Cover Story
The rise of civilization
A wise man once said: “This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption … beer!” For all of recorded history, it’s been with us. Beer, in fact, may have been responsible for recorded history. According to Bryon Burch in his book, Brewing…
If you were a beer, what would you be?
Jason Torrez sales “Bud Light. I’m simple, and I’m light. I’m also cheap, but still satisfying—and always refreshing and the crowd pleaser.” Arlind Bettencourt retired engineer and physicist “O’Doul’s. I don’t drink alcohol, but I love beer, and O’Doul’s tastes good.” Katey Eckenrode Gymnastics Gym owner (left) “I’d probably be a Diet Dr. Pepper. I…
Political Watch 10-1
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 46 recently announced its decision to endorse Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams for the 35th District Assembly. ILWU Local 46, which represents longshoreman and warehouse workers at Port of Hueneme, now joins a number of other unions already in support of Williams’ campaign, including the Santa Barbara…
Community Notebook 10-1
TUESDAY, OCT. 6 • 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…
All for oaks, oaks for all
Orcutt resident Sarah Schwab isn’t a typical high school student. Unlike most teenagers, who may spend weeks planning a killer birthday party, Schwab considered spending a good chunk of her special day—Sept. 28—advocating for 3,200 coast live oak trees at a planning and development workshop in Solvang. Schwab co-founded the Tree Amigos of Orcutt,…
Census report paints a revealing portrait of growing city
New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Sept. 23 reflected the dramatic toll of the recession and foreclosures on Santa Maria, and showed the city bucking a national trend on immigration. According to the Bureau’s American Community Survey for 2008, the foreign-born population of Santa Maria rose from 32 percent in 2007…
October: It’s not just for the pumpkins
The new mayor of Lompoc, Michael Siminski, will sign a proclamation to declare October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the Lompoc City Council Meeting on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Domestic Violence Solutions Executive Director Richard Kravetz will be there. The month will honor people who have fallen to domestic violence, as well…
Celebrate autumn and mental health at Growing Grounds Farm’s Harvest Festival
On Oct. 8, locals can bid farewell to summer and say hello to fall at the Transitions-Mental Health Association’s second annual Harvest Festival at Growing Grounds Farm in Santa Maria. Held in conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week, the festival will focus on celebrating the new season and good mental health. Harvest-goers will be…
Good news for state parks?
On Sept. 24, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a plan designed to keep all state parks open without increasing cuts to the California Department of Parks and Recreation budget. According to a press release from the governor’s office, Schwarzenegger, in July, assigned the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Finance to develop…
Lompoc officials eye a potential electricityrate increase
Electricity prices could go up in the city of Lompoc pending a decision by the Lompoc City Council. A proposed rate increase is tentatively scheduled to go before the council on Oct. 6, according to city staffers. In an interview with the Sun, Lompoc Mayor Mike Siminski said there are currently two sets of…
Santa Maria councilwoman to run for supervisor
Steve Lavagnino has some competition for the 5th District Santa Barbara Supervisor seat now that Santa Maria City Council member Alice Patino has announced her intention to run for the position being vacated by Supervisor Joe Centeno. In a release to the media dated Sept. 29, Patino said the focus of her campaign will…
Pacific Pride Foundation walks for life
Put on some tennis shoes and walk for a cause on Oct. 3 at the Pacific Pride Foundation’s 19th annual AIDS Walk at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. Proceeds from the walk will go toward paying for HIV/AIDS services all over Santa Barbara County. The event—traditionally the foundation’s biggest fundraiser—is especially important this year…
The future’s in plastics
Businesses in Northern Santa Barbara County will benefit from local plastic manufacturer Lindamar Industries receipt of a certification allowing the company to produce and distribute high-quality packaging. The International Organization for Standardization certification the company received took more than a year to accomplish. Lindamar, headquartered in Paso Robles, will now manufacture FDA-approved polyethylene bags…
Community Partners appoints board member
The Board of Directors of Community Partners in Caring announced that Karen O’Neil has been appointed as its newest board member. O’Neil is a partner in the firm Twitchell and Rice, LLP, and serves as president of the Kiwanis Club of Orcutt. She’s also a member of the Altrusa International Foundation of Santa Maria,…
Worry-free advocacy
Nonprofit managers, staffers, and volunteers are invited to learn ways to create a public policy that responds to clients and community needs at a workshop presented by the Alliance for Justice on Oct. 7. Attorney-trainers from the organization will teach the difference between lobbying and advocacy, how to maximize 501(c)(3) lobbying, how to invite…
Bank VP to address luncheon
The public is invited to the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Committee’s luncheon on Oct. 5 to hear its featured speaker, Gonzalo Fernandez. Now boasting 46 years in the banking industry, Fernandez first immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1962 and worked his way up from a bank messenger…
Read aloud in the library for a cause
For its Santa Maria debut, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic will hold a Record-a-Thon at the Santa Maria Public Library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3. In addition to upping the number of audio books on file, the program should increase awareness of what services Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic…
Allan Hancock College showcases career options
If you’re a tired, undirected student, or a member of the community looking for a replacement career, listen up: Allan Hancock College is hosting its Career Exploration Day on Oct. 2 at the Santa Maria campus in the Science Building Plaza behind the gym from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “We are seeing entry-level…
The health-care debate: No nudity or khakis for all
Those who want government-run health care feel that the government, being so large, can provide the best care. I have now seen a number of letters that imply that those who do not support government-run health care want some people to just do without health care at all. I can’t even imagine someone who wants…
A national health-care system has its benefits
A national health-care system would benefit our economy through job creation and improved business conditions. It would enable entrepreneurs to create businesses by removing the expense of private health insurance and the risk of not having insurance. Most of our job creation is in the small-business sector. Our large businesses would be better able…
Don’t respect people who don’t take responsibility
It’s time men and women, young and old, began accepting responsibility for their behavior—Mackenzie Phillips being the latest in a long line of celebrities who want to blame their parents for their troubles. It is rare that in this country people don’t have a choice. They have decided to go with whatever is most…
Rufino Serrano
Not even Sylvester Stallone could have imagined this story: A 19-year-old boxer can’t find fights as an amateur because of his physique, so he signs on to the pros after only 12 amateur bouts. Consider that most professionals have fought 50 or 60 fights in the amateur circuit. Who would play this star boxer?…
The Bleacher Bum Chronicles, Vol. IV
Let’s face it: Most of us aren’t athletes. Sure, there are the sporty types among us, but if you’re like me, the height of your athletic prowess rears its head only during marathon bouts of beer pong, the occasional run on the pool table, and kicking virtual butt on Madden NFL. I had my…
Triathlon Club wants you!
