Cover Story
Welcome to Santa Barbara-Psych!
It’s a busy day in the bullpen of the Santa Barbara Police Station. Officers swarm about the room—a blur of navy blue and paperwork—absorbed in their latest cases. There’s a steady hum of a department at work: the shrill chorus of ringing telephones, the urgent murmur of detectives deliberating motives, the rustling of case files.…
If you could pick one famous person to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be?
Nate Bodary park ranger “Jack Black. This last summer, at Lake Cachuma, there was a comedy of errors.” Joseph Bodary student “Morgan Freeman. He’s just a cool actor.” Shena Grizzanti health worker “Angelina Jolie. She’s a strong woman—at least in her movies—and that would represent me perfectly.” Joe Heliler postal office employee “Derek Jeter. I…
Political Watch 10-15
• Santa Maria Valley Republicans Inc. invites members of the public to its monthly membership meeting on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. at Ambrosia Restaurant, 122 E. Boone St., in Santa Maria. The guest speaker will be Billie Jo Cravello, owner of Cravello Insurance Services, who will be sharing her views and insights on the…
Community Notebook 10-15
FRIDAY, OCT. 16 • 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 Conference…
The race is on
[image-2] It seems like just yesterday Santa Barbara County residents were waiting to see who would replace the retiring Brooks Firestone as 3rd District Supervisor. And now, a little more than a year later, the race to replace 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno—set to retire in 2010—is well underway. The election is set for…
Buddhist Church celebrates longevity
On Oct. 17, the Buddhist Church will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in Guadalupe at 1070 Olivera, starting at 10 a.m. with a group picture in front of the church, followed by a centennial service 30 minutes later. Bishop Koshin Ogui, who is coming from the Bay Area, will head the special service. “There will…
Santa Maria housing plan is up for discussion
The city of Santa Maria is in the process of updating the housing portion of the Santa Maria General Plan, and is seeking written comments from the public. This section of the plan includes the city’s policy for the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing within Santa Maria city limits. The proposed document also includes…
Santa Barbara County prepares for (swine) flu season
Earlier this month, the H1N1 virus—commonly referred to as the swine flu—claimed its first known victim in Santa Barbara County. According to a press release from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, the girl, whose name and age weren’t released, had suffered from a chronic medical condition prior to contracting the flu. In an…
Union Valley Parkway lawsuit may be dismissed
The city of Santa Maria has reached a settlement with local nonprofit Orcutt Citizens for Better Environment over a lawsuit contesting the extension of Union Valley Parkway through the Orcutt area. Santa Maria’s Senior Assistant City Attorney Wendy Stockton told the Sun the settlement has been “completed from the city’s end” and approved by Mayor…
Delta II rocket carrying imaging satellite launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base
Roaring off into clear, blue skies, a Delta II rocket successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Oct. 8, carrying an advanced Earth imaging satellite into polar orbit. “There really is nothing quite as exciting as seeing one of these powerful little rockets jump off the pad,” 30th Space Wing commander Col. David Buck…
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 diabetes and pre-diabetes nutrition class is Oct. 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EDUCATION OFFICE offers a preschool health fair featuring free health screenings on Oct. 16 at the…
Art
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents an exhibit featuring selections from the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival through Oct. 30 at the Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117 or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE GUADALUPE CULTURAL ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTER presents the exhibition “Re-hacer/Des-echos 2009” featuring the…
Learning
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION Central Coast Chapter presents Barbara J. Jackson, Ph.D. and her lecture “Transformation of an Industry—Inventing the Future from the Future” on Oct. 20 at 6:15 p.m. at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Broadway, Santa Maria. Info: 369-0009 or wendi.patterson@unitedwestaff.com. SB CAN presents a sustainability forum titled “Visioning a…
Recreation
WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division Community Development Department presents a “Standup Paddle Boarding Class” Oct. 17, Nov. 7 or 17, and Dec. 5 or 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Margo Dodd Park, Shell Beach. Cost is $125. A “Yoga for Back Strength” class is Oct. 21 through Dec.…
Kids & Family
