Some people pursue diplomas to help them succeed. Others pursue them so their children can succeed. With that goal in mind—success—a class of parents committed nine weeks to learning how to navigate the educational system. They aimed to learn how to help their children graduate and pursue college educations of their own. After completing their […]
Navigating education
Posted inNews
Stars and stripes forever/never
The ice plant was crushed. Just crushed. Yellow and purple flowers stood up here and there amid the pulpy sea of green, trampled by three or four dozen veterans and their friends sweating under one of the first sunny days to heat the coast after a series of early spring storms. What had started life […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s your favorite aspect of springtime?
Joe Scott student “The weather — it beats the hell out of the cold. You’re not limited.” Lauren Addington student “Probably all the wildflowers and just the nice weather and everything.” Crystal Daly student “The weather—it’s fresh. The air is crisper. With winter being more depressive, your emotions change. It’s more peppy. It’s all about […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
What’s On Deck?
Varsity/Colleges Thursday, April 7 Boys’ Volleyball Nipomo @ Santa Ynez 5 p.m. Righetti @ Arroyo Grande 5:30 p.m. Pioneer Valley @ St. Joseph 5:30 p.m. Boys’ Golf Righetti @ San Luis Obispo 1 p.m. Boys’ Tennis Righetti @ St. Joseph 3 p.m. Arroyo Grande @ Pioneer Valley 3 p.m. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sara Schmidt
More than 23,000 runners participated in the 26th annual Los Angeles Marathon on March 20. Only 19,500 of them actually completed the grueling 26.2-mile event, including local 18-year-old Sara Schmidt. “It was my first marathon ever,” said Schmidt, who trained by running almost every day for six months prior to the race. Before making the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Red dawn
After the Santa Maria Valley Packers announced they were packing their bags for the greener pastures of Allan Hancock College in 2011, it looked like the end of summer semipro baseball at historic Elks Field. But Randy Musumeci, a former rock drummer and owner of the Pitchout batting cages, simply couldn’t let that happen. So, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
On the roster
• Trout Derby: Cachuma Lake Nature Center, April 9 and 10. $5,000 in cash and thousands in merchandise guaranteed. Registration is $40 for adults, $10 for children 10 and younger. For more information, call 693-8381 or visit troutderby.org. • MLB Pitch, Hit and Run: Presented by Hero Sports League on the Central Coast. Registration takes […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Jump into spring at the Y
Springtime means spring sports at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, with a range of programs to keep children and adults active and fit. First, the Y’s progressive swim lessons for children ages 3 and older teaches water awareness and introductory skills for beginner and intermediate swimmers. Spring break, evening, and private swim lessons are also […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Weightlifting Challenge honors veterans
Local weightlifters are invited to compete in the Senior Airman Dan Johnson Memorial Patriot Games Challenge at the Santa Maria Athletic Club on May 21. The event is comprised of powerlifting, bench press, deadlift, and push-pull competitions, and is presented by the United States Powerlifting Association. Lifting will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Special Olympics holds track and field meet
The Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics will be holding its annual Harry Wood Area Games Track and Field competition on April 9. More than 100 athletes from Santa Maria and Lompoc will compete in run/walks, shot-put, and standing jumps. There will also be special events for athletes requiring wheelchairs. The event takes place at […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Tip a glass to spring
First held in 1983, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association (SBCVA) spring festival has grown from a casual afternoon of sipping local vintages into a long weekend of wine country fun. With all the winemaker dinners, barrel tastings, and food pairings, wine lovers can spend four full days exploring their favorite beverage. Anchoring the weekend, […]