Cover Story
If you could time travel, where and when would you go?
Robert Potter retired engineer “To another planet sometime in the future, like Mars or Neptune.” Fred Perry owner, operator, and truck driver “Cowboy and Indian days—for one, there were a lot less people, and it was better than today.” Brooke Leigh Sheldon consultant/public speaker “Out in space 800 years from now.” Lisa Crowe preschool teacher…
Correction
In its Aug. 12 issue, the Sun used the wrong Sun Screen photo on its cover page. It should’ve been a photo from The Kids Are All Right. News Briefs is compiled by Sun staffers. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
A matter of signs
Sandwich boards in the downtown Santa Maria area are safe from extinction—at least for another year. On Aug. 17, the Santa Maria City Council voted 4-1, with Mayor Larry Lavagnino dissenting, to extend to 2011 the sunset clause on a ban against using portable advertising signs outside businesses in the city’s Downtown Specific Plan. The…
Union banners finally come down
Nine months. Most people recognize it as the time it takes to have a baby. In Greg Steinberger’s case, nine months was how long it took for his baby—Doc’s Bernstein’s Ice Cream Lab—to finally be rid of the banner that had been haunting it from across the street since October. The “bannering” campaign, headed by…
Second time’s the charm for Blakeslee
The Central Coast has a new senator. Finally. On Aug. 18, current Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) declared victory over Democrat John Laird and two other candidates in the 15th District Senate special election. Voting records from the five counties in the district—including Santa Barbara County—reported Blakeslee took approximately 48.8 percent of the vote,…
Political Watch 08.19
Santa Maria Valley Republicans Inc. is inviting members of the public to attend its monthly membership meeting on Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. at Ambrosia Restaurant, 122 E. Boone St., in Santa Maria. All Republican candidates for Santa Maria City Council have been invited to speak and take questions from the audience. Cost is $25,…
Community Notebook 08.19
FRIDAY, AUG. 20 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors…
Helping the next generation
Raising children is tough. It’s even more difficult if you’re a grandparent raising children. However, people in this increasingly common situation aren’t alone. The Area Agency on Aging has begun to offer resources to grandparents who need help raising their grandchildren. According to Aaron Pankratz, manager of the Senior Connection Program run by the Area…
Hawk couture
The stench of decay lingers in the air, accompanied by the echoing shrieks of more than a hundred crows. The smell I can tolerate. The sound, however, pierces my eardrums and flows straight to the hairs on the back of my neck. Peering to my right, I lock eyes with a fully-grown Harris’ Hawk. He’s…
Sample auditory ambrosia
The Santa Maria Philharmonic will present “Overture in Ambrosia” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Ambrosia Restaurant, 122 E. Boone St., in Santa Maria. The event is a celebration of the start of the Santa Maria Philharmonic’s 10th anniversary 2010-2011 concert season. Enjoy European-inspired canapés and wines from local vintners. The event…
Come on, get happy
The colorful watercolor and acrylic paintings of Mandy Weathers and the metal sculptures of Tesi Sanchez-Halpert combine in a “Creating Happiness” exhibit during September at Gallery Los Olivos. Weathers and Sanchez-Halpert will be featured artists Sept. 1 through 30. The public is invited to join them for a reception on Sept. 4 from 1 to…
See seascapes
The Dunes Center will be host to an Art Open House highlighting the work of Stephanie Krouse from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 at the Dunes Center in Guadalupe. Krouse’s artwork depicts local landscapes, seascapes, flora, and fauna. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 343-2455 or…
Clay and metal
Harold Collins loves playing with fire. And pounding metal. And sometimes gingerly piecing together stained glass within a solid frame. But his knack for taking these elements and creating a work of art comes from years of wrangling with metal as a medium, an effort that started when his career ended. Collins retired from AT&T…
The Artificial Jungle
A family-owned pet shop, a mute parrot, and games of dominoes may seem unassuming, but prepare to become entangled with them in the murderous vines of The Artificial Jungle, presented by Lompoc Civic Theatre. An ironic scene is set in the dimly lit Lompoc Civic Auditorium, where ominous music fills a constructed pet shop, which…
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
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH is located at 1000 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. “Jazz Devine” presents a new jazz worship service on July 11 at 6 p.m. at the church. Info: 735-3769 or ghmoran@yahoo.com. 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:…
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…
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 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION presents an “Exercise Program” for those fifty years and older Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. through Aug. 20 at the Pismo Beach Veterans Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach. Info: 773-7063 or tbeecher@pismobeach.org. FIBRO FOCUS presents a free Fibromyalgia Educational Seminar/Support Group Meeting on Aug. 21 from noon to…
Art
THE SHEPARD HALL GALLERY presents the inaugural exhibit and awards for the National Arts Program for the City of Santa Maria and Santa Maria Valley School Districts Employees and their families through Aug. 27 at the library’s Shepard Hall, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117, or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE CYPRESS GALLERY presents…
Learning
THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS and Rabobank present, as part of the Saturday Talk Series, “How Native Americans Changed California and World History” with Dr. Nadia West, followed by a book signing Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos, 671 S. Oakglen, Nipomo. Info: 929-5679 or danaadobe.org. WOMEN’S ECONOMIC VENTURES presents…
