Lompoc Pride 2019

Community

PRIDE 2019

Lompoc

Unified School District

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COMMUNITY PRIDE 2019

A2 | Sunday, July 28, 2019

LOMPOC RECORD

The Central Production Kitchen at the Lompoc Unified School District Office campus.

The History of How the

FOOD REVOLUTION (AKA Scratch Cooked Food) Began at LUSD

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

The Orfalea Foundation’s ‌ “School Food Initiative” was the driving force behind LUSD’s Scratch Cooked Food. Their mission was to provide local school districts with the funds, equipment, support, and staff training to provide healthier, freshly prepared student meals.

In the summer of 2011, Orfalea Foundation kicked off their first annual “Back to School Culinary Boot Camp” at our Central Kitchen. Fifteen of our staff members, along with various food service members from other local school districts, were invited to attend five days of culinary arts training. By the end of the training, with the foundation’s continued support, we felt confident in our decision to move forward with cooking food from scratch.

We knew we had to slowly introduce scratch cooked foods into our program. Prior to this revolution, our Central Kitchen’s food preparation equipment consisted of only one steam kettle and one tilting skillet. Since the high schools already had hot serving counters, the logical decision was to initiate scratch cooked food at

Fresh produce our two high schools first.

Our staff was open to the change and our high school students were enjoying the food. Over the next several years, with grants that we had received, LUSD was able to install equipment for scratch cooking in 12 of our 14 schools.

As Child Nutrition Services looks to the future, we are continuing to enhance our program and think “outside of the box” when it comes to feeding healthy Soup cookers in the LUSD Central Production Kitchen. meals to our students.

Proposition 39 projects in Lompoc Unified School District CONTRIBUTED REPORT

El Camino and Maple High received new energy efficient furnances.

Retrofitted LED lights provide better lighting and reduced energy costs at Lompoc High and El Camino.

‌As part of the California Clean Energy Jobs Act grant, or Proposition 39, Lompoc Unified School District recently completed interior lighting LED retrofit projects at Lompoc High and El Camino. All of LUSD’s K12 school sites have now received similar interior lighting LED upgrade projects which, in addition to providing LUSD staff and students more consistent lighting levels throughout classrooms, also decreases maintenance costs and reduces lighting kWh usage by approximately 20%.

Over this summer, Proposition 39 funding allowed LUSD to replace the inefficient and outdated furnaces at El Camino and Maple High.

Proposition 39, or the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, was designed to allocate revenue to local education agencies to support energy efficiency projects, along with related improvements and repairs that contribute to reduced operating costs and improved health and safety conditions in public schools. Received in 2014, LUSDs grant from Proposition 39 was approximately $2.2 million and funded many types of energy upgrade projects over the last five years.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Services John Karbula commented, “We are really proud of the great team effort that took place to fully utilize the Proposition 39 funding and transform LUSD schools for the better by ef- 00 fectively utilizing this State funding source.” 1

COMMUNITY PRIDE 2019

LOMPOC RECORD

Sunday, July 28, 2019 | A3

Students working in the science lab at La Honda STEAM Academy.

La Honda STEAM Academy provides exciting option in LUSD CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Principal Noelle Barthel de‌ scribes the Academy and the impact it has on the education of her students: “At La Honda STEAM Academy, teachers strive to create an environment where students learn problem-solving in a supportive, accountable, collaborative community through an integrated approach to learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, as well as other subject areas. The goal is to nurture curious, independent learners who demonstrate success through collaborative, challenging project-based learning.”

The school has adopted a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) related progression of skills. Students have opportunities to demonstrate mastery in numerous areas as they move through the grade levels, including robotics, coding, engineering, using a vinyl press and 3D printer, as well as animation and video production. Learning these skills provides real world experience and helps students see the relevancy of their learning.

For example, students use their knowledge in video production to create the daily school announcements, sent via a link to teachers.

Next year, students will have project based learning units, specific to their grade level.

These units are linked to essential questions in their language arts curriculum to promote greater understanding, as well as being multidisciplinary in nature. For example, fourth grade students will learn all aspects of how to

5th grade students of La Honda STEAM Academy work on 3D design projects. use a vinyl cutter and press. They will focus on essential questions, such as: Where do good ideas come from? How do your actions affect others? Or: How can starting a business help others?

They will then use this knowledge to design T-shirts, decals, water bottles and other items for our school events.

