Cover Story
Weathering the storm
When the storm clouds that would become Hurricane Gustav began swirling over the Caribbean in late August, hundreds of state and federal officials, along with an army of trained volunteers, sprang into action against what would become the nation’s first big test since Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Gulf Coast in 2005. But even…
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, 7 p.m., in the downstairs conference room at United…
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 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.…
HEALTH
SANSUM CLINIC offers a “Diabetes Essentials” class on Oct. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. A “Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Nutrition” class is Oct. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. Sansum Clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. THE SANTA…
ART
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents its annual Fall Show through Oct. 26 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress, Lompoc. A reception is Oct. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery. Info: lompocvalleyartassociation.com or 737-1129. ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents the art show Terra Tectonica, featuring ceramic works by fine arts instructor Bob…
LEARNING
THE CENTRAL COAST WOMEN’S NETWORK holds a “Seminar Networking Event” Oct. 9. Info: 439-1013, events@ccwnetwork.com, or ccwnetwork.com. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, Santa Barbara County Chapter presents a “Fulfilling Our Mission” class is Oct. 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Red Cross. Club Red: Leadership Retreat, a three-day youth camp, runs Oct. 10-12 in…
RECREATION
LA PURISIMA MISSION presents candlelight tours of the mission on Oct. 10 and 11. Come to 2295 Purisima Road in Lompoc. Info: 733-3713. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SLO STATE PARK DOCENTS present a “Dune Dwellers—Chumash and Dunites” hike on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. Meet at the Pismo Nature Center, Oceano. A “Birds at…
KIDS & FAMILY
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY offers “Little Red Wagon Story Time” for kids ages 3 to 5 on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. through Oct. 16 at the library, 421 S McClelland St., Santa Maria. Pre registration is required. Info: 925-0994 or 925-4354. ONGOING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS is looking…
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
BEYOND SUNDAY PRODUCTIONS presents its production of Anne of Green Gables Oct. 11 and 12 for $15 (includes a Victorian tea) at the St. Andrew UMC, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Info: 937-2470 or beyondsundaypro@yahoo.com. ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents Dimensions in Dance—featuring original choreographed numbers in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip-hop styles— through…
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.…
CONCERTS
THE ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE CONCERT BAND presents its first pops concert of the fall season on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2970 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Cost is $10, $5 for seniors and students. Info: 1-866-DIAL AHC, Ext. 3252. A FREE ORGAN CONCERT featuring British concert organist Graham Blyth is…
SPECIAL EVENTS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS presents “Recovering from Domestic Violence,” featuring speakers and a candlelight vigil, Oct. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Shepard Hall, Santa Maria Library, Santa Maria. THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS holds a forum for candidates for Santa Maria City Council, mayor, and Superior Court judge on Oct. 9 from 7 to…
Have you ever done any volunteer work?
Nancy Slattery retiree “I painted 23 pairs of cowboy boots for SLO Hospice.” Gene Slattery part-time math teacher “I volunteered to be a gunner’s mate during World War II.” Nancy Gruenberger student “[I] answered phones for KGDP Christian Radio.” Mike Andrendakis photographer “[I did] missionary work for the LDS Church.”
Local community colleges receive a grant to improve employment programs
Allan Hancock and Cuesta colleges were recently awarded a grant that will support their efforts to meet regional employment needs by strengthening their Career and Technical Education programs. Funded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Career Technical Education Initiative, the Community Collaborative Grant (SB 70/SB 1133), allows colleges to partner with businesses and industries to expand career…
Hancock’s migration special isn’t a typical lecture series
In honor of Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Mench? Tum’s visit to Alan Hancock College, scheduled for Oct. 23, the college’s Fall Faculty Lecture Series is focusing on themes of migration. Knowing that the phrase “lecture series” doesn’t exactly inspire people to get out on a Friday night, Hancock Language Arts Chair Kate Adams wanted…
The Preserve Solvang Initiative is here
Solvang wants to become a Preserve America Community, and the City Council is willing to work to make it happen. The council recently passed a resolution authorizing the mayor of Solvang and the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau to move forward with an application. The designation is a White House initiative developed with the Advisory…
Healthy Inspirations moves to a bigger location
After three years of growth, Healthy Inspirations of Nipomo is ready to move to a bigger location where there will be plenty of room for the cardio, strength, Pilates, kickboxing, and “Zumba” classes. Denise Farmer, owner of Healthy Inspirations, is so confident in her program, she’s offering a guaranteed weight loss of two or three…
Business Enriched Network hosts a local economist
Economist Kirk Lesh, with the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, will be the guest speaker at the Oct. 15 meeting of the Business Enriched Network at 8 a.m. at 411 E. Betteravia in Santa Maria. The Business Enriched Network aims to help its members meet and create relationships with other business leaders in the community who…
SLO resident wins St. Jude Dream Home giveaway
