Lompoc Pride

City of Lompoc

PRIDE

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| MAY 2017

LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

A LETTER FROM

Mayor Bob Lingl S

erving as mayor of Lompoc is especially rewarding for me because I am able to work closely with the residents of our city, listening to your ideas for improving this wonderful place we call home.

Some of the most innovative suggestions come from our local youth, who I’m continually impressed by. I enjoy meeting with Lompoc youth in their classrooms, at City Hall and at special events, and encouraging them to maintain open doors of communication with our city officials. The youth are our future, and they deserve our time and attention.

Lompoc continues to expand and develop, and it’s exciting watching this change from my vantage point at

the epicenter of progress in our city.

Growth in Lompoc is a reality because of the many people so deeply invested in our community’s success. Lompoc is a friendly and caring community, and it shows.

There are so many reasons why Lompoc is a special place to live and work. The temperate climate, beautiful surroundings, booming business community, fresh produce, wildflowers and affordability are just a few. Once again, the people are the most important reason Lompoc is so special.

What Lompoc lacks in countless big box shopping centers and chain restaurants, it makes up for tenfold in small specialty shops offering

unique gifts and delicious gourmet cuisine. Lompoc is the place to come enjoy live theater or music, and go wine-tasting. Fine dining and recreation are as close as your neighbor’s restaurant or the park down the street.

Please know that my door is always open, and I welcome your input on how we can continue to see Lompoc thrive. I look forward to reaching new heights as a city, together.

It is my pleasure to welcome you home to Lompoc. Enjoy!

Sincerely, Bob Lingl, Mayor City of Lompoc

LOMPOC PUBLIC SAFETY

Lompoc police, fire departments use outreach, technology to protect, serve Police App downloaded by thousands JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer

From the latest technology to tried-and-true education programs, Lompoc’s police and fire departments work to maintain a safe community through public education and participation.

“I really appreciate the Lompoc community. They really support us and are there for us. I want to make sure more people in Lompoc know what a good police department they have and that we’ve got their back,” said Lompoc Police Chief Pat Walsh.

While the chief partners with Boys & Girls Club of Lompoc to help provide meaningful play, homework help and citizenship opportunities, Lompoc Fire Chief Kurt Latipow, who retired this month, and his crew have partnered with other agencies to present public education programs like the recent Ready, Set, Go Disaster Preparedness Day held May 6.

While fire folk provide interactive displays of apparatus, access to fire safety training, earthquake simulations and opportunities to LEN WOOD, STAFF Please see SAFETY, Page A3

Lompoc firefighters gather for a group photo at Station 1.

Step into a job...

LAND IN YOUR CAREER. n To learn about career opportunities with the City of Lompoc, visit cityoflompoc.com/careers

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LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

Safety From A2

practice with live fire extinguishers, law enforcement officers are working on school campuses, at festivals and a variety of public forums to increase communication between citizens and their department.

“We here in Lompoc have a reputation that we don’t really deserve. Whenever I talk to media, in part, or people from Santa Barbara, they tell me, ‘Oh, Lompoc! It’s tough there. Crime’s horrible.’ But we don’t have crimes other towns don’t have; we’re just transparent about it,” said Walsh.

Meanwhile, both departments cover the safety of some 44,000 residents living within Lompoc’s 11-square-mile city limits.

GOING HI-TECH‌

Walsh’s willingness to be transparent about the city’s crimes has led the department to partner with citizens through social media, particularly the Lompoc Police Department App, available free on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

“If you have an app, Twitter, Facebook, social media, we’re going to push it out there because having 13,000 people looking for, say, a stolen car is better than the four, five or six cops working,” Walsh said.

The app, funded through sponsorships by Lompoc Community Bank, Chumash Casino Buffet, WM Rieck Plumbing, Sunset Chevrolet, Chumash Casino Resort, and Wild West Pizza, keeps the community informed and educated.

