Cover Story
In with the old
The road through the Foxen Canyon wine country is much what you would expect it to be: shaded by the protective reach of trees as it winds through a stunning landscape of hills and vineyards. It will run you straight through to the Santa Ynez Valley if you’ve got the time to take the long…
If you could fly to any place, or time, where would you go?
Sean Peters student “I would fly to the 1920s because I’m interested in the ’20s—there was a lot happening, but it tends to be forgotten because of what it preceded.” Catherine Varsik substitute teacher “I would go to Italy. It’s where I’ve always wanted to go; I would especially want to travel all through Tuscany.…
Political Watch 05.13
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is still seeking input from local residents on the qualities it should look for in a new county executive officer. People interested in contributing their opinions can find a link to an online survey on the county’s website, countyofsb.org. The survey is available in both Spanish and English,…
Community Notebook 05.13
TUESDAY, MAY 18 • 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 santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City…
Vanishing act
Come the end of this school year, Orcutt Union School District officials are going to have more to worry about than looming budget cuts. They’re also going to have to address an ongoing trend among the district’s campuses: declining enrollment. In a recent interview with the Sun, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Marysia Ochej said…
Flying ‘fun’ fortresses
Coming May 17 through 19, a classic collection of aircraft from World War II will be landing at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria. Santa Maria is included in a 110-city tour giving citizens the chance to view aircraft that brought an Allied victory in World War II. “The Wings of Freedom” tour will land…
SLO County supes petition State Parks for help in curbing dust from Oceano Dunes SVRA
Pressuring State Parks to take action, SLO County supervisors unanimously voted May 11 to send a letter seeking help from the department to reduce dust generated at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. The letter, sent to the State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division, asks division Deputy Director Daphne Greene to respond with any…
UPS call center to close
After nearly 12 years, the UPS Teleservices call center on Blosser and Betteravia roads will be closing its doors. UPS officials said the 260 employees were notified positions would begin to be eliminated starting in July, with the entire facility closing its doors by October. “We’re continually looking to evaluate the facilities and resources we…
Orcutt Union School District announces a changing of the superintendents
After more than seven years spent serving students and staff in the Orcutt Union School District, superintendent Sharon McHolland is retiring. District board of education president Jim Peterson announced McHolland’s plans for retirement—along with the board’s pick for a replacement—at a press conference on May 6. The board has selected current assistant superintendent of curriculum…
Learn to paint
The Wildling Art Museum is offering a series of discussions focusing on the different tools and practices used throughout the painting process. Taught by a variety of professionals, the hour-long classes are geared toward beginners and anyone interested in getting deeper into painting. Each informal session is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn…
Artesia School gets repairs
The historic Artesia School in Lompoc will get a much-needed facelift thanks to the generosity of donors. Lompoc Valley’s first country school, which operated from 1876 to 1961, was in need of a new porch and paint when the Lompoc Museum sent out a plea for donations. Now, $11,400 in donations later, the school will…
PCPA gets a national award
PCPA Theaterfest got some national recognition as the recipient of a $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts award. The grant, in addition to helping underwrite the production of West Side Story, will help with outreach efforts among local at-risk youth, and particularly the ongoing gang problem in northern Santa Barbara County. The National Endowment for…
Past meets present
A highway runs hundreds of miles up and down the state, carrying visitors at 65 mph—or more—to where they want to go. Every convenience can be found along the way: a place to sleep, a place to eat, a place to rest. But it wasn’t always that way. At one time, the 13-room adobe home…
Dreams and reality
Do opposites attract? Or do they more complement each other? Think yin and yang, to and fro, dots and stripes, peanut butter and chocolate. In the case of David Brown and Teri Sanders-Brown, dreams and reality make up the magical combination. This month, Brown takes his reality and pairs it with Sanders-Brown’s dream for…
When designated and hated
I’ll admit my wife and I enjoy partaking in a few alcoholic beverages from time to time. We’re both adults and we work hard for the weekend, so, occasionally, we like to see the empty bottom of a beer can—or seven. As a couple, we have always been very responsible when it comes to drinking…
C & D Zodiac holds a meeting
C & D Zodiac, Santa Maria’s eighth-largest employer, will host the next Manufacturers Association meeting on May 25. The event includes a presentation on lean manufacturing and a tour of the company’s manufacturing facility. With more than 470 employees, C & D Zodiac specializes in designing, manufacturing, and integrating aircraft interiors. It’s embraced the concept…
Santa Lucia reports first quarter loss
Santa Lucia Bancorp, an Atascadero-based bank with a branch in Santa Maria, recently released results for the first quarter of 2010, reporting a net loss of $696,000 to common shareholders. The company also announced that its net interest margin fell to 4.35 percent for the period ending March 31, compared with 4.65 percent for the…
PostNet celebrates small businesses
National Small Business Week kicks off May 23. To celebrate, locally owned copy and print center PostNet is launching a host of special promotions throughout the month. From now through May 31, small businesses in Santa Maria can get $25 off print jobs of $100 or more, $20 off full color banners, and $200 off…
Boutique opens in Santa Maria Inn
Forget Me Not Boutique recently opened in the Historic Santa Maria Inn. The shop specializes in one-of-a-kind items, from clothing to accessories. Owned by sisters Donna De La Cruz and Lisa Villareal, the boutique offers a unique inventory for men and women. Forget Me Not Boutique is located at 801 S. Broadway in Santa Maria.…
Fesler students travel the ‘Road to College’
More than 250 students at Fesler Junior High School got to walk the halls of all the California State University colleges on May 6 as part of a virtual tour led by college students and CSU officials. Students boarded a specially equipped tour bus filled with 30 laptop computers to explore career interests and learn…
Red Cross encourages families to be safe
