Cover Story
Yeah, us.
It’s been a decade since the Sun first started publishing. We’ve changed. You’ve changed. But we’ve all also stayed the same. Click here to reminisce and look ahead.
How do you celebrate your birthday?
Grant Wolter bum “Cake with trick candles, Boomers, party hats, and Bollywood music. The usual.” Mark Adams jester “I stay home and read my favorite magazines, and then, for dinner, I go to Costco and eat their samples.” Brianna Everett student “I like to go sing some karaoke, and then order sashimi.” Kathy Lambert library…
Ten who’ve been
Please join us by clicking here to reflect on the sports talent hailing from the Central Coast in the last ten years.
Brandon Creath
You wouldn’t know it by looking at his statistics, but Allan Hancock College sophomore Brandon Creath is still the new kid on the mound. The 6-foot-3 right-hander is a perfect 5-0 as a starting pitcher for the Bulldogs with a 2.25 ERA through March 22. “The position players have been hitting the ball really well,”…
Kiwanis All-Star basketball game is here
Star varsity basketball players from Northern Santa Barbara County will take the court against San Luis Obispo County All-Stars at the 20th annual Kiwanis Central Coast All-Star Basketball competition on March 28. The evening tips off at Santa Maria High School’s Wilson Gymnasium with the girls’ game at 3 p.m., followed by the boys at…
YMCA promotes healthy lifestyles and fun
The Santa Maria Valley YMCA will be providing free health care screenings and a day of fun for families on April 17. The event features Family Olympics, bounce houses, carnival games, prizes, and dance demonstrations, as well as health care screenings by local health care professionals. Barbecue lunches will be available for $6, courtesy of…
Music money is available
The Lompoc Music Association will hold its annual auditions for music scholarships on April 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ, 3346 Constellation Road, in Vandenberg Village. Vocal and instrumental students who live within the boundaries of the Lompoc Unified School District, who are at least…
Get snapping
The Wildling Museum will hold its “Masters Program” landscape photography workshop the weekend of April 9 through 11 at 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos. The workshop incorporates a detailed look, through examples and in-the-field practice, at the principles, effects, and devices history’s greatest landscape painters and photographers created and used in making their world…
Eat spaghetti for a cause
Coastal Voices will host its second annual gourmet spaghetti dinner and fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on April 24 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3945 S. Bradley Road, in Santa Maria. Get a gourmet spaghetti feast with all the trimmings and participate in a silent auction while enjoying live entertainment. Adults eat for…
The piano man
When classical musician Rudolf Budginas sits his tuxedo-clad self down at his piano, he doesn’t meet audience expectations. And that’s exactly what he wants. Budginas knows he’s not going to deliver what audiences expect, so he told the Sun exactly what they can look forward to: first, a lot of surprises. Though he’s a classical…
The doctor is in
The Brit (my husband) and I enjoy playing chess, and it was a fun part of our dating ritual. I recalled the chess game scene in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair, starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, wherein the game of chess became a metaphor for seduction and sexual dominion. My grandson (Mini-Brit),…
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 at 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 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
SANSUM CLINIC presents a cholesterol management class on April 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. Info: 737-8700. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers a “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meeting the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at…
Art
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents local photographer Robert Hamilton’s exhibition “People, Places, and Pleasures” through March 28 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129. COFFEE AND COMPANY presents the art of Terrence McConnell through March 31 in the coffee shop’s Lucman Gallery, 245 Town Center West, Santa Maria. Info: 928-6492.…
Learning
A LECTURE BY DR. CHARLES ASCHE titled “Doctor, Lawyer, Musician, Human Being: Preparing Students for the Future” is presented March 27 at 1 p.m. at the home of Betty Hansen in Santa Maria. Info: 934-7975 or 481-7561. THE SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT and the Fall Prevention Task Force of Santa Barbara present a…
Recreation
WISDOM ISLAND presents “pSychic Saturday” March 27 with James M. Spaces from noon to 6 p.m. at Wisdom Island, 505 Orchard H, Nipomo. Info: 929-2074 or wisdomisland@gmail.com. THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS holds a volunteer outdoor labor day on March 26 at 9 a.m. at the Dana Adobe in Nipomo. Info: 929-5679 or dynia@danaadobe.org. THE…
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA offers swim lessons for kids 3 years and older Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. March 27 through May 1 at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8521. CITY OF SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT presents its “Spring Eggstravaganza” featuring egg hunts, a magic show, arts…
Dance Lessons
ONGOING BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE currently teaches American Tribal Style dance classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in Lompoc and Thursdays in Grover Beach. Info: 709-4686 or BlueMoonHaven.com. COUNTRY WESTERN DANCE CLASSES by Jeannette and Henry are Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for country two-step lessons and from 8 to 9 p.m. for…
Stage
THE NIPOMO HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTERS present “Central Coast Comedy Night” featuring David Burger, Mike Muratore, Eric Siefert, Jim Trino, and Greg Wilson on March 27 at 8 p.m. at Edwards Barn, Nipomo. Info: 459-4297. KITCHEN WITCHES is a comedic dinner theater production April 17, May 8, and May 29 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Lompoc.…
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: 2430 South Broadway,…
Concerts
THE RIGHETTI HIGH SCHOOL MARIMBA BAND AND BALLET FOLKLORICO presents its 33rd annual “Big Show” performance March 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria High School’s Ethel Pope Auditorium, 901 South Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 937-2051, Ext. 2502, or rgabaldon@smjuhsd.org. HOWLIN BYROON’S MUSIC EXCHANGE presents a concert featuring songwriter Amy Obenski…
Special Events
