Cover Story
The California exodus
Running a county seems like it would be one of the best jobs around. If you’re one of the lucky 58 Californians who have this job, you get to run vast chunks of the state, control millions of dollars, and operate a multitude of helpful government programs. You’re at the top of your profession and…
What do you think of New Year’s resolutions?
Samantha Limon barista “I think they’re lame. They don’t work–period.” Fernando Magana supervisor “Easier said than done. But definitely do-able if you put your heart and soul into it.” Jaclyn Gutierrez student “I feel neutral about it.” “I feel neutral about it.” Nayil Salinas student “O.K. with it. It’s just a way to set plans…
Political Watch 1.07
People who made a New Year’s resolution to get more involved in politics, or are looking to get politically informed, can find what they need through a handful of local organizations. The Santa Maria Valley Republican Club meets the third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Ambrosia Restaurant, 122 E. Boone St., in…
Community Notebook 1.07
MONDAY, JAN. 11 • 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. 12 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board…
Make this year a memorable one
As every new year begins to unfold, people yearn to make a difference in their lives. Here’s a chance to do just that: Make-a-Wish Foundation is training volunteers to help grant wishes to children who have life-threatening medical conditions. The group needs board members, ideal for people able to contribute financially in addition to volunteering.…
Are vanishing acts a trend?
Some prisoners serving time at a minimum-security camp on Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex property are tired of the day-to-day grind of prison life. At least that seems to be the case, based on a string of recent escapes from the unfenced, dormitory-style facility. According to notices from the prison, a total of five inmates have…
What’s up with our lieutenant governor?
Feb. 22 may not represent much to the average person, but for state senator and former Santa Maria mayor Abel Maldonado, the last Monday in February is the “drop dead” date. If that day rolls around and the state Legislature still hasn’t voted one way or the other on his appointment as lieutenant governor of…
Get your block grant on
Know a nonprofit that needs some cash? The city of Santa Maria is now requesting proposals for the use of 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds for public service activities, capital projects, and affordable housing projects. The city anticipates receiving approximately $1,256,000 in CDBG funds and $30,000 in program…
City of Santa Maria employees prepare to take some mandatory time off
Beginning Jan. 15, the majority of Santa Maria city employees will be taking off the third Friday of every month—as well as Veterans Day—for a total of 13 mandatory furlough days. City employees voluntarily agreed in November 2009 to the 4- to 5-percent reductions in wages and benefits for the 2010 calendar year. The mandatory…
Pedro Nava’s attorney general run creates buzz
To help stimulate his campaign to be California’s next attorney general, Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) wants to chat over coffee. As part of “Cup of Java with Nava,” contributors to Nava’s campaign are being entered into a random drawing to win a chance to “sit down and talk about issues” with the candidate. The…
Local contractor begins early phases of construction on Santa Maria River Levee Improvement Project
Rodney Williams Construction of Lompoc—a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-selected contractor—is clearing brush along the Santa Maria River Levee in preparation for the stimulus package-funded levee improvement project. The company is removing brush, shrubs, and garbage from an approximately 3.2-mile section of the levee channel so it can begin “phase 1” repair work by April…
The Indian experience
The Santa Maria Branch of AAUW’s Jan. 17 meeting will feature a program on “The Indian Immigration Experience: A Conversation with Indian Newcomers to Santa Maria.” Indian food will be served, and a small panel of men and women from India will share stories about their lives in India, the modern-day experience, their reasons for…
The library gets busy
The Santa Maria Library has several events lined up to kick off the new year. Experience a Chinese New Year Celebration with Shiu-Ching McSparron, who brings songs, dances, and fun as she helps celebrate the new year with children ages 5 and older on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. A free ticket is required for…
Long days
Creative types have long been drawn to Sedona, Ariz., for inspiration. Perhaps it’s the beautiful red rock formations glowing orange in the sun that set the backdrop for creative thought. Or maybe it’s the spiritual aspect that some claim surrounds the area. Or maybe it’s a little more vague than that. Brandon Decker headed to…
