Cover Story
Thirsty for more: The Nipomo Community Services District pushes ahead with its water pipeline project
The current construction site for the Nipomo Supplemental Water Project makes anyone who walks its grounds thirsty. Perched atop the bluffs overlooking the Santa Maria River Levee, the bustling spot looks like a beach without its ocean. Every piece of equipment—from a simple hand wrench to the elephantine drilling rig—is covered in a layer of…
Hancock College’s newest art exhibit features the works of five skilled students
Visual art often reveals how difficult it is to draw a person. Subtle asymmetry and minute details become the difference between an accurate rendering and fodder for the wastebasket. In her life drawing class, Ann Foxworthy Gallery director Marti Fast attempts to lead Allan Hancock College students down the path of good technique for capturing…
Beatboxing cellist Cello Joe performs
Listen to CelloJoe’s song “For the Birds.” The cello has long served traditional Western music as a solid foundation in the bass register. It’s often neglected as just the low end, but composers like Johann Sebastian Bach proved that the instrument could stand alone with his cello suites, and Beethoven would famously give the celli—that’s…
Happy Thanksgivukkah!
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 28. This is remarkable because so does Hanukkah, giving rise to a new name for the holiday: Thanksgivukkah! With this theme in mind, I have been pondering how to celebrate and decorate. What would Martha Stewart do? Should I bake a turkey with eight drumsticks? Stuff that bird with…
“What concerns you most about the Central Coast’s water supply?”
Melanie Smith administrative assistant at R.W. Scott Construction “The cost—state water promised to be cheaper and it’s not.” Gina Rocha accountant “We have no rain in the winter. I’m worried about the [water] levels being so low; there’s no reserve.” Mark Costa cost engineer for Zodiac Aerospace “Currently, I don’t have any concerns.” Virginia Youngman…
Santa Maria Energy project is approved with an emissions caveat
Santa Maria Energy finally received a green light to go ahead with its well expansion project, but it comes with a price that might make the project economically unfeasible. The price the energy company will pay for the project—should it become a reality—is in the form of emissions. After months of discussion over what should…
Getting creative at Michaels
Michaels offers several arts and crafts events for kids, including a “Kids’ Club Rudy the Reindeer Ornament” event Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon for $2. A “Kids’ Club Festive Felt Stocking” event is Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $2 for supplies. Michaels is located at 1934 S. Broadway in…
Santa Maria Phil goes baroque
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is preparing for its upcoming concert, “The Beauty of the Baroque,” scheduled for Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 311 S. Broadway, in Santa Maria. The program will feature selections from Antonio Vivaldi’s famous violin concerto The Seasons, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, and…
Go digital at the library
The Santa Maria Public Library is offering a new service to the electronically savvy library patron. Zinio Digital Magazines is one of the world’s largest online newsstands. The Black Gold Cooperative Library System has purchased 135 titles to start its digital magazine collection, which is now available to those with a Black Gold library card.…
Find holiday gifts in Nipomo
The annual “Holiday Craft and Gift Boutique” event in Nipomo is set for Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Edward’s Barn, 1095 Pomeroy Road, in Nipomo. The event will feature artisans and crafters sharing their seasonal wares. Admission is free. More information is available at 929-1583 or nipomochamber.org.
Remembering Nat Fast
A “Celebration of Life” for the late Nat Fast will feature recollections by friends and family, performances by PCPA actors, music, and a reception on Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, in Santa Maria. More information is available at 928-7731 or publicity@pcpa.org.
Girl power: WonHeart aims to bring the community together
What started as a nonprofit group to raise money for positive-thinking classes for local kids has blossomed into an organization that is uniting people of all ages and backgrounds. WonHeart, the brainchild of Joelyn Lutz, aims to empower everyone in the community by showing them that they are loved and special. Right now WonHeart is…
What’s on Deck? 11/14 – 11/21
Friday, Nov.15 Men’s Soccer Allan Hancock vs. LA Mission @ LA, 2:30 p.m. Women’s Soccer Allan Hancock vs. Santa Barbara City @ SBCC, 2 p.m. Women’s Volleyball Allan Hancock vs. Cuesta College @ AHC, 6 p.m. Men’s Basketball Allan Hancock @ Fresno City College Tourney, 9 a.m. Women’s Basketball Allan…
To the top! Hike Valencia Peak!
Join the Nipomo Parks and Recreation Department and a state park docent for the Valencia Peak hike at Montaña de Oro State Park. The moderate-level hike will depart Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m. Wear proper hiking attire, and bring plenty of water. Meet at Montaña de Oro in Los Osos.
