Cover Story
Trust issues: The Chumash vs. Santa Barbara County controversy over Camp 4
Almost all of the modular-type homes originally installed on the Santa Ynez Reservation in the 1970s look different now. Some were rebuilt and remodeled, others were torn down and replaced, but all of them are stuck on the same plot of land they came with. Those parcels of reservation earth are barely big enough to…
“Do you think the Chumash should be able to build on Camp 4?”
Katherine Favorite manager at Natural Café “Yeah, I think so. It’s their land and they have the right to build.” Josh Morgan server at Yanagi “I would think that the people should have somewhat of a say in it.” Victor Ceballos teller at Wells Fargo “I think they should compromise. If they own the land…
Creative Juices Lounge invites all to enjoy live music at the small-town venue
Ambling down Guadalupe’s main drag, you might forget exactly what time and place you are in. The brick buildings flanking the historic Highway 1 are indicative of an earlier time of neighborhood barbershops, greasy spoons, and watering holes. Occupying one of these iconic cubbyholes is a new business, Creative Juices Lounge. Though new to Guadalupe,…
Making spooky
Michaels offers several arts and crafts events for kids including a “Kids Club Bandana Costume Powered by Tulip Fabric Markers from the Apparel Crafts” event on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon with half-hour sessions for $2 each for kids ages 3 and up. A “Kids Club Halloween Mask Powered by Duck Tape”” is…
Celebrate peace together
“Creating Peace Through the Performing Arts” is a free celebration of Peace Week on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. featuring live performances by the WonHeart Choir, Change Reaction Band, Poetic Justice Project actors, and hip-hop dancers from Guadalupe at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall Macy’s Court Stage, Broadway and Main streets, Santa Maria.
The Santa Maria library is holding a call for artists
The Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall Gallery is holding the 2014 gallery exhibition call for artists beginning Oct. 3. Library officials hope to provide exhibitions that include a variety of media, concepts, and subject matter. Work is juried by the library’s Art Advisory Committee and is selected based on the quality of images. The…
Bring PJs to the Toy Zoo
The Toy Zoo is inviting the public and local Girl Scout troops to help collect new pajamas and books to donate to the local “Pajama Program.” “The Pajama Program” is a nonprofit with a local chapter that collects clean and new pajamas and books for children in need in the United States and beyond. The…
Lompoc Valley Arts Council restructures with music
The Lompoc Valley Arts Council, a local volunteer organization that promotes visual and performing arts in the Lompoc Valley, has released its monthly meeting schedule of public forums. The forums will feature artistic presentations, with the upcoming program “An Introduction to American Roots Music” scheduled for Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Stone Pine…
Finding the groove: ‘Dimensions in Dance’ showcases the skills of Hancock staffers, students, and guest choreographer Jesus Solorio
Ballet has long been used as a means of showing love, longing, lust, and loss on stage. While the interaction of movement and story is nothing new, contemporary dance does allow for its own spin, allowing performers to depict the dilemmas of the modern dating scene. “It’s kind of like acting except with movement,” said…
Tibetan Buddhist monks will construct a sacred sand mandala at Allan Hancock College
Watch a video of the creation of a sand mandala at Steynberg Gallery. A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks has been making its way across the United States sharing cultural art forms and philosophies. Now on the Central Coast, the group—which hails from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India—will be presenting several cultural pageants locally…
Double chin in ‘Double Down’
Remember that song from Sesame Street that went, “one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn’t belong”? The skit usually had four things on the screen and one of them didn’t match the other three. As a kid I always liked that part of the show. It had…
Facebook and food: Santa Barbara County restaurants are using social media to bring in computer-savvy diners
Trattoria Uliveto, the terrific traditional Italian restaurant in Old Town Orcutt, is one of several Central Coast restaurants using modern means—social media—to market its business. Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Linkedin, restaurants are posting pictures of appetizing specials, advertising events, revealing new menus, and hosting giveaways. Last month, Trattoria Uliveto offered one such…
What Kids Are Reading: Creepy Carrots
The month of October is all about Halloween and sharing spooky stories about things that go bump in the night! Or better yet, tales of scary vegetables! How could vegetables possible be frightening? The creepiest vegetables for me were the turnips and rutabagas my Mom used to hide in her homemade beef stew. What we…
Jewish teens who strive ‘to repair the world’ can apply for a $36,000 scholarship
Do you know a Jewish teenager with fantastic leadership skills? The Helen Diller Family Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, which recognize up to 10 Jewish teens for their visionary leadership and volunteerism, awards organizers announced in a national press release. Winners of the award receive $36,000 each.…
Jump on in!
