Cover Story
The wait is over
At the national level, this election season saw lipstick on pitbulls and pigs, “terrorist” fist jabs, a plumber becoming a campaign figurehead, and Saturday Night Live finding its footing again. On the local level, to be honest, things weren’t as exciting. Sure, any election is a noteworthy event in that let’s-all-celebrate-democracy sort of way, but…
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
SANSUM CLINIC offers a “Cholesterol Management” class Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $8. A “Diabetes Essentials” class is Nov. 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. Info: 737-8700. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH…
ART
THE HEART GALLERY, presented by the Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services and Brooks Institute, holds an opening reception on Nov. 7 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Juvenile Court, 4285 California Blvd., Santa Maria. Info: 966-3888. THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents the art of Betsee Talavera through Nov. 23 at…
LEARNING
THE SANTA MARIA RED CROSS Santa Barbara Chapter offers a “Disaster Action Team Training” on Nov. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Red Cross, Santa Maria. Info: 928-0778, Ext. 415, or osalcido@sbredcross.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM presents Shana Lutker and her lecture Hear it Here on Nov.…
RECREATION
WORTH THE DRIVE YOGA SHALA offers a Beginner Yoga Series on Thursdays, through Nov. 6 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Yoga Shala in Avila Beach. Cost is $60. Info: 556-0413. THE UCSB SEGWICK RESERVE offers three simultaneous hikes of varying difficulty, including a hike that’s wheelchair and stroller accessible, on Nov. 8 at 8:30…
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. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CLASSICAL ACADEMY presents a…
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
PCPA THEATERFEST presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Nov. 6 through Dec. 21 in the Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. Cost is $16.75 to $28.25. Info: 922-8313 or pcpa.org. ST. JOSEPH’S HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB presents its production of The Rednecks Bite Back, Nov. 7 to 9, at 7 p.m.,…
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. to…
CONCERTS
THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANNUNCIATION presents an evening with Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, and Bill Bryson in benefit of the church on Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Edward’s Barn, 1095 Pomeroy Road, Nipomo. Cost is $60. Info: 265-7829 or tickets@odox.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE COMMUNITY ARTS MUSIC ASSOCIATION presents pianist Ingrid Fliter…
SPECIAL EVENTS
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents its first ever “Celebrate Philanthropy!” event honoring three local couples on Nov. 6 at the Santa Maria Country Club. Cost is $20. Info: 346-6123. THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, Santa Maria and Lompoc chapter, holds a Retirees Appreciation Day featuring a program, continental breakfast, and lunch Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to…
Now that the election is over, what are you going to obsess about?
Reena Herrera secretary’s assistant “The economy, because it sucks!” Paige Pranjic barista “I’ll probably obsess over money and what I’m going to get people for Christmas.” Golan Van Meter student “You’re assuming I obsessed about the elections to begin with. Not that I’m a teenage nihilist or anything, I just like to deal with other…
One election night, many parties
Reporters either love election night or hate it. The love usually comes from the fact that beer is flowing, people are having fun, and everybody is excited to talk to you, a reporter. The hate kicks in because sometimes the party goes sour, people leave early, and no one wants to see the face of…
Arts Briefs
Dance the night away Get your dancing shoes on and foxtrot over to Santa Maria Dance Days. The event is a series of dances to be held Nov. 14 to 16 at the Santa Maria Inn. Dancers can sign up for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday pass—or for all three days. Workshops include waltz, bolero,…
A growing garden
Alan Riggle stared out of his window in Cambria. As he gazed at his tree-covered property stretching out before him, he had an idea. The abstract sculptor usually makes pieces that end up in television shows, movies, and car commercials, but for once the nature that surrounded him also inspired him. “I thought, ‘This stuff…
Saying goodbye
The David Ryan Gallery in Old Orcutt, one of the few remaining art galleries in the Santa Maria area, is set to hang its last piece of art. The gallery will close by the end of December. The decision wasn’t an easy one for owners Ron and Terri Thatcher. The gallery was never about making…
Approach the Bench
Los Olivos, once a sleepy country village where dogs lounged in the middle of the road, has matured into a wine-centric burg with a main drag wryly known among locals as “tasting room row.” In mid-summer, the number of tasting rooms doing business along Grand Avenue—the two blocks that constitute downtown—totaled 16. On Oct. 9,…
Local students get a chance for grant money
High school students building remote-controlled submarine robots and third graders learning about bats are just two examples of ways in which grant money from an education initiative is being used to encourage local students to choose careers in math and science. The Education Collaborative, an outreach program of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of Santa…
