Cover Story
Facing closure
Look at Refugio Beach from the freeway. Tilt your head slightly to the side and squint hard, and you’ll faintly see the words “Welcome to California” burn across the sky in hot pink. Just don’t do it while driving. Refugio is the quintessential California beach, even if it’s not the Hollywood picture of surf and…
Dancers score big
The Dellos Performing Arts Competition Team returned from Hollywood Connection’s Finals in Anaheim as winners in several categories. The teams were declared national champions in the Jr. Tap and Jr. Production Divisions, while the Senior Teams became national champions in Hip Hop and Contemporary, with the Senior Hip Hop team declared overall national champion, achieving…
What’s your favorite beach?
Claudia Vandermolen welfare worker “Pismo. It’s people friendly, and it services the families—parents and kids.” Nick Busque student “Nanakuli, on the west side of O’ahu. I bodyboard, and the barrels there are good sometimes.” Leann Kuhl homemaker “Avila, because you’re generally not socked in as much there. It’s shielded. The wind is a little calmer,…
Political Watch 7-16
• Steve Lavagnino, candidate for 5th District Santa Barbara County supervisor, recently added another political endorsement to his list. On July 9, Santa Maria City Councilman Mike Cordero announced his decision to support Lavagnino in his bid for supervisor. “Steve brings to the table a perfect blend of state and federal experience combined with his…
Community Notebook 7-16
FRIDAY, JULY 17 • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room, 401 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center…
Hobnobbing with Helen
The melodious Coastal Voices, a choral group of about 20, sang during dinner at an Italian-themed event on Saturday evening, June 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the handsome St. Andrew Church hall on Bradley Way. The fundraiser featured a meal—bruschetta, spaghetti, salad, biscotti, and tiramisu—and nonstop music. Food and entertainment, plus a silent…
State lawmakers seek more time for bracero claims
When America needed them, they came in by the truckload. Now, more than a half-century after thousands of braceros migrated to California during a World War II-era labor shortage, state legislators are working to ensure they get their just rewards. Seen as an alternative to undocumented immigration, the Bracero Program was a series of guest…
Farewell, customs
International flights carrying foreign goods are going to have to go through inspections someplace else following the Santa Maria Airport District Board of Directors’ decision to shut down its three-year-old U.S. Customs facility. Earlier this year, the board voted to terminate customs services after a district staff report found that continued operation of the $218,000-plus…
Wishing and hoping
Fighting a deadly disease can make a normal childhood incredibly difficult. Instead of going to soccer practice and sleepovers, kids have to deal with doctors’ offices and drug treatments. But thanks to organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, children with life-threatening medical conditions get to forget about their troubles and focus on just being kids. Since…
Cold Spring Bridge suicide barrier report is ready for public viewing
Caltrans has completed the environmental impact report for the proposed suicide barrier on the Cold Spring Bridge on State Route 154, according to a press release from the state. Members of the public can review the document at the Santa Barbara County libraries in Santa Barbara, Solvang, Goleta, and Montecito. The project proposes constructing a…
West Nile virus is in Santa Barbara County, officials say
Earlier this month, Santa Barbara County officials reported that a bird had tested positive for west Nile virus in the Santa Ynez area. The bird, which was submitted for testing by the Mosquito and Vector Management District, marked the county’s first instance of west Nile virus this year. “This is not unexpected,” Dr. Elliot Schulman,…
County names new Planning and Development director
After a nationwide search, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors announced the appointment of Glenn Russell as the county’s new director of Planning and Development. For the past year, Russell served as program manager for the Project Planning Division of San Diego County’s Department of Planning and Land Use. He also held various management…
It’s official: The Sun is an award-winning newspaper
The Santa Maria Sun is now a national award-winning paper. The Sun received four top awards from the 2009 Better Newspaper Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest, held by the National Newspaper Association. Best of Santa Maria Valley 2008 took first place for Best Special News, Sports, or Feature Section or Edition, non-daily division, circulation…
Lompoc City Council approves Santa Rita Hills Wine Center
Travelers sit in the summer sun leisurely sipping wine and enjoying the view of rolling hills behind them. A scene straight out of Under the Tuscan Sun? Perhaps, but it will also soon be a reality for the people of Lompoc, who will be able to enjoy a Tuscan-style escape in their own backyard. On…
Study at the speed of life
