Cover Story
Portrait of a picker
Strolling through citrus groves, his feet treading the soil where he’s made his living for almost 20 years, Domingo Atilano contemplates his circuitous path from a young child in Mexico to the shade of a Nipomo lemon tree. Since 1991, Atilano has been a fruit picker and supervisor on a local rancho, a plot of…
Where do you like to be on 4th of July?
Josh Kitchen cashier “With my girlfriend, and where they are playing Bruce Springsteen.” Beau Kinry student “Anywhere with karaoke, so I can sing ‘Born in the USA,’ which is the perfect song for 4th of July.” Jake Tully yogurt technician “At the beach. The beach is the epitome of summer, so why not?” Brittani Meza…
Hear the music of history
Lyrics immortalized by a modest movie called The Wizard of Oz and written by Yip Harburg, also known as E.Y. Harburg, are ingrained into the public consciousness: “Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby … .” But Harburg’s name doesn’t have the same familiar…
Clubs and 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. ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS for men meets in San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach. Men interested in attending may contact representatives: 550-6718 or not_moses@fastmail.fm. ALL-AMERICAN QUILTERS’ GUILD meets…
Spiritual
PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH is located at 1000 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. “Jazz Devine” presents a new jazz worship service on July 11 at 6 p.m. at the church. Info: 735-3769 or ghmoran@yahoo.com. 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:…
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 and…
Health
SANSUM CLINIC presents a “Diabetes Essentials” class July 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. A “Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Nutrition” class is July 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION…
Art
JILL TARGER displays her artwork at the Santa Barbara County Fair July 14 through 18 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, Thornburg, Santa Maria. Info: 937-3290. THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents a photography collection by Lynn Andrews titled “Italy, in a Dream” through July 26 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info:…
Learning
THE VALLEY SPEAKS features retired Division Chief Joe R. Johnson speaking about Santa Maria’s History on July 10 at 10 a.m. in the Shepard Hall of the Santa Maria Public Library. Info: shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. A BEGINNING SEWING CLASS is taught by Linda Todd Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m. through July 19. Cost is $40 for…
Recreation
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department offers “Free Swim Days” July 25 and Aug. 23 at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, 516 South McClelland, Santa Maria. An Adult Lap Swim is through Aug. 14 and a Recreation Swim is through Aug. 15 both at the Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria. THE…
Kids & Family
CKD ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS presents a “Strike First Kickboxing Camp” through July 9 at the Academy, 1766 South Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 614-4855 or ckdacademy@yahoo.com. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents Teen Treks Summer Day Camp July 12 through Aug. 12, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado…
Dance Lessons
OBON DANCE PRACTICE in preparation for the Obon Festival is Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ending with the festival July 25 at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 313 W. Tunnell, Santa Maria. ONGOING BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE currently teaches American Tribal Style dance classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in Lompoc and…
Stage
PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of West Side Story, directed and choreographed by Michael Jenkinson, July 9 through 25 at Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, in Santa Maria. Cost is $26.25 through $30. Info: 922-8313 or pcpa.org. THE POETRY SOCIETY OF SANTA MARIA invites all to read poetry, sing songs,…
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 ADDAMO VINEYARD/TASTING ROOM: 400 E. Clark Ave., suite E, Santa Maria, 937-6400. Live music Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South…
Concerts
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents Concerts in the Park featuring Mariachi Alma de Jalisco on July 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Preisker Park, 330 Hidden Pines Way, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260. HOWLIN’ BYROON’S MUSIC EXCHANGE presents Amy Obenski in concert with Daniel Brown on cello on July 11 at 3…
Special Events
FESTIVAL OF BOOKS features the Altrusa Club of the Central Coast distributing free books to children July 11, 25, Aug. 5 and 22 from noon to 3 p.m. on the second floor of Santa Maria Town Center East, Broadway and Main, Santa Maria. Info: 937-0222. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “Tuesday Nite Movie Nite:…
Political Watch 07.08
No tax allocations for you! The California State Board of Equalization announced on June 30 that this month’s sales tax allocations to local governments won’t increase by a previously anticipated 5.7 percent because of a decline in cash receipts for the 2010 second quarter compared to last year’s receipts. The board makes monthly allocations to…
Community Notebook 07.08
MONDAY, JULY 12 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, JULY 13 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s…
Women’s Fund distributes dollars
The Women’s Fund of Northern Santa Barbara County has awarded $120,000 to four local organizations committed to ensuring underprivileged women and children get a helping hand. “We are so pleased to be able to award grants to these amazing organizations doing important work serving the critical needs of women, children, and families in the North…
Whooping cough epidemic hits California
It started with a slight fever. Then a slight cough came on the little girl. It didn’t alarm her parents until they woke up early one morning to a sound they had never heard their daughter make. It was a hard cough that was different, coughs with little gasps or whoops in between. “It…
Killer adventure
Despite its rather ominous name, the killer whale isn’t a threat to humans—at least that’s the message educator and author Randall Eaton is trying to get out to the public. Eaton will be leading several expeditions to the San Juan Islands in Washington’s Puget Sound this summer to teach people about orca whales in their…
Correction
The Sun misprinted the name and subsequent information of a woman featured in last week’s Streetwise. Alice McGonigal is a San Luis Obispo Symphony and Santa Maria Philharmonic musician, who said, “I am a musician and will be participating in a musical ensemble playing marches and other songs for the birth of our country.” News…
Local vineyard wins top honor
Santa Maria’s Bien Nacido Vineyards has been named the 2010 California Vineyard of the Year. The California Exposition and State Fair planned to officially recognize the vineyard at the 15th annual California’s Grape and Gourmet event on July 7 in Sacramento. Each year, the Vineyard of the Year title goes to a California vineyard that…
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley reveals plan to restructure office
Newly sworn-in Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley is cleaning house. In a July 2 message to office staff members, Dudley announced that rather than appointing a new chief assistant district attorney, she will use the funds to create three new focus divisions. The leaders of these units will report to Dudley directly. The…
Proposed sales tax increase to fund North County jail appears headed for ballot
A countywide half-percent sales tax increase intended to fund the construction and operation of a new North County jail in Santa Maria will likely be decided by voters this November. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on July 6 unanimously approved moving forward with a revised version of a ballot measure initially proposed by…
Federal grants help keep local firefighters up to date
The Santa Maria Fire Department is getting a much-needed upgrade. On July 2, U.S. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced the city’s fire services received a $97,100 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grant will go toward the purchase of thermal imaging cameras and crew development training.…
Get dancing
Warm up your feet: The annual Obon Festival is fast approaching. Dance practice, in preparation for the event, runs Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., culminating with the July 25 festival at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 313 W. Tunnell, Santa Maria. Send items for consideration to scone@santamariasun.com..