La Honda is committed to continuing to develop its program and to foster community and stakeholder relationships to further broaden the scope of stu-

dent learning.

LUSD Superintendent Trevor McDonald stated, “The world of technology offers many meaningful and well compensated career options, and we so excited to have the La Honda STEAM Academy preparing them for the possibility of such a career in their future. However, even if the students don’t go on to a tech career, a deeper understanding of how technology impacts their lives will serve each of these students well Students learn about video production by editing their own tv show. in the future.”

New Director of Child Nutrition at Lompoc Unified HANNAH CARROLL, LUSD DIRECTOR OF CHILD NUTRITION

Lompoc High receives new scoreboard CONTRIBUTED REPORT

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‌ or many years, the baseball F scoreboard at Lompoc High School has been in need of replacement. However, the District was unable to budget the needed funding for a new scoreboard.

This past spring, longtime LUSD supports Sunset Auto

Center donated the dollars for a new scoreboard. Now, our Lompoc High students, athletes and parents now have a new, highly upgraded Nevco scoreboard and pitch counter. The scoreboard, which measures 18’ wide and has an apex of 21’, is a huge upgrade and improvement over the old scoreboard.

‌My name is Hannah Carroll and I am the new director of Child Nutrition Services. I am pleased to be a member of the team here at Lompoc Unified School District and I am excited to get to know the wonderful community, who has been so welcoming thus far.

In my previous position, I was a school nutrition district supervisor for 13 of 52 schools in Norfolk, Virginia. I traveled a long way, but feel at home already.

My goal as Child Nutrition director is to provide our students with high-quality, nutritious meals throughout the school year and summer. The cafeteria is a classroom too, so I hope to educate students and inspire families to explore and enjoy the many healthy foods that California has to offer.

I am eager to work with the team of child nutrition workers here at LUSD who dedicate their time to serving our chil-

Hannah Carroll, LUSD’s new Director of Child Nutrition dren. Please let us be a resource community as we continue to to you and your family, and I do great work and bring fresh look forward to serving your ideas to lunchroom.

COMMUNITY PRIDE

A4 | Sunday, July 28, 2019

LOMPOC RECORD SPECIAL SECTION

Visual and Performing Arts Academy shines

Cabrillo aquarium is crown jewel of Lompoc Unified CONTRIBUTED REPORT

‌Since 1986, the Cabrillo High School Aquarium has worked to promote stewardship of our oceans through a hands-on, cross-curricular, project-based learning environment.

“The Aquarium at Cabrillo High School is a crown jewel of the Lompoc Unified School District.

The learning opportunity provided for secondary an elementary students is unequaled anywhere in the State of California,” said LUSD Superintendent Trevor McDonald.

Under the supervision of Aquarium Director Greg Eisen and advisers Chris Ladwig, Jennifer Mason, and Michelle Poquette, over 200 high school students operate every aspect of the program, including habitats and husbandry, public relations, water quality, and curriculum development.

All hands-on curriculum is developed by our students using grade-appropriate Next Generation Science Standards. We welcome over 7,000 visitors each year through elementary tours, monthly open houses, and special events like our annual summer camp. The Aquarium’s current 6,000 square-foot facility opened in 2002 and features over 20 live and static displays, including the largest exhibition of jellies between Long Beach and Monterey!

We have been raising funds for the program’s largest undertaking in nearly 20 years – The Interactive Tidepool Project. This $250,000 effort will ultimately replace the Aquarium’s entire life support system and install an authentic, accessible Interactive Tidepool touch tank exhibit, surrounded by a beautiful expanded mural.

The Santa Ynez Chumash Foundation is matching contributions to this project up to $25,000.

Any individuals, companies, or organizations interested in contributing can mail donations to the Aquarium at 4350 Constellation Road, Lompoc CA 93436, or contact Aquarium Director Greg Eisen at eisen.greg@lusd.org.

Regular Aquarium updates can also be found at www.cabrilloaquarium.org or on the Aquarium’s Facebook page.

“Anyone who has ever had a student led tour of the Aquarium Facility is in awe of the poise,

knowledge and leadership of the Cabrillo students who lead these tours,” McDonald said. “Many of these students actually go on to careers in marine biology or related fields. But all of them carry forward into their lives and careers leadership and public speaking skills that will help them in any career and as citizens of the community.

