Cover Story
Washington or bust
The rules have changed. With redistricting drastically changing the shape and political makeup of the 24th U.S. Congressional District, combined with the state’s new open primary laws, the June 5 election has all the makings of a classic showdown. Four candidates are vying for a shot at moving on to November’s general election. Only two…
California’s golden girl
Americans buy more Chardonnay than any other wine. Whether they like it oaky and buttery, crisp and fruity, or somewhere in between, Chardonnay lovers buy a lot of it. According to the Wine Institute, “The variety is California’s most widely planted wine grape, with 95,271 acres reported in 2010. Chardonnay far and away remains the…
The joy of jazz
When Ruth Hoover first moved to the Santa Ynez Valley from Los Angeles, she was told that the people in the area weren’t big into jazz—they liked country and rock‘n’roll. Luckily for jazz lovers on the Central Coast, Hoover didn’t believe them, and kept a lookout for the perfect venue for a regular jazz concert…
Avenge Mother’s Day
Historically, Mother’s Days have felt like the longest days of my life. I love my wife; she is a great mom to my children, and I want to show her how much I appreciate her by doing wonderful and thoughtful things for her on Mother’s Day. But, it’s just that Mother’s Day is an “all…
Explore the Southwest with Wildling
The Wildling Art Museum is organizing its next adventure to explore the art and wild lands of the beautiful Southwest. Learn about the trip on Wednesday, June 6, at 4:30 p.m., with hosts Patti Jacquemain and Dave Gledhill, at an orientation meeting held at the Creekspirit Wildlife Foundation, 1000 Mission Canyon Road, in Santa Barbara.…
Santa Maria artist at Saks Fifth Avenue
Artist Margie Bowker, a well-known international and Central Coast artist, will be showing her specially chosen collection of paintings through Aug. 12 at Saks Fifth Avenue, 1001 State St. in Santa Barbara. An artist’s reception will be held at Saks Fifth Avenue on Thursday, June 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. The public is invited…
Diverse artists featured in June
Throughout June, Gallery Los Olivos will feature the works of accomplished and diverse painters Mary Jean Connors, Morgan Green, and BJ Stapen along with jeweler Maggie Pickering. The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at the gallery at 2950 Grand Ave. in…
Art’s in the Hus
Tucked in a small, shaded courtyard just off a bustling Solvang street is a little fine arts and crafts shop decorated with a lot of color and a touch of whimsy. Glass cases house one-of-a-kind jewelry, while the walls play host to collage pieces, paintings, and prints. Shelves hold collections of dolls, picture frames, and…
Staying local
This past weekend, I explored Santa Maria on a mission for change—not Obama “change,” but pocket change. When I was given the assignment to write the Daytripper column, my mind flooded with ideas, some of which involved airplanes, limousines, trains, and dragons. Unfortunately, all my ideas were out of the realm of both budget and…
On the roster
• First Tee’s LPGA-USGA Girls Golf: Girls can learn about golf at a First Tee program, with former LPGA Tour player Bonnie Lauer as host, at Blacklake Golf Resort in Nipomo. Classes cost $75, cover the basics of golf, and are open to all girls (ages 10 and older recommended). They take place from 4…
Equestrian event benefits therapeutic riders
The Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program and the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Association are holding a joint benefit on June 2, showcasing several world-class equestrians. Equestrian entertainer Ramon Becerra, a multiple world champion, and Cowgirl Hall of Famer Sandy Collier—named by Horse & Rider magazine as one of the “50 Greatest Horsemen of All…
Learn to swim in Santa Maria
Get your children in tip-top shape this summer with swim lessons from the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. Lessons range from water exploration for beginning youngsters to fitness swimmer classes for pre-teens. Adult classes will also take place during afternoons. Lessons will be offered in the morning and afternoon at the Paul…
Athlete of the Week: Kelly Jarrett
Most sports that involve a ball typically use one designed to optimize the athlete’s performance. This isn’t true for Allan Hancock College track star and shot put thrower Kelly Jarrett’s sport. For her, the eight-pound sphere of metal is the competition. The freshman’s performance has been quite impressive in throwing, discus, and her favorite event:…
The Bleacher Bum Chronicles Vol. XXVI
On May 11, thousands of fans filled the seats at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego for a “celebration of life” honoring the memory of long-time Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. Seau, a beloved sports figure around the world, had committed suicide nine days earlier. His sudden death came as a shock to anyone who knew the…
Beware of ‘grandchildren’ calling
Please be advised of a telephone scam happening on the Central Coast. Our home has received two scam calls since last week. Today’s call started out with a male saying, “Hi, Grandma! This is your long-lost grandson,” as he coughs in my ear. Then he tries to pry out information about me to get a…
Measure U is important to our future safety
I encourage locals to vote yes on Measure U to restore and maintain essential city services. I can attest from personal experience that the city of Santa Maria has repeatedly cut its workforce and expenses, but still is unable to fund all essential services. I have worked for the city 21 years. Most employees have…
