Cover Stories
Turn on, tune in, learn your ABCs?
We’ve all seen it, especially in these techno-dependent days. A harried parent, in a desperate attempt to finish shopping for groceries, hands a smartphone to a fidgety child. Or a child in a doctor’s office plays a game of Angry Birds while waiting for a sibling to finish his visit. Young children are using technology…
Turn on, tune in, learn your ABCs?
We’ve all seen it, especially in these techno-dependent days. A harried parent, in a desperate attempt to finish shopping for groceries, hands a smartphone to a fidgety child. Or a child in a doctor’s office plays a game of Angry Birds while waiting for a sibling to finish his visit. Young children are using technology…
California Space Authority dissolves nonprofit status
The California Space Authority, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the state’s space enterprise, has initiated the process of dissolving it’s nonprofit corporation status in accordance with California laws. According to a press release received on June 10, the CSA Board of Directors voted unanimously on June 6 to begin the dissolution process. The organization ceased…
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Lonnie Carney retired “I would go back home to Montana, where I drove through and lost my heart to Flathead Valley.” Teresa Collier retired “I would go to Yosemite, just because I’ve never been there.” Pablo Guzman truck driver “I’d like to visit China. It looks pretty interesting in all of the pictures.” Evan Arnerich…
Ryan Bower
To most people, the true test of an athlete is not how easily the sport comes to him, but how much work he puts into it. By this definition, Ryan Bower can be considered one of the best pitchers in the Los Padres League. Bower, a senior starting pitcher for the Lompoc Braves, can’t remember…
What’s on Deck?
Thursday, June 9 Semipro Baseball Santa Maria Packers @ SLO Blues 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 10 Boxing Shobox Showdown in the Valley @ Chumash Casino 5:30 p.m. Semipro Baseball Bakersfield Braves @ Santa Maria Packers 5 p.m. Saturday, June 11 Roller Derby Cal Skate Roller Derby @ South Coast Roller Derby 7 p.m.…
On the roster
• Summer Day Camp: The City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department will hold its Summer Day Camp for youth ages 6 to 12 June 20 through Aug. 12. Eight one-week sessions are at the Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Dr. in Santa Maria. The cost is $75 per week, per child, and…
Find autocross in Lompoc
The Vapor Trail Vettes are holding a low-speed autocross event at the Allan Hancock College campus in Lompoc on June 11. All makes and models of cars are welcome. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Registration costs $40 to $75 depending on time…
Model trains chug into Santa Maria library
Local train buffs, modelers, and kids of all ages are invited to share the history of trains at “Model Railroad Day” on June 25 at the Santa Maria Library. The San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association (SLOMRA) will host the free event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the library’s Shepard Hall. It’s the…
Sign up for kicks
The Santa Maria Valley Youth Soccer Association will be holding registrations for its fall 2011 season for players aged 4 to 19 on June 11. Walk-in registration will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Adam School soccer field across from the Minami Center in Santa Maria. All players must bring a…
Swim for free at Paul Nelson
Free swim days are back at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center in Santa Maria: June 26, July 24, and Aug. 28, courtesy of People for Leisure And Youth Inc., (P.L.A.Y. Inc.). Community members of all ages can sign up for free swim times at the center’s Olympic-sized pool from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Children aged…
Packers return to their roots
The Santa Maria Valley Packers baseball team’s summer season is in full swing. The Packers are in their fourth year of existence and are competing for the first time outside of the California Collegiate League and on the Allan Hancock College campus. The move was made in an effort to help improve the Santa Maria…
From Korea to Santa Maria
Devastating force can originate from beautiful art. Take the ancient Korean martial arts fighting style of han pul (which translates to “great power”). While the basic physical movements of han pul may appear similar to those of tai chi or yoga, their effects are much different—and can be much more destructive. “I want to emphasize…
Never forget the price of freedom; fly the flag!
May 30 is a perfect day to write this letter. This day should have been a day dedicated to raising our flag at the veterans memorial in Orcutt. Who is Christine Kehoe, and what has she to do with our Orcutt area? Caltrans is the most cowardly bunch of lackers I have ever seen. What…
Our society keeps funds local to help animals
We’ve received inquiries concerning a recent advertisement in the Los Angeles Times criticizing the Humane Society of the United States. I want to make sure your readers realize that the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is a local, private, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States. The Humane…
Safety is paramount
As a public affairs officer with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, I read with great interest a commentary in the San Luis Obispo Tribune by Jane Swanson of the organization Mothers for Peace (“NRC has long path to earn trust,” May 19), which challenges assurances from the commission about nuclear power-plant safety following events at…
June is jumping
Although wine country fun prevails in all seasons, it seems to gain momentum when summer rolls around. With school out and the sixth month well underway, Santa Barbara County wineries offer a creative roster of gala events and mini-vacations. Getting the jump on summer haps in May, Firestone Vineyard initiated its First Friday program, a…
The food inspector
My wife’s middle name is “ironic.” She earned that title by living a life littered with contradictions and complemented by a touch of hypocrisy. One example of her ironic lifestyle is the fact that she is a clean freak, while at the same time she is a complete and total slob. You wouldn’t know she…
Brass with class
On 1977, bourgeoning musician and musical educator Tim Zimmerman was having trouble motivating his class of Detroit area middle school students in their musical studies. He asked a church if they would mind hosting a performance of young brass musicians, and the church agreed. The King’s Brass was born. Now, 34 years later, Tim Zimmerman…
Solvang designer featured in trunk show
See Solvang designer James Cleland’s jewelry in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art/Museum Store Trunk Show from noon to 5 p.m. on June 11 at 1130 State St. in Santa Barbara. With a background in biosciences and geology, Cleland pays particular attention to the construction and support of the pieces he designs. He gives equal…
Music teachers award scholarship
The Central Coast Music Teachers Association announced Nipomo student Adam Chunsung Park as the 2011 winner of the Clara Jean Curzon Music Scholarship, awarded annually to an outstanding high school senior with plans to major or minor in music at a college, university, or conservatory. Park is a student of the association’s Belva Mehlschau Hanson…
Nipomo art show features local works
The Nipomo Arts Commission will be holding its second annual Art at the Adobe event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 12 at the Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen Avenue in Nipomo. Local artists are invited to submit their work to compete in a juried art display. Entries can be submitted for $10,…
Light bender
Gail Sheley-Davenport likes to play with light. More specifically, she likes to capture what light can do. Like the way it trails and blurs, the way it blends with other colors and bends. Haven’t seen light do that? Most people don’t. Fortunately, Davenport coaxes light to move in beautiful dances and captures it in pictures.…
Take the tour
Ever marvel at a piece of art and wonder how it came to be? Find out by exploring where the muse meets artists during the ninth annual Los Padres Artist Guild Studio and Garden Tour and Sale. Wander beautiful gardens, visit sunny studios, and see incredible works of art, all thanks to artists opening up…
Rhyming matters!
