Cover Story
New hospital, new hope
Sun photographer Steve E. Miller and I are standing in a labor and delivery suite at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. And, in this case, the term “suite” really does apply. It’s a large space—about the size of a living room—with polished wood paneling and ambient mood lighting. Hanging on the walls are pastoral paintings of…
What’s the next book on your reading list?
Tom Balogh library page “Micro by Michael Crichton. I’ll pick an author and read all their books. It’s his turn.” Diane Abbott author “Living a Life of Fire by Rinehard Bonnke, a German evangelist minister. It’s explosive. It would knock your socks off.” David Dube retired “Anything by Tom Clancy that I haven’t read yet.…
Ladies in harmony
Sweet Adelines International, founded in 1945, is a global organization of women who enjoy singing in the four-part barbershop style. Any group of women vocalists may apply to open a chapter and start a chorus, just like was done in 1970 by the Flower Valley Chorus in Lompoc, which has since expanded and is now…
Catch the work of Renee Miranda
Experience the photography of Renee D. Miranda at an exhibit of her work at the South Side Coffee Company. The images will be displayed Dec. 1 through 31. A reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, at South Side Coffee Company from 3 to 5 p.m. The event is free and…
Sing a song
In association with the Lucia Mar Adult Education District and the Nipomo Recreation Department, Natasha Yufe’s singing classes will present their annual recital of various musical selections on Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road. Judge Jed Beebe will be the featured guest artist, performing violin favorites and joining…
Jazz up the holiday
The Hancock College Jazz Ensemble will host its fall concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road in Orcutt. Under the direction of Chuck Osborne, the group will present jazz and holiday favorites by George and Ira Gershwin, Henry Mancini, Mel Torme, and others. Musical numbers will…
Be featured at Cypress Gallery
The Cypress Gallery is looking for artists who want their work featured in the coming year. Artists can sign up to be a featured artist at the Cypress Gallery for January, March, May, June, July, August, or September. For more information, call 588-3459.
Rejoice!
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is ringing with excitement for two reasons this month. The first is because it will soon perform its first-ever Christmas concert; the second is because the concert likely wouldn’t have been possible save for a $250,000 bequest. The Philharmonic, in addition to its subscription concert series, also provides the local…
The art is in the process
One of the most hidden aspects of an artist’s work is the process by which it was created. In the Betteravia Gallery’s latest exhibition, “The Audacity of Process: An Exploration in Diverse Practices,” that secretive method is coming to light—brought by the artists themselves. Curated by John Hood, professor of art at Allan Hancock College…
A season of abundance
Recently, my husband and I celebrated our 12-year wedding anniversary. Yeah, congratulations to me, right? Of course I’m thrilled that 12 wonderful years of wedded bliss has been easy peasy for us, but anniversaries cause me some amount of anxiety. What should be a happy occasion I usually look upon with dread because it requires…
What’s on Deck?
Thursday, Dec. 1 Boys’ Soccer Lompoc @ Pioneer Valley TBA Santa Maria @ Atascadero 3:30 p.m. Nipomo @ Righetti 5:30 p.m. Girls’ Basketball Dos Pueblos @ Lompoc TBA Ruth Doser Tournament @ Atascadero 7:30 p.m. Girls’ Soccer Orcutt Academy @ Channel Islands 3 p.m. Pioneer Valley @ Lompoc…
On the roster
• P.A.L. Girls’ Circle: The Santa Maria Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) is looking for girls in seventh to 12th grades to join its weekly skill-building sessions at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. The Girls’ Circle encourages the development of strength, courage, confidence, honesty, and communication skills and provides girls with tools to improve their…
Hancock holds a holiday baseball clinic
Players ages 6 to 18 are invited to sharpen their hitting, fielding, and pitching skills at the annual Allan Hancock College Holiday Baseball Clinic, held Dec. 19 to 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Instructors include former major league player Bryn Smith; Chris Stevens, head coach at Allan Hancock College; Scott Nickason, head coach…
Rugby league is still looking for youth players
The Central Coast Sharks Youth Rugby League is getting closer to starting up its practice schedule and is still looking for more youth to participate in the program. With about 40 players and four coaches on board so far, the league is accepting new registrations in every level of competition: 12-and-under, 14-and-under, and the 18-and-under…
Santa Maria Swim Club members sign letters of intent
The Santa Maria Swim Club, one of the top 200 swimming clubs in the country, announced on Nov. 21 that three of its members have signed National Letters of Intent to swim for major collegiate programs. Nipomo resident Sonny Fierro, 18, signed with the swimming program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. He previously…
Taelor Griego
Righetti High’s Taelor Griego is a real double threat—something readily apparent to anyone who saw his key plays on both sides of the ball during the Warriors’ CIF run. Stepping in at running back in the Warriors’ first round playoff game against Downey (a 31-24 win at home on Nov. 18), Griego scored a key…
High water mark
As one of the top swimming organizations in the country, the Santa Maria Swim Club has produced many a scholarship athlete over the years; none, however, have reached such lofty heights as 18-year-old Josh Prenot. Capping off a career full of accolades and world travels, Prenot will be training 30 hours a week for the…
Preventing AIDS is not complicated
People who weren’t yet born when AIDS first emerged are now most at risk for becoming HIV positive, an alarming development that underscores the urgent need for education about this terrible disease—as Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, must remind us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the HIV incidence rate for…
Sweet charity
In this season of giving, we are reminded to do what we can to improve the lives of those less fortunate. Residents on the Central Coast have generously raised millions of dollars over the years, allowing nonprofit groups to do their important work. It is worth mentioning that the local restaurant and wine industries contribute…
Home for the Holidays, by Heather Vogel Frederick
The latest installment in the Mother-Daughter Book Club series, this one is perfect for holiday reading. The group decides to read the Betsy-Tacy series, by Maud Hart Lovelace, and the ensuing holiday season finds no one “at home” for the holidays, but out having adventures that parallel those of Betsy and her friends. This book…
Register now for Community Education classes at Allan Hancock College
Allan Hancock College’s spring 2012 Spectrum schedule of Community Education classes will be mailed to district homes beginning Dec. 1. Copies of the Spectrum will also be available at all college locations and many community locations, while supplies last. Spring Spectrum classes can be viewed online now at hancockcollege.edu. Online registration begins Dec. 4 of…
Discover the reasons for the season at the Discovery Museum
The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and Good Samaritan Shelter are inviting local shoppers to pick up some great holiday gifts—all while supporting a good cause—at its second annual Reason for the Season Holiday Shopping Extravaganza on Dec. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the museum on East Jones Street in Santa Maria. “Everybody…
Want some cheese with that innovation?
The Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation is holding its first special fundraiser, a wine and cheese pairing, on Dec. 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. at La Perla del Mar Church in Shell Beach to benefit district schools. At the event, the foundation will recognize inaugural members of its Founders Club—contributors of $2,500 or more.…
A month of celebrations at the Discovery Museum!
Many celebrations take place all over the world during the month of December, and the Discovery Museum is excited to offer programs that explore many of them. Throughout December, our program theme at the museum is “Celebrations Around the World.” Each of our three weekly programs will focus on celebrations in some way. Tuesday Tales…
Hobnobbing with Helen
By that I mean an impressive lineup of movers and shakers in North County and an equally impressive lineup of silent and live auction items. Sign of the times: An Amazon Kindle was on the silent auction table. This made Winter Nights, held Saturday evening, Nov. 19, at the Santa Maria Country Club, very special.…
Let it shine
It may be hard for the living to accept, but death is a part of life. To help family members deal with their grief and to honor loved ones who have died, Marian Hospice is holding two special community memorials. Light Up a Life ceremonies will be held Dec. 1 at First Methodist Church, 311…
Nipomo needs water
A Nov. 9 meeting about Nipomo’s water problems began with a warning: Beware the white handouts. People walking through the door at the community meeting organized by the Nipomo Community Services District were met with a barrage of handouts, only one of which actually came from the CSD. That white sheet the CSD members warned…
Spotlight on: The Library Shop
With the holiday season in full swing, shoppers looking for a more literary approach to their gift giving can find it at the Library Shop inside the Santa Maria Public Library. While new and used books are the shop’s centerpieces, they’re not the only inventory available for purchase. The well-organized shelves also display unique items…
It’s time to talk about water
Santa Barbara County officials will hold the first in a series of meetings on Dec. 6 in Buellton to discuss the county’s Integrated Regional Water Management Plan and the disbursal of $3.6 million worth of grants from the California Department of Water Resources. This new funding will augment the $25 million already awarded to the…
Proposed initiative would shut down state nuclear plants
A California initiative proposed for the November 2012 ballot would require the state’s two nuclear power plants to shut down until the federal government mandates a way to safely dispose of the plants’ harmful byproducts. If successful, the Nuclear Waste Act of 2012 would prohibit the further generation of nuclear power in the state until…
Emphasizing treatment over jail time, Veterans Court launches in Santa Maria
On Nov. 23, a new court calendar debuted for the justice system in Northern Santa Barbara County—one geared toward offering treatment for veterans suffering from mental and drug addiction issues as an alternative to incarceration. The previous afternoon, at an inaugural ceremony at Veterans Memorial Cultural Center, Santa Maria Superior Court Judge Rogelio Flores joined…