Shapes and shadows
Branch-like hands reach across fields of light. Silhouetted jellyfish float upward. Tiger-headed women stare at viewers from blue-green forests. Imagine Wine and Art Gallery in Santa Ynez will feature the artwork of Santa Ynez artist Karina Puente, who’s exhibited her artwork around the country and internationally. She’s also part of the artistic directing team that…
Digital disaster
To get away from the 90-degree summer heat, my wife and I escaped to Las Vegas, only to find 108-degree extreme heat. We still haven’t figured out that thing, what do they call it? Climate? But what can I say, even though it’s in the desert, we still love The Vegas. Where else can you…
Chamber luncheon highlights wine
Local wines are on the menu for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “A Taste of Summer” luncheon on July 21 at Riverbench Winery. The event’s guest speaker will be Kathy Fleckenstein, executive director of Santa Maria Valley Wine Country. Fleckenstein is also the former director of special events for the Santa Ynez Inn…
Help-U-Sell will Help-U-Buy
Though the federal government’s program is over, Help-U-Sell is assisting new homebuyers with its Homebuyer Stimulus Program. From now through Sept. 30, buyers can get 3 percent—up to $8,000—paid at closing by the seller of an eligible property and applied to non-recurring costs. Help-U-Sell is a full-service set-fee organization whose brokers are fully licensed by…
BofA awards housing grant
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County a $5,000 grant to further affordable housing options in the county. The grant money will go toward funding the Trust Fund’s First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Program and its Revolving Loan Fund, which provides below-market interest rate loans to start…
Energy Watch talks efficiency
Retrofitting businesses to become more energy efficient will be the topic of an upcoming joint meeting of the Business Development Committee and Hispanic Business Committee on July 20. The Santa Barbara County Energy Watch Partnership will present information on programs offered by PG&E, So Cal Gas, and other companies to help businesses lower their energy…
Got what it takes to be a leader?
Santa Maria Valley has some new leaders in the community. On June 21, a total of 27 local high school students graduated from the second Teen Leadership Santa Maria Valley class, which is run by several local organizations and teaches participants about important valley issues, as well as leadership skills. Graduating class members came from…
Tri-the-Bull is back
It’s not too early to start preparing for the second annual Tri-the-Bull Triathlon, an event organized by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. The triathlon takes place Aug. 7 at Pioneer Valley High School, and consists of a half-mile swim, 7-mile bike ride, and 3-mile run. Cost is $40 per person or $105 for…
… and more golf!
Big Brothers Big Sisters and the San Luis Obispo Exchange Club will be host to the Golf for Youth Charities Summer Classic, a 21-hole tournament at the Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo on July 23. Golfers will be treated to lunch, on-course contests, and a post-tournament awards social. Cost is $125 per golfer, and…
Golf, golf, …
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria promises a fun-filled day on the links at its 11th annual AG for Youth Golf Tournament on July 26. The tournament is a four-player scramble and will be held at Santa Maria Country Club, 505 W. Waller Lane. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. A barbecue lunch will…
Alfred Plaza
Alfred “Alfie” Plaza began skateboarding not because of the hit video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but because his uncle influenced him. “I started skateboarding when I was 9,” Plaza said amid loud bangs and thumps from nearby skateboarders. “He got boards for me, and he showed me everything.” Once inspired, Plaza knew there would…
An excuse to horse around
Sure, I played my fair share of video games as a child (R2, R2, L1, R2, left, down, right, up, two times, and it accesses all of the weapons in Grand Theft Auto III). Despite my love for video games, though, I always had fun playing a game of horseshoes. It all began during a…
Create a path to local jobs
As a mayor and a businessman who cares deeply about his city and county, I am concerned about our economic situation. On a state and national level it is bad, but on the local level, where we can really feel and see it, it is even worse. I gauge my opinion on the fact that…
Buy from the farmers
As the summer season ripens, so do the fruits and vegetables that thrive in Central Coast soil. Growers work year round to put fresh food on our tables, and now’s the perfect time to take advantage of the region’s many farmers markets. With alfresco markets held in Nipomo, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Lompoc, shoppers can…
