Cover Story
Tales from the underground
At 6:11 p.m. on the afternoon of Sept. 9 in San Bruno, all hell broke loose. At that moment, a natural gas line burst in the Bay Area city, igniting a fireball that incinerated a neighborhood of 37 homes and killed eight people. It also prompted a firestorm of scrutiny for the state’s entire network…
All in a year’s work
It’s already been a year since the inception of the Santa Barbara County Youth Corps; to celebrate, members are going to be throwing quite the anniversary party. The events will recognize the achievements of Youth Corps members at the organization’s three Santa Barbara County sites. “It’s an opportunity for the corps members to show what…
Who’s your favorite explorer, fictional or real?
Marty Walsh business management “Captain Kirk, to go where no man’s gone before—he’s the ultimate explorer.” Barbara Walsh explorer “Myself. That’s why we’re here: to explore.” Hailey Jimenez explorer aficionado “Dora the Explorer.” Angelina Jimenez caretaker “Moses, because he went to unknown territory unafraid.”
Hobnobbing With Helen
At a few minutes after 5:30 p.m., all is quiet and serene on the Santa Maria Country Club’s gorgeous, pristine golf course. The fleet of electric golf carts has returned to the garage. After a hard day on the hot links, golfers enjoy cold drinks in the bar. Then, everyone flocks to the veranda. All…
Community Notebook 10.07
TUESDAY, OCT. 12 • 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, suite 141, Santa Maria. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in…
Authorities reveal identity of suspected Santa Margarita homicide victim
San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department officials have released the identity of the suspected homicide victim found on Sept. 26 by firefighters responding to a brushfire on Parkhill Road off Highway 58 in Santa Margarita. The body of Santa Maria resident Dystiny Myers, 15, was burned beyond recognition, but authorities were able to identify the remains…
Political Watch 10.07
Santa Maria City Council member Mike Cordero announced recently in a press release his decision to endorse candidate Terri Zuniga for a seat on the Santa Maria City Council. “Terri knows this community well and has spent her life serving those in need. Her ability to reach out to youth and families in crisis to…
Locals want hate to stop
In the early morning hours of Sept. 16, so the reports say, 24-year-old Curtis Martin knocked on the window of the Denny’s Restaurant on East Main Street in Santa Maria to ask if he could use the bathroom. The restaurant was closed for maintenance, but a Denny’s employee reportedly came outside to talk to him.…
Santa Barbara County supervisors pick a new CEO
The search for a successor for Santa Barbara County Executive Officer Michael Brown is over. On Sept. 28, the Board of Supervisors announced the selection of San Diego resident Chandra Wallar to fill Brown’s shoes. Wallar will take the helm as the county’s chief financial officer on Nov. 1. Brown, who has been with the…
Nationwide women’s health coalition seeks congressional hearing on chronic pain conditions
A coalition of healthcare providers and women’s health activists is calling on U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) to request a congressional hearing to help women suffering from chronic pain find affordable treatment. On Sept. 30, the coalition sent Capps a letter, which read: “As many as 50 million American women live with one or…
Clubs & Meetings
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Spiritual
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Farmers Markets
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Barbecues
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Health
@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.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…
Art
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Learning
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Recreation
@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.Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE SANTA MARIA ELKS LODGE presents a Super Bingo event on Oct. 10 at noon at the Elks, 1309 N. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. ONGOING A…
KIDS & FAMILY
@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.Absatz-Standardschriftart { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } THE COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION and the Boys and Girls Club present a healthy snack program for kids from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. through June 15 at…
Dance Lessons
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Stage
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE’S Dance Department presents “Dimensions in Dance,” featuring student and faculty members performing several dance styles Oct. 7 through 10 at 7 p.m. at the Allan Hancock College Marian Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Cost is $17 to $15. Info: 922-8313. THE POETRY SOCIETY OF SANTA MARIA invites all to read poetry,…
Night Life
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Concerts
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Special Events
THE CENTRAL COAST RAILROAD FESTIVAL features model train layouts, rail excursions, concerts, and historical family programs Oct. 7 through 11 in Guadalupe, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles. A full schedule is available at ccrrf.com. Info: 773-4173. THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA Workforce Investment Board holds a public celebration of the Youth Corps on Oct.…
Visitors Association elects board
The Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association announced the election of a new board of directors for 2011. John Kochis, general manager of Bridlewood Estate Winery, is the group’s new president, and Thomas O’Higgins, owner of Wine Country Home, was named vice president. Other elected officers are treasurer Sherry Thore, owner of Sherry Thore CPA; secretary…
Conference covers economic future
The state of local and national economies and the role of energy policy in growth will be discussed during the Santa Barbara County Energy Coalition’s National Energy Day and 2011 Economic Conference on Oct. 12. Expert speakers will cover a wide range of topics—including solar, nuclear, wind, and wave power; oil; natural gas; energy efficiency;…
Restaurants reward dog adoptions
To celebrate American Humane Association’s national Adopt-A-Dog month, the Milt Guggia Family of Restaurants is partnering with the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society to offer special discount cards on food all October long. For every dog adopted during the month, the Guggia Family will donate a $20 gift card, good at any of the 10…
Study sports management online
Liberty University, a private Christian college in Lynchburg, Va., is now offering an online master’s degree program in sports management, with a specialization in sports administration. The degree is designed to expand students’ understanding of the sport and recreation industry, while developing industry-specific management skills. Program courses will focus on specific management topics, including social…
An oil spill expert is coming to Solvang
Interested in learning more about the BP oil spill and how it was cleaned up? On Oct. 14, U.C. Santa Barbara researcher and Solvang resident Dr. Ira Leifer will discuss his experiences as NASA’s chief mission coordinating scientist for the airborne response to the massive spill in a free lecture at 7:30 p.m. at the…
Sweet Adelines give students a hand up
Four college-bound seniors began their collegiate career with a little extra cash, thanks to scholarships provided by Tri City Sound. The Sweet Adelines International Chorus serving Lompoc and Santa Maria valleys awards scholarships each year to graduating students who participated in their high school vocal music program for at least two years and who plan…
The library needs artists!
Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Gallery has announced its 2011-2012 Gallery Exhibition Call for Artists. Artists can submit work to the Main Library Circulation Desk counter and lobby information desk at 421 S. McClelland St., or by e-mail to dhildinger@santa-maria.ca.us. The work will be juried by the library’s Art Advisory Committee and selected for exhibition…
Vanished appears
Writer John McReynolds wasn’t looking to uncover the reason nearly 100 Japanese families in Lompoc never returned to the community after having been sent to internment camps. He wasn’t even aware of the fact that of those interned families, only two returned to Lompoc. He didn’t know that what was once a vibrant Japanese community…
All aboard!
A lone platform stands at the Surf Beach Train Station, where crashing waves often provide the only sound. It wasn’t always so lonely here. Lompoc once had two train stations, said Lompoc Museum’s Dee Frasher: “We bemoan the fact that both our beautiful stations were torn down. Now we just have the platform at…
Fall fun for a cause
All festivities on the Central Coast combine optimism, edible plenty, and a call to lend a hand to worthy causes. Area residents gathering to celebrate the joys of harvest are ready to have some fun, while helping to improve the lives of their neighbors. Among Santa Maria’s annual events is the Harvest Festival, slated for…
Bring back the rock
Dear sticky fingers, I am almost 85, have crippled arthritis hands, and have trouble controlling a paint brush. So I know your reason for taking my painted rock is not my artistic talent. It must have been on a dare or a prank, so will you please return my painted rock to the Hula Hut…
I’ve got some dune monitoring suggestions
As an avid user of the Oceano Dunes, it is amazing to hear how many people are concerned about windborne silica and other particulates that could be potentially harmful, and how they want to make major policy changes with minimal wind data. I just have one simple question: Where are all the wind stations on…
People who use parks should pay for the use
Proposition 21 asks us to approve an $18 increase to our vehicle license fees to preserve and improve state parks. State parks bring visions of open space, forests, streams, meadows, and beaches. The wording in Proposition 21 states that the revenue generated will be used for: (b) Wildlife conservation and protection of natural resources, including…
These are my choicesfor Lompoc leaders
I am supporting John Linn for mayor of Lompoc and Dirk Starbuck for City Council. These two small business owners have the life experiences necessary to help guide Lompoc through these tough times. They have made decisions that allowed their businesses to stay open and keep people employed, and I have all the confidence that…
Lois isn’t ducking voters
Your Sept. 30 issue carries a “paid advertisement” (page 4). It does not mention who paid for it. I assume Andy Caldwell. This “ad” is negative toward our excellent Congresswoman Lois Capps. The “ad” encourages phoning or e-mailing Lois to get her on Caldwell’s program, which he claims is the “only show” in the afternoon…
Penny Popp
Though Penny Popp, a nurse at Marian Medical Center’s rehab center, originally started participating in triathlons for herself, she’s noticed the effect the effort has had at her work. “It’s a good example for the patients who are in cardio rehab. It shows them that they aren’t the only ones who need to exercise,” she…
The Bleacher Bum Chronicles Vol. VIII
There’s nothing quite like Halloween to bring the kid out in all of us—except for maybe Christmas, Chuck E. Cheese, and the ring-ring of the ice cream man. With the ushering in of fall comes the invasion of Halloween “superstores” to all-too-common vacant retail spaces, reminding us it’s never too early to start thinking about…
Fall means changes at Las Flores
Las Flores Ranch Park—which offers hiking, cycling, and horseback riding on about 8 miles of trails—will have new hours and fees for the fall and winter seasons. Beginning Nov. 7 and extending through March 2011, the park will be closed to recreational access Mondays through Thursdays. The park will be open to all users from…
