Cover Story
I now pronounce you in limbo
Lompoc’s Alex Taylor and Tamara Cravit met online in 1998, back before it was trendy to do so. “We met in a chat room on IRC, how sad is that?” Alex said with a laugh. The couple had already been planning a commitment ceremony in their synagogue when the California Supreme Court ruling legalizing…
If you had to start up a baseball team in Santa Maria, what would you name it?
Eileen Macklin-Getzoff lawyer “The Beach Bums, because we have a beach, and I don’t know anything about baseball.” Mike Draper farmer “Maybe the Mountain Lions, because they’re semi-prominent around here and they’re a force to be reckoned with.” Bruce Summers sales manager “The Tide, because we’re close enough to the ocean, and it just sounds…
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
MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER presents a Senior Health Fair, including free screenings, on May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Marian Hancock Building, 116 S Palisade Drive, Santa Maria. A “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.…
Art
MARILYN DOVER BENSON is the featured artist for the month of April at Vandenberg Village Library on Constellation Road in Lompoc. Info: 937-8108 or donaldbenson2@mac.com. THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents Dee Sudbury as the featured artist of April at the Grossman Gallery, Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Ave., Lompoc. Info: 736-4108. THE SANTA…
Learning
THE NORTH COUNTY CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SUMMIT includes a Victims’ Rights Award Luncheon on April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Maria Inn, Santa Maria. Info: 346-8222. THE CITY OF LOMPOC Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Department presents an event for National Scrapbook Day on May 2 from 9 a.m. to…
Recreation
WORTH THE DRIVE STAND UP AND SPELL is a benefit for Santa Barbara Public Library Adult and Family Literacy, featuring Scrabble and dessert on May 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Solvang Branch Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. Cost is $10. Info: 564-5619 or ScrabbleLibrary@gmail.com. KIDICAL MASS is a bike event for kids…
Kids & Family
WORTH THE DRIVE THE EXPLORATION STATION features art classes for kids on Saturdays through May 9 at the Exploration Station, 867 Ramona Ave., Grover Beach. Cost is $60. Info: 473-1421 or info@explorationstation.org. ONGOING LA LECHE LEAGUE SANTA MARIA offers pregnant and nursing moms free breastfeeding support and information the third Wednesday of each month. Info:…
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 hosts a production of Folklorico!, featuring the festive dances of Mexico, April 30 through May 2 at the college’s Severson Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $10. Info: 922-8313. CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA presents its production of Shakespeare: The Best of the Bard on May 1 and…
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 LOADING DOCK/ORCUTT BREW presents Pryor Baird and the Deacons in concert on May 1 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Loading Dock/Orcutt Brew, 315 South Broadway St., Old Orcutt. Info: 934-3471 or info@orcuttbrew.com. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SAN LUIS OBISPO SYMPHONY presents the closing concert of its “Classics” series, featuring selections from Beethoven,…
Special events
THE VALLEY OF THE FLOWERS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST holds a rummage sale on May 1 from 8 a.m. to noon at the church on Constellation Road in Vandenberg Village. Info: Jbakerk@aol.com. THE TIGER ROSE TATTOO AND MUSIC FESTIVAL features more than 80 tattoo artists from all over the world, 17 bands performing live, vendors,…
Political Watch
• Responding to input from area businesses, Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) and the California Chamber of Commerce have partnered to author legislation that will improve the economic impact analysis of proposed state regulations. At a Small Business Jobs Forum organized by Blakeslee on April 17 in San Luis Obispo, local employers expressed frustration…
Community Notebook 4-30
TUESDAY, MAY 5 • 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 bos-agenda.sbcgov.net. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office…
The greatest healing comes from passion
Marian Cancer Care Services center has developed a new way to reach the hearts of its patients. “The Healing Hour” is a newly founded support program with an aim to help members learn how to focus their thoughts—and thereby reduce their stress levels. The support program rotates around four topics: poetry, art, journaling, and laughter.…
Beating the bottle (at any age)
