Cover Story
Want a car with that house?
Do you want a house? Then do it. Go buy a house. If you have any money at all—some savings, lotto winnings, an inheritance—then put down this paper and go get yourself a new dwelling. There may be some extras in it for you if you do. Michael Crews Development, a company in Escondido, made…
CLUBS & MEETINGS
ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., in the downstairs conference room at United Way, 1660 S. Broadway. Info: 352-0026 or 937-4071. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. OF THE CENTRAL COAST meets at noon the second and fourth Monday of every month at…
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’ MARKETS
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 July 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. A “Diabetes Essentials” class is July 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. ONGOING ARTHRITIS FDN. is…
ART
THE LOMPOC SCULPTORS SOCIETY presents the exhibition A Medley of Sculpture through Sept. 5 at the Centeno Gallery, Lompoc Museum, 200 South H St., Lompoc. An opening reception is July 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum. Info: 736-3888. THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY features the works of local artists for two months at…
LEARNING
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY holds an open house event featuring free information sessions with an advisor July 15 and 16 at 5 p.m. at the Santa Maria Campus, 1300 E Cypress St., A-1, Santa Maria. Info: 348-3361. ANGELS FOSTER CARE OF SANTA BARBARA presents an informational meeting about foster parenting for babies, July 17 from 11:30 a.m.…
RECREATION
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAIL FAIR will feature displays, lectures, and train rides July 11 through 13 at the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Freight Depot, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 922-7941 or smvrr.com. BOB CANTU’S ANNUAL BASKETBALL CAMP features sessions that teach basketball strategy for ages 4 to 9 July 14 through 17…
KIDS & FAMILY
PCPA THEATREFESTS’ OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND OUTREACH offers acting, singing, and dancing workshops, “the young people’s project” is for kids ages 13 and 18 July 12 to 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., includes three PCPA play fieldtrips and dinner with professional PCPA actors, musicians, and directors. Cost is $220. Info: 928-7731, Ext. 3156.…
DANCE LESSONS
DANCE LESSONS in preparation for the Obon Festival are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 17 at the Veteran’s Memorial Cultural Center, 313 W. Tunnel St., Santa Maria. Info: 937-7026 or 934-1797. THE EVERYBODY CAN DANCE BALLET ACADEMY presents a five-week intensive dance teaching session featuring Jordi Ribera and Aubrey Walker for ages 11 through…
STAGE
THE SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE holds auditions for musicians for its upcoming production of “Sugar! Oh, Sugar!” July 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. at the theater, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 928-4545 or SMCT.org. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of the musical Ragtime through July 26 at the Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock…
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 CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, 614-9316. DJ Davey D Saturday nights. THE COACHMAN: 1531 S Broadway, 922-5556. Thursday through Saturday: DJ from 9 p.m.…
CONCERTS
THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents a benefit concert featuring actor-composer Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. July 12 at 2 p.m. at the Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $20. Info: 925-0412 or 736-9365. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY BAND performs a Twilight Concert July 10 at 7…
SPECIAL EVENTS
THE LOMPOC HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION presents the sixth annual Show and Shine Car Show July 12 at Ryon Park, Lompoc. Registration is at 8 a.m., judging from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Cost is $35 to register. Info: 736-4567. THE FRIENDS OF THE NIPOMO LIBRARY present a “Gigantic Book Sale” July 12 from 10…
They can make you faster, stronger, less likely to flail arms while running
In sports, there are two distinct categories of play: the season and the off-season. It’s the off-season when Eliseo Munoz and John Malinowski really shine. Munoz and Malinowski are athletic trainers. They’re also friends and colleagues (both work full time at Sim’s Physical Therapy). But here’s where it gets exciting: In their scant free time,…
Sign up for Santa Maria Summer Sports Experience camp
The City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is offering weekly sports camps starting now through Aug. 1. The Summer Sports Experience camps meet from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. At the camps, boys and girls, ages 6 to 12 will be introduced to a variety of sports, such as soccer,…
Marshallia Ranch sees golfers in the swing
The Junior All-Star at Marshallia Ranch golf tournament came to a conclusion with no Central Coast athletes in the top spots, but with plenty of good rounds played. Patrick Grimes of Palo Alto took his first ever American Junior Golf Association win with a tournament total of 2-over-par 118. Yueer Cindy Feng of Orlando, Fla.,…
Athlete of the Week
Rachael Wahl approached her first time at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Neb., feeling only a bit tense. With 10,000 people in the stands gazing at her, it would be hard for this member of the Santa Maria Swim Club to rid herself of the butterflies in her stomach. Fortunately, this swimmer wanted…
What sort of incentives would lure you to buy a house?
Jeff Hendrickson farmer “No down payment.” Elizabeth Beyea flower and succulent vendor “The location and size, such as the square footage and the yard. Also, carpet versus hardwood floors. I like hardwood.” Dave Connuely professional fruit salesman “Just to be a homeowner. It’s the greatest investment you can make.” Terri Castrellon cashier “If prices in…
Get smart about oil
Lois Capps needs to get past her 1969 oil spill mentality and embrace modern technology and science. Energy and oil are for everyone, not only for the elite who fly to Washington weekly on planes using oil. Our economy needs the oil. With increased drilling, prices will decrease because the oil producing counties will no…
Communism flourishes in environmentalism
How has communism flourished in so many countries? Two philosophers, Georg Hegel and Karl Marx, in the mid-19th century decided that the working man did not have any choice when working for his employer, and had to accept whatever demands his employer made of him. In subsequent years, unscrupulous politicians used this philosophy to gain…
You call those stories ‘winners’?
Once again, your selection of winners of the 55 Fiction contest (July 3) is the same old schlock. If you received 863 entries, why did you have to use the same few authors multiple times? Your editorial blurb claims that “you just can’t dispute the instinctive, irrational glow that quality reading material produces.” It’s too…
Stand up for cattle and health
It’s time we all took our heads out of the sand. As most of us have known for a long time, the meat industry does not stand up to the rigid standards it is supposed to, and there are loopholes in those standards. The Humane Society has been documenting abuse of laws and abuse of…
Avoid animal fat for health reasons
The June 12 issue of the Santa Maria Sun featured an extensive article on beef production (“Here’s the beef”), including a reference to cholesterol and a claim that the American Heart Association “has determined that cholesterol is controlled by hereditary factors and genetics.” This is only part of the story and is very misleading. A…
Arts Briefs
Central Coast band takes Refuge at MotionZ Central Coast middle school band Refuge will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 13 at MotionZ in Santa Maria. The band will take the stage to play originals as well as covers. Though they’re still young, the band members have been gigging since they were 10…
Musical roots
His name may ring a bell because of his acting credits, but Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. is also accomplished at striking another note—with his musical composition. The actor’s violin sonata will be part of a benefit performance for the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society, which will also feature a violin sonata by his father, violinist Efrem Zimbalist,…
Mixed metal
When it comes to painting, Barbara Alloway can’t help herself. She likens the art to tying her shoes: It’s something that has to be done, although she admits, “Tying your shoes isn’t as much fun.” Alloway is a Central Coast abstract painter who likes to mix acrylics, metals, and foil. Her collections have been shown…
Everything must go
My house recently reached critical mass. My garage was bulging with old bicycles and broken car parts. My bedroom closet was bursting with clothes that don’t fit, are riddled with holes, and are out of style (not that they were ever actually in style). Each drawer in the house was overflowing with pens without ink,…
Serving up fish food
Walking across the planks of the pier-like entryway, diners heading into Santa Maria’s The Jetty Restaurant can imagine a restless ocean stirring just beneath their feet. Couple that sensation with an occasional sea breeze wafting in from Guadalupe, and the effect just about mirrors a ramble to a real jetty. Located on the corner of…
College moves one step closer to becoming more affordable
The interest rate on federal student loans was reduced from 6.8 to 6 percent on July 1. The rate cut is the first of four scheduled cuts that will make need-based federal student loans more affordable for students and their families. The reductions are part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, legislation passed…
Mechatronics Institute gears up for summer