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department hosts a fiesta event on Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria, 901 N. Railroad, Santa Maria. “Spooktacular Hallowe’en Parties” are presented by the city Oct. 21 and 22 in Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 414.…
Dance Lessons
THE CITY OF SANT MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents a “Cardio Dance Fusion” class Tuesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. through Oct. 27 at the Elwin Mussell Center, 510 East Park Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $33.50, $27 for city residents. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 264, or ci.santa-maria.ca.us. WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO…
Stage
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents magician/comedian Mark Collier performing Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 414. A comedy night featuring Edwin San Juan and Shaun Latham is Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at 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: 2430 South Broadway,…
Concerts
THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents a concert by the Central Coast Strings on Oct. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Santa Maria Town Center East, Center Court, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0412 or santamariaphilharmonic.org. WORTH THE DRIVE BILL HARLEY performs live and in concert on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Spanos Theatre,…
Special Events
THE SANTA MARIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE holds a Chamber Mixer event on Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Santa Maria Harley Davidson, 2022 Preisker Lane, Santa Maria. Info: 928-3668 or santamariaharley.com. THE ORCUTT LIONS CLUB presents a “Halloween Cook Your Own Dinner” event on Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Orcutt Lions…
Cancer Center welcomes specialist
The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara has hired a new specialist for its medical team, Dr. Alan Bryce, who will work with mid-county cancer patients from the center’s Solvang offices. For more information, visit the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara website at ccasb.org. m Biz Briefs is compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should…
Expo helps disabled locals join workforce
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and for the second consecutive year, city and county organizations that serve the disabled are showcasing employment opportunities in Northern Santa Barbara County. Aimed at adults ages 18 and up, the Santa Maria Opportunities Expo takes place Oct. 22 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial…
Trilogy receives green award
The California Energy Commission announced it will honor homebuilder Trilogy Central Coast with its 2009 Platinum Award for energy efficiency on Oct. 17. The award will be presented to Trilogy by Shea Homes at the Go Solar celebration at the Monarch Club. The public is invited to attend the free event from noon to 3…
It’s what’s for dinner
More than 100 cattle ranchers and dignitaries recognized Nipomo’s Jocko’s Steak House as the best beef restaurant in the state on Oct. 6. At the event, the California Beef Council awarded the restaurant its 2009 California Beef Backer Award, which recognizes restaurants that promote the beef industry through menus, promotions, and popular entrees. After almost…
Orcutt Academy offers an alternative way to learn
It’s going into its second school year, and already Orcutt Academy’s independent study/blended program has reported a 100 percent increase in enrollment, from 33 to 66 students, according to an announcement from the school. The program allows some of the charter school’s students to blend weekly independent study and classroom instruction to create a more…
Fall into learning at Allan Hancock College
The autumn season tends to mark the beginning of the school year for students in kindergarten to college. At Allan Hancock College, learning opportunities are available to adults, too, as registration is now open for a handful of Community Education classes and events happening this month. History and economics will take center stage Oct. 16…
Coloring the sunset years
Get a grandmother talking about her grandchildren, and at some point she’ll pull out a little book filled with photos. Dolores Gonzales is no different. Actually, she’s a little different. Yes, she proudly shows off the beaming faces of her two grandchildren, but instead of in a handy wallet-sized book, the portraits are hanging on…
Sizing it up
The C Gallery has a little bit of art to show. The “Miniatures” show opens at the gallery in Los Alamos on Oct. 24. An artists’ reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. for the more than 30 artists submitting work. Artists from as far north as Oregon and as far south as…
Hale hands out artist awards
Gallery owner Judith Hale was the juror for the October juried show of the Artists Guild, which is hanging in the guild section of Gallery Los Olivos through October. Both the judge’s award and first place were given to paintings of artichokes by Mary Jean Connors. First place went to Artichokes in Flower. Second place…
