Cover Story
Pensions for plebeians
Amortization schedules. Defined contribution plans. Actuarial tables. Unless you’ve got a degree in economics, the words alone are enough to make the head spin. Unfortunately, these terms and others are likely to come up a lot in the near future, as pensions for public employees continue to be the hot button issue at the county…
Lane Tanner Pinot Noir — a 30-year history
Lane Tanner was only the second woman winemaker in Santa Barbara County in a commercial facility when she started working in Santa Ynez Valley in 1981 at Firestone Vineyards. For the past 30 years, the distinctive Tanner has been an icon in Santa Barbara County wine country. And she succeeded despite the fact that she…
From Europe, with larvae
Forget the light brown apple moth; there’s a new bug pestering the state. In September 2009, the European grapevine moth was discovered for the first time in California in the Napa Valley. Native to southern Italy, the fluttering winemaker’s nightmare produces larvae that feed on grape bud clusters and flowers. The damage opens the fruit…
What was your favorite film in the past year?
Valli Keller web designer “Hereafter. I liked the layering of information that Clint Eastwood gave it.” @font-face { font-family: “Times”; }@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Linda Walker retired “Inception. I paid to see it twice. ” Richard…
Prove Santa Maria has talent
Performers of all types may audition for Santa Maria Has Talent 2011. Up for grabs in the second annual talent event is a $1,000 first prize. Open auditions will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on March 5 at Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Road, in Santa Maria.…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Guess who came to dinner: lots of power couples from all over town, as well as the Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation (OCAF) regulars—parents, school administrators, teachers, and supporters of the arts. And then there was the very sociable president of the Santa Barbara Foundation, Ron Gallo, and wife Andrea, who hosted a table. Included in…
Artists needed
The Shepard Hall Gallery is calling for artist submissions for its Small Works Juried Exhibition. The call is open for artists who live in Santa Barbara County as far south as Santa Ynez, up to the Five Cities area in San Luis Obispo County. The exhibition will run from March 5 through April 16. Entries…
PCPA wants you to ACT NOW
PCPA is seeking donors for its annual ACT NOW! Scholarship Appeal campaign. The campaign needs $125,000 to continue its support of the actors and technicians who support the work onstage, backstage, and in the classrooms and labs. PCPA Theaterfest awards more than $500,000 in scholarships each year. The funds allow interns, guest artists, and students…
Making it happen
Santa Maria musician and artist Joe Chavira has a philosophy he likes to lay on beginning musicians: “The best way in life is just teach yourself everything.” And he has. After learning guitar from his father at the age of 7, Chavira went on to teach himself piano, drums, and just about every other instrument.…
On display
Art theory is great, but art in practice is even better. This month, Allan Hancock College art students get to bring their art lessons out of the classroom to put their creativity on display for the public. The annual Fine Arts Student Art Show is now up in Allan Hancock College’s Ann Foxworthy Gallery.…
The Spartatroniks are gearing up for nationals
The Orcutt Academy Robotics Club has spent the last six weeks building a robot to enter into the prestigious F.I.R.S.T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition. The “Spartatroniks” will be one of 2,000 teams in the contest. On Feb. 18, the team showcased its robot in front of a very crowded…
Aim for the crown!
On March 4, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce will begin accepting applications for 2011 Strawberry Queen contestants, open to girls ages 5 to 18. The honor of queen will be awarded to the girl who sells the most prize drawing tickets through April 15. Tickets cost $1 each, and prizes of $500, $300,…
Out of work?
