Cover Story
Con. Comic-Con.
It’s a little after noon, and I’ve been driving down the road for the last five hours. I’m still north of San Diego, and traffic is stop and go. Suddenly, icy fingers grip the back of my brain as it hits me: I may not make it in time. The “it” I’m steadily heading…
Who’s your favorite superhero?
Kelsea Bosell student “Spider-man. He’s half spider, half man, and he shoots webs out of his wrists.” Joey Shuemaker handyman “The Invisible Man, because he can’t be seen and he can get away with anything.” Shae Laggren student “Superman, because he has super strength and he can fly. And he has heat vision. If I…
Political Watch 7-30
• Was it all too good to be true? On July 22, Assemblyman and Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) released an e-mail alleging California Democrats had “double-crossed” Republicans over cuts to corrections listed in the “Big 5” budget agreement. “Throughout budget negotiations we insisted that Republican votes would never be provided for a…
Community Notebook 7-30
TUESDAY, AUG. 4 • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room, 3757 Constellation Road, Vandenberg Village. • The Santa Maria City Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 110 E. Cook St., Santa…
Hobnobbing with Helen
The hills were alive with the sound of music. I refer to the hills around the Addamo Estate Vineyards on Clark Road and the music of Chef Anthony LoRusso, known as the “singing chef.” Chef LoRusso entertained about 130 guests, who paid $100 a ticket for a fundraiser, on July 19, from 4 to…
Easter Seals helps people understand disabilities
Parents and teachers now have a new, online teaching tool to help young people learn about children and adults with disabilities in the form of the Friends Who Care program. Developed by Easter Seals, a nonprofit provider of disability services, the free program is designed to help children better understand what it means—and how it…
Adventures in wasteland
Groundwater, garbage, and oak trees—all three were major topics of concern at a public meeting on the potential Los Flores Ranch integrated waste management facility on July 23. About 30 community members and city staffers met at the Santa Maria Public Library to review and comment on a draft environmental impact report for the…
Offshore drilling in state waters is a no-go
Voting against a budget provision that would have permitted the first offshore drilling of state waters in 41 years, the California Assembly on July 24 upheld the long-standing lease approval authority of the State Lands Commission. Commission chair Lt. Gov. John Garamendi called the attempt by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to bypass the commission a…
Correction
In the Sun’s July 23 School Scene, Roger Welt’s title was misidentified. He is Allan Hancock College’s retiring vice president of student services. Also, Welt said he plans to explore consulting and teaching options at other schools. News Briefs is compiled by News Editor Amy Asman from staff reporting and local and national media.…
Where the pot plants grow
On July 24, a joint investigative team comprised of 30 Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Forest Service officers found a large, illegal marijuana grow in an isolated canyon in the Los Padres National Forest. Authorities eradicated more than 25,000 marijuana plants worth an estimated $75 million, according to information released by the…
Santa Barbara County uses federal stimulus money for construction projects
The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department has received a total of $866,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for bridge and road repairs in all five supervisorial districts, the Board of Supervisors announced on July 24. The recently awarded projects—which carry an overall joint price tag of approximately $2.6 million—include bridge maintenance…
Santa Maria moves forward with Area 9 environmental impact report
The city of Santa Maria is one step closer to developing an almost 900-acre property west of A Street. The City Council voted 4-1 on July 21, with Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias dissenting, to advance $100,000 to help fund the project’s environmental impact report. The property, dubbed Area 9 by city staffers, would most likely…
Top Santa Barbara County aide to step down
Gil Armijo, executive staff assistant to Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joe Centeno (5th District), is planning to resign from his position in response to a legal stand-off with the District Attorney’s office. In an e-mail to the Sun, Armijo said he has been “diagnosed with a disabling medical condition” stemming from “extensive legal harassment”…
Central Coast Explorers celebrate academy graduation
After two weeks of grueling drills and disciplined learning, more than 30 young recruits have graduated from the annual Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorer Academy. Each year, dozens of young people attend the academy to learn about law enforcement as a profession. The academy is sponsored by a coalition of local law enforcement agencies,…
BOCH welcomes executive director
Bringing Our Community Home, the nonprofit devoted to ending chronic homelessness, has appointed John Buttny as its executive director. Buttny was the group’s interim executive director following the resignation of Executive Director Roger Heroux on Feb. 21. Buttny previously served as BOCH’s project coordinator and as staff to the six Project Working Committees…
Meet the Red Cross’ new boss
The Red Cross, Santa Barbara County chapter, announced the appointment of Louise Kolbert as its new CEO. According to the chapter, Kolbert is the most experienced person to ever serve as CEO. She’s held many leadership positions in the American Red Cross over the past 30 years, including building senior consultant at the…
PathPoint elects board chair
PathPoint announced that Barbara Steveson has been elected as the new chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. Steveson is a certified financial planner who joined the board in 2007. She’s associated with Blakeslee and Blakeslee, an independent financial planning firm, and has worked in the Santa Maria branch since 1993. With…
Get a taste of Old Town Orcutt
Wine and food lovers are invited to sample “A Taste of Old Town Market,” an event boasting free food, prizes, wine tasting, and fun. Local vendors will offer tastes of their goodies at Old Town Orcutt on July 31 from 2 to 6 p.m., and on Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,…
Ciara says get up and ‘do something’
Pop star Ciara is calling all teens to get off the couch and do something to help their communities. The Grammy-winning singer recently teamed up with DoSomething.org and Staples for the second annual Do Something 101 school supply drive. According to a press release from DoSomething.org, Ciara is asking teens to make a difference…
Get with the Flow
Barbara Alloway will show her foil and metal painting in the latest exhibit at the Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall: Flow. See it at 421 S. McClelland St. throughout August. Alloway has been painting professionally for about 10 years. She started painting on foil and metal a few years ago as one of…