Students attending Allan Hancock College will have a super-speedy option this fall in the form of Fast Track short-term courses. Students can choose from a variety of classes, including some that only last a few days or even one day. All are options designed to fit into busy schedules filled with the demands of work…
It’s never too late to celebrate
The graduating Santa Maria Saints of 1968 will be celebrating a belated 40th high school reunion—“The 41st Reunion”—July 31 through Aug. 2. The walk down memory lane will begin on July 31 at the Santa Maria Inn, where former classmates will meet at 5 p.m. for “appetizers, drinks, and merriment,” according a link on the…
Looking for a few good leaders
In June, the Teen Leadership Program graduated its first class of 33 local teens committed to affecting positive change in their community. Now, the program is looking for members of the class of 2010. Organized by United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Teen Leadership Program…
Prevent workplace sexual harassment
Santa Maria businesses can train supervisors to prevent sexual harassment with a two-hour course presented by United Staffing Associates. Enrollment is open for the two-hour class, led by 20-year human resources veteran Betsey Nash. The course includes a PowerPoint presentation, interactive student materials, proof of attendance, and certificate of completion. An online version of the…
Fire-damaged businesses can get loans
Businesses that have suffered property damage as a result of the Jesusita Fire have until July 20 to apply for a Small Business Association Federal Disaster Loan. Low-interest loans are available in the disaster-declared counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo and are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit…
WEV welcomes board members
Women’s Economic Ventures recently named Elena Brokaw and Doug Halter to the group’s Board of Directors. Brokaw currently serves as director of the Community Services Department for the city of Ventura, where she oversees cultural services, recreation programs, social services, and golf. She previously served as manager for the Cultural Affairs Division, where she oversaw…
Learn about financial crisis solutions
Carpinteria City Councilman and Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association Executive Director Joe Armendariz will be the guest speaker at the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on July 21. Armendariz will talk about the financial crisis and solutions to the problems faced at this critical time in the state’s economy. He also represents…
Country Club hosts tennis day camps
The Village Country Club in Lompoc will be hosting a Summer Junior Tennis day camp for youth aged 8 to 16. The sessions will run Mondays through Thursdays from July 27 to Aug. 10. Sessions for beginners will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., and intermediate classes will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.…
It’s fun to stay active at the YMCA
The Santa Maria YMCA is offering progressive swim lessons for children 3 and older from July 20 to Aug. 15. The classes will be held mornings at 9 a.m. and evenings at 5:45 p.m. and will teach water awareness and introductory skills for beginner and intermediate swimmers. Saturday lessons and youth swim conditioning classes are…
Register for Nipomo League Football
The Nipomo Titan Youth Football League is conducting registration for football players and cheerleaders ages 8 to 14. The league offers a one-on-one mentoring program with Nipomo High School players. Home games will be played at Nipomo High School, and two teams will play at halftime at the Cal Poly game against South Dakota State…
Take me back to the ballgame
Anyone in the neighborhood of Tunnel School over the last week probably heard cheers. Clapping. Maybe some yelling. Santa Maria’s Little League All Star Tournament is well under way. With the event in full swing, the Sun tracked down some of Santa Maria’s kings of baseball. These guys played or coached Little League in Santa…
Brandon Creah
As the most consistent hurler on the Santa Maria Pilots’ pitching staff, Brandon Creath is quietly emerging as the team’s ace. While his Pilots have struggled for much of the season, Creath has shined. As of press time, the 6-foot-3 right-hander has posted a sparkling 1.77 ERA, giving up just seven earned runs in 35…
Mr. Booher goes to Washington
PCPA Theaterfest Artistic Director Mark Booher recently joined other theater leaders in Washington, D.C., to advocate with Western states’ senators, asking for their continued support of the arts. The trip coincided with the Theatre Communications Group National Conference held the first week of June. Booher—after receiving some advocacy training from the director of government and…
Caught in the act
Servando Garcia, occasional part-time faculty member at Allan Hancock College, is one of four artists exhibiting work in Echo of the Whole at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Art Forum. His pieces deal with the idea of “play” in its many forms, and specifically the idea of being absorbed in the act of play. An artist…
Meant to be
When Jewel first emerged on the contemporary music scene in early 1995, even she didn’t expect what was to ensue. The album that so emphatically delivered her to the attention of the general populous—Pieces of You—became one of the best-selling debut albums of all time and spawned hits such as “Who Will Save Your Soul?”…
