Cover Story
Jury duties
“Water, water, everywhere, and all the boards did shrink; water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” So goes the infamous line from English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The words could also be applied to recent goings-on within the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, according to findings in a…
Hobnobbing With Helen
“I’m nuts about me,” said actress Anne Guynn. Onstage the evening of Monday, May 17, at the Vets Memorial Hall, as part of her showcase performance, Anne performed a scene from Neil Simon’s play, Chapter 2. She got well-deserved laughs from the 170-strong audience. The entire room seemed to be nuts not only about Anne,…
Should Orcutt hold a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays?
Jeremiah Carroll barista “Absolutely. There will be more people in Orcutt, and it would stimulate the economy. Plus, I like apricots.” Steve Tummolo management “Yes, because Tuesdays and Wednesdays are inconvenient for the working public.” Carl Nietman retired sheriff “Yes, because it would bring the people of Orcutt closer together and create a ‘homey’ feeling.…
Political Watch 05.20
The California Chapter of Republicans for Environmental Protection (Cal REP) has endorsed seven GOP candidates running for state office, including Mike Stoker (35th Assembly District). “Cal REP is proud to endorse these candidates based on their positions on issues that are important to our organization. We considered their views and leadership on, and contributions to,…
Community Notebook 05.20
FRIDAY, MAY 21 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors…
Learn about the hidden disease
Huntington’s Disease is one of the most common hereditary diseases, with about 150,000 Americans at risk of inheriting it. In order to educate the masses, Huntington’s Disease Society of America will be holding an educational symposium in Santa Maria at the Radisson Hotel on May 26, 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Huntington’s symposium will focus…
Growers face obstacles to starting Orcutt Farmers’ Market
For 30 years, Francisco Velasquez has grown strawberries and vegetables on the family farm in Santa Maria bearing his name. To pay the bills, he depends regularly on farmers’ markets in San Luis Obispo County, plying his wares in Avila Beach and San Miguel. “I don’t sell thousands of slats of strawberries,” he said. “I’m…
What a difference a year makes
Last year, people marched down Broadway in Santa Maria to protest a record number of proposed teacher layoffs at local schools. This year, no permanent teachers are facing layoffs. In 2009, the Lucia Del Mar school district sent out pink slips to 229 teachers. This year it sent out 50. So why the pink slip…
Goleta Beach re-opens after a sewage spill
Sunbathers can bask and surfers can ride once more now that county health officials have reopened portions of Goleta Beach. On May 13, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a “beach closed” notice in response to a spill of approximately 800 gallons of untreated sewage at the west end of the Goleta Beach…
Election’s a-comin’
The June 22 special election continues to loom over election officials. Though a lawsuit may put a temporary halt on the expedited election schedule, the candidates are gearing up to make a run at the 15th District Senate seat. Four candidates have officially declared their intention to run: San Luis Obispo Republican Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee,…
Huseth leaves the helm at Santa Maria High School
After three years spent leading students and staff at Santa Maria High School, principal Craig Huseth has announced it’s time to “pass the reigns to someone else” come June. “It’s something I’ve gone back and forth with for a while,” Huseth told the Sun in a recent interview. “We’ve done so well in the…
Cotton blaze marks the beginning of the 2010 fire season
Firefighters are close to extinguishing a wildfire that started burning on May 15 five miles west of New Cuyama along Highway 166. Bureau of Land Management officials reported the Cotton Fire at 100 percent containment as of press time. More than 300 fire personnel from as far away as San Diego have been working around…
How do you say ‘Mango’ in Japanese?