“This amazing opportunity does not happen by accident,” McDonald continued. “The dedicated service of the teachers and staff at the Aquarium can be seen in the outstanding skills on display by their students. Their pride in their work and total dedication to their students represents the best of the teaching profession.

When secondary students teach, lead and inspire elementary students, the cycle of learning is nearly perfect. My hat is off to the students and staff of this worldclass facility for their exciting and excellent work.”

Maple High School offers ‘high quality’ alternative education Model High School designation, graduation rates stand out CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Maple High School, LUSD’s ‌ only alternative high school, serves approximately 10% of the high school students over a school year. The staff and students at Maple have worked diligently with the support of district administration and community stakeholders to build robust, meaningful programs that students can connect to.

“To have an high quality alternative to our two outstanding comprehensive traditional high schools means that students who would not thrive in the traditional setting have a great opportunity to graduate and move from there to productive, meaningful lives,” said Lompoc Unified Superintendent Trevor McDonald.

This year, Maple was not only named a California Model School

by CDE and CCEA, but was also awarded with exemplary program for their CTE Business Management Program, a student-run business model called Maple Makers. In being recognized, Maple was specifically noted for having career tech in place and for working closely with Allan Hancock for our students to have access to college level coursework, better preparing them for them for success. Maple High School students can enroll in Business Management, Ornamental Horticulture or enter the GRID Alternatives Solar Installation Training Program.

MHS’s graduation rate has increased each year over the last three years. This year took everyone by surprise when the num-

“Having an enrichment program like VAPA available to the students of Lompoc Unified School District is a wonderful and exciting thing,” said district Superintendent Trevor McDonald. “The District strongly supports the Arts, and this support is clearly evident in having three of our secondary performing arts teachers honored as the best in Santa Barbara County. Giving the chance for artistic and creative performances at the elementary level is a truly wonderful element of the district curriculum and offers great chances for our younger students to shine, learn and grow.”

Lompoc Unified VAPA events in 2018-19‌ DANCE‌ Lompoc Valley Middle School students performed a routine as part of the Lompoc High School fall dance concert “Beyond the Stars.”

Lompoc High School‘s Sapphire Dance team performed last fall in the community Domestic Violence Vigil at city hall.

During the early months of 2019, the Sapphire Dance team competed in several categories including “Character.” Their chimney sweep costumes were a hit as they danced to “Step in Time” from Mary Poppins.

The Lompoc High Dance Company’s last production of the year was titled True Colors, and featured songs such as Devil in a Blue Dress. LHS Technical Theatre students created the backdrop for the production.

MUSIC‌ Cabrillo High School Choirs performed two concerts during the school year. The Madrigals also performed many times at multiple venues throughout the city and beyond, including a performance at Disneyland.

At Clarence Ruth Elementary School, in music classes in grades TK through sixth, students learned several songs, dances, and clapping rhythm games.

Hapgood Elementary Dual Immersion: Music Club performances (featuring guitar, accordion, and drums) occurred throughout the year for assemblies, special events, and the Crianza con Amor Program parent graduation in April.

Lompoc High School Choir students performed at two vigils at City Hall and held three concerts on the LHS campus this year. Choir students also performed at graduation.

LHS Winter Line competed this spring with its show, “Heart.”

Vandenberg Middle School band and advanced orchestra students performed in several venues this year, including for the LUSD School Board.

student directed sketch comedy show).

Los Berros Elementary School produced Disney’s Mulan Jr. Vandenberg Middle School’s play was Squad Goals, featuring a different cast for each performance (one cast per drama class).

VISUAL ARTS‌ Of 2,850 entries for the 2019 California Coastal Art Contest, including 30 students from Lompoc High School, our own Marina Zellers received first prize for her watercolor “Safe Haven.” Contest winners will be on display in various museums around the state including Tiburon, Point Reyes, Mendocino, Santa Cruz and the Channel Islands.

VAPA has expanded to include CTE pathways.

At Cabrillo High School, instrumental music teacher Garson Olivieri has begun to build a Career Technical Education pathway in music.

At Lompoc High School, teacher Sarah A.M. Barthel has begun to build a Career Technical Education pathway in theatre, including both acting and technical theatre pathways.

These pathways are opening up additional opportunities and funding sources for performing arts students at both schools.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY‌ PERFORMING ARTS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR‌ Bree Jansen, of Lompoc High School, was named Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year. Bree is only the fifth teacher to receive this award.

