Cover Story
Money, money, money, money
Time is money, and political candidates want to maximize both. In the limited window they have to make an impression on voters, between their announcement of their intention to run for office and the day the last ballot is counted, they have to squeeze in as much name recognition, platform pushing, and issue raising as…
Santa Barbara County’s partnership with First 5 shows success
For situations involving child abuse, it’s too often said, “If only someone had caught the signs of trouble early on, before the problem developed.” But with the help of the state First 5 program, the Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services’ Front Porch program has been putting forward a set of responses for preventing child…
Soundcheck
For most teens, it’s a thrill to see a favorite performer in concert. For about 30 Pioneer Valley High School students, going behind the scenes is even better. Students in Richard Hernandez’s music and choir classes will get to participate in a soundcheck for a live Jason Derulo concert. “The kids are so excited about…
What’s your least favorite thing about October?
Jorge Ruvalcaba sales “There are five weekends in this October, so I have to work more.” Bryan Adams sales “The bills all come out at once.” @font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family:…
Proposition vs. proposition
In addition to deciding if they want to smoke their doobies legally, voters this November will have a chance to choose how political power is distributed in California. Among the propositions and candidates struggling for Election Day victory are two ballot propositions that will help decide how political boundaries will divide California in the years…
Hobnobbing with Helen
This high-octane fundraiser was held on Saturday evening, Oct. 2, at the Santa Maria Country Club. It was la dolce vita, Bo Cudd style. Total glamorissimo! Miz Cudd, event chairperson, and her crew infused this annual event (which had been much in need of a makeover) with mega jolts of panache and pizzazz. Everyone was…
Bat the night away
Santa Maria, look out—there’s going to be a monster of a ball coming up at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum on Oct. 29. The annual Batty Ball is an alternative to the usual practice of trick-or-treating, though kids can still dress up. This year’s event theme is “Under the Sea,” inspired by October being…
Ballot measure to address state parks cuts
The latest state budget has proponents of state parks emphasizing the need for the passage of Proposition 21, the November ballot initiative that attempts to create an annual fee to keep the park system afloat. The proposition seeks to counteract this year’s $7 million cut in state park funding by creating a new, stable source…
Lompoc planners deny Walmart Supercenter expansion
Much to the chagrin of big-box retailer Walmart, the bell finally tolled—at least for the moment—on a protracted battle over a proposed Supercenter store expansion in Lompoc. On Oct. 13, after meeting for more than an hour, the Lompoc Planning Commission denied a proposal that would have expanded the Walmart location on Central Avenue by…
Correction
An article titled “Field testing” in the Oct. 13 issue of the Sun incorrectly reported details about the Farm Worker Health Act. To clarify, Washington based its testing program on California’s program, which is enhanced, not enforced by AB 1963. While electronic monitoring of farm workers still isn’t possible, results of blood tests will be…
Birds in art
The Wildling Art Museum has opened its fall exhibition, “Birds in Art.” This latest exhibition, a traveling show organized and distributed by the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisc., will be on display through Jan. 2, 2011. Santa Barbara County is home to a large variety of birds, both resident and migratory, and the current…
Dance like you’re in the Follies
Ever wanted to dance like a Follies girl? Here’s your chance. If you’re 55 or older, dust off your tap shoes and be a part of the Follies warm-up hour with master dance instructor, choreographer, and director Jason Sumabat. Join the Follies for the last two Sundays of October (Oct. 24 and Oct. 31), all…
Keeping the music alive
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society—in the midst of its 10th season, called “Treasures of Wonder”—recently lost a gem with the passing of former Concertmistress Shirley K. Lynch. Musicians from throughout the state will join to perform musical works honoring her memory, with the proceeds to benefit the Shirley K. Lynch Orchestra Music Fund. Lynch began…
CLUBS & MEETINGS
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Spiritual
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Farmers Markets
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } 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…
Barbecues
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } 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…
Health
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR BALANCE AND HEALING offers free energy balancing sessions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Sierra Vista Hospital, 1010 Murray…
Art
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanDLigCon”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }p.hapstext, li.hapstext, div.hapstext { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 9pt; font-size: 8pt; font-family: NimbusSanDLigCon; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION presents “6×6,” a photographic exploration curated…
Learning