Beginning in March, unemployed Santa Barbara County residents will have an opportunity to take free classes in Lompoc and Santa Maria to gain new skills in high-demand occupations. Courses in “Computer Applications with Social Media Marketing for Business” will cover Microsoft Office, word processing, spreadsheets, and Internet and e-mail applications, as well as social networking.…
Vandenberg hosts a small-business conference
Contractors are invited to attend the fifth annual Vandenberg Air Force Base Small Business Conference, held March 16 and 17 at the Pacific Coast Club. The conference will highlight the latest updates on Air Force contracting opportunities, marketing to the government, and teaming strategies with large businesses. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.…
Plot your own garden
Gardening is a popular hobby. It’s a passion for some and therapy for others. Sadly, however, not everyone has the resources to take up the activity. Got a green thumb but no place to stick it? Fret no more. For $27, you can reserve your very own garden plot in the city of Santa Maria’s…
Frankie Eszes
Frankie Eszes, a senior at St. Joseph, is finally raking in the benefits of not having a life during high school: She was offered a “big” scholarship, for both academia and tennis, to attend Northwestern College in Iowa. Eszes began playing tennis at age 4, when her mom went to work in the summer and…
Train for triathlons at the YMCA
It’s not too late to make 2011 your fittest year yet and challenge your spirit, mind, and body by joining the Santa Maria Valley YMCA’s triathlon training teams. Last year, according to the YMCA, the teams helped more than 100 people accomplish their goals of finishing their first triathlons. The Tri-Training teams are open for…
The Bleacher Bum Chronicles XI
It’s official. We’ve reached the halfway point of the NBA season. And what have we learned so far? For starters, on an L.A.-saturated All-Star Weekend, Justin Bieber can upstage real basketball players. The vertically challenged Ken doll continued his path to world dominance (without messing up his ’do) by scoring eight points in the weekend’s…
Muy delicioso!
The Southern California-based Vallarta Supermarkets chain opened a store in Santa Maria earlier this month, to the delight of local job seekers and fans of traditional Mexican food. Founded in 1985, the company has since expanded to more than 35 stores. According to the Santa Maria Workforce Resource Center, the new store, located at 1875…
Correction
A news article on the Walmart expansion in Lompoc (“Walmart clears final hurdle for Lompoc store expansion,” Feb. 15) misstated the projected time estimate for construction. According to Walmart representatives, the project should take approximately 12 to 15 months. News Briefs is compiled by Sun staffers from staff reporting and local and national media. Information…
Supes say no to ‘Building E’
Despite a subsidized bond from the American Recovery Act, Santa Barbara County officials won’t move forward with plans to expand the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria. During the Feb. 15 Board of Supervisors meeting, 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino was clearly uneasy about the public’s possible opinion of such an expenditure. “The last thing…
Hail to the queen of grapes
Forty years ago, Richard Sanford planted Santa Barbara County’s first Pinot Noir, and ever since then, the region has excelled at the grape’s production. Considered a queen among wine grape varieties—albeit a finicky one—Pinot Noir inspires fierce loyalty in its devotees and often drives them to deliver impassioned flurries of poetry and praise. As proof…
We work hard, with foresight
Regarding the Feb. 17 commentary by Doug Jenzen (“Stop paving paradise”): His three primary topics: 1) How poorly the Old Town neighborhood looks because of lack of planning. 2) Development is creating traffic jams, which in turn are creating the need for new roads for circulation because supervisors and developers have done “what they’ve pleased.”…
Sheriff’s Department stages a pot bust at Righetti High School
A three-day investigation into suspected marijuana sales at a Santa Maria high school ended with the arrests of six juveniles and one teen adult. On Feb. 10, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department began its investigation into suspected marijuana sales at Righetti High School after school officials discovered three juvenile students in possession of “large…
Police arrest 12 suspects during a gang sweep
A recent sweep across the Central Coast, targeting gang members suspected of living in the country illegally, culminated in 12 arrests. According to a Santa Maria Police Department press release, the investigation was carried out after individuals known to the Santa Maria Police Department’s Gang Suppression Team as active gang members were cross-checked by agents…
Lujan gets 75 to life for child’s murder
Bringing a tragic chapter to a close, a Santa Barbara County judge on Feb. 17 sentenced Lompoc resident James Lujan to 75 years to life in prison for killing 4-year-old Diego Calles and torturing a young girl. In the courtroom, Superior Court Judge Edward Bullard listened to grief-filled statements from Diego’s family, who wore T-shirts…
