Cover Story
Getting art in the open
The sounds of heavy construction rattled from the corner of Cook and Broadway, the site of the new multiplex to be attached to the Town Center mall. Passersby gazed at the towering walls going up brick by brick, perhaps reminded that a new business is soon to open its doors in the heart of Santa…
Big Sur state of mind
A while back I announced to my husband, Peter, that I was going to plan a romantic weekend getaway. I wanted to spend a couple of days exploring Catalina Island, or head up to San Francisco to see a ballet. I had lots of pretty ideas floating around in my head … until I took…
Is graffiti art?
Franklin Blitch certified radiology technician “It depends; if it’s an actual image, it might be art. I have seen some great murals.” Alejandra Tapia X-ray technician “It is art. Everything they do is very artistic; for example, mixing colors and making it 3D.” Lorena Nunez student “I think it’s art, definitely. They go all out.…
Here come Los TexManiacs
Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara is wrapping up another amazing season of big-name performances in Santa Barbara County. The series, which has featured mega-talented Hispanic music and dance ensembles performing and teaching their art, is geared toward youth and family outreach, with free attendance for each concert event. The last show will feature Los…
Join the kids’ club
Michaels arts and crafts store offers two upcoming classes for kids: The first event is titled “Kids Club: Celebrate Earth” and takes place April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. A “Kids Club Earth Friendly Fox Puppet Event” is April 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Crafting happens in 30-minute sessions for both events. For…
Society names Ed Carcarey ‘Champion of the Community’
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and Mega 97.1 FM spokesman Ed Carcarey have been recognized by the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) as District Eight award winners. Carcarey received the “2012 Champion of the Community” award for his community outreach efforts. He’s known for supporting nonprofit groups like PLAY Inc.…
Two days, many films
The Allan Hancock College film and video program is gearing up for the fifth annual “Wired Weekend 2-Day Filmmaking Challenge” happening April 19 through 21. The “Wired Weekend” challenge is for student teams that must make a short movie in two days. Participants will receive a partial script on April 19 at 4 p.m. The…
Put the carte before the family
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, along with help from PLAY Inc. and OCAF, presents a mobile arts program for youth and families. Art a la Carte features a trailer full of art history equipment, supplies, materials, books, and a speaker or trained artist accompanying the trailer to area parks. Art a…
Vibrancy of life
Watercolors enjoy wide popularity in the art world for their accessibility and malleability. The often-seen “washed out” style can subtly imply a subject, while a more pigment-heavy approach can yield a blooming field of color. Local watercolor artist Erin Williams—whose work tends to fall in the latter, vibrant category—is showcasing a full exhibit of her…
Living through the Dark Age
The past two weeks have been dark ones here at Bleak House. What the Dickens happened at our once happy habitat of Waterman Manor? What cataclysmic event could have occurred to bring both a young boy and grown man sobbing to their knees? What turned my hair even grayer in a mere 14 days? We…
Bulldogs play ball
The Lady Bulldogs softball team moved to third place in the Western State Conference with a stellar 3-0 win over Ventura College. The team continues to hold down the best overall record in conference with 15-10; they’re still dominating conference with a .325 team average, 229 hits, and 180 runs. Nathalia Powell continues to lead…
Get outside and play!
On the third Saturday of each month, now through November, head out to Los Flores Ranch Park to explore a new educational program offered by Santa Maria Parks and Recreation Department. Los Flores Ranch Park docents will teach the history, geology, and biology of the park through walks and hands-on learning. Guides will also teach…
Cultural exposure
Learn the art of running from the ancient Tarahumara Indians. On April 4, renowned photographer, cross-country coach, and marathon runner Luis Escobar will offer a presentation and photos on his experiences with the Tarahumara. The event will be held at Trattoria Uliveto Italian Restaurant in Orcutt. It starts at 5:30 p.m. and is open to…
Knights shoot down Eagles
The Saint Joseph baseball team secured a solid victory against Arroyo Grande in a recent match-up. The Knights came out hot in the bottom half of the first inning, pushing six runs over the plate. They followed it up with another run in the second inning and four in the fourth, racking up nine scores…
Athlete of the Week: Jeff Burr
This is Sparta(n tennis)! With a current record of 9-4, Orcutt Academy’s boys’ tennis team has fought hard for its good record, and junior Jeff Burr has been central to the success so far. Playing No. 1 singles, Burr has helped his team advance with his great ground strokes. “My forehand and my slice, I…
Taking it in stride
While the Bulldog track-—now in it’s 13th season—team awaits the groundbreaking of its new facility, members have had to hold their practices elsewhere this season, making use of the track fields at Righetti, Pioneer Valley, and Santa Maria high schools. Allan Hancock College head track coach Louie Quintana said that while he’s grateful for the…
Youth Making Change celebrates grant giving
Youth Making Change (YMC) is handing out $30,000 in grants during April. The teen-led grant-making program that was started by the Fund for Santa Barbara in 2008 will distribute $15,000 in grants for southern Santa Barbara County and $15,000 for the north. YMC provides grants to youth-led projects addressing community issues and challenges directly affecting…
