Cover Story
There’s a new pest in town
They’re creepy, they totally disregard personal space, and they love Santa Maria berries as much as the next guy. They are pests of the winged, multi-legged variety that like to fly in your face or jump on your produce when you least expect it. And they’re here in Santa Barbara County, eating and mating and…
What bug are you most afraid of?
William Wright hydrologist “Black widows. Dude, they’re just so creepy and can kill you.” Ken Brown engineer “Black widows, just because they’re so poisonous. I’ve never been bitten, though.” Aniela Sobel professional lay-about “Potato bug. They’re disgusting, and a disgrace to the Earth. They’re like a Platypus—both an abomination.” Julian Andrade Tony Hawk Pro Skater…
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. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the…
Learning
THE NONPROFIT SUPPORT CENTER presents a free information session on Aug. 20 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Nonprofit Support Center, 120 E. Jones St., Santa Maria. Info: 681-1040 or supportcenter.org. THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL presents a free workshop about green building on Aug. 24 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Betteravia…
Recreation
THE DUNES CENTER presents a “Guadalupe City Walk and Talk” led by Shirley Boydstun on Aug. 22 at 10 a.m., meeting at the Dunes Center, 1055 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. Info: 343-2455, Ext. 201. THE CITY OF LOMPOC PARKS, RECREATIONS, AND URBAN FORESTRY DEPARTMENT offers a “Yoga-Stretch and Strength” class meeting Tuesdays Sept. 8 to…
Kids & Family
THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM presents “Twilight Thursdays” on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring free programs— “Smarty Crafts” on Aug. 20, “Exciting Recycling” on Aug. 27—at the museum, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 928-8414 or smvdiscoverymuseum.org. THE CALIFORNIA STARS COAST announced softball league tryouts for 12U and 14U divisions on Aug. 23 from…
Dance Lessons
THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division Community Development Department presents dance lessons in salsa and Latin American dance, ballroom dance, hula and ori, and tap dance are offered weekly through August at the Pismo and Shell Beach Veteran’s Halls. Cost is $5 to $10 per class, and $20 to $40 per month. Info: 773-7063…
Stage
ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH presents Damien, a one-man play by Aldyth Morris and performed by Casey Groves on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at the church, 208 S. School St., Santa Maria. Info: 922-5826, Ext. 10. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of The Spitfire Grill through Aug. 23 in the Marian Theatre,…
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 CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, 614-9316. DJ Davey D Saturday nights. THE COACHMAN: 1531 S. Broadway, 922-5556. Thursday through Saturday: DJ from…
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…
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…
Health
MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Medical Center at 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria. Info: 739-3578. ONGOING SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS HEALING ARTS INSTITUTE offers a range of classes including yoga and…
Art
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the art exhibit “FLOW,” featuring the paintings of Barbara Alloway, showing through Aug. 31 at the gallery, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117. THE LOMPOC MUSEUM presents the exhibit “A Sweet Pea Centennial: 100 Years of Growing Sweet Peas in Lompoc” in the Centeno…
Concerts
WORTH THE DRIVE NEDERLANDER presents Depeche Mode with special guest Peter Bjorn and John on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas, Santa Barbara. Diana Krall performs in concert Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. Cost is $59 to $89. Info: 962-7411. CAL POLY presents Karla Bonoff in…
Special events
THE BOOKWORM hosts a book signing event with Daniel Wilcox and his new poetry book Dark Energy on Aug. 22 at the Bookworm, 230 East Betteravia, Santa Maria. Info: 922-4282. THE TRI VALLEY RC MODELERS CLUB presents its inaugural Central Coast IMAC Challenge featuring model airplane demonstration, raffles, and Santa Maria-style barbecue Aug. 22…
Political Watch 8-20
• Santa Maria Valley Republicans Inc. will hold its monthly membership meeting on Aug. 27 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Ridge Golf Center, 1424 Fairway Drive, in Santa Maria. The guest speaker will be Stephen Frank, creator and author of California Political News and Views website, calpoliticalnews.com. The cost is $15 and includes…
Community Notebook 8-20
FRIDAY, AUG. 21 • 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…
CoastHills donates to fight cancer
CoastHills Federal Credit Union recently donated $1,000 to support the Mission Hope Cancer Center in a way of honoring PD Patel, a business member at CoastHills who lost his life to cancer in July of this year. The center is scheduled to open its doors in Santa Maria in summer 2010. The money donated by…
Hancock makes do with less money
Facing the deepest budget cuts in its history, Allan Hancock College raised tuition fees for the fall semester by $6 dollars a unit while at the same time making further cuts to student services. Facing a $4.5 million budget deficit, college administrators are dealing with some tough choices this semester. “These are the…
In the red
In 1989, Pacific Pride Foundation volunteer David Selberg was providing case management services to HIV and AIDS clients out of a hotel room on Broadway in Santa Maria. Fast-forward 20 years and hundreds of medical breakthroughs later. Selberg—who now serves as the organization’s executive director—said his co-workers and he might have to go back…
Correction
The Sun incorrectly reported a detail in its Aug. 13 cover story on In-Home Supportive Services, titled “Out of service?” Under the state’s new anti-fraud measures, IHSS recipients won’t be required to pay for the costs incurred in the taking of fingerprints. Care providers, however, will need to pay for their own fingerprinting and background…
Lompoc City Council will interview mayoral candidates
The Lompoc City Council is expected to announce mayoral candidates—and possibly make a selection—at a special meeting on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. The city began accepting applications in late July to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Mayor Dick DeWees. To be considered for appointment, the applicants are required to attend…
Budget, renters’ rights subjects of board meeting
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors discussed the impact of state budget cuts on the county and agreed to review changes to an ordinance that could strengthen the rights of renters facing eviction. Faced with a deficit caused by the state’s taking of Proposition 1A funds, the board…