The Nipomo FFA recently kicked off the new school year with its first chapter meeting of the 2013-14 school year, followed by a pool part in the Nipomo High School pool. Prior to swimming, FFA members wrote letters to several chapter alumni who are currently serving in the U.S. Army. “It was a great way…
Two local high school seniors win annual Fabric of Society essay writing contest
Pioneer Valley High School seniors Andrew Cronin and Nathan Lainez recently won $2,000 scholarships from De La Rosa & Co. by penning two of the winning entries in the investment bank’s Fabric of Society essay contest. Students wrote about quotations on the meaning of citizenship from four famous thinkers, including Greek philosopher Socrates, President Dwight…
Spotlight on: Romp
The smell of tanned, dyed leather creeps into the nostrils as you walk by Romp shoe store in Los Olivos. It’s tucked away behind the olive tree center of a stone-lined courtyard. The shop is a mini version of its mother store on Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo. And though leather lines the shelves…
Political Watch 10/10/13
• Covered California opened for business on Oct. 1, and started peddling insurance options to the public as part of the Affordable Care Act. The online health insurance exchange came online the same day as HealthCare.gov. Users of California’s new online system complained about pages not loading, error messages, and slowness. The website went dark…
Community Notebook 10/10-10/17
MONDAY, OCT. 14 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, OCT. 15 • The Guadalupe Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 918…
Community Corner: Join local mayors in Oz for a good cause
Guests of 7th annual Mayors’ Ball will follow the yellow brick road Oct. 12 to the Land of Oz as part of “An Emerald Evening.” On this enchanting evening, United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County will join the mayors of Santa Maria, Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, and Guadalupe in support of the nonprofit’s Power Reading…
Former Arroyo Grande council member Caren Ray gets sworn in SLO County supervisor seat
After months of curiosity and speculation over a seat left vacant all summer long, San Luis Obispo County finally has a new fourth district supervisor. Gov. Jerry Brown selected Caren Ray, who served on the Arroyo Grande City Council before her appointment, after a long, thorough process. Ray’s appointment was announced Oct. 3, and she…
Santa Maria school districts grapple with an apparent substitute teacher shortage
On a recent Friday morning in the Sun office, Staff Writer Kristina Sewell’s phone was blowing up—not with calls from sports sources but with calls from two local school districts looking for substitute teachers. “That was my mom’s school [on the phone],” Sewell told me. “They’re desperate.” In addition to being a sports writer, Sewell…
Corrections
• In the Oct. 3 cover story “Making a Stand,” the Sun printed the incorrect phone number for Sandy Agalos, a representative for Santa Barbara County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and organizer for Stand Down Santa Barbara County. Her phone number is 346-8402. • In the Oct. 3 sports story “Beyond the classroom,” the captions and…
Mark Moore is sentenced in a $50 million fraud scheme
The former head of a South San Luis Obispo County agricultural chemical company was recently sentenced for his role in an elaborate scheme that bilked his family and friends out of nearly $50 million. John Mark Moore, 51, who was president of the SLO County Farm Bureau from 2007 to 2009, was sentenced in federal…
Hit-and-runs are expected to decrease with a new driver’s license law
Santa Maria is ranked second out of 103 similarly sized California cities for hit-and-run accidents, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. A bill recently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown could change that statistic. Assembly Bill 60 will give undocumented immigrants the opportunity to receive a driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles…
The county moves forward with an addition to its North County Jail project
With seemingly no other options, Santa Barbara County supervisors unanimously decided Oct. 8 to move forward with an addition to the North County Jail project. “I don’t really think we have a choice here; we’re going to need the beds,” 4th District Supervisor Peter Adams said. The addition would put another wing on the North…
The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is back in business
After a year plagued by leadership changes and uncertainty, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum has an interim executive director and a new board president. Executive Director Chris Slaughter and President Diane Adam are both trustees of the Santa Barbara Foundation and longtime museum supporters, having served as Capital Campaign co-chairs for the 13,000-square-foot interactive…
The ready light is blinking
Gov. Jerry Brown recently said, “While Washington waffles on immigration, California’s forging ahead. I’m not waiting.” That galvanized me to action. Before hearing those words, I was sleepily wondering what to do about this crazy country I live in. Afterward, I leapt up and made breakfast. Boy, do I love waffles. I love them more…
Celebrate National Feral Cat Day
Oct. 16 is National Feral Cat Day—a day to think about the outdoor cats in our neighborhoods. Feral cats exist in every community. They live healthy lives outdoors in family groups called colonies. They are the same species as domestic cats, but are not socialized to humans and can’t be adopted. Virtually 100 percent of…
The Chumash are residents of Santa Barbara County
There has been some accusation of racism and envy directed at those opposed to the Chumash request to annex 1,400 acres of agriculturally zoned land to their existing reservation. This type of unfounded accusation only inhibits constructive discussion on the Chumash tribe’s request for “fee to trust” application with federal agencies. The Chumash Indians enjoy…
Stop buying what smugglers are selling!
