LA PURISIMA MISSION presents its Mission Life Day, featuring live presentations of mission life and culture Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the La Purisima Mission, Lompoc. Info: 733-3713. WORTH THE DRIVE THE PISMO NATURE CENTER presents an “Oceano Lagoon” hike Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. at the nature center, Oceano […]
RECREATION
KIDS & FAMILY
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT presents its Teen Treks Camps Mondays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Aug. 15 at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, Santa Maria. Cost is $90. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 252 or jdavie@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA presents its Summer Camp starting every […]
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
LOMPOC CIVIC THEATRE presents its production of Ruthless—The Musical Aug. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24, showing in Lompoc. Info: 735-ACT1. PCPA THEATERFEST presents its production of The Imaginary Invalid through Aug. 23 in the Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria. Info: pcpa.org. IMPROVISATIONAL HUMOR CLASS meets Mondays at the Santa Maria Town […]
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
WORTH THE DRIVE THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents the Music Academy of the West Concert Series Thursdays at 2 p.m. through Aug. 14 in the Mary Craig Auditorium, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 884-6430 or kcarl@sbma.net. THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY BAND performs a Twilight Concert on […]
SPECIAL EVENTS
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER presents the 2008 Farmworker Health Fair, featuring health screenings, vaccinations, food, music, dance, drawings, and information, on Aug. 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. on Newlove Street, between Lincoln and Thornburg, Santa Maria. Info: 458-4247. THE CENTRAL COAST WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION presents its annual “Under the Summer Stars” dinner, dance, and live […]
Waiting for crush
Sliding down the slippery slope toward harvest, winemakers and growers on the Central Coast spend hours each day contemplating their ripening grapes. Despite a rough spring fraught with both high heat and a cold snap, the 2008 vintage promises a deliciously juicy—if somewhat diminished—yield. Among the locals patrolling their vineyards on a daily basis are […]
What is the worst gift you’ve ever been given?
Brandon Carroll intern “A fruitcake.” Bill Spriggs vendor “I’ve always had good gifts. Every gift I’ve gotten came from the heart, and that’s all that matters to me.” Tasia Bech camp counselor “On Valentine’s Day, I got a teddy bear from a gas station. It smelled and was dusty.” Tina Vincent camp counselor “Probably money, […]
You oughta stay in pictures
Movie production has always meant big money: money for the actors, money for the moviemakers, money for pretty much anyone who touches the camera, script, costumes, or equipment. What isn’t as obvious is that the industry also spreads the wealth. Production creates jobs. In other words, it opens doors for taxpayers and consumers to dole […]
Are you ready to go back to school?
It’s that time again! Local elementary, middle, and high school students are packing their backpacks and heading back to school. The Santa Maria-Bonita School District opens first on Aug. 18, followed by the Orcutt Union School District (seventh graders start on Aug. 19, other students start Aug. 20), and the Guadalupe Union School District and […]
They’ve gone union
On Aug. 13, at a conference in the Windy City, the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association announced its affiliation with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The affiliation, organization members said, will encourage greater cooperation to meet the needs of working teachers, students, and their families. The agreement brings together […]