Brooks Institute celebrates Emmy wins
Faculty member Tracy Trotter of Trotter Productions and Brooks Institute alumnus Stephen McGee recently brought home a couple of Emmy awards. Trotter won his Emmy as the director of photography for his public service announcement, “Voter.” The announcement is currently showing in the Los Angeles area. McGee won his third Emmy for his project, “40…
Classical KUSC comes to the Central Coast
The most listened to public radio station in the Los Angeles area is expanding its service to the Central Coast, starting in early 2009, according to station president Brenda Barnes. “We are very pleased to bring our all-classical format to the Central Coast. KUSC has recently been ranked by Arbitron as the most listened to…
It’s a last-minute chance to receive loans for Gap Fire losses
Nov. 6, the same day this issue of the Sun came out, is the last day to fax in paperwork for an Economic Injury Loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). On Nov. 6, the county is sending in the paperwork for local businesses that lost revenue during the Gap Fire. The Economic Injury Disaster…
Political Watch
The Human Rights Campaign recently recognized U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) for her support of issues important to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities (LGBT). “I am pleased to receive this recognition for my efforts to fight for equality for all Americans,” Capps said in a press release. “All Americans will benefit when…
What Kids are Reading
Marveltown by Bruce McCall recommended for ages 5 to 8 Marveltown is a gleaming, retro-futuristic city of wonder. Flying vehicles soar over, under, and around suspended roads and improbable towering buildings. Daredevil antics, such as sky-skiing and elevated marlin fishing, are commonplace. And every Saturday, all of the kids in the town get access to…
For troops, care packages really are service with a smile
On Oct. 25, members of Altrusa of Santa Maria met at the Santa Maria Post Office with Si Tenenberg to ship 49 boxes of supplies to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Altrusa of Santa Maria members donated boxes of supplies and spent a morning at Tenenberg’s home packing and labeling the boxes. Fundraising efforts…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Be still my heart! A bevy of dashing, charming male waiters tended to milady’s wine and food needs on Oct. 23 at the Santa Maria Country Club. Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) activist Peggy Blough and friends hatched the idea for this first-time event. It was billed as “Santa Maria Men Against Domestic Violence Present Girls’…
Central Coast cities face new storm water standards
Storm water collection has a lot of people worried these days, mostly because they’re not sure what exactly to be worried about. What’s definite is that new storm water standards passed down by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board will require a truckload of environmental studies and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.…
Local complaints of voter fraud link to a statewide investigation
Election Day may be over, but trust in the political process could be slow in returning for some Central Coast residents. When Lompoc resident Carolyn Garrett was asked to sign a petition strengthening sentencing for child molesters in October, she never imagined what would happen next. “I got a call from the Republic National Convention…
Terrorism isn’t a problem for Diablo Canyon, feds say
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has permission to store spent fuel in above-ground storage containers without further study of a potential terrorist attack. The decision was announced on Oct. 23 by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which ruled that an existing eight-page environmental assessment was adequate despite protests by Mothers for Peace. The SLO-based nuclear…
What’s behind those ads?
Immigration and global warming: If ever there were two public policy issues that would seem unrelated, it’s these two. One well-heeled group, however, sees them as inextricably linked. A recent TV commercial, sponsored by Santa Barbara-based Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS), purports that increased immigration—both legal and illegal—will quadruple America’s carbon footprint. In the commercial,…
We need to change
Change is always difficult, but our culture must change if it is to continue. There is a movement that is coming from the people/citizens. It has been given a title of “green,” but I prefer “sustainable.” Basically, it is change from a high consumption rate to living within the capacity of our habitat. Resources are…
Karting Association members worry about losing their track
It’s not so much a surprise as it is gratifying to find out that something in Santa Maria, relatively small Santa Maria, is revered by others throughout the country. Santa Maria-style barbecue is an example, and so is the rodeo. A bit lesser known—but no less important to racing fans—is the Santa Maria Karting Association’s…
It’s time for the Turkey Trot Family Fun Run
Forget the shopping trips and pie baking—the best way to get ready for Thanksgiving is to go on a run, especially if it’s the annual Turkey Trot Family Fun Run, put on by the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. The run starts at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the Hagerman Sports…
Athlete of the Week
Sydney Delgado kicks far and she kicks hard, but she doesn’t have to practice, she said, because she was just born to play. “My family is a soccer family,” she said. Delgado, 7, plays for the Coral Crush soccer team. It’s a name Delgado said she came up with because their team shirts are a…
