Cover Story
Farmworkers with 401Ks
It’s noon on the final day of wine-grape harvest, and Berta Gonzalez and Maria Cerna eat their homemade tacos, sharing stories and laughing together as they sit in the shade of an unusual trailer parked at the edge of a local vineyard. It beats crouching in the dirt in the hot sun at lunchtime, Mendoza…
What do you think is going to happen in 2012?
Jason Cassaro welder “Absolutely nothing. It’s absurd that people are even worrying.” Natasha Delgado teacher “I hope the world doesn’t come to an end, but the movie freaked me out. I just wanna be alive.” Emily Rodwald intern “I think it’s gonna be like Y2K and life is gonna go on. It’s all just marketing…
Political Watch 11-19
Earlier this month, the California State Assembly passed a legislation package to address the state’s water shortage, including measures on water conservation, groundwater monitoring, and a finance measure to build reliable water storage. In a release to the media, California Farm Bureau Federation president Doug Mosebar said the bills represent real progress toward meeting the…
Community Notebook 11-19
FRIDAY, NOV. 20 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Trattoria Uliveto’s back room is full of twinkling lights and—if the Orcutt Aquacenter board is meeting there—warm fuzzy feelings. At their Nov. 5 meeting, the board elected Paul Lee president. He is director of recreational sports at the UCSB Recreation Center and succeeds Tammy Rabska, who had fond parting words for the group. …
Come to the table
Thanksgiving is a time for people to come together, share a meal, and express their gratitude. But giving thanks can sometimes prove difficult, especially for those who are hungry or homeless. Once again, two local organizations—the Central Coast Rescue Mission and San Luis Obispo’s K-Love affiliate, KLVH 88.5 FM—are teaming up to spread the…
Where have all the foreclosures gone?
In the midst of the sub-prime mortgage mess, it shouldn’t be a problem finding foreclosed properties to buy—not necessarily on the cheap (this is California, after all) but at least readily available, right? Not really. There are plenty of foreclosed properties out there at the moment (the technical term is REO, or “real…
Be a Christmas miracle
As the leaves fall from the trees, children are preparing to leave the classroom for Thanksgiving break, and most are bracing themselves for the coveted Macy’s parade. Toys for Tots has distributed its donation bins so that people struggling financially will have a Christmas that many Americans take for granted. Last year, the…
North County is showing signs of economic recovery
Though it might not look like it at first glance, the recession is over in Northern Santa Barbara County. At least that’s the diagnosis from a prominent economic forecaster, who spoke before community leaders at the Economic Conference and Business Outlook for 2010 on Nov. 17. According to Mark Schniepp, principal for the…
Santa Maria’s annual switch to groundwater is extended for repairs
The annual shutdown of the coastal branch of the State Water Project has been extended through Nov. 23 for routine repairs and maintenance, meaning Santa Marians will be drinking water from city wells for just a little bit longer. “A portion of the canal was inspected, and they found damage to a portion of…
Santa Maria city employees agree to a voluntary pay cut
Santa Maria city employees have voluntarily accepted 4 to 5 percent reductions in wages and benefits for the 2010 calendar year, according to an announcement from the city. The plan is expected to save the city approximately $600,000 through June 30, 2010—the end of the current fiscal year—and about $1.2 million throughout the 2010…
Local university offers a $500 transfer scholarship
Brandman University, a fully accredited university within the Chapman University System, is offering new transfer students a $500 scholarship toward earning their bachelor’s degree. Formerly Chapman University College, Brandman University focuses on meeting the needs of working students, and offers more than 200 educational programs. The scholarship is only open to new Brandman…
Toys, toys, toys!
