Cover Story
Exploring Common Core
There were more than 30 students, broken up into small groups, bending their heads over massive, white sheets of art paper, as they pulled out a rainbow array of colored markers and started hashing out math problems. It was after school on Sept. 5, and the groups were huddled around long tables in the Tunnell…
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Amber Simmons lawyer “Going fishing and hunting with my dad, my grandpa, and my uncles. My dad always wanted boys, but he got two girls. It didn’t stop him from taking us out with all the boys, and my mom would come, too.” Jessica Blessing file clerk “Going to Disneyland with my family.” Harlan Felt…
You don’t have to put on the red light
Everybody makes a big deal about the birds and the bees, but I gotta tell you: The two groups don’t mingle all that much. Sure, as animals, we generally both fly, we both tend to make our homes in trees, and we all hum or whistle because we don’t remember the words to most songs,…
Crafty kids
The Santa Maria Michaels presents arts and crafts events for kids, including a “Kids’ Club Stamp-a-Scene Powered by Hero Arts” event on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. A “Copic Markers Show IN Tell” event is Sept. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. A “Building Backgrounds Show IN Tell” event is Sept. 15 from…
Get into Bangra
Kings of Swing Dance Studio will present a Bangra “Bollywood” Dance Workshop for beginners on Sept. 21 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the studio, 282 Town Center Mall East, Santa Maria. The dance style has become known as an exercise method that involves dancing. Cost is $15. More info: 928-7799 or kingsdancestudio.com.
Meet the author, Gloria Ewing Lockhart
A free luncheon and book signing event featuring Gloria Ewing Lockhart and her memoir Unmasking: A Women’s Journey is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Lockhart is known for being one of the first African-American women to climb to the peak of…
Writers sharing work
The Bookworm, a local used bookstore, invites all writers to attend an open mic reading event for writers of all kinds, including poetry and prose, on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Bookworm, 230 E. Betteravia Road, Ste. K, Santa Maria. More info: 922-4282, quest@thebookwormcali.com, or thebookwormcali.com.
Altrusa seeking donations and sponsors
Altrusa of the Central Coast—a community service organization that promotes volunteerism in support of youth literacy—is seeking donors and sponsors for two upcoming programs. Altrusa will be celebrating Make a Difference Day with the C.A.N. Project, which will construct a model of the Santa Maria Public Library inside the library out of donated canned foods…
Locomotive legacy: The Santa Maria Valley Railroad Historical Museum
Twice a month, Santa Marians have the chance to step inside Santa Maria Valley history, thanks to years of effort by local railroad enthusiasts, donors, and volunteers. Located next to the Santa Maria Transit Center in two train cars, the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Historical Museum is now open on the second and fourth Saturday…
Veteran filmmaker Michael Love turns his lens to the Santa Ynez River
The beauty and splendor of the Central Coast isn’t lost on many, but the extent and complexity of the natural habitats might come as a surprise. Running through the Los Padres National Forest, the Santa Ynez Valley begins to reveal the lushness of the area, which provides many plants and animals with a stable habitat.…
World class on the coast: The Community Arts Music Association exemplifies why Santa Barbara is a classical music destination
He’s coming. One of the greatest musicians of our time will be performing just a hop, skip, and jump away in Santa Barbara, thanks to the Community Arts Music Association (CAMA) of Santa Barbara. Itzhak Perlman is the world-renowned violinist known for his performances and interpretations of beloved classical music. He’s performed just about everywhere,…
Teen-enomics
As a father, I have tried to provide good advice to my children. Over the years I have kept them safe by teaching them not to touch hot stoves, not to talk to strangers, and not to wear Ed Hardy T-shirts. As my kids have gotten older, I’ve also tried to teach them financial responsibility.…
Welcome Willow, Nipomo’s newest restaurant
The new Willow restaurant and market, located at the corner of Willow and Pomeroy roads in Nipomo, opened to a packed house of eager and curious customers on Aug. 29. I was invited to attend Willow’s “soft opening” two nights earlier. I enjoyed my three courses: the heirloom tomato and burrata salad; diver scallops on…
Claire Bouquette
She’s up with the sun to practice her game, and winding down the day with the warm-up drills that her coaches and team have nicknamed “Claire’s drills.” Claire Bouquette, a sophomore at St. Joseph High School in Orcutt, is known as the top singles player. She said she became interested in tennis as she watched…
What’s on Deck? 9/12-9/19
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12 Girls’ Volleyball St. Joseph vs. Templeton @ THS, 6 p.m. Pioneer Valley vs. Orcutt @ OAHS, 6 p.m. Santa Ynez vs. San Luis @ SYHS, 6 p.m. Righetti vs. Morro Bay @ MBHS, 6 p.m. Boys’ Waterpolo Cabrillo vs. San Luis @ LAC, 3:40 p.m. …
Classic exercise
Starting Sept. 25, the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department will be host to a new Conductorcise class at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center. On Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m., participants can enjoy a low-impact workout while listening to the calming sounds of classical music. There is no cost for the class. For more…
Grow older actively
Annual Active Aging Week, Sept. 22 through 28, got its start with the International Council on Active Aging. The weeklong event emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle for older adults while providing safe and diverse community activities. Come join the kick-off celebration Sept. 22 at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center from 11 a.m. to…
Rockin’ and Rollin’ at the Rec ’n’ Roll roller skate/blade event
Join the Buellton Parks and Recreation Department for the annual Rec ’n’ Roll roller skate/blade event Sept. 21. The event will be filled with music, food, and exciting games. Beverages and pizza will be available for sale at the event. Families with kids ages 10 and under are invited to skate from 5:30 to 6:30…
