Cover Story
Search for the silver lining on those clouds of economic crisis
Good news, everyone! Gas prices have dropped to less than $3 a gallon. In Santa Maria, prices have been spotted as low as $2.99. That’s a small ray of sunshine for commuters in an otherwise bleak and dreary economic climate. But, as it turns out, it’s not the only one. As the old saying goes,…
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…
HEALTH
SANSUM CLINIC offers a “Cholesterol Management” class Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic, 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Cost is $8. Info: 737-8700. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT offers community influenza clinics on Oct. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Hall, 941…
ART
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents, as part of its monthly meeting, speaker Ramona Clayton on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Alpha Clubhouse, 704 E Ocean Ave., Lompoc. The art of featured artist Betsee Talavera shows through Nov. 23 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129. THE SANTA MARIA…
LEARNING
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS Santa Barbara County Chapter presents a client casework class on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Red Cross. Info: 928-0778, Ext. 415. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM presents Cristina Venegas speaking about international media on Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.…
RECREATION
WORTH THE DRIVE YOGA SHALA offers a Beginner Yoga Series on Thursdays, through Nov. 6, and a Yoga Basic Series on Wednesdays, through Nov. 5, both from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Yoga Shala in Avila Beach. Cost is $60. Info: 556-0413. FREE YOGA FOR CANCER SURVIVORS sessions, with instructor Shoosh Crotzer, are Wednesdays from…
KIDS & FAMILY
MOTIONZ presents a free “Haunted Circus” event on Oct. 30 and 31 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Motionz, Santa Maria Town Center, Santa Maria. Not intended for small children. Info: 922-6922. THE LOMPOC BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB presents its “Freaky Friday” celebrations on Oct. 31, featuring a haunted house from 3 to 5…
DANCE LESSONS
ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to adult. Call for schedules. Boys and men receive full scholarships. The studio is located at 800 S. Broadway. Info: 937-6753. THE DANCE STUDIO offers dance classes in Santa Maria and Nipomo in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Dance Team. Info:…
STAGE
THE NIPOMO HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA DEPARTMENT presents its production of 7 Brides for Dracula, a melodrama and vaudeville show, on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at Nipomo High School. Cost is $10, $8 for seniors and students. Info: 704-5945. THE LOMPOC CIVIC THEATRE presents a haunted house—not recommended for kids 14 and younger—on Oct. 30…
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 CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, 614-9316. DJ Davey D Saturday nights. THE COACHMAN: 1531 S. Broadway, 922-5556. Thursday through Saturday: DJ from 9 p.m. to…
CONCERTS
WORTH THE DRIVE UCSB ARTS AND LECTURES presents Milton Nascimento and the Jobim Trio performing Bossa Nova music on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. in the UCSB Campbell Hall, Santa Barbara. Cost is $40, $19 for students. Info: 893-3535 or www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu. THE DAMON CASTILLO BAND celebrates the release of its new album, Laurel Lane, on…
SPECIAL EVENTS
A SPOOKTACULAR POKER RUN in benefit of the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Turkey Drive is Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Santa Maria Association Board of Realtors’ Office, 2236 S. Broadway, suite E, Santa Maria. Info: 922-7888. THE DEL CIELO MOBILE ESTATES holds its annual Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 1 from 9…
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.…
What are you dressing up as for Halloween?
Ashley Hillier restaurant manager “Betty Rubble.” Eddie Hillier binky consultant “Bam-Bam.” Amanda Faircloth medical assistant. “A sexy sailor.” Gail Sousa tow-truck manufacturer. “I’ll be in bed by 7.”
Lucky dogs board at Lucky Dog Pet Resort
Husband and wife Chris and Danielle Consolo started talking about owning their own dog boarding facility in 2001, and now, seven years later, they do. Lucky Dog Pet resort is open for business at 526 N. Oakglen Ave. in Nipomo. After years of working at kennels in New York, and with the help of a…
Stop and smell the roses at Bella Flora florist
There’s a new place to buy flowers and gifts in Lompoc: Bella Flora Florist and Gifts. Owner/designer Diane Lane and florist Jennifer Kozlowski have more than 20 years of combined experience in floral design, home de;cor, painting, and art. They specialize in personalizing floral services to suit each customer’s needs. The new store is located…
Wells Fargo Foundation donates $45,000 to local housing advocates
Peoples’ Self Help Housing is an organization that develops and manages affordable rental housing in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and the group recently received an influx of cash from the Wells Fargo Foundation. “Wells Fargo is proud to support organizations like Peoples’ Self-Help Housing who are working to strengthen our communities. We…
Local educators celebrate McTeacher’s Night
Fast food fees went toward a good cause on Oct. 21 and 23, when staff members from five Santa Maria-Bonita School District elementary schools participated in McTeacher’s Night at five local McDonald’s restaurants. From 5 to 8 p.m., staff members from Alvin, Battles, Bruce, Sanchez, and Tunnell elementary schools cooked and served hamburgers, fries, and…
Forget free candy, RIF gives free books to students
October usually conjures up visions of fall leaves and spooky tombstones that say “R.I.P.”—but students in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District are now focusing on a slightly different set of letters: “RIF.” The national Reading Is Fundamental “Books for Ownership” program is donating free books to more than 11,500 local children throughout the month. District…
Political watch
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) will hold mobile office hours in Nipomo on Oct. 30, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Office hours will be held in front of the Nipomo Public Library, located at 918 West Tefft Street. Earlier this month, the 33rd District assemblyman held office hours behind City Hall in Arroyo…
Pepperoni and firefighters, together at last
Domino’s Pizza helps raise funds and raise awareness Domino’s Pizza in Orcutt—in partnership with the Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara County fire departments—will be raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and raising awareness of National Fire Safety month on Nov. 1 and 2. The Santa Barbara County Firefighter’s Association will be taking…
Watch before you vote
In case you missed it, the Oct. 9 League of Women Voters forum for candidates for the Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors and the Santa Maria City Council will show on Government Access channel 25 on Fridays at 7 a.m. and on Mondays and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. until the election.
