Cover Story
Two legs, four legs
Wanted: Volunteers to cuddle babies, play with puppies, and taste ice cream. Looking for volunteer opportunities? You won’t find that ad—not in real life, anyway. Then again, you probably won’t see one detailing the true work behind an opportunity: Wanted: Someone to wash 20 loads of laundry, mop poopy kennels, and rake dirt. For free.…
Looking for talent
Santa Maria Rotary South is sponsoring Santa Maria Has Talent!, a talent show open to contestants of all ages from Santa Maria, Nipomo, Lompoc, and Guadalupe. First prize is $1,000. Prizes will be awarded for best talent, funniest acts, and best costumes. The event will be held March 4, 5, and 6 at the Santa…
Watch the masters
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society will present a master piano class with world-renowned pianist Kirill Gliadkovsky at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at St. Louis de Montfort Church, 1190 E. Clark Ave. in Orcutt. The class is a special public piano recital where several students will perform works for the audience while the master teacher…
Centeno Gallery honors Black History month
Lompoc Museum and the Lompoc chapter of Club Arcturus are teaming up to honor Black History Month with a special exhibit in the Museum’s Centeno Gallery Jan. 17 through Feb. 28. This year’s featured artist is well-known Lompoc artist and entrepreneur Victor Jordan, publisher of the monthly magazine, The Lompoc Vision. A selection from Victor’s…
How has volunteering changed your life?
Austin Gruber lieutenant “I haven’t been changed by a volunteer, but I’ve worked with Habitat for Humanity in Virginia and was part of the Airmen Against Drunk Driving—basically seven years of volunteering.” Judy Sachson retired “When I first saw the Santa Maria Dog Shelter and what they do there, it made me want to volunteer,…
Political Watch 1.14
It seems to be katching on—San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian recently announced that 15 current and former city council members have endorsed him in his campaign for the 33rd District Assembly seat. The council members, such as former Lompoc Councilman Will Schuyler and former San Luis Obispo Councilwoman Dodie Williams, join a growing…
Community Notebook 1.14
FRIDAY, JAN. 15 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors conference…
Hobnobbing with Helen
This first column of the year is more about what’s coming than what has been. Consider the coming attractions: Is this shaping up to be a great, fun year or what? NASCAR races, New Orleans Jazz Festival, cruises The above are included in live auction packages available at the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s annual fundraising…
With a little help from the docents
The Central Coast is a wonderful place: sleepy foggy mornings, consummate rolling hills that shelter the voluptuous wine grapes, and sunsets that bleed orange throughout the open skies. And it’s home to the historically and scenically rich Dana Adobe in Nipomo. The Dana Adobe, also known as Casa de Dana, was a ranch built by…
Reporting for duty
They may not carry guns or have academy-grade training, but members of the Santa Maria Police Department’s volunteer program are an integral part of the city’s police force. Since 1995, civilians have been doing certain tasks that “free up employees to go on and do something else,” volunteer coordinator Penny Pastore said. The services provided…
Continue the holiday gusto
For Christmas, Santa Claus can’t please everyone and sometimes leaves gift cards to people who will never use them. In an effort to put such gifts to great use, Make-A-Wish Foundation is offering to take them to fund its organization. Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties uses the unused gift cards as “first gifts,” meaning a…
Orcutt school district moves ahead
In an effort to counteract revenue losses, the Orcutt Union School District is moving forward with plans to lease district-owned land for the development of about 250 senior housing units in Old Town Orcutt. The plan would require the rezoning of nearly 10 acres of land, located between Soares Avenue and Rice Ranch Road, purchased…
Lompoc officials, police officers square off over labor negotiations
Highly contested labor negotiations between the Lompoc Police Officers Association and the city of Lompoc have ended with the city imposing an almost 11 percent cut in pay and benefits on its law enforcement employees. Narrowly approved by the City Council on Jan. 5, the cuts will begin on Jan. 22 and last for 12…
Local officials kick off construction of the new Santa Maria transit center
The dirt flew at an official groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 7 for the new multimillion-dollar Santa Maria Intermodal Transit Center, to sit at the corner of East Boone and South Miller streets. After a brief ceremony, Santa Maria City Council members, Caltrans officials, and U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) sunk their gold-plated shovels into…
Howerton named SBCAN advocacy director
