Cover Story
Everybody dies from life
Tamales, mole, bread, candies, and tequila, set against a backdrop of bright orange marigolds, candles, and colorful flags—together these treats make up a feast fit for a king of yore, but these days, such a spread is likely intended to pamper the dead. Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday Latinos set aside to…
How do you feel about Obama not increasing the cost of living adjustment for Social Security?
Will Moeller unemployed “I guess it really depends on what was stipulated in the Social Security agreement between the government and the people.” Garrett Reim student “I think it’s fair. If there’s deflation, you can’t increase the payments, and the nation is pinched for cash—though it still is unfortunate.” Cristina Gonzalez program manager “Given our…
Federal contracting made easy
Female small-business owners can learn how to take advantage of federal contracting opportunities thanks to a new online U.S. Small Business Administration training course. The free tutorial, Winning Federal Contracts: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, is part of a government-wide initiative to promote opportunities for women-owned businesses in the area of government contracting. It’s designed…
Learn about neuromuscular dentistry
Suffering from chronic headaches? Dizziness? Clicking jaws? They could all be signs and symptoms of a neuromuscular imbalance. Dentist John Orchard is launching a campaign to bring awareness to neuromuscular dentistry and the health benefits it can bring to sufferers of a poor bite. He encourages the public to visit his practice and learn…
School supplier moves
School supply store Anything Educational is moving to 1930 S. Broadway from 1545 Stowell Center Plaza, where it’s been located for the past nine years. The shop specializes in wholesale school supplies, office supplies, and stationery. Owner Marc Canigiula has made life easier on teachers and parents since he opened it, donating thousands of…
Fitness club opens in Nipomo
Offering an alternative to traditional fitness centers, national chain Snap Fitness will be celebrating its grand opening in Nipomo on Oct. 24. Visitors will be treated to free gifts and food, and the event promises fun for kids as well, with a bounce house and other activities. The club will also hold a drawing…
Political Watch 10-22
• Etta Waterfield, Republican candidate for California’s 33rd District Assembly, has added some more endorsements to her list. Earlier this month, the Santa Maria businesswoman received political support from State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and Lew Uhler of the National Tax Limitation Committee. For more information about Waterfield’s campaign, including a full list of…
Community Notebook 10-22
MONDAY, OCT. 26 • The Nipomo Community Advisory Council has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Nipomo Community Services District Headquarters, 148 S. Wilson St., Nipomo. TUESDAY, OCT. 27 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Shall we dance? Paint? Draw? Go to PCPA? Thanks to the Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation (OCAF), for Orcutt school students, the answer to these questions is a resounding yes. What the California legislature hath removeth from the state schools’ budgets, OCAF hath restored in part, at least where the arts are concerned. On Oct. 18, from 2…
Let there be peace
As the children of the Marian Extended Care daycare filed in to their room, they were in awe of a new piece of furniture: a blue chair decorated with the Earth on the seat and the rings of Saturn and the words “Peace is the way, there is no way to peace” inscribed on the…
SLO County supervisor makes a bid for the Assembly
San Luis Obispo County Supervisor and business owner Katcho Achadjian is running for office because, as he says, Sacramento is out of touch with local leaders and ruling bodies throughout California. “State government has disconnected itself from local government. We’ve become their ATM,” he said. “They’re sucking out funds without thinking of the impact.” The…
And then there were four
The race for California’s 33rd District Assembly seat has suffered its first campaign casualty. On Oct. 15, Marty Mariscal—former Santa Maria City Council member—told the Sun he’s no longer running for the seat, which is being vacated by current Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee in 2010. “It’s the campaign that could and should have been,” Mariscal…
Correction
In its Oct. 15 issue, the Sun incorrectly reported how much the sound wall along Union Valley Parkway would cost. The price of constructing the wall is estimated at approximately $160,000. The entire road extension project is estimated to cost more than $30 million. News Briefs is compiled by Sun staffers from staff reporting and…
Dick DeWees memorial highway is on its way to the California Legislature
On Oct. 15, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments unanimously approved a resolution to name the section of Highway 246 between Lompoc and Buellton the Mayor Dick DeWees Memorial Highway. Proposed by SBCAG chair and Guadalupe Mayor Lupe Alvarez, the designation will honor the late Lompoc mayor for his commitment to his hometown and…
Santa Maria Police sergeant files suit, alleges city and police chief violated civil rights
In a lawsuit filed in federal district court, a Santa Maria Police Department sergeant claims City Manager Tim Ness and Police Chief Danny Macagni violated his civil rights in not promoting him to lieutenant. According to court documents, Sgt. Gregory Carroll is seeking damages and injunctive relief from the city—and Ness and Macagni individually—“as a…
Contractors, officials break ground on Santa Maria River Levee repair project
“This is the beginning—everything else was just the prologue.” Those were the words uttered by U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) in her keynote speech at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Santa Maria River Levee improvement project on Oct. 19. Capps, along with a handful of Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Santa Barbara County, and U.S. Army…
Congrats to the camp grads
Caps will fly at the Los Prietos Boys Camp and Academy on Oct. 22 when Los Robles High School graduates 22 students. According to information from the Santa Barbara County Education Office, which runs the school, this graduation ceremony will mark the second largest high school graduating class in the history of the Los Prietos…
