Cover Story
Expressive squeegee
If Santa Barbara painter Henry Rasmussen’s canvases could talk they’d have an odd pack of stories to tell—of being perforated with an old pen, brushed with acrylics and oil sticks, spray painted, splashed with thinner, squeegeed, sanded and scraped, sewn into, and carved with a kitchen knife. It’s a fairly violent working method for an…
Did you ever pull pranks on freshmen when you were in high school?
Dominique Gauna student “No, because I was the kid who would always get picked on.” Emily Elkins student “No, I never really got into the class hazing.” Blake Martinez farmer “Yes. When I was a senior, all of the classes were having a relay. At the end of the relay, you had to eat a…
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. ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS for men meets in San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach. Men interested in attending may contact representatives: 550-6718 or not_moses@fastmail.fm. ALL-AMERICAN QUILTERS’ GUILD meets…
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…
Farmer’s 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
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department is providing anyone 50 years of age or older with a free blood pressure screening the First Tuesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning May 4 at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 East Park Ave., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.…
Art
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the exhibit “Shifting Sands of the Central Coast” by Cathy Gregg showing through April 30 in the Shepard Hall Gallery, 421 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. The art of Mary Meng Wade shows in the “Tai Chi Series” May 3 through 28 in the Shepard Hall Gallery, 421 S. McClelland,…
Learning
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS presents a forum for the candidates for the Santa Barbara County district attorney and 5th District supervisor on April 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria. Info: 928-9888 or joanleon@juno.com. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Park Department offers…
Recreation
THE RANCHO GUADALUPE DUNES PRESERVE presents an afternoon of lectures May 6 starting at 8 a.m. in the American Legion Hall of Guadalupe. Info: 343-2455 or dunescenter.org. WORTH THE DRIVE PUZZLE TRADERS is a new group of puzzle fans forming to trade puzzles. The group’s first gala event is May 5 from 2 to 4…
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA presents swim lessons for kids 3 years and older Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. through May 1 at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8521 or smvymca.org. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents the annual MLB Pitch, Hit, and Run Baseball Skills…
Dance Lessons
ONGOING BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE currently teaches American Tribal Style dance classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in Lompoc and Thursdays in Grover Beach. Info: 709-4686 or BlueMoonHaven.com. COUNTRY WESTERN DANCE CLASSES by Jeannette and Henry are Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for country two-step lessons and from 8 to 9 p.m. for…
Stage
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents Folklorico!, featuring the festive colorful dances of Mexico April 29 through May 1 in the Severson Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $10. Info: 922-8313. SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of Everyone Loves Opal April 30 through May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the…
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
THE SANTA MARIA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM presents its 2010 Spring Concert featuring several school ensembles on April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Ethel Pope Auditorium, Santa Maria High School, Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $3. THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents piano virtuoso Rudolf Budginas in concert on April 30 at 8 p.m.…
Special Events
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents its annual Spring Pottery Sale April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Maria Campus Student Center, 800 S College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252. THE CENTRAL COAST “CRAZY RACE” is a fundraiser scavenger hunt modeled after The…
Give the gift of life
Santa Barbara County resident Joe Darga always thought of himself as a pretty healthy person. He led an active lifestyle and didn’t have many health problems. But when he was 61 years old, Darga said, he “started getting tired in the afternoons.” “I just thought it was part of getting older. Old people need their…
Political Watch 4.29
Santa Maria officials are still looking for a city resident to serve on the All-America City Committee. Applications will be accepted until May 5 at 3 p.m. According to city officials, members of this committee “evaluate the civic health and pride of the community” and ensure collaboration between the public and private sector. The committee…
Community Notebook 4.29
TUESDAY, MAY 4 • 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 http://santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District…
Barbecued chicken for the scout’s soul
Chicken, beans, bread, and salad: It’s a meal fit for a king. And this meal, a fundraiser for Boy Scouts Troop 87, will be available May 15 in the CVS parking lot in Orcutt. The barbecue will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and costs $8 a meal. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be…
Correction
The April 22 Sports Shorts item “Make ’em laugh” incorrectly listed times for Laughter Yoga sessions at Elwin Mussell Senior Center. The classes will be held from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays beginning May 20. Free Laughter Yoga sessions are also currently available Fridays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Luis Oasis Senior…
Nipomo’s Willow Road interchange is in the works
San Luis Obispo County officials have begun eminent domain proceedings to obtain the final parcels of land needed for the proposed Willow Road interchange in Nipomo. The first step of the process involved passing a “resolution of necessity,” which the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of on April 20.…
Maldonado confirmed as lieutenant governor
A Santa Maria native will soon fill one of the top positions in California government. In a recent second go-around, both the Assembly and the Senate voted to confirm Republican Sen. Abel Maldonado as the state’s lieutenant governor. “I thank my colleagues in the Assembly for confirming me to the office of the Lieutenant Governor…
