GROWING GROUNDS FARM presents “Celebrating the Harvest: Fresh Produce, Healthy Minds” featuring live music, art, and organic fruits and vegetables for sale on Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Growing Grounds Farm, 820 West Foster Road, Santa Maria. Info: 540-6594 or t-mha.org. UNITY CHAPEL OF LIGHT presents its video of the month […]
Special Events
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Teenagers–am I right?
My son is 13 years old, which means he already knows absolutely everything, except how to clear up acne. Sometimes I look at him in bewilderment and wonder, “Could you really have come from my loins?”—although, deep down, I know that he is definitely my son. I don’t know this because he and I share […]
Posted inNews
Hancock honors philanthropy
Allan Hancock College, along with a handful of local nonprofit organizations, is inviting the public to “Celebrate Philanthropy!” at an annual luncheon on Nov. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Santa Maria Country Club. The event thanks longtime philanthropists whose work has impacted the community. This year’s honorees will be Royce Lewellen, Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The pirates of Pioneer Valley
Pioneer Valley came into being six years ago, as did its marching band. But the band wasn’t always bustling as it is today. In the beginning, there were just a few members squeaking out the theme from Pink Panther. And, a few years after that, the marching band’s field show consisted of the band members […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Tour cyclists will roll through Solvang again
Ending weeks of speculation, promoter AEG announced on Oct. 7 that Solvang would again be a host city for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, a professional cycling road race. An individual time trial is scheduled for May 20, 2011, in Solvang, one of 15 cities through which the tour will officially travel over the […]
Posted inNews
Local wine merchant recognized
The Pacific Coast Business Times recently named Nicholas Miller, of the Central Coast Miller Family, one of the “Top 40 Under 40” business people in Santa Barbara County. Miller was recognized for his efforts within the Miller Family portfolio, which includes Bien Nacido Vineyards, Solomon Hills Vineyards, French Camp Vineyards, and Central Coast Wine Services […]
Posted inNews
Shop local for the economy’s sake
With looming concerns over the health and viability of the economy, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is introducing an aggressive campaign to encourage residents to spend their money in their own backyard. Beginning Oct. 15 and running through mid-December, the chamber will be saturating television, radio, and print with advertising, including the tagline, […]
Posted inNews
A century of Berchtold
The Berchtold Equipment Company, a third-generation family-owned farm equipment seller with a location in Santa Maria, is celebrating its centennial this year. Joseph Berchtold, a former miner and inventor from Dubuque, Iowa, started the company in Bakersfield as a feed-and-seed store in 1910. Joseph’s son E.G (Berch) Berchtold took over the company following his father’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Jordan Collins
Under the lights at Santa Maria High’s Ralph Baldiviez Stadium on Oct. 8, Lompoc senior running back Jordan Collins had a night to remember. In the Braves’ 51-7 drubbing of the Saints, Collins rushed for 130 yards on 11 carries, scoring three touchdowns on scampers of 28, 38, and 45 yards. Lompoc High head football […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Real men, good food
Autumn has arrived, and the time has come to decorate the house with goblins and oversized pumpkins, while ducking flurries of wind-swirled leaves. Among the fragrances offered by crisp air and rain-dampened soil, sensitive noses will detect the tempting aromas of grilled, stewed, stir-fried, and baked delicacies prepared by kitchen-savvy gents who make their home […]
Posted inNews
Popping pills
A young man approaches the pharmacy counter with two prescriptions. One is for a painkiller. One is to treat a medical condition. Shaky and anxious, he asks the technician what the total is. Unable to afford both, he opts for the painkiller. “You can tell when they are addicted, but you can’t do anything but […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s clear: Vote for Hilda
The thing I’ve always appreciated about Katcho Achadjian is his total transparency: his transparent what-have-you-people-done-for-me-lately retort to the residents who begged him not to vote for the Cayucos Viewshed ordinance, a developer-written sweetheart deal. (He did, and got the county sued.) The transparent way he went to bat for a major financial backer who wanted […]