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanDLigCon”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }p.hapstext, li.hapstext, div.hapstext { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 9pt; font-size: 8pt; font-family: NimbusSanDLigCon; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } WORTH THE DRIVE CAL POLY’S STRIDE and the Center for Sustainability…
Recreation
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } ONGOING A MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BEACH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE with four-on-four teams, no contact, is every Sunday at the beach in front of the Sandcastle Inn, Pismo Beach. Cost…
Kids & Family
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanDLigCon”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }p.hapstext, li.hapstext, div.hapstext { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 9pt; font-size: 8pt; font-family: NimbusSanDLigCon; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE TOY ZOO presents a Halloween-themed Story Time event including costumes on…
Dance Lessons
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } FUTURE LEADERS OF AMERICA presents a Zumbathon event featuring Latin Rhythms and easy to follow dance moves in benefit of youth leadership programs on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to…
Stage
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE LOMPOC CIVIC THEATRE presents its third annual haunted house, “A Nightmare on ‘L’ Street,” Oct. 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31 starting at 7 p.m. at 217 South L…
Night Life
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } 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…
Concerts
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY presents a benefit concert honoring the memory of the Philharmonic’s late Shirley K. Lynch on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Louis de Montfort…
Special Events
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanDLigCon”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }p.hapstext, li.hapstext, div.hapstext { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 9pt; font-size: 8pt; font-family: NimbusSanDLigCon; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE SANTA MARIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE presents its October Chamber Mixer on…
Don’t axe me, I just lurk here!
OK, baby boomers, take a little walk down memory lane with me. Remember when we used to make our own Halloween costumes? We’d go through our mothers’ costume jewelry and makeup or our fathers’ shirts, hats, and ties, and come up with clever costumes in which the neighbors wouldn’t recognize us (or at least we…
Engel and Gray holds a Red Cross event
Santa Maria’s Engel and Gray, Inc. equipment yard will be the site for the Santa Barbara County Chapter of the American Red Cross’ “M*A*S*H Bash,” a celebration of 100 years of First Aid, on Nov. 5 and 6. On Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Engel and Gray will display a historical exhibit…
Mall scares up a haunted Halloween
Halloween night promises to be a ghoulish time at the Santa Maria Town Center mall, where participating merchants, during “Safe Trick-or-Treating,” will treat costumed kids from 5 p.m. until all the candy is gone. The mall is also home to a super scary Haunted House, open Oct. 22 to 24 and Oct. 28 to 31,…
Growing Grounds receives donation
Four members of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a two-year fellowship affiliated with Cal Poly-SLO, recently donated $2,000 to Growing Grounds Farm in Santa Maria. Lisa Bodrogi, Cara Crye, Ivor VanWingerden, and Erin Huston participated in service projects in Washington, D.C., and South America. In Peru, they fundraised and repaired 30 homes damaged in an…
Have a spooky, spectacular, and safe Halloween!
Just in time for All Hallows’ Eve, the Santa Barbara County Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering tips to ensure all vampires, witches, and goblins—and their parents—have a fun and safe Halloween. According to a press release, the Red Cross suggests: • Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. • Cross the street…
Collian McHaney
The McHaneys’ garage is filled with trophies that belong to both of their sons, who earned the awards at motocross races. But the youngest son, Collian—12, but nearing 13—has earned most of them. Although he’s amassed quite the collection, which has extended itself into the house, it was his brother who brought him into the…
The family that lifts together …
In competitive weightlifting, rarely do three world champions hail from the same hometown, much less the same home. But that’s exactly what makes Los Alamos’s Tawzer family so unique. Between dad Kenny, mom Mary, and son Clay, the “First Family of Powerlifting” holds more than 20 national, state, and world records in the bench press…
Hancock to honor troops at home game
For the eighth year in a row, Allan Hancock College will salute the U.S. Armed Forces during a home football game—the Bulldogs’ contest against College of the Canyons on Oct. 23. The first 200 military members, veterans, and their families who pick up advance tickets will be admitted at no charge, and served a free…
Share the dream
Deep in the fiber of Santa Barbara County’s winemaking community courses a strong current of selfless service. When asked, local vintners don’t hesitate to lend a helping hand and are ever willing to share technical advice, the tools of their trade, or their wares for a worthy cause. Since 2008, a group of winemakers has…
