It’s hard to believe that, with its lunch hour traffic, expansive housing developments, and myriad big box stores, Santa Maria once housed a mere 3,500 people, a few horses, a train, and some oil drills. What’s harder to believe is that many of Santa Maria’s current senior citizens remember those days from their childhood. The […]
Music, Arts & Culture
Her town
Elizabeth Monks Hack considers herself an “art person.” From crayons to paintbrushes, she feels most at home when she’s expressing herself on canvas—so much so that she doesn’t remember ever becoming an artist. She’s always been one. “I just remember doing very big crayon drawings and scraping the crayon off and creating different textures with […]
Get Downieville
Two nights ago, I made the most marvelous chicken. It was a joint effort, actually, between my friend Suzie Weir and me. We were cooking up some protein for our racers at the Downieville Classic—my boyfriend Anthony, her husband Mark, and assorted others—and somehow we stumbled upon the perfect barbecuing technique to make moist, flavorful, […]
Hancock to host girl’s tennis tournament for young players
Allan Hancock College is set to host a girls doubles tennis tournament for girls entering grades 9 through 12. The tournament will be held Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. Each participant is guaranteed to play five 10-game pro sets. The entry fee is $25 per player, with proceeds benefiting the Hancock women’s tennis team. For […]
Locals win at Orcutt Star Spangled Softball Tournament
All-star teams from Santa Maria, Five Cities, and Nipomo made it to the championships on July 6 at the Star Spangled Softball Tournament at Lakeview Junior High School, hosted by the Orcutt Youth Softball Association. The Santa Maria Dream Team took a 3-1 victory against Moorpark in the under-10 finals, led by pitcher Hannah Diaz. […]
Athlete of the Week
Whether he’s hitting the ball or pitching it, Zach Kennedy knows baseball. He plays both first base and pitcher for the Northside All-Stars. This is a big accomplishment for Kennedy, who originally got started in the sport by playing T-ball in Texas. “It’s exciting and fun,” he said of why he chooses to play. “I […]
CLUBS & MEETINGS
ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., in the downstairs conference room at United Way, 1660 S. Broadway. Info: 352-0026 or 937-4071. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. OF THE CENTRAL COAST meets at noon the second and fourth Monday of every month at […]
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
SANSUM CLINIC offers a “Cholesterol Management” class July 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. A “Diabetes Essentials” class is July 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. ONGOING ARTHRITIS FDN. is […]
ART
THE LOMPOC SCULPTORS SOCIETY presents the exhibition A Medley of Sculpture through Sept. 5 at the Centeno Gallery, Lompoc Museum, 200 South H St., Lompoc. An opening reception is July 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum. Info: 736-3888. THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY features the works of local artists for two months at […]

