Cover Story
Holding on to tradition: Some wedding rituals span centuries while others are relatively new, but every one is special
Weddings are arguably one of the most celebrated events of our lives. But they are also the most ceremonial. The way a couple takes their vows has evolved through the years. While some traditions are fairly new in the span of history, other traditions have withstood time. One of the oldest wedding traditions is called…
Vandenberg launches National Reconnaissance Office satellite
Another rocket was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base during the early morning hours of Feb. 10. This time it was a Delta IV “heavy” rocket carrying a super-secret payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). But don’t freak out too much. Known as the “eyes and ears of space,” the NRO’s in charge…
Jimenez Elementary language program going strong
Miles Restrepo was intensely focused on coloring a picture, so when I interrupted him with a question about how he likes his kindergarten class, he wasn’t exactly thrilled. “I love it so much,” he said. “The end.” He returned to his coloring for a moment until I tacked on another question: Why does he love…
What’s your dream wedding location?
Consuelo Leon mom “Somewhere foreign. Not here. Where the water is clear, with some kind of cliff.” Stephanie Leon mom “The Grand Canyon.” Loan Bayer physical therapist “I like weddings at churches, with all your family and friends there.” Dean Bayer retired farmer-rancher “On a beach down in Mexico.”
Major league: Producing Dodgers wine, Santa Maria’s Qupe shows its true blue colors
Imagine a baseball-loving boy moving to Southern California just in time for the legendary 1965 season when the Los Angeles Dodgers earned the National League pennant and went on to win a world championship. It was there, sitting at Dodger Stadium during that magical season, watching the likes of Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Maury…
Guadalupe school starts a newspaper
The power of the press is alive and well at Mary Buren Elementary School in Guadalupe. The school newspaper, which has a circulation of about 1,000, was released in December to the delight of students, staff, and teachers. It features sections including school society, academics, reading corner, special features, sports, opinions, and dedications. The 20-member…
Hancock College offers nonprofit management
Allan Hancock College is offering a class to help nonprofit professionals hone their skill. Nonprofit Management II is a class that offers an in-depth focus on management and leadership skills that are fundamental to the nonprofit and human services sectors. Topics include dealing with financial uncertainty, the art of making high-quality group decisions, fostering effective…
Santa Maria students visit Washington, D.C.
Nearly two-dozen Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) students spent a week exploring the foundations of democracy in Washington, D.C. The civics education program called Close Up Washington D.C. is paid for with Close Up Fellowships, fundraising activities, the Migrant Program, and the students’ own contributions. The young scholars—many of whom are from…
Spotlight on: Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley turns 50 years old this month, just in time for a birthday present from Ross Stores Inc. Ross has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for the month of February, giving Santa Maria’s Ross customers the opportunity to donate to their local Boys…
Political Watch 2/18/2016
• This week, Rep Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) applauded the LED technology innovation taking place on the Central Coast while speaking at an Energy and Commerce subcommittee markup on H.R. 4444, the EPS Improvement Act of 2016. During her remarks, Rep. Capps highlighted both the research taking place at UCSB as well as the innovation…
Community Notebook 2/18/16 – 2/25/16
TUESDAY, FEB. 23 • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. • The Lompoc Unified School District has its board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center Board Room, 1301 N. A St., Lompoc. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24 •…
Go with feeling: Wedding planning can get chaotic so why not start from within?
