Artist Susan Buchanan will offer a gift-making workshop at The C Gallery in Los Alamos on Nov. 6 and 7. The Santa Maria artist shows her work widely at local and regional art shows and exhibits in Cafe Quackenbush in Los Alamos. The workshop, titled “Paper Clay Pins, Pendants & Stones,” will feature instruction on […]
C Gallery offers classes
Festival of trees
Altrusa International, Inc. of the Central Coast and Altrusa International, Inc. of the Central Coast Foundation will host their sixth annual Festival of Trees fundraising event. Local businesses and sponsors decorate a tree complete with gifts. The event will begin the day after Thanksgiving—Nov. 27—and will run through Dec. 13. The event will be held […]
A piece of the whole
There are art lovers and then there are people who really dig art, and their collection shows it. Barry and Gail Berkus amassed a huge collection of nationally and internationally known artists, and part of that collection will be on display at Foxworthy Gallery. A total of 42 pieces from the Berkus Family Collection representing […]
Manly sport
Each fall on the Central Coast, a group of amateur chefs delivers a display of culinary wizardry with a distinctly masculine flair. With October well underway, it’s time to head to the westernmost wilds of Solvang for Real Men Cook, a vital fundraiser disguised as a friendly competition and local wine showcase. Slated for Oct. […]
Everybody dies from life
Tamales, mole, bread, candies, and tequila, set against a backdrop of bright orange marigolds, candles, and colorful flags—together these treats make up a feast fit for a king of yore, but these days, such a spread is likely intended to pamper the dead. Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday Latinos set aside to […]
If you could pick one famous person to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be?
Nate Bodary park ranger “Jack Black. This last summer, at Lake Cachuma, there was a comedy of errors.” Joseph Bodary student “Morgan Freeman. He’s just a cool actor.” Shena Grizzanti health worker “Angelina Jolie. She’s a strong woman—at least in her movies—and that would represent me perfectly.” Joe Heliler postal office employee “Derek Jeter. I […]
Political Watch 10-15
• Santa Maria Valley Republicans Inc. invites members of the public to its monthly membership meeting on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. at Ambrosia Restaurant, 122 E. Boone St., in Santa Maria. The guest speaker will be Billie Jo Cravello, owner of Cravello Insurance Services, who will be sharing her views and insights on the […]
Community Notebook 10-15
FRIDAY, OCT. 16 • 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 […]
The race is on
[image-2] It seems like just yesterday Santa Barbara County residents were waiting to see who would replace the retiring Brooks Firestone as 3rd District Supervisor. And now, a little more than a year later, the race to replace 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno—set to retire in 2010—is well underway. The election is set for […]
Buddhist Church celebrates longevity
On Oct. 17, the Buddhist Church will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in Guadalupe at 1070 Olivera, starting at 10 a.m. with a group picture in front of the church, followed by a centennial service 30 minutes later. Bishop Koshin Ogui, who is coming from the Bay Area, will head the special service. “There will […]
Santa Maria housing plan is up for discussion
The city of Santa Maria is in the process of updating the housing portion of the Santa Maria General Plan, and is seeking written comments from the public. This section of the plan includes the city’s policy for the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing within Santa Maria city limits. The proposed document also includes […]
Santa Barbara County prepares for (swine) flu season
Earlier this month, the H1N1 virus—commonly referred to as the swine flu—claimed its first known victim in Santa Barbara County. According to a press release from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, the girl, whose name and age weren’t released, had suffered from a chronic medical condition prior to contracting the flu. In an […]