The best medicine
When he first experienced Laughter Yoga, Bill Alarid couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He wasn’t surprised at the concept itself, but rather the effect it had on the participants and the way it seemed to be so infectious. Once someone started, the laughter literally spread to everyone in the room. “I was just amazed…
The Cheapskate
My son has a personality disorder. It’s not the usual stuff that all kids seem to have these days: ADD, ADHD, or HUA (head up anus). It’s far worse than that. To describe it simply, he’s cheap. If he had a dollar in his pocket, and you needed 10 more cents to pay for the…
Green businesses to be recognized
County businesses that achieved “green” certification in 2009 will be honored during the Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County breakfast on Feb. 5. Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hatch will provide the event’s opening remarks, followed by a keynote address given by Wes Hagen, winemaker and vineyard manager of Clos Pepe…
Free workshop offers foreclosure advice
Want to learn more about alternatives to foreclosure? You’re invited to the Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation’s free foreclosure prevention workshop on Jan. 13 in Santa Maria. Attendees will learn strategies to preserve homeownership and avoid foreclosure at the workshop, which will be facilitated by Brian Kerrigan, housing counselor for the nonprofit group. Kerrigan is a…
Valley tourism group debuts 2010 guide
The Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association is holding its annual networking meeting to debut the new tourism guide for the valley on Jan. 12. The 2010 Visitors Guide to Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley is a joint publication of the SYVVA and the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau to promote the area’s recreational activities,…
There’s a new charter school in town
On Jan. 9, the Santa Maria Valley Charter School will hold its first informational meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Santa Maria Sewing Superstore, 127 E. Main St., in Santa Maria. School officials recently sent a copy of their charter petition to the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. A decision has yet to be…
Host a foreign exchange student for a semester
A local branch of the nonprofit STS Foundation is looking for some Santa Maria residences to serve as homes away from home for international high school students during the spring 2010 semester. “These students would like to integrate themselves into a loving and caring family with the goal of experiencing American culture as an American…
Celebrate the new year with the Luis Oasis Senior Center
Want to take up a new hobby in 2010? The Luis Oasis Senior Center is now offering copies of its activities schedule for the month of January. The schedule includes dozens of classes, events, and groups that focus on everything from ukulele and bridge playing, to experiencing the Wii Fit, to reflexology classes. Most of…
Stay in shape with winter sports
Athletes of all skill levels are encouraged to sign up for the Santa Maria Valley YMCA’s Rookie Sports Floor Hockey program and Youth and Adult Arena Soccer classes. The YMCA’s Rookie Sports program is designed for children ages 3 to 6 and focuses on social and physical skills and fun. The deadline to register is…
Dominique & Natalie Garcia
Basketball skills run in the family for 10-year-old Dominique Garcia and her 8-year-old sister, Natalie. On Dec. 19 in Los Angeles, the girls participated in the regional finals of the National Basketball Association’s youth skills competitions. Dominique won the NBA Fit Challenge—a series of six basketball-related exercises—while Natalie placed second in her age group in…
Not your father’s Boy Scouts
Since its inception in 1910, Boy Scouts of America has taught millions of young men the finer points of orienteering, tracking, and map reading. Now, with the emergence of affordable consumer Global Positioning Satellite receivers, the Scouts are going high-tech, adopting the hobby of geocaching as part of a national push to celebrate the organization’s…
Clubs and 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…
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 offers a cholesterol management class on Jan. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sansum Clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. 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 the Medical…
Learning
WOMEN’S ECONOMIC VENTURES offers free hour-long orientations for the group’s self-employment training class on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish at the Family Care Network, 1660 S. Broadway, suite 101, Santa Maria. There are also orientations scheduled for Jan. 13 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial…
Art