Created in 2015 through a partnership between SBCEO’s office of Teacher Programs & Support and the Santa Barbara Bowl, the Performing Arts Teacher of the Year award recognizes one performing arts teacher each year from Santa Barbara County.

Bree’s addition to this group of select performing arts teachers marks the third LUSD performing arts educator to be recognized.

Sarah Barthel (theatre and choir), also of Lompoc High School, and Garson Oliveiri (instrumental music) of Cabrillo High School were the first and third, respectively, to be recognized. LUSD is fortunate to not only have such fine teachers in our performing arts programs, but also to have their hard work being recognized at the county level.

PERFORMING ARTS CURRICULUM PROJECT GRANTS ‌ Grants for special projects were awarded this spring to Jennifer Peterson (Cabrillo High School Theatre and Vocal Music) as well as Bree Jansen and Sarah Barthel (Lompoc High School Dance and Theatre/Vocal Music, respectively). The funding for both grants was provided by the Santa Barbara Bowl and was awarded THEATRE‌ through the SBCEO Teacher ProCabrillo High School theatre grams grant application system. productions included RobinHood, Last Stop ‘Til Christmas, PARTNERSHIPS FOR STUDENT Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and ENRICHMENT ‌ an Advanced Musical Theatre Partnerships continue class variety show. throughout LUSD with area orFillmore Elementary produced ganizations to bring performing the musical Disney’s Cinderella artists to our schools. Some speKids. cial events include an upcoming The Lompoc High School trip to see Kingdom Choir pertheatre season began with the form at the Santa Barbara Bowl British comedy Table Manners, in September, as well as percontinued with Bang Bang You’re formances by Ballet Folklorico Dead, the holiday show A Hillbilly de Los Angeles at LHS through Christmas Carol, the spring mu- UCSB Arts & Lectures, and persical Chicago (High School Edi- formances by PCPA (Pacific Contion), and concluded with the servatory Theatre) both on LUSD 17th annual Comedy Tonight! (a campuses and through field trips.

Maple Makers planning a design ber of graduates hit 67! Seventy percent of students graduating were enrolled in college classes for summer and/or fall and some students were graduating with 6-12 college credits under their belts. This is an extraordinary accomplishment for these students.

“Maple High School, in winning the prestigious designation of Model High School has proven that the students of Lompoc Unified School District have such a choice. Maple’s graduation rates have increased each year for the past three years and are now at record levels,” McDonald said.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) was implemented at MHS in the 18-19 school year and the first AVID graduates walked across the stage in June with great pride. Every student at Maple High School with be exposed to AVID in the 2019-20 school year as the school moves toward AVID schoolwide.

MHS is one of a handful of alternative education high schools in California using AVID. The successes are already noteworthy.

While Maple High School has

been known as the school for “bad kids” for many many years, students say when they arrive and get to know the school, staff and procedures, they quickly realize it is not that at all.

Maple High School is a school that provides students an alternative to the traditional learning environment that either has not proven successful for them or does not fit their needs. The negative stigma attached to being a Maple student is fading.

“What really makes Maple such an outstanding school is the people: the teachers and staff who truly love and care for their students and who work hard every day to provide a quality, meaningful learning environment for their students. It is because of the leadership of Katie Wallace and her entire staff that Maple has earned statewide accolades and provides such a high quality alternative for the students of our community,” McDonald said.

Maple students are proud to be Knights and our teachers and staff all have great pride in the students and in our model school!

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

Lompoc High School English and performing/visual arts teacher Bree Jansen talks with students as they rehearse the Sapphire Spring Dance show at the Civic Auditorium. She was named the performing arts teacher of the year by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

Teaching opportunities available ‌ eed a flexible schedule?

N We are accepting applications for teaching and non-teaching positions.

Substitutes are also always needed for teaching and non-teaching positions.

There’s a signing bonus for certain teaching positions.

To apply...

Applications accepted through www.edjoin.org Our website www.lusd.org Phone (805) 742-3210

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SANTA MARIA SPECIAL SECTION1

Community

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2019 |

PRIDE 2019

City of Lompoc

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B1

COMMUNITY PRIDE

B2 | Sunday, July 28, 2019

LOMPOC RECORD SPECIAL SECTION

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

Spectators watch “Grease” during the 2015 installment of the Lompoc Theatre Project’s “Movies Under the Stars” series at Ryon Park.

