THE PISMO BEACH YOUTH THEATRE presents musical theater production classes for 4th through 8th graders for a production of Annie meeting Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. through Dec. at Temple Beth El, 1501 E. Alvin, Santa Maria. Cost is $40 per month. Info: 471-4976 or pismobeachyouththeater.com. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA offers winter break […]
Kids & Family
Dance Lessons
WORTH THE DRIVE THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH Recreation Division Community Development Department presents a “(Salsa) Latin American Dance” class is Mondays from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. through December at the Pismo Beach Veterans’ Hall. Cost is $10 per class. A “Ballroom Dance” class is Mondays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. through December at the […]
Stage
WORTH THE DRIVE THE TEMPLE OF THE PEOPLE presents a youth group production of a 30-minute original yule show featuring carols, and the Temple Builders presents the play Father Christmas Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Hiawatha Lodge, 3065 Temple St., Halcyon. Info: 481-4019 or Adelasie@gmail.com. CAL POLY presents a “New Year’s Eve Comedy […]
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 ADDAMO VINEYARD/TASTING ROOM: 400 E. Clark Ave., suite E, Santa Maria, 937-6400. Live music Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, […]
Special Events
THE HISTORIC SANTA MARIA INN presents a New Year’s Eve party featuring live music, dancing, food, a no-host bar, and a Champagne toast on Dec. 31 starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $139 per couple. Info: 928-7777. WORTH THE DRIVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS PRODUCTIONS present the third […]
Shed some light on the season
Each year, as the days get shorter and the nights get longer, we at the Sun turn our thoughts toward nonprofits. Early sunsets mean it’s time once again for our annual wish list, highlighting local people and groups who make a difference in this community—and need someone to make a difference for them in return. […]
What’s your favorite gift from Santa?
Raymond Jackie Mendoza Outreach Clinical employee “A trip to see my family a couple years ago in San Diego. I had a blast.” Blake Sheridan toy connoisseur “Tools for my train, and my Arctic Cat.” Natalie and Sadie Sainsbury Santa admirers “Our first doggie.” Justin Sabaso student “My Xbox 360, which came with Ultimate Alliance.”
Community Notebook 12-17
FRIDAY, DEC. 18 • The Santa Maria City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the Betteravia Government Center conference room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway. • The Lompoc City/County Coalition for the Homeless has its regular meeting from noon to 1 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference […]
Political Watch 12-17
California Assembly seat candidate Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) has added some more labor unions to his list of endorsements. On Dec. 8, Williams announced two chapters of the Laborers International Union of North America, representing more than 2,200 workers in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, are now supporting his campaign. The LIUNA […]
Hobnobbing with Helen
By noon on Sunday, Dec. 13, more than 400 people had lined up in front of the Altrusa Central Coast Festival of Trees site at 1447 S. Broadway in Santa Maria. They were waiting to get into the year’s hottest open-to-the-public raffle. About to be given to the holders of winning tickets were 49 spectacular […]
Have no fear shopping for teens
Buying a gift for a teenager can be a difficult and overwhelming task simply because teens can be very opinionated and the market is saturated with, well, tons of holiday crap. If you’ve put off gift buying for a teen, hoping for a holiday epiphany, allow us to offer a few quick ideas. Go to […]
Geek gift giving gets good
It can sometimes be daunting, shopping for a geek. You’re pretty sure sweaters and socks aren’t going to cut it, but at the same time, you’re not sure what to get them other than a gift certificate to the big store with the yellow letters. Plus, we geeks can be maddeningly unhelpful when it comes […]

