Cover Story
Bringing in a new era
There is no argument that the 95-year-old Historic Santa Maria Inn is a beloved community treasure—the city officially declared it a historic landmark in 1985. The inn enjoyed a golden age in the 1940s and ’50s when heads of state and Hollywood’s heavy hitters would stop over at the elegant hotel while traveling the old…
Art comes alive
Art comes alive on Saturdays at the Town Center Gallery, 321 Town Center West. Children’s art classes are held 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each week. Upcoming classes include paper mache part two on Sept. 1; watercolors on Sept. 8; drawing cartoon pets on Sept. 15; design with colors mobile on Sept. 22; and drawing…
Submit your work
Call for Entries (CFE)—an annual juried exhibition that encourages artists from the local community to produce newly commissioned work—is currently seeking submissions. CFE is open to visual artists of all mediums from Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Applicants must not be closely affiliated with the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF) or…
Arts at the Adobe
The Central Coast possesses a beauty that makes it the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon of fine art, wine, and music. With its expansive vistas and historic backdrop, Dana Adobe has been the ideal location for the Nipomo Arts Commission to host its Arts at the Adobe fundraiser, which will take place there on…
Serving up swank
Santa Maria has several selections for regular live entertainment whether it’s a DJ or a rock band. The Historic Santa Maria Inn has changed its outlook concerning its live music as of late, moving away from the DJ nightclub scene and aiming more for classic jazz, blues, and rock ensembles. The shift comes along with…
Shade and Shadow
It’s rare that an art curator can find two collections that fit together as well as the latest collection at Allan Hancock College’s Foxworthy Gallery. Gallery director Marti Fast said that as life partners and award-winning creative partners, David Stroup and Laura Moll often collaborate artistically, frequently traveling to remote areas and working with what…
Would you take $30,000 a year, every year, for the rest of your life, under the condition that you could never earn another penny?
Irvin Uriarte student “No, because the reason I’m going to school is so I can earn a higher income.” Andrew Romel student/security guard “No because I have a son and I have to make more money than that. That’s why I’m going to school.” Jessica Perez student “I would take it because I don’t spend…
On the roster
• All Ford car show: The Santa Maria Model A Ford Club is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the 1932 Ford at its 10th annual All Ford Car Show in the Street in Old Town Orcutt on Sept. 8. The show features Ford products from 1903 through 2013, including customs, street rods, racecars, and originals.…
Recreate for F.R.E.E.
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is holding a free, drop-in after-school program for children ages 6 to 12, designed to provide recreation and enrichment in a safe, organized, and fun environment. The F.R.E.E. program is held at the Newlove Community Building, 1619 S. Thornburg St. from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. during…
Athlete of the Week: Jose Morales
In the sport of football, the star of the game is usually the running back with the jukes, the wide receiver with the sticky hands, or more than likely it’s the quarterback, with the hand/eye coordination of a decorated sniper. But even for a game called football, foot/eye coordination is usually underappreciated until it matters…
All crossed up
Day 4 Workout: The Filthy Fifty. Complete 50 of each of the following: box jumps, jumping pull-ups, kettle bell swings, walking lunges, knees to elbows, push press, sit-ups, wall balls, burpees, and double unders. “Come on girl, push through!” I hear my partner and mentor yell. “You can do it!” I finish my last jump…
Visit Olde Towne
Alas, Aug. 31 is the last night for this season’s Olde Towne Market in Lompoc. If you haven’t been down to the market yet, this is your last chance. The market runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in the 100 block of South H Street. This Friday, we “Celebrate The Best of Lompoc.” Market patrons…
Spotlight on: Ai Love Sushi
Sushi has been a popular dish for centuries in Japan, but its popularity in the Western world has increased steadily in recent years. It’s a favorite form of cuisine here on the Central Coast, too. With his passion for sushi and cooking in general, Steve Jeon decided to bring a taste of Japan to small-town…
Muscled out
A small crowd gathered at the locked doors of the Santa Maria Athletic Club on the morning of Aug. 23. Several gym members—decked out in fitness gear and ready for their daily workouts—shrugged their shoulders; others shook their heads. “I’ve still got about $50 worth of stuff left in my locker,” one man explained. “How…
Correction
The Sun printed some misinformation last week about its 2012 Best Of Northern Santa Barbara County readers poll. The Hitching Post won Best Steak and The Swiss won Best Santa Maria Restaurant. News Briefs is compiled by Sun writers from staff reporting and local and national media. Information should be sent to the Sun via…
Blakeslee bill limiting gifts dies in Assembly
In an election year, it was thought that a bill that would place specific limits on how much schwag lawmakers could accept as gifts—and from whom—would be a slam dunk. Tell that to Sen. Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo). On Aug. 16, a Blakeslee co-sponsored bill limiting gifts to lawmakers died a quiet death at…
Diablo seismic studies get crucial OK
As visitors and locals alike flocked to Avila Beach to get a glimpse of a pair of humpback whales that ventured near shore, a powerful state agency handed Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) a crucial permit necessary to begin its controversial seismic surveys off the Central Coast in about two months. Critics of the proposed…
Atlas rocket launch set for September
The long-delayed launch of an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base has been rescheduled for Sept. 13, base officials said. With a top-secret National Reconnaissance Office payload onboard, the United Launch Alliance-built rocket is scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex 3, pending final testing of the Mission Flight Control Center. The control…
County park commission decides against beach parking fees
The people spoke, and the Santa Barbara County Park Commission listened, deciding unanimously on Aug. 23 to not support charging fees to park at eight county beaches. After two public hearings in Santa Barbara drew scores of residents opposing the idea, the commission held its third and final, decisive meeting at the Betteravia Government Center…
Al fresco feast
People usually join wine clubs for the 20 or 25 percent discount on their favorite wine. That’s all well and good, but when I sign up, I especially want to know about the extra perks—the exclusive events planned throughout the year for club members; wine dinners, blending sessions, tours, barrel room tasting, and access to…
Choose whales over the nuclear power
Hey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County chambers of commerce, residents, and visitors, think about this: Wouldn’t it be grand for our economy to have the whales returning to Avila every year along with all the visitors following them? Imagine the possibilities of promoting an ecological economic base versus allowing seismic testing to kill…
Oil equals jobs
I wish to commend Jeremy Thomas for his balanced and well-researched article, Black gold? (Aug. 23). While the article is generally based in objective fact, I find it necessary to respond to some of the misinformation proffered by Nathan Alley, staff attorney for the Environmental Defense Center (EDC). Specifically, “According to Alley … Oil produced…
End the death penalty
This November, Californians will vote on Proposition 34, the Savings, Accountability, and Full Enforcement Act (SAFE). The SAFE Act replaces California’s death penalty with a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, saves California tax payers billions of dollars, and establishes funds to improve rape and murder investigations. California executed 13 people since 1978…
Mommy knows best
Doctors aren’t dumb and here’s why: they slyly refer to their craft as “practicing medicine” and not “game day medicine.” Of course, I think most of us will agree that when the doctor is about to complete orthoscopic knee surgery, we are all looking for a determined and focused “game day” doctor. Nobody wants a…
