Cover Story
How black will Friday be?
In her tiny shop filled with books both new and used, Sheila Butterworth busies herself by pushing racks outside and moving novels around. In some ways, the preparation in her small space on Betteravia Road is all about catching sales on Black Friday—the historic shopping day after Thanksgiving—but in other ways, it’s just the average,…
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 Santa…
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 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 and vegetables.…
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 St.…
HEALTH
ONGOING ARTHRITIS FDN. is a low impact, sit-in-chair exercise program held every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Valentine St. Community Room, 280 E. New Love St. Info: 346-1981. SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS HEALING ARTS INSTITUTE offers a range of classes including yoga and meditation, alternative and herbal medicine, aroma and color therapy, compassionate…
ART
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL presents its annual “Best of the Best” art exhibition through Nov. 29 at the Grossman Gallery, Lompoc Library, 510 E North Ave., Lompoc. Info: 736-3477. ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents phase two of the Indomitable Spirits Project: “Proud Flesh,” an exhibit created by people recovering from mental illness, through Dec. 15…
LEARNING
THE LOMPOC POLICE DEPARTMENT is looking for volunteers and holding a free training course on Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lompoc Valley PAL Boxing Gym, 909 E Chestnut Ave., Lompoc. Info: 875-8152. THE WORKFORCE RESOURCE CENTER offers a class, titled “Customer Service: The Employer’s Role,” on Dec. 2 from 8…
RECREATION
THE CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL AQUARIUM, featuring touch tanks, displays, and remote-operated vehicles, opens to the public on Dec. 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo High School Aquarium, 4350 Constellation Road, Lompoc. Info: 742-2888, 742-2900, or www.cabrilloaquarium.org WORTH THE DRIVE FREE YOGA FOR CANCER SURVIVORS sessions, with instructor Shoosh Crotzer, are Wednesdays…
KIDS & FAMILY
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “Gigglin’ Granny Preschool Story Time” for kids ages 3 to 5 on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. through Dec. 11 at the library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994 or 925-4354. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA offers a Winter Break camp Dec. 22…
DANCE LESSONS
ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to adult. Call for schedules. Boys and men receive full scholarships. The studio is located at 800 S. Broadway. Info: 937-6753. THE DANCE STUDIO offers dance classes in Santa Maria and Nipomo in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Dance Team. Info:…
STAGE
THE SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of A Christmas Cactus by Eliot Byerrum Nov. 28, and 29, and Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 North McClelland, Santa Maria. Cost is $14. Info: 922-4442 or www.smct.org. PCPA THEATERFEST presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas through…
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 CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, 614-9316. DJ Davey D Saturday nights. THE COACHMAN: 1531 S. Broadway, 922-5556. Thursday through Saturday: DJ from 9 p.m.…
CONCERTS
THE LOMPOC MUSIC ASSOCIATION presents the Central Coast Choral Artists and singers from the Fresno Master Chorale and Porterville College performing Handel’s “Messiah” on Nov. 30 at 4 p.m. at La Purisima Catholic Church, 324 South I St., Lompoc. Cost is $15, $10 for students and kids. Info: 736-8702. THE SANTA MARIA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL…
SPECIAL EVENTS
THE LOS PADRES ARTIST GUILD presents its annual Fine Art and Crafts Christmas Show on Nov. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m., Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, 600 S McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 937-6295. THE LOMPOC VALLEY…
If you could only grab one thing in case of a fire, what would it be?
Annie Horne student “My pictures. As many as I could carry.” Meshawn Paige active job seeker “My lip gloss and my phone.” Joyce Horne retired “I would grab my husband.” Zoe the Dog mailman alert system “The cat. Because it’s good to have a fresh supply of food on hand.”