“When I tell people, ‘You should download my app because the traffic guys will tell you where they’re working,’ I’ve had guys tell me I’m crazy. But the idea of traffic enforcement is to change people’s behavior. You’re still going to write tickets, but even if you don’t, if people change because we’re there, then we’re doing our job,” Walsh said.

The high-tech communications are managed by Sergeant Kevin Martin, a public information officer with Lompoc Police Department.

“It’s probably the single-biggest tool we have that allows for two-way communication between us and the public on sensitive issues,” Martin said of the app.

The software allows the community to send anonymous tips, report graffiti, view police bulletins and the department’s mostwanted suspects, as well as access a variety of public agencies from police and fire to child welfare, mental health, transportation services and rape crisis services.

“There are people in the community who don’t want to be out talking about what they witness.

The app gives them the ability to remain anonymous and send information we can act on. People who don’t want to be anonymous can message back and forth with us,” Martin said.

The app has been downloaded nearly 14,000 times since it was introduced two years ago. The program has been opened almost 200,000 times.

“That’s 14,000 sets of eyes that help us identify problems. The workload is the same. It’s just we’re getting the information faster,” Martin said.

FIRE SERVICES COME ONLINE‌

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In an effort to take a more comprehensive approach to building design and safety, Lompoc has expanded the Life Safety Division of the fire department to include the building department.

Now emergency responders are involved in community development from groundbreaking through ribbon cutting and beyond.

“I have been so blessed to have come back at a time when the department was ready to see a lot of progress. We’ve been blessed to have city managers who recognize the value and importance of maintaining a well-staffed, well-equipped fire department.

My goals have been met almost every year: providing quality service to the community with welltrained, well-motivated people who understand the values of community engagement and the values of family,” Latipow said.

Latipow, who was first promoted to fire chief in 1992 in Arroyo Grande, came on board with Lompoc fire in 2012. Since then, he has been able to bring rescue squads and quick-attack units back into service.

“We’re going to have to take another look at being creative across the profession as we move into 2020, as call volume continues to increase but funding for fire services does not,” he said.

“The city’s focus for the next

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO‌

Lompoc Police Sgt. Kevin Martin, center, talks with volunteers during the Ready, Set, Go emergency preparedness event at Home Depot on May 6. few years, and rightly so, is going to be on maintaining the core mission, maintaining the workforce, the skill set and paving the way for the crew to protect life, safety, and thereby the economic vitality of our community. Is a new fire station in that formula?

Probably not right away.”

PUBLIC EDUCATION‌

“Prevention through education is in everything we do,” Latipow said.

While fire continues to provide safety forums, CPR training and community outreach with its dedicated team, the police department has also encouraged residents to take personal safety into their own hands with the development of a free self defense course led by School Resource Officer Lucas Signorelli. Since it was implemented in January, Signorelli has graduated four classes of students.

The two-week course is held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hancock College Police Academy mat room, and provides classroom instruction and physical training. Students learn how to properly kick, punch, get out of restraints and otherwise protect themselves, then spar with padded police officers.

“It’s been hugely successful with the community. We’re getting calls from other communities because of it,” Martin said.

Martin and Capt. Joseph Mariani have also brought back the Lompoc Police Department Community Academy, a 13-week community education program which aims to create better community relationships through public education. The course, open to 20 residents per academy, covers every aspect of police work with specialists serving as its teachers.

“We cover everything about patrol procedure, history, community services, discipline,” Martin said.

“We talk about anything the participants want to talk about.

If they want to talk about force, race, let’s put it on the table. It helps us because we don’t control the narrative very well in this line of work. We’re out doing the job, not promoting ourselves. Whatever people see in media and social media is what they believe.

A lot of time, there’s a lot more to the story. It’s interesting to tell people how the sausage is made, and they walk away knowing more about why we run things the way we do,” Walsh said.

Over the past year, the department has increased its presence at community events in an educational capacity from about a dozen events per year to 130 events in the past year. Officers staff booths and tables on Friday nights at Old Town Market, school functions, and fairs. They have revitalized the Community Watch Program.

