Cover Story
Election night of the living dead
They’re coming. Deny it all you want, but when the bodies of the dead rise to feast on the flesh of the living, those who hesitate will die first, or become undead, or simply get digested. So we here at the Sun gathered some of our local candidates—our potential future leaders—and sat them down…
Falling in love with fall
Did you feel it? That chill in the air, dense with the mist of morning fog? Did you smell it? The scent of burning leaves, cinnamon and vanilla, and pumpkins lit on a Halloween night? Did you taste it? The heat of spiced cider taking the chill off your innards and the rich warmth of…
District Attorney mulls over charges for SMPD officer
A Santa Maria police officer is on paid administrative leave and awaiting word whether he’ll be charged after his domestic violence-related arrest in early October. Israel Diaz, 25, a sworn officer with the Santa Maria Police Department, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence by sheriff’s deputies at his Santa Maria Valley residence shortly after…
Santa Maria DMV office closes indefinitely
If you thought lines at the DMV were long before, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Coming as a surprise to city officials, the state Department of Motor Vehicles on Oct. 29 announced the indefinite closure of the Santa Maria field office due to “insufficient staffing resources.” According to DMV spokeswoman Jan Mendoza, the closure, which…
State propositions get ratified and rejected
On top of the assortment of political candidates California voters had to choose from on Nov. 2, there were also plenty of ballot measures to consider. Here’s what voters had to say: Proposition 19—perhaps the most dubious of the measures—ended up failing by a margin of approximately eight percentage points, thus dashing some Californians’ hopes…
The people have spoken
At long last, election season is over. Here are the results: • Former Democratic governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown beat Republican businesswoman Meg Whitman for the governorship 53 percent to 41 percent. Santa Barbara County voters selected Brown over Whitman by a thin 48 to 46 percent. • For the U.S. Senate, incumbent…
Hospital provider pays out in discrimination suit
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW)—which owns Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria and dozens of other hospitals throughout the nation—has agreed to a landmark settlement in a lawsuit alleging it imposed discriminatory hurdles to employment for immigrant job-seekers. The Department of Justice announced on Oct. 19 that the hospital provider—the eighth largest in the nation—agreed to…
If money weren’t an issue, who would you be for Halloween?
Shane Soden student “Iron Man with actual armor and weapons.” Kimo Sario student “Avatar with the dragon.” @font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Janna MacKiewicz student “Lady Gaga in ‘Bad Romance.’” Ulises Serrano…
Two hearts, one mind
On a winter day in 2000, Santa Maria resident Susan Friesen took her family to a McDonalds in Santa Clarita for lunch. The Friesens had temporarily relocated to Southern California because their oldest daughter, 6-year-old Shivan, was awaiting a heart transplant at the UCLA medical center. “The girls were playing in the playhouse,” Susan recounted…
Lompoc wine center a no-go?