Stay after school
On Oct. 22, parents in the workforce will have the opportunity to see what their children do after school at the Santa Maria Valley After School Education and Safety (ASES) program’s “Lights On” open house. Each of the 18 ASES school sites within the Santa Maria-Bonita School District will be opening their doors to the…
Kids basketball skills competition coming up
Show off your basketball skills and earn a shot at a trip to Dallas for the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend at the NBA FIT Dribble, Swish, and Dish Competition on Nov. 1. Young basketball fans ages 7 to 12 will have the opportunity to showcase their handling, shooting, and passing against their peers by running…
It’s the Big One
In what’s sure to be the most hyped regular season football game of the year, the St. Joseph Knights and the Pioneer Valley Panthers will take the field at Jay Will Stadium on Oct. 23. No matter the outcome, one thing is for certain: Only one of them will leave undefeated and positioned in the…
Anakela Francisco
Sophomore Anakela Francisco, who plays women’s volleyball for Allan Hancock College, may not save lives, but every game she saves her team from their opponent’s ominous spikes. She’s ranked third in the Western State Conference—fourth in the state—with an impressive 268 digs. Despite her obvious talent, Francisco didn’t always have her eyes set on the…
Game wardens are vital professionals
This is in reference to the Santa Maria Sun commentary titled “The Thin Green Dollar” (Oct. 8), written by Ed Apalategui. As a new volunteer hunter safety instructor with the California Department of Fish and Game and sportsman (hunter and fisherman) for more than 40 years throughout the United States and overseas, I am impressed…
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 Market
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
MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers an Alzheimer’s lecture on Oct. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the center. An “Asthma” class is Oct. 27 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the center. A “COPD” class is Oct. 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the center. A “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets…
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. COFFEE AND COMPANY’S Lucman Gallery features the works of local artist Robert Hoebel through…
Learning
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “Community Reads: Book Discussion of Little Heathens by Mildred Kalish” Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library Shephard Hall, 421 S McClelland St., Santa Maria. A “Community Reads” event featuring “Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm during the Great Depression”…
Recreation
THE LA PURISIMA MISSION presents “Village Days” featuring live demonstrations of ancient Chumash life Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the La Purisima Mission, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc. Info: lapurisimamission.org. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA holds registration for Adult Arena Soccer in several divisions with the deadline Jan. 14. Cost is $400…
Kids & Family
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents “Spooktacular Hallowe’en Parties” Oct. 22 in Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 414. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Children’s Room presents “Totally Terrifying” featuring scary stories for ages 7 and up on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland,…
Dance Lessons
THE CITY OF SANTA 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. ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in…
Stage
THE LOMPOC CIVIC THEATRE presents its annual haunted theater, Cirque Du Mort, Oct. 23, 24, 30, and 31 at the theater, 211 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 757-2281. PCPA THEATERFEST sells advance tickets for its upcoming season through Oct. 31 at the box office, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $26.25 to $30. Info:…
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
BOOMERS! presents a Battle of the Bands competition featuring two performance nights and a finale night Oct. 23, 30, and Nov. 5 at Boomers, Santa Maria. Info: 928-4942 or BoomersParks.com. VIVA EL ARTE DE SANTA BARBARA presents Banda Viento do Oro in concert Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Theater, 884 Guadalupe St.,…
Special Events
INSPARATIONS SALON celebrates its six-year anniversary with a ladies night, raising awareness for breast cancer on Oct. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the salon in Orcutt. Info: insparation1.com or (530) 902-0759. THE YOUTH EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM celebrates “Lights on Afterschool,” raising awareness and support for after school programs Oct. 22 from 4 to…
C Gallery offers classes
Artist Susan Buchanan will offer a gift-making workshop at The C Gallery in Los Alamos on Nov. 6 and 7. The Santa Maria artist shows her work widely at local and regional art shows and exhibits in Cafe Quackenbush in Los Alamos. The workshop, titled “Paper Clay Pins, Pendants & Stones,” will feature instruction on…
Festival of trees
Altrusa International, Inc. of the Central Coast and Altrusa International, Inc. of the Central Coast Foundation will host their sixth annual Festival of Trees fundraising event. Local businesses and sponsors decorate a tree complete with gifts. The event will begin the day after Thanksgiving—Nov. 27—and will run through Dec. 13. The event will be held…
A piece of the whole
There are art lovers and then there are people who really dig art, and their collection shows it. Barry and Gail Berkus amassed a huge collection of nationally and internationally known artists, and part of that collection will be on display at Foxworthy Gallery. A total of 42 pieces from the Berkus Family Collection representing…
Manly sport
Each fall on the Central Coast, a group of amateur chefs delivers a display of culinary wizardry with a distinctly masculine flair. With October well underway, it’s time to head to the westernmost wilds of Solvang for Real Men Cook, a vital fundraiser disguised as a friendly competition and local wine showcase. Slated for Oct.…
