Cover Story
County HIV programs feel the squeeze
When Curtis Greenhaw tested positive for the HIV virus in 1982, he—like many others living in San Francisco at the time—considered his diagnosis a death sentence. Today, at 49, Greenhaw expects to live a long, normal life, working as a volunteer and test counselor at Pacific Pride Foundation, a resource center for HIV-positive clients in…
What was the last video game you played?
Anais Diaz entrepreneur “Mortal Kombat when it first came out; Chun Li was my favorite.” Nacho Siordia student “The pinball game that is on my phone, which I play during class because it keeps my busy during my biology class.” Rodrigo Diaz substitute teacher “Halo. I thought it was a lot of fun to play,…
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. 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…
Farmers 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…
Health
SANSUM CLINIC offers a “Cholesterol Management” class May 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. A SENIOR HEALTH EXPO for all senior citizens is May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Trinity Church of the Nazarene,…
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. An opening reception is May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery. Info: 736-0489 or abkazoo@aol.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the art of Mary…
Learning
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents a “Becoming a Teacher” seminar on May 6 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center of the Santa Maria Campus, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3363. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “Paper Magic!” featuring an intermediate origiami/kirigami class May 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.,…
Recreation
THE RANCHO GUADALUPE DUNES PRESERVE presents an afternoon of lectures May 6 starting at 8 a.m. in the American Legion Hall of Guadalupe. Info: 343-2455 or dunescenter.org. THE DUNES CENTER presents a Dunes Photography Hike on May 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Dunes Ranch and RV Resort, 1207 Silver Spur Place,…
Kids & Family
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents a Teen Job Fair May 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, 600 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Registration for the Summer Youth Basketball League is accepted through May 20. Cost is $32.50, $40 for non-city residents. Info: 925-0951, Ext.…
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…
Stage
NIPOMO HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA presents its production of the comedy The Foreigner May 5, 6, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Nipomo High School’s Olympic Hall, 525 N. Thompson Road, Nipomo. Cost is $12, $8 for students and seniors. Info: 474-3300, Ext. 8448, or nhsdrama.org. THEATER OF HOPE 2010 presents “Kickback to Carol!” featuring…
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…
Concerts
THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents a Chamber Concert featuring Bonnie Farrer, Sharon Cooper, Tom Turner, and Marsha Botello on May 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church, 5095 Harp Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $20, $15 for students. Info: 925-0412. THE ST. PETERSBURG MEN’S ENSEMBLE performs a…
Special Events
COMMUNITY OF PRAYER INC. presents its National Day of Prayer on May 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Santa Maria Fairpark, in the Park Plaza Building, Stowell and Thornburg, Santa Maria. KCOY 12 presents its annual Spring Food Drive through May 7. Info: 361-5649 or lauriepipan@kcoy.com. THE SANTA MARIA ELKS RODEO accepts…
A hidden disease
April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. If the appearance last spring of 400 suspected cases of swine flu in the entire United States constituted a potential “pandemic,” what do you call something that impacted more than 2,347 children in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Santa Barbara County last year? That “something” is called child abuse…
Car Talk
Current and former Allan Hancock College students will show off their wheels for a student car show on May 8 at the Santa Maria campus. The Allan Hancock College Student Car Club is organizing the event and will be sponsoring contests in categories of muscle, import, classic, projects in progress, and best of show. More…
Bulldogs back in playoffs
Following another successful season, the Allan Hancock College baseball team is headed back to the state playoffs for the second year in a row. The Bulldogs finished the regular season ranked second in the Western State Conference, with a 13-7 conference and 21-14 overall record. They’re currently ranked 12th in the Southern Conference and will…
Going forth
Hawks, Bruins, Mustangs, Spartans, Roadrunners, Northern Lights. These are just a few of the mascots that will have Santa Maria student-athletes playing for them come fall. A bumper crop of Santa Maria seniors will be attending college on athletic scholarships next year. Track, football, wrestling, water polo, and basketball are just a few of the…
Douglass Webb
“What is that?” Coach Louis Quintana said, pointing to Allan Hancock College’s rising track and field star Douglass Webb’s stomach. “Was that from the weekend? He sucks in that stomach when he runs, you know.” If there really is a stomach there, it’s hard to notice with the times Webb’s racking up. The freshman is…
Fish paints
Julie Fish will demonstrate her “out of your mind” painting technique at the Los Padres Artist Guild meeting on May 14 at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 East Soares Ave in Old Orcutt. Fish studied painting with Benigno Gomez, a nationally acclaimed artist from Honduras, and learned her techniques, which involve beginning her original…
See the flowery winners
Two art shows in the “City of Arts and Flowers” recently produced flower-themed artwork for the public to gaze upon—and vote on. Lompoc’s Grossman Gallery hosted two shows in April, including an art show of all iris-themed art, “The Art of the Iris,” which ran for the entire month and the Annual Iris Show of…
Live with an actor
Got some extra room? PCPA’s summer company of actors and technicians will be arriving soon for next season’s theater lineup, and they’re in need of affordable housing. This influx of theater professionals, who will live in Santa Maria from May through September, are seeking rooms, apartments, and even lofts. Summer actors and technicians are here…
