Cover Story
Access to the past
When guests enter La Purisima Mission State Park, they’re not just visiting one of more than 200 state parks in California, they’re crossing the threshold into another time. After parking the car and taking a stroll through the state-of-the-art visitor center, visitors cross an old oak bridge and are immediately transported to the rugged California…
What’s your favorite California State Park?
Debbie Guidotti teache “Big Sur. [My husband and I] are motorcycle riders, so we like to ride to state parks on our motorcycles.” Nick Peralez student “Somewhere in the Sierras. My dad was driving, so I don’t remember the name of it. Unlike Lopez or Cachuma, the forest was denser and there was a lot…
Political Watch 7-23
• Earlier this month, the House approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill (H.R. 2997), which includes legislative language to help with the development of a wastewater treatment plant in Los Osos, along with funding to support agriculture and environmental research at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and to combat Pierce’s Disease. The Senate…
Community Notebook 7-23
MONDAY, JULY 27 • The Nipomo Community Advisory Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Services District Headquarters, 148 S. Wilson St., Nipomo. TUESDAY, JULY 28 • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. WEDNESDAY,…
Women’s Auxiliary works to ‘Kick Out’ cancer
For more than 15 years, the Women’s Auxiliary of the local Fraternal Order of Eagles chapter has done its part to help cancer sufferers deal with the debilitating effects of the disease. Through its fundraising efforts, the nonprofit organization has helped patients pay their rent, bills, and the costs of medication that insurance or Medicare…
Education knows no borders
Libros sin Fronteras: In English, it means “Books without Borders.” The scholarship fund, set up by the Youth Committee of Santa Maria with help from PUEBLO and the Santa Barbara Youth Committee, was originally intended for local students with AB 540 status—also known as undocumented students—who didn’t qualify for any other form of federal or…
County banks on Corps values
With shades of Depression-era work relief programs, Santa Barbara County is establishing a hands-on vocational training program for young adults based on public works and community improvement. Thanks to a $1.1 million grant from the Workforce Investment Act, the countywide Youth Corps program will provide education, counseling, and job training for at least 125 kids…
Santa Maria applies for more homelessness prevention funding
Santa Maria city officials have applied to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for increased federal funding, according to a press release from the city. The city recently submitted a revised final annual action plan for Fiscal Year 2009-10 under the Community Development Block Grant Program. According to the report, the city expects…
Santa Barbara supervisors approve a free prescription discount card
As lawmakers continue to debate potential health care plans on Capitol Hill, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has approved a program that will give all county residents free access to discounted prescription drugs. On July 14, the board voted unanimously to establish a free prescription discount card program. The card, which is available…
California legislators produce a budget plan
After months of heated debate and stalemates, members of the California Legislature announced on July 20 that they’ve reached a budget agreement that closes the state’s more-than-$26 billion deficit. At a press conference following the budget negotiations, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, accompanied by leaders of the State Senate and Assembly, remained vague about budget specifics. The…
Guadalupe Police Department gets some long overdue funding
A grant for $9,000 might not seem like a lot, but for the Guadalupe Police Department it’s a great starting point. Earlier this month, Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced that the department will receive funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In an interview with the Sun, Guadalupe Police Chief George Mitchell said…
USA Staffing VP gets kudos
United Staffing Associates’ Vice President of Human Resources/Operations Jeannine Young received the 2009 Suggs Distinguished Employee Award from the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo. The award was established in honor of former SLO Rotary Club president Gary Suggs to recognize superior Rotarian employees. It distinguishes Young for demonstrating the highest level of ethical standards…
Spencer’s teams up with Hotline
To help those in need, Spencer’s Fresh Markets is asking shoppers to join it in its support of 211 SLO Hotline. As part of its “Give a Buck, Get a Buck” program, Spencer’s will give shoppers who donate $1 to the hotline a $1 off coupon toward their next purchase of $10 or more. The…
Auto shop opens grandly
The Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Autoprofessionals’ new location in Orcutt on July 24 at noon at 3415 Orcutt Road. Barbecue tri-tip sandwiches will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Autoprofessionals is a AAA-approved facility with ASE-certified technicians. Owner Roger Thornhill first opened the…
Red Cross announces board chair
The Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross announced the appointment of David Almeida as its new board chair. Almeida began volunteering with the county’s Red Cross in 2004 and has worked on numerous local disasters since, including the La Conchita landslide, the Zaca Fire, the Gap Fire, and the Jesusita Fire. He’s actively…
Clark needs you
Kids, it’s time to channel that creativity. Clark Pest Control is holding auditions for an upcoming TV commercial. Participants will each create their own commercial in front of a green screen that will later appear as a residential home. Props will be provided, but contestants can use their own creativity to ad-lib the 30-second spot…
Do the math for art
Tickets Muzik + Art = Fashun Awards Show, a fundraising event to benefit the Community Education Foundation, will take place Aug. 1 at Johnny’s Bar and Grill, 321 W. Ocean Ave., in Lompoc. Tickets cost $5 pre-sale and $8 at the door. Organized by the Culture Vulture, the event includes different genres of local musicians,…
One of these days: To the Moonstone!