The newly established Central Coast Triathlon Club is recruiting swimmers, bikers, runners, and triathletes of all ages and athletic experience. The club’s co-founders, Samantha Pruitt and Elizabeth North, are long-time multi-sport athletes themselves. Pruitt owns her own fitness training business, Team V Formation, in Grover Beach. The club is certified by the USATriathlon…
Thank the vines
Machine harvesters ply the vineyards by night and hand crews snip grape clusters by day, yet despite the rigors of crush, Santa Barbara County’s busy winemakers find time for a party. During the second weekend of October, local vintners invite wine lovers everywhere to join them for their annual Celebration of Harvest at Rancho Sisquoc…
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
SANSUM CLINIC offers a cholesterol management class Oct. 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. A weight management strategies class is Oct. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $15. A diabetes essentials class is Oct. 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. The…
Art
THE LOMPOC MUSEUM presents “Basketmakers: Traditional to Modern,” an exhibit highlighting baskets of all shapes and sizes Oct. 3 through Jan. 3 at the museum, 200 South H St., Lompoc. An opening reception is Oct. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. Info: 736-3888 or lompocmuseum@verizon.net. ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE’S Ann Foxworthy Gallery currently features a…
Learning
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents a lecture about the Great Depression titled “Hitting Home: Life During America’s Great Depression” presented by Roger Hall on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Santa Maria campus Forum (C-40), Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. A Suicide and Violence Prevention Forum is Oct. 7 from 6:30 to…
Recreation
THE SIERRA CLUB ARGUELLO GROUP presents a sunset/moonrise hike and potluck at Los Flores Ranch on Oct. 3, meeting at 4 p.m. at 4852 S Bradley, Santa Maria. Info: 937-6766. WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division Community Development Department presents a “Standup Paddle Boarding Class” Oct. 3 or 17,…
Kids & Family
THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB presents Youth Basketball League Sing-Ups on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at the club, 901 N. Railroad, Santa Maria. Info: 922-7763. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents an “Improv for Teens” class for kids ages 13 to 18 years through Nov. 16 at…
Dance Lessons
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents a “Cardio Dance Fusion” class Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6 through 27 at the Elwin Mussell Center, 510 E. Park Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $33.50, $27 for city residents. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 264, or ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH’S…
Dance Lessons
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents a “Cardio Dance Fusion” class Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6 through 27 at the Elwin Mussell Center, 510 E. Park Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $33.50, $27 for city residents. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 264, or ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH’S…
Stage
THE SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of Sex, Lies, and the I.R.S. Oct. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Cost is $14. Info: 922-4442 or smct.org. THE SANTA BARBARA COUNCIL FOR SELF-ESTEEM presents a 20th anniversary lecture series featuring Beverlye…
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
THE LOMPOC MUSIC ASSOCIATION presents a concert by Santa Clara University teacher and organist James Welch on Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ, 3346 Constellation Road, Vandenberg Village. Info: 735-7832 or 736-1820. THE ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE CONCERT BAND performs a pops concert on Oct. 3…
Special Events
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents its second annual Harvest Festival, featuring grape stomping, tasting, pruning displays, a wine bottling demo, a video presentation, refreshments, and entertainment Oct. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. The Harvest Festival is part of the college’s Career Exploration Day, featuring representatives…
Fight night
Imagine the voice of one of those smooth-talking, enthusiastic boxing announcers: “We have a big heavyweight match-up here tonight, folks. It’s a championship bout, with everything on the line. It’s fight night at the Krrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriders! “In this corner, weighing in, according to her driver’s license, at 130 pounds: ‘The wife, whom he loves,’ Mrs.…
A new executive director joins children’s arts efforts
The Board of Directors of the Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation recently appointed Orcutt resident Hannah Rubacalva as its new executive director. Rubacalva most recently worked as a senior account manager with a customer relationship management software company and worked for Santa Maria Valley YMCA as their youth and family program director. The foundation’s…
PCPA gets recognized
Stage Scene L.A., which reviews performing arts, recently recognized PCPA’s 2009 Summer Season with 11 awards. Editor Steven Stanley reviewed 256 eligible productions throughout L.A. and surrounding areas—including Solvang—between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009. PCPA’s awards include Best Director for Roger DeLaurier for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Les…
Marking memories
This month marks the 80th anniversary of the stock market crash that many people believe kicked off the Great Depression. With the current economy in a recession, parallels abound. But though there may be similarities between now and then, some say the Great Depression was an event like no other. “People just don’t realize…
A cruise up the coast
Ed. note: Longtime Sun friend John Ready recently talked his way into the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event and brought back proof of his journey in the form of celebrity sightings, tales of classic cars, and plenty of chest-clutching swooning over the Benzs and Bugattis. While this annual event has come and gone, the…
