THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE accepts entries to the 2009 Strawberry Queen Pageant with the ticket-selling competition ending April 17. The pageant is April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Maria Fairpark Center Stage, 614 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 925-2403, Ext. 816, marcy@santamaria.com, or the Chamber office at 614 S. Broadway, Santa Maria.
THE MINERVA CLUB holds its annual Trash or Treasures sale on April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Minerva Club, Santa Maria. Info: 937-5400.
THE 23RD ANNUAL SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL features an arts and crafts show, commercial items, food booths, a carnival, and entertainment April 17 through 19 at Ryon Park, 800 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. A Barbecue Shootout and Chili Cook-off is April 18. A Barbecue Shootout and Ride in Motorcycle Show is April 19. Cost is $30 for all-day carnival rides. Info: 735-8511.
THE SANTA MARIA COIN CLUB presents its annual coin and collectibles show on April 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Church Meeting Hall, 4799 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Info: 937-1250.
THE NIPOMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE presents its “Annual Olde West Casino Night Fundraiser” on April 18 from 5 to 10 p.m., featuring barbecue, casino gaming tables, dancing, and auctions at Edwards Barn at Pomeroy and Willow Road, Nipomo. Cost is $50, or $350 for a table of eight. Info: 929-1583.
THE SANTA MARIA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM presents its annual Earth Day celebration, featuring an appearance by Lois Capps, a vegetable gardening demonstration, the Aztec Dancers, live animals, a fossil dig, crafts for kids, an art sale, a flea market, educational booths, a historic walk, and barbecue on April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Natural History Museum, 412 McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 729-1114.
THE SANTA MARIA ELKS CLUB is accepting entries for its annual Beard a Reno and Miss Wrangler contest through April 21at the Elks Club at 1309 N. Bradley, Santa Maria. Info: 925-4125.
THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION hosts a benefit featuring 350 prominent Santa Maria business executives spending time in a mock jail and making bail for the association on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stinky’s Grill, 2430 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 560-7651.
THE PUEBLO EDUCATION FUND presents a public forum on immigration, titled “Reconstructing America Together!” on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 922-4447 or antonio@sbpueblo.org.
THE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SANTA MARIA holds a meeting featuring a performance by the Oasis Ukulele Band on April 23 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy Lane, Santa Maria. Info: 937-7776.
WORTH THE DRIVE
MOROVINO WINERY presents the grand opening of the Haub Gallery, featuring live music and wine tasting and food pairings on April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 550 1st St., Avila Beach. Info: 627-1443.
THE C GALLERY presents the “Into the Night” art show and Sneak Preview Gala, featuring multimedia art, wall dancing, live jazz music, wine, and food on April 17 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40, $75 per couple. An opening reception with the artists is April 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the gallery in Los Alamos. Info: thecgallery.com/events or 344-3807.
THE CAL POLY STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION presents a gala event featuring dinner, wine tasting, and a live and silent auction on April 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Cliffs Resort, Pismo Beach. Info: 441-3887 of dsherman@calpoly.edu.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents “Emergent Vision: Independent Documentaries from China” on April 18, featuring a screening of Crime and Punishment at 11 a.m., Noise at 1:30 p.m., and Two Seasons at 3 p.m., all in the Mary Craig Auditorium, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: (916) 284-5654 or jwneves@umail.ucsb.edu.
AN EARTH DAY BEACH CLEAN UP meets April 18 from noon to 2 p.m. at campsite 62, Jalama Beach, Jalama. Info: 568-3316 or sbprojectcleanwater.org.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION presents its “Project Appleseed” rifle marksmanship clinic and competition on April 18 and 19 with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the San Luis Obispo Sportsmans Association, SLO. Cost is $50 for one day, $80 for both days. Info: appleseedinfo.org or RWVACA@gmail.com.
EARTH DAY ALLIANCE presents a Green Living Expo, featuring green tips, tools, products, and a tour on April 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza, SLO. Info: 544-8529.
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES holds a benefit gala titled “The Magic of Motown,” featuring a performance by the Duke Ellington School of the Arts on April 18 with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner and dancing at 7 p.m. at 1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara. Cost is $250. Info: 845-8364, Ext. 26.
THE COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION honors Santa Barbara County’s finest for their service to the community at the Community Action Champions Awards Dinner on April 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hotel Corque. Cost is $100, $750 for a table of 8. Info: cacsb.com or 964-8857.
This article appears in Apr 16-23, 2009.