Cover Story
Outside the lines
Bill Denneen didn’t set out to be a pioneer. Still, that’s the path he started on when he decided in the early 1960s that his life’s goal was to be completely self-sufficient by generating his own power, collecting his own water from the sky, and growing his own food. A self-described activist, Denneen was born…
What was your favorite childhood book?
Daniel Godinez student “Brown Bear, Brown Bear. I absolutely loved that book a lot, a lot.” Cassie Jackson student “Green Eggs and Ham. It’s just the best book ever.” Raquel Haven student/mother “Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, ’cause it was the first book I ever read and I loved it.” Lori Bailey B. Dalton…
Law of the land
A controversial bill that would allow California counties to cancel Williamson Act contracts on behalf of tribal governments hit a roadblock during an April 15 committee hearing in Sacramento. Established in 1965, the Williamson Act protects California’s ag land by giving landowners property tax breaks in exchange for agreeing to keep the land agriculturally zoned…
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 Santa…
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 Communion…
Farmers Market
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 vegetables.…
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 and St.…
Health
MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER presents a “Healthier Living: Your Life, Take Care” class on April 23 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the hospital. “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at the hospital. Info: 739-3578. ONGOING SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS HEALING ARTS…
Art
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents its annual Spring Show, featuring the works of local artists through April 26 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: lompocvalleyartassociation.com or 737-1129. MARILYN DOVER BENSON is the featured artist for the month of April at Vandenberg Village Library on Constellation Road in Lompoc. Info: 937-8108…
Learning
THE NIPOMO LIBRARY hosts former Peace Corps Volunteer Penny Porter speaking about the Peace Corps on April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Nipomo Library, 918 West Tefft St., Nipomo. Info: 929-3888 or eva-bill@att.net. CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY holds informational sessions about its educational programs April 28 at 5 p.m. and April 29 at 5 p.m. about…
Recreation
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA presents its 15th annual Tri-for-Fun Triathlon on April 25 at the YMCA, 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8521. ONGOING A MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BEACH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE with four-on-four teams, no contact, is every Sunday at the beach in front of the Sandcastle Inn, Pismo Beach. Cost is $3…
Kids & Family
THE GUADALUPE-NIPOMO DUNES CENTER presents a “Refuge Family Day” event featuring display stations along a quarter-mile hike on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting at the intersection of Beigle Road and Oso Flaco Lake Road, off of Highway 1, Nipomo. Info: 343-2455, Ext. 204, or info@dunescenter.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE EXPLORATION STATION…
Dance Lessons
ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to adult. Call for schedules. Boys and men receive full scholarships. The studio is located at 800 S. Broadway. Info: 937-6753. COUNTRY WESTERN DANCE CLASSES by Jeannette and Henry are Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for country two-step lessons and from 8…
Stage
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE YOUTH DANCE presents its production of Billy Goats Gruff and Dancing Cats April 24, 25, and 26 in the Severson Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $10, $8 for seniors. Info: 922-8313. LAKEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL’S Drama Department presents its production of Beauty and the Beast April…
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 CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, 614-9316. DJ Davey D Saturday nights. THE COACHMAN: 1531 S. Broadway, 922-5556. Thursday through Saturday: DJ from 9 p.m. to…
Concerts
THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA presents a concert featuring the pieces by Thomas, Beethoven, and Brahms on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, McCoy Lane and College Drive, Santa Maria. Cost is $27, $22 for seniors, $12 for students. Info: 925-0412. THE ALLAN HANCOCK SINGERS directed by Ann Lucas, performs a concert…
Special Events
THE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SANTA MARIA holds a meeting featuring a performance by the Oasis Ukulele Band on April 23 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy Lane, Santa Maria. Info: 937-7776. THE SANTA MARIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL features carnival rides, games, food booths, live entertainment, and a farmers’ market April 24…
