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A cornucopia of controversy
Buellton-based organic farmer John Kiddie affably admits he’s new to the whole social media thing. “I want to make my Twitter name or whatever you call it ‘outstandinginhisfield.’ I had ‘seedsamuri,’ but I spelled samurai wrong,” Kiddie said with a sly smile, while standing in a field of leafy greens. Technology has become a valuable…
Santa Maria’s leading lady, Jane Russell, dies
Jane Russell—the Hollywood siren who dazzled for decades on the silver screen, and the devoted Christian, mother, and adoption advocate—died on Feb. 28 at her home in Santa Maria. She was 89. The buxom brunette first entered the public spotlight in the 1940s when she landed the role of Rio MacDonald in Howard Hughes’ controversial…
At what age should drivers lose their driver’s license?
Derek Deleon sales associate “At 75. That seems to be the age where they start to lose their health and vision.” Ashley Frugee sales associate “There isn’t a specific age, but whenever somebody starts to lose their vision.” Greg Dorroh pizza delivery man “Depends on the person. I’ve seen some older people drive bad, but…
Artistic expression
How are high school years defined? Television shows them as hip, magazines paint them as beautiful. Bruce Springsteen called them the “Glory Days.” Those teenaged years are often idealized, but actual teens living through them often have a different perspective. Real teen points of view were recently brought to light through PCPA’s Arts Outreach. My…
Learn a bit about Bach
The Central Coast Music Teachers Association is sponsoring a lecture demonstration in Santa Maria on March 19 at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Charles Asche, renowned professor of music from UCSB, will present a lecture regarding the origins and pedagogical nature of Bach’s works. He’ll also share techniques of pedal use for the piano. Come to the…
Fix your irises (and pupils) on these irises
Rick Tasco, noted iris hybridizer and co-owner of Superstition Iris Gardens, will give a presentation on “Historic Iris from the Eclectic Collection of Superstition Gardens,” presented by the Lompoc Valley Iris Society. The program will be held at Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church, on College Avenue and V Street in Lompoc, on March…
An ordinary day
Martin Johnsen notices the simple things in life. Despite how it sounds, it’s not an easy task. Most people don’t actually do it, he said. Think about what’s around us every day: a gritty old sign, a crumbling building, the way the light reflects off an empty street. When Johnsen sees them, he sees art.…
Shopper’s choice
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The Y promotes basketball for kids
To help young children develop their basketball acumen, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA is now registering for its Rookie Sports Basketball program. The classes are intended for youth ages 3 to 6, who can practice their social, physical, and gross motor skills with a focus on fun. Classes will be offered Mondays from March 7…
Play flag football in the sand
Amateur football players from all across the Central Coast are invited to sign up for the 11th season of the 5-on-5 Pismo Beach Flag Football league. The spring/summer season starts April 3 and runs through Aug. 21, including playoffs, with games happening every other Sunday. Rosters must have at least seven players, and all teams…
Ashley Spencer
Springtime is near, and with the arrival of the season comes a shift in the sports world; it’s time to break out the peanuts and Cracker Jacks while you root, root, root for the home team. The Allan Hancock College women’s softball team started play in February and will begin conference play on March 10…
The new Bulldogs
The Allan Hancock College men’s basketball team just had its most successful season in a very long time. A frustrating 1-10 start blossomed into a dream season, culminating in the Bulldogs’ first outright conference championship since 1974. After finishing last the previous year, fourth year head coach Ralph Gorton not only turned the program around,…
We can’t really buy safety
The budget has been submitted to congress, and the debate begins. We would all like a budget that will save taxpayer money and reduce the deficit. To accept a budget that will cost us billions in interest is foolish and wasteful. But whose back do we balance the budget on: the rich or the poor?…
What planet are you from, Republicans?
The Republicans in Congress have such an elitist perception of what their fellow Americans desperately need. Their proposed cuts to health care, Planned Parenthood, Social Security, Americorps, etc., combined with their poisonous votes to shield greenhouse gas polluters, only make sense to me if I conclude that they are from some vengeful human-hating planet and…
Tea Partiers, consider learning Egyptian
As a registered Democrat, I was sent “The White House Weekly Address” that includes a YouTube video of President Barack Obama giving a speech about the demonstrations in Egypt. He told of the passion and dignity of the Egyptian people who were demonstrating against the government of Egypt and that this had been an inspiration…
Liberals need to grow into responsible adults
While one opinion page contributor was bragging about how proud he was to be liberal because they’re so tolerant, compassionate, and care so much about people, I was wondering: Why, then, all the hostility, hatred, and rage directed toward conservatives? Liberals don’t have a problem with multiculturalism, illegal immigrants who refuse to assimilate, Muslims who…
Bravo to our world-class theater!
