Cover Story
Big name, big heart
If you drop by the Addamo Wine Tasting Room and Bistro on East Clark in Old Orcutt at lunchtime, chances are you will see a tall, blond, young-looking woman in her late 30s. She will no doubt be swathed in a large, dark green apron. While she delivers water or buses tables in the two…
Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce honors women veterans
Each year on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce unveils a new plaque honoring a different group of veterans. This year, the chamber will honor all women veterans who have served in the armed forces. The plaque will be dedicated during a special ceremony at the Freedom Monument Veterans…
Holiday haps
Take one look at the schedule of events on tap at Santa Barbara County wineries, and it’s evident that the region’s vintners take great delight in the holiday season. Offering a diverse lineup of activities, area winemakers clearly intend to jumpstart the season of wonder and merriment. On Friday, Dec. 5, embrace the joy of…
Arts Briefs
PCPA to auction Model T seen in Ragtime! Own a piece of PCPA. The beautifully restored and fully functioning 1915 Model T featured in PCPA’s production of Ragtime! will be auctioned off this month. Bidding opens at 8 a.m. on Dec. 12 and closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17. The successful bid will be…
What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?
Corlis Walker yoga instructor “Mostly just having the family together.” Katie Mitchell student “Going to pick out a Christmas tree with my family.” Eric White student athlete “Christmas! Because you always get good stuff—food and presents. Christmas has more memories than Thanksgiving.” Angel Sulamo Wal-Mart cashier “Thanksgiving. Being thankful I can be with my family.”
Be proud
The spirit can handle some amazing tests of emotional strength, and even triumph over what the flesh can’t handle, but it’s the flesh that sometimes bears the scars. With that truth in mind, a group of artists chose to create an exhibition that gives a voice to survivors of all kinds: Indomitable Spirits II: Proud…
Catch the spirit
Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, was first published in England on Dec. 19, 1843. Yet its powerful message of the meaning not only of Christmas, but of compassion for one’s fellow human beings, still rings true today. The origin of this timeless story is also pertinent now, in the face of a horrific economic…
No butts about it
A recent cigarette-butt cleanup at four Santa Maria parks obviously helped remove unsightly litter. On a more subtle level, however, it added weight to a continuing effort to pass an anti-tobacco ordinance in city parks, which has been smoldering since late summer. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and local community groups coordinated the…
Resistance mounts to planned ag cluster
A plan to develop the Laetitia winery estate south of Arroyo Grande is heading down a contentious path. Laetitia’s developers hope to build their project as an “agricultural cluster,” similar to the Santa Margarita Ranch development planned for farther north. And like critics of the plan for Santa Margarita Ranch, critics of the Laetitia project…
Correction
In the Sun’s Nov. 27 School Scene, the address and phone number of Mission Valley School was incorrectly reported. The school office is located at 1301 North A St., room P-1. The school’s phone number is 742-3252. m
It’s time to talk about traffic
The Santa Maria Transit Division will hold a public workshop on unmet transit needs on Dec. 10 at Shepard Hall in the Santa Maria Public Library, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Community members are invited to make suggestions on expanding transit services in the area. For more information, visit the city’s website at ci.santa-maria.ca.gov.