I Google, therefore I spam
Because I was born with male reproductive parts, I have an uncontrollable attraction to gizmos and gadgets. I love any stupid thing that has a secret compartment or a carabiner hanging off of it for no good reason whatsoever. Part of the blame for this is James Bond. Every man wants to be like Bond,…
Arts Briefs
Coastal Commission seeks artistic students Got a talent for drawing? The heart of a poet? The California Coastal Commission invites all students in the state—kindergarten through 12th grade—to enter the 2009 California Coastal Art and Poetry Contest. Entries must be postmarked by Saturday, Jan. 31. Winners will be selected in each of four grade-level categories…
A Cactus among us
Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s latest production is titled A Christmas Cactus, which sounds like it could be a holiday-themed western revue, or a western-themed holiday revue, but it’s neither. The “cactus” of the title refers to a big-city private investigator named Katie “Cactus” O’ Riley. Cactus (Sydney Asencio) and her assistant, Fred Booker (Iain Freckleton),…
Get stuffed with art
So the pie is gone, shopping is done, and all that’s left of the Thanksgiving turkey is a few ribbons of dark meat. What do you do with the relatives now? Walk off that turkey while viewing fine art and shopping for Christmas treasures. Two shows are a must see for art lovers in the…
It’s not over after Thanksgiving dinner
Once again, the time has come for Central Coast hosts to plan weekday meals and festive feasts in the name of seasonal fun. With the arrival of Thanksgiving Day—the official launch of the holidays—they dust off family recipes and break out their favorite cookbooks in a bid to create both traditional dishes and foods with…
Allan Hancock College gears up for its spring semester
Allan Hancock College’s spring 2009 classes don’t start until the week of Jan. 26, but online registration (WebReg) starts Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 23. WebReg will also be available after the holiday season, Jan. 2 to 14, and in-person registration is scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21. Registration fees for qualified low-income students…
Get an alternative education at Lompoc’s Mission Valley School
Located behind the Lompoc Unified School District offices, Mission Valley School offers alternative education opportunities to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including hands-on field trips and workshops in math, science, and the arts. Formerly known as The Learning Center, Mission Valley School is a home- and independent-study program run through the Lompoc Unified School…
See the trees at Santa Maria Town Center
While nothing may compare with crunching through a field of fresh snow to choose your own Douglas fir, winning an already decorated tree and some gifts to go with it comes mighty close. Altrusa International of the Central Coast is descending on Santa Maria Town Center for its sixth annual Festival of Trees, the group’s…
Kids get more to spend at Nipomo Swapmeet
It’s not money, but it’s close. The Nipomo Swapmeet will be handing out Santa Swapmeet Bucks to kids at noon on Sundays until Dec. 21. Recipients can use the bucks just like cash at participating vendors throughout the meet. The Nipomo Swapmeet is located at 263 N. Frontage Road in Nipomo. The bucks will be…
Looking for work? Or the perfect employee?
In a season of perceived economic uncertainty, there are people seeking to bring hope and stability through the staffing industry. Kim Mundell opened an Express Employment Professionals office at 222 W. Carmen Lane, suite 102, in Santa Maria on Nov. 3, and business is already brisk. “I have no doubts,” Mundell said. “This is a…
Political Watch
State Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) is in the process of forming legislation to negate the hefty pay raises recently awarded to a handful of California State University administrators. In an interview with the Sun, Maldonado said CSU Chancellor Charles Reed’s decision to approve salary increases of up to 19 percent—placing some salaries in the…
Santa Barbara County raises awareness of HIV/AIDS
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has a number of events planned for Dec. 1 to inform locals about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in conjunction with World Aids Day. The county is emphasizing the presence of HIV and AIDS in the local community, according to Dan Reed, program administrator for HIV/AIDS programs in Santa Barbara…
Correction
The licensed marriage therapist interviewed for the Holiday Guide’s kissing story, “Only connect,” was misidentified. Her name is Jill Denton.
Happy ‘paw-lidays,’ Santa Maria!
