Cover Story
Mind the gap
The decision involves a $15 million chunk of Santa Barbara County’s estimated $39 million deficit for 2010. Its implementation will significantly impact county taxpayers and employee pensions for at least the next 17 years. An influential Board of Supervisors’ meeting to discuss its finer points happened behind closed doors, a move some contend occurred in…
What do you hate more than taxes?
Hector Ramirez student “Hypocrites, because at least taxes do something, but hypocrites just stab you in the back.” Mike Schmidt medical assistant “Long lines. I just hate waiting in lines.” Leah Payne barista “I can’t think of anything that I hate more than taxes since I’m poor, and they still take my money.” John Breidenstein…
Political Watch 4.8
U.S. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) is encouraging her constituents to take full advantage of tax cuts created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Here are some of the new tax credits available: The Making Work Pay tax credit, a tax credit of $400 for an individual or $800 for married couples filing jointly…
Community Notebook 4.8
MONDAY, APRIL 12 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, APRIL 13 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Off they went … one after the other … a convoy of electric golf carts at the Santa Maria Country Club, sailing by onlookers on the green and heading for the gorgeous golf course. The carts carried 124 golfers, from up and down the coast, who paid $225 each to play in…
Give up your blood
United Blood Services is calling for all rare blood types to donate in an effort to overcome the organization’s low surplus. The group needs primarily Type O-Negative and Type A-Negative, due to high demand. Type O-Negative is considered to be “universal” blood, but only about seven percent of the population pumps it through their veins.…
Let’s talk about sex(ting)
Across the nation, thousands of individuals and organizations are dedicated to teaching teens about the importance of safe and healthy sexual habits. There are also plenty of people and groups who advocate for abstinence only. And now, thanks to the increasingly wired world in which we live, those educators are adding another topic to their…
Our own fault
The devastating earthquake in Haiti, the massive rocker in Chile, small offshore quakes in Northern California, and the 7.2 temblor that hit Mexicali in recent months have heightened concerns about local geologic faults, especially the potential for damage to the nuclear reactors at the Diablo Canyon power station and the storage casks for spent fuel…
Republican candidates for 23rd Congressional District will face off in a public debate
A quartet of Republicans is campaigning for the chance to knock longtime Congressional representative Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) out of her 23rd District seat. The candidates—John Davidson, Dave Stockdale, Clark Vandeventer, and Tom Watson—will match political wits at a public debate on April 25 at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Dr., in Solvang.…
Talks between Southern California Gas Company and SLO County are at an impasse
Talks between Southern California Gas Company and SLO County are at an impasse A lot’s changed since 1955. Presidents have come and gone. Wars have been fought. Physicists have reshaped our view of space and time. Then there’s the franchise agreement between SLO County and Southern California Gas Company, which has remained virtually unchanged for…
The sound of music
The Central Coast Music Teachers Association hosted a recital recently for music students preparing for spring evaluations. Twenty students offered the celebration of keyboard music, organized by association member teachers Alan Boehmer of Los Osos, Lynne Garrett of Santa Maria, Betty Hansen of Santa Maria, Nell Kauffman of Arroyo Grande, Debbie Lagomarsino of Paso Robles,…
Art for Capps
Congresswoman Lois Capps is inviting local high school students to submit art pieces for the annual Congressional Art competition. Submissions must be received at one of her local Congressional offices by 5 p.m. on April 30. Submissions must be two-dimensional, no larger than 28-by-28 inches (including the frame), and no more than 4 inches in…
The Best adventure
Just like any other author, Jennifer Best wants to sell lots of copies of her latest book, Best Family Adventures: Santa Barbara County. But before delving into an interview to talk about it, she put first things first: She walked out of the room only to return with her homeschooled daughters and a math textbook,…
The music raves on
Young people throughout the Midwest turned out in 1959 to hear Buddy Holly and the Crickets, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Dion and the Belmonts as they toured with the Winter Dance Party. Fans raved: “It was crazy, daddy! … If you haven’t heard them, you haven’t lived, man!” Tragically, on Feb. 3, 1959,…
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. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. OF…
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 presents a diabetes essentials class on April 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. A “Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Nutrition” class is April 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. The clinic is at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. Info: 737-8700.…
Art
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents its annual Fine Arts Faculty Art Show showing through April 21 in the Ann Foxworthy Gallery, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3465, or hancockcollege.edu. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the exhibit “Shifting Sands of the Central Coast” by Cathy Gregg showing through April 30…
Learning
THE SANTA MARIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents “The Valley Speaks” featuring Jim Zemaitis talking about his father, the founder of Overland Security, on April 10 at 11 a.m. at the Shepard Room of the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 934-3514 or 922-3130. THE LOMPOC PUBLIC LIBRARY celebrates National Library Week…
Recreation
ONGOING A MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BEACH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE with four-on-four teams, no contact, is every Sunday at the beach in front of the Sandcastle Inn, Pismo Beach. Cost is $3 per player. Rain cancels. Registration: 489-1340. ARK TENNIS LESSONS for third through eighth graders are Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at St.…
Kids & Family