PRIDE IS THE WORD Lompoc community opportunities offer something for everyone JENNIFER BEST

‌A

Contributing Writer‌

sk Mayor Jenelle Osborne what she loves best about Lompoc, ask Lompoc Library Director Sarah Bleyl her favorites, ask Recreation Division Coordinator Johanna Kinard what it all comes down to and the answer is the same: social opportunities provided community members of all ages, backgrounds and descriptions.

“Lompoc really is an amazing community, and we really do want the best for ourselves. My goal is to bring together a true vision that we as a community can invest in and move forward with,” Osborne said.

Such communities are built with pride.

“Whether you become part of something by investing in it, volunteering in it, actively doing something that brings about the results you want to see, communities you can be proud of are built with pride. Instead of waiting for something to happen, let’s take ownership of this community, take care of each other, then we’ll see results,” Osborne said.

Lompoc, she said, excels at providing free, family friendly events year-round, but never is that more evident than during summer months. Now is the season of free summer movies in the park, a concert on the library lawn, movie matinees every Monday at the library, the upcoming Hank Hudson Triathlon, skate park competition and back-to-school run at Beatty Park. Aug. 9 brings free swimming day to the Lompoc Aquatic Center, and the library is running free programs for youth and adults like throughout the summer.

Lompoc’s Old Town Market is a street fair that brings music, food and a variety of vendors to the 100 block of South H Street summer nights through Aug. 16.

There’s the Lompoc High Alumni Car Cruise, and also on Aug. 16, a Ride with the Mayor bicycle ride along some of the city’s designated bike paths.

“There’s opportunities for teenage babysitters and stay-at-home moms to take the kids out, for the community to get together and socialize, and the library has some amazing programs,” Osborne said.

Among her favorites: Paws to Read featuring an opportunity for young readers to relax with a shelter animal “to read to something that really has no judgment.”

“The library is for everyone, and it’s free to use. We’re here for our community. We really are. It really doesn’t matter what stage of life people are in. We have stuff

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

Kaylee Moss, 7, reads to Jean MacLean’s service dogs, Tammy and Donny, at the Lompoc Public Library in January. They were participating in the Paws to Read Program in which children are invited to read to therapy dogs Monday afternoons at the library. for everybody,” Bleyl said.

Among the library’s free services are access to its collection of books, magazines, newspapers, movies, streaming music and movie services, audiobook access, computer access, computer tutoring services, literacy programs for adults and children alike. For minimal fees, copy, fax and printing services are also available.

“You don’t need a library card to walk into the building and spend an entire day here reading books, using the computer, take part in programs. You need a card to check out books, use streaming services, but everything else is available to anyone and everyone,” Bleyl said.

The library is also home to a robust volunteer community, not the least of which are the teen volunteers.

“I have never worked in a library that had such high teen involvement, which is cool because they’re our future,” Bleyl said.

“Lompoc offers a lot of things to get out and have fun, most for free or a nominal charge with the support of local businesses like Surf Connection that comes out and sponsors events and does a great job of exposing kids to something different and unique,” Osborne said.

Just across town at the recreation department, Kinard and her crew does their best to meet the needs of Lompoc’s diverse population, too.

“We have a lot of pride in the services

FRANK COWAN‌

Rob Dillingham, of Santa Maria, changes into cycling gear after swimming 500 yards in the 2014 Lompoc Recreation Division’s “Hank” Hudson Memorial Triathlon. that we offer,” she said.

Among her favorites: summer day camp, free lunch offered at the recreation center to all children under age 18, no questions asked, youth theatre productions, and movies in the park.

“The movies are free events for the community where it’s a really nice opportunity for local families to be able to

come outside, watch a movie in a public park while the kids are playing, and being able to socialize as citizens of Lompoc. I think it’s really special,” Kinard said.

The city has also differentiated itself from other Central Coast communities by embracing the cannabis industry. The city has received 30 business applications for cannabis-related ventures, including three in July, and has issued 15 permits so far. Three retail businesses have already opened within city limits.

“Lompoc’s goal has been to respect the voter mandate to regulate cannabis and we’ve done that. At the same time we’re trying to normalize it. Rather than celebrating it we’re saying this is just another ag industry we’re accepting into our ag community,” Osborne said.

She said the cannabis industry offers opportunities for farmers and related industry as well.

“By not limiting permits or how many, if you’re complying with the rules and providing good customer service and quality product, then free market will determine who survives here,” she said.