On Dec. 6., the cats and dogs at the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society will be wishing the community a happy “paw-liday” season during a free open house from noon to 4 p.m. at the Humane Society shelter, 751 Black Road, in Santa Maria. Guests at the “paw-liday” party will have the opportunity to visit…
CHP: Drive safely this holiday season
The California Highway Patrol is asking motorists to help make the state’s roads safer by planning ahead for all holiday travel. The Thanksgiving holiday driving period runs Nov. 26 to 30. During that time, the CHP will employ maximum enforcement, putting every available officer on the road, according to a press release from CHP officials.…
Lompoc businesses successfully prohibit sale of alcohol to minors
On Nov. 20, the Lompoc Police Department conducted a “Shoulder Tap” decoy operation at numerous liquor and convenience stores in Lompoc. During the four-hour operation, about 25 adults were asked by two minor decoys (16 and 18 years old) to buy beer for them. Only one of the adults purchased and provided alcohol to the…
Flash food watch issued for Tea Fire area
On Nov. 24, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Santa Barbara area, including the Tea Fire Burn Area and the Sycamore Creek area below. Santa Barbara County officials are closely monitoring the incoming storms and activating initial response plans in anticipation of the potential flooding or debris flows that might…
Santa Barbara County residents line up for federal aid
On Nov. 19, President George W. Bush made a major disaster declaration and ordered federal aid to be channeled to California communities struck by the wildfires. Since then, about 170 Santa Barbara County homeowners affected by the Tea Fire have applied for aid, said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spokesman Don Daniel. Currently, federal funding…
Mmmm … pie
Dale Schumacher, regional manager of the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, served pumpkin pie at Rancho Gardens Senior Community in Santa Maria at the end of the commission’s free annual holiday meal for seniors. Along with residents at Rancho Gardens, Schumacher, program director Matt Dwyer, and other Community Action Commission employees served seniors…
Proposition 8 is still making waves
On Nov. 4, Proposition 8 passed with a four-percent margin, amending the California Constitution to define marriage as a union “between a man and a woman.” The longevity of that controversial clause, however, remains in question. On Nov. 19, the California Supreme Court announced it would review three petitions challenging the legality of Proposition 8.…
King of the toys
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes cheesy piped-in Christmas music and hordes of frazzled parents on the hunt for the perfect children’s toy. At the top of the list, according to the Canadian Toy Testing Council, should be Prince Lionheart’s Wheely Bug. The Wheely Bug generated considerable international buzz for the…
Let nurturing prevail
Political wonks like to talk about transformative elections, ones in which more than the faces change, ones in which the temper of American politics shifts from the dominance of one party or ideology to another. This election may well have been truly transformative. George Lakoff, professor of linguistics at U.C. Berkeley, has based a model…
Bulldogs finish an impressive football season
The team was psyched. It was the Allan Hancock College football team’s first season in a new, tougher conference, and here they were in the playoffs. All across the practice field, there were looks of determination, easy confidence, and blue Mohawks. It was the eve of the Bulldogs’ playoff game against third-ranked Mt. San Antonio…
A local cycling team helps the shelter
Each year, Team Tailwinds—a local community cycling team—contributes to different charities and nonprofits. Members try to think of donations that most fit the cause. This year, the team planned to present Santa Maria’s Good Samaritan Shelter with four new bicycles and accompanying locks and helmets at Spencer’s Fresh Market, at the shop’s monthly customer appreciate…
Flag football wraps up
In early November, under the lights of the Santa Maria High School football field, the Ontiveros Elementary Condor Flag Football Team beat the May Grisham Elementary team 12-6 to win the championship title in a Boys and Girls Club-sponsored program. Volunteers Ben Castro, Gabriel Delgadillo, Joshua Liendo, and Nathan Delgadillo coached the 15-member Condors team…
Athlete of the Week
Allan Hancock College freshman baseball player J.P. Maseta already has a great future in front of him. The 18-year-old shortstop—No. 32—has had a great season so far with six RBIs and a homerun, and is carrying a 3.5 GPA to boot. Coach Chris Stevens had good things to say about Maseta during a recent game:…