THE LOS PADRES ARTISTS GUILD presents fine art photographer and vice president of the Town Center Gallery Mel Felix delivering a demonstration on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave., Old Orcutt. Info: 264-6722. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the exhibit “People, Places, and Things” featuring the…
Recreation
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT holds open registrations for a 7 on 7 adult outdoor soccer league through Jan. 7 at the Parks and Recreation office, Santa Maria. Cost is $252 per team of city residents, and $315 for a non-resident team. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260. THE LUIS OASIS SENIOR CENTER…
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM teams up with the American Red Cross to teach kids how to be “Masters of Disaster” Jan. 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the museum, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 928-8414. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA offers winter break camps for kids, including…
Dance Lessons
WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH, RECREATION DIVISION Community Development Department presents a ballroom dance class Mondays 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Veteran’s Hall. Cost is $40 per month. A Latin American dance class is Mondays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Veteran’s Hall. Cost is $40…
Stage
WORTH THE DRIVE CAL POLY presents The Best of Momix, featuring props, shadow tricks, physical theatre, circus, athleticism, and comedy on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Cohan Center, Cal Poly, SLO. Cost is $20 to $44. Info: 753-2787 or pac.calpoly@gmail.com. THE CLARK CENTER ASSOCIATION presents the Peking Acrobats performing their daring maneuvers on…
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
WORTH THE DRIVE CAL POLY presents W. Terrence Spiller performing a faculty piano recital Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, SLO. A concert featuring the Temptations is Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. at the Cohan Center, Cal Poly, SLO. Cost is $46 to $56. Info: 735-2787 or…
Special Events
CAMP FIRE USA presents its annual candy sale fundraiser starting Jan. 13 and ending Feb. 21 on the Central Coast. The council is also sending candy to the troops in “Operation Home Front.” Cost is $5 per box. Info: 773-5126 or campfirech@sbcglobal.net.
Do what’s best for the people
The opportunity to create a better, stronger, and more affordable health-care system is a dream come true for many Americans; however, I am dismayed by the travesty the Senate has created instead. Watching politicians trade items on the bill like cards in a game has left the average person in a worse position and resulted…
Can’t do this? Scrap it and start over
We prefer the single-payer option. Make it Medicare for everybody. Medicare works very well for us. We need, at the very least, a public option. Without competition, health-care costs will just continue to escalate and break the plan. We do not want restrictions on women’s health care. Tax the wealthier citizens. If this cannot be…
Focus on the effects, not the cause
Global warming is inevitable whether we think it’s caused by human activity as the greenies believe or not. It is one of the many changes constantly taking place on our planet. Instead of spending billions on reducing greenhouse gasses and asking poor countries to not use fossil fuels—and thereby have millions of people die of…
Recognize your impact
Leaving New York City in my adult life has brought me great appreciation for the Earth’s natural resources, and also the distressing realization of their rapid disappearance. Along interstates across the United States, strip malls and tract homes have paved over fertile farmland and wilderness, in the process displacing or killing plants and animals who…
When pigs sing …
I make no apology for accusing liberals of being wrong-headed. They ignore the facts, defy logic, and display little common sense. One Obamacare supporter writes, “With government already providing health care access to our elderly, veterans, children, destitute, and Native Americans, providing access to those remaining could not be properly be called a government takeover.”…
Only stupid unions will get hurt by Walmart
Your article on Walmart (“Lompoc activists look to block Walmart expansion,” Dec. 24) is another case of one-sided journalism. You should have sought other opinions instead of one-sided NPR journalism. I want to rebut the comments of that union “weenie” Bob Cuthbert. No one objected when Vons and Albertsons expanded by 50 percent years ago…
Get cooking
[image-3] In 2010, Central Coast foodies can easily turn over a fresh oven mitt and learn some nifty culinary tricks in the process. By putting in just a few hours a week, aspiring chefs and domestic kitchen jockeys alike will not only discover a world of recipes and techniques, but also build a solid foundation…
