Cover Story
Thirty-three and the third degree
Stretching up the California coast from Lompoc and Vandenberg Air Force Base to the northern boundary of San Luis Obispo County, the state’s 33rd Assembly District is a land of contrasts and unique challenges. Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) has represented the district since first elected in 2004. However, Blakeslee is set to term…
What would you like to see happen in the Primaries on June 8?
Jon Marino teacher “Anything that will keep teachers and help education, so we can help our students.” Kim Gerber mommy “I hope that the right person wins.” Joyce Watson Licensed vocational nurse “I don’t know about the electricity proposition, because I don’t think property owners should pay, especially those who have low incomes.” [image-4] Ron…
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. 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
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 “Cholesterol Management” class June 3 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. A “Weight Management Strategies” class is June 3, 10, and 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $15, refunded if all three parts are attended. A “Diabetes Essentials” class is June…
ART
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents the art of Richard Axline through June 27 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 736-0489 or abkazoo@aol.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the mixed media art of Juan Manuel Perez Salazar through June 30 in the Shepard Hall Gallery at the library, 421 S.…
LEARNING
THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS present the Saturday Talks Series: Unheard Voices of the Rancho, featuring “Testimonies: Early California Through the Eyes of Women, 1815-1848” on June 5 at 1 p.m. at the Dana Adobe in Nipomo. Info: dynia@danaadobe.org. CAL/OSHA CONSULTATION and the Nisei Farmers League presents a free “Heat Illness Prevention Training” workshop on…
RECREATION
THE PEOPLE FOR LEISURE AND YOUTH INC. hosts the first annual Elks Rodeo Stampede 1-mile run on June 5 from Broadway and Main to Broadway and Stowell, Santa Maria. Registration is June 4 at 4:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, 615 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Cost is $15. Info: santamariaatplay.org.…
KIDS & FAMILY
THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS presents a family campfire event, “Sycamore Stories and Sketching,” on June 4 at 5 p.m. at the Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen, Nipomo. Info: 929-5679. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION offers 2010 Fall Registration for its soccer league June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 10 a.m. to…
DANCE LESSONS
THE LUIS OASIS SENIOR CENTER presents the Folklorico Dancing and Singing Exercise Class Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. starting June 1 at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave., Old Orcutt. Info: 937-9750. ONGOING BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE currently teaches American Tribal Style dance classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays…
STAGE
THE POETRY SOCIETY OF SANTA MARIA invites all to read poetry, sing songs, or just express themselves every other Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. at Coffee and Company, 245 Town Center West, Santa Maria. The next poetry reading is June 9. Info: 928-6492. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM presents a multimedia…
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 Broadway,…
Disney’s YES program teaches local students how to work–and play–hard
Disney’s YES program teaches local students how to work—and play—hard It’s a kid’s dream come true: Students from Orcutt Junior High and Pacific Christian schools recently got to make Disneyland their classroom. In April, middle-schoolers from Ernest Salinas’ journalism class and Rachael Frederick’s science class traveled to “The Happiest Place on Earth” to participate in…
Help history
The people behind free community events at the Dana Adobe need help. The nonprofit Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos are looking to borrow several items for upcoming events, including golf carts for Heritage Day, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year, more than 700 people attended Heritage Day, and this year, even more…
Library: flicks and fun
There’s more than just reading going on at the Santa Maria Public Library. Catch a free flick at 6 p.m. on June 3, when the library presents a swashbuckling pirate movie. Then, at 6:30 p.m. on June 16, a father-themed film will be shown to usher in Father’s Day. Enjoy an evening of acoustic guitar…
Near and far
The first time Robert Hamilton picked up a camera and got down to business was when he was in college in Arizona. He was going to shoot the bullfights in Nogales. “I thought that would be good, and Arizona was also new to me—the desert, the flowers, and all that,” he said. That’s also when…
Dance the night away
Ever notice how dark and dramatic fairytales can be? Sure they can be fantastic and magical, but it’s the drama that makes the magic that much more magical. A good bit of drama makes a fairytale so much the better—and so it goes for dance. “It’s something we all know we can all relate to,”…
CONCERTS
THE DAMON CASTILLO BAND performs a concert featuring tracks off their new album, Laurel Lane, on June 5 at 8 p.m. at Chef Rick’s Restaurant, Santa Maria. Cost is $15. Info: 937-9512 or damoncastillo.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents a live music event with Laurie Jennings and Dana Keller on June 10 at 7…
SPECIAL EVENTS
THE SANTA MARIA ELKS CLUB presents the 67th annual Elks Rodeo featuring mutton bustin’, wild horse racing, team roping, bull riding, bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing June 4 at 7 p.m. and June 5 through 6 at 2 p.m. at the Elks Unocal Event Center, 4040 Highway 101, Santa…
Find hidden gems
Closet winemakers and garage-bound bottlers are in for a rare treat at the upcoming Hidden Gems of California Tasting and Competition. This gala benefit and wine judging proves that even amateur vintners can garner attention for their liquid labors of love. Presented by Santa Ynez Valley’s People Helping People (PHP), the Hidden Gems of California…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Liz Addamo likes to raise money for charity. When the chef, caterer, and bistro owner isn’t on duty at her Clark Avenue restaurant and when she isn’t masterminding wedding receptions and events, she is—sometimes literally—cooking up ways to help nonprofits. For the past three years, she and husband David have hosted a Texas Hold ’Em…