Accolades to our PCPA Theatrefest for its latest production, The 39 Steps. When I heard that four people play 100 roles, I didn’t know what to expect. It was done so cleverly! This was the first time that the set designer, sound designer, and costume designer seemed as important as the actors and director. Our…
Teachers are important; compensate accordingly
Roy Berger in his recent letter (“Teachers: Stop whining and quit,” Feb. 17) says he’s tired of teachers whining. If they don’t like their jobs they should quit. I’m reminded that teachers are the lowest-paid members of a major profession, a profession that molds our young people into knowledgeable productive adults. I can think of…
The president’s budget is irresponsible
President Barack Obama’s budget proposal is a major disappointment. It does not deal seriously with massive deficit spending, and in fact proposes another $7 trillion in deficit spending over the life of the budget. It does nothing to address the looming entitlement train wreck. The underlying assumptions regarding economic growth, interest rates, and revenues are…
Solvang is delicious
Established in 1911 by Danes determined to preserve their heritage, Solvang continues to reign as a haven of Danish culture amid the American landscape. Each spring, in tribute to the town’s founding mothers and fathers, the little burg in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley plays host to Taste of Solvang to showcase the…
Help build a quality life
The dust has finally settled for Los Alamos: The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Los Alamos Community Plan on Feb. 15. “We believe that this plan is a roadmap for years to come,” Los Alamos Planning Advisory Committee chairman Chris Wrather said during the hearing’s public comment period. The board added…
Pioneer Valley gets a green grant
Pioneer Valley High School is adding green to its school colors, thanks to funding from State Farm California’s Environmental Grant Program. The school received a $5,000 grant at a check presentation on March 2. The grant will go toward any student-led programs that focus on efforts benefiting the community and the environment. “I am very…
Living life as a principal
Every school kid wants to be principal for a day, even if it’s just to replace those water fountains with soda fountains. On March 9, business and community leaders have the opportunity to fulfill that childhood dream, but as adults. Community members who act as principals will learn what issues face educators. Participants will spend…
Lompoc Chamber needs an executive director
The Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, an organization with 450 members, is on the hunt for a new executive director. Whoever lands the seat will be responsible for the complete operation of the Chamber and the Chamber’s Foundation, new sales and retention of memberships, implementing fundraising activities to support the Chamber, and participating in community events…
Testa’s open for private parties
Testa’s Bistro & Catering, an Italian restaurant and bar in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley, is now an exclusive private party and event location. With a full bar and the ability to accommodate from 12 to 55 guests, Testa’s is available for private party rental seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, or…
Show your guests what’s up
Company coming in from out of town for a visit? Santa Maria Valley attractions await their exploration in the “Guest Survival Kit,” the centerpiece of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor and Convention Bureau’s new “Company’s Coming” campaign. The complimentary kits come in specially marked bags and contain Santa Maria Valley promotional…
Going with the plan
The dust has finally settled for Los Alamos: The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Los Alamos Community Plan on Feb. 15. “We believe that this plan is a roadmap for years to come,” Los Alamos Planning Advisory Committee chairman Chris Wrather said during the hearing’s public comment period. The board added…
Is driving while old a crime?
As the baby boomer generation hits senior status, a growing number of their family members will be faced with the question: When is it time to take away the car keys? Senior drivers are the fastest-growing demographic on the road, and as a group, they’ve recently come under intense scrutiny. On Feb. 13, an 83-year-old…
Maldonado eyes a congressional seat
Former Santa Maria mayor and California Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado appears ready for the next step in his political career, forming a campaign committee to make a congressional run in 2012. The Federal Elections Commission on Feb. 18 confirmed Maldonado filed the necessary paperwork to open an exploratory committee, which can begin collecting campaign funds.…
Citing efficiency, Supervisor Gray closes her Orcutt office
Joni Gray, Santa Barbara County 4th District supervisor and board chair, closed her district office in Orcutt on Feb. 25, and relocated to a “more efficient” space in the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria. Her other district office in the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building will remain open. Gray told the Sun she decided to…
Santa Maria braces for federal grant cuts
Santa Maria city officials expressed “grave concern” about a budget proposal that would gut funding from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by more than 60 percent. President Barack Obama’s budget proposal for 2011-12 includes a 7.5 percent cut to the CDBG program, representing $300 million of the $4 billion federal program. However,…