See some bright ideas
Jaime McConnell’s website bears her motto: “Life is Supposed to Be Fun.” When you look at McConnell’s art, you can tell, for her, life is fun. So are the pieces she creates. Her light sculptures are a mix of vintage and space age. Solvang-based McConnell uses antique aircraft and aerospace engineering references in her work.…
You’ll love Opal
There’s something for everybody to love in Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s latest production, the comedy Everybody Loves Opal, by John Patrick. The title character (Clare Terrill) is an old eccentric who collects and sells junk. The action takes place in her dilapidated, isolated, old house, which sits next to a garbage dump. The attention to…
The Rhônes of Zaca Mesa
Among the first winemaking facilities to open doors in Santa Barbara County following the repeal of Prohibition, Zaca Mesa Winery ranks as one of the oldest in the region. Founded in 1972 by a group of adventurous oilmen and real estate investors, it continues to ride the cutting edge of estate production and innovative winemaking.…
Local thrift store reopens
On June 1, Catholic Charities of Santa Maria will be reopening its Thrifty Shopper thrift store, offering a “Special Re-opening Sale” until June 4 during regular store hours. Throughout the week, customers will be able to choose a free clothing item of up to $3 in value—when purchasing at least one other clothing item. The…
Impact Absorbents upgrades website
Impact Absorbents, a local supplier of environmentally conscious spill cleanup products, announced that it’s launched a new logo and an e-commerce website featuring a user-friendly design, streamlined navigation, and improved site structure. A pioneer in the absorbents market, Impact’s XSORB product line allows for easy and safe disposal of liquid spills. Impact’s products have been…
Gourmet bakery expands to Santa Maria
Adding to the success of its first location in Arroyo Grande, KK’s Gourmet Bundt Cakes recently opened a second store in Santa Maria, offering baked goods for all occasions. Family owned and operated since 1989, the shop features fresh-baked bread and cakes in three sizes, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and more. It also serves fresh croissants,…
Political Watch 05.06
Alice Patino, candidate for 5th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor, is inviting the public to join her on Saturdays for “fun and exercise.” Patino will meet people at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the JC Penny on the corner of Broadway and Stowell to go for walks and discuss important issues facing the Fifth…
Community Notebook 05.06
MONDAY, MAY 10 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, MAY 11 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s…
Brandman University’s Santa Maria campus now offers business degree programs
Brandman University, a subset of Chapman University designed specifically for working adults, is hosting two free informational meetings—May 11 and 18—on its new business degree programs. The meetings will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the college’s Santa Maria campus, located at 1300 E. Cypress St. The university offers bachelor and master degrees…
And they call it piggy love
Kim “The Road Hog” Graham, Allan Hancock College’s director of public safety, planted a big wet one on Duke the Pig April 28 after winning the college’s first-ever “Kiss a Pig” fundraiser. Nancy “Babe” Meddings, the interim dean of learning resources, took second, and college president José M. “Napoleon” Ortiz came in third. Overall, the…
Hobnobbing with Helen
The flapper-filled fete was most assuredly a high-octane occasion. On a recent Saturday evening, as party-goers drove through the country club gates, they could see two vintage, classic vehicles that set the tone for a classy event: “The Great Catsby and the Barking ’20s.” The pristine Pierce Arrow and Packard, both from the 1920s, belong…
If we shadows have offended
It’s an old adage that has plagued mankind since cavemen first drew figures on their walls: What’s the difference between obscenity and art? The U.S. Supreme Court will also ponder this question when it hears a case focusing on repealing the ban on selling and renting “ultra-violent” video games to minors. However, the respondents—the Entertainment…
What’s the rush?
Sometimes it seems California Democrats and Republicans are playing the coming election season like an underground card game: making bluffs, calling bluffs, and going all in. When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a special election to fill a coveted Senate seat, it saddled five counties in the 15th Senate District with a multi-million dollar bill. And…
Rummage for the cause
Every year, mom gets the same gift: a Hallmark card and free lunch from her kids. This year, do something different. On May 8, the day before Mother’s Day, take her to the rummage sale that Fresh Start and the Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter, are holding at 547 W. Betteravia in Santa Maria.…
Schwarzenegger withdraws his support of PXP project
Responding to last month’s devastating oil spill in the Gulf Coast, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenneger said at a press conference on May 3 he no longer supports expanding oil drilling of the California coastline. Originally, Schwarzenegger proposed using funds from the controversial Tranquillon Ridge project to keep state parks open. The governor will now have to…
District Attorney race gets ugly
Santa Barbara County District Attorney candidates Josh Lynn and Joyce Dudley faced off April 27 at what would end up being their last public debate before the June 8 election. In a statement following the debate, both candidates agreed to cancel the remaining scheduled events out of respect for retired District Attorney Christie Stanley, who…
Retired Santa Barbara County District Attorney Christie Stanley is laid to rest
The mournful bleat of bagpipes could be heard outside Santa Maria’s Pacific Christian Center on April 30 in observance of the passing of former Santa Barbara County District Attorney Christie Stanley. The 61-year-old succumbed to lung cancer on April 25. The pews inside the sanctuary brimmed to capacity as several hundred people, including law enforcement,…