A two-day filmmaking challenge is on deck for April
Participants in Allan Hancock College’s fifth annual filmmaking challenge will have two days to direct, produce, and finish a short film for the school’s film festival. “Wired Weekend” will put five-member student-led teams to the test starting April 19 at 4 p.m., when each team receives a partial script. They’ll then have two days to…
Public library offers genealogy workshop
Genealogical research can lead to the discovery of your family’s history, a long-lost sibling, or the famous great-aunt you never knew. The Santa Maria Public Library is host to a free genealogy workshop at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, in Shepard Hall. The workshop is offered to people who want to learn where to…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Is it my imagination, or are the regular monthly Chamber of Commerce mixers getting to be more fun? The level of networking and business buzz seem to be on the upswing as more people come to eat, drink, and be merry. Chamber members Mary and Ed Hernandez were hosts for the March 21 mixer at…
Spotlight on: Maria’s Cre-Asian Diner
Are you ready to embark on an epicurean adventure that will take you from North America, across the ocean to East Asia, and back again? Maria’s Cre-Asian Diner in Santa Maria is your ticket to sampling a cornucopia of culinary delights. Located on South Broadway between Betteravia Road and McCoy Lane, Maria’s Cre-Asian Diner offers…
An everlasting kindness
The Joseph B. Hernandez Memorial Food Drive, also known as the Keeping the Memory Alive Food Drive, recently completed its fifth year of work to help feed and clothe locals in need. Robyn Velasquez, niece of the food drive’s founder and one of its organizers, said, “[The food drive] collected this year 4,680 pounds [of…
Seller’s market
You might sell your house almost as soon as you list it. Or you might not get the house you made an offer on. Regardless of which side of the buyer/seller line you stand on, one thing is certain: People are in the buying mood. As long as a seller’s price-point is reasonable, he or…
Correction
In the March 28 Biz Spotlight on Chomp, the Sun incorrectly identified the owners of Chomp, a new restaurant in Solvang. The owners are Aaron Petersen and Kim Jensen. News Briefs are compiled by Sun writers through reporting and local and national media. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
Vandalism and loitering prompt concern in northeast neighborhoods
The top complaint voiced at the city-held northeast neighborhood town hall meeting on March 26? Teenagers up to no good after Pioneer Valley High School gets out for the day. Vandalism, congestion, and petty theft/burglary were high on the list of issues. The meeting was the second of four neighborhood get-togethers organized by the city…
Santa Barbara County’s unemployment rate creeps up
Santa Barbara County’s unemployment rate increased to 8.4 percent in January, according to data recently released by the State Employment Development Department (EDD). The number of people who are without jobs is more than it was in December 2012 (7.7 percent) and in November 2012 (7.3 percent), but well below the rate from January of…
Grover Heights teachers opt out of TAP
TAP, the Teacher and Student Advancement System, is no more at Grover Heights Elementary School. The school’s staff voted on March 21 to opt out of the incentive-based teaching program, which district officials have lauded as a way to enhance student performance. Grover Heights principal Susan Kesselring expressed her disappointment over losing TAP in a…
Barham oil field expansion gets go ahead from community
Drilling for oil on the Central Coast—or trying to—can prompt controversy, dissent, and heated debate. But that’s not the case this time around. A current conversation is revolving around a desire to expand the boundary lines of the Barham Ranch oil field southeast of Los Alamos to include 640 more acres of surface land. Pat…
This sequester concerns me
I am really concerned about the impacts of our own government’s cuts known as sequesters, when it comes to the Republicans and the Democrats. First of all, the FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, had close to a 150-closure list of staff at local airports and control towers. Take, for example, in Ohio County of West Virginia…
Tough questions
Greed is destroying the environment we depend on. Those who will profit most from the oil corporations drilling derricks in ocean floors or fracking in the northern plains do not seem to be at all concerned about children’s futures. As widely reported, North Dakota is another state that has also been much changed by the…
Missing Mr. Montague
One of the most remarkable ambassadors for the greater Central Coast region of California over the last half-century was the indefatigable late maestro of acapella choral music, Mr. Glenn A. Montague, who journeyed to the Spirit World the day before the first day of spring, this winter. Mr. Montague, whose local debut in 1963 at…
Mommy & me sushi
Every year, since my daughter Sienna was 2 years old, she has requested her favorite food for her birthday meal: sushi. So, every year, we’ve brought home sushi from Yanagi in Santa Maria. Sienna hasn’t yet graduated to the raw variety; she started with, and still loves, California rolls, made with cooked crabmeat, avocado, cucumber,…
It’s not a bird, and it’s not a plane
How often do you look up? As a bird, I look up all the time. The skies are my domain, and I always need to know how they look. I’m constantly asking questions, many of which are filled with jargon you surface-huggers probably can’t even pronounce. Is that smudge on the horizon going to force…
