Cover Story
Fires beware
Wood chips are flying. Smoke billows everywhere. Grandma, a 1929 American LaFrance fire engine, sits in wait as Guadalupe Fire Capt. Rick Galindo hacks his way out of a wire-strung box as part of a training exercise. It’s just another Tuesday night for the Guadalupe Fire Department. Guadalupe is one of the last “paid…
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 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 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
SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES are offered on Jan. 8, 12, 14, 15, 20, 22, 26, and 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Santa Maria at 2801 Santa Maria Way, suite B; 425 W Central Ave., Lompoc; 2050 Viborg Road, Santa Ynez; 915 N Milpas St., Santa Barbara; and at Cottage Hospital at Pueblos and Bath…
ART
THE LOS PADRES ARTIST GUILD presents Linda Blevins leading a demonstration, “Photos to Paintings, the Process of Translation,” as part of its monthly meeting on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Luis Oasis Seniors Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt. Info: 934-5835 or lindablevins.com. THE LOMPOC MUSEUM presents the exhibit Lompoc Abstractions featuring the art…
LEARNING
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN presents the program “Speaking of Girls,” featuring Karen Skole speaking about the Girl Scouts and Barbara Johnston speaking about “Gender Equity in Education” on Jan. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Minami Center, 600 W. Enos Dr., Santa Maria. Cost is $13, which includes lunch. Info: 937-5719. A HEALTHY…
RECREATION
THE LUIS OASIS SENIOR CENTER features faceting and silversmithing classes on Jan. 9 and 12 at 1 p.m. A pancake breakfast is Jan. 10 from 8 to 10 a.m. Senior exercise is Jan. 12 and 14 at 8 a.m. A “People with Arthritis Can Exercise” class is Jan. 12 and 14 at 9:45 a.m. A…
KIDS & FAMILY
THE SANTA MARA RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT offers a Winter Break Day Camp Program for kids who have passed kindergarten in weekly sessions through Jan. 16 at the Minami Community Center, 600 W Enos Drive, Santa Maria. Cost is $95 per week, $65 per week for part-time camp. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260. THE SANTA MARIA…
STAGE
IMPROVISATIONAL HUMOR CLASS meets Mondays at the Loading Dock, Old Orcutt, to teach theater games, comedy concepts, and Whose Line Is It Anyway?-style games from 5 to 7 p.m. Info: 886-8355. WORTH THE DRIVE MURDER IN MIND PRODUCTIONS presents its production of A Dickens of a Mystery interactive dinner theater through Jan. 25 on Sundays…
CONCERTS
BRIGITTE HOUGH performs “Brigitte … by Request,” a concert made up of music requested by the audience, on Jan. 11 at 1 :30 p.m. at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Santa Maria. Info: 937-3025. VICKI GENFAN performs in concert on Jan. 13 between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse in SLO, 740…
SPECIAL EVENTS
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY picks up Christmas trees for recycling through Jan. 8 in North County, through Jan. 9 in Buellton, Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Solvang, and the rest of North County. Trees should be free of stands, ornaments, and tinsel and be placed in or around green waste or trash cans. Info: 922-2121 or lessismore.org. A…
Orcutt Aquacenter moves closer to reality
At the tail end of 2008, representatives from the Orcutt Aquacenter announced that the project had received a $50,000 grant from the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation. “We are currently over 90 percent through the permit process and are anxious to begin the actual ground breaking and site development,” Director of Development Terri Lee Coleman said in a…
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you in 2009 so far?