Have Volkswagen, will travel
I’ll never forget the first time I drove a car: a beat-up Volkswagen Beetle. It was the stereotypical 16-year-old boy’s VW, with primer for paint and a stiff lowered suspension that would knock the fillings out of your teeth when you rode in it. The car was probably worth about $700, but it had a…
The circus is in town
A man in a white lab coat, his face covered in blood, approached a woman in the front of the Calvert Theater in Lompoc. “I understand you have the body parts?” he asked, and that’s when my inner chicken went “ba-gok!” This was supposed to be the preview of the latest Cirque du Mort production,…
Gunnar Jesperson
There are many different styles of quarterbacks, and Allan Hancock College’s sophomore starter just happens to be a Gunnar. Redshirted last season, Gunnar Jesperson has piloted the Bulldogs to a 5-1 start in 2009, throwing for 1,001 yards and eight touchdowns through the season’s sixth game. “Being a leader of this team is something special,”…
Autocross returns after a two-year hiatus
Halloween means candy, costumes, and trick-or-treating, but for Charlie Perry and the rest of the members of the local Corvette car club, the holiday also means it’s time to get back on the track. After two years of searching for a venue, the Santa Maria Vapor Trail Vettes reached a final agreement with Allan Hancock…
Help build Orcutt’s Aquacenter
Approved by the county in 2007, Orcutt’s community swimming and recreation facility will soon become a reality, and the public is invited to get involved in the fund- raising process to help finalize the Aquacenter’s permit process, begin on-site improvements, and build the 16,500-square-foot Orcutt Community Building. The facility will serve the Orcutt and Santa Maria…
Join web-P.L.A.Y.
The nonprofit People for Leisure and Youth (P.L.A.Y.) has launched a new website to highlight leisure, recreational activities, and events in the Santa Maria Valley. The website, santamariaatplay.org, includes news, an events calendar, and a link for online donations. Visitors can also sign up for a contest to win a recreation package. P.L.A.Y. supports community…
Vandenberg hosts a ‘Run to Remember’
From Oct. 19 to Nov. 11, Vandenberg Air Force Base will memorialize fallen military personnel who died during operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. During that window, on Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the base will allow active-duty military, civilians, contractors, and retirees to run a mile for each service member killed…
The Muslims are coming!
I just want to bring to your attention the threat of Iran. The threat of Iran concerns me because it has a two-fold effect. First, the Iranian leaders want to obliterate Israel, and if that happens, a war in the Middle East could ensue and involve other countries, including the United States. Even if we…
Just look at the meat-packing plants
This is the worst president ever. The unemployment extensions are too long, and the Americans need to demand that we arrest and deport all illegal aliens so the Americans can fill those positions. The liberals claimed Americans would not do these jobs, but just look at the meat-packing plants—all filled immediately by Americans—after the arrests.
This Nobel Peace Prize could be a first
Obama is not the first black man to win the Nobel Peace Prize nor the first president. He may be the first person to win the Nobel Peace Prize while in charge of two wars and during consideration of sending more troops.
This sounds like the ‘Big Lie’
The sheer ludicrousness of Mr. Bargenquast’s letter (“Now you see the real Obama,” Sept. 24) inspired me to write this response. Imagine, we are now experiencing “a national disunity unparalleled since the Civil War.” Really? I thought this started during the Bush administration, which hit record popularity lows hovering in the high 20 percent. It…
Stop calling us a taxpayer drain
I support health insurance reforms and the public option, but I am adamantly against mandatory health insurance. Mandatory health insurance benefits nobody but the insurance companies. It does not benefit the citizens of the United States. My husband and I are currently self-employed and uninsured—but when we need medical attention, we do not go to…
Don’t listen to Caldwell or Armendariz
Here on the Central Coast, we have two right-wing conservatives clamoring to be the only correct or true voice on taxes and spending, and therefore should be recognized as the spokespersons for all Central Coast Californians on such issues. Andy Caldwell and Joe Armendariz spout half-truths, spin information to fit their agendas, or sometimes tell…
Good harvest
Leaves turn from green to crimson and pumpkins smile a bright orange, signaling that the end of harvest is near. As wine growers across Santa Barbara County gather the last of their juicy, ripe grapes, they weigh in with their thoughts on the merits and promise of the vintage of 2009. Despite some uneven temperatures,…
