Cover Story
All that glitters
In a small workroom in the back of Medina’s Jewelers in Santa Maria, shimmering gold submits to the long, thin flame of a hand-held torch, melting quick and smooth in a fiery orange crucible. The air smells the way tin sounds, thin and metallic. The only sign of resistance are a few brief flashes of…
Of Jesus, Nazis, and nukes
After a firestorm of controversy, the U.S. Air Force has suspended a briefing given by chaplains at Vandenberg Air Force Base that included Biblical passages intended to teach launch officers the principles of justified war. The briefing, entitled “Christian Just War Theory,” preceded a mandatory course on Nuclear Ethics and Warfare taught to young officers…
If you had an exotic animal for a pet, what would it be?
Kayla Turner student “An elephant. I really like them a lot. I went to Africa, and I wanted to bring one home with me.” Lyle Tisdel real estate broker “A cat. I have a calico, and that’s as exotic as I want. She owns me; I don’t own her. Everyone talks about spaying cats, but…
Folk lives
Folk music is defined as any music made by the common or working people. In contrast, art music is made by those who have received a thorough musical education. America has a rich history of folk music that is kept alive by musicians world-wide. A group of just such artists will be gathering locally thanks…
What’s on Deck?
Thursday, Aug. 11 No games scheduled Friday, Aug. 12 BMX Racing Summer Series @ Santa Maria BMX 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 Auto Racing USAC/CRA 410 Sprint Cars @ Santa Maria Speedway 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 No games scheduled Monday, Aug. 15 No games scheduled Tuesday, Aug.…
On the roster
• Joe White Memorial Auction: Rare and one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia will be up for bid at Allan Hancock College’s 10th annual Joe White Memorial Dinner and Auction on Aug. 20. Items include a basketball signed by the 2011 Los Angeles Lakers, a vacation to Newport Beach, private lessons with former major-league pitcher Bryn Smith, and…
Nipomo’s McNeil to play in prestigious game
Nipomo shortstop and pitcher Ryan McNeil, who helped lead Nipomo High School to a share of the Los Padres League title last season, has been invited to play in the 2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic on Aug. 14. The game, which pits top college prospects from around the country against each other in an East…
Meet Santa Maria’s new roller derby team
Santa Maria’s newest roller derby squad, the Rocketeer Rollers, will be holding a recruitment and meet-and-greet with the players on Aug. 27 at Orcutt Community Park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include skate demos, raffle prizes, free snacks, and information on how to join the adult team and junior…
Police Activities League wants you!
Want to make a difference for the youth of Santa Maria? The Police Activities League (P.A.L.) is currently recruiting adults for its mentoring program. The program requires mentors to spend one hour each week with youth in the P.A.L’s after-school or evening program. The pairs participate in such activities as reading, games, sports, music, arts…
Blood, sweat, and tears
As a regular venue for the nationally televised “Friday Night Fights,” Chumash Casino Resort is fast becoming a prime location for showcasing young, up-and-coming boxers. Most recently, on Aug. 5, fans packed into the casino’s Samala Showroom, and thousands of viewers tuned in at home on ESPN2, to watch the long-awaited “Clash at the Chumash.”…
Atsuko Wolcott
Atsuko Wolcott has always been fascinated by the art of karate, and she reveled in the mental and spiritual aspects of the sport while watching her sons at karate practice. It wasn’t until the age of 48, after both of her sons had graduated from high school, that Wolcott found the courage to take a…
Compete in the Literacy Council spelling bee
The Central Coast Literacy Council will hold its main fundraising Spelling Bee at 1 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Santa Maria Town Center. CCLC is looking for 40 teams of two people each to compete. Each team is sponsored by an organization or business in the community. CCLC offers literacy training to adults in need.…
Town Center Gallery hosts artist reception
This month’s artist reception at Town Center Gallery will feature artist Jean Rittenberg and Cartoonist Leigh Rubin. Rittenberg paints in oils and on silk and enjoys painting landscapes and abstracts. However, her show at the gallery will feature several mediums. An accomplished artist, Rittenberg has taken private lessons from Warren Frank and, locally, she…
Everybody Can DANCE expands
The nonprofit Everybody Can DANCE of Santa Maria is expanding its program to offer dozens of new classes in hip hop, jazz, modern, contemporary, ballet, Dancer’s Bodyshop, yoga, and Pilates, as well as classical ballet for ages 2 to adult. New instructor Jonathon Calderwood has a bachelor’s degree from U.C. Irvine and will teach yoga, Pilates,…
Tri City foursome takes honors
A foursome of women representing Santa Maria’s Tri City Sound Chorus earned fifth place honors during Sweet Adelines International Region 11 Summer Sizzler Novice Quartet Competition held July 29 in Bakersfield. Highlights included Tri City Sound Chorus members Ann Silva (bass) of Santa Maria and Orcutt residents Susan Scheetz (tenor), Karen Eckman (baritone), and Jennifer…
Who’s the best?