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Santa Maria residents have a new toy store in town to help fill children’s stockings and wish lists. Toy Zoo (& Anything Educational Too) is now open next to Michael’s crafts at 1930 S. Broadway. Locally owned by Marc Canigiula, who also owns Anything Educational, the…
Shop for holiday crafts
The Nipomo Chamber of Commerce is getting into the spirit of the season with its annual Holiday Craft and Gift Boutique, taking place on Nov. 21. The boutique brings together more than 40 vendors in the home-based arts and crafts communities of Nipomo, Santa Maria, and the Five Cities. The big jolly man…
Celebrate 60 years of Diani
This year, the Santa Maria-based Diani family of companies is celebrating its 60th anniversary in the commercial, industrial, military, and public works construction business. The company is a full-service, fully integrated construction, maintenance, and service contractor, specializing in general building, pre-engineered metal buildings, design services, and environmental restoration. Founded by the late A.J.…
Get your pets prim and proper
Want your dog or cat to look its best for those holiday family photos? Michael’s Big Dog Pet Grooming is now open in Arroyo Grande. Owners Michael Menzie and Jainine Anderson welcome all pets to their salon, located next to J.J.’s Market at 2790 Halcyon Road, suite F. For more information, call 474-4401.…
Christmas voices
Coastal Voices will present “Christmas Favorites Old and New” at 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 and at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Hear carols, traditional music, and a few surprises. There will also be a sing-along. Performances will be held at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Tickets cost $10…
Guild, meet your new juror
Local artist and teacher Nadya Brown is the juror for the Artists Guild of Santa Ynez Valley’s December juried show at Gallery Los Olivos. Ingathering will take place on Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to noon. All submissions must be properly framed and prepared for hanging. Brown has been an Allan Hancock College member…
Looking back
The Lompoc Photographers Guild will feature its 2009 Retrospective at the Grossman Gallery Dec. 2 through 30. Every month, the guild chooses a theme to photograph, and this exhibit will feature each guild member’s choice of images from two of the themes. A reception for this exhibit is set for Dec. 4 at the…
On the record
Years ago, albums were revered for their cover art as much as for the music on the records inside. Now, vinyl is back in fashion again—at least at the Town Center Gallery, where member artists have taken their work and placed it on records for the latest show, Art on Record. Some of the…
Signing of the times
Local author Wendelin Van Draanen has sent a skateboarding young sleuth into gritty cityscapes and wild forests. She’s put a fifth grader on the trail of a string of ne’er-do-wells, from a school bully all the way up to an enemy spy. And she’s paired a kid with a talking gecko and some superpower producing…
Don’t delay widening 101
Twenty years ago, voters agreed to tax themselves for road improvements throughout Santa Barbara County. Measure D raised the sales tax rate one-half of one percent and paid for a lot of freeway construction projects and road maintenance projects. One project promised by the measure but not completed was the widening of the 101 freeway…
Monica Maldonado
Allan Hancock College runner Monica Maldonado surprised herself at the Southern California Community College Cross-Country Championships on Nov. 6. The freshman became the school’s only individual qualifier for the state cross-country meet, finishing in 51st place with a time of 20.04. “Every time we had workouts, I simply did my best,” Maldonado said.…
Memory on the move
On Memorial Day of 2005, in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala, a surveillance plane on a classified training mission crashed near the Iranian border. The crash killed Air Force captain Derek Argel of Lompoc, along with three other American troops and the Iraqi pilot. Argel, who had just been promoted that morning, was…
Bulldogs taste postseason again
After their best season record-wise in a decade, the Allan Hancock College football team is heading to the Southern California Football Association playoffs for the second year in a row. The Bulldogs finished out the regular campaign with a 9-1 record, the same mark they had in 1999 when they played in the state…
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…
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. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the…
Farmers Markets
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…
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…
HEALTH
SANSUM CLINIC offers a “Diabetes Essentials” class on Nov. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $10. Sansum Clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers an “Understanding Joint Replacement Surgery” class Nov. 19 from noon to 1:30 p.m. A…
Art
THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY presents works by local artists each month at its location at 321 Town Center West, suite B-6, Santa Maria. A special Art on Record reception is Nov. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the gallery. Info: bangel4123@aol.com or 934-5152. THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION presents the exhibit Rec’-la-ma’-tion…
Learning
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Lompoc-Vandenberg branch invites the public to a panel discussion on “The Dangers of the Internet Age” on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Lompoc Library, 501 E. North Ave., Lompoc. Info: 733-4950. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SEVENTH ANNUAL LOMPOC COLLABORATION FAIR will feature guest speakers Ron…
Recreation
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT invites runners of all ages for the 13th annual Turkey Trot Fun Run, set for Nov. 21 at the Hagerman Sports Complex, 3300 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 925-051, Ext. 260. THE DUNES CENTER presents a dunes photography hike, featuring a walk over the Guadalupe…
Kids & Family
THE PISMO BEACH YOUTH THEATRE presents musical theater production classes for 4th through 8th graders for a production of Annie meeting Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. through Dec. at Temple Beth El, 1501 E. Alvin, Santa Maria. Cost is $40 per month. Info: 471-4976 or pismobeachyouththeater.com. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and…
Dance Lessons
DANCE WITH US offers dance classes Nov. 25 with beginning/intermediate East Coast swing at 6:30 p.m. and beginning salsa at 7:30 p.m. at the Lompoc Civic Auditorium, 224 South St., Lompoc. Cost is $10, $20 for three weeks. Info: DanceWithUs.biz. WORTH THE DRIVE THE CENTRAL COAST FOLLIES host dance lessons for those aged…
Stage
THE SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of Wake Up, Darling, directed by Meg Smith, Nov. 20, 21, 27, 28, and Dec. 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 8 p.m. at the theater, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Cost is $14. Info: 922-4442 or smct.org. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of The…
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:…
Concerts
THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents a concert of all Baroque-era music, featuring selections by J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy, Santa Maria. Cost is $30, $25 for seniors, $12 for students. Info: 925-0412 or santamariaphilharmonic.org. THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents…
Special Events
THE CITY OF LOMPOC Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Department presents a 3-mile Turkey Trot on Nov. 22 with check-in from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and the race at 9 a.m. at River Park, Highway 246 and Sweeney Road, Lompoc. Cost is $20, $15 in advance. Info: 875-8095. THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents…
A capital wine
A young couple with astonishing energy, Becky and Dave Corey make running their two-person business, CORE Wine Company, look easy. The Coreys make and market the wine, design the labels, and—with a few exceptions—farm the grapes pretty much all by themselves. This past Labor Day, amid the activity of their ninth harvest, the Coreys…