Aaron Pankratz, manager of the agency’s Senior Connection Program, said elder adults belong to one of the groups most vulnerable to alcoholism. Unfortunately, that’s also one of the most-often ignored groups. According to information from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), data suggest that the number of substance-dependent and -abusing adults…
It’s bleak right now
The North County’s recovery from the economic recession won’t begin until 2011 at the earliest, according to a report by the UCSB Economic Forecast Project. And that’s only because things can’t get much worse for the area, according to Bill Watkins, the project’s executive director. “The North County is in its fourth year of recession,…
Santa Maria River Levee fully funded, officials say
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has secured more than $40 million in federal funding to repair the Santa Maria River Levee, according to an announcement from the office of U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara). Officials predict the funding, made available as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, should be enough to…
Health officials take swine flu seriously
As fears of a potential swine flu pandemic traveled from media outlets to water-coolers all across the country, Santa Barbara County health officials took measures to get the word out about the outbreak. According to Michele Mickiewicz, spokeswoman for the county’s Public Health Department, all the talk isn’t just hype. “This is something that the…
Santa Maria City Council snuffs out tobacco ban in parks
Local smokers can still light up in Santa Maria parks, according to the Santa Maria City Council. On April 22, the council voted 3-2 (with council members Hilda Zacarias and Mike Cordero dissenting) to shoot down a proposed ban prohibiting smoking and the use of other tobacco products in city parks. The ordinance would have…
Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen contestants are back in the saddle
Local Rodeo Queen contestants are dusting off their cowgirl hats for the 66th Annual Elks Queen Kickoff and Auction, set for May 2 at the Elks Lodge, 1309 N. Bradley Road, in Santa Maria. The contest went on a hiatus for the first time ever last year because not enough contestants threw their hats into…
Security manager receives certification
Overland Security Services manager Edward Zemaitis of Santa Maria was recently awarded the Certified Protection Professional certification from ASIS International. Zemaitis joins a fraternity of fewer than 5,500 industrial security professionals who’ve qualified for CPP certification, indicating he’s met the organization’s required experience in the protective security field and has successfully completed a rigorous examination.…
Woofstock promises groovy dog days
Businesses looking to advertise or participate in the Winners of Off Leash Freedom’s (WOOF!) seventh annual Dogs Day of Summer event at Waller Park have until May 15 to submit commitment forms. This year’s event, held on June 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be called “Woofstock at Waller” and celebrates the seventh…
Women’s group receives intern grant
Women’s Economic Ventures announced the group has been chosen to receive a grant from the Citi Foundation to hire a graduate student for a summer internship. WEV, a nonprofit organization that provides training and micro-loans to businesswomen, will join 14 other programs nationwide in the Citi Aspen Intern Program, an initiative that introduces college students…
Salon raises funds to fight cancer
Jantay Salon and Day Spa, in conjunction with Community Health Centers and American Mobile Sound, is raising money for the American Cancer Society on May 5. Haircuts, blow-dries, conditioning treatments, eyebrow waxes, manicures, and pedicures will be offered at half-off discount prices, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Anyone wishing to donate…
Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s special education department gets some new wheels
In March, longtime Santa Maria residents Dorothy and Mark Smith donated a new 2009 Dodge Caravan to the Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s Special Education Department. The van will be used for the severely handicapped students’ community-based instructional program, which develops students’ functional skills and fosters independence at school and within the community by taking them…
Children can get a ‘Head Start’ with the Economic Opportunity Commission
The school year might be winding down in the next few months, but the Economic Opportunity Commission is already recruiting children and families for its Head Start programs. The Early Head Start program is a home-based program, and the Head Start program offers part-day centers at several Central Coast locations, including Nipomo, Oceano, and San…
Santa Maria’s looking for a few good junior firefighters