This one won’t be a sleeper
The Sleeping Beauty—with former assistant director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Alexi Badrak, as guest director—will be staged by the Santa Maria Civic Ballet and Everybody Can DANCE on June 6 at 7 p.m. and June 7 at 3 p.m. at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks, Arroyo Grande. The role of…
Reach out for literacy
“Reaching Out … An Evening of Celebration” will be held May 2 at the Santa Maria Country Club at 505 W. Waller Lane. This fundraiser benefit for literacy on the Central Coast is the second annual and is named for the books and philosophy of Dr. Francisco Jimenez, who centered his autobiographical works on Santa…
The spirit of progress
Even though his career reaches back into the mid ’80s, no one has ever accused local singer songwriter Glen Phillips of sitting still. Ever since he first took to the stage out front of Toad the Wet Sprocket at the tender age of 16, Phillips’ musical life has been in constant motion. Having released five…
Exotic escape
About two years ago, I took up kickboxing. Muay Thai to be exact. The national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai is like cardio kickboxing on crack. It combines traditional punch combinations with several kinds of kicks, and—if you want to get really fancy—flying elbows and knees. Practicing Muay Thai has taught me a lot of…
Community Notebook 4-23
MONDAY, APRIL 27 • The Nipomo Community Advisory Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Services District Headquarters, 148 S. Wilson St., Nipomo. TUESDAY, APRIL 28 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Are they or are they not they closing their doors? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. After the recent media blitz proclaiming dire financial circumstances at PCPA, the locals aren’t sure whether—despite 45 years in this community—PCPA is on the verge of going under. The Sun’s readers want to know, I told PCPA Artistic Director…
Wasting no time in changing the world
The Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County will be honoring people who’ve given outstanding service to the community at its fourth annual Champions dinner. The commission is a private, nonprofit social service agency committed to helping low-income residents achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. It currently serves about 10,000 members whose needs outweigh their ability to…
Army Corps of Engineers will soon begin levee repairs
Long-awaited repairs on the Santa Maria River Levee could begin as early as this summer, project engineers announced on April 17, during a meeting along the Santa Maria riverbed. Col. Tom Magness of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers informed a group of local officials—including U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and Santa Maria Mayor…
Santa Barbara County officials, environmental groups tell federal government to stop offshore oil drilling
Delegates from Santa Barbara County recently attended a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in San Francisco to talk about the natural resources of the Outer Continental Shelf and, more specifically, the future of offshore drilling. The meeting was one of four regional meetings around the country held by the Department of…
Orcutt citizen group sues over Union Valley Parkway project
The city of Santa Maria, Santa Maria City Council members, and Santa Barbara County could be heading to court over the Union Valley Parkway project after being sued on April 17 by local environmental group Orcutt Citizens for Better Environment (OCBE) and two local residents. On April 15, OCBE and Frank and Pat Culley filed…
Association nixes federal stimulus funding for Santa Maria River bridge project
Federal stimulus money originally intended for widening the Santa Maria River bridge will now go into local government coffers, following an overwhelming decision from the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). On April 16, SBCAG voted 11-0, with county Supervisor Joni Gray and Carpinteria City Councilmember Joe Armendariz absent, to allocate the money to…
Strawberry Festival kicks off its 22nd year
Strawberries are having their time in the sun. This year marks the 22nd annual Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, where family, festival rides, and strawberries meet. This year’s theme is “Red, Ripe, and Ready”—fitting for the two-day extravaganza. The festival launch marks the beginning of strawberry season. It also highlights the importance of the strawberry…
Selina Gonzalez
Selina Gonzalez was born and raised in Santa Maria and began playing sports when she was only 4 years old. Early on, she was coached by her cousin, Tony Lara, and she grew up playing ball with his daughter on the Central Coast. Shortly after playing co-ed T-ball, she moved up to recreational softball, which…
Students take on the police
