Cover Story
Dignity Health hospitals launch a new therapy dog program
Chloe is Marian Regional Medical Center’s newest celebrity; with her platinum blond hair, soulful eyes, and heart-melting smile, there’s no wonder why. The 5-year-old Golden Doodle is one of the first canines in the hospital’s new therapy dog program, called Healing Paws. On Sept. 10, Chloe and her owner/trainer Barbara James will start visiting patients…
Setting the record straight
Generations of students have been simultaneously entertained and educated by the iconic “Schoolhouse Rock” series. Whether relating the American judicial process, or proper grammar, the series has staying power thanks to the classic rock’n’roll style and coherent cartoons. Central Coast native, actor, and filmmaker David Scheve has called on the “Schoolhouse Rock” formula for a…
What are your thoughts on the space satellites that orbit the Earth?
Caroline Moreli homemaker “It’s good for the economy and it’s good for the nation as a whole.” Elmer Wolgamott retired “I like them. I hope it brings a lot of possibilities for more people to get some work. It takes thousands of pieces to build a satellite, and if it’s all built around here, it’ll…
Now, where was I?
When I was just a little fledgling, I had a bad habit of losing things. I’d leave the nest for school with a lunchbox, scarf, and hat, and I’d come home with an empty thermos, some plastic tubs, and a crumpled wad of papers. “Where’s all your stuff?” my mom would ask. I’d look down…
The harm in arming educators
There was another school shooting recently, near Atlanta, and this one was relatively benign. The gunman walked into an elementary school, told employees to call the police, fired five or six rounds from his assault rifle, and surrendered. Yawn. It’s a hiccup in the news cycle. Of course, the NRA repeatedly assures us, with their…
Santa Maria Library offers “Book Club in a Bag”
The Santa Maria Public Library is beginning a new book club program called “Book Club in a Bag.” Thanks to generous donations from the Friends of the Santa Maria and Orcutt Public Libraries, the program began Sept. 3. The program starts with the following 10 books: Beautiful Ruins, Before I Go to Sleep, Defending Jacob,…
City accepting applications for Grapes and Grains Festival
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has announced that vendor booth applications are now available for the 30th annual Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival, the “Catchin’ Colors” fun run, the fine arts show, and the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Car Show. The festival is scheduled for Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to…
Workshop on book publishing comes to Santa Maria
Central Coast editor Laurie Gibson—who has helped more than 150 first-time authors prepare books for publication—will be presenting a workshop titled “Book Publishing 1-2-3: From the Writer’s Fingers to the Readers’ Hands.” The workshop is slated for Sept. 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Inn, 801 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost…
Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum open twice a month
You might have noticed the classic-looking train cars parked next to the Santa Maria Transit Center on Miller Street in Santa Maria. Though the historic locomotive, boxcars, and caboose are behind a fence, locals have the opportunity to explore the insides of the classic railcars twice a month. The Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum…
Mission docents enact the past for ‘Purisima People’s Day’
Hardly anyone in our society is walking around in clothes they sewed together with fabric they wove, from wool they sheared from sheep they raised. Automation has brought much convenience to our lives, yet many have forgotten just how things were done for the majority of human history. The La Purisima Mission State Park is…
Music and wine under the oaks
Summer is the season of the concert series, and one local winery is in the seasonal spirit. Koehler Winery has two concerts left in its very first summer concert series, which showcases acoustic singer-songwriters on the winery’s peaceful lawn. Perched atop a hill in Los Olivos, right off of the Foxen Canyon wine trail, Koehler…
No such thing as scrap
Tape, cardboard, string, and duct tape. These items are like contraband in my house. It’s not uncommon for a package to arrive in the mail for someone in my household and when they go to retrieve it from the kitchen table its packaging is missing 2-1/2 sides. At Christmastime adhesive tape for wrapping presents is…
Two Central Coast acrobatic gymnasts celebrate their win at nationals
Watch a video of Breezie Rayas and Erin Stipanov perform their routine Watch a video of the 2013 U.S. Acro-Championships Elite performance Superheroes in the making are perfecting the art of throwing human bodies through the air. In a sport where gymnasts gracefully climb one another, only the most dynamic of duos can climb among…
Get to know Jonathan Nagy
For some people, it might be true that “you can’t go home again.” But it’s working out well for the winemaker at Byron Winery, Jonathan Nagy. He grew up in the Santa Maria Valley; his father was in the U.S. Air Force and transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base when Nagy was a newborn. Nagy…
Marco Manzo
Football player Marco Manzo walks into the interview wearing his red-and-white Santa Maria Saints jersey—and a Superman blanket on his back. “I carry it around before every game—I love it,” Manzo said. “It inspires me to be Superman on the field.” The wide receiver began his senior season Aug. 23 against Bishop Diego High School.…
What’s on Deck? 9/5-9/12
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL Lompoc vs. Coastal Christian @ LHS, 5 p.m. Pioneer Valley vs. Nipomo @ NHS, 6 p.m. Santa Ynez vs. Arroyo Grande @ SYHS, 6 p.m. Righetti vs. Lompoc @ LHS, 6 p.m. BOYS’ WATER POLO St. Joseph vs. Santa Maria @ SJHS, 3 p.m. …
Senior softball at Hagerman
Senior citizens ages 50 and older are invited to come out to Hagerman Sports Complex, 3300 Skyway Drive in Santa Maria, every Monday and Thursday for some softball and fun in the sun. Batting practice begins at 10 a.m. and games kick off at 11 a.m. Senior rules apply; the event includes a monthly pizza…
A walk to remember
On Sept. 28, runners and walkers of all ages are invited to attend the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Waller Park in Santa Maria. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. followed by a rules and welcome ceremony at 8:30 a.m. There will also be a kids’ half-mile fun run for ages 10 and younger at 10…
St. Joe’s school cross-country kicks off
On Sept. 5, St. Joseph High School will host a 5K cross-country trail race at Orcutt Community Park. The girls’ race will kick off at 4 p.m. followed by the boys’ race at 4:30 p.m. Jamba Juice will be available. Races will conclude with an awards ceremony and a free barbecue. St. Joseph organizers expect…
Support Righetti football
Righetti football is selling discount cards to local businesses for $10; the cards are good for a year’s worth of savings. Businesses include Jack in the Box, Roadhouse, Jiffy Lube, Jersey Mike’s, Maya, and Boomers—just to name a few. If interested, please contact Righetti Athletics at 937-2051.