“We absolutely welcome this opportunity for higher paying jobs with the testing lab being built in town, manufacturing and processing. They add a new layer to the manufacturing and tech jobs have been missing from our community since the space-related programs and jobs disappeared in the late ’80s and early ’90s.”

WILLIS JACOBSON, STAFF‌

Lompoc resident Tony Stoffel looks under the hood of his 1973 Pontiac Ventura during the 2015 Lompoc High School Alumni Association’s annual car cruise Friday evening on Ocean Avenue.

LEN WOOD STAFF‌ LEN WOOD STAFF‌

Brutus leads Ivy Drop after he won tallest dog in the Family Fun Dog Show during Lompoc’s annual Old Town Market.

A swimmer lands in the activity pool from a tube slide during expanded recreational swim hours at the Lompoc Aquatic Center in 2018.

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Sunday, July 28, 2019 | B3

LOMPOC RECORD SPECIAL SECTION

Getting around Lompoc is easy on theCOLTbus! n A lot has changed in the world of travel . . . but City of Lompoc’s COLT buses have been bringing the Lompoc Valley reliable, convenient and affordable transportation for more than 40 years. With 14 COLT buses and a convenient downtown transfer location, traveling through the Lompoc Valley is more comfortable and convenient than ever before!

COLT travels around Lompoc, Mission Hills and Vandenberg Village, and COLT is also proud to serve the Santa Ynez Valley with the Wine Country Express. COLT offers special night service to

Hancock College’s Lompoc campus, too. COLT also offers service to Santa Barbara twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Passengers traveling to Santa Maria can ride the

Breeze Bus operated by our transit partners, SMAT. For more information, including COLT routes and fare information, visit www.cityoflompoc.com/COLT.

WaTeR Our most precious resource

n Clean, safe water takes the dedication of a skilled team to produce and deliver. The Lompoc Water Division meets the challenge, supplying over 40,000 people every day.

If you have ever wondered where Lompoc’s water comes from, how it is treated, tested and fresh at your tap, you can read the latest water quality report.

Water management and planning, meter maintenance and upgrades, protecting our ground water and results from our lead in schools study are included in the most recent issue.

The 2018 Water Quality

Report is available in English and Spanish. Brochures are available at Lompoc City Hall, the Lompoc Library, Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center, Aquatic Center, Anderson Recreation Center and Lompoc Water Treatment Plant, as well as online at the water division page.

haLT The saLT! help keep wastewater fees low.

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n Lompoc city code prohibits the installation of self-regenerating water softeners, as these devices substantially increase salt coming into the city’s wastewater system.

For details, visit www.cityoflompoc.com and check under News.

Questions? k_dorsey@ci.lompoc.ca.us.

Need to dispose of items that are too big for your trash bin? n A refrigerator? A couch? A mattress? Schedule a bulky item pick-up with the city’s Solid Waste Division. The city offers residents three collections (up to two items each time) every year at no additional charge.

To schedule a pickup, call (805) 875-8024 at least one week before you would like to have the items removed.

And stay tuned for the summer issue of our Trash Talk newsletter! It will provide important information about changes to what can go in your blue recycle bin and locations available for used oil drop-offs. Be up to date on all of the division’s city-run programs. The Trash Talk newsletter is available in the lobby, the library, solid waste office, and online on the solid waste web page. In addition, the newsletter is mailed to Lompoc residents and businesses.

COMMUNITY PRIDE

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LOMPOC RECORD

Lompoc affordable, centrally located for home buyers JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌

‌Finding an affordable home in a quiet California community, close to beaches, with a temperate climate is no easy task, but Lompoc provides all of that, plus outdoor recreational opportunities, preschool-through-college educational opportunities and active community volunteers.

“Lompoc is among the most affordable areas in Santa Barbara County with the lowest crime rate in the county,” said Anneline Van Dyke, former president of the Lompoc Valley Association of Realtors.

She points to the community’s award-winning schools, friendly people and relatively affordable rentals which speak to potential investors as well. She also highlighted local employers including Vandenberg Air Force Base and SpaceX. “You get more for what you pay for here than anywhere else,” Van Dyke said.

While Santa Maria, just up the road, offers similar price points — homes in the $400,000s are the norm — Lompoc’s inventory remains low.

“We’re seeing there’s still multiple offers on properties.

Anything under $400,000 is still selling very fast,” Van Dyke said.

