Cover Story
On the roster
• Turkey Trot: Runners of all ages and skill levels will be putting their fitness to the test at the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s 16th Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run on Nov. 17. Runners age 15 and older can sign up for the 5K race, which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Hagerman…
Athlete of the Week: Curry Parham
On Nov. 2, quarterback Curry Parham of St. Joseph High School’s Knights once again demonstrated why he’s one of the Central Coast’s best prospects for football glory. During their 51-28 victory against Bakersfield’s West High School on that day, Parham completed 10 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 59 yards,…
The King of Payne
Cameron Artis-Payne is one of those running backs who has an undeniable presence on the field. He’s explosively powerful and fast; just give him the ball and watch him blow through opposing defenses to the end-zone. A Harrisburg, Penn., native, Artis-Payne has run all over the competition this season, breaking records and breathing life back…
A string salon
The tradition of chamber music goes back centuries, as does the repertoire for various chamber ensembles. The San Luis Obispo Symphony, used to performing orchestra-hall-type repertoire, still makes time for more intimate chamber concerts, like the program set for the Monarch Club in Nipomo on Nov. 18. The concert, titled “Toast of Trilogy,” will feature…
Beep beep, yeah!
Thanksgiving gives me pause to reflect on the many things for which I am thankful. One of those has been reliable transportation. Now, I know you may be thinking to yourself: “Whaaat?” But I have lived my entire life in places that were not transport-friendly unless you had access to an automobile. During my childhood…
Ancient architecture explored
The Art, Design, and Architecture Museum at UC Santa Barbara presents the exhibit “The Stumbling Present: Ruins in Contemporary Art” which features contemporary art that explore the theme of ruins. The show is curated by Elyse A. Gonzales, who chose works that specifically depict ruins, abandoned buildings, dystopic cityscapes, deserted homes, and the theme of…
Flexible form
The Santa Maria Public Library will be host to another art exhibit in its Shepard Hall Gallery. “Form and Flexibility” by Marilyn Hoback Cronk shows throughout November. Cronk, a mostly self-taught artist, has been involved with many local exhibitions and art galleries. Many of her paintings show a study in the shapes and forms of…
All aboard the Candy Cane Train!
The South Coast Railroad celebrates the 20th annual “Candy Cane Train” event featuring a plethora of fun activities for kids and parents. The event will feature miniature train rides, holiday favors, and candy canes. A special, festive holiday display titled “Toy Trains and Teddy Bears” is available to view as well. The event happens daily…
Speaking with silk
The Town Center Gallery will be host to an art class by local artist Beverly Johnson, who specializes in silk painting, a skill she’ll teach in a silk painting workshop on Dec. 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Town Center Gallery, 321 Town Center West, B56, Santa Maria. More info: 878-4586.
Season of the Wiz
PCPA Theaterfest’s production of the classic American fantasy tale The Wizard of Oz ensnares and excites with talent and technical wizardry sure to cast a spell of delight on any age. Truly starting the 2012-2013 season with a bang, the production showcases the raw talent powering every facet of PCPA. The production is showing through…
Art on the inside
Abstract expressionism is a slippery snake in the art world. It defies easy categorization, and it’s tough for people to get a grip on one definition or another. The C Gallery is currently showing the exhibit “Dara Mark 1986-2008–Following an Art Career” through the beginning of December. The show features a range of Mark’s abstract…
We want your needs
The whole “stores decorate so early for the holidays” shtick is a bit tired at this point. We’ve all heard the jokes about Christmas tree displays edging out Halloween spider webs and haunted houses in early October. Fake snow seems to start falling while late-summer heat waves are just blazing to life. But come Thanksgiving,…
Master of the cellar
BevMo’s longtime cellar master just might have the best job in the wine world. Wilfred Wong is paid to travel the globe, visit the world’s premiere wine regions, and taste an unfathomable number of fine wines; he tastes and evaluates at least 8,000 wines every year, plus beer and spirits. It’s his task to stay…
Learn more about children with special needs
Allan Hancock College’s early childhood studies program is offering two classes this spring for people who work with special needs children “Infant Intervention” offers an introductory overview for working with infants and toddlers at risk for special needs, and their families. Students will examine risk factors, learn how to access community resources, discuss strategies for…
Cuesta College welders sweep new regional contest
A team of Cuesta College students recently won an Arizona regional competition for building one bear of a barbecue. The team’s ’cue featured steel cutouts of a bear and the words “Cuesta Welding,” as well as a chrome smoke stack. John Fiscalini of Cambria, Simon Rowe and Kyle Peterson of San Luis Obispo, and Steven…
Gobble gobble give
From now until Nov. 19, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is accepting turkey donations so that local families in need will have access to the key ingredient for their Thanksgiving dinners. This is the 11th year of the Foodbank’s Turkey Drive, and the organization predicts it will need at least 2,500 turkeys. “We are…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Noontime Rotary scored a sizzling success with its annual fundraiser, “Some Like It Hot,” held Saturday night, Nov. 3, at the Park Plaza Building in the Santa Maria Fairpark. Some decorations and costumes were connected specifically to the above-mentioned movie with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe, and some decorations tied to 1950s TV…
Spotlight on: Old Town Garden Center
Tucked in the heart of Old Orcutt is Old Town Garden Center, a nursery owned by husband-and-wife team David and Veronica Curiel. The duo recently opened a second location in Nipomo. Armed with a strong background in landscaping as owners of Groundworks Landscape Co., the Curiels’ mission is to help homeowners who enjoy getting their…
Clarification
The Sun would like to clarify some information printed in its Nov. 8 news story, “Effort to recall school board member falls flat.” The Santa Maria-Bonita School District and its former employee Will Smith, who worked at Arellanes Junior High School, reached a settlement prior to his election to the school board in 2010. News…
Scheduled Minuteman launch prompts protest
The battle continues: Vandenberg Air Force Base announces the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, and protesters announce their efforts to end such events. An unarmed Minuteman III is scheduled to launch in the early hours of Nov. 14, between 1:44 and 7:44 a.m. Its flight from North Vandenberg will, according to a press release…
City of Santa Maria adds more furlough days to the schedule
The city of Santa Maria, which continues to be affected by severe financial deficits, announced on Nov. 9 it will continue its 13-day Mandatory Time Off program (also known as furloughs) for non-sworn employees for 2012. The program is designed to reduce operational costs; according to spokesman Mark van de Kamp, the city will save…
Guard changes on Santa Maria school board
Santa Maria physical therapist John Hollinshead is replacing Ike Ochoa on the Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board of Education. Ochoa, a board member for 20 years, chose not to run for re-election this year. His last day serving the district will be Dec. 11. Hollinshead, who came in third in the November general election, will…
Judge who helped found Santa Maria’s veterans treatment court is honored for his service
A statewide organization of probation officers recently named Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rogelio Flores its Judicial Officer of the Year. Flores will officially receive the award at a luncheon on Dec. 13 in San Diego. Chief Probation Officers of California represents the top probation officers from every county in the state. These men…
What Thanksgiving dish do you not like?
Michelle Day child-care assistant “Cranberry sauce.” Ishmael Nunez lyricist “I like everything!” Stephanie Cortez student “For some reason, I don’t like potato salad.” Joey Perez student “The turkey itself.”