The Cabrillo High School Girls’ Varsity Team will host a softball game on April 25 against Lompoc police officers to raise money for the Lompoc Police Department’s Relay for Life. The teams will hit the diamond at Cabrillo High School’s softball field at 11 a.m. The Cabrillo ladies’ team will bring the heat by throwing…
They’ve got a fast car
The Santa Maria Speedway—kicking off its 2009 season on April 25—is under new management this year. That would be 39-year-old Chris Kearns, a former racer who started promoting three years ago. Kearns was doing just that (promoting, not racing) at the Santa Maria Town Center on April 18, along with 30 of the cars that…
Children and teachers need your support
I am a student at Nipomo High School, where, a month ago on March 13, we held a demonstration protesting the unfair budget cuts that could cost our school a third of its teachers. More than 800 kids, including me, stood out on the quad in support of the teachers whose jobs have been threatened.…
Let world leaders’ actions speak against racism
In view of the fact that this conference is basically one more attempt to chastise Israel instead of those countries such as the Sudan, etc., who are truly criminal in their abusive actions against their own people, for example, our own president should definitely not attend. Nor should any representative from the United States. In…
Non-permitted food carts are a blight
The many non-motorized and non-permitted food carts throughout Santa Maria, both bicycle and push carts, pose a real health threat to our community. Most of these non-permitted food carts can be seen throughout our community in the north end of town in the shopping centers and residential areas. Not only are they a blight to…
Greetings From Joan moves into the mall
The Santa Maria Town Center recently welcomed its newest addition: gift card store Greetings From Joan, located next to the new lower level food court in the Sears wing. The store carries exclusive items, such as Terri Clare handmade jewelry, Barrington Baby specialty clothing and gifts, BSAB Soy candles, and elite purses from Ruth Michael.…
On women, work, and wages
The County of Santa Barbara Commission for Women and the American Association of University Women are combining forces to present a free panel discussing the empowerment of women in the workplace on April 30. Featured speakers will be Angel Cottrell of Women’s Economic Ventures, Maria Fabula of the Nonprofit Support Center, Kelly Jenkins-Pultz of the…
The fight against homelessness gets a new director
Bringing Our Community Home, an organization dedicated to ending chronic homelessness in Santa Barbara County, appointed John Buttny as interim executive director. Buttny previously served as the organization’s project coordinator and brings more than 30 years of community leadership and public service experience to the job. He received an undergraduate degree in philosophy from the…
Community Bank of Santa Maria earns five-star rating
Banking analyst BauerFinancial awarded Community Bank of Santa Maria five stars in its annual ratings. That’s the highest rating the independent research firm can give. Community Bank of Santa Maria is headquartered in Santa Maria. It opened in March 2001 and now operates three local branches and boasts 52 employees. BauerFinancial has reported on the…
Students wrote the show
The PCPA in the Schools project began as a series of writing workshops last winter. A second phase in the spring transformed students’ words into a script for PCPA’s conservatory students. The end result is a full, free performance of the student-written This Is My Story. Complimentary seating for the 7 p.m. show on April…
Each one teach one
Learn what it takes to become a teacher at the 2009 “Becoming a Teacher” seminar at Allan Hancock College on May 6. Attendees will find information on steps to becoming a teacher, along with credential information, preparation for the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), and local options for earning a degree. Future educators will…
Comcast cares about Bonita Elementary School
On April 25, dozens of teachers, students, and parents at Bonita Elementary School in Santa Maria will roll up their sleeves for some spring cleaning and campus beautification as part of Comcast Cares Day. Accompanied by more than 20 Comcast Cable employees, volunteers will lay down new bark in the main playground area and refurbish…
Help put a stop to child abuse
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, several Northern Santa Barbara County organizations are hosting the North County Child Abuse Prevention Summit on April 30 at the Santa Maria Inn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local residents are invited to learn about child abuse and neglect in the…
Taste Old Italy in Old Orcutt
Once a sleepy crossroads, Old Orcutt now bustles with diners drawn to its ever-evolving mix of quick eats and fine cuisine. Among the newest culinary stars on the block, Trattoria Uliveto has been serving traditional Italian fare since August 2008, and continues to celebrate the enduring appeal of simple flavors gracefully rendered. Housed in the…
