Cover Story
Best in the West
I pass through the entrance of the new Far Western Tavern in Old Town Orcutt and step through a doorway with a stained glass window that simply says, “Bar.” What greets me on the other side is nothing short of breathtaking: the grand, old-fashioned bar with its dark wood paneling, large mirrors, and stained glass…
The Sun wins
Several times a year, the Sun likes to take the time—and page space—to congratulate our writers, photographers, and contributors when they win awards for crafting high-quality articles, photos, and the like. This year, the Sun took several accolades in the 2012 National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, which accepted submissions that were published between Jan.…
Are you afraid of pesticides being in your food?
Carl Ostapiuk employee, One Way Board Shop “No, not really. I don’t even wash my strawberries.” Kalyn Gonzalez Nutrition Worker “Yes, kind of.” Leslie Wilson student “Of course!” Jon Meyer employee, Natural Cafe “No, I’m not.”
A study in skill
It was early on a warm mid-August day, when Larry Keast was loading my piano into the back of his powder blue El Camino, that he started to share some of the stories he has collected over his 50-plus years in the music business. I had hired Keast to move my piano, being familiar with…
They are just funny
When men talk about their preferences in women in a crude way, it’s common to hear someone say he is a leg man, or a—well, whatever part he prefers. Living in a house full of boys has taught me that no matter what they say, they are all butt men. I think they are programmed…
Fall brings art
The C Gallery is gearing up for fall with a variety of classes and events. The events start with the Forgotten Sticks art show opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 8 to celebrate Carol Carbine’s painting series of weathered and pushed-aside sticks as well as Albert McCurdy’s sculptures from roots and trunks.…
Stop bullying with WonHeart
As part of the upcoming 16th annual Peace Week, WonHeart—a local nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community by creating harmony, and connection—will present, “From Bully to Peacemaker.” This free public event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 in Shepard Hall at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.,…
The Discovery Museum expands its reach
Celebrating 15 years of inspiring children and adults alike, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum will move forward with plans to serve a broader age range of children. The museum has largely targeted preschool children but its strategic plan going forward is to serve 8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds, starting with its expanded whale exhibit opening…
Wild at art
Spending nearly two decades as an Alaskan guide, self-taught artist George Lockwood knows a few things about wildlife and being a part of nature. “It was just so big and there was just so much to see. It seemed like there was something around every corner,” Lockwood said. Now he’s a wildlife and landscape painter…
Natural beauty
They lay to the side near a hiking trail or hitch a ride on a thin sprawling wave to the shore, but many times passersby don’t give much thought to the sticks, twigs, and bits of branch that just seem to make up the landscape. That’s the idea behind the C Gallery’s latest fall show…
On the roster
• All Ford car show: The Santa Maria Model A Ford Club is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the 1932 Ford at its 10th annual All Ford Car Show in the Street in Old Town Orcutt on Sept. 8. The show features Ford products from 1903 through 2013, including customs, street rods, racecars, and originals.…
Got kids? Take ’em fishing
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, People for Leisure And Youth, Inc. (PLAY), and the Santa Maria Valley Sportsmen’s Association are inviting youth ages 6 to 12 to the annual “Take Me Fishing” event on Sept. 23 at Jim May Park. From 9 a.m. to noon, children and parents can learn the basics of…
Athlete of the Week: Troy Prober
After losing their season opener to Villa Park, Righetti High School’s varsity football team got off to the right start in its second game for 2012, smashing Cabrillo 55-14 on Aug. 31. Starting out his senior year, and his third season as a varsity player, quarterback Troy Prober helped carry the Warriors to a win…
Bringing the X
When celebrity fitness trainer Tony Horton walks into a room, like he recently did at Trattoria Uliveto in Old Orcutt, heads turn. Horton—the man behind the P90X fitness training program—knows how to command attention with a confident swagger and his trademark wit. Incidentally, earlier that day, he also commanded a gym full of military and…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Talk about a fun evening—and if you were there, we know you will!A stupendously stylish, successful “Alice Patino for Mayor 2012” fundraiser was held on Aug. 22 at the old Café FX building on Airport Drive in Santa Maria. This party was a kick! The food, flowers, and ambience were all dazzling and noteworthy. Former…
Tell me a story!
Would you like to learn more about the art of weaving a fantastical story? Michael Katz, a renowned storyteller and host of the radio storytelling program Katz Pajamas on KCBX 90.1 FM, is teaching a storytelling class for adults at Santa Barbara City College. The class, called “Storytelling and You,” will be a two-day workshop…
Circle V gets a big financial boost
Members of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church recently visited the Circle V Ranch Camp in the Santa Ynez Valley and presented a $10,000 check to camp operators, who belong to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles Council. The donation was part of the money raised at the third annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic,…
Spotlight on: Coastal Casino Dealing Academy
Casinos are chaotic hubs of activity and entertainment—the cha-ching of the machines, the occasional frustrated cry of a guest who bet too much, or people who haven’t slept for 10 hours straight. At the focal point of these casinos is the gambling. Card tables give us a variety of paths to choose from; behind them…
Stand Down, soldiers
The county of Santa Barbara, 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, and 100 local agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals have partnered to host the county’s first-ever veterans’ Stand Down event, to be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Maria Fairpark on Oct. 13. Hundreds of local veterans in need will receive meals,…
Field study
A team of scientists at the University of California in Riverside is hard at work analyzing samples collected from farm workers and strawberries in Santa Maria to better answer two important questions: How much pesticide are workers exposed to during the typical workday, and how is the chemical residue processed by the body? For three…
A Labor Day shooting in Orcutt park leaves one dead
A local man was in county jail Sept. 4 after he allegedly shot two family members, killing one and critically injuring the other, at a Labor Day gathering at Orcutt Community Park, law enforcement officials said. According to Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Mark Williams, deputies responded to reports of multiple shots fired…
A BevMo! store is coming to Santa Maria
Concord-based beverage superstore BevMo! is planning to open its first location in Santa Maria, according to documents filed with the city. On Sept. 4, the Santa Maria City Council was set to decide on whether to approve two liquor licenses for the proposed 10,000-square-foot BevMo! store at 1309 S. Bradley Road, in the Costco shopping…
Keep on DREAMin’ on
On Aug. 28, approximately 500 local residents and families gathered at the Allan Hancock College Marian Theater for a “deferred action” workshop with U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara). Capps, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service officials (USCIS), and representatives from local nonprofits attended to help students and families navigate the deferred action application process.…
Keep the death penalty
A recent opinion piece in the Sun stated the passage of Proposition 34 would save money and help victims by ending the death penalty in California (“End the death penalty,” Aug. 30). It will not. If $308 million was spent on each of the 13 executions that have taken place since 1978, where did that…
The school district is ‘under attack’
Since December of 2010, the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and its Board of Education have been under attack. In the past, attacks on education have generally come from the state and federal governments in the form of budget reductions. It is a shocking situation when a newly elected board member begins his tenure with attacks…
Wine and dine
One of my favorite nights out is a winemaker dinner—a five- or six-course gourmet meal with a different wine expertly paired with each course. The chefs and the wineries pull out all the stops, creating special gourmet dishes and serving their best new releases or library wines. It is always great fun sitting family-style at…