Civic Theatre starts new season
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre recently announced the election of its officers for the 2009-2010 season. Clare Terrill is president, Bob Larsen is vice president, Angela Hutt-Chamberlin is secretary, Alan Foster is treasurer, and Nancy Kuneshigi, Michael Parsley, and Don Schuetee are members-at-large. The upcoming season includes a dose of mystery coupled with comedy.…
There’s a new singer in town
Santa Maria was a long way from home for Carole McNeil, a petite blonde with huge green pixie eyes and a sly grin. She left a regular singing gig and a supportive fan base in Castle Rock, Colo., a month ago to move here. Her striking looks and memorable voice helped her quickly nab…
Next in line
Dominique Atoigue cradles his coffee cup. It looks empty, but he’s still gripping it. He’s very animated as he talks about his band, The 1st Line, and it’s hard to know whether it’s genuine exuberance or the caffeine talking. Later that evening, during band rehearsal, Atoigue goes at the drums with the same energy—arms…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Health
MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Medical Center at 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria. Info: 739-3578. ONGOING SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS HEALING ARTS INSTITUTE offers a range of classes including yoga and…
Art
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 Sharon Kutz through July 31 at the Santa Maria Public Library Shepard Hall Gallery, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. The art exhibit “FLOW,” featuring…
Learning
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 SUSTAINABLE VOCATIONS FOR YOUTH is a camp that prepares youth ages 15 to 24 for leadership roles that integrate sustainability in their lives Aug. 4 through 24…
Recreation
LA PURISIMA MISSION presents Purisima’s People Days, featuring costumed re-enactors portraying people of 1822 on Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the mission, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc. Info: 733-3713 or lapurisimamission.org. THE GUADALUPE-NIPOMO DUNES CENTER presents a Full Moon Dune Walk at Oso Flaco Lake on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. meeting…
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT offers a youth volleyball clinic through July 30 for kids 7 to 10 and 11 to 13 at the Edwards Community Center, Santa Maria. Cost is $27, $33.50 for non-residents. “Intro at the Skatepark” skateboarding class is through Sept. 1 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for kids 6…
Dance Lessons
ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to adult. Call for schedules. Boys and men receive full scholarships. The studio is located at 800 S. Broadway. Info: 937-6753. COUNTRY WESTERN DANCE CLASSES by Jeannette and Henry are Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for country two-step lessons and from…
Stage
PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man through Aug. 1 in the Marian Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 928-7731 or pcpa.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE PISMO BEACH YOUTH THEATER presents its production of Little Shop of Horrors July 31 at 7 p.m., Aug. 1 at 2 and…
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…
Concerts
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents, as part of its sixth annual concert in the park series, Still Evolving in concert Aug. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rotary Centennial Park, 2625 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951. THE LOMPOC PUBLIC LIBRARY presents Jazz at the Library Aug. 2, 9, and…
Special Events
CULTURE VULTURE presents its inaugural “Muzik + Art = Fashun” festival on Aug. 1 at Johnny’s Bar and Grill, 321 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. Cost is $8, $5 pre sale. Info: 735-2686 THE KIWANIS CLUB OF SANTA MARIA presents its 16th annual FOP Benefit Dinner and Auction on Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. at the…
Our health is what’s important
I hate insurance companies. Let me explain. Let’s start with car insurance. You pay your car insurance each and every month in case you get in an accident. Then you get in an accident. The insurance company balks at having to pay anything. Next, you can guarantee your monthly fee will go up, or the…
Do veterans deserve socialist health care?
In this, the freest country on Earth, there is no excuse for relegating those who have served our country with honor, maintaining the freedoms we all cherish, to a creeping growth of socialist programs. This is not what our veterans fought for. Government run programs, funded by our tax dollars, staffed by government employees…
Investigate what’s behind the Cambridge debacle
In the Cambridge brouhaha about the white cop arresting a black professor in his home, what is being ignored is who called the cops and why. Was it a neighbor with a grudge? Was it a white who saw a black trying to get in the house? That call is what set the stage…
No socialism for American medical reform
We have the best medicine in the world because the American free enterprise, capitalist system developed it. Let’s not ruin it with socialism. Medicare is a good example of what not to do. It cost too much; seniors older than 65, like ourselves, are forced to use it; we are forced to pay for…
Bring in funds: Ticket more drivers on cell phones
I have one suggestion to help solve our budget debacle: Effective today, have every law enforcement representative across the state, including local authorities, immediately start ticketing for hands-on cell phone usage while driving. Every day I could easily hand out three tickets per car trip, even in my small commute between Nipomo and Santa Maria.…
Jacob Cano
As one of the few current high school baseball players mixing it up with the big boys in the California Collegiate League, Jacob Cano isn’t just holding his own—he’s lighting it up. As of July 25, the California Wahoos’ second baseman and soon-to- be St. Joseph senior is hitting .345 and leading the team…
Titans for life
Now, as a coach and founder of the Nipomo Junior Titans, Castillo hopes a new mentoring program will help keep his players, aged 8 to 14, from experiencing the struggles he went through. “The biggest point that I’m trying to make right now with these kids is to get them through their teens, get…
Fundraising to the ‘Fore!’
Putting the fun back in fundraiser, the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library invite the public to go miniature golfing indoors to benefit the library on Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children, mini-golfers will be able to play on the…
Meet and eat
Late summer brings fine weather, back-to-back barbecues, and a wealth of fresh goodies from local food purveyors. During the month of August, why not celebrate the dazzling variety of edibles grown on the Central Coast and—even better—shake the hand that feeds you? Thanks to the organizers of Pallet to Palate, area residents can do…