Central Coast water quality symposium is scheduled for Nov. 6 in Santa Maria
Santa Maria residents will have a chance to sound off on water issues at the Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition Symposium on Nov. 6. The symposium will highlight the appearance of nitrates and other substances in water sources and its relation to fertilizer. According to a press release from the coalition, a representative from…
Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan moves forward
Members of the Santa Maria City Council cheered as city staffers presented the final stages of the Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan at the council’s Oct. 21 meeting, when council members unanimously approved a project blueprint and other final project guidelines. The plan awaits final approval on Nov. 4. According to the project plan and…
Incumbent Larry Lavagnino faces Ernest Armenta in Santa Maria’s mayoral race
Longtime mayor Larry Lavagnino is up for re-election, and he’s competing for votes with active Santa Maria citizen Ernest S. Armenta. Lavagnino has served as mayor of Santa Maria since 1996. Armenta ran against Lavagnino the last time the mayor was up for re-election four years ago and lost that race. The Sun asked these…
Safety first
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Lompoc held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Santa Barbara County Fire Chief John Scherrei, Sheriff Bill Brown, 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray, and 5th District Supervisor Brooks Firestone on Oct. 24, celebrating the grand opening of Lompoc’s new public safety building. The 12,600-square-foot shared building includes…
Nobel winner visits Allan Hancock College
It’s not every day locals get to listen to a Nobel Peace Prize winner speak about social justice, make an earnest appeal for reason during unreasonable times, and offer sage advice all in one go. The audience for Rigoberta Mench?’s visit to Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria on Oct. 23 got all that and…
Measure for measure
On Nov. 4, Californians will have a list of 12 state propositions to mull over, focusing on issues from gay marriage to alternative energy to veterans’ benefits. On the local level, Santa Barbara County voters will have several more measures to consider. However, only one of the measures will have a direct impact on the…
Trick or treat?
Every Halloween there seems to be the “it” costume. For a long time, it was the black robe and menacing white face from the movie Scream. Recently, I have seen a lot of Hannah Montanas and Darth Vaders knocking at my door, begging for candy. I have also noticed that for the adult women set,…
Arts Briefs
‘Sing to Me’ series starts at C Gallery No tech hassles. No wires. Just some acoustic music. That’s how Connie Rohde of the The C Gallery in Los Alamos described the first in the “Sing To Me” recital series. Linni Gilfrey will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the gallery. Wine and refreshments…
Spiritual content
David Stroup is searching for the spiritual connection between humanity and nature. And on his journey, he packs a camera. Seeing the connection between the human spirit and the landscape that surrounds it through the lens of a camera has helped him share that vision. He creates black-and-white, large-format photos that depict nature in its…
Something old, something new
It started out with a little old lady, clutching an umbrella, sitting in a parking lot at 7 a.m. on a drizzly morning. I wondered who she was and what she was doing. I later found out that she was waiting for the bus that takes patrons to and from the Chumash Casino. The bus…
Dinner’s at the door
A beloved local institution has gone national with an innovative method for delivering restaurant-quality meals to tables across the nation. And it’s not just your average restaurant quality, either, but prime steaks and savory seafood grilled, Santa Maria-style, over a live red oak fire. The Hitching Post I, founded in Casmalia 56 years ago by…
Lots of money in a little time
The construction industry provides sanctuary and equity wealth to homeowners, shelter to renters, comfortable places to conduct business and shop, good salaries to workers, and revenues that help fund local government and pay for public improvements. Yet we often hear people question if the construction industry is paying its fair share. State law, known as…
Local riders get a chance to compete against legends
On any given day, the Central Coast is riddled with mountain bike riders. They travel up and down the trails in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties—though not so much in Santa Maria. These are mountain bikers after all, and, well, they don’t call it the Santa Maria Valley for nothing. Still, the…
Bulldogs get patriotic at their next home football game
Members of the military will be the guests of honor on Nov. 8 as the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs face off against the Ventura College Pirates. The game starts at 6 p.m., but for the first 250 military members, veterans, and their families who pick up tickets, the fun starts at 4 p.m. with a…
Athlete of the Week
In Guadalupe, there’s a school: Mary Buren Elementary. At Mary Buren, there is Mr. Cuello’s third grade class, and in Mr. Cuello’s third grade class there’s an up-and-coming football star who plays for the Guadalupe Bulldogs: 9-year-old Luis Ramos. Ramos has been playing football for the last two years. So how did he get interested?…
