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 and St. […]
BARBECUES
HEALTH
SANSUM CLINIC offers a stress management class Sept. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the clinic. A cholesterol management class is Sept. 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the clinic. Cost is $8. The clinic is located at 1225 North H St., Lompoc. Info: 737-8700. ONGOING ARTHRITIS FDN. is a low impact, […]
ART
THE CYPRESS GALLERY currently features the exhibition Abstract Thought by Elizabeth Monks Hack through August at the gallery, 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. The art of Jon Robert Lyra and Judith Grames-Lyra shows in the exhibit By The Sea through Sept. 28 at the Cypress Gallery. Info: 737-1129. THE GROSSMAN GALLERY presents an exhibit by […]
LEARNING
THE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SANTA MARIA presents Dr. James Sutton speaking about Parkinsons’ disease on Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, E. McCoy and College Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-7776 or 925-0266. ONGOING EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS for inventors, entrepreneurs, new product developers, and creative individuals that feature expert speakers and resources […]
RECREATION
WORTH THE DRIVE THE CACHUMA LAKE NATURE CENTER presents Astronomy Nights, featuring a presentation and stargazing, Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. at the Cachuma Lake Fireside Theater, Cachuma Lake. Cost is $8 for parking. Info: 693-0691 or www.cachuma.com. THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents a “Birds of the Santa Ynez Valley Region” course Wednesdays from 8:30 […]
KIDS & FAMILY
PISMO BEACH YOUTH THEATER offers Youth Theater classes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. through August at YOYO, Foster Road, Orcutt. Info: 471-4976 or www.pismobeachyouththeater.com. ONGOING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS is looking for volunteers to meet one or two hours a week with a young person to develop a one-to-one friendship. Orientations […]
DANCE LESSONS
ONGOING EVERYBODY CAN DANCE offers classes in ballet dance for ages 3 to adult. Call for schedules. Boys and men receive full scholarships. The studio is located at 800 S. Broadway. Info: 937-6753. THE DANCE STUDIO offers dance classes in Santa Maria and Nipomo in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Dance Team. Info: […]
STAGE
PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of Hot Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan Aug. 29 through Sept. 7 at the Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria. Info: www.pcpa.org. IMPROVISATIONAL HUMOR CLASS meets Mondays at the Santa Maria Town Center second-floor community room to teach theater games, comedy concepts, and Whose Line Is It Anyway?-style games […]
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. […]
CONCERTS
THE MONARCH CLUB at Trilogy Central Coast presents Guy Budd and the Gypsy Souls in concert on Aug. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the club, 1640 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo. Info: 1-888-458-8379 or www.trilogyatcentralcoast.com. WORTH THE DRIVE THE CLARK CENTER presents country rock group Highway 101 in concert Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. […]
SPECIAL EVENTS
THE LOMPOC POLICE DEPARTMENT holds a benefit cruise for the Special Olympics on Aug. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Ocean Avenue in Lompoc. A car show also in benefit of the Special Olympics features custom cars, raffles, and a barbecue on Aug. 30 at Ryon Park, Lompoc. Info: 875-8108. THE LUIS OASIS SENIOR […]
Finding his purpose
To say that life was hard for Francisco Jimenez would be a gross understatement. Life didn’t hand him lemons, it gave him ground crops. And they weren’t handed to him—he had to pick them himself. But life also has a way of giving purpose to struggle, and in the case of Jimenez, he found that […]