Keep it clean, Santa Barbara
Here on the Central Coast, the beautiful beaches are a wonderful place for those who love to be active. While they provide a beautiful venue for everything from beach volleyball to a brisk jog, all the traffic makes for some dirty sand. In honor of the annual Coastal Cleanup event on Sept. 21, Santa Barbara…
History and hiking in the sands of Guadalupe
On Sept. 14, Guadalupe Dunes Center docent Jim Avila will lead hikers across the Oso Flaco Lake boardwalk. Along the way, participants will have a chance to learn about the Dunites and movie production in the dunes from the 1920s to the present. Hikers should wear comfortable shoes, and bring a jacket, water, and snacks…
Central Coast CrossFit’s workout-of-the-day fundraiser brings in thousands
Central Coast CrossFit’s workout-of-the-day fundraiser for the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hot Shots was a tremendous success. The emotional event kicked off with a group prayer, followed by a recitation of the Hot Shot prayer. The names and ages of the lost heroes were posted on the gym wall to remind participants why they were…
ImPACT program protects high-school athletes
Before the start of every football season and the clash of helmets ensue, Orcutt Academy football coach Tony Payne makes all of his players read the warning label on their helmets: “No helmet can prevent serious head or neck injuries a player might receive while participating in football. … Contact in football may result in…
Thoughts on Syria
As the executive editor, I see and hear opinions of all kinds every day. They come in by e-mail, by mailed envelope, and by fax. Some are hand delivered. Some are left as voicemails. As the situation in Syria ripened or stagnated, depending on your point of view, U.S. citizens, certainly Syrians, and people around…
What Kids Are Reading: Owliver
When little Owliver starts acting, his mother loves it, but his father wishes he were into something else. Mother owl wants to encourage his gift, and gives him acting and tap-dancing lessons. Father owl wants his little man to become a doctor or a lawyer, and buys him doctor- and lawyer-themed toys. Owliver writes a…
Guadalupe gets new high school bus stops
More than 200 people signed a petition to turn two bus stops into four for Guadalupe students who take the bus to Ernest Righetti High School every morning. It was just one of several concerns brought up by Guadalupe residents who banded together to form the Comité Guadalupe in June. The group’s purpose is to…
Vote for your favorite school to get a CoastHills makeover
On Oct. 14, more than 180 CoastHills Credit Union employees will pick up paintbrushes, shovels, and wheelbarrows to give one school a onceover. But the school still needs to be chosen from three finalists: Kermit McKenzie Junior High School in Guadalupe, Orcutt Academy in Orcutt, and Olga Reed Elementary School in Los Alamos. The winner…
It’s teatime at Alvin Elementary
Second-graders from four classes filed into the Alvin Elementary School cafeteria with teacups and saucers in hand on the morning of Sept. 6. The students also had a little nametag, which they placed in or next to their cups on long cafeteria tables. As they sat on the floor to watch a skit about how…
Deja Vu Antique Mall at The Loading Dock
Wendy Steller’s career in antiquing started almost by accident. She owns Old Town Market in Old Orcutt with her husband, Mark. About eight years ago, she started decorating the corner store with antiques just for fun. “And people wanted to buy them,” she said during an interview on the porch of her newest business, Déjà…
Political Watch 9/12/13
• A bill by state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) aimed at preventing lawsuits and giving mobile home owners more of a say when their mobile home park is being subdivided and sold passed off the Assembly floor on a bipartisan vote of 41-23. The bill now heads to the Senate floor. According to information…
Community Notebook 9/12-9/19
TUESDAY, SEPT. 17 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at http://santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall,…
Community Corner: Panera strives to feed 50,000 in September
This month Panera and Feeding America are teaming up to provide 50,000 meals to local food banks by Sept. 30. “One in six people in America is food insecure, which means that 50 million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from,” said Stephanie Wren, senior regional marketing manager for Panera. Whenever a…
Prying open ‘The Devil’s Jaw’
On the evening of Sept. 8, 1923, Southern Pacific Railroad foreman John Giorvas was sitting in his second-story bedroom of the Honda Point Section House doing his weekly management reports. Shortly after 9 p.m., he heard two loud explosions at the base of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Giorvas and some of his men…
Santa Maria puts future downtown discount stores on hold
If it wasn’t for the elongated Fallas Discount Store debate that took place this earlier summer, the Santa Maria City Council might not be talking about bargain basement stores in the downtown area. But the Fallas saga did happen and, to the chagrin of some city residents, the business was allowed to put down roots,…
Santa Barbara County’s “AVOID the 12” campaign nets 171 drunk drivers
An 18-day crackdown on people driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol resulted in 171 arrests, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department announced in a recent press release. That’s seven arrests more than during the same period last year. “Any one of those could have turned fatal. It’s just pure luck that they didn’t,”…
Poverty study shows a need for reallocation of Santa Barbara county’s resources
The results of a Santa Barbara County-sponsored study on poverty reveal that access to social services, health care, affordable housing, and public transportation are some of the major barriers to people living in high-poverty areas. Officials from the county’s Department of Social Services gave a presentation on the study, called “A Snapshot of Poverty in…
Lompoc City Council grants Valley Haven an extension on construction of its new adult day-care facility
If everything goes according to plan, Valley Haven employees expect to move into their new Lompoc location by Halloween weekend, said Sandra Knight, the nonprofit organization’s executive director, while taking the Sun on a tour of the 1920s home. Based in Solvang, Valley Haven runs adult day programs for area seniors who are suffering from…