Community Notebook – June 3, 2010
TUESDAY, JUNE 8 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, suite 141, Santa Maria. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in…
County puts a $1,000 bounty on polluting cars
Cornered into frustration by high gas prices and the low economy? Never fear. The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is running a program—“Old Car Buyback”—to entice drivers to take their older cars off the road, which will, in turn, lower the amount of greenhouse gases pumping into the atmosphere. Under the program, the…
Direct examination, part II
To better understand the candidates in the district attorney race and their campaigns, the Sun contacted Senior Deputy District Attorney Joyce Dudley and Chief Trial Deputy Josh Lynn and asked them each to answer a handful of questions. Find the first set of questions and answers archived at santamariasun.com. The first question-and-answer set appeared in…
SLORTA fares are going up
On Aug. 1, the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority will raise the cost of its fares for the second time in two years. According to RTA officials, the agency is facing desperate financial times: Federal and state public transportation money is drying up or is tenuous at best, a development that might eventually cause…
Like liquid gold
After bleeding its reserve fund dry, San Luis Obispo County Public Works recently decided to impose higher sewage and water rates on hundreds of Nipomo residents. “We’re caught in a very difficult bit of public process here,” SLO Supervisor Bruce Gibson said as the board reticently approved the last of three proposed rate increases. “I…
New Cuyama gets a new pool just in time for summer
About 50 New Cuyama kids got to take an inaugural plunge in the town’s public swimming pool after a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 28. Santa Barbara County supervisor Joe Centeno had the honor of snipping the red ribbon before officially declaring the Joseph Centeno Cuyama Pool and Aquatics Complex open for business. The Board…
Tie personalities with summer fun
Stuck in a summer activities rut? Parents can now get suggestions on the best activities based on their children’s personalities using the new Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment on the Central Coast-based website Kidzmet.com. The short test helps parents understand how their child’s personality type impacts learning and play behaviors. For more information, visit kidzmet.com, or find…
Teachers get a break
Local chiropractor Fred Carbone is giving thanks to local teachers by celebrating Teacher’s Month all June long at his practice, Aloha Family Chiropractic in Orcutt. Carbone would like to reward teachers for putting children first by offering them free health and wellness evaluations. The exams include complete consultation and examination, computerized spinal analysis, and any…
Shop–in the name of scholarships!
Need an outfit or special gift for a birthday, wedding, or other special event? Ruby Red Fashion Boutique and the Santa Maria Women’s Network are teaming up for an “Afternoon of Fashion Shopping” on June 3. Drawings for prizes will take place at the event, and wine and light refreshments will be served. Ten percent…
Accounting firm tabs Orcutt
McDermott and Apkarian, LLP, an accounting firm serving clients in Santa Barbara County since 1983, announced the opening of a new office in Orcutt to serve the needs of an expanding client base. Partners Patrick McDermott and Thomas Apkarian, Jr., have a combined total of 32 years of tax and accounting experience. Their firm offers…
One less voice will chime in
I am 83 years old and have been quite sick for years, but always voted. Well, that has ended. I am tired of being rushed to the phone to hear a recording about who I should vote for and why, each time thinking one of my five children might be phoning me for a chat.…
Unite to save beaches
O, come all ye faithful and righteous citizens of San Luis Obispo, you who are so upset by the smoke on sidewalks, the feeding of ducks, and past-bedtime partying: I beg you to rise and stand against the most repulsive polluter of them all, the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area (ODSVRA). Residents in the…
Vote no on Proposition 16
Proposition 16 is total rubbish, a disgrace to the democratic process. PG&E is sponsoring the proposition to prevent municipalities from getting into the energy business to compete with the company. It would require a two-thirds vote by municipal residents to approve funding for local public power projects, which we all know would be the kiss…
Vote for Patino, vote for experience
As a longtime activist in Santa Maria, I will be voting for Alice Patino for 5th District supervisor. She is the most sensible and the most responsible candidate for the 5th District. Alice’s character is above reproach. Her connection to the local community cannot be matched! Her countless hours of involvement on committees and commissions…
Dear media: No more circuses
A cartoon on the opinion page of a recent edition of The Tribune said it all about the state of the news media these days: Against a backdrop of wars, fires, violence, meteor attacks, and all sorts of other disasters, the newscaster says, “But first the latest on Tiger.” The media focus so much attention…
Athlete of the Week
Reilly McMahon, Righetti High School’s rising golf star, is one part lemonade, one part iced tea short of being on par with Arnold Palmer. Although McMahon is just finishing his sophomore year, he already can boast the history of a seasoned golfer. He’s played in numerous tournaments around the United States—from the deserts of Arizona…
Can you outrun a parade?
In conjunction with the annual Elks Rodeo, the People for Leisure and Youth will be hosting the first-ever Elks Rodeo Stampede 1-Mile Run on June 5 in Santa Maria. The race begins at Broadway and Main, the starting point for the Elks Parade, and ends a mile south at the intersection of Broadway and Stowell.…
Ride the wind
You’ve probably seen them on windy days up and down the coast, when the sky is filled with colorful kites pulling riders across the wave tops. Kiteboarding has been around since 1996, when the first inflatable kite was invented. Since then, the sport has spread far and wide, from the balmy waters of the Caribbean…
Hunting and pecking
It’s here, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here! I love elections. I love the election time of year and what elections represent and getting to know candidates and exercising freedom and the right to vote and basically everything else about it. Elections! Yeah! I love it all, except one thing: Elections tend to…
