Technically, I am not allowed in my own kitchen—or “my wife’s kitchen,” I should say. I am occasionally granted permission to enter the air space around “her” kitchen, but only to do menial tasks like take out the stinking trash or kill a life-threatening evil spider. Any other kitchen access (like getting some cheese and […]
Trespassers will be shot
Halloweens, past and future
Halloween is my favorite holiday, even more than Hanukkah and Christmas. There’s no stressful gift buying, card writing, or party-planning. Halloween is even better than Thanksgiving. No visitors, putting up guests, putting up with family quirks, meal planning, bird thawing, pie baking. But those holidays are another story. Let’s focus on All Hallow’s Eve! You […]
Pool party
Last year, the St. Joseph High School boys’ water polo team won a single game. This time around, the Knights are doing more than just keeping their heads above water—they’re challenging for the Los Padres League title. “This year has been amazing,” said head coach John Walker. “Last year, we were teaching them […]
Kambria Sanders
Kambria Sanders may be a rookie, but she doesn’t perform like one. As a newbie to the local gymnastics center, Sanders has defied the odds by qualifying for sectionals and barely missing state by half a point. Sanders, 10 years old, has definitely dropped her audience’s jaws with her talent in the realm of […]
Crab lovers unite!
Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County needs participants for its annual Crab-A-Licious Torch Run and crab feed on Nov. 6. All-you-can-eat snow crab, pasta, salad, and bread will be on the menu, as will live musical entertainment by Class Action and a silent auction complete with prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. […]
Wine of dreams
Over the millennia, wine has fueled countless fancies and big adventures, some noble and others just plain crazy. Among the more recent and distinctly noble of these enterprises, Vino de Sueños (“wine of dreams”) aims to fulfill the needs of the region’s hardworking vineyard and farm laborers. Conceived under the auspices of People Helping […]
Clubs & Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the […]
Spiritual
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy […]
Farmers Markets
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and […]
Barbecues
ONGOING FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY barbecues Filipino food at the Smart and Final parking lot, N. Broadway on Saturdays and Sundays. Menu items include tri-tip, chicken, beef kabobs, chicken adobo, salad, rice, and bread. Meals cost $6. Info: 922-3422 or 922-3799. FILIPINO CATHOLIC SOCIETY, under the direction of St. Mary’s Church […]
Health
THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH’s Recreation Division Community Development Department offers a health and wellness seminar about flu prevention and treatment on Nov. 4 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Veterans’ Hall. Free. Info: 773-7063 or pismobeach.org. MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers a “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the […]
Art
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents an exhibit featuring selections from the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival through Oct. 30 at the Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. The mixed media drawings of Richard Fisher show Nov. 2 through 30 at Shepard Hall in the library. Also showing […]

