Cover Story
Veterans fight for full equity
There are fights, and then there are fights. During World War II, Filipino soldiers fought alongside their U.S. counterparts, sharing the same fears, fights, and fates as part of the guerrilla resistance. They were on the front lines of the battle of Corregidor, they fought at Bataan, and they walked in that infamous journey that…
How will you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Jen Loux Family Care Network Incorporated “Eat Lucky Charms, then chase the end of a rainbow.” Arturo Arias maintenance worker “I don’t have any plans this year. I’ll probably be working.” Milton L. Washington citizen “I’ll be remembering all the folks from the past years with peace and love and lots of fun.” Kayla Chavez…
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 offers a “Diabetes Essentials” class on March 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. A “Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Nutrition” class is March 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. THE VILLAGES’…
Art
THE ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE fine arts faculty presents its annual art exhibit March 12 through April 17 in the campus’ Ann Foxworthy Gallery, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. An opening reception is March 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gallery. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252. THE LOS PADRES ARTIST GUILD presents as part…
Learning
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS presents a public forum about healthcare in Santa Maria Valley on March 12 at the Betteravia Government Center, Santa Maria. Info: lwvsmv.org or 310-1462. A FREE MISSIONS CONFERENCE EVENT for anyone interested in becoming a missionary is March 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. and March 14 from 9 a.m.…
Recreation
THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY and the Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos hold a hands-on planting of 300 native plants to restore a historic creek habitat on March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dana Adobe, 671 South Oakglen Ave., Nipomo. Info: LCSLO.org or 544-9096, Ext. 14. ONGOING A MEN’S AND…
Kids & Family
ONGOING LA LECHE LEAGUE SANTA MARIA offers pregnant and nursing moms free breastfeeding support and information the third Wednesday of each month. Info: 734-9895 or 938-0789. THE LITTLE VILLAGE offers a daily enrichment program for kids ages 3 to 6 during the summer and fall. Activities include arts and crafts, baking, music, gardening, and creative…
Dance Lessons
NIPOMO DANCE features free dance classes for the month of March. Info: nipomorecreation.org or 929-5437. 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. THE DANCE STUDIO offers dance classes in…
Stage
PCPA THEATERFEST presents “InterPlay: The Stage Between,” featuring readings of the plays Evie’s Waltz (March 14 and 16 at 2 p.m.), and Iron Kisses (March 13 and 14 at 7 p.m.) at the Severson Theatre, Hancock College, 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. Cost is $15. Info: 922-8313 or pcpa.org. THE ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE DANCE…
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 VALLEY OF THE FLOWERS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST presents a concert of Shigin, ancient Japanese singing, on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the church in Lompoc. Info: 733-1447 or gyoshitake@live.com. WORTH THE DRIVE UCSB ARTS AND LECTURES presents the band Dan Zanes and Friends in concert on March 12 at 5 p.m. at…
Special Events
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents, as part of its international film series, film screenings: March 13 and 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s Forum, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3209. THE ELKS RODEO holds tryouts for its Sponsor Flag Carriers on March 14 at 9 a.m. at the Elks Club, 1309 N.…
Local public transportation is socialism at work
There was a time in the distant past when bus systems and rail systems were privately owned and could operate at a profit. The cost of labor, government regulations, equipment, and right-of-way has driven most of these out of business. The privately owned Greyhound Bus service has to operate on a for-profit basis. For this…
Kylie Mugg
This young and aspiring senior at Valley Christian Academy is only a few months away from graduating and moving toward a new chapter: life as a college student. Kylie Mugg started playing sports when she was 9 years old after joining a recreational soccer team. “I’ve always been a klutz, so naturally my parents were…
Lady Knights are on a mission
When St. Joseph High School basketball coach Ron Barba brought his varsity girls’ team together in Phoenix after a Nike summer tournament loss to Burbank’s Bellarmine-Jefferson High School, the motto became his team’s mantra. “We had to get these kids to buy into this thing,” Barba said. “We’ve said it in every practice, and we’ve…
Five Hancock hoopsters earn All-Conference accolades
The Western State Conference recently recognized Allan Hancock College sophomore guard Jonathan Ramirez and four other Bulldog basketball players with All-Conference honors. Conference coaches named Ramirez, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer and distributor, first team All-Conference. In addition to Ramirez, who averaged 11 points and 7.5 assists during the regular campaign, freshman forward Scott Dixon and…
Have a taste
Nearly a century ago, a hardy band of Danes immigrated to the Santa Ynez Valley, where acorns and venison dominated the culinary scene. The newcomers built barns and planted fields, and as they settled in, their cooking filled the air with aromas of smoked sausage, pickled vegetables, and baked confections. Eighty-odd years later, a group…
Arts Briefs
A local artist gets anthologized Artist Joan Jones of Vandenberg Village will show varied styles of work—as will 11 other members of the Artists’ Guild of Santa Ynez Valley—in Art: An Anthology, showing at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd., in Santa Barbara through March 27. The group chose the theme because…
Reaching for his dreams
Apparently, muses don’t wear watches. At least that’s the case for artist Rocky Stroup, whose muse is a bit of a night owl. The painter, sculptor, and photographer said his inspiration comes to him in the twilight state between dreaming and waking. In that way, his art becomes his tangible dreams, which have given birth…
The show will go on
Beauty and the Beast. Othello. Les Miserables. They aren’t just world-class productions in London or New York City—they’re productions delighting audiences in the Santa Maria Valley, courtesy of PCPA. Like many other theaters in the country, however, PCPA may not be able to produce such shows for much longer. In fact, the recession has trickled…
Let’s get ready to garden
Got a green thumb? It’s not too late to sign up for Allan Hancock College’s Green Gardener class, co-sponsored by the college and the Santa Barbara County Water Agency. It runs in Santa Maria for nine weeks. Green Gardener is a bilingual class offered through the college’s Adult Education Program. It’s open to anyone, but…
It’s Bandarama time!
