie. Or a goth, which I think would be awesome.” [image-4] Aedyn Taylor explorer “Indiana Jones, because he does cool stuff.”
Political Watch 10-29
Following former Santa Maria City Council member Marty Mariscal’s decision to withdraw from the race for the 33rd District Assembly seat, fellow Republican candidate and San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian (4th District) told the Sun: “I’m sorry to see him drop out. I had an opportunity to meet with him a couple times,…
Community Notebook 10-29
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office…
Strong makes a case for new leadership
I If Republican candidate Fred Strong gets elected to the 33rd District Assembly seat, it won’t be his first time representing Central Coast citizens at the state level. The Paso Robles mayor pro tem has spent several decades in Sacramento, first as a lobbyist and then as a member of two League of California…
Marian nurses to stage single-day strike?
Barring a last-minute resolution of a labor dispute between the state’s nurses union and Catholic Healthcare West, Marian Medical Center nurses could walk out on Oct. 30, joining ranks for the union’s one-day strike. Talks between the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee and CHW on a new four-year contract are hinging on nurses’…
Following in Carnegie’s footsteps
Andrew Carnegie wasn’t the first—and definitely wasn’t the last—philanthropist to be honored for his gift to Santa Maria. On Nov. 5, the annual Celebrate Philanthropy! luncheon will honor people who have contributed immensely to benefit the community of the Santa Maria Valley. The Allan Hancock College, Marian Medical Center, and Santa Barbara foundations originally…
Anti-gang effort sweeps north Santa Maria
A group of approximately 40 law enforcement officials recently conducted a gang sweep in response to reports of increased criminal activity in the northern Santa Maria area. On Oct. 23, officers from a handful of city, county, and state agencies worked together to target 49 suspected West Park gang members. According to a press release…
Santa Barbara supervisors approve Union Valley Parkway project
After decades of deliberating and planning, the Union Valley Parkway project—a freeway interchange and extension running through Orcutt and Santa Maria—is finally becoming a reality. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved at its Oct. 27 meeting the portion of the project under county jurisdiction, giving the OK for phase one of development…
Army compound dedicated in honor of fallen Vandenberg engineer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers compound on Camp Victory, Iraq, has a new name. On Oct. 22, the compound was officially designated Camp Wolfe in honor of Navy Cmdr. Duane Wolfe. An activated Navy reservist and civilian employee with Vandenberg Air Force Base, Wolfe was killed on May 25 when an improvised explosive device…
Program provides Stepping Stones to a good education
Need licensed childcare for your preschooler? YMCA Stepping Stones Childcare, located in the Betteravia Government Center, and the YMCA Young Children’s Preschool, located at 3400 Skyway Drive in Santa Maria, are now enrolling children ages 2 to 5 years old. The prerequisite is potty training. The Stepping Stones center is a licensed and fully…
It’s transfer time
Students interested in transferring to a four-year university—and their parents—are invited to attend Allan Hancock College’s University Transfer Day on Nov. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Santa Maria campus student center (building G). Attendees will get a chance to talk to representatives from approximately 40 colleges and universities in California…
Take a future business leader to lunch
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for business people to sponsor students at its Future Business Leaders of America luncheon on Nov. 10 at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center in Santa Maria. For a $30 donation, sponsors can “take a future business leader to lunch,” and have the opportunity to…
Students get down to business
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for business owners to sponsor students for their Take a Future Business Leader to Lunch event, to be held on Nov. 10. During the event, members of the Future Business Leaders of America from the Santa Maria and Orcutt Union High School districts will have…
Certifiably solar
North County residents interested in converting their homes to solar have a newly certified installer available locally to serve their energy needs. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners recently certified Gary Gordon, owner of Santa Ynez Valley Solar, into its program. Certification holders must meet experience and educational prerequisites, pass a comprehensive…
Take a taste test
Tastefully Simple, an award-winning direct sales company specializing in easy-to-prepare foods, recently welcomed Santa Maria resident Jessica Elledge as an independent consultant. Elledge will offer the company’s gourmet foods at home taste-testing parties, where guests get product samples, recipes, and serving suggestions. Tastefully Simple is based in Alexandria, Minn., and was inducted into…
Talk about carriers
Cell phone and service store Total Wireless is now under new ownership—and adding more carriers to its lineup. Joining the T-Mobile service already offered, Sprint and Boost mobile services will now be available to Total Wireless customers. Owner Maggie Stukas, who took over on Oct. 1, invites the public to visit the store and…
Trespassers will be shot
Technically, I am not allowed in my own kitchen—or “my wife’s kitchen,” I should say. I am occasionally granted permission to enter the air space around “her” kitchen, but only to do menial tasks like take out the stinking trash or kill a life-threatening evil spider. Any other kitchen access (like getting some cheese and…
Halloweens, past and future
Halloween is my favorite holiday, even more than Hanukkah and Christmas. There’s no stressful gift buying, card writing, or party-planning. Halloween is even better than Thanksgiving. No visitors, putting up guests, putting up with family quirks, meal planning, bird thawing, pie baking. But those holidays are another story. Let’s focus on All Hallow’s Eve! You…
Pool party
Last year, the St. Joseph High School boys’ water polo team won a single game. This time around, the Knights are doing more than just keeping their heads above water—they’re challenging for the Los Padres League title. “This year has been amazing,” said head coach John Walker. “Last year, we were teaching them…
Kambria Sanders
Kambria Sanders may be a rookie, but she doesn’t perform like one. As a newbie to the local gymnastics center, Sanders has defied the odds by qualifying for sectionals and barely missing state by half a point. Sanders, 10 years old, has definitely dropped her audience’s jaws with her talent in the realm of…
Crab lovers unite!
Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County needs participants for its annual Crab-A-Licious Torch Run and crab feed on Nov. 6. All-you-can-eat snow crab, pasta, salad, and bread will be on the menu, as will live musical entertainment by Class Action and a silent auction complete with prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. …
Wine of dreams
Over the millennia, wine has fueled countless fancies and big adventures, some noble and others just plain crazy. Among the more recent and distinctly noble of these enterprises, Vino de Sueños (“wine of dreams”) aims to fulfill the needs of the region’s hardworking vineyard and farm laborers. Conceived under the auspices of People Helping…
Clubs & Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the…
Spiritual
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy…
Farmers Markets
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and…
Barbecues
ONGOING FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY barbecues Filipino food at the Smart and Final parking lot, N. Broadway on Saturdays and Sundays. Menu items include tri-tip, chicken, beef kabobs, chicken adobo, salad, rice, and bread. Meals cost $6. Info: 922-3422 or 922-3799. FILIPINO CATHOLIC SOCIETY, under the direction of St. Mary’s Church…
Health
THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH’s Recreation Division Community Development Department offers a health and wellness seminar about flu prevention and treatment on Nov. 4 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Veterans’ Hall. Free. Info: 773-7063 or pismobeach.org. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers a “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the…
Art
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents an exhibit featuring selections from the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival through Oct. 30 at the Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. The mixed media drawings of Richard Fisher show Nov. 2 through 30 at Shepard Hall in the library. Also showing…
Learning
COLAB hosts a dinner conference on “Taxes, Regulation, and Junk Science” Oct. 29 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, Santa Maria. Cost is $35. Info: 929-3148 or colabsbc.org. COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN CARING present a volunteer orientation and training on Oct. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, 111 South…
Recreation
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA holds registration for Adult Arena Soccer in several divisions with the deadline Jan. 14. Cost is $400 for member teams, $425 for participant teams. Info: 937-8521. WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division Community Development Department presents a “Standup Paddle Boarding Class” Nov. 7 or…
Kids & Family
MOTIONZ presents a Haunted Toy Shop Oct. 29 through 31 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at 218 Town Center East, Santa Maria. All night laser tag is Oct. 30 to 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cost is $20. Info: 922-6922 or motionz.net. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY’S AWESOME KIDS AWARD stops accepting nominations for…
Dance Lessons
WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division Community Development Department presents a “Hoop Dance Fusion!” class on Thursdays Dec. 3 through 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Pismo Veteran’s Hall, Pismo Beach. Cost is $30 to $40 per month. A “Hoop Dance Fitness” class meets Saturdays from 2 to…
Stage
PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis Nov. 5 through Dec. 23 in the Marian Theatre, Santa Maria. PCPA sells advanced tickets for its upcoming season through Oct. 31 at the box office, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $26.25 to…
Night Life
The following venues offer either regularly scheduled live entertainment or DJ-hosted dance music. Most performances start after 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. IN THE AREA ADDAMO VINEYARD/TASTING ROOM: 400 E Clark Ave., suite E, Santa Maria, 937-6400. Live music Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL:…
Concerts
BOOMERS! presents a Battle of the Bands competition featuring two performance nights and a finale night Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 at Boomers, Santa Maria. Info: 928-4942 or BoomersParks.com. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SAN LUIS OBISPO BLUES SOCIETY presents Ronnie Baker Brooks in concert with Pryor Baird and the Deacons opening Oct. 31…
Special Events
RIVERBENCH WINERY presents a Heavenly Honey tasting event on Nov. 1 from noon to 4 p.m. at the winery, 6020 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8340. PATHWAYS TO THE SPIRIT presents an “All Souls Day Celebration” on Nov. 1 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Historical Minerva Club, 127 W. Boone St.,…
Spooky Events
THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM presents its annual “Batty Ball” costume carnival featuring a costume parade and contest, face painting, games, crafts, and food on Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 928-8414. THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM holds a pumpkin carving…
Discovery Museum gets batty
The Discovery Museum hosts its annual Batty Ball from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Discovery Museum. The family-focused event features a costume parade and contest, professional face painting, a variety of games and crafts, and food from Me n Ed’s Pizza. The museum’s exhibits and activities will also be available to…
Big minds think small
It takes big creativity to create the tiniest works of art. The C Gallery’s latest challenge was to encourage artists to submit works no larger than 6-by-6 inches. More than 30 artists—ranging in age from 7 to 80—submitted work into the show. Pieces range from paintings, wax creations, animation caricatures, sculptures, and wood…
Art on the box
What does a responsible, planet-loving newspaper do with old, worn newspaper boxes? Recycle them, of course. That part was a no-brainer. But in Sun style, simply recycling is too easy. We had to take it a step further. Sun publisher Bob Rucker decided to make the boxes do double duty, offering up newspapers…