Few things in life are as stressful as planning a wedding. The minute you think you’ve got ahold of the day, something catastrophic happens. The seating chart must be reworked due to family drama. Your sister decides she’s just “not wearing” that bridesmaid dress. You realize you hate every single one of your friends’ current…
A hairy situation: Two easy styles from top Central Coast salons
According to a very thorough Google search, the average American wedding costs an estimated $30,000. Those must be some mighty hors d’oeuvres and fancy place settings, because that’s a hefty chunk of change. Luckily, there are some arenas in which you can save. Hair is definitely one of them. That’s why I asked hairstylists from…
Hobnobbing with Helen: Finding treasure for Special Olympics
Ahoy, Mateys! Avast me hearties! “You are invited to join us for a swashbuckling evening of dinner and dancing at the 2016 Special Olympics VIP Dinner and Dance on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Veterans Memorial Community Center.” So read the invitation, which labeled the event, “A Pirate’s Life for Me.” The place was awash…
Santa Maria-Bonita School District to purchase dozens of portable classrooms
Santa Maria-Bonita School District will acquire 26 portable buildings to accommodate the growing student population, following a unanimous vote from the district’s board of trustees last week. The district will place the buildings on 11 of its 20 campuses starting next school year, according to Public Information Officer Maggie White. About half of the portables…
Camp 4 talks heat up over taxes, gaming plans
Monthly discussions between the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the County of Santa Barbara Ad Hoc Subcommittee continued Thursday, Feb. 11, carrying on the groups’ attempt to agree on terms for Camp 4, a portion of land the tribe intends to submit into federal trust. Points of contention in last week’s meeting included…
Channel Island fox may be removed from endangered species list
On Feb. 12, after more than a decade of successful recovery efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a statement that it wants to remove the Channel Islands fox from the endangered species list. Four of the six subspecies of the fox were added to the list in March 2004 following years of…
Santa Ynez Valley Arts launches Art in the Courtyard
Santa Ynez Valley Arts is a coalition of valley-based artists that coalesce to organize events and exhibits, including the upcoming Art in the Courtyard event kicking off on March 5 at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, during Free Museum Day in the valley. Art in the Courtyard will continue to run the second Saturday…
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley hosts Arts Outreach benefit concert
A benefit concert for Arts Outreach is scheduled for Feb. 21 at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, featuring two highly acclaimed musicians: pianist Francesco Attesti, and organist Matteo Galli. The two will perform several duets on the church’s Steinway B grand piano and the 22-rank Schoenstein organ. The concert will also include solo…
Santa Maria Arts Council announces grant competition
The Santa Maria Arts Council is gearing up for its annual Individual Grants in the Arts Competition, which will award $13,000 in grants to emerging local artists. Locals wishing to compete for the grants must be at least 12 years of age and must have studied art in Northern Santa Barbara County for a minimum…
PCPA The Pacific Conservatory Theatre presents a hilarious and tuneful rendition of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’
The legacy of Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert in musical theater is nearly beyond measure, and The Pirates of Penzance is a prime example of their genius. The play was premiered in 1879, and immediately wooed audiences with its tuneful melodies, bombastic characters, and satirical British humor. The play has enjoyed continual performance ever since,…
Allan Hancock College features students’ work in annual Fine Arts Student Showcase
Allan Hancock College’s Ann Foxworthy Gallery is a perfect space for showing art, with its octagonal shape allowing a number of spaces that can all be partitioned with faux walls. The gallery’s setup allows a varied show that viewers can easily navigate and enjoy in sections. And for the annual Fine Arts Student Art Show—which…
Understanding the Quran
Tom H. C. Anderson said, upon completion of his analysis assessing if the Holy Quran was more violent than the Holy Bible, “Personally, I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised that the concept of ‘mercy’ was most prevalent in the Quran.” As the fear of Islam continues to permeate society, non-Muslims find themselves questioning…
CovenTree in Santa Maria hosts Heartbeat of Mother Earth drum making class
The tradition of drumming exists worldwide and serves as a musical universal among indigenous populations who use the instruments in differing rituals, often of the spiritual persuasion. Whether African, Australian, or American natives, the crafting of the drum is incredibly important in these cultures, explained Julia Bÿl, who has helped many Californians of all ages…
The ultimate fix
Right now, I have a major beef with coconut oil, because I feel like I’ve been lied to. I’ve adored and believed in this product and the miracles that have been attributed to it, however recently I was let down in a big way. Supposedly it can do anything. Except that it can’t. Like it…
Adapting to change creates a little pain
So where oh where is El Niño? The weather phenom was expected to be here, but maybe he’s suffering from a little California fever and being fashionably late. Divas. Whatever. The thing is, we were waiting El Niño! We gathered sandbags. We bought super cute umbrellas and rain boots that are still sitting there dry…
My vote goes to Hartmann
I will be supporting Joan Hartmann in the June primary because she has chosen jobs and worked with organizations that contribute to making life healthier and safer for people. While working for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an organization that “protects Americans from significant risks to human health,” Joan worked on Safe Drinking Water and…
Article misrepresented CrossFit
When I first saw the Sun’s Health and Fitness issue, I was so excited to see a picture of a strong, smiling girl on the cover. As a female who has dealt with her fair share of disordered eating, I really enjoyed reading an article praising women for being strong instead of being skinny. However,…
Michael Taylor
Lompoc High School senior basketball guard Michael Taylor is the perfect player to choose as the Sun athlete of the week following Valentine’s Day. When asked about how he came to adopt his fiery and energetic playing style, Taylor can only credit his love for basketball. “It’s just a love for the game,” Taylor said.…
Pioneer Valley High School wrestling teams make history
Pioneer Valley High School boys’ and girls’ wrestling coach Kevin Ilac is well aware of how grueling his wrestling program is. And he’s quite upfront about it. “We work insanely hard,” Ilac told the Sun. “We don’t cut kids, kids kind of cut themselves. To just make it through the season is an accomplishment on…
