Cover Story
Moving target
There’s diatomaceous earth, and then there’s diatomaceous earth with crude oil in it. The two look different. Most people are used to seeing the oil-free type that can be dug up and used in filtration systems. It’s a smooth-looking rock with white and beige coloring. But the good, oily stuff looks rough, with swirls of…
The gift of water
Come fall, Hands4Others co-founder Spencer Dusebout hopes to have several new Water4One clubs at high schools up and down the Central Coast. The newly formed clubs would organize fundraising events in their respective communities to pay for the installation of lifesaving water purification systems in villages throughout Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Dusebout and…
A study in satire
There are those who look at the ills of the world and moan and lament. But others realize that sometimes all we can do is sit back and laugh. Gale McNeeley is a local actor who’s enjoyed a career on and off Broadway, all over the country. His upcoming show at Café Noir in…
What is your favorite summer activity on the Central Coast?
Ian Muntean MDA mission scheduler “I like to hike. My favorites are Gaviota Peak and Montaña de Oro.” Linda Valle ophthalmologist technician “I like to go to the beach, because I enjoy watching my kids play.” Jerry Valle Verizon Wireless operations manager “The parks on the Central Coast are really nice. There is hiking and…
Memorial auction returns
The 12th annual Joe White Memorial Dinner and Auction is quickly approaching. Scheduled for Aug. 17, the event will be held at the Santa Maria Fairpark Pavilion. The doors open at 5:30 with a silent auction and social hour. The evening will also feature a New York strip steak dinner served at 7 p.m. with…
Polo legend returns to Santa Ynez
Team Platinum Performance will return to defend its 2012 championship title at the Polo Classic on July 20 at the Santa Ynez Polo Club. Platinum Performance will include brothers Memo Gracida—a hall-of-famer with the most U.S. Open wins—and Carlos Gracida, a three-time Grand Slam of Polo award winner. For VIP, patron, and general admission tickets,…
Pioneer does All-Star football
Pioneer Valley’s own Chris Carter was selected to play for the 18U U.S. National Football team. Playing at the International Development Games in Austin, Texas, through July 12, Carter will take the tight-end/defensive-end position. Last season, Carter caught six passes on 58 yards and was also known for being a tough blocker.
South County dominates baseball
The Santa Maria Babe Ruth 13s, 14s, and the Orcutt 15s teams are all preparing for a trip to the State Championship Tourney. The Santa Maria 14s sealed the deal with a 6-3 win over Orcutt in San Luis Obispo. Santa Maria tied up the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth only to…
Dive on in!
Courtesy of PLAY, Inc., the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center will present free swim days from now until Aug. 25. Open to all ages from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays, the Olympic-size pool is available for family, friends, and neighbors to visit. An adult must accompany all children; lifeguards are on duty at all…
Enjoy Family Day at Orcutt Hill
The Guadalupe Dunes Center put out the word to save the date for a family day at Orcutt Hill Open Space. Courtesy of Pacific Coast Energy Company and the Dunes Center, families are invited to come out for a day of fun-filled activity and softball fundraising on Aug. 3. Complete with live music, food, and…
Going the distance
The Santa Maria Saints cross-country team will be host to summer training starting in early July. Head coach Adolfo Lopez will work with runners Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Athletes are asked to meet at the field near the pool at Santa Maria High; all female and male distance runners…
Get your game on the court
The newest addition to the Allan Hancock College coaching staff, basketball head coach Tyson Aye, will be heading up a basketball camp at the school. Available for girls and boys ages 6 to 18, the camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Joe White gymnasium Aug. 5 through 8. Players will…
Carlos Banderas
Sixteen-year-old Carlos Banderas has his eye set on the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The Santa Maria native is currently ranked first in the nation for amateur boxing in his weight division. He won his first tournament at the Junior Olympics in Los Angeles at the age of 8, and he’s won many other…
All Star material
This is looking like the summer of a lifetime for young baseball player Jaden Lyburtus. Just 11-1/2 years old, Lyburtus is preparing to represent the Central Coast in the Big Apple as one of three national finalists—for his age group—in the annual Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit, and Run competition. A resident of Guadalupe, this…
Don’t breathe easy, California
E.B. White wrote, in Charlotte’s Web, that crickets chirped “Summer is dying, dying.” That’s one of the reasons I never invite any of those bugs to my parties. They’re so maudlin. That, and they tend to not use coasters. But here we are, post-heat-wave, post-fireworks. Sunburned skin has either deepened to a tan or is…
Nuclear waste isn’t an economic plus
So PG&E prodded business and community leaders for a speedier approval of relicensing by claiming there are economic advantages to a nuclear plant (“PG&E makes hard sell for Diablo Canyon renewal,” Tribune, June 29)? Did chief nuclear officer Halpin mention that there is no policy for the disposal of nuclear waste? Now that the myth…
Who needs to be scared to death?