Want to learn a new language but don’t have the time to attend a class? The Santa Maria Public Library is now offering the Mango Languages online language-learning system free of charge to all library patrons with a library card. The languages offered include Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, and English for Spanish-speakers. Also offered…
Contractors Association officers announced
The Santa Maria Valley Contractors Association recently announced its board and officers for 2010-11. This year’s officers include Fleet Felchle of Granite Construction, president; Kristine Mollenkopf of Hardin & Coffin LLP in Santa Barbara, vice president; and Don Lahr of Lahr Industrial Welding in Santa Maria and Tami Jo Dotson of J.R. Barto Heating, Air…
Let the clergy serve you
Community Partners in Caring, a local nonprofit agency providing services and care to seniors, will be holding its 10th annual Clergy Waiters’ Night fundraiser on June 26. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a wine reception, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. At 6 p.m., local clergy will serve dinners of filet mignon or…
Orthodontist purchases local practice
Local board-certified orthodontist Stacy Poole recently acquired the orthodontic practice of Kenneth Nelson, which has operated in Santa Maria for more than 50 years. Poole received her formal education and graduated with honors at the Medical College of Georgia. She’s a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the American Association…
Senior Center ushers in summer
Summer is fast approaching, and Orcutt’s Oasis Senior Center will be celebrating the season’s arrival with a day of fun on May 22. The Center’s “Day in the Sun” event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., culminating with a tri-tip barbecue beginning at 11 a.m., compliments of the Orcutt Lions Club. Plates…
JIM GRAM
There aren’t too many people who can lawn bowl, and there aren’t too many of those who can lawn bowl into their older age, but Jim Gram isn’t too many people. He started lawn bowling in 1952 at the age of 19 because he thought it looked like an interesting sport. After his first year…
The Bleacher Bum Chronicles, Vol. V
Dear constant reader (and you first-timers), I’m writing this column from the upper deck of an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train car, barreling northward, heading home to the Central Coast from the Magic Kingdom, also known as Anaheim. As the “Big A” of Anaheim Stadium and the industrially staid Honda Center drift farther from view, I…
Dance
Seniors can dance and sing their way to physical health to the sounds of soothing and upbeat folklorico music with a new exercise class beginning June 1 at the Luis Oasis Senior Center. The class will be taught by instructor Lucy Herdman on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the center’s Main…
Golf tourney to benefit seniors
Women for Community announced it’s selected Senior Nutrition Program of San Luis Obispo as the beneficiary of its 2010 Hit and Giggle benefit golf tournament. The Senior Nutrition Program provides hot lunches to more than 1,500 seniors at their homes or at nine community locations. Now in its seventh year, the tournament has raised more…
Diablo license renewal should be carefully considered
Thank you to Lois Capps, the SLO County Board of Supervisors, California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, Sierra Club, City of Morro Bay, Mothers for Peace, and Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility: Thank you all for speaking out for the citizens of SLO County. The sensible, reasonable, and necessary seismic studies regarding earthquake faults that…
Stop badmouthing rich businesspeople
It’s really starting to bug me how often I seem to hear the wealthy and successful demonized for being … well, wealthy and successful. These comments astonish me because I think most of us aspire to such things. Successful (wealthy) businesspeople and those who aspire to be successful (wealthy) businesspeople represent the engine of our…
I’d rather be in sheep’s clothing than be an ignorant sheep
Ignorance demands rebuttal, and in this case, I must challenge Roy Berger (“No-tax groups are really un-American,” May 13). Because I or others like me are against taxes does not make us racists. What was the original Tea Party about, Roy? Taxes, not race. When you can’t argue your side with facts, Roy, and must…
Etta Waterfield’s the one
If increased taxes concern your readers, Etta Waterfield is the candidate for the 33rd Assembly District seat most skilled to fight for constituents in Sacramento. Her election would contribute fresh, non-political ideas and common sense at the capitol. Her experience and knowledge as a former director of economic development and as a Santa Maria planning…
Joyce Dudley made the election an easy decision
Elections season is in full swing, and along with countless signs around town the commercials are now rolling in. A radio spot promoting Joyce Dudley for Santa Barbara County District Attorney made me chuckle and gave me insight into the best candidate for the job. The ad cites Ms. Dudley’s experience and the number of…
Youth theater presents Into the Woods, Jr.