THE LOS PADRES ARTIST GUILD and the Santa Maria A’s present a Spring Art and Car Show featuring art, model A cars, and barbecue March 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 East Soares Ave., Old Orcutt. Info: 937-4427 or lospadresartistguild.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “A…
A bigger bunch
Oenophiles love to sniff and sip a variety of wines, before comparing notes about their favorite vintages. While they frequent area tastings, scour wine shops for deals, and read all they can find about memorable releases, the creative souls who make the stuff like to stir up some buzz by pitting their oenological skills against…
Tenure institutionalizes bad behavior
All of us are aware of the many college students who have fallen victim to gun violence on campuses across America. Each time one of these horrible shootings takes place, university administrators are quick to organize prayer vigils and other ceremonies to honor innocent young people who were killed or wounded. Administrators did not respond…
Political Watch 3.25
Matt Kokkonen, Republican candidate for the 33rd District State Assembly Seat, recently announced that he’s added a prominent Santa Maria rancher to his list of endorsers. Peter Adam is a co-owner of Adam Brothers Farming, one of the largest vegetable harvesting and canning operations on the Central Coast. “I support Matt Kokkonen because he’s willing…
Community Notebook 3.25
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 • The City of Santa Maria Families for the First Decade Project, a group of individuals and agencies who organize programs for the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, has its regular meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Minami Center, 600 W. Enos St., Santa Maria. THURSDAY, APRIL 1 •…
Hobnobbing With Helen
If there’s one thing St. Joseph High School’s BASH staff excels at, it’s turning a generic jocks’ gym into a swanky soiree scene. You go to an annual Saturday night BASH dinner knowing enthrallment awaits. This year, BASH—the fundraising arm of St. Joseph—celebrated its 25th year, its silver anniversary, which didn’t disappoint. They held their…
Dust kickers
For some SLO County residents, the presentation by Air Pollution Control District (APCD) representatives to the SLO County Health Commission vindicated their concerns about poor air quality on the Nipomo Mesa. For others, namely those who drive off-highway vehicles (OHVs) at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, it came as a shock—that a state…
If you give a soldier a cookie …
Soldiers and Marines truly sacrifice a lot, so in order to comfort those troops who are overseas and isolated from the warmth a sleeve of cookies can bring, Girl Scouts have wrapped up their sale at the storefront of Gold’s Gym in Santa Maria. Though the physical sale has ceased, anyone who wants to buy…
Bust some mutton at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo
Calling all future rodeo kings and queens: The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is now accepting applications for its annual Mutton Bustin’ event, which will be held June 4 through 6. Entries are being accepted through April 1. According to a press release from the Elks Rodeo, the event is open to children ages 5 to…
SLO County’s rate of cancer is higher than most other places in the state
Between 2003 and 2007, a person living in SLO County was more likely to develop cancer than he or she would in all but one other county in the state, according to the California Cancer Registry. During the same time period, the county had the eighth highest rate of invasive cancer—or cancer that has spread…
Not gonna budge
The Oceano Community Services District Board of Directors has almost always fought within itself, even now as it struggles simply to fill a vacant seat. On March 22, Director Pamela Dean filed with the SLO County Superior Court challenging the appointment of Lori Angello, who was appointed by a questionable “majority” of directors on a…
Trader Joe’s blows out the candles
It’s hard to believe, but the Trader Joe’s in Santa Maria has turned one year old. The official birthday was March 16, but staffers and shoppers celebrated the store’s “birth” on March 13 and 14. The celebration involved free cake and ice cream. But ice cream and cake weren’t the only things customers were receiving.…
Tip your coonskin cap
On March 26, there will be a memorial service honoring the life of Fess Parker—the 1950s face of Davey Crockett who went on to become a successful Central Coast entrepreneur—at 2 p.m. at the Fess Parker DoubleTree resort in Santa Barbara. Parker, who died on March 18 at the age of 85, is survived by…
Diamond Company picks new line
The owner of Santa Maria’s C.B. Hood Diamond Company, Charlie Hood, recently previewed the lines of more than 150 top manufacturers and jewelry designers at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s Spring Conference. Hood had the opportunity to select new items for the spring season from conference exhibitors, including some merchandise exclusive to Master IJO Jeweler members.…
Rona Barrett launches website
Santa Ynez Valley resident and Hollywood entertainment journalist Rona Barrett recently announced the launch of her new website, ronabarrett.com. In addition to her reporting and publishing career, Barrett is a businesswoman and advocate for seniors in need. Her new website provides insights on today’s Hollywood, issues, and politics, and allows Barrett’s fans to ask questions…
Recover cell phone data
These days, the cell phone is probably the most used digital device in people’s lives, storing a wealth of information about the user. Due to their popularity and functionalities, the devices have become resources for evidence in civil and criminal litigation. Mobile Phone Investigations, a new business in Santa Maria, can use forensic software tools…
AHC fast track classes are now open for registration
The Allan Hancock College spring 2010 Fast Track/Term class schedule—which includes more than 50 classes, such as anthropology, computer science, dance, environmental technology, and more—is now available online. Fast Track classes meet eight weeks or less, and many are only one or two days long. Students can register for Fast Track classes up until the…
Mmm, pancakes!
Pass the syrup: The Santa Maria-Bonita School District is holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser on March 27 for its Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program at Applebee’s from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, with sausage, juice, and coffee. Applebee’s is located at 1415 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are available at…
Robert Bruce students get a presidential postcard
Last year, about 50 third- and fourth-grade students from the Robert Bruce migrant after-school program wrote letters to President Barack Obama sharing their concerns about their community, nation, and world. They asked him questions about crime in their neighborhoods, education funding, the war, and even about his dog, Bo. After months of waiting, the students…