Southside Little League receives honor
The District 65 Little Leaguers (ages 11 and 12) took the championship with a 5-0 record, defeating Santa Maria Northside a whopping 15 to 2 in the championship game. This is the first district championship since 1998. Not wanting to stop there, the team went on to win the Section One Tournament in Santa Paula,…
Find a peaceful solution
I find it ironic that the only thing the Republican Party can agree on with Obama is a military attack on Syria. Since we’re the leader in the world, I expect our country, with all its resources and wisdom, to come up with a better solution than killing. After all, doesn’t killing to avenge killing…
What Kids are Reading: These Bees Count!
When Mr. Tate’s class arrives at a farm for a field trip, it takes the students a while to figure out what the main crop is. There are fields bursting with flowers and trees covered in blossoms, but bouquets and fruit aren’t what Farmer Ellen harvests. The children soon learn that the blooms are there…
Students honored with the gift of new tech
Eight Santa Maria students will get new computers during the annual Business Appreciation Luncheon held by the Santa Maria Valley Industry Education Council and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Orcutt Union, Santa Maria-Bonita, Santa Maria Joint Union High, and Guadalupe Union school districts each identified two students who would benefit from having…
Grant awarded to Cal Poly will benefit Santa Maria schools
Cal Poly in SLO received almost $800,000 in federal grant funding to train 20 new Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) teachers who will eventually teach in the Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo areas. The National Science Foundation grant comes as a follow-up to an earlier grant, which added 33 STEM teachers in three…
Righetti high schoolers prep for college with boot camp
The second annual Ernest Righetti High School Boot Camp began training students to attack and conquer college life on Sept. 4. It was the first of four sessions that will take place in the high school’s cafeteria. More than 200 seniors attended the session, at which information about college myths, preparation, and admission requirements were…
Spotlight on: Western Village Health Club
Treadmills as far as the eye can see. Four to five kinds of treadmills, to be exact, and four to five kinds of elliptical machines, too. Western Village Health Club is the place to go in Santa Maria for cardio equipment, and other workout equipment as well. The health club’s owners recently finished a $200,000…
Political Watch 9/5/13
Gov. Jerry Brown, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, and Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway recently announced legislation to comply with a federal court order to limit state prison population to 137.5 percent of capacity, avoid the early release of thousands of prisoners, and protect public safety. According to a press…
Community Notebook 9/5-9/12
MONDAY, SEPT. 9 • 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. 10 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board…
Hobnobbing With Helen
Delicious and delightful. That pretty much sums up Altrusa’s fashion show and chocolate extravaganza held on Aug. 18 at the Elks Lodge. Strutting their stuff on the runway for this first-time combo event were models Josie Baldiviez, Maria Robb, Gina Rodriguez, Yolanda Soares, Loretta Talamantes, and Kathy Telleria. They all looked simply smashing and ever-so-chic…
Community Corner: Technology + people = another life saved
For the first time on record at Marian Regional Medical Center, staffers in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) used nitric oxide to save the life of a seriously ill newborn. Dr. Eddie Alderete, medical director of Neonatal Services, and his team used nitric oxide on baby Valeria in the hours after her birth on…
Gliding over all: Camp Roberts plays host to drones, defense contractors, and bevy of tech experiments
Locals who know nothing about unmanned drones beyond what they read in international headlines may soon be getting a closer look at the infamous flying contraptions. The Santa Maria Airport recently entered into a teaming agreement with two other airports that are applying to be a drone test site for the Federal Aviation Administration. That…
Cities in Santa Barbara County rank third for housing market turnarounds
After two very long years of trying to buy a house, Annie Looyson and her husband finally purchased one three weeks ago. “It was a crazy chance of circumstances,” Looysen said. “We walked in and started high-fiving each other.” It’s a three-bedroom, two-bath on Santa Maria’s east side. Looysen said it was a short-sale home.…
Corrections
• In the Aug. 29 news brief, “Santa Barbara County supervisors look at innovative recidivism reform program,” the Sun misstated the amount of money the county is spending on the North County Jail. The county authorized 16 million; the state is funding the remainder of the $96 million project. • The photo of the Aug.…
Santa Barbara County employees want better contracts
Budgeting sucks. The process isn’t black and white; it’s more of a fuzzy, tedious burden to move money around until it fits in all the right places. Now imagine doing that with more than $800 million. And you aren’t the sole decision maker; it’s up to you and four others to make choices that will…
Anthony Ibarra trial changes venues
Santa Maria Attorney David Bixby isn’t exactly thrilled with the court’s handling of the murder trial in which his client, David Maldonado Sr., is a defendant. Maldonado Sr., also known as “Pops,” is being tried alongside his son, grandson, and eight other people for the gang-related torture and stabbing of 28-year-old Anthony Ibarra, whose body…
Santa Barbara County crews help fight Yosemite’s Rim Fire
The 30 members of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) sent to battle the Rim Fire returned home Sept. 2 after an 11-day mission. “SBC welcomes home our dozer crews that were a part of a Strike Team helping in the fight against the massive fire burning in the Yosemite National Park & Stanislaus…