Keep your eyes peeled for money-hungry ticket writers
In case you have not noticed the increase of CHP cars, whether visible or hiding, within San Luis Obispo County and beyond, it has gotten heavy. Obviously, this is due to thestate needing money: But at what cost? I have never experienced such aggressive and dangerous behavior, when these hotfooted CHP officers are scaring and…
California needs to pay its bills and stay out of trouble
When you or I can’t pay our bills, we get to sell our assets before the bank comes and takes them away. This may include our home. It doesn’t matter whether the real-estate market is up or down, or if we want to sell or not. The state of California has gotten itself into a…
Thank you, Sam Blakeslee
I would like to take this opportunity to offer a sincere thanks to our 33rd California Assembly District representative, Sam Blakeslee, for his unending efforts in support of our Armed Forces, and especially our veterans. It is through the continued work of Assemblyman Blakeslee that he was able to establish the Air Express van service…
California’s woes: Maybe I’m just naive
It’s unfortunate that our elected state legislators from both parties, along with our myopic governor, have forgotten why they are in Sacramento. They are there, among other reasons, to serve the people and run the state’s business in a responsible way. Years ago, in my civics class, I learned about all governments and why our…
Clubs & 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…
Barbecues
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 presents a “Diabetes Essentials” class July 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sansum Clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. A “Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Nutrition” class is July 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. Info: 737-8700. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers “Smart Eating for…
Art
THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY opens again, featuring art created by locals at the gallery’s new location, Town Center West B-6 in Santa Maria. An opening reception and grand opening party is July 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the gallery. Info: 349-7303 or bangel4123@aol.com. THE CYPRESS GALLERY presents featured artist Lisa Toth’s gourd and…
Learning
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE presents guest speaker Carpinteria city councilman and executive director of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association Joe Armendariz as part of it monthly luncheon on July 21 at noon at the Satellite Wagering Facility, 937 S. Thornburg, Santa Maria. Cost is $12. Info: 925-2403, Ext.…
Recreation
THE LOMPOC PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT presents the Lompoc Sprint Triathlon and the Lompoc Junior Triathlon on July 18 at 8 a.m. at the Lompoc Aquatic Center, 207 W. College Ave., Lompoc. Cost is $40 for individual adults, $75 for relays; $20 for individual kids, $40 for relays. Info: 875-2703 or cityoflompoc.com. THE GUADALUPE 10K…
Kids & Family
PCPA THEATERFEST presents two summer camps for young actors: The Young People’s Project is for 13- through 18-year-olds through July 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and YPP Jr. for ages 7 through 13 July 26 through Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the PCPA Conservatory, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966. THE…
Dance Lessons
BON ODORI DANCE LESSONS, in preparation for the annual Obon Festival, are Wednesdays through July 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Cultural Center, 313 W. Tunnel St., Santa Maria. Info: Whitkawa96@comcast.net. WORTH THE DRIVE BON ODORI, Japanese folk dancing lessons in preparation for the annual San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church’s Obon…
Stage
PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man July 18 through Aug. 1 in the Marian Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 928-7731 or pcpa.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE GREAT AMERICAN MELODRAMA presents its production of Rip Van Winkle, alternating with Gold Fever at the Rough and Ready July 16 through…
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. to…
Concerts
THE DICK CLARK BIG BAND ORCHESTRA presents a concert featuring guest vocalists Sylvia Kozel and Bob Nations on July 24 at 7 p.m. in the First Southern Baptist Church, 1009 East Pine and 2nd Street, Lompoc. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents the Music Academy of the West Concert Series featuring…
Special Events
THE LUIS OASIS SENIOR CENTER presents its “Celebrate our World” program’s “Celebrate China,” event featuring cuisine, artifacts, and entertainment on July 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt. Info: 937-9750 or 868-8021. THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS presents an annual Nipomo Heritage Days event on July 19 from…
Sounds of Italy
Some of us hum while gardening or wail like a diva in the shower, but precious few warble with abandon while slaving over a hot stove. Among those with lung power and good cheer to spare is Andy LoRusso, the Singing Chef, who gaily belts out Italian tunes, despite bubbling sauces and flaming grills. On…