Maxima Sales certified nurse’s assistant “We spent New Year’s Eve in our new house that we bought last June.” Jennifer Ramirez mom “My daughter Jenna’s birthday is on Jan. 23, so she’s really looking forward to that, and I’m busy planning.” Amber Mendez (left) student “Hanging out with friends.” [image-4] Brandon Womack Taco Bell employee…
Arts Briefs
Turn photos into paintings Linda Blevins will lead a demonstration titled “Photos to Paintings, the Process of Translation” at the Los Padres Artist Guild monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 9 at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave. in Orcutt. Blevins will discuss evaluating photos to determine what to paint…
Crossing borders
No matter what side of the border it comes from, there’s one language anyone can understand: art. Though cultural differences and experiences may skew a viewer’s perspective, a piece’s meaning generally comes through, proving just how very small the world can be. Shepard Hall Gallery will reach below the equator in January to show…
A tap and a tune
Some people can do amazing things with a guitar, and Vicki Genfan is one of them. Using her guitar and her bare hands, she coaxes sounds, rhythms, and tunes that have drawn listeners’ attention around the country. Her style caught the ear of guitar idols like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Elliot Easton of the…
Israel needs to learn some schoolyard truths
Regarding the Israel/Hamas fiasco, when the schoolyard bully beats up on the skinny kid, his friends will come to the underdog’s aid, even if he deserves a beating. Israel, the bully in this case, has not learned this fundamental truth.
Don’t forget what is really important
Take a deep breath, America, as we look at the number of foreclosures, the stock market dive, and the percent of unemployment. What is the reverse of those numbers? Ninety percent of people are still in their homes, a large population of people are still working, and a lot of people weren’t in the…
I stand by my original opinion
A couple of weeks ago, I gave an opinion about Tom Knepher’s commentary in the Sun, and it attracted a juvenile response from a Michael Smith (“Get it straight: Take a history class,” Dec. 18), who felt that I was wrong about most every opinion. I reread my submission (“History and another point of view,”…
End the recession by bailing out the states
Once again, our bumbling president and his cohorts have proved they know nothing about our economy or how to fix it. To top it off, this crew single-handedly brought about a worldwide recession. What a legacy! Their ineptness and hindsight saw fit to bail out our financial institutions and the auto industry with billions of…
Special athletes need stellar volunteers
When athletes test their bodies and wills at Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics’ area games at Vandenberg Air Force Base in April, the base will provide its own volunteers to make sure the track and field events run smoothly. When competitors need help with drills at their weekly basketball practice, or tips…
Join up for flags, sand, and football
The local Women’s Beach Flag Football League is looking for players and teams. Games (five-on-five, no-contact) will be played on Pismo Beach starting March 8, but sign ups are open now. For more information, call 489-1340.
Jonathan Ramirez
His jersey says he’s No. 1, and so does his coach. Jonathan Ramirez plays for the Allan Hancock College men’s basketball team, and Head Coach Ralph Gorton can’t say enough good things about him: Ramirez has the “kind of maturity all coaches would like to have.” “He’s a coach’s dream.” “He’s our best player.”…
Warm up with port
During the sun-drenched days of summer, fans root for their favorite golfers and baseball teams, and when winter rolls around, they pile into football stadiums and basketball arenas, ready to cheer the action. Just as sports have their seasons, so, too, do many wines. Searing hot days call for crisp white wines that cool…
Word problems
After a long, hard day at work (checking my personal e-mail, trading fantasy football players, and watching old Saturday Night Live skits on YouTube), I like to have a relaxing evening at home away from all of the stresses of my job (like my fantasy players being put on injured reserve). I like to sit…
Allan Hancock College will offer head START, faster classes
Allan Hancock College is inviting students to “attend college at the speed of life” by earning a full semester course’s credits in eight weeks through the college’s Fast Track/Term classes. More than 140 eight-week term classes are being offered during the spring 2009 semester. Almost 50 of the classes are being offered at the…
Cal Poly Rose Parade float wins first-ever Viewers’ Choice Award
On Jan. 2, “Seaside Amusement” translated into voter amusement when a parade float co-designed and built by the Cal Poly universities won the inaugural KTLA Viewers’ Choice Award for the Tournament of Roses. The float nabbed 3,219 out of a total of 10,618 votes, according to a Cal Poly press release. The float was…