The developers of a proposed Lompoc wine and entertainment center—which many locals hoped would be a catalyst in revitalizing Old Town—now say the project may be abandoned. Lompoc business partners John Linn, Nick Gonzalez, and Ruben Solorzano have put more than $135,000 into the project in the past year for equipment and repairs, but repeated…
Pacific Capital is in danger of being de-listed
Pacific Capital Bancorp—parent company of Santa Barbara Bank and Trust—has until April 6, 2011, to get its stock price to a minimum of $1 per share or it could be de-listed from the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The company hadn’t closed a day of trading above $1 since Aug. 25, with a price of about…
Feed the hungry this holiday season
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is working overtime this holiday season to feed more than 150,00 families and seniors living in the county. Through Dec. 31, the foodbank locations will station food collection bins in local grocery stores and hold special events to encourage people to donate during these especially busy months. “Now more…
Santa Barbara County beaches reopen with warnings in wake of fatal shark attack
Vandenberg Air Force Base’s Surf Beach reopened Oct. 25 after a three-day closure, the result of a shark attack that claimed the life of a 19-year-old UCSB college student. The attack occurred Oct. 22, just before 9 a.m. According to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, Lucas Ransom, a chemical engineering major from Romoland, Calif., and…
Meet and greet
Come meet your favorite local artist or author. A Central Coast author-artist fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Shepard Hall in the Santa Maria Public Library. Meet the creators of many gift items, ranging from books and jewelry to soft sculpture and Ukrainian eggs. All items will…
Locals dance for Paula Abdul
A team of local dancers was headed to Los Angeles after being asked to audition for a CBS television show called Live to Dance, hosted by Paula Abdul. Dellos Performing Arts Center in Arroyo Grande was asked to submit videos of its competitive dance teams for consideration, so it sent videos of its Senior Hip…
Going to the birds
Birds from all over the world will converge on the Wildling Art Museum and will hang around through the holidays. Well, not really. Images of birds will hang on the museum’s walls. But the images will be from all over the world. The exhibition is called “Birds in Art” and is a traveling art show…
Destination: Nojoqui Falls
How many times have you blindly passed something beautiful and not even known it was there? I realize I’ve done it a million times. If you travel south on Highway 101 and have never been to Nojoqui Falls Park, you’re missing out on something, too. There’s an inconspicuous sign on the 101 that announces the…
Spiritual
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Clubs & Meetings
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Farmers Markets
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “Times-Roman”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacExte”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }p.NoParagraphStyle, li.NoParagraphStyle, div.NoParagraphStyle { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 120%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times-Roman; color: black; }div.Section1 {…
Barbecues
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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…
Health
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “Times-Roman”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }span.WW-Absatz-Standardschriftart { }p.NoParagraphStyle, li.NoParagraphStyle, div.NoParagraphStyle { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 120%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times-Roman; color: black; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE…
Art
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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 GROSSMAN GALLERY presents “Color from the Heart” by painter Tonya Romano Schultz through October at the Grossman Gallery in the…
Learning
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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; } ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents University Transfer Day, featuring representatives from more than 40 colleges and universities on Nov. 2 from 9:30…
Recreation
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 is $3 per player. Rain cancels. Registration: 489-1340. THE ARROYO GRANDE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB extends an open invitation to everyone interested in participating in all levels of…
Kids & Family
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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 VALLEY YMCA holds open registration for its youth volleyball clinic for ages 10 to 13 through Nov. 12.…
Dance Lessons
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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 BLUE MOON HAVEN BELLY DANCE currently teaches American Tribal Style dance classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in Lompoc and…
Stage
@font-face { font-family: “Geneva”; }@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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. 29,…
Night Life
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BlacExte”; }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…
Concerts
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }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 TRI CITY SOUND CHORUS, a chorus of the Sweet Adelines International, holds rehearsals for its annual Christmas show Nov. 4,…
SPECIAL EVENTS