County remembers former District Attorney Christie Stanley
Retired Santa Barbara County District Attorney Christie Stanley died April 25 at her North County home after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 61 years old. A memorial service honoring Stanley’s life will be held on April 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Pacific Christian Center, 3435 Santa Maria Way, in Santa Maria. In…
Minotaur launches … and fails
On April 22, Vandenberg Air Force Base launched the Minotaur IV Lite into its maiden voyage at 4 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 8. The Minotaur carried the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV). However, nine minutes after the Minotaur dropped the Falcon, officials lost contact with the unmanned…
Mural unveiled
Hancock College student Michael Vaughn challenges onlookers to “Face the Machine” with his mural to be dedicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on May 7 at the northwest corner of North H Street and West Chestnut Avenue in Lompoc. Vaughn will be on hand for the dedication and to discuss his painting with…
Wildling photographers shine
The Wildling Museum announced the winners of its April Showers Bring May Flowers photography competition. The 23 winning entries were chosen from 112 submitted and will be on display May 2 through June 6 in the Goodall Education Center. The five overall winners include Jane Kametani’s first-place “Spinning Orange,” Stuart Wilson’s second-place “Western Thimbleberry, Rubus…
PCPA students showcase training
PCPA students will present the culmination of two years of intensive actor and technical theater training in two productions this May. PCPA’s Conservatory Showcase will include The Musical of Musicals, The Musical! and The Penelopiad. When one musical isn’t enough, there’s The Musical of Musicals, The Musical!, co-directed by Peter S. Hadres and Karin Hendricks…
A tale of two artists
It’s something we know even as children as we flip through storybooks: Stories are just better with visuals. At Gallery Los Olivos during May the story is all about the visual. The gallery will present An Eclectic Storybook featuring multimedia artist Margie Bowker and jeweler Eddie Aurand. For Bowker, a rich and colorful story begins…
Snow day
Our trip started out like many other classic day trips of ours, with the chaotic excitement and danger that lets us know we are away from home. This time it was an out-of-control truck on an icy mountain climb. However, out-of-control seems a little misleading because it appeared to be very much in control of…
Get a fresh idea
Navigating the grocery store can prove challenging, especially when the aisles and checkout lines teem with shoppers. Finding crisp apples, firm zucchini, and flavorful tomatoes among the often mass-produced selection stymies many a veggie buyer, but thanks to Babé Farms Local Farmer’s Garden, there’s a convenient, delicious solution. With the arrival of April comes the…
Answer this
Again this morning on a television news program, I watched a segment about how obese our nation is, the problems surrounding obesity, and the need to exercise and eat healthy to combat this growing (no pun intended) problem. In fact, childhood obesity is one of the issues of interest to Michelle Obama. At the time,…
A hairy situation
The other morning, my fifth grade daughter woke up and realized she didn’t like the length of her bangs. She decided to go ahead and give them a “little” trim. Then she didn’t like that her bangs were crooked, so she trimmed them some more. Then she thought they were a bit too short, so…
Strawberry Festival is a success!
The numbers are in for the 23rd annual Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, and according to event organizers, business was good. The three-day event, held this year from April 23 to 25 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, saw an overall attendance of 60,140, an eight-percent increase from 2009. In a press release, Fairpark CEO Dennis…
Economic project peers into 2010
The prospects for Northern Santa Barbara County’s economy in 2010 will be the topic of a seminar presented by the UC Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project on May 7. The program will feature Chris Thornburg, founding principal of Beacon Economics and chief forecaster for California State Controller John Chiang, who will speak on “The U.S.…
Habitat sells building materials
Why throw out your excess building materials when you can donate them to Habitat for Humanity? ReStore of Northern Santa Barbara County is a home and office salvage recycling center owned and operated by the local branch of Habitat for Humanity. It’s also a retail outlet where quality used and surplus building materials, furniture, and…
Take a ride on the party train
Train whistles will be blowing all over the Central Coast on May 8 in honor of the third annual National Train Day. To celebrate Train Day, area rail organizations and historical societies have put together several free events in San Luis Obispo and Guadalupe. In Guadalupe, the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad,…
DAN ANDO
Pioneer Valley senior Dan Ando made a name for himself on the football field during his high school career, but his track exploits deserve at least an honorable mention. Despite running on an iffy knee, Ando set new school records in both the 100- and 200-meter events during the Santa Barbara County Championships on April…
Keepin’ it fresh
Though Los Padres League officials voted to suspend freshman high school sports in 2010-11, the move doesn’t mean incoming student-athletes won’t be able to play, according to league officials and school athletic directors. Principals for the seven schools in the Los Padres League voted unanimously to cut freshmen athletic programs back in January. The decision…
Kids vs. Kops on the court
Santa Maria High School senior basketball players will be looking for revenge when they take on the Santa Maria Police Department in the 11th annual “Kids vs. Kops” game on May 7. The high schoolers will be led by All-Los Padres League Honorable Mention Kevin Lindgren and graduating players from the boys’ and girls’ basketball…
Panthers name new football coach
Pioneer Valley High School Athletic Director Rhett Carter announced the hiring of Dan Ellington as the school’s new head football coach on April 20. Ellington replaces Greg Dickinson, who stepped down in March to pursue a career as a school administrator. Ellington has worked as an instructional aide in the school’s Special Education department and…