The name alone was enough to get me to pack my bags, kids, and some tunes and make the hour’s drive north. Moonstone Beach—is that not the coolest name? It sounds so mystical, so special, the kind of place that touches your spirit and aligns your chakra, or whatever you have that needs aligning. I…
Guys smell
Breaking news: I’m a guy, and I stink. This may not be actual news for some of you, but some folks (namely my wife) think men should never smell bad. As much as that is a nice utopian theory, I have to work, which results in perspiration, which results in body odor, which, luckily for…
Follow the music
Take a walk in the good ol’ summertime to a place of ice cream socials and long conversations on the front porch. It’s where parents worry about keeping their sons moral, and a new pool table in town can illicit concern by the suggestion of serious trouble. You’ve entered River City, a small town in…
Santa Barbara County recommends immunizations for school children
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is advising parents to make sure their children are fully immunized before starting school this fall. By law, California schools must review children’s immunization records to ensure that students have received all required shots for school entry, according to a press release from the county. Immunizations are available…
Hancock administrator says goodbye to the Bulldogs
After 17 years at Allan Hancock College, vice principal of student services Roger Welt is retiring. Welt oversaw the college’s financial aid, counseling, and disabled services department. He also played a significant role in designing and developing the Lompoc Valley Center, and establishing centers in Solvang and Vandenberg. Welt said bringing the other centers to…
Carlos and Rudy Balderas
One glance at the family trophy case is all the proof one needs that Santa Maria’s Baldaras brothers pack quite a punch. The latest hardware hoisted by the sibling pugilists came from Coachella, where 14-year-old Rudy won the annual Desert Showdown on July 18. “The fights weren’t easy, but they weren’t hard, either,” Rudy said.…
Sultans of Swat
They came, they saw, and they conquered, tearing through the Babe Ruth League’s district playoffs and claiming the title of best baseball team made up of 15-year-olds on the Central Coast. Though the Santa Maria All-Stars handily accomplished the goals set by their coach Anthony Bendele, they’re not ready to go quietly into the summer…
There’s nothing soft about these Indians
The Santa Maria Girls Softball 12 and Under All-Star Team, the Indians, is heading to Milwaukie, Ore., to represent Central California in the Amateur Softball Association’s Fast Pitch Western National Championships. The tournament takes place July 26 to Aug. 2. The team, ranked fifth in the tournament standings, took the Indians nickname to represent the…
Meet the Titans
Football players age 8 to 14 are invited to bring their appetites and their parents to a free pizza and soda get-together with the coaches of the Nipomo Titans Youth Football team on July 25. Players can get acquainted with the coaches and register for the 2009 season from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Pi-Whole…
Lawmakers are missing the target
I appreciated your article on the current ammunition problem (“Out of ammo,” June 25). I have a few concerns from my personal experience. On the non-lead ruling, you pointed out a provision that California is obligated to provide cost-moderated alternatives to lead ammunition. I have been shopping for non-lead ammunition for more than a year…
Change is in the air
Marking the heart of summer on the Central Coast, July brings us long, warm days, plenty of Packers baseball action, and endless excuses for gathering with friends over a glass of wine. In the vineyard, however, the passing Dog Days are not quite so leisurely, for they trigger dramatic changes that influence the future and…
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…
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 presents a “Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Nutrition” class on July 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sansum Clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. Info: 737-8700. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6…
Art
THE CYPRESS GALLERY presents featured artist Lisa Toth’s gourd and canvas paintings through July 26 at 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129 or lompocvalleyartassociation.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents The World of Aquamedia and 3-D Art, featuring the works of Town Center Gallery members John Card, Hattie Stoddard, Lynn Duron, Rosalea Greenwood, and…
Learning
THE DANA ADOBES NIPOMO AMIGOS presents Summer Saturday Talks on July 25 at 1 p.m. with Jim Howell at 671 South Oakglen Road, Nipomo. Info: 929-5679 or danaadobe.org. LUCIA MAR ADULT EDUCATION offers a variety of classes through the summer. Registration and class info is available at lmusd.org or 474-3900. WORTH THE DRIVE THE EXPLORATION…
Recreation
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA presents its YMCA Boot Camp 5K or 1 Mile Run/Walk on July 25 at 9 a.m. at the YMCA, 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8521. THE GUADALUPE-NIPOMO DUNES CENTER presents a “Guadalupe City Walk and Talk” with Shirley Boydstun July 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Dunes…
Kids & Family
PCPA THEATERFEST presents an acting summer camp: 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 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Live Oak District presents its “Cub-struction Day Camp” July 27 through 31 from 8 a.m. to 4…
Dance Lessons
WORTH THE DRIVE BON ODORI, Japanese folk dancing lessons in preparation for the annual San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church’s Obon Festival, run Thursdays at 4 p.m. through July 23 at the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church, 6996 Ontario Road, SLO. Info: 595-2625. ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to…
Stage
THE SKY WORLD POETRY SERIES presents Larry Harris as its featured poet for its monthly poetry reading and open mic event on July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Café Monet, 1555 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 268-9216 or tobola@verizon.net. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man through Aug. 1 in the…
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 St., Lompoc. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents the Music Academy of the West Concert Series featuring…
Special Events
THE CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT TRAINING holds its graduation ceremonies on July 24 at 6 p.m. in the Santa Maria Veteran’s Memorial Building at 313 W. Tunnel St., Santa Maria. Info: 928-1737 or ealvarez@yahoo.com. THE SANTA MARIA DOLL CLUB presents its Attic Treasures Sale and Auction on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at…