The Pismo Beach Youth Theater will perform Into the Woods, Jr., May 21 through 23 at Clark Center for the Performing Arts. Musical Theater III students will perform the show June 4 through 6, also at the Clark Center, 478 Fair Oaks Drive in Arroyo Grande. The show is inspired by tales from the Brothers…
Knight and LeBlanc show at the Gallery
Two artists—Sheryl Knight with paint and Steve LeBlanc with woodturning—will be featured at Gallery Los Olivos throughout June. The show will include Knight’s paintings from the Sierras, coastal scenes, vineyards, and local landscapes and farmhouses. Her work hangs in numerous private collections across the country and abroad. LeBlanc’s featured work will include the Roswell Series,…
Homegrown art
Mark Velasquez is kind of an art superhero, in that he has an alter ego. A fry cook by day, a cutting-edge photographer by night, Velasquez remains planted in real life while pushing the envelope in his artistic one. That unlikely balance caught the eye of the producers of the Bravo network’s latest reality competition…
Picking the right sound
Spirits are stubborn things. Sometimes they refuse to leave. La Purisima Mission has its share. Stand in the middle of the surrounding expanses of grass, then at the animal pens. Face the area where skins are drying over a wooden beam. An infamous Lompoc breeze will charge through the emptiness, and the yard will suddenly…
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’…
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…
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…
Health
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA offers a “Laughter Yoga” class for adults 50 and older on Thursdays from 10:45 to 11 a.m. beginning May 20 at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 East Park Ave., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers a “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meeting…
Art
CYPRESS GALLERY presents the art show “For the Love of Color and Wood” by Art and Bobbie Kusulas through May 23 at 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 736-0489 or abkazoo@aol.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the art of Mary Meng Wade showing in the “Tai Chi Series” through May 28 in…
Learning
VIRGINIA HALL Therapeutic Bodywork and Massage presents a two-day Ortho-Bionomy class May 22 and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Merrill Gardens, 1350 Suey Road, Santa Maria. Info: 478-0763. DR. JAN NOLTA presents “Huntington’s Disease Research and Treatment Protocols” on May 26 at noon at Marian Medical Center, room B, 1400 E.…
Recreation
THE SANTA MARIA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION and the Pioneer Valley High School Basketball Seniors present the annual “Cops Vs. Kids Benefit Basketball Game” on May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Valley High School Gym, Santa Maria. Cost is $5, $3 for students. Info: 928-3781, Ext. 511, or cnartatez@ci.santa0maria.ca.us. THE DUNES CENTER presents…
Kids & Family
KIDS & FAMILY THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department holds registration for the Summer Youth Basketball League through May 20. Cost is $32.50, $40 for non-city residents. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 263. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION offers 2010 Fall Registration for its soccer league May 22, 29, June…
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. …
Stage
THE ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE YOUTH DANCERS present a spring recital featuring students from age 4 to 18 performing ballet, pointe, jazz, jazz-funk, hip-hop, and ballet folklorico May 22 at 7 p.m. and May 23 at 2 p.m. at the Santa Maria High School Ethel Pope Auditorium on Broadway in Santa Maria. Cost is $8, $5…
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…
Concerts
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR presents the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble in concert on May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 4725 S. Bradley Road, Orcutt. Info: CentralCityChordsmen.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE CAL POLY EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLES presents “A Parisian Fest” concert featuring chansons of the 16th…
Special Events
THE SANTA MARIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents “An Intimate Evening with Jane Russell” featuring a cocktail hour, dinner, and a Q-and-A session on May 20 at the Historic Santa Maria Inn in Santa Maria. Cost is a $95 tax-deductible donation. Info: 922-3130. ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents “Filmfest 2010: Life’s a Movie—Direct It,” featuring screenings of…
Walk in wine country
Spring has arrived, and with it comes a visible spurt of growth across the acres of grape vines that thrive in Santa Barbara County. Fresh green leaves unfurl and tiny clusters of blossoms begin to open, signaling the birth of a brand new vintage. As growers welcome the young crop, winery workers drain barrels, create…