Recreation
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department offers “Free Swim Days” Aug. 23 at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, 516 South McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: City of Santa Maria. THE DUNES CENTER presents a “Guadalupe City Walk and Talk” on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Dunes Center, 1055 Guadalupe…
Kids & Family
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA offers a Novice Youth Tennis Tournament for ages 7 to 14 on Aug. 21 at the Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260. CAL SOUTH and Kohl’s present a free recreational soccer clinic for kids ages 6 through 12 on Aug. 25 from 5…
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. THE DANCE STUDIO offers dance classes in Santa Maria in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Dance Team. Info: 349-9016 or 931-0444. EVERYBODY CAN DANCE…
Stage
THE LOMPOC CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of Artificial Jungle by Charles Ludlam Aug. 20 through 22 and 27 through 29 at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Lompoc Civic Auditorium, 217 South L St., Lompoc. Info: 735-2281. PCPA THEATERFEST presents Songs for A New World with music…
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 LIBRARY FOUNDATION presents Rocknoceros in two free concerts for children on Aug. 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 1025 West Ocean Ave., Lompoc. Info: 736-8535 or libraryfoundation@blackgold.org. THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents “Concerts in the Mall” featuring the Candle Light Strings in…
Special Events
STUFF THE BUS, organized by the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, celebrates its third year of “Stuffing the Bus” with new school supplies for local kids Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 20 at the Walmart parking lots in Santa…
One man’s message to mothers
Moms have a very tough job. I wouldn’t want that job for anything. They are required to be loving but stern, playful but practical, and occasionally they have to be, um, please excuse the term, they have to be complete bitches. It’s true. It is actually written in the job description of being a mother.…
Get free reads at book festival
Need summer reading material? Altrusa International of the Central Coast is inviting children and adults to pick out free books at the Festival of Books on Aug. 22. The mall’s One Dollar Book Store donated 400 books and magazines for the event, and books will be available for all levels of readers. Special bookmarks and…
Visit Discovery Museum for free
For the sixth year in a row, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is offering free admission as part of its annual “Community Day” on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event honors the birthday of R.H. Tesene, a generous supporter of the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, and includes complimentary birthday…
Heritage Oaks reports, too
The parent company of Heritage Oaks Bank, which has three locations in Santa Maria, reported a net loss of $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2010. The figure compares to a net income of $500,000 the company made in the second quarter of 2009. Heritage Oaks Bancorp, headquartered in Paso Robles, had reported a…
Community Bank posts new numbers
Community Bank of Santa Maria released its second-quarter earnings report, showing a year-to-date net loss of $519,052 as of June 30. The figure compares to a net loss of $393,722 the bank posted at the same time last year. The report also revealed the bank had increased deposits, assets, and net loans from 2009. As…
Flipped, be there
Each week in School Scene, we review a book for young readers, from picture books up to young adult novels. We call the feature “What Kids Are Reading.” Flipped, a book by local author Wendelin Van Draanen, is coming to theaters in movie form, so a few weeks back, the Santa Maria Sun put out…
Josh Prenot
It’s a quarter till five, tailwind of summer, and Josh Prenot is swimming laps at practice while the rest of his swim team is on break. “During the training season, I usually have 10 practices a week, which amounts to 24 hours a week,” Prenot said. “After Saturday, I get a break,” he added with…
Saints wrestlers hold golf fundraiser
The Santa Maria High School wrestling team will be holding a golf tournament to raise money for the program on Oct. 16 at Rancho Maria Golf Course. Tee times will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. The cost to play is $100 and includes a tri-tip barbecue. Rancho Maria is located…
Help a vet get a bicycle
Ride 2 Recovery—a program providing bikes, equipment, clinics, and bicycling outings for injured veterans—is asking the public for donations of homemade, patriotic-themed quilts for the group’s upcoming fundraising auction. The quilts may be hand- or machine-made, but must be submitted to Ride 2 Recovery by Sept. 25. Tax donation letters will be available to donors.…
Hancock football is bullish about the future
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s a fitting motto for Allan Hancock College coach Kris Dutra, now heading into his 10th year at the helm of the Bulldog football program. “We have definitely evolved over the years on both sides of the ball on how we do things, but our base is always…
California PTA is suing the state
California State PTA has a long, proud history of speaking up for all children and youth in our state. Today, we’re doing so as never before as part of a coalition that has filed a historic lawsuit against the state of California. The lawsuit—Maya Robles-Wong v. the State of California—is straightforward. It asks the courts…
Get picking
Due to cooler-than-average weather this summer, garden tomatoes have taken awhile to blush completely crimson and the zucchini hasn’t yet exploded into zeppelin-sized specimens. Despite a slow start, however, gardens up and down the Central Coast are beginning to pump out plenty of fresh, ripe produce. The harvest of backyard bounty comes just in time…
