In 2006, Santa Maria resident Abigail Garcia went to visit an ailing friend of the family. The woman had been sick for some time and was living in a skilled nursing facility where she could receive around-the-clock medical care. The visit, though only about an hour long, made a powerful impact on Abigail, whose then-84-year-old […]
Locals seek to preserve the golden years
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Excuse me, could you spare a nickel or dime?
I used my second-grade math skills the other day, but somehow forgot to move a decimal point, resulting in my bank account being overdrawn. Whoops. For this act of stupidity, the bank awarded me with a charge (overdraft fee) for insufficient funds. The fee put my bank account further in the red. This process seems […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Arts Briefs
Get ready for an Orcutt Aquacenter poolside party Get one last summer swim in and help support the Orcutt Aquacenter from noon to 3 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Foxenwood Tennis and Swim Club, 1087 Clubhouse Drive in Orcutt. The Aquacenter’s board of directors is hosting a poolside party and barbecue in celebration of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
It’s all about heart
This is the story of a group of guys trying to make it big in rock’n’roll. It’s a story like a lot of other stories in a lot of other cities. It’s a story about young friends who are passionate about music, give up the comforts of a secure lifestyle, move in together, and devote […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Goodbye, summer
The end of summer is always a mixture of sadness and relief: sadness as I recall all the things I didn’t get to do and realize that now, with summer ending, I don’t get to do them, and relief in knowing that lazy days will turn into a finely orchestrated schedule of work, school, soccer, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Meet the new coach
Rod Garcia didn’t even know about a job opening at Allan Hancock College, until he started getting the calls. “A lot of folks over there had been kind enough to let me know about it,” he said, “and they told me maybe I should take the job.” So he did. Rod is now the new […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Global inspiration
A vacationer’s dream and a resident’s paradise, the little town of Los Olivos offers art galleries, fine dining, and lots of winetasting, as well as quiet neighborhoods, a post office, and a well-stocked market. In the heart of downtown, within the embrace of Fess Parker’s renowned Wine Country Inn and Spa, the cozy Restaurant Marcella […]
Posted inOpinion
Marching on Washington
It was August 1963, and I was a college junior. I had a summer job in New York City, and each day I took the commuter train with my father. On one such trip, I looked at the New York Post and was surprised to learn that college students had gone down south to help […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Because cars and sports go together
Check out some hot cars and support a good cause. That’s the idea behind the Seventh Annual Lompoc Police Department Car Show to benefit the Special Olympics. There are two parts to the event: the cruise night on Aug. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the actual car show, held Aug. 30 at Ryon […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
The Balderas brothers are back in the spotlight in the junior boxing world after coming back from the 7th annual Desert Showdown National competition in Coachella. Carlos, 11 (left), and Rudy, 12, both made it to the final round in the 75-pound weight class (though in different age groups). Just making the finals is a […]
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 […]