A housing project at The Wye just north of Lompoc added 44 brand-new homes to the inventory in early 2019. Even at their starting price over half a million dollars, they’re not likely to last long. According to the Association of Realtors, Lompoc homes

for sale spend just over 30 days on the market, up from its recent low of seven days.

“People come here to retire, to work at Vandenberg (Air Force Base), or for our moderate climate,” Van Dyke said.

Locally, Lompoc is known for it’s traditional “June Gloom,” a weather phenomenon which sucks a heavy marine layer over the city whenever the valley temperatures begin to peak.

While some may see the “fog” as dreary, others welcome wholeheartedly the alternative to California’s relentless summer sun.

According to National Weather Service data, Lompoc’s average summer high temperatures run in the low 70s with highs in the winter averaging in the low 60s. Summer lows bring it down to the mid 50s while winter overnight lows run in the low 40s.

Locals and visitors alike certainly take advantage of that weather.

“There are a lot of things to do in Lompoc: skydiving, murals, public art, every church in town offers free meals, so even those who are hurting can be fed.

People here are sincerely kind,” Van Dyke said.

She also noted the city’s proximity to Jalama Beach and, further afield, perennial favorite Refugio State Beach.

“We’re centrally located to just about anything. We’re 45 minutes to Santa Barbara, half an hour to Santa Ynez Valley, half an hour to Santa Maria. We’re a nice, little, bedroom community,” Van Dyke said.

LEN WOOD STAFF‌

Anneline Van Dyke, former president of the Lompoc Valley Association of Realtors, is shown at the group’s North G Street office.

LEN WOOD STAFF‌

A swimmer zooms down a tube slide during expanded recreational swim hours at the Lompoc Aquatic Center on Friday.

Lompoc Aquatic Center, Movies in the Park among

SUMMER ACTIVITIES SAMANTHA SCROGGIN

City of Lompoc‌

‌The Lompoc Aquatic Center is a unique place to play and exercise year-round, but there’s something special about visiting the Aquatic Center during summertime.

As the only indoor water park on the Central Coast, the Lompoc Aquatic Center is truly a gem for the entire region. City of Lompoc Aquatics Supervisor Mike Espino said the center receives visitors from as far as Bakersfield, Nipomo and Santa Barbara.

“I’ve heard from folks that it’s such a great facility. They appreciate having the facility as well as the programs available,” he added.

“This is just a fantastic place to come.”

The Lompoc Aquatic Center at 207 West College Ave. features an activity pool with two 125-foot water slides, a shallow lap pool, and an interactive AquaPlay Center. The AquaPlay Center itself has twin waterslides, water cannons, cargo nets and the famous “bucket”. The 90-degree therapy pool is perfect for instructional or educational purposes, and has a ramp for wheelchair access. An outdoor picnic area with tables is also available, so book your next birthday party at the center!

For those planning swim tournaments, the competition pool is ideal for hosting swim meets and water polo events. Fully equipped with a sound system and timing

CITY OF LOMPOC‌

Movies in the Park is one of the events hosted by the City of Lompoc during the summer months. system, the Lompoc Aquatic Center can suit a variety of sporting event needs.

The Lompoc Aquatic Center is also an ideal spot to exercise and improve your swimming skills.

Aquatic classes and swim lessons are available for children up to senior citizens, and swim lessons are even offered year-round. Due to the facility being indoors, the water and air temperature inside the Aquatic Center are just right no matter the temperature outside.

“Whether it’s raining out, cold out, or even just blazing hot out, we’re open,” Espino said.

“If you’re into fitness, we have water exercise programs as well as hours dedicated to lap swimming.”

Espino noted that the Splash Pass is a great value to receive the

whole Aquatic Center experience for one low price, and there are also lap swimming passes.

Espino invited the community to come try the Lompoc Aquatic Center for free during the next “free swim day” on Friday, Aug. 9. Admission is free from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Espino believes those who try the Aquatic Center will understand its appeal.

“For a town like Lompoc to have such a facility as this, we’re truly blessed. There’s nothing like this in the state,” he said.

More information on the Lompoc Aquatic Center is available at: www.cityoflompoc.com/recreation, and the facility can be reached at: (805) 875-2782.

‘HUGE VICTORY’

Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium remodel set to begin in November WILLIS JACOBSON

wjacobson@leecentralcoastnews.com‌

‌After more than two years of fundraising, a planned multimillion-dollar renovation of Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium is close to becoming a reality.

