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Stand Down Santa Barbara County is back for a second year of serving veterans in need
A stand-down, in military terms, is a brief stop in offensive action to give soldiers time to rest and regroup during a mission. Stand Down Santa Barbara County takes that concept and applies it to life after the military. The community collaboration’s mission is to provide veterans who are homeless or struggling a safe place…
Native tribes will sing and dance at the Chumash’s 18th annual Intertribal Pow-Wow
Watch a video of featured artists, The Cathedral Lakes Singers. Before our modern times of casinos and fee-to-trust woes, Native Americans lived in equilibrium with Mother Earth and praised her with song. An upcoming event presented by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians invites all to come celebrate that connection with friendly music and…
Santa Maria strawberry growers rally for immigration reform
Several speakers—including Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino—signed their names on a gigantic letter addressed to several U.S. legislators at a Sept. 26 rally for immigration reform. Local strawberry farmers, agricultural groups, lawyers, and politicians—all uniting under the common thread of immigration reform support—filled a small room in the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center in Santa…
The Solvang Faeriefest is a celebration of the imagination ancient and new
All around us, at all times, the world of Fae is in full force. Or at least that’s what the ancient bards told us. For some, the world of faeries and nature spirits isn’t far off at all. It’s just behind the shroud of our imagination. The Solvang Faeriefest is a chance for locals to…
What do you think of the Common Core standards?
Amanda Smith behavior support aide “I think it will be good for students and it will help them think abstractly.” Alan Scott student “I’ve heard great things about it and I’m looking forward to learning more.” Michael Hernandez substitute teacher “I don’t know too much about it, but it’s supposed to help students with the…
Firestone scores top honors for local brews
Though Firestone Walker Brewing Company brews had to travel quite a ways to the European Beer Star Competition in Munich, Germany, the local drafts won several honors at the prestigious competition. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson was present at the competition, where Firestone Walker’s Pale 31 received the “Consumers’ Favourite in Gold” distinction. This is the second…
PCPA will hold a one-day costume sale
Still trying to figure out what to be for Halloween? PCPA Theaterfest might lend some inspiration when it opens up part of its costume vault for the annual pre-Halloween costume sale. Scheduled for Oct. 12 from 7 a.m. to noon, the event will feature select costume pieces seen on PCPA’s stages, as well as accessories,…
The city of Santa Maria adds new fall classes
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has bolstered its fall-winter class lineup with four new classes for creative and athletic kids. “All-Star Dads” is for parents and grandparents to attend with their little ones ages 1 to 6 years old. The class teaches music, movement, and interactive activities and will meet Thursdays from 5:30…
The Lompoc Civic Theatre begins its 40th season with an original play by Paul Allen Thornton
Local actor and playwright Paul Allen Thornton was given the chance to premiere his play Audition for Murder 20 years ago thanks to the Lompoc Civic Theatre. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the community theater group asked Thornton if his work could be included in the anniversary season, which features favorite productions over the last…
Splitting hairs
One of the things that happens to you as you get older is you really do stop caring what others think. Not about everything of course, but it’s no longer such a big deal when, say, you discover you’ve been walking around much of the day with your shirt on inside out, or when you…
Caliterranean Café is a natural fit for Los Alamos
With the arrival of a new, progressive place in town, Los Alamos expanded its horizons last Saturday, during the Northern Santa Barbara County hamlet’s busiest weekend of the year, Los Alamos Old Days. Global Gardens—the bright and cheery olive oil and vinegar tasting bar and shop that arrived on Los Alamos’ blossoming Bell Street over…
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 for more information.
Discover breath-taking coastal views
The Point Sal trail, one of the oldest trails on the Central Coast, offers adventure and unparalleled views of the beautiful coastline. On Oct. 5, the Guadalupe Dunes Center will be host to a three-mile hike to the Point Sal overlook. Accompanied by a docent, hikers will learn information on the local habitat, flora, and…
Bring on the 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.
Dance until you drop
Through Nov. 28, the Buellton Veterans Hall will be offering a series of adult dance classes. For $70 a person through Oct. 24, dancers can learn the techniques of ballroom as well as east and west coast swing dance. Experienced dance teacher, Dawn Ramallo-Wilson, will teach the course.
UCSB versus Pepperdine
Enjoy the excitement of collegiate volleyball Oct. 3 as the Gauchos take on the Thunderbolts at the UCSB versus Pepperdine volleyball game. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. and admission is $15. The price includes transportation and admission. Families are welcome to attend.
Twirl, twirl, twirl!