On March 14, more than 400 student musicians will gather in the Santa Maria High School gymnasium for Bandarama!. The annual event features music played by bands from every junior high and high school in Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Guadalupe, as well as the Allan Hancock College band. Each band will perform one piece, and…
Hancock welding teacher honored with statewide award
Rayvell Snowden, a longtime welding instructor at Allan Hancock College, was recently named the 2009 winner of the California Community College Association for Occupational Education Excellence in Teaching Award. The win came as no surprise to Anne Cremarosa, dean of academic affairs, who nominated Snowden for the statewide honor. “Ray is well respected within…
The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more
The Santa Maria Valley is full of young students ready to work, and thanks to the State Department of Education and Marian Medical Center’s Workability program, they get the chance to do so. Marian Education is serving the community by providing job opportunities for high school students from Santa Maria High School and Pioneer Valley…
Community Notebook 3-12
TUESDAY, MARCH 17 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at bos-agenda.sbcgov.net. • The Guadalupe Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall,…
Hobnobbing with Helen
It was all kind of, well, very Hollywood—but in a down-home Santa Maria way. It was the Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation’s (OCAF’s) Sixth Annual Winter Gala, this year honoring CafeFX, a homegrown visual effects studio, and its founders, Jeff Barnes and Dave Ebner. On Feb. 20, more than 200 people flocked to the Radisson Hotel…
Website connects contractors with clients
Homeowners and industry professionals looking to hire contracted construction work have a new local resource available to them: Jobtrio.com. The Santa Barbara-based website allows users to search a database of more than 250,000 statewide contractors. Results can be sorted by union and non-union labor, and individual cell phone numbers are available for specific employees. Contractors…
Country radiothon raises funds for children’s hospital
For the 10th straight year, radio station Sunny Country 102.5 will hold a radiothon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event is set for March 12 and 13. The donations benefit children afflicted with cancer and other debilitating illnesses. The station has raised more than $500,000 for children in past radiothons.…
Nominate your favorite farmer
The Santa Maria Fairpark is accepting nominations for people who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry of Santa Barbara County. Submit nominations for Agri-Business Person of the Year, Farmer of the Year, and Livestock Producer of the Year until April 17. Applications should provide background information to support the nomination, as recipients will…
Help For Mommy connects families to caregivers
Parents who want babysitting or tutoring for their children need look no further than Help For Mommy, an organization dedicated to connecting families with skilled childcare workers, nannies, and tutors. Now at a new location—515 E. Clark Ave. in old Orcutt—Help For Mommy places local job ads for families seeking child or pet care services…
Still fighting it
As the sun went down and temperatures dropped on March 4, people gathered at the corner of Main and Broadway to take part in a candlelight vigil and march on Santa Maria City Hall. In a matter of hours, the California Supreme Court would hear arguments in the legal challenges against Proposition 8, that divisive…
Oh, baby
The Suleman family—33-year-old Nadya and her octuplets—has been at the center of a raging media storm ever since the babies’ controversial birth a little more than a month ago. On Jan. 26, Suleman gave birth to six boys and two girls—weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces—at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical…
Stop that drip-drip-dripping
March 16 through 20 is national “Fix a Leak Week,” and Santa Barbara County is on board to celebrate it to the fullest. A press release from the county announced that sbwater.org is linking directly to the Environmental Protection Agency’s “WaterSense” program’s campaign to encourage people to repair “dripping faucets, running toilets, leaky showerheads, and…
Santa Marians can discuss proposed water rate increases
Water. Everybody uses it. It flows from faucets and down drains—all of which costs money. But how much money? That depends. The City of Santa Maria Utilities Department will be host to a March 23 public workshop to discuss proposed water and sewer rate increases. Residents received notices in their utility bills throughout February. According…
Santa Barbara County supervisors consider a change to CEO’s job responsibilities
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is one step closer to reassuming the power to hire and fire county department heads. On March 3, the board voted 3-2, with 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray and 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno dissenting, to temporarily take back that duty from County Executive Officer Mike Brown. Brown…
Food lovers rejoice at Trader Joe’s long-awaited opening
The wait is over for Santa Maria’s foodies and veggie-heads as the city’s first Trader Joe’s opens its doors on March 16. Headquartered in Monrovia, the quirky grocery chain is known for its Hawaiian-themed ambiance, its stock of California wines, and its selection of specialty and organic food products sold under the company’s private label.…