Families from all over Santa Barbara County are invited to learn about natural disasters and disaster preparedness on May 22, Safe Kids Day. Presented by the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter, the event will feature fun activities that teach children about the science behind natural disasters, as well as how to prepare for…
Tevin Lemon
Nipomo High School pole vaulter Tevin Limon just keeps raising the bar on his own records. At the Pac-7 league track and field finals on May 6, the sophomore set a new school mark by vaulting 14 feet, 4 inches, smashing his personal best by 10 inches. “I’ve been working on really shooting up in…
Catching air
It’s a beautiful, clear May morning, and I’m soaring thousands of feet over the Pacific Ocean. I’m at the controls of a lightweight four-seater Cessna 172, along with my flight instructor for the day, Jon Stamets. Below, I see the white-capped breakers off Avila Beach and the coastline stretching for miles in either direction. Headset…
Youth basketball program tips off
The 1 Dream Foundation, a student mentoring and education organization, announced the formation of a comprehensive youth basketball program open to sixth and seventh grade boys from throughout the Central Coast. As part of the program, two youth teams will practice and compete in tournaments throughout California. Tryouts are free and will be held at…
Hancock’s infield is golden
Western State Conference officials named Allan Hancock College’s entire starting infield as Gold Glove winners for the 2010 season, recognizing the foursome as the conference’s best defensive players at their positions. First baseman Skyler Ellis, second baseman Chris Mallory, shortstop Dalton Rouleau, and third baseman Peter Straka all received the honor. The award was the…
No-tax groups are really un-American
No-tax groups are not against taxes, only those for services they don’t like: those that help others than themselves. I don’t like my taxes going for our troops being killed and maimed in useless, unwinnable wars. I don’t like supporting churches with my taxes. I don’t like supporting large airports I will never use, and…
This is democracy
Several thousand years ago, the Greeks decided to institute an idea of one of their popular philosophers, Democritus. They finally concluded that even though the idea of government run by the people was a wonderful idea, the major weakness was that the people rapidly ran the government into bankruptcy by voting in every luxury they…
Humans have blown their time on Earth
The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the worst man-caused disaster—ever. We never learn. The oil mess off Santa Barbara in 1969 woke us up locally—but not the rest of civilization. I had hoped we could control our technology, but apparently we can’t. Why do we call ourselves Homo sapiens—meaning “man wise”—when…
NAFTA has failed, and Mexico has suffered
Asking the question “why” can reveal truths and provide solutions. Wanting to go beyond assumptions and dubious assertions, I seemed to remember that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) had something to do with the current illegal immigration problem. According to info on the web, here are a few interesting facts: In 1994, the…
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
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…
Farmer’s Market
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 St.…
Health
THE PIERCE CHIROPRACTIC AND SPORTS INJURY CENTER presents an open house event featuring free chiropractic care to all military service men and women on May 15 at the center, 1415 E. Main St., Santa Maria. Info: 922-1721 or doctorbeau.com. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA offers a “Laughter Yoga” class for adults 50 and older on…
Art
THE LOS PADRES ARTIST GUILD presents an artist demonstration with Julie Fish and her “out of your mind” painting technique on May 14 at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 East Soares Ave., Old Orcutt. Info: 937-4427 or lospadresartistguild.com. THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS present “A View of Nipomo Rancho, Then and Now,” an arts…
Learning
COFFEE WITH CLARK is a question and answer session with Clark Vandeventer, Republican candidate for Congress, on May 13 at 7 p.m. at Coffee Time, 311 Nocholson Ave., Santa Maria. Info: 403-1133 or crewclark.com. CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY presents informational meetings about Brandman University on May 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1300 E. Cypress St.,…
Recreation
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents its first Splash and Dash event featuring a 5k run/walk and a 500-yard swim on May 15 starting at 8 a.m. at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $50. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3227, or athletics.hancockcollege.edu. THE DUNES CENTER presents a “Guadalupe City Walk and Talk” on May…
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “Penny for Your Thoughts” with storyteller Diane Ferlatte May 13 at 4 p.m. in the Shepard Hall, Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117 or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department, Santa Maria Valley YMCA, and the Boys…
Dance Lessons
ONGOING BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE currently teaches American Tribal Style dance classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in Lompoc and Thursdays in Grover Beach. Info: 709-4686 or BlueMoonHaven.com. THE DANCE STUDIO offers dance classes in Santa Maria in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Dance Team. Info: 349-9016 or 931-0444. EVERYBODY CAN DANCE…
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 May 12. Info: 928-6492. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its “Conservatory Showcase” featuring productions of The Musical of…
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,…
Concerts
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents the electronic music class recital “Soundscapes” on May 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Santa Maria campus forum, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252. THE ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE SINGERS, directed by Ann Lucas, perform Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah with Coastal Voices, directed by Margaret Nelson, May 15 at…
Special Events
HORSEPOWER PROMOTIONS presents “Santa Maria Motorcycle Madness” featuring motorcycles, racing, and live music May 15 through 16 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S Thornburg, Santa Maria. Info: 686-2007 or sd@silcom.com. THE KIWANIS CLUB OF GUADALUPE presents events in benefit of Elk’s Queen candidate Cynthia Castaneda, including a concert by Steppin Out May 15 from…
Raise the tongs
With May Day and Cinco de Mayo behind us, the festivities of Memorial Day and the Elk’s Rodeo can’t be far away. And although Santa Marians take advantage of fine weather by rolling out their grills pretty much all year ’round, barbecue season has officially begun. A social magnet capable of drawing diners from near…