The Special Olympics needs support
Support Special Olympics of Northern Santa Barbara County at this year’s law enforcement torch run and crab feed on Nov. 22. Open to all ages, the event will feature all-you-can-eat snow crab, live entertainment, and a silent auction. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Community Center, 313 W. Tunnell St.…
Bid like a warrior: Silent auction supports Righetti High School athletics
Support Righetti High School athletics by joining the Warriors for an auction and dinner/dance on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria. The event begins with no-host cocktails and a silent auction at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The dancing goes from 8 p.m. until midnight. Tickets cost $50…
Braves sweep Roundtable honors
An amazing 80-28 win over Nipomo on Nov.1 led the Lompoc Braves to top honors at last week’s Roundtable awards. The Braves rushed for a record 625 yards, and much of the credit for that feat was given to the stellar offensive line. Chris Morales, Matt Zandonatti, Sheldon Carpenter, Glenn Taylor, and Jacob French were…
Trot like a turkey at the Hagerman Sports Complex
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is proud to announce the return of the 17th annual Turkey Trot Fun Run. Scheduled for Nov. 23 at the Hagerman Sports Complex, the fun will kick off at 9 a.m. Runners of all ages and fitness levels are invited to participate. People ages 14 and up can…
Eliza Nash and Paige Jensen
Eliza Nash and Paige Jensen comprise a formidable force on the tennis court. Both sophomores at Santa Ynez High School, they were recently named female athletes of the week at the Roundtable luncheon. The doubles team outplayed competition to hold onto the No. 2 seed this season. That is, until they played Bree Jensen and…
The Bulldogs’ basketball season kicks off with a new coach and intense focus
The Allan Hancock College men’s basketball team kicked off its 2013-2014 season against College of the Sequioas at the Cuesta College tournament on Nov. 8. The day before, the newest addition to the Bulldog basketball family, head coach Tyson Aye, reviewed game situations with his players with quiet and focused competence. In his 14th year…
One hydrogen, two oxygens, lots of headaches
I don’t want to know how much it would cost to drain all the water out of a person. With the precious liquid sitting at such a premium in some municipalities these days, water-parched community services districts might be tempted to start eyeing their constituents as two-legged aquifers. Think of it as Soylent Clear. It’s…
Remember patience and humility
Recently there has been a spate of news reports concerning the relationship of religion in the public square. The Sun, a northern Santa Barbara weekly, in its Nov. 7 issue, published a report that Pismo Beach was being sued for violating the California Constitution’s “no preference and establishment” clause regarding religion (“Religious watchdog sues Pismo…
Spotlight on: Edwards Theatre
It’s been many years since Santa Maria has had a downtown movie theater, but after much anticipation the Edwards Theatre will open in the Santa Maria Town Center mall in the old Gottschalk’s footprint. The city’s downtown area was once a bustling hub of historic storefronts anchored by the Santa Maria Theatre. The city lost…
Books bring peace and tolerance to Guadalupe
The small Mary Buren Elementary School library will soon have a full section of books about peace and tolerance for students to enjoy forever. Fifth-grade teacher Jan Sprague and her family came up with the idea to stock the library as part of a yearly commitment to do something for others in memory of her…
Santa Maria’s schools keep Mexican culture alive
Ballet Folklorico students from different schools are teaming up to showcase Mexican and Latino culture through traditional music and dance performances on Nov. 15 and 16. Approximately 100 performers from Ernest Righetti, Santa Maria, and Pioneer Valley high schools and Allan Hancock College are coming together in colorful costumes to put on a “Celebration of…
Sanchez Elementary celebrates veterans
Soldiers who served in the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf wars showed up at David J. Sanchez Elementary School on Nov. 8 for an early celebration of Veterans Day. They were met with homemade American flags and poetry, letters, stories, and songs recited by representatives from kindergarten through sixth-grade. About 500 students attended the assembly ceremony.…
Political Watch 11/14/13
• On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, Sen. Hannah Beth-Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) joined other state and local officials to celebrate the unveiling of the Purple Heart Trail along U.S. Highway 101 in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. A resolution—authored by Jackson and passed overwhelmingly by the state legislature earlier this year—designated Highway 101 in Ventura and…
Community Notebook 11/14-11/21
TUESDAY, NOV. 19 • 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 available…
Community Corner: Your Mission–Help give thanks
Around Central Coast Rescue Mission’s tables this Thanksgiving season, there will be hundreds of underprivileged men, women, and children—some who are out of a job and out of money, some who are struggling with addictions, or having their first Thanksgiving on the streets. According to Central Coast Rescue Mission leaders, all will be offered a…
Hobnobbing with Helen
It’s no secret that Rotary fundraising shindigs are rip-roaring funfests. Perhaps that’s why 480 people showed up at Santa Maria Noontime Rotary’s annual fundraiser, “Spurs & Diamonds,” held on Nov. 2 at the at Santa Maria Fairpark. “This is the most [people] we have ever had at this event,” the clearly pleased emcee for the…
Santa Barbara County officials discuss a state water contract extension
In California, the only thing that seems to match the massive body of ocean it borders is the controversy involving water. On Nov. 5, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors discussed extending the county’s contract with the California State Water Project, the infrastructure that allows water to flow from Northern California all the way…
SLO church group’s Justice Summit will address human trafficking
The term “abolitionist” is one people may associate with history long past. But that’s all the more reason why a group of parishioners from Mountainbrook Church in San Luis Obispo dedicated to the fight against human trafficking chose to call themselves the Mountainbrook Abolitionists. Group founder Rebecca Turner said she felt compelled to do something…
Delta pilots tablets for the high school district
Lights blink on an upside-down router attached to the ceiling in Delta High School math teacher Justin Fraser’s room. It’s the same sort of router that adorns ceilings in neighboring classrooms, and those little white boxes work together to make the school a wireless campus. Wireless Internet is new for the high school, and is…
The Tavernier: Far Western Tavern’s new general manager brings a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to Old Orcutt
Benjamin Chanler-Laurin has worn many hats during his eclectic career: bond trader at the Paris stock exchange, CNN producer, wine importer, lead barista at Peet’s Coffee & Tea, baker, sommelier, and restaurant manager at a wide range of Los Angeles venues, including the sophisticated Founders Room at the Los Angeles Music Center and the exclusive…