“We take every opportunity we can to get out in front of community groups, talking to them,” Walsh said.

The community has been particularly receptive to Mariani, who speaks Spanish.

“The Spanish-speaking community loves it because they haven’t had a command-level person who speaks their language. Captain Mariani is a rock star in the community,” Martin said.

THERE IS NO ‘I’ IN TEAM‌ Both chiefs credit their staffs with their success. Walsh is quick to name and commend officers and commanders who lead programs, embrace new technolo-

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

Rosa Garcia and her children speak to Lompoc Police Chief Pat Walsh, left, and Rev. Kathleen Puntar, pastor of the First United Methodist of Lompoc, during a Community Walk in the 800 block of F street and G streets in July.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO‌

A member of the Lompoc Fire Department shows off some of the equipment used in emergencies, during the Ready Set Go event, on May 6. gies and develop partnerships in the community. Latipow recognizes the value of a dedicated staff.

“Any fire chief needs a great team. If this organization didn’t have such a great team, top to bottom, we wouldn’t have been able to be as successful as we’ve been for the last five years,” Latipow said.

“Does it help that I’ve been doing this forever? Yeah. I’ve worked a lot of large incidents, gone through a lot of training, and, yeah, I brought all that with me, but no fire chief can be successful without an excellent team. When we talk about Lompoc Fire Department, that’s the highlight: dedicated, welltrained, committed individuals who put the fire department first only below family.”

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

The Lompoc Police Department App, available free on Google Play and Apple’s App Store, has been downloaded thousands of times.

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LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

Lompoc Public Library is old school, new school, from pulp to computers Programs serve variety of needs, interests JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌

‌Lompoc Public Library Director Sarah Bleyl still has a thing for old-school books. You know: paper, glue, binding, covers, ink.

“I’m a book nerd. I only read paper books. Well, unless I’m camping,” Bleyl said.

For a pulperback nerd, Bleyl’s pretty excited about the modern trappings of Lompoc’s libraries as well: computers, meeting spaces, an art gallery, access to electronic books and magazines, even mobile hot spots available for checkout, all free of charge.

“Libraries have always been about more than books. They’re about information,” Bleyl said.

With modern technologies, that has meant the incorporation of electronics to traditional stacks.

“There are so many different ways to get information,” Bleyl said.

Today, she said, more than 25 percent of U.S. homes do not have internet access. Libraries help fill the gap.

“We provide that because it levels the playing field for everyone. They’re available for homework, research, job applications,” Bleyl said.

About 2,300 people per month access the library online looking

at databases, taking tests, job training, downloading books, movies, music and magazines.

The programs are supported by Friends of Lompoc Public Library System as well as Lompoc District Libraries Foundation.

“Libraries are also community spaces where people go away from home, work and school.

People go to libraries not only for information, but also for social interaction,” Bleyl said.

The Grossman Gallery Multi-Purpose Room services much of that action, including rotating exhibits by local artists, a youth art show each spring, book sales and community group meetings, among other events.

Bleyl moved from Lancaster to Lompoc 18 months ago to oversee the city’s library system, which includes the main library at 501 E. North Ave., the Vandenberg Village Branch Library at 3755 Constellation Road, and the Charlotte’s Web Bookmobile, which makes regular rounds to area schools and special events.

“We work to stay up with everyone’s informational needs and people’s recreational needs and provide different programs,” Bleyl said.

One growing program is the Summer Reading Program, designed not only for children, but now expanded to include teens and adults.

This year’s theme, Reading Design, has resulted in a pro-

LEN WOOD, STAFF

Kids get a tour of the Lompoc Library and Robby’s Learning Lab, with 16 new computers for children. The special computers and desks were paid for by Clarence and Janet Smith, in memory of Mrs. Smith’s mother Roberta “Robby” Thompson. Thompