NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY’S NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY > MARCH 19 - MARCH 26, 2020 > VOL. 21 NO. 3 > WWW.SANTAMARIASUN.COM AT THE MOVIES 1 Bloodshot: It’s OK [27] Future stewards Outdoor education programs focus on environmental literacy [12] BY KAREN GARCIA Strawberry grower A little magic in Soup stock for NEWS fined for pesticide [7] ARTS Old Orcutt [23] EATS your soul [31] To our loyal readers, MARCH 19 - MARCH 26, 2020 VOL. 21 NO. 3 s the COVID-19 pandemic makes its way into California We want to update you on the Sun’s and New Times’ cities like Santa Maria, business as usual is on hold. It’s plans for COVID-19 (coronavirus). We also want to a weird feeling, but that doesn’t mean coronavirus is all address any questions you may have regarding our Athat’s happening. It just feels the most pressing. As we try to move through the coming weeks together, the Sun will still operations, delivery options, and more. bring you stories that focus from above, a big picture, bird’s-eye First and foremost, our hearts go out to those in our view of Northern Santa Barbara County. That’s why we decided LOCAL EFFORTS: Celeste Royer is the 2 director of Environmental Education for community and beyond who have been impacted by the to move forward with our scheduled cover story this week. New the SLO County Office of Education and virus. The health and well-being of our community is Times Staff Writer Karen Garcia spoke with the Rancho El Chorro has been the program director for Rancho El Chorro for 31 years. of great importance and we will continually review and Outdoor School, which hosts K-12 students from Northern Santa Barbara County and beyond with the goal of educating them update our actions in accordance with new information about the connection between human beings and nature. Although schools are temporarily closed for from the CDC and local authorities. the foreseeable future, this program will be back and ready for action, just like all of us [12]. It is times like these where we feel grateful for our Also this week, read about a Santa Maria strawberry grower who was fined $10,000 for using an family of clients and readers, and we cannot thank you illegal pesticide [7], the county’s homeless situation and what’s changed since last year [7], a magician enough for your continued loyalty. From our family to who entertains in Old Orcutt every week [23], a trip to Vegas with the kids [24], and a do-it-yourself soup stock to get you through the days at home [31]. yours, we wish for the best in these challenging times Camillia Lanham and for the health and well-being of our clients, readers, editor and community. We’re grateful for the decades of fun Cover photo by Jayson Mellom > Cover design by Alex Zuniga and information the Sun has brought to our lives and know this challenging time is just a bump in the road. NEWS ARTS We’re also here for you to tell the stories from our News Briefs ........................................................4 Arts Briefs ........................................................23 community. Please feel free to share any local notable Political Watch ...................................................4 news, ideas, stories, events, images, or positive actions Weather ..............................................................4 Spotlight .............................................................8 deriving from our current nationwide crisis. You can send them [email protected]. MOVIES OPINION Reviews & Locations ........................................27 We are committed to continue providing weekly Web Poll ...........................................................10 coverage of No. Santa Barbara County. Yet, our offices Mayfield ...........................................................10 Canary ..............................................................14 will be closed to the general public. EATS If you wish to publish a Legal Notice, paperwork Nibbles & Bites ................................................32 can be submitted through email or fax. Payment with EVENTS CALENDAR credit card can be called in or payment with check can Hot Stuff ..........................................................15 be put in the mail. CLASSIFIEDS, HOME, AND Email: [email protected], Fax : 805-546- MUSIC 8641, Address: 1010 Marsh St., SLO, CA 93401 Music listings .................................................. 