The Santa Barbara County Action Network announced the appointment of Joyce Howerton as the group’s director of advocacy and outreach. Howerton is a founding member of SB CAN and has served as the organization’s north county vice president. As a three-term mayor of Lompoc, Howerton secured pay equity for women, created a regional landfill project,…
African spirituality comes to Lompoc
Throughout human history, man has sought to predict future events. The practice of IFA, with a long history of use as a divination tool in Africa and modified in the United States as Santeria, intends to bring seekers in alignment with their highest destiny. IFA priest Mario Gasca has brought his knowledge of the practice…
Discovery Museum expands hours
Children and their families will be able to spend more time enjoying hands-on learning about marine life, agriculture, exotic animals, and creative arts at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum in 2010. The museum, located at 705 S. McClelland, will be open on the last Sunday of every month between noon and 4 p.m. beginning…
Learn more about the census
The 2010 Census is fast approaching, and the County of Santa Barbara Office of Long Range Planning is holding an open house in Santa Maria on Jan. 27 to inform the public of the importance of participating in the count. Anyone interested in learning more about the census or helping to encourage community members to…
Get admitted at Crossroads
Admissions Day for Crossroads Junior High School starts at 2 p.m. on Jan. 17 in room 206. For more information, call 922-0237, e-mail office@ccjh.org, or visit ccjh.org.
Study at the ‘speed of life’ with Allan Hancock College
Students keeping a busy schedule can earn the credit of a full semester course in eight weeks through Allan Hancock College’s Fast Track/Term classes. Hancock is offering more than 80 eight-week term classes during the spring 2010 semester at its Santa Maria area campuses, with 16 classes beginning Feb. 1 and the remainder beginning April…
Cal Poly, SLO announces theme for 2010 Open House weekend
Students, parents, alumni, and community members are welcome to head “To Cal Poly and Beyond” at the college’s 2010 Open House, set for April 15 through 17. This year’s weekend-long event will have a futuristic theme—a la Buzz Lightyear—and other explorers of new frontiers. The Open House gives admitted students and their families and friends—along…
Zippos Infatuation
Hold on to your legacy, Seabiscuit, because here’s a horse that’s turning heads: a paint horse named Zippos Infatuation. Zippos recently snagged a world championship title at the 2009 Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show, held Nov. 5 through 14 in Fort Worth, Texas. The horse is a local, hailing from the farmland community of…
Spring has sprung in Lompoc
The Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department has issued the schedule for its spring sports offerings. Registration for the Adult Softball League runs until Feb. 5. Men’s, women’s, church, and co-ed divisions—open to players 16 and older—are available, and all ability levels are welcome. The season begins Feb. 21. For the first time ever, the department…
Girls’ softball league is taking names
Registration is currently open for the 2010 season of Santa Maria Girls Softball, a league created for players aged 5 to 16. Sign-ups will take place Jan. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m., Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Jan. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Minami Community Center, located…
Labor of love
It’s nearing sunset, and at Ralph Dunlap Elementary School in Orcutt, a team of 12-year-olds is gathered to practice headers and kicks at the school’s soccer field. The boys’ coach, Christina Vogel, demonstrates proper footing techniques and shouts instructions, prodding the players to move the ball around quickly and accurately. A 19-year-old student at Allan…
We deserve better
If, in the end, we find out that the Health Bill the Democrats are trying to pass requires all Americans to buy insurance from private insurance run by fat cat CEOs, they can expect to face the voters’ wrath. From what I know, it was written by them for them. We deserve better. The private…
Others need to step up for schools
There is again political outcry to make teachers responsible. But how can teachers be held accountable when parents, taxpayers, and administrators aren’t? We lived in a middle class white neighborhood in Sacramento County when I volunteered to help in a third grade classroom. There were 32 children in the class, a third of which were…
Complete allegiance
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the cost of illegal immigration to California taxpayers is $10.5 billion per year. That figure represents half of the projected state budget deficit for the next year, meaning that illegal immigration is contributing hugely to the massive budget shortfalls California faces year in and year out.…
From rags to em dashes
Being a geek of any sort comes with a set of responsibilities: Wear a cloak, be capable of rattling off magic spells by heart, stand in line at 2 a.m. in order to be the first to see a new movie. And type geeks are no exception to the rule. They’re irritated by the presence…
Book smarts
Having grown up during the Depression, Rev. Robert Wedaa remembers what it was like to be poor: putting cardboard in his shoes when they wore down and never having as much food on the table as his family would have liked. His experiences, like those of many other members of his generation, were harsh back…
Clubs and Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the Santa…
Spiritual
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy Communion…
Farmers Market
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and vegetables.…
Barbecues
ONGOING FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY barbecues Filipino food at the Smart and Final parking lot, N. Broadway on Saturdays and Sundays. Menu items include tri-tip, chicken, beef kabobs, chicken adobo, salad, rice, and bread. Meals cost $6. Info: 922-3422 or 922-3799. FILIPINO CATHOLIC SOCIETY, under the direction of St. Mary’s Church and St.…
Health
SANSUM CLINIC offers a cholesterol management class on Jan. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sansum Clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers a “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meeting the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Medical…
Art
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the exhibit “People, Places, and Things” featuring the art of Franceska Bobi Angel through Jan. 29 at the Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117, or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. COFFEE AND COMPANY’S Lucmann Gallery features the works of local artist Irna Nalkmus…
Learning
AFTER 5 BUSINESS CONNECTION presents a mixer event with Dr. Abiola Aladoke, owner of Healthy Palate Restaurant, on Jan. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Healthy Palate, 2015 South Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 757-9802. THE SANTA MARIA BRANCH OF THE AAUW (American Association of University Women) presents the program “The Indian Immigration Experience: A…
Recreation
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA holds registration for Adult Arena Soccer in several divisions, with the deadline Jan. 15. Cost is $400 for member teams, $425 for participant teams. Info: 937-8521. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents Shiu-Ching McSparron performing songs, dances, and fun on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public…
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM teams up with the American Red Cross to teach kids how to be “Masters of Disaster” Jan. 16, 23, and 30 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the museum, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 928-8414. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents an “Introduction to…
Dance Lessons
WORTH THE DRIVE THE ZION CHURH HALL hosts a new dancers’ square dance class on Jan. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zion Church Hall, 1010 Foothill, SLO. Cost is $6, $3 for kids under 12. Info: 541-2386 or 801-8720. ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to…
Stage
WORTH THE DRIVE THE CLARK CENTER ASSOCIATION presents the Peking Acrobats performing their daring maneuvers on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. Info: 489-9444 or clarkcenter.org. THE CAL POLY ARTS DEPARTMANT presents Most Valuable Player: The Heroic Story of Jackie Robinson on…
Night Life
The following venues offer either regularly scheduled live entertainment or DJ-hosted dance music. Most performances start after 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. IN THE AREA ADDAMO VINEYARD/TASTING ROOM: 400 E. Clark Ave., suite E, Santa Maria, 937-6400. Live music Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway,…
Concerts
WORTH THE DRIVE THE GRANADA THEATER presents Kris Kristofferson in concert on Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Cost is $38 to $55. Info: 963-0761. THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY JAZZ FEDERATION and the San Luis Obispo Art Center present the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet on…
Special Events
THE VALLEY SPEAKS presents “Preserving the Valley’s History” on Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to noon featuring guest speakers Larry Lavagnino and Joni Gray in the Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall, 421 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117. RIGHT TO LIFE OF THE CENTRAL COAST will assemble to mark the 37th anniversary…
‘Consumable art’
In the mid-1980s, pioneering winemaker Tony Austin spelled out the relationship between wine and art in boldface letters at his Los Olivos tasting room. In the Kern Health 2006 issue of Bakersfield Magazine, he reiterated the sentiment when he told wine writer Mike Stepanovich, “Wine is art. It just happens to be consumable art.” Austin…