Marion Minor of San Luis Obispo is the grand prize winner of the Central Coast St. Jude Dream Home giveaway. His prize is a $350,000 house located in Santa Maria in the Celebration subdivision. The giveaway raised $616,700 for the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We are very appreciative of Flatley Homes, KCOY…
Hobnobbing with Helen
“I’m forever blowing bubbles” could have been the theme of the 10th annual “Discover Santa Maria Valley 2008” fundraiser. Opalescent spheres from a bubble-making machine floated upward and onward outside the children’s Discovery Museum on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 21. Such a pretty sight. This popular silent auction item was one of many interesting…
Get ready for a disaster
True to the Boy Scout motto of “be prepared,” Santa Marians will get a chance to attend an Emergency Preparedness Fair on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at 1219 Oak Knoll Road, Orcutt. Local Varsity Boy Scout Chris Peterson’s Eagle Project will bring…
Vote by mail: Everyone’s doing it
Santa Barbara County Clerk, Recorder, and Assessor Joe Holland announced on Oct. 6 that a record number of absentee ballots have been mailed out for the Nov. 4 Presidential General Election. More than 98,000 registered voters—more than half of the registered voters in Santa Barbara County—are now casting their ballots by mail. In a release…
County to collect household hazardous materials
Got some hazardous materials lying around the house? On Oct. 11 and 12, the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department will host collection events in New Cuyama and Santa Ynez for household hazardous waste, such as paint, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, cleaning supplies, and old electronic devices. The Cuyama event will take place on Oct.…
EPA takes over cleanup at Greka’s Gato Ponds lease
With winter rains approaching, it was time to take action, according to Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Mary Simms. The federal agency has stepped in to complete the most crucial aspects of cleanup at Greka Oil and Gas, Inc.’s Gato Ponds lease, located at 6057 Palmer Road in Santa Maria. “This is the third time the…
State officials stand up against scrap metal theft
Metal thieves, beware: In response to the increasing rate of metal theft in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month signed a package of bills aimed at combating metal theft and illegal sales. From 2004 to 2005, the market value of metals—specifically copper and aluminum—increased significantly, leading to an increase of stolen metal from fire…
Lompoc wind farm gets nod from county
Forty years after Santa Barbara County oil platforms sloshed oily goo onto America’s front page, the area has returned to the forefront of environmentalism with the approval of the county’s first renewable energy plant. The Lompoc Wind Energy Project won’t be built at tourist-draped Santa Barbara Harbor—victim of 1969’s world famous oil spill, which birthed…
It doesn’t always pay to be a ‘nice girl’
In her new book, The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused–—and Start Standing Up for Yourself, local author and veteran therapist Beverly Engel warns girls and women about being too “nice.” Being too nice, Engel writes, can be dangerous, because “nice girls” are more likely to be victimized—emotionally, physically, and sexually. Throughout her…
Arts Briefs
‘Pops’ goes the new director The Allan Hancock College Pops season opens with a new band director for the first time in 40 years. Greg Stoll has taken over baton duties from retiring longtime band leader Gary Thompson to lead the first concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 at First Baptist…
Enter a new Dimension
For more than two decades, the Allan Hancock College Dance program has impressed audiences with its ability to express emotion, ideas, and concepts through dance with its Dimensions in Dance production. This year, the department taps into the talent of students, both present and past, as well as tenured faculty, to produce the 22nd celebration…
A majestic sound
With its unforgettable sound, an organ can be a majestic centerpiece to a concert or worship, but it can just as easily be used to bring a new element to ordinary music or even provide amazing sound effects. The instrument’s versatility is often underestimated, probably because it’s been used to such great effect: Listeners may…
Then and now
There’s a new family of vintners in the Central Coast wine community, and they’re setting up their operation on a venerable tract of land in San Luis Obispo County. The Conway family of Santa Barbara, who purchased Rancho Arroyo Grande last June, stands poised to launch a fresh portfolio of luxury and ultra-premium wines on…
Remember American Hoovervilles
The Great Depression made a lasting impression on our family and many American families. Farming in middle America, my mother’s family had just lost my grandfather when bad times hit. Grandmother, unable to keep farming, and my mother, who was forced to quit school, went to work sewing in one of President Franklin Roosevelt’s make-work…
Yoga brings relaxation to Santa Maria
On a recent Tuesday night in Santa Maria, about 40 men and women lay peacefully on the floor of a darkened room, breathing in and out. Vicki Forman walked among the prone figures, checking up on them, making sure they were okay, making sure they were relaxed. That’s Forman’s job. She’s a yoga instructor, entrusted…
Join the inaugural Save a Life Golf Tournament in Nipomo
When David Bushey, 43, had a heart attack, he was saved by a Pismo Beach police officer who used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart Bushey’s heart. Now, Bushey is trying to raise money to buy more AEDs and distribute them throughout SLO County. Money raised during the Save a Life Golf Tournament—set for…
Top bull riders go for the win in Santa Maria
Some of the best bull riders in the world will be in Santa Maria at the Elks Unocal Event Center on Oct. 18 for the last stop in the Championship Bull Riding, Inc. tour. Since it’s the last show of the season, the top spot in professional bull riding is up for grabs. Cooper Kanngiesser,…
Athlete of the Week
Cabrillo High School has turned out some great runners in the last few years, and coach Louie Quintana was excited to recruit four of them to run for the Allan Hancock College cross country team this season. One of these guys in particular has been putting up some great finishes for the Bulldogs. Oscar Torres,…