Baton twirling is a timeless talent that still carries much appeal. From Sept. 26 to Oct.17, join the Buellton Veterans Hall and 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…
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…
Walker Armstrong
Walker Armstrong is making waves in the pool, and it’s only the beginning of the season. A junior water polo player from St. Joseph High School, Armstrong is taking the reins as lead scorer for the Knights. When St. Joseph water polo coach Brandon Gonzalez first met Armstrong, the thing that stood out to him…
Santa Maria-Bonita teachers get active to be healthy role models for their students
It’s no secret that exercise yields numerous benefits for the body, both on a mental and a physical level. But the advent of demanding and fast-paced careers makes finding time for exercise and healthy habits more difficult than it used to be. However, studies are showing that healthy bodies are crucial for a healthy workplace.…
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office says its truancy program is working
Our children deserve every opportunity to be successful. Education is often a strong predictor of a successful future. Our schools not only offer academic education but other forms of education as well, such as cultural, social, athletic, and community instruction. Clearly, children who miss out on attending classes are deprived. Research conducted by the National…
I will protect my rights
What is wrong with our state officials? We should not be issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants; they came here illegally and do not deserve the privilege of a driver’s license. It is not a right, it is a privilege. Many of our accidents are caused by illegals’ hit and run. I do believe they…
The Benchwarmer is near perfect
I never read the column, The Benchwarmer, but I happened to in the Sept. 18 edition of the Sun. I sure am glad I did. It was “The Benchwarmer’s hopes for the 2013 NFL Season.” I’m a tremendous Green Bay Packers fan. And after reading most of the hilarious and insightful article, she wrote about…
I have nothing to show for my efforts
You don’t know this, but I spend weeks working on each of my columns. Months. I brainstorm ideas far in advance of ever pecking anything out on my keyboard. Even the ones that are about something that just happened a few days prior happen this way. Don’t ask how. It just works. This week’s edition,…
United Way awards Santa Maria High teachers
The Power Reading Teachers Incentive Promotion is starting to dole out checks to teachers within the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Power Reading uses computer software to help students improve their reading comprehension and proficiency. This month’s winners are Santa Maria High School teachers Teri Magni and Auni Baldwin. The promotion will take…
Lompoc preschool health fairs slated for October
Free health screenings, medical information, and follow-up services will be offered to students attending public preschools on Oct. 25 at the Lompoc Unified School District’s Adult Education Center. Nurses, medical assistants, health advocates, and volunteers from more than 20 agencies will provide vision, hearing, and height and weight screenings. Dentists and hygienists are also volunteering…
Lompoc High School senior Ainuu Taua is invited to 2014 All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army marched into Lompoc on Sept. 30 and selected Lompoc High School standout football player Ainuu Taua for the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 4, 2014. Local soldiers presented Taua with his honorary All-American jersey during a ceremony at the high school in front of his friends,…
Political Watch 10/3/13
• The San Luis Obispo Housing Trust Fund, the Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County and Women’s Economic Ventures in Santa Barbara recently received $600,000 each in awards granted through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund. U.S. Representative Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) made the announcement in a press release…
Community Notebook 10/3-10/10
TUESDAY, OCT. 8 • 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 Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 141, Santa Maria. Agendas are available at http://santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the…
Community Corner: Santa Barbara County Animal Services offers adoption specials
During October, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is encouraging residents to “Fall in Love” with a shelter pet by offering adoption specials. With more than 600 animals to choose from, the county’s three animal services shelters are filled with adoptable animals. Future owners will have a chance to adopt a dog for only $75—a $35…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Margaret Cooper is like the Energizer Bunny. She just keeps going and going and going. Sometimes to Turkey. Sometimes to Australia. Sometimes to Waller Park. The retired art teacher took time off from her rigorous swimming routine, travel schedule, and volunteer work at the library to organize this year’s fourth, or fifth, or sixth (who’s…
Santa Maria Energy gets the drilling go ahead from county planning commissioners, but could face an appeal
After a long, much-debated, and somewhat tedious process, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission finally gave Santa Maria Energy the nod for its proposed oil well expansion project on Sept. 25, but drills can’t bore into the earth with unrestrained vigor just yet. Nathan Alley, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara,…
Central Coast officials dispel safety concerns following a study on radioactive materials from Fukushima
News broke late this summer that nuclear fallout from the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan would hit Californian shores sometime next year. But is there any risk to public health and safety? A recent international study has concluded that there isn’t, as have federal and local health officials. But that response…
New digs are coming to Santa Maria High School
South Broadway’s view of Santa Maria High School will change with construction of a two-story, 26,000-square-foot classroom building near the historic Ethel Pope Auditorium. The structure will accommodate 324 students and staff members with 14 learning areas and 10 classrooms. Bidding is expected to start in October, and construction is estimated to take less than…
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department hires a record 17 custody deputies
On Sept. 30, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department officials swore in and handed badges to 17 new custody deputies. It was the largest custody deputy hiring ceremony in the agency’s history. The new hires are Christopher Norling, Brandon Hansen, Jim Myers, Jeremy Barnett, Erich Winter, Gino Cecchetto, Justin Haney, Paul Otero, Christopher Markham, Andrew Long,…
First-ever SpaceX rocket takes flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base
A Falcon-9 rocket took to the sky Sept. 29 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. It was the first launch of a rocket belonging to Space Exploration Technologies, better known as SpaceX. The 30th Space Wing’s 1st Air and Space Test Squadron oversaw the mission, evaluating SpaceX’s flight and ground systems and processes and…
Spotlight on: Clinical Training Institute
Kevin Tharrington loves helping little kids. The longtime medical professional prides himself on his bedside manner, which the North Carolinian calls “just simple Southern hospitality.” He recalled a special instance when he and a little boy bonded over his Southern accent. A woman came into Clinical Training Institute, of which Tharrington is the regional director,…
