Cover Story
Waging the invisible war
Though he didn’t notice it at first, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bruce Bennett came home from Vietnam a changed man. Wounded, but having survived combat, Bennett returned feeling “bulletproof” and ready to take on the world. Over time, however, problems surfaced. He found himself becoming quick to anger, anxious, and fearful of crowds. The older…
Union Hotel fire deemed ‘suspicious’
The Nov. 5 fire that started in the saloon area of the 1880 Union Hotel in Los Alamos is suspected to have been intentionally set, according to Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials. It’s suspicious, and it’s under investigation,” department spokesman Cpt. David Sadecki said. Sadecki was unable to reveal any more details about the…
If you could tell our military veterans one thing, what would it be?
Jibril Colibaly sales engineer “Thank you. Thank you for all your service. That’s about all there is to say.” @font-face { font-family: “Times”; }@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Cindy Dauster finance director “My dad was a vet,…
Political Watch – 11.11
Following his election to the California 33rd District Assembly seat, Republican Katcho Achadjian sent out this letter to local voters: “I am humbled by the opportunity given to me by the good people of San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties to serve as their representative in the state Assembly. It is especially satisfying…
Community Notebook – 11.11
TUESDAY, NOV. 16 • The Guadalupe Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 918 Obispo St., Guadalupe. • The Santa Maria City Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. Agendas are…
It’s the purrfect time to get a kitten
On the fence about whether to adopt a cat? This month, there’s no excuse to hesitate any longer. The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is facing an overpopulation of cats, so it’s offering a discount on adoption fees throughout November. All month, the society is holding a “Feline Frenzy,” and offering two kittens or cats…
Fresh blood
The people of Lompoc voiced their frustration with local government at the polls on Nov. 2 by ousting two longtime City Council incumbents and electing political newcomer John Linn mayor over incumbent Cecilia Martner. The council will now be composed of members with two years or less of political experience each, including Linn; Martner and…
Veterans remembered
In honor of local veterans, fallen and living, the Old Town Orcutt Revitalization Association and several local veterans groups are planning to stand a 60-foot flagpole and memorial plaque at the entrance to the Old Town area. The association, along with area members of the Boy Scouts of America, will hold a fundraising event on…
Alleged flooding case has an Oceano business owner seeing red
Bill Bookout is taking his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. At least, that’s his plan. Bookout, the former owner of Oceano Nursery, has long argued that annual flooding of Highway 1 is to be blamed on Caltrans crews and five other government agencies. After losing an appeal to the California 2nd District Court of…
Officers nab suspected dealer
Authorities have arrested a Santa Maria man suspected of distributing methamphetamine in the Northern Santa Barbara County area. Jaime Valdez, 36, was arrested at approximately 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 after investigators served a search warrant at Valdez’s residence in the 300 block of Hidden Pines Way in Santa Maria. According to Lompoc Police Department…
Satellite takes off from Vandenberg–finally
After a series of delays caused by mechanical problems, an Earth observation satellite has finally blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Vandenberg officials confirmed a Delta II rocket carrying the Thales Alenia Space-Italia COSMO-4 satellite successfully launched from the base at 7:20 p.m. on Nov. 5. The latest launch was the last in a…
Spiritual
@font-face { font-family: “Arial”; }@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “Lucida Grande”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanDLigCon”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “SimSun”; }@font-face { font-family: “Mangal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “Times-Roman”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacExte”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in…
Clubs & Meetings
@font-face { font-family: “Arial”; }@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “Lucida Grande”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanDLigCon”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “SimSun”; }@font-face { font-family: “Mangal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “Times-Roman”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacExte”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in…
Farmers Markets
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacExte”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } SANTA MARIA…
Barbecues
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } ONGOING FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SANTA MARIA…
Health
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR BALANCE AND…
Art
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-Regu”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page:…
Learning
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN…
Recreation
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } ONGOING A MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BEACH…
Kids & Family
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-Regu”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page:…
Dance Lessons
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } ONGOING BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE…
Stage
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } PCPA THEATERFEST…
Night Life
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacExte”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } The following…
Concerts
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE TRI CITY SOUND CHORUS, a…
Special Events
@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.hapstext-bold { font-family: NimbusSanD-BoldCond; color: black; position: relative; top: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } ST. JOSEPH…
The suspense will kill you
Santa Maria Civic Theatre continues its 2010-2011 season with the suspense thriller Wait Until Dark, written by Frederick Knott and directed by Johannes S. Beals. Regular dates are Nov. 19, 20, 26, and 27, and Dec. 3, 4, 10, and 11. All performances are at 8 p.m. A cool-as-ice psychopath smooth-talks his way into the…
Tour studios for the Wildling
The Wildling Art Museum invites the public to spend a weekend touring the unique and private studios of 28 area artists, Nov. 20 to 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Santa Ynez Valley Artists’ Studio Tour offers an opportunity to meet the artists and learn about what inspires them. The tour includes many…
Soul band
Like any up and coming rock stars, the members of Soul Mates are hard to pin down for an interview. They have a busy schedule full of practices, performances, and appearances. Unlike most rock stars, however, they also have dance, soccer, and school. Because—again, unlike most rockers—the musicians are only 10 years old. Soul Mates…
Enchanting!