Leaders within Lompoc Unified School District and the independent Campaign for the Lompoc Community Track and Sports Field, which are jointly funding the planned $3.3 million project, announced this month they have reached their fundraising goal for the first phase of work and are looking to begin construction at the midtown venue as early as this November.

That timeline would have the work completed by April 2020.

“I am truly excited and honored to be a part of this monumental project,” LUSD Superintendent Trevor McDonald said Tuesday.

“This will allow the great students of LUSD and the community to use this fine facility. I am thrilled to have been a small part of making this dream happen. This is a huge victory for everyone in Lompoc.”

The renovations, which were first proposed by Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization Executive Director Ashley Costa in February 2017, will primarily include converting the natural grass field at the stadium to synthetic turf, switching the track from its loose red clay to a synthetic polyurethane surface, and reconfiguring the track to the modern accepted standard of 400 meters with nine lanes.

The plans also call for new track and field event sites, as well as the addition of an all-new community exercise zone.

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

A $3.3 million project to renovate Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium is close to beginning. The plan includes replacing the grass with synthetic turf and switching the clay track to a synthetic polyurethane surface.

The cost for the renovations was initially projected to be $2.4 million, but that figure since grew by about $900,000.

The updated $3.3 million estimate includes work on electrical infrastructure, civil-engineered drainage, soil stabilization, and grading and installation of the rubberized track and artificial turf, according to Doug Sorum, LUSD’s director of maintenance and operations.

The Campaign for the Lompoc Community Track and Sports Field, which is being run by the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization, has raised about $1.6 million that is set to be apportioned over a threeyear period. LUSD has committed to contribute the remaining costs.

About $800,000 of LUSD’s contribution is slated to come from a nearly $1.15 million rebate the district is set to receive as part of a Self Insured Public Employees, or SIPE, rate restructuring.

The move to allocate the SIPE funds for the stadium remodel — which district staff reported would be necessary for construction to begin this year — was approved with a 4-1 vote by the LUSD board at its May 14 meeting.

Board member Bill Heath provided the lone vote of dissent.

Heath said he felt it was “irresponsible” to put the money toward the stadium and that some of the district’s other needs, including several that were highlighted in recent bond measure campaigns, should be higher priority.

The Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization’s campaign kicked off with a $450,000 donation from the Chumash Foundation in February 2018 and was recently boosted with a $25,000 donation from the Lompoc Rotary Club to sponsor the stadium’s memorial flagpole.

The Rotary Club donation was announced at the May 14 LUSD board meeting.

The 56-year-old Huyck Stadium serves as the home venue for the Lompoc and Cabrillo high school football teams.

It also hosts middle and high school track competitions, soccer games and Lompoc High School physical education classes.

The construction work is planned to start as early as Nov. 25 so as not to disrupt the high school football schedule.

That could change, however, if the Lompoc or Cabrillo high football teams extend their respective seasons with home playoff games.

“With a successful year, it’s possible that the season is not over by the end of November,” said John Karbula, an LUSD assistant superintendent. “If this is the case, construction will be postponed until the season concludes.

“This would mean both football teams would be able to play their home schedules for 2019 and, hopefully, we are ready for the 2020 track season.”

Other winter and spring sports teams that normally utilize the stadium will be displaced to other venues during the construction, according to LUSD. Tom Blanco, who has worked as a PE teacher and trainer at Lompoc High School for more than 30 years, likened the proposed stadium upgrades to the benefits that athletes and community members experienced when the Lompoc Aquatic Center opened nearly 13 years ago.

“The Lompoc community deserves to have this resource,” said Blanco, for whom the Lompoc High training room was renamed last year. “We have a state-ofthe-art aquatic facility and now we will have a high-quality track and field venue to match.”

Lompoc High Principal Paul Bommersbach also expressed optimism about what the project could bring.

“After many years of planning for this community track and field, I am excited to say we are getting closer and closer to seeing this vision become a reality,” he said. “I can’t thank enough the core group for their support — the district, the school board and the community members — for this project that will be used by countless youth and adults in Lompoc to stay healthy.”

For more information on the campaign and project, or to donate to the effort, visit http:// lompoctrackandfield.com, call 805-736-5985, or email lompoctrkfld@gmail.com.

Willis Jacobson covers the city of Lompoc for Lee Central Coast Newspapers. Follow him on Twitter @WJacobsonLR.

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