WORTH THE DRIVE THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST OF SLO holds a parking lot barbecue featuring chicken or tri-tip including bread, beans, and salad May 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO. Cost is $8. ONGOING FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY barbecues Filipino food at […]
Barbecues
Health
MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER presents a “Diabetes: Are You at Risk?” class June 3 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A “Stroke Screening” features sessions from 8 a.m. to noon June 4. “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meets the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at the hospital. Info: […]
Art
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents “Creating Sanctuary”, featuring abstract paintings by Lawrence Abrahamsen, through May 29 at the Allan Hancock College Ann Foxworthy Gallery, Student Center, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252. THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents an art exhibit titled “California Gold” featuring the works of Sharon Foster and Patricia Stalter […]
Learning
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS holds Disaster Training Classes on the third Saturday of the month through May in Santa Maria and the fourth Saturday of the month through May in Santa Barbara. Info: 687-1331, Ext. 124. ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH presents an introductory class on the Bible with Reverend Canon Deborah Dunn on Tuesdays through […]
Recreation
THE CITY OF LOMPOC PARKS, RECREATION, AND URBAN FORESTRY DEPARTMENT offers a “Cake Decorating-Beginning” class June 2 to 23 and July 14 to Aug. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Kitchen at the Anderson Recreation Center. Cost is $36, $43 for non-city residents. A “Yoga-Stretch and Strength” class meets Tuesdays June 2 through […]
Kids & Family
THE SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT offers an “Intro at the Skatepark” skateboarding class June 2 through July 14 or July 21 through Sept. 1 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for kids 6 to 8 years old, and 5 to 6:30 p.m. for kids 9 through 13 years old at the Fletcher Park Skate […]
Dance Lessons
WORTH THE DRIVE THE PISMO BEACH YOUTH THEATER presents its production of Grease May 29 and 30 and June 5 through 7 at the Pismo Beach Veteran’s Hall, Pismo Beach. Info: 471-4976 or pismobeachyouththeater.com. KELRIK PRODUCTIONS presents its production of Beauty and the Beast on through May 30, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. at […]
Stage
WORTH THE DRIVE THE PISMO BEACH YOUTH THEATER presents its production of Grease May 29 and 30 and June 5 through 7 at the Pismo Beach Veteran’s Hall, Pismo Beach. Info: 471-4976 or pismobeachyouththeater.com. KELRIK PRODUCTIONS presents its production of Beauty and the Beast on through May 30, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. at […]
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 CLUB 805, AKA STINKY’S BAR & GRILL: 2430 South Broadway, 614-9316. DJ Davey D Saturday nights. THE COACHMAN: 1531 S. Broadway, 922-5556. Thursday through Saturday: DJ from 9 p.m. to […]
Concerts
THE KOSSUTH HOUSE 2009 CONCERT SERIES presents Brian Vander Ark in concert featuring Still Evolving May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Kossuth House, Santa Maria. Info: 264-3170 or stillevolvingmusic.com. THE ST. PETERSBURG MEN’S ENSEMBLE performs its Russian sacred music and Russian folk songs June 4 at 7 p.m. at the Orthodox Church of the […]
Special Events
THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FAIR accepts entries for the 2009 Commercial Wine Competition through May 29. The competition is June 10 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 South Thornburg St., Santa Maria. Info: sbwinecompetition.com or 925-8824. THE LUIS OASIS SENIOR CENTER presents a “Celebrate the Philippine Islands” event May 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. […]
The human toll of recession
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past nine months, you know the economy is in dire straits and isn’t going to get better any time soon. The statistics don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the whole story. Lost among the facts and figures are the effects of the recession on mental […]

