THE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SANTA MARIA will hold a meeting regarding current research, Central Coast Follies information, and a sharing session on Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, East McCoy Lane and College Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-7776 or 925-0266.
COLD STONE CREAMERY presents the “World’s Largest Ice Cream Social,” featuring a free 3 oz. ice cream designed by a Make-A-Wish Foundation child Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at participating locations, including Cold Stone in Orcutt, 4869 S .Bradley Road. Info: ssaucedo1@sbcglobal.net.
GROWING GROUNDS FARM presents a Harvest Festival, featuring live music, flowers, vegetables, art, barbecue, and kids activities on Sept. 25 from noon to 6 p.m. at Growing Grounds Farm, West Foster Road and California Boulevard., Santa Maria. Info: 541-5144, Ext. 175, or T-MHA.org.
THE CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL AQUARIUM is open to public viewing Sept. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cabrillo High School, 4350 Constellation Road, Lompoc. Info: 742-2888.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY REPUBLICANS present a meeting and dinner featuring speaker Tony Strickland Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at Santa Maria Terrace, 1405 E Main St., Santa Maria. Cost is $20. Info: 928-2955.
CRUZIN’ FOR LIFE presents “Cruzin’ Downtown Santa Maria” on Sept. 27 with registration at 9 a.m., a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a survivors’ parade at 2 p.m. on South Broadway in downtown Santa Maria. A “Cruzin’ Dinner and Dance” is Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 11 p.m. in the Convention Center of the Santa Maria Fairpark. A “Dragster and Funnycar Exhibition” and Burnout Competition is Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fairpark. Info: 937-8008 or cruzinforlife.net.
NATIONAL ALPACA DAYS come to Ranch of the Oaks (take the Cebada Canyon Exit off of Highway 246) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27. Learn about alpacas, llamas, and Icelandic sheep at this free event. Tour a yarn-making mini-mill, see hand spinning demos, and bring needles so you can knit under the oaks. Many ranches in the Santa Ynez Valley will also be holding celebrations. Info: ranchoftheoaks.com or nationalalpacafarmday.com.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY holds a pet microchipping clinic Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the clinic, 751 Black Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $32 per microchip, per pet, or $27 for members. Info: 349-3435 smvhs.org.
THE ORCUTT AQUACENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS hosts a poolside party and barbecue on Sept. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Foxenwood Tennis and Swim Club, 1087 Clubhouse Dr., Orcutt. Cost is $30. Info: 714-9292 or orcuttaquacenter.org.
SANTA MARIA AREA TRANSIT (SMAT) holds raffle drawings and giveaways at the bus stops and shelters on Sept. 29. The Transit Center on East Cook Street will feature staffers showing their appreciation to the customers and answering questions Sept. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. Info: 925-0951 or ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
THE 29TH ANNUAL YMCA GOLF TOURNAMENT is at the Santa Maria Country Club Sept. 29 featuring games, dinner, and an auction. Info: 937-8521.
THE RETIRED SMJUHS TEACHERS hold their third annual barbecue picnic Sept. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. at Waller Park, area 6, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6886 or famcoop2@aol.com.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE and the Northern Santa Barbara County Bar Association present a Judicial Candidate Forum for Jed Beebe and John MacKinnon on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Allan Hancock College Forum, 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. Info: questions@nsbbar.org or 801-5175.
THE LOMPOC VALLEY REPUBLICAN CLUB presents a forum for the Lompoc City Council and mayoral candidates on Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Life Christian Academy, 816 North C St., Lompoc.
WORTH THE DRIVE
THE SUSAN G. KOMEN FOUNDATION holds a fundraiser featuring food, wine, music, art, and an auction is benefit of breast cancer research Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santa Ynez Inn, 3627 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. Info: 688-5588 or specialevents@santaynezinn.com.
SALISBURY VINEYARDS presents “Film Noir at Salisbury Vineyards,” featuring food, wine, and a screening of the film His Kind of Woman Sept. 26 at the vineyard, 6985 Ontario Road, Avila Beach. Cost is $60. Info: 595-9463.
THE SANTA BARBARA BOOK AND AUTHOR FESTIVAL features reading events and appearances by authors Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Public Library, Santa Barbara. Info: sbbookfestival.org or 965-3023, Ext. 103.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD presents its annual book sale through Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara. Info: 963-2445 or ppsbvslo.org.
UCSB ARTS AND LECTURES screens the animated feature film WALL-E on Oct. 1 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at UCSB, Santa Barbara. Cost is $6, free for students. Info: artsandlectures.ucsb.edu or 893-3535.
CAL POLY’S Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium (SARC) holds it annual fundraising dinner “Taste of the Future” Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth David, SLO. Cost is $125. Info: 756-5086 or sarc.calpoly.edu/events/fundraisers.html.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 2, 2008.