Cooking device started La Brea Fire, officials say
Authorities from the U.S. Forest Service, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, and other agencies held a press conference on Aug. 18 to provide more information about the cause of the La Brea Fire. Investigators determined the fire was started by a cooking device used by a member of a Mexican drug organization, said Sheriff’s…
Lingerie store offers mastectomy fittings
Achieve the perfect fit and a natural look for mastectomy bras and forms from a certified mastectomy fitter at Barely Nothings Lingerie. The store’s second location in Santa Maria, Heart’s Desire, will soon offer the service as well. Most personal fittings are covered by insurance and the store will bill the insurance company. …
Become a fitness VIP
While still in the building stage, RockStar Fitness is rolling out the red carpet for its inaugural members. The fitness club doesn’t open until October, but is already offering memberships. The first 100 people to sign up will become founding VIP members, eligible to participate in a private party before the club opens to…
Tap into stimulus funds
Contractors, Realtors, and anyone in the building trade looking to benefit from the county’s implementation of energy efficiency legislation are invited to attend an upcoming workshop by the Community Environmental Council. Issues to discuss include property-assessed customer financing for AB811, Green Building Certification programs, and how to become a LEED professional. The workshop…
Tweet and go Greek
Follow the Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter on Twitter and spend an evening dancing, mingling, and enjoying the flavors of Greece at the agency’s “Gala in the Grecian Gardens” fundraiser set for Aug. 29. To play along, follow the local Red Cross on Twitter (@SBRedCross) and look for tweets announcing “the search is…
Pacific Christian School students score big on SAT
As the summer began to wind down, one local school received some encouraging news. Pacific Christian School recently reported that 87 percent of its students ranked above the national average on the 2009 Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). In a release to the media, school administrator Pastor Joe Hunt attributed the scores to a number…
Award-winning makeup artist to teach at Hancock
Interested in a career in makeup? Emmy Award winner June Westmore is set to teach an introductory makeup class for stage and film at Allan Hancock College. This fall, the college is offering a three-unit class that meets Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 12:45 to 2:50 p.m. Late in-person registration…
Get ready for jazz
Tickets are now on sale for the Solvang Jazz Festival, scheduled for Sept. 25 and 26. This year’s lineup includes “A Hip Improvisational Evening of Jazz—Night Club Performance” with the Eugene Maslov Trio and a special guest at 7:30 and 9:30 at Hotel Corque on Sept. 25. Maslov is a Russian pianist who has performed…
Youth act up
After two successful summers offering theater classes in Santa Maria, Pismo Beach Youth Theater will continue to offer musical theater production classes for 4th-through 8th-graders this fall. The December production will be Annie and the May production is Into the Woods. Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El,…
American nostalgia
When North Carolina artist Luke Haynes and the local C Gallery asked people “What image makes you think of American nostalgia?” they received 700 responses. The 10 most repeated answers were inspiration for 10 quilts Haynes sewed for his show, American Nostalgia, hanging at the C Gallery this month. Haynes is an architect—and now…
Get down tonight
Maybe the chemistry was right—a mix of musical and performing experience, age and youth—or maybe it was the rhythmic beat of the music gods, but when Soulamente formed, band members quickly found they hit the right chord with Santa Maria audiences. “There’s something about this band that connects with Santa Maria that I haven’t…
Girls, girls, girls
My son has discovered girls. Well, maybe I should say they have discovered him. It is an undisputed, proven, scientific fact that girls mature faster than boys. Female accelerated maturity renders similar-aged boys powerless and confused. One of these young, yet older girls got the attention of my son recently. He doesn’t stand a…
Out and about
Take one freelance writer, give her an assignment that requires happy conversation, a look at local history, and (heaven be praised!) the thoughtful sipping of wine, and watch a smile sweep across her face. That writer was me, a year ago this month, when a soft-spoken editor from Sonoma offered me a job. I…
Get into fall sports with YMCA
The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is now registering for its Youth Arena Soccer program and progressive swim lessons. The YMCA is host to the only arena soccer league on the Central Coast and is designed for children ages 3 to 12. The registration deadline is Sept. 14. Fees are $65 for YMCA members and…
Learn water polo at Paul Nelson
For swimmers interested in playing or learning water polo, One-Way Water Polo is holding scrimmages at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center each Sunday throughout the fall. Masters scrimmages will be held from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by Youth Water Polo classes from 10 a.m. to noon. The youth program is open to all…
Joe White auction promises something for everyone
Sports fans and supporters of Allan Hancock College should be excited for the eighth annual Joe White Memorial Dinner and Auction, held on Aug. 29 by the Hancock Boosters, Inc. Sports memorabilia and one-of-a-kind auction items will be on hand. Basketball fan? You’ll want to be there. Among the items will be a basketball…
Amanda Taecker
On Aug. 16, Amanda Taecker left the Santa Maria Valley to attend CSU Fresno. She was a crucial component of Pioneer Valley’s State Champion lineup, and her move away from the area is a blow to local girls’ wrestling. Taecker’s wrestling career started three years ago when she competed alongside the Righetti High School…
Hancock’s new coach wants to go soft
Just a week after getting word she’d landed the job of Allan Hancock College’s new head softball coach, Scia Maumausolo arrived in town with a fresh vision for rebuilding the program from the ground up. If what she learned from playing travel ball here still holds true, she won’t have to look far…
Santa Maria’s changing demographics
The city of Santa Maria is becoming known as a Hispanic community throughout the Central Coast, and with the negative profiling that is associated with the illegal immigrants, the social and racial tensions are unfortunately escalating. It is getting to be whenever any negative incident occurs, the fingers point to our Hispanic community. By…