Technology lovers listen up! Allan Hancock College is inviting high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college students to participate in a free, four-day workshop called The Mechatronics Institute, to be held July 28 through 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the college’s Lompoc Valley Center. Institute participants will be immersed in the world…
Chapman University will host summer info sessions
Interested in starting or finishing a college degree? Chapman University Advisors will be on hand at the university’s Santa Maria Valley campus, on July 15 and 16, to discuss the school’s history and academic programs, especially programs for adult learners. All sessions are free, and begin at 5 p.m. at the Santa Maria Valley campus,…
A Night for the Families
Imagine having a job that required attention 24 hours a day. Whether it’s 6 a.m. or 9 p.m., family caregivers for Marian Medical Center’s home care, hospice, and cancer patients are always on call. Fortunately, their numerous hours of care and patience haven’t been overlooked, and Marian Medical Center, along with Dream Dinners of Santa…
Clarification
Congressional candidate Matt Kokkonen offered a few clarifications in regard to the “Meet Matt Kokkonen” article in the Sun’s July 3 issue: “My reference to the fact that there is not a pipeline big enough to move all of the ANWR oil out over six months was a response to the criticism that ANWR oil…
County challenges residents to reduce water use by 20 gallons per day
With drought warnings and fires plaguing the state, right now seems like the perfect time to begin the “Santa Barbara Countywide 20-Gallon Challenge.” Beginning this month, the Santa Barbara County Water Agency is teaming up with cities and special districts throughout the county to challenge residents to reduce their normal water-use levels by 20 gallons…
Santa Maria City Council denies construction of affordable housing project
It was industrial versus residential property at the Santa Maria City Council meeting on July 1, when council members voted 4-1, with Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias dissenting, against the construction of an affordable housing project in a vacant, 2.3-acre lot near Bradley Court in Santa Maria. For two hours, the council reviewed a staff report on…
COLT to start Lompoc-Solvang bus route
Responding to residents’ requests for public transportation to work, school, and other activities, the Lompoc City Council approved on July 1 the establishment of a bus route between Lompoc and Solvang, with a stop in Buellton. Run by the City of Lompoc Transit (COLT) system, the 20-passenger bus could begin making trips between the two…
County continues fight against Gap Fire
After more than a week of battling flames, firefighting forces in Santa Barbara County are getting closer to smothering the Gap Fire, thanks, in part, to a recent change in weather conditions. Beginning July 6, lower temperatures and higher moisture levels helped firefighters keep the fire—which has already burned nearly 9,600 acres—from spreading. As a…
In case of future emergencies
On July 1, Santa Barbara County came one step closer to having a permanent Emergency Operations Center when the Board of Supervisors narrowly voted in favor of allowing staff to move forward with a plan to build emergency facilities outside of Santa Barbara. The decision—which could be postponed for financial reasons—comes at a pivotal time…
Santa Maria Women for Agriculture awards scholarships
The Santa Maria Chapter of California Women for Agriculture awarded $1,000 scholarships to six local students at a recent luncheon. This year’s recipients are Amy Guerra, Mark Powell, Amanda Rosa, Lisa Baray, Megan Brownell, and Ashli Middleton. California Women for Agriculture is dedicated to the survival of agriculture. Members serve as a non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-commercial…
Chamber of Commerce holds mixer with nonprofits
The next Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 17 at the Community Cornerstone Center for Nonprofits, 120 E. Jones St. According to a press release, the Chamber is celebrating the partnerships and friendships that have been established between local government, businesses, grantors and patrons.…
Schock’s Furniture Crafters, out of the wood business
After almost 20 years in Orcutt, Wil Schock, owner and furniture designer of Schock’s Furniture Crafters, is putting down his tools and walking away. “Even after 25 years of designing furniture every day, I still love this job. I’ve been artistic all my life, into music, restoring antique cars and motorcycles. But designing allowed me…