THE 14TH ANNUAL CENTRAL COAST HOME EDUCATION CONFERENCE is April 10 from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church on College Avenue, Santa Maria. Info: 614-5102 or hiserhouse@verizon.net. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA offers swim lessons for kids 3 years and older available Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. through May 1 at the Santa…
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
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH is celebrated in Lompoc with a poetry reading by Ella Gale and Jim Kotsybar on April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ, 3346 Constellation Road, Vandenberg Village. Info: 740-9888 or ellagale@verizon.net. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents a “Poetry Alive!” event on April 14…
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 HISTORIC SANTA MARIA INN presents Steppin’ Out in concert on April 10 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Santa Maria Inn, 801 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 720-6872. O’SULLIVAN’S PUB hosts a concert featuring Nothington, the 1st Line, and New Tomorrow on April 14 at the pub, 633 E. Main St.,…
Special Events
THE CENTRAL COAST SPCA presents a MEGA Rummage sale on April 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orcutt CVS parking lot at the corner of Clark and Bradley. All proceeds benefit abused animals. Info: 922-3191 or donaldjt@verizon.net. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents a Spring Family Fun Day,…
Santa Maria hosts celebrity boot camp
In recognition of May as national awareness month for neurofibromatosis, ExerciseTV celebrity trainer Steven Maresca will host a special Boot Camp in Santa Maria on May 2 at 9 a.m. All money raised will go to the Children’s Tumor Foundation in the name of Paige Martinez, diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at the age of 8 months.…
Beebe shoots for World Championships
St. Joseph High School’s Aly Beebe has been selected to participate in the 2010 U-17 National Team Trials, held June 8 to 11 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Beebe will vie for a spot on the 12-member 2010 FIBA U-17 World Championship Team and the four-member 2010 Youth Olympic Games Team.…
Plastic paddlin’ dreams
A couple of bored Eskimos were sitting around one afternoon wondering what to do with their leftover sealskins and some sticks. They already had igloos, so tent-making was out. Feeling that eking out an existence in one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth wasn’t manly enough, one of them had the idea to stretch…
Jessica Maio
She may not appear all that menacing, but Jessica Maio is an all-around monster for the Diamondbacks of the Orcutt Youth Softball League. During a recent midseason Division-I League tournament, the 11-year-old hit five homeruns in four games. The fifth-grader also pitched all four games of the single-elimination series on March 28 against teams from…
Get set to sip
Get set for one of the busiest weekends in Santa Barbara County’s wine country, a picturesque wonderland of vineyards and tasting rooms that beckons from just beyond our back yards. Celebrate the season, party with friends, and sample the fresh new foods and wines of spring, all within a short distance from home. This year…
Let’s hope the council has courage
Your article in the recent issue of the Sun concerning E-Verify (“Santa Maria leaders consider E-Verify,” April 1) was enlightening, and it is time this issue was aired in the open. You quoted Richard Quandt, president of the local Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association, as saying, “The issue of the adequacy of employment verification should be addressed…
Katcho will make an excellent representative
I have known Katcho Achadjian for more than 35 years. Katcho attended Cuesta Community College and Cal Poly. He graduated from Cal Poly with a business degree. As our county supervisor for the last 11—and soon to be 12—years, he has done so much for our youth and public education. Katcho’s accomplishments include providing Oceano…
The Dunes: like an asylum with sand
Oceano Dunes is a state park gone bad. Given current global opinion about the negative impacts of the combustion engine, the use of off-road vehicles in the pursuit of frivolity is nothing short of a crime. To speak of 3-foot fences, barrier trees, or other mitigation is to dance in the wake of continued pollution.…
Computer club meets
The Central Coast Computer Club, which meets the third Tuesday of every month, will hold its next meeting on April 20. Systems and “Non-nerd” SIG starts at 5:45 p.m. A business meeting commences at 7 p.m., followed by a presentation by Fred Adams and Jim Tonge titled “A Skype Communication Presentation.” The meeting will take…
Rizzoli’s scores in AAA evaluation
Rizzoli’s Automotive, a family-owned auto shop, announced a 100-percent score on the American Automobile Association’s annual customer satisfaction evaluation for 2010 at both its Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo locations. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Rizzoli’s services all makes and models. Rizzoli’s is located at 1149 W. Tama Lane off Skyway…
Learn conflict resolution for free
Need to learn how to peacefully resolve a conflict? Conflict Solutions Center in Santa Maria is offering free monthly one-hour workshops teaching mediation skills. Attendees to the introductory workshop will learn to resolve conflicts with bosses, neighbors, spouses, or strangers and ways to effectively mediate conflicts among others. Participants will also be taught how to…
Alliance releases ag buffer proposal
Members of the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance—a 12-member organization of agricultural, labor, environmental, and community groups—recently released a proposal for a county ordinance providing land buffers for agricultural operations. The group worked for more than a year developing the ag buffer proposal, intended to benefit agriculturalists who have operations adjacent to a proposed…
Discovery Museum offers free field trips for local schools
Local schools looking for a fun and free field trip for students needn’t search farther than their own backyard. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is offering scholarships so kids can have hands-on learning experiences despite cuts to education funding. “Schools have been taking advantage of this financial program throughout the year, but there are…
AHC gets a techno-boost
Beginning this summer, Allan Hancock College students won’t have to stand in line to register for classes anymore, college officials recently announced in a press release. Hancock is using Measure I funds to update all of its operations technology, including a simplified online class registration process and student records. The new operations system replaces the…