I back the ‘stache
I’m voting for Peter Adam for supervisor on June 5 and encourage all other 4th District voters to do so as well. It’s time we have a real shake-up at the county level. I think Peter would be a breath of fresh air on the Board of Supervisors. Peter’s not a politician; he’s a long-time…
Unplug and unwind
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the kind of Sunday made for being unproductive and lazing around in the sunshine. With no pressing obligations for the day, I decided to sit on the back porch and drink coffee. As I sat there, letting the rays of sun warm my face and listening to the steady…
Students can go on a scientific adventure at Hancock College
Want to design your own solar-powered car, program a computer video game, or learn about mathematics in ancient Egypt? Allan Hancock College Community Education is expanding its College for Kids program to include an “Adventures in Math, Engineering & Computer Science” class this summer. Through project-based learning, students will explore areas of mathematics, engineering, and…
Miller named interim president at Allan Hancock College
The Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees recently appointed Elizabeth A. Miller as the college’s interim president for the 2012-13 school year. She will take over presidential duties on June 20, following the departure of current Superintendent/President José M. Ortiz. Miller is the college’s associate superintendent/vice president for administrative services. She will lead the college…
Santa Maria-Bonita students race for first place
Hundreds of elementary school students converged on the Dave Boyd Sports Field at Santa Maria High School on May 18 to race in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s 24th annual track meet. Parents, teachers, friends, and family members cheered the young athletes on from the stands in the Ralph Baldiviez stadium. Third- and fourth-grade students…
Prepping for Pageantry
Local 10-year-old Destiny Cloud is a state finalist in the National American Miss California Pageant—a yearly competition for girls ages 4 to 18. Destiny will be participating in the Miss Pre-Teen division. Held at the Marriott Hotel in Santa Clara in late July, the California pageant is the precursor to a national pageant, which will…
Spotlight on: Earthly Delights Design and Landscape Nursery
In the foothills of Nipomo, there’s a quaint nursery where, on any given day, resident cats Sindy and Eve may greet you as you walk through the gates. Look a bit, and you’ll find eccentric owner and Nipomo resident Ahly Mueller, with her bright-red hair, backward baseball cap, and a troop of chickens following closely…
Interview with the challenger
On his website, manataforassembly.org, Paso Robles resident Gerry Manata has a special page dedicated to the question, “Why am I running?” “Why me? I ask myself this every few days when I wake up in the morning. I am almost sixty-six years old and have never held a public office, although I have been a…
Clarification
The Sun would like to clarify some information printed in the May 17 news story, “Total recall?” According to Maggie White, a spokesperson for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, the district hasn’t paid board member and former employee Will Smith since he took his seat on the Board of Education because the district believes doing…
Supervisors move forward with county homeless services merger
With the number of homeless people in Santa Barbara County steadily increasing, greater efforts are being made to aid this segment of the community. On May 15, the homeless issue came before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors once again. Due to a sluggish economy, a weak job market, and the effects of California…
California Supreme Court sides with DA Dudley in Karsai case
The California Supreme Court agreed with Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley on May 17, preventing the release of a sexually violent predator into the county. The state high court’s Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye granted a petition filed by Dudley and ordered Tibor Karsai’s case transferred back to the Third District Court of Appeal…
It’s official: DenMat is moving to Lompoc
The long-anticipated move by one of Santa Maria’s largest employers became official when DenMat leaders on May 16 confirmed the company’s relocation to Lompoc. “Our current and future space needs dictate a move to a facility where we can consolidate operations under one roof, as well as provide room for expansion,” DenMat CEO Steve Semmelmayer…
Round and round
Caltrans recently completed construction on a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of La Purisima Road and Highway 246. Plans for the roundabout generated some controversy, with claims that it would increase the number of accidents at the intersection. However, Caltrans spokesman Jim Shivers said the public seems to be handling the new road feature well:…
Congressman declines to introduce bill on Chumash fee-to-trust proposal
U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, won’t be introducing legislation to bring the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Camp 4 land into fee-to-trust, Young’s spokesman confirmed. “Congressman Young has not, and is not, introducing legislation regarding this issue,” press secretary Luke Miller told…
What is your inner animal spirit?
Josh Hill student “An anteater, because I conquer my problems like how an anteater eats ants.” Holly McFarland student/mother of triplets “I have a Chihuahua at home who is sweet and feisty, and I can be like that, too. I would say I’m a feisty Chihuahua.” Yovanna Rios student “I’m a lioness because I go…
