Cover Story
The thin green line
It’s a little after 1 a.m. We’re racing down a dirt road in a truck, with only the dim glow of sneak lights illuminating the way for 10 feet or so in front of us. The plane overhead radios in: “They’ve stopped now. One of them is moving around to the back of the…
How do you feel about the state closing parks?
Chuck Miller custodian “It’s unfortunate, but due to the state budget, it’s better than people losing their jobs. And, with the economy and gas prices so high, less people are traveling, so it’s the lesser evil.” Ken Brandt stay-at-home dad “Not good. There aren’t too many parks around in the first place, and hopefully they…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Health
SANSUM CLINIC offers an “Eye Care and Treatment” class Sept. 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. A “Diabetes Essentials” class is Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $10. A “Stress Management” class is Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 30 at the clinic. Free. “Cholesterol Management” is…
Art
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE’S Ann Foxworthy Gallery currently features a photography exhibit by Hancock instructor Dave Passage in the college’s academic resource center at 800 S. College, Santa Maria. An artist reception is Sept. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3465. THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION presents “Iron and Plastic: Alternative…
Learning
THE VALLEY SPEAKS features guest speaker Richard Adam talking about Santa Maria Valley’s past water issues on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Shepard Hall, Santa Maria Public Library. Info: 934-3514 or shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL offers a Monday evening women’s Bible study for the Gospel of John with sign-ups…
Recreation
THE CITY OF LOMPOC PARKS, RECREATIONS, AND URBAN FORESTRY DEPARTMENT offers a “Yoga-Stretch and Strength” class meeting Tuesdays Sept. 8 to 29; and Sept. 10 to 24 from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at the Anderson Recreation Center. Cost is $30, $36 for non-city residents. A “Dance Fitness” class is Sept. 9 to 30 from 6…
Kids & Family
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Parks Department presents a Grandparent’s Day Celebration for grandparents and their grandchildren between the ages of 6 and 12. The event features singing, games, arts and crafts, and delicious treats on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Elwin Mussel Senior Center, 510 East Park Ave.,…
Dance Lessons
THE CITY OF LOMPOC Parks and Recreation Department presents a belly dancing class from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 through 28 at the Anderson Recreation Center, Panorama Room, Lompoc. Cost is $31.50, $26.25 for city residents. A Beginning Ballet class is from 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 through 28 at the Civic Auditorium…
Stage
PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of Distracted by Lisa Loomer through Sept. 20 at the Severson Theatre, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. Cost is $26.25 to $28.25. Info: 922-8313 or pcpa.org. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA DANCE ALLIANCE presents its 15th annual International Dance and Music Festival on Sept. 12 at…
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 ADDAMO VINEYARD/TASTING ROOM: 400 E Clark Ave., suite E, Santa Maria, 937-6400. Live music Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL:…
Concerts
THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY and the Santa Maria Town Center East present musical entertainment featuring the Santa Maria Winds in concert on Sept. 13 in the Center Court of the Santa Maria Town Center, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0412. WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARARA MUSIC CLUB and Santa Barbara Sister Cities holds…
Special Events
THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ANIMAL CARE FOUNDATION presents its Cause 4 Paws fundraiser Pledge Walk and Pet Fair featuring a doggie carnival, a barbecue, bake sale, entertainment, adoption dogs, and more Sept. 12 at Pioneer Park, 1000 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria. THE SANTA MARIA A’S FORD CAR CLUB presents its annual All Ford…
Political Watch 9-10
• Read her lips: No higher taxes. Etta Waterfield, candidate for 33rd District Assembly, recently voiced her opposition to higher taxes by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, authored by Americans for Tax Reform. “Unrestrained spending landed our state into the biggest budget crisis of our time,” Waterfield said in a release. “And, when the Democrats…
Community Notebook 9-10
MONDAY, SEPT. 14 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, SEPT. 15 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing…
Hobnobbing with Helen
The organization that wants you to remember everything had an informal and fun gathering from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, at Addamo’s tasting room in Old Orcutt. Santa Maria’s Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is gearing up for its annual Waller Park walk, set for Sept. 26. To get…
Keeping one step ahead of the flames
In the wake of the La Brea Fire and the raging Station Fire near Los Angeles, county fire officials are urging residents to take steps to help prevent the next blaze from becoming a monster. About a quarter of the Los Padres National Forest’s 2 million acres has burned in the past several years,…
Hanging up his helmet
Fighting fires has always been in Santa Maria Fire Chief Frank Ortiz’s blood—whether he knew it or not. When the Sacramento native graduated from high school in 1976, his father—a local fire chief—suggested that his son sign up as a volunteer in his department. Unbeknownst to Ortiz, that position started a lifelong career as…
There will be dunes
ConocoPhillips’ Santa Maria facility recently donated $30,000 to the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center. The center provides in-class and after-school environmental science education focused on the delicate Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes ecosystem, which stretches from Pismo Beach to Point Sal. The center also offers after-school and summer programs to local youth through the Boys and Girls Club. …
Congresswoman Lois Capps co-hosted town hall meetings
Central Coast residents joined the rest of the country on Sept. 2 and 3 in attending town hall meetings to discuss a public health insurance option. On Sept. 2, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) met with her fellow Santa Barbarans at First Methodist Church on Anapamu Street. The next day, Capps traveled to…
Quilt while you’re ahead