Songwriters, musicians, performers, and bands, it’s once again your time to shine. The Sun’s San Luis Obispo County sister paper, New Times, is hosting the third annual New Times Music Awards and accepting entries in five musical genre categories, a songwriting competition, and an album of the year competition. The genre winners must be available…
Laundry day is no excuse
Admission: I am fanatical about bras and panties. Men don’t really understand this, and I think that despite what Victoria’s Secret would like you to think, if men get you in your underwear, they don’t care what brand you’re wearing or whether they match. So obviously, my husband has never supported my obsession with having…
Location, location
Explore the photography of Renee D. Miranda at an exhibit at the Shear Delight Salon, 1137 North H St., in Lompoc. The images will be displayed Sept. 1 through 30. A reception for the artist and a celebration of the salon will be held on Sept. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is…
Still time for fun
If you’ve been waiting for the arrival of sultry weather to get into a seasonal groove, you’d better just dive in because calendar pages are flipping by with lightning speed. Labor Day looms, but there’s still time to enjoy summertime events hosted by local purveyors of wine and food. The second week of August finds…
Exercise in the airwaves
Commercials. Bubblegum pop songs. Commercials. Static. Ads. It’s hard to find substance on the radio, but if it’s 6 p.m. on a Wednesday night, you might be in luck. Turn to ESPN 1280 and you’ll hear Ryan Foran, the founder of “Living the Run” radio show and website, and co-host and Olympian Paul Terek discussing…
Hobnobbing with Helen
What is more blissful than sipping wine and eating chocolate, while listening to live music on a lovely summer afternoon in a beautiful garden? Altrusa’s Central Coast chapter has a winning formula in its annual Afternoon Chocolate Delight. This year’s event was held on Sunday, July 31, at Josie Baldiviez’s historical home in the carriage…
Construction to begin on Hancock Children’s Center addition
Allan Hancock College officials, including Superintendent/President José Ortiz and members of the Board of Trustees, recently broke ground on the new $6.5 million Children’s Center expansion. The event kicked off the construction phase of the long-awaited development, which will allow all of the campus’ early childhood studies facilities to be located under one roof. The…
Calling all history buffs and theater fans!
The Santa Maria Valley Historical Society has announced it will hold the second annual PCPA/Santa Maria Valley Historical Society reception, silent auction, and theatrical performance on Aug. 20 at the Marian Theater on the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support the Historical Society’s efforts to keep history alive…
Spotlight on: California Tacos
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a mom who can cook real Mexican food and cook it well, but at the new restaurant California Tacos in Solvang, everyone can at least get a taste of delicious authenticity. Planned for more than a year, the taco shop opened on Aug. 2, drawing crowds of hungry…
Libraries among the endangered species
With the recent closure of B. Dalton Bookseller and Waldenbooks, bookstores are becoming harder and harder to find, and readers are turning to amazon.com and other online sources to purchase books. Students in search of “Farewell to Manzanar” and “A Separate Peace” and other required reading for schools are driving as far as San Luis…
Jeff Lind and Tom Murphy demand court prove jurisdiction in felony case
Two men accused of filing false claims against a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge were back in court on Aug. 4 in Santa Barbara for their arraignment on felony charges in the matter. San Luis Obispo marketing executive Jeff Lind and co-defendant Tom Murphy of Los Osos sat before Judge Jean Dandona to respond…
Raw food purveyors charged for selling unpasteurized milk and other products
Earlier this summer, three raw-food farmers were arrested and charged with a litany of felonies and misdemeanors for processing and selling unpasteurized milk and other products at farmers markets throughout Southern California, including Santa Barbara County. According to documents from the California Superior Court filed on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, Sharon Ann…
