Cover Story
Now what?
The wait always seems longer when it’s almost over—and the wait was on its way to excruciating as this paper hit its press deadline for the week. California spent more than 80 days without a state budget, and the mood in Santa Barbara County seemed to shift as the wait got longer. When Gov. Arnold…
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
LIFE LINE SCREENINGS are to be available to those at risk of stroke and osteoporosis Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. at the St. John Neumann Church, 966 West Orchard St., Santa Maria. Appointments are required. Info: 1-800-697-9721 or lifelinescreening.com. ONGOING ARTHRITIS FDN. is a low impact, sit-in-chair exercise program held every Wednesday from 10:30…
ART
CAROLE BARTOLINI presents her digital fine art Sept. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jeremy Teitelbaum Studio and Gallery, 400 E Clark Ave., suite C, Old Orcutt. Info: 714-0438. THE CYPRESS GALLERY currently features the art of Jon Robert Lyra and Judith Grames-Lyra in the exhibit By The Sea through Sept. 28 at…
LEARNING
THE DANA ADOBE NIPOMO AMIGOS presents Dana Adobe Education/Outreach chairperson Helen Daurio speaking about The Silent Women of Alta California on Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. at the historic Dana Adobe, 671 S Oakglen Ave., Nipomo. Info: 929-5679 or danaadobe.org. WORTH THE DRIVE CORKSTOP STUDIOS presents “Hidden, Revealed, and Transformed,” a mixed media collage…
RECREATION
THE LOMPOC VALLEY DISTANCE CLUB holds its 32nd annual Valley of the Flowers Half-Marathon run and walk Sept. 27 at La Purisima Mission, Lompoc. Cost is $50. Info: active.com or 736-7380. THE DUNES CENTER and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offer a one-mile hike into the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Sept. 27 at…
KIDS & FAMILY
THE LOMPOC VALLEY P.A.L. presents the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass, and Kick competition, open to boys and girls ages 8 to 15, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. at Huyck Stadium, Lompoc. Info: lompocpal.com. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY offers “Little Red Wagon Story Time” for kids ages 3 to 5 on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.…
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 SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of Sugar! Oh, Sugar! through Oct. 4 at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1600 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 922-4442 or smct.org. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of The Weir by Conor McPherson showing through Oct. 5 in the Severson Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S.…
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
NATALIA KARTASHOVA, Russian master concert pianist, presents a solo piano recital on Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 311 South Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $25. Info: 922-4551 or 543-2261. THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY opens its concert season with a performance conducted by Maestro John Farrer and featuring pianist…
SPECIAL EVENTS
THE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SANTA MARIA will hold a meeting regarding current research, Central Coast Follies information, and a sharing session on Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, East McCoy Lane and College Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-7776 or 925-0266. COLD STONE CREAMERY presents the “World’s Largest Ice Cream Social,” featuring…
What TV show – returning or new – are you looking forward to watching this fall?
Marisol Alcantar assistant office manager “E Entertainment. I watch it just for the entertainment.” Nicole Bertola office administrator “Colbert Report. It makes me laugh all the time, and it is a great way to look at the news with a little sarcasm.” Greg Sprowls cleaning technician “I don’t watch TV.” Robert Salazar construction “I Love…
Arts Briefs
Philharmonic kicks off its 2008-2009 season Maestro John Farrer will lead the Santa Maria Philharmonic musicians for the opening concert of the 2008-2009 season on Sept. 27, but first there’s a pre-concert event for Philharmonic sponsors at the $1,000 level and higher in the Orion Building lobby. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served, with…
Get Phat
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band’s music has been featured in films, on recordings with other artists, and even on Air Force One’s onboard entertainment system. But when Goodwin was asked to play the Solvang Jazz Festival, the musical opportunity had a more personal meaning. The person proposing the invitation was Goodwin’s high school musical idol,…
Words and art
There’s just something about art and books together. They pair up like peanut butter and chocolate or cookies and milk. And that’s certainly the case at the Santa Maria Public Library. The new library has been in the public eye quite a bit since its August opening, followed by a library shop and a cafe;.…
Make a weekend of it
Just when area vintners find themselves knee deep in grape juice and slippery skins, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association (SBCVA) extends an invitation to join the messy fun. Over four days this October, wine lovers can get an eyeful of the action as winemakers, chefs, and tasting room staffers roll out the red carpet…
America’s Tire opens a Santa Maria location
The company that bills itself as the world’s largest independent tire and wheel retailer has opened a 5,000-square-foot facility in Santa Maria at 1266 S. Broadway. The Santa Maria store is operated by six employees and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on…
Tri-County PODS celebrates its millionth delivery
PODS, Inc. just delivered its one millionth POD, and though the delivery wasn’t on the Central Coast, local franchise owner Steve Yapp is still celebrating. “As a PODS franchise owner, it is a thrill to be a part of the millionth PODS container delivery,” Yapp said in a release. “We want to take this opportunity…
Fashion N Formal presents new choices for prom night
Fashion N Formal owner Sandra Patton just got back from the Las Vegas Prom convention, and she’s excited about the new dresses she’ll have in stock for the 2009 prom season. Her Santa Maria shop at 2050 S. Broadway, suite B, also offers tuxedo rentals, bridesmaid dresses, and dresses for the mother of the bride.…
New car rental company offers fuel-efficient hybrids
Locals looking to get around in a hybrid car can now stop by the Santa Maria-based Zynk Rentals. The new company has a selection of hybrid vehicles available for business or leisure travel. It also offers VIP service and delivers the rental car right to the customer’s home or business and picks it up when…
Political Watch
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded a federal grant worth $289,150 to the Santa Barbara County Department of Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health. The money will go toward funding the department’s methamphetamine recovery services.The county is expected to use the funds to improve the drug court system, and to expand…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Five lithesome L.A. Laker Girls added sparkle and fun to the inaugural Toys for Tots golf tournament on Sept. 8 at the Santa Maria Country Club. The Central Coast Toys for Tots held the outing in order to shore up their sagging coffers before the holidays. “This event will be a giant help to Toys…
Creating a support system for cancer patients
Central Coast patients in need of specialized cancer treatment soon won’t have to travel out of the area, thanks to the shared vision of local oncologist Robert Dichmann and a local businessman and cancer survivor, Atul Patel. The two men, along with Patel’s father, are in the beginning stages of building an all-in-one, comprehensive cancer…
U.S. House passes bill approving offshore oil drilling
Late on the evening of Sept. 16, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 236-189 to approve a bill that would relax a longtime ban on offshore drilling. The bill would allow drilling 100 miles off of both the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. That distance would be cut in half to 50 miles if a state’s…
Paso City Council conditionally approves tri-county re-entry facility
On Sept. 16, officials from three counties let out sighs of relief after the Paso Robles City Council conditionally approved construction of a state-run re-entry facility on land adjacent to the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. The council voted 4-0, with Councilman John Hamon absent, in favor of building a 500-bed facility to rehabilitate inmates from…
Santa Barbara County Fire Chief announces his retirement
Santa Barbara County Fire Chief John Scherrei will soon be passing the firefighting torch to someone else, following his retirement from county service in January 2009. On Sept. 22, Scherrei confirmed his pending retirement plans with County Executive Officer Michael F. Brown and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. The county human resources department…
Land of the frogs
Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended designating almost two million acres in 28 California counties as protected habitat for the California red-legged frog. In Santa Barbara County, approximately 170,00 acres would be set aside for the multi-colored amphibian. The habitat would include areas in the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys,…
Otters are making waves
Starting Sept. 21, the California Legislature and dozens of zoos, aquariums, and other organizations from Monterey to Melbourne, honored one of the Golden State’s biggest celebrities: the southern sea otter. Last month, the state Legislature, led by Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), approved an initiative officially declaring the last week in September to be Sea…
There’s a new general manager in town
A lot has changed at KCOY and KKFX in the last year. There are new owners, different anchors, and more than a few new employees. Despite all of the changes, however, the stations have been missing one thing: a boss. Not anymore. Kevin Harlan has been appointed the general manager of KCOY-CBS 12 and KKFX-FOX…
First 5 Santa Barbara County will host an annual Champions for Young Children Conference
On Oct. 1, First 5 Santa Barbara County will welcome two of the nation’s leading child development experts to its annual Champions for Young Children Conference in Buellton. The daylong conference is designed to provide Santa Barbara County parents, teachers, and childcare professionals with the latest information to support the healthy development of young children.…
Migration will take center stage at a Hancock lecture series
Teachers, public officials, students, and community members will discuss all things migration at Allan Hancock College’s fall 2008 Faculty Lecture Series, to be held every Friday at 6:30 p.m. through Oct. 24 on the Santa Maria campus. The series begins on Sept. 26 with Migration Stories, featuring a faculty panel that will discuss personal stories…
Write Now!
We want to know what you think about everything. Send your 250-word letter to Sun Letters, 3130 Skyway Drive, Suite 603, Santa Maria, CA 93455. You can also fax it (347-9889) or e-mail it (mail@santamariasun.com). All letters must include a name, address, and phone number for verification purposes, and may be edited for space or…
Ethics and experimentation
Professor (Dr.) Patrick Lin, an “ethicist,” uses the terms “science” and “technology” in his lengthy, meandering narrative instigated by, as he puts it, “world’s largest particle accelerator” (“Armageddon it,” Sept. 18). He never defines what he means by these terms and lets the readers conjure the meaning. Yes, there may be a feeling as to…
Can you spare any change?
The costly bailouts keep us in a collapse mode. What citizens want is not monster expensive mansions, but small sustainable inexpensive homes with solar panels and photovoltaics on the roof and a clothesline in the backyard. Change is needed, not bailouts.
At least we admit our problems
A recent front page story in both the Lompoc Record and the Santa Maria Times reported the tragic loss of funds experienced by the Lompoc Valley Festival Association due to embezzlement. Recently, I attended an event in Orcutt, where two prominent citizens of Santa Maria said to me, “My, you certainly seem to have a…
‘El Animal’ is poised to turn pro
In person, Eric Serrano is polite and soft-spoken. He’s friendly, but shy. He’s the exact opposite of who he is in the ring. “He turns into a different person,” said Carlos Ruiz, Serrano’s coach. “He tears his opponents apart like an animal.” Serrano, 18, is now known in boxing circles as “El Animal.” He got…
Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour makes two local stops
About 240 cyclists began making their way through California on Sept. 20. Their ride, which will last until Sept. 27, includes local stops in Solvang and Santa Barbara. Don’t get these cyclists confused with the pros, though. The riders in the Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour are biking to raise money for the Arthritis…
Athlete of the Week
Since his freshman year, Josh Marzett, 16, has had his heart set on beating the Santa Maria High School record for yards run in a single game: 340. In the team’s recent game against Gonzales High School, Marzett got so close he could almost taste it. The junior running back ran for 220 yards on…