For boys and girls dreaming of putting on a firefighter’s helmet and getting up close and personal with a fire truck, the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is offering a Junior Firefighter’s Camp July 13 to 17 at Fire Station No. 2, 416 W. Carmen Lane, in Santa Maria. The hands-on four-day camp is…
Balloons in the classroom
Integrated science teacher Ty Frederiks (center) and his Orcutt Academy students collected data from balloon-suspended sensors to monitor the weather during the school’s first-ever Balloon Festival on April 23 and 24. The students made projections about different weather components—temperature, atmospheric pressure—and then compared those hypotheses to the data they collected. “I’ve never done anything like…
Table up for beer pong
I enjoy the finer things in life. For instance: ping pong and beer. I like my ping-pong to be played in dirty garages on old, faded, warped tables, and I like my beer in the bottle, or in the can, or from a keg, I suppose. Eh, come to think of it, when it comes…
Get your pottery
Support local artists and browse the Allan Hancock College spring pottery sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 15 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 16, inside the Santa Maria campus student center (building G), room 106. Find handmade, unique pieces for birthdays, anniversaries, or Mother’s Day. The two-day event features…
And sing some more
The California Mid-State Fair is seeking national anthem singers. Each year, the fair offers opportunities for singers to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to shows at the Main Grandstand Arena. Applicants must submit a DVD showing the applicant singing the national anthem along with contact information to California Mid-State Fair, Attention: Kim Tankersley, P.O. Box…
Hear them sing
Singing auditions for children for the seventh annual Central Coast Follies benefit Love is in the Air will be held from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on May 31 at the Clark Center Studio Theater in Arroyo Grande. Love is in the Air, directed by Jason Sumabat with help from Kalleen Corley, will benefit Parkinson’s disease…
Local blues
When you go to a Pryor Baird and the Deacons performance, there’s no doubt you should do what you want to do: clap your hands, stand up and dance, whatever—as long as you get swept up in the jazzy, bluesy tunes that bounce from the band. Pryor Baird, on the other hand, does what he…
Get caught up in Deathtrap
There’s no suspense like live theater suspense, when the plot is unfolding right before your eyes. And there’s no better place for that kind of suspense than an intimate space, where you can feel like you’re right in the room with the characters—a space like Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s. The group’s latest production, Deathtrap, is…
Meet baseball’s new chiefs
Baseball fans saddened by the news that the Santa Maria Indians won’t be taking the field this year, take heart. There’s a new tribe in town. When the California Collegiate League begins play in June, the upstart College Wahoos will take the field as a last-minute replacement for the financially troubled club. Team organizer Vince…
Out for trout at Lopez Lake
Anglers of all ages will be fishing for cash prizes at the eighth annual Reel ’Em In Trout Derby set for May 2 and 3 at Lopez Lake. The grand prize for the most tagged trout is $3,000. Second place wins $1,000, and $500 will be awarded for third. Kids 15 and younger and adults…
Prep Football Showcase hits Righetti High School
High school football players from all over the Central Coast will have the opportunity to show off their skills in front of national media at the B2G Instinct Showcase on May 9 at Righetti High School. The goal of the showcase is to introduce local players to college scouts by publishing results on outlets like…
Ehi Robinson
Speed kills. Just ask anyone who’s had to face Ehi Robinson at the track or on the football field. The Righetti High School senior is a multi-sport star, excelling at track and field, as a sweeper in soccer, and as a starting cornerback for the football team. At the Santa Barbara County track meet in…
Smoking is not a right
On April 23, the Santa Maria City Council voted 3-2 against tobacco-free parks. After hearing the majority of speakers in support of a tobacco-free parks ordinance, the Santa Maria City Council voted against the proposed policy, which would have limited smoking to designated areas in the parks. Two of the arguments against the policy focused…
Wine and theater
For one night only, area Francophiles can indulge themselves in the literature and flavors of their favorite corner of Europe. Thanks to an innovative pairing of two local organizations, Old World culture meets New World wines in Santa Maria. On May 9, enjoy an evening of fine wine and live theater—with a scholarly twist—as Pacific…