@font-face { font-family: “New York”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-BoldCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-Regu”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCond”; }@font-face { font-family: “NimbusSanD-LighCondItal”; }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; } MASCARA the (Mexican-American Scholarship Cultural and Recreation Association) presents its 16th annual Dia…
In the dog house
My wife and I celebrated another anniversary recently. Well, I should say she celebrated it. I panicked and freaked out because I forgot to buy my wife something nice to “prove” to her that I love her. It’s not that I don’t love her enough to think ahead and get her something great, it’s just…
Join a Veterans Day cut-a-thon
Sport Clips in Santa Maria is joining the rest of the franchise’s stores nationwide in supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ “Operation Uplink,” a program offering free call days for deployed and hospitalized American service members. The shop will be taking part in Sport Clips’ “Biggest Haircut Day of the Year” cut-a-thon on Veterans Day,…
CoastHills introduces mobile app
CoastHills Federal Credit Union, an 11-branch institution serving the Central Coast, recently introduced an integrated mobile marketing and banking application designed for smartphones, according to CoastHills officials. By using the application, credit union members can check account balances, transfer funds, make loan payments, and generate on-demand account statements from their phones. The app also displays…
Gordies grills up Nipomo
Gordies BBQ and Grill, a new barbecue restaurant in Nipomo, opened its doors on Oct. 1. Offering barbecue chicken, tri-tip steaks, ribs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and burritos, Gordies owner Jonathan Chavez and manager Gilberto Chavez promise great food. Located at 277 W. Tefft St., Gordies is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days…
Community Bank posts quarterly profits
Community Bank of Santa Maria released its third quarter financial statements Oct. 18, showing a large increase in net profits over the same period in 2009. For the period ending Sept. 30, net profits for the bank were $308,967, a 169-percent increase over the $114,587 reported for the period ending Sept. 30, 2009. Total assets…
Young leaders needed
Teens and 20-somethings interested in volunteering and leadership experience—here’s your chance: The Workforce Investment Board of Santa Barbara County is currently seeking new membership for its Youth Advisory Council. Council members help the board develop workforce-related policies affecting young people, especially low-income or at-risk youth. The Youth Advisory Council is composed of 15 seats and…
Questions for the college bound
Allan Hancock College is getting ready to hold its annual University Transfer Day—the day students, parents, and community members get to learn all about making the transition from community college to a four-year college or university. The event, which is open to the public, will be held on Nov. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30…
Rosario Bras
When Rosario Bras was a Righetti High student, he was called the “Freshman Sensation,” and the name stuck with him for his freshman year on the Allan Hancock College soccer team. Bras earned the title, in both cases. During his freshman years at both schools, he was the highest scorer on the team. And, for…
Before you gorge, walk it out
Worried about packing on the Thanksgiving pounds? Teens and adults can get in shape before the big turkey day at the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s 14th annual Turkey Trot Fun Run on Nov. 20. Runners and walkers will be participating on a 2.5-mile course, but shorter distances will also be available…
Orange crush
Who said pumpkins can’t fly? For the second straight year, Orcutt’s McLean family is prepared to prove the feat is possible, hauling a homemade trebuchet—a medieval device used for castle assaults—to Arroyo Grande High School’s Pumpkin Catapult competition on Nov. 13. There, they’ll attempt to defend their long-distance launching title against the AGHS Eagle Robotics…
The Dream Act could be a nightmare
Much is being said in the media about the Dream Act and giving residency and financial help to illegal alien students who graduate from a California high school if they attend a college for a specified amount of time or get a college diploma. However, the media doesn’t seem to want to tell the entire…
Before you vote, check this checklist
In this political season, there has been more noise and less substance than in any prior election I can remember. Don’t tell me what is wrong with the other person. Tell me about your record and what you will do for me. You may feel the same way, too. Most public office races produce an…
Who’s really mad as hell?
American corporations are mad as hell, and they aren’t going to take it anymore! Democrats threaten huge corporate profits, and corporations and the super rich are determined to stop them. Huge profits that normally go to corporations and the wealthy for over-priced drugs, unaffordable insurance policies and hospital costs, 25-percent credit card charges, and Wall…
Mike Stoker has my vote
If you want lower taxes and much smaller government, vote for Mike Stoker. Vote for Mike Stoker for the 35th, change we really need.
Elton Gallegly has my vote
My personal contact with Congressman Gallegly’s office has been one of complete satisfaction. I have on many occasions contacted the Congressman’s office to either clarify a point or ask for his stance on a subject such as immigration. The responses from his office have been prompt and to the point. I feel that he is…
Old Bavaria meets California casual
What happens when traditional German foods merge with California casual food at Hoagies in Avila Beach? You get sausage and sauerkraut with a twist. Or, as Hoagies chef Shawn Swink, put it: “I like my kraut a little more juiced up.” In an e-mail that snagged my attention, I discovered Hoagies was going to celebrate…