When teaching children to read, Rhymes can be helpful indeed! The reason for this is that children learn quick How to remember the words that fit. Rhyming may seem a bit difficult for you But studies show it’s important to do! Rhyming helps children unlock the power of phonemes—the building blocks of language—because they learn…
Won Ton by Lee Wardlaw
Life before and after adoption by a loving family is described in senryu–a form of Japanese poetry, similar to haiku–by a gray shelter cat. Named Won Ton by his “new boy,” the finicky feline experiences a car ride, the great outdoors, and being dressed in doll clothes by the family’s younger child. Finally, the cat…
Greeks give back
During Cal Poly’s Greek Week, fraternities and sororities put away their togas and focused their efforts on fundraising for the Lucia Mar Unified School District. Not only did they raise $3,500 for the district, the students also brought in $2,100 for the Head Start program. The fundraising events—a penny war and a lip sync competition—also…
Foundation awards more than $245,000
Allan Hancock College hosted its 42nd annual scholarship awards banquet on May 26 in the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium on the Santa Maria campus. A total of 204 Hancock students received scholarships, which were donated by more than 130 different community members. The prestigious Marian Hancock Award was given to honors student Teresa Cortes, who…
Nipomo native receives Bill Denneen Award
Graduating Nipomo High School senior Michael Sween was recently awarded the Bill Denneen Environmental Award for his contributions to the community, including many hours volunteering at the Nipomo Native Garden. Sween was closely involved in the garden’s restoration, helping cultivate plants native to the Nipomo Mesa and dunes. He was also involved in general landscape…
Rummage sale fights financial cutbacks
On June 11, Robert Bruce Elementary School of Santa Maria will hold its second annual rummage sale in the school parking lot from 8 a.m. until noon. The sale started as a way to combat budget cuts, with the money raised going toward trips and activities for the students at Robert Bruce. Outreach Counselor Lourdes…
Spotlight on: Coghlan Vineyard & Jewelers
From the friendly confines of what was once a Sears catalog kit house, Los Olivos couple Eric and Samantha Coghlan are hoping their unique combination of wine and jewelry is a match made in heaven. After spending more than a year renovating the circa-1890s house they own, the couple opened their tasting room/jewelry shop on…
Lucia Mar dreams
Jim Hogeboom, superintendent of the Lucia Mar Unified School District, is an ambitious man. Hogeboom is in charge of a school district that stretches north from the Santa Barbara County line to Shell Beach. The largest district in San Luis Obispo County consists of 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. Though…
Pain in the class
Dr. Frank Lagattuta grabs an ultrasound wand and squeezes a generous dollop of surgical lubricant onto its tip. He then positions it on top of my knee. “There’s your patella, see?” he says as he points to the computer screen and continues squishing the wand against my now- slippery skin. I can barely make anything…
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Rocket launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base are nothing new. The United Launch Delta II rocket scheduled for lift-off June 9 at approximately 7:20 a.m. would be like any other launch, except for just one thing. Its significance is due not necessarily to the spacecraft, but what’s on board. Taking off with this rocket will…
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Rocket launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base are nothing new. The United Launch Delta II rocket scheduled for lift-off June 9 at approximately 7:20 a.m. would be like any other launch, except for just one thing. Its significance is due not necessarily to the spacecraft, but what’s on board. Taking off with this rocket will…
Oceano CSD general manager ousted
Oceano Community Services District General Manager Raffaele Montemurro got the boot. The district’s Board of Directors took more than four hours to decide at a closed meeting May 31 to give Montemurro the ax. The vote was unanimous, and Montemurro handed over the keys immediately after the meeting. It’s unclear what the specific terms of…
CEO of county retirement system steps down
Vincent Brown, chief executive officer of the Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System (SBCERS), has notified the county he’s leaving the post effective June 24 to take another in-state job. The county is currently seeking a replacement for Brown; in the meantime, SBCERS Assistant CEO Lila Deeds will take over as the interim CEO. Brown…
County planning commissioner gets state education gig
Since taking office in January, Gov. Jerry Brown has made a host of appointments to state offices and commissions. And now, yet another candidate has been selected–this time from the Central Coast. Santa Barbara County Planning Commissioner Michael Cooney, 66, who represents the county’s 1st District, has been picked to become one of the top…
Solvang will roll out the red carpet for Denmark royalty
Didn’t make it to London for Will and Kate’s nuptials? It’s not too late to get a glimpse of royalty. On June 11, the city of Solvang will roll out the red carpet for Consort Henrik, Prince of Denmark. Henrik, who visited Solvang 35 years ago in 1976 with his wife, Queen Margrethe II of…