Every July 4 (and New Year’s Eve), I cry for the animals’ fear and pain that can’t tolerate the pointless blasting, shooting, and screeching of firecrackers. All, from the tiniest pets to farm animals and horses, can break free or injure themselves trying. Those humans who don’t go spend their own money to get sedatives…
Yes, I’ve used the N-word
I’m not a racist! And I don’t know Paula Dean or what’s in her heart so I don’t know if she is or is not a racist. But I certainly empathize with her and find most of the problems that have come her way unacceptable after her only crime was answering, truthfully, “Yes, of course”…
Strings for the next generation
In the age of electronic pop music, many young kids couldn’t tell you what instruments make a string quartet or symphony happen, let alone what they sound like or how they look. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is holding an upcoming summer camp by Central Coast Music Academy, Inc., which allows kids between ages…
Saluting chardonnay
Have you tasted Santa Barbara County chardonnay lately? You should! The cooler microclimates of the county are producing some really lovely, food-friendly chards. I’ve been especially impressed with newly released chardonnays from the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills appellations in particular, from producers such as La Fenêtre, Solomon Hills, Deovlet, Presqu’ile, Riverbench,…
Bugging out
I guess if I were an airplane, you’d say I was in a holding pattern. After 20 years in journalism, I was facing a decision to learn a new trade. Entering the wine industry. Not knowing what I wanted to do within the niche—sales, marketing, winemaking—I started working a few days a week at a…
Youth workforce orientations will be held weekly
Just for the summer, Santa Barbara County Youth Workforce is holding weekly orientations to introduce its program to young people from 17 to 21 years old. Coupled with that orientation is an introduction to the Youth Employment Opportunity Program, which helps young adults from 15 to 25 years old. Both programs are designed to help…
Migrant summer school wraps up
The first run at a migrant summer school program finished on July 10 for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. More than 150 students from Santa Maria, Ernest Righetti, Pioneer Valley, and Delta high schools participated in the district’s first migrant summer school. The program is geared toward students whose families have had…
Boys & Girls Club to give back-to-school help
With that August rush to get ready for the new school year just around the corner, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria is asking for donations to fund a back-to-school shopping spree. The club is asking sponsors to donate $100 per member to help those who can’t afford basic school necessities. On the…
Spotlight on: Valley Flooring Carpet One
Valley Flooring Carpet One has been an integral part of the community since 1968. The family-owned business has installed flooring in the Santa Maria Public Library, City Hall, and homes across the valley. Valley Flooring sits at 1133 W. Cook St. in Santa Maria. It’s a cozy building with a clean storefront; upon entering the…
Politcal Watch 7/11/13
• The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and South County Transit recently released a press release in response to the death of 4th District SLO County Supervisor Paul Teixeira, saying the staff will deeply miss the board member’s “commitment to public transportation, his friendly demeanor and deep sympathy for those in need throughout…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Saturday, June 29, was a big night for Frank and Scottie Ortiz. This popular couple “retired” from their year as district governor and first lady of Rotary District 5240, a big chunk of Central California. Their service was recognized and applauded at an annual awards ceremony held at the Radisson Hotel. For the past year,…
Community Notebook 7/11-18
TUESDAY, JULY 16 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall,…
Ten thousand lives transformed
A surge in community awareness and outreach has led to a massive milestone for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, which recently saw its 10,000th adoption since the creation of its “no-kill” program. The staff, which rings a bell upon every successful adoption, will be celebrating this feat with a luncheon to “thank them for…
Farmers win some, lose some
Tough new rules aimed at keeping nitrate fertilizer out of drinking water on the Central Coast have been mainly upheld by state water quality officials, following appeals by agricultural and environmental groups. The State Water Resources Control Board issued a draft decision regarding the local water board’s requirements that growers reduce the amount of nitrate…
Local Saturday farmers market finally sprouts
Santa Marians now have a weekend farmers market to call their own. After four years of effort, a group of local produce vendors has launched a farmers market Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Sears parking lot on the corner of East Main and Miller streets in Santa Maria. “This is the…
Acciona decides against Lompoc wind farm
Maybe the news blew in on the wind from Spain to Santa Barbara County, but it’s not official yet. Energy company Acciona recently sent word to local news agencies that the company has decided not to pursue a wind farm project in Lompoc, but Doug Anthony from the County Planning and Development’s energy department said…
Yosemite hiker finds missing pilot’s plane
On July 7, park rangers recovered the body of Nicol Wilson—the Santa Barbara County pilot whose plane went missing over Yosemite National Park on Dec. 17, 2012. A hiker spotted Wilson’s single-engine plane, which was largely intact, near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp on July 6 and reported it to authorities. Park rangers hiked to the…
Hancock’s new president starts his first week on the job
Summer might be the best time for leadership transition at a college. It’s not as busy as the regular school year, and, as Allan Hancock College’s new superintendent/president Kevin Walthers said, it’s a great time to meet people not just on campus, but in the community as well. Walthers’ first day on the Santa Maria…
Crafty kids
Michaels arts and crafts store offers two upcoming classes for kids: “Kids Club Summer Bugs Event” is on July 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. “Kids Club Summer Totes Event” is July 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes cost $2 each. Crafting happens in 30-minute sessions for both events. For more information, contact Michaels…
Promote repurposing
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center present a new exhibit titled “Re-THINK Trash,” showing at both locations. The exhibit displays and highlights art made from recycled materials found in the Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes and local beach areas. The show premiers with a reception event on July 20 from noon to…
For the elders
The Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society and Museum celebrates nonagenarians—people 90 or older—at a special event featuring food, drinks, and video taping of honorees who would like to share their life experiences and wisdom. The event is scheduled for July 21 at 2 p.m. at the Senior Center, 4553 10th St., Guadalupe. Cost is $3…
Books for all
Altrusa International, Inc. of the Central Coast will be giving away free children’s and adult books for the annual “Festival of Books” at the Town Center mall to raise awareness and support for literacy in the community. The event is held on Sundays, including July 14 and 28, and Aug. 11 and 25 from noon…
Representing her district
With summer in full swing, another batch of high school graduates is now facing the future. In particular, one Ernest Righetti High School senior has received a piece of motivation and vindication in pursuing her plan as an art major. Christa Weston, who graduated from Righetti last month, was chosen as the winner of the…