‘Light Up a Life’ with Marian Hospice
The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for people grieving the loss of a loved one. To brighten holiday spirits, Marian Hospice is inviting community members to join its annual memorial celebration-Light Up a Life-in Santa Maria on Dec. 4 and in Lompoc on Dec. 11. The Santa Maria event will be held at…
Santa Maria residents are ready to deck the town
Bust out the tinsel and seasonal lawn ornaments-the city of Santa Maria is inviting locals to spread a little holiday cheer by participating in the 2008 Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Decoration Celebration. The nomination period for this year’s event began Nov. 24 and will last until Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Judging will take…
Santa Maria’s Christmas Parade of Lights will be a ‘Winter Wonderland’
Sparkling, seasonal lights and other decorations will be on display on Dec. 6 during the annual Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights. The parade is scheduled to begin at 5:20 p.m. on Broadway between Stowell Road and the Santa Maria Town Center. Presented by the Santa Maria and Nipomo Rotary clubs, the parade will feature…
Santa Maria Police Department corporal shared his wisdom and skills with everyone
On Dec. 1, the Santa Maria Police Department announced the Nov. 27 passing of retired police corporal Mark Riddering. He was 53 years old. Riddering worked for the Santa Maria Police Department from 1989 to 1998. He retired after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, but continued to…
Community Corner
The winter months will be a little bit easier for people in need thanks to the Santa Maria Noontime Kiwanis’ annual December Coat Drive. From Dec. 1 through 5, locals can donate coats to any Santa Maria, Orcutt, or Guadalupe RaboBank branch. There will be clearly marked drop boxes at each of the branches, and…
The Kastle has moved
Kali’s Kastle, which offers boutique clothing for girls infant to 14, has moved to a new location: 4869 S. Bradley Road in Orcutt. The new space offers an expanded party room and showcases the Kaity’s Kloset clothing line and Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.…
See the Santa Maria Valley through the eyes of a visitor
One side is the Santa Maria Valley, complete with major roads and landmarks. On the other side is a list of the area’s top attractions, broken down into categories: wine and food, outdoor recreation, family-friendly experiences, and entertainment (shopping, theaters, and museums). And it’s free. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor &…
Vocational training center gets ready to move
VTC Enterprises, a local vocational and life skills training center for community residents with developmental disabilities, is looking to move into a new home in the coming months. A big new home. An increasing caseload in the organization’s Quality Life Services Program and Santa Maria’s plans to extend McCoy Lane prompted VTC Enterprises to gear…
Santa Maria resident steps up with event coordination
If you drop by the Historic Santa Maria Inn to find Bethany Endy and her catering managing skills, she won’t be there. That’s because she’s now the special events coordinator for Santa Ynez Inn in Santa Ynez. Her new job will see her promoting, planning, and overseeing all special events—receptions, winemaker dinners, weddings, luncheons, meetings,…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Altrusa’s Holiday Extravaganza was a smash hit and a roaring success! This is no surprise to Santa Maria ladies who look forward to this colorful, exciting, and fun event every year. Tickets went on sale March 1, reported past president Diane Alleman-Stevens, and were sold out by April 1. Held Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Santa…
Political Watch
On Dec. 1, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency and called lawmakers into a special budget session. Schwarzenegger warned that California was in danger of running out of daily operating funds within two months. The special session will force the new Legislature to immediately address the state’s $11.2 billion budget deficit. The governor’s declaration…
‘Stuff the Bus’ with Ralph Dunlap K-Kids
‘Stuff the Bus’ with Ralph Dunlap K-Kids Students in the K-Kids program at Ralph Dunlap School in Orcutt are asking members of the public to help them “Stuff the Bus” with new and slightly used donations on Dec. 17. Donations will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and then the “stuffed bus” will…
Olive Grove Charter School accepts applications for spring semester
Newly relocated Olive Grove Charter School is accepting applications for the spring 2009 semester through the month of December. Olive Grove is run by the Los Olivos School District but is located in Santa Maria at 2880 Santa Maria Way. The school offers a no-cost, independent home study curriculum, and designates parents as the primary…
St. Mary School to hold annual Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities
On Dec. 12, students at St. Mary of the Assumption School will be giving thanks over hot chocolate and other traditional Mexican foods at the school’s annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. The school day starts at 6 a.m. with a special welcome featuring prayers and music, followed by a specially prepared breakfast and a…
Brooklyn’s Blood Drive needs donors
Ralph Dunlap Elementary School is looking for a few good blood donors to participate in “Brooklyn’s Blood Drive” on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orcutt school. Dunlap teacher Kelly Sanders is organizing the event in memory of her daughter, Brooklyn. Sanders gave birth to Brooklyn and her twin sister, Aubrey,…
Get on the pole
I many countries, it’s linked to stripping and erotic dancing. In the United Kingdom, it’s considered a sport. In Montreal, the world-renowned dance troupe Cirque du Soleil recently added it to its tantalizing lineup. Now pole dancing has made its way to Santa Maria. Here, it’s an exercise class at The Dance Studio. For…
Athlete of the Week
Nick Leyden has been playing football for Pioneer Valley since his freshman year, and everything points to him having a great college career, too. He’s already seen inquiries from Oregon and Fresno State and hopes to play “anywhere [he] can get a scholarship” The 17-year-old, 245-pound Leyden plays linebacker, along with tight end and “some…
Have happy holidays on the diamond
The Allan Hancock College coaching staff wants to help young baseball players improve their skills this winter. So does former major league pitcher Bryn Smith. And Santa Maria Valley Packers Head Coach Scott Nickason. And Tom Beyers, the current minor league manager with the Chicago Cubs. Oh, and assorted current Hancock players, too. They’re all…