A mischievous group of Lost Boys and a band of wretched pirates helped PCPA Theaterfest kick off the 2010-11 season on a Saturday night, taking audiences on a high-soaring journey through Edwardian London to the imperishable Neverland, second star to the right and straight on till morning, at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria. Directed…
Krider’s a pansy
There is this guy I work with I would consider “a man’s man.” He’s big, he’s tough, he smells, he has no fashion sense whatsoever, and he carries a knife with him at all times. There isn’t a hint of metrosexualism within 50 yards of this guy. His arms are as big as my legs,…
Fishing store casts out for toys
’Tis the season for Toys for Tots, and Been There Caught That Fishing Supply is serving as a collection point for toys through November. The company is kickstarting the collection drive with a donation of $250 worth of tackle in children’s sizes. Only new and unopened gifts will be accepted. No gift-wrapping is needed. Been…
Brothers’ brothers release cookbook
Brothers Matt and Jeff Nichols, owners and chefs of Los Olivos’ Brothers Restaurant at Mattei Tavern, recently announced the release of their first cookbook. The 242-page full-color cookbook sports a collection of more than 145 recipes, including jalapeño cornbread, tuna tartar, heirloom tomato and burrata salad, puree of sweet corn soup with Maine lobster, morel…
Santa Lucia executive VP retires
Santa Lucia Bancorp, parent company of Santa Lucia Bank, announced the retirement of John McNinch, the company’s executive vice president and credit administrator. Santa Lucia Bank has one office in Santa Maria, at 1825 S. Broadway. McNinch’s retirement is effective Dec. 31, 2010. For more information, call 468-7087 or visit santaluciabank.com. Biz Briefs is compiled…
Roemer Way Self-Storage gives away turkeys
Know a needy family who deserves a free Thanksgiving turkey? Roemer Way Self-Storage in Santa Maria is giving away several turkeys to local families. To nominate a family, submit a written paragraph and photo to marketing@roemerway-selfstorage.com by Nov. 20. Winners will be announced Nov. 22. Roemer Way Self Storage is also serving as a drop-off…
Hancock instructor pays it forward
An Allan Hancock College instructor is using his own past struggles as a single father to help current students going through the same thing. Will Bruce, director of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program, enrolled at Hancock 15 years ago in search of an education and new career. As an unemployed single father,…
Recycle, reduce, reuse!
Keep America Beautiful, Inc. is teaming up with cities across the nation, including Santa Maria, on Nov. 15 to celebrate “America Recycles Day” to educate people about the need to reduce waste by reusing, recycling, and buying recycled products. Santa Maria Utilities Department staffers will be at the Town Center Mall from 10 a.m. to…
Focus on sensible conservation
I must disagree with people who believe the earth is ours to strip and despoil. Though I agree that too many conservationists ignore human need while setting agendas for sand fleas and termites, sensible conservation is in our own best interests. We do not own the earth. We cannot take anything in it with us…
Use common sense for heating and cooling
Troy Spindler writes (Aug. 5) from the EnergySavvy website that the “average home in the U.S. wastes about 30 percent more energy than an efficient one.” I take exception. The average American home wastes nearly all of its energy usage. Properly placed shade trees eliminate all summer season cooling energy needs for single family homes…
Thanks, Trader Joe’s
It may be of interest to readers who shop at Trader Joe’s that the company has agreed to shift all its seafood purchases to sustainable sources by December 12, 2012. This decision came after a campaign called “Traitor Joe’s,” mounted by Greenpeace, pressured the company to abide by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “red list” of…
It’s recycled clothes for me
For my whole life, I have been buying used clothing when possible; it started in childhood since I was the younger boy and it was a matter of economics. But no more! Now when I buy at Goodwill, I am recycling, thank you.
You and your zombies are hilarious
I loved the “Election night of the living dead” article (Oct. 28). My husband and I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. Thanks for the comical relief during a sometimes trying political season.
Elections are no little blue pill
After using the supposed congressional miracle drugs, vitriol and hyperbole, for the past year, I have had an election lasting more than four months. I am not impressed at all. Matter of fact, I am sickened by it all. Where, finally, is the antidote for an election lasting more than four months? This election/political business…
Keith Cutrone
Keith Cutrone may be only an amateur in the field of mixed martial arts (MMA), but he’s already proven to his opponents that he’s as deadly as his action-movie heroes. In fact, Cutrone has fought a complete three-round bout only once, which was ruled in his favor. Since then, he’s fought two others that didn’t…
A day of games
Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, once said, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well.” On Nov. 5, the city of Santa Maria and the Special Olympics of Northern Santa Barbara County sponsored the…
Play flag football in the sand
The California Flag Football Association is looking for players from all over the Central Coast to participate in the league’s next season at Pismo Beach, beginning in the spring. Teams are five-on-five or four-on-four, and all games are played on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the sand in front of the Sandcastle…
Downtown Santa Maria will become a Winter Wonderland
It won’t be quite the scale of Rockefeller Center, but “Mega Holiday on Ice” will be as close as it gets in the North County to a classic winter wonderland. Beginning Dec. 10, downtown Santa Maria will be transformed into a real ice skating rink, suitable for all ages. Skaters will feel the breeze on…
Have holiday pumpkin fun
They’re proudly rotund, lightly pleated, and sport the happiest shade of orange imaginable. Welcome harbingers of end-of-the-year holidays, pumpkins deliver a dose of good cheer, especially as the season of diminished days slides toward the winter solstice. Pumpkins make us smile and lend themselves to a variety of fun, including fall decorating, family feasts, and,…