Think outside the page
Here’s the deal: You’re blind, and you want to find out what happened to Harry Potter in the last book of J. K. Rowling’s series, so you check out a stack of CDs from the library and let narrator Jim Dale’s crisp British accent bring the halls of Hogwarts to life. A few chapters…
Their wishes are your command
When someone suggested in 2000 that Stefanie Hassett get involved with the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Santa Maria resident had her doubts.She wasn’t donating money at a fundraiser or volunteering her time—she was contemplating signing up her 10-year-old son, Alex, who was suffering from lymphoma, for his special wish. The decision…
Community Notebook
MONDAY, JAN. 12 The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, JAN. 13 The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors…
New judges take the bench
The Santa Barbara County Superior Court recently announced that there are some new faces on the bench for 2009. Three judges have been sworn into the court system, including Judge Jed Beebe. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Judge Jean Dandona to fill the seat vacated by Judge Joseph Lodge, who passed away last year. Dandona…
Santa Barbara County Supervisors kick off the year with a ceremony
Santa Barbara County Supervisors kick off the year with a ceremony Before it could get down to business on Jan. 6, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held its 2009 ceremony to install several incoming officials. At the top of the list was new 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr. The former Santa…
Need housing? Maybe he can help …
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, a nonprofit that develops affordable housing and community services for low-income households and homeownership opportunities for working families, has a new manager of housing development-rental. Executive Director Jeanette Duncan noted Ken Trigueiro’s promotion in a press release. Trigueiro has been with the group since 2005. He previously worked in banking and…
Network away in Buellton
It’s a new year, full of new opportunities. Tap into some of them by networking at the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association meeting on Jan. 13 at 8:30 a.m. Kathy Janega-Dykes, CEO of the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission, and economist Kenneth Harwood will talk about the state of the…
Longtime law firm celebrates 60 years
Local law firm Andre, Morris, and Buttery—with offices in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles—will celebrate its 60 years in business on the Central Coast with a symposium at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande on Jan. 26. Bob Stapleton, owner of cycling’s Team Columbia, will be the keynote speaker. Stapleton…
Community Corner
Girls—and the successes they’ve achieved over the last few decades—will be the topic of discussion on Jan. 10 at a program presented by the American Association of University Women. “Speaking of Girls” will include presentations from Karen Skole, regional vice president of Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, and association member Barbara Johnston. …
Holy traffic median, Batman!
The Santa Maria Public Works Department will host a workshop to discuss the McCoy Lane traffic median project on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Santa Maria City Council Chambers, 110 E. Cook St. The City Council authorized the McCoy Lane median installation on a six-month trial basis and instructed staffers to monitor…
How can the bus better serve your needs?
On Jan. 15, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is inviting members of the public to speak out about what new bus routes or service schedules are needed in northern Santa Barbara County. The Unmet Transit Needs public hearing will begin at 10 a.m. at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing…
Lompoc PD continues to crack down on drunk driving, unlicensed drivers
On Jan. 3, the Lompoc Police Department conducted a DUI and drivers license checkpoint in the 600 block of East Central Avenue. About 250 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. Officers stopped eight people driving without a valid license and two people driving on a suspended license. Seven people were evaluated on suspicion of driving…
Vandenberg deals with ‘suspicious package’ scare
On Dec. 30, Vandenberg Air Force Base officials reported stopping a man at the main entrance to the base because he was transporting what appeared to be suspicious packages in his vehicle. According to a press release from the base, the man refused to answer base officials’ questions about the contents of the packages.…
Caltrans will close northbound lanes on Highway 101
Caltrans will close northbound lanes on Highway 101 Drivers annoyed by alternating lane closures on southbound Highway 101 from the Route 135 Interchange to Santa Maria Way will be happy to know that they’ll reopen on Jan. 9. The closures last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The lane closures allow…