See more than 130 quilts on display at the 2009 Garden Party Quilt show, set for Sept. 26 and 27 at the Anderson Recreation Center, 125 W. Walnut Ave., in Lompoc from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $5 per person. There will…
Meet artists at Town Center Gallery
The Town Center Gallery will host its next artist reception on Sept. 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This month’s reception will include a silent auction. In addition, all of the contributing artists will introduce themselves and briefly speak about their background in the world of art, their medium, and other tidbits. Some of the…
Mural towns
How did a mural on the side of Santa Maria’s Chamber of Commerce building end up in a book? It was all the doing of author Kevin Bruce, inspired by his admiration of muralist John Pugh and his fascination with small-town murals. Not that Pugh created the Santa Maria mural depicting Broadway circa the…
On the other side
It can be a shadow-casting ray of light or an interesting accessory that catches her eye. It could be a combination of objects. Whatever it is that inspires Minnie Anderson, she strives to perfectly recreate that moment of inspiration in her paintings. Her realism, especially in portraits of people, is a practice in discipline.…
Partner up your business
Nonprofit organizations and businesses alike can learn how to connect, network, and benefit from local partnerships and philanthropy at the Nonprofit Support Center’s Community Outreach Roundtable on Sept. 29. The event’s special guest will be Laura Webster, project coordinator for Driscoll’s Philanthropy. Webster has been with Driscoll’s for three years, generating programs and support for…
Beat the heat at DQ
In time for summer’s swan song, the Santa Maria Town Center got a whole lot sweeter, welcoming Dairy Queen to its renovated food court. The confectionery chain is teaming up with Orange Julius in a new joint store, bringing along its menu of signature Blizzards and cakes, complete with layers of chocolate and vanilla…
Mall welcomes a kid-friendly salon
Getting a child into a barbershop can be a chore, but that’s not the case with Whipper Snippers, the newest addition to the Santa Maria Town Center. The full-service salon specializes in children’s trend-setting styles, and comes equipped with fun styling chairs. Each station is outfitted with video games and movies, and kids can…
County exhibit claims top awards
A California State Fair exhibit promoting Santa Barbara County’s agriculture and tourism industries—the first all-county exhibit to do so in more than 10 years—won the fair’s Gold award and Best Marketing award. This year, 35 of 58 counties entered exhibits, and judges selected the county as a blue ribbon recipient and winner of one…
The customer is always right at Allan Hancock College’s Lompoc Valley Center
This fall, Allan Hancock College’s Lompoc Valley Center, in conjunction with the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, is offering a new business-friendly Customer Service Academy. Beginning Sept. 12, the six-part series of classes will meet two Saturdays each in September, October, and November. Upon completion of the academy, students will be awarded a customer…
Marian Medical Center’s got your back(pack)
Marian Medical Center employees marked the beginning of the school year by donating more than 165 backpacks to local schools through the hospital’s third annual Pack to School Backpack program. On Aug. 25, representatives from the local school districts delivered the donated backpacks and supplies from Marian to local schools. Partnering with Marian…
I’m willing to admit when I’m wrong
Initially, I gave Obama credit on being bright and perceptive—if nothing else. Lately, noticing the dredges and retreads he’s been attempting to infuse into our political system, I submit I’m not correct all the time.
Take up the patriotic banner
Friday, Sept. 11, marks the eighth anniversary of the deadliest crime recorded within our borders. On that fateful day in 2001, thousands of lives were lost as three New York City towers crumbled to dust at the speed of gravity. Improbable as it was, the crime has never been honestly investigated. It did, however, provide…
Tell me this
The liberals don’t want tort reform, or over-state-line competition. That will save billions to any person or business paying for health insurance. Why won’t the Democrats or Obama demand this now?
We’re on the verge of becoming a divided nation
I am embarrassed and somewhat ashamed with what passes as health-care reform discussions in recent public forums. There is yet to be a single bill put on the floor of either the House or the Senate for a vote. As I write this, both houses are still in recess. In their absence, a…
Men and women of good: Help strengthen this country
What is wrong with the radical opposition to reasonable health-care reform? Soon after the death of Senator Kennedy, Mike Huckabee, former governor and presidential candidate and minister, declared that, had the currently proposed health-care reform been in place, Senator Kennedy would have been forced to go home to die after his diagnosis of a brain…
Mark Inguaggiato
Though retired captain Mark Inguaggiato has made a bit of a late start in competitive tennis, he’s already established himself as a worthy opponent on the court. The 50-year-old environmental engineer at Vandenberg Air Base started playing tennis in 2005 so he could maintain a healthy lifestyle. The activity, however, has snowballed into a passion…
Run, Bulldogs, run
It was midway through the third quarter of Allan Hancock College’s season opener when I found myself standing on the sidelines next to Luke Conley, star of a Fox reality TV show and a former Bulldog. If random local celebrity appearances can be considered an omen, and if you’ll pardon the pun, there might…
A-ten hut! Slim down, soldier!
The founder of Orcutt Summer Boot Camp is bringing her workouts from the outdoors to the living room. Camp founder Gina Martinez released her boot camp workout video on ExerciseTV and on Video On Demand, where it’s available on any cable network with the service. The video comes on the heels of her win…
Run cross-country in Guadalupe
Runners of all ages are invited to take part in McKenzie Junior High’s Invitational cross-country meet at the Jack O’Connell Park in Guadalupe on Sept. 19. Third through sixth graders will run a one-mile loop on park grass, seventh and eighth graders will run two miles, and all other entrants can run or walk…
It’s getting chili
Just in time to kick off the festivities of fall, Nipomo weighs in with an event sure to please locals who harbor a taste for fun dished up with a dose of spice. On Sept. 19, the Olde Towne Nipomo Association proudly presents its first-ever Chili Cook-Off, a community-wide gathering of ambitious cooks and hungry…
