Noted for its converted dairies and makeshift barrel rooms, Santa Barbara County’s early wine scene harbored surfers-, cyclists-, and retail clerks-turned-vintners who tackled harvest with second-hand equipment and jerry-rigged crush pads. Rustic and colorful, the early 1980s saw the birth of a local industry destined for greatness, no matter how humble its beginnings. In 1987, […]
Custom crush
Posted inOpinion
The boy wizard trumps all
I have a confession to make. A couple of weeks ago, I told Mark van de Kamp, a management analyst for the city, that the Santa Maria Public Library doesn’t need any more money. A week before that, I said the same thing to Phil Alvarado, the new Santa Maria Bonita School District Superintendent and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Golden Dukes are the best team in town
Coach Doug Sims was not surprised to learn that his team, the Golden Dukes, had won Best Local Youth Sports Team in the Sun’s annual Best Of poll. Happy? Yes. Surprised? No. “It’s our parents,” he said, explaining how they got the votes. “We have great parents.” The Golden Dukes is a basketball team. They […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Pest Control Operators host golf tournament at Monarch Dunes
They may deal with pests every day, but in their off hours, the Pest Control Operators of California are hosting their fourth annual golf tournament at Monarch Dunes in Nipomo. The tournament takes place Sept. 20 and is open to the public. The cost is $100 and must be prepaid by Sept. 12. The entry […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Former Cal Poly coach joins men’s basketball staff at Hancock
Veteran basketball coach Ernie Wheeler will join the team as assistant coach to Ralph Gorton during Allan Hancock College’s upcoming men’s basketball season. Wheeler was the head coach at Cal Poly for 14 seasons, from 1972 to 1986, and has more than 45 years of experience coaching basketball. At Cal Poly, he holds the record […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Some athletes are dedicated to their sport, and some athletes are really dedicated to their sport. Anthony Robinson, 17, falls into that second category. He loves soccer so much, he drives to Santa Barbara twice a week for practice and down to Los Angeles—or, if he’s lucky, Santa Barbara again—for games. “That’s where the best […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CLUBS & MEETINGS
ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., in the downstairs conference room at United Way, 1660 S. Broadway. Info: 352-0026 or 937-4071. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL INC. OF THE CENTRAL COAST meets at noon the second and fourth Monday of every month at […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
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 Communion […]
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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 vegetables. […]
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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 and St. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
HEALTH
ONGOING ARTHRITIS FDN. is a low impact, sit-in-chair exercise program held every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Valentine St. Community Room, 280 E. New Love St. Info: 346-1981. SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS HEALING ARTS INSTITUTE offers a range of classes including yoga and meditation, alternative and herbal medicine, aroma and color therapy, compassionate […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
ART
THE CYPRESS GALLERY currently features the exhibition Abstract Thought by Elizabeth Monks Hack through August at the gallery, 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129. ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents an exhibit, Framing of Light, featuring the photography of Cathy L. Gregg, through Sept. 5 in the Allan Hancock Student Center Art Gallery, building G, Santa […]