Another panga boat (“Officers catch 18 people attempting to smuggle pot into Santa Barbara County via panga,” Sept. 19)? Why are we paying county and federal agencies for our dirty work? Sorry to say the only message to those panga boat-sending criminals is that Californians are still pot-buying customers, so they’d best find yet another…
Lompoc is moving forward
Beginning in 2011, the Lompoc City Council established five priorities to improve the city. First and foremost is economic development and jobs. Over many years, the Lompoc Valley has become a bedroom community for Santa Barbara County and was particularly hard hit by unemployment in the 2008 downturn. To create a more business-friendly city, the…
What’s on Deck? 10/10-10/17
Thursday, Oct. 10 Girls’ Volleyball St. Joseph vs. Paso Robles @ SJHS, 6 p.m. Santa Maria vs. Morro Bay @ MBHS, 5:30 p.m. Pioneer Valley vs. Atascadero @ PVHS, 6 p.m. Nipomo vs. Cabrillo @ CHS, 5:30 p.m. Santa Ynez vs. Templeton @ SYHS, 5:30 p.m. Righetti vs.…
Megan Penalfor
Megan Penalfor has jumped into her first year as starting setter for the Nipomo High School girls’ volleyball team with impressive speed and accuracy. This is her third season of varsity play. Thus far, the senior has racked up 14 aces serving and 98 kills with a total of 233 sets. “She is an incredible…
Support Dunes Center with golf
Oct. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. marks the seventh annual Coreopsis Golf Tournament at the Monarch Dunes Golf Course. The event supports the much-needed educational programming that benefits 6,000 students annually. A reception will follow the event. Contact the Guadalupe Dunes Center at 1065 Guadalupe St. for more information.
Bring on the Special Olympics Fall Games!
Nearly 200 gifted Special Olympics athletes will be competing at the annual fall games on Oct. 12. Athletes of all ages will compete from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hagerman Sports Complex at 3300 Skyway Drive in Santa Maria.
Twirl, twirl, twirl!
Baton twirling is a timeless talent that still carries much appeal. Through Oct.17, come to the Buellton Veterans Hall to learn a variety of baton twirling techniques, including twisting, tossing, and spinning. The cost is $56 and includes a baton for keep, or $44 if you have your own baton. A baton is required to…
Race on two wheels
Mountain bike enthusiasts ages 11 to 14 are invited to come check out the best local course for mountain bikers. Riders will embark on the Buellton Recreation mountain bike trip to the dirt club. The ride will take place Oct. 10 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 and mountain bikes will be…
Explore creatures of the Oceano lagoon
On Saturday, Oct. 12, the Guadalupe Dunes Center will be host to a free hike around the Oceano Lagoon. Hikers, with the help of an informed docent, will have the opportunity to learn about the flora and the fauna of the lagoon during this 1.5-mile hike. Binoculars are recommended. Meet at the nature center near…
Warriors reach out
The Righetti High School football team had a busy week last week, preparing for its game against the Knights and performing some vital community outreach. According to a press release from the Santa Maria Joint Union district office, 30 players from Righetti spent time with the students of Ralph Dunlap Elementary School. Kelley DeBernardi, director…
Beyond the gender: Is coaching the opposite sex really that different?
It goes without saying that athletes are a breed like no other. Determined, they push themselves to intense physical and mental limits. They put in the time and make sacrifices out of responsibility to team and self-respect. When it comes down to it, male and female athletes each bring their own flavor to the spirit…