21 REAL ESTATE .......................................33 Please call for further instructions or with any questions 805-546-8208. If you wish to speak with our Editorial department, please call 805-347-1968. If you wish to advertise please call 805-546-8208 ext. 221. For all other inquiries, please call 805-347-1968 and you will be directed to the appropriate department. We will continue to publish our newspaper as usual and are committed to keeping the public informed. We appreciate your understanding and wish you all good health. Thank you so much, New Times Media Group Staff PERFORMANCES TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. WE’LL RE-OPEN AS SOON AS WE CAN! 2 • Sun • March 19 - March 26, 2020 • www.santamariasun.com JOIN OUR FAMILY AT JOHNSON FAMILY DENTAL TODAY! Full-Service Dental Care in Santa Maria! • Get everything in one place, including Orthodontics! • Yes! Most all insurance is accepted • Extended hours and same-day emergency appointments • Smile now, pay later - 0% financing 3 • Save 20 to 40% on all dental services with the OneSmile Dental Plan1 Get Started 805-688-9999 805-623-4228 Solvang Office NEW Santa Maria Office 678 Alamo Pintado Rd 745 E. Betteravia Rd OFF NEW $ PATIENT $ FREE SPECIAL $ 100 FREE DIGITAL X-RAYS 1,195 99 Any Dental Treatment FREE EXAM Dental Implant Special Get Started Braces FREE SECOND OPINION Reg. $2,400 Valid government issued photo ID and checking account required to Does not include crown, abutment or bone graft. Does not apply to $99 “Get Started” Braces 2.9% APR on approved credit. get financing on approved credit. 2. $100 off dental services when you FREE Exam retail price $124 (ADA Code 150). Digital X-rays retail price past purchases. There may be future costs based on diagnosis. Average estimated cost of $6,351 based on standard 24-month purchase dental services with combined ARV (actual retail value) of $186 (ADA Code 210). New cash patients only. There may be future costs case (does not include finance charges or any other discounts). $300 or more. Valid for new patients and once per person. Offer is not based on diagnosis. Valid on new, standard orthodontic cases only. redeemable for cash or credit. Valid on non covered services only. ALL Offers are subject to change, cannot be combined and treatment must be rendered by 3/31/20. See office for complete details. Valid on non-covered services only.Johnson Family Dental complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. ©2020 Steven G. Johnson Dental Corporation, Steven G. Johnson, DDS. All rights reserved. 1. The OneSmile Dental Plan (OSDP) is not insurance. This is a licensed discount medical plan. OSDP provides discounts at certain healthcare providers for dental services. OSDP does not make payments directly to the providers of dental services. You (member) will be required to pay for all health care or dental services but will receive a discount from those health care providers who have contracted with The CDl Group, Inc. Members will have 45 days after the effective date of enrollment to cancel their plan and receive a refund of their enrollment fee if they have not utilized the plan. OSDP is administered by discount medical plan organization The CDI Group, Inc., located at 601 Daily Dr., Suite 215 Our priority is always the safety of our members. In light of rapid changes regarding COVID-19 and the directive by the State of California, Western Village has temporarily closed for the safety of you, and our employees. Thank you for your patience and trust in Western Village Health Club. Please follow us on all of our social media platforms and our website for all up to date information. In Good Health Mon–Thurs 4am–11pm westernvillage_offi cial 2015 S Broadway B, Santa Maria • 805-348-1888 Friday 4am–10pm Western Village Health Club @ Saturday 7am–8pm Westernvillagehealthclub Email: [email protected] Sunday 7am–6pm www.santamariasun.com • March 19 - March 26, 2020 • Sun • 3 SPOTLIGHT 8 BRIEFS PHOTO COURTESY OF FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY Political Watch School districts and Foodbank • Former state Assemblymember and San Luis provide services amid Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian died COVID-19 closures on March 5 from health complications. In the days 4 With nearly all students normally receiving since, local officials have lamented his passing. In free- or reduced-price meals at school, the a Facebook post on March 6, Assemblymember Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD) Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) referred committed to continue providing free meals in to Achadjian as a friend and mentor. “He was a true the face of school closures due to the COVID-19 public servant and an American success story,” pandemic. The Santa Barbara County Public Cunningham said in the post. “Katcho leaves a legacy Health Department had confirmed two cases of of devotion to community, energetic representation, the coronavirus in North County as of March 17. “No child that wanted or needed a meal will and consensus-building. Our sincerest condolences go hungry today,” Maggie White, SMBSD public to his family for their loss. Today is a sad day for the information officer, told the Sun on March 16. Central Coast.” State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson White said beginning that day, all schools (D-Santa Barbara) also acknowledged her former in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District— colleague’s passing in a March 6 Twitter post. which serves children from kindergarten to “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my eighth grade—had sack lunches available at former colleague, Katcho Achadjian,” Jackson said in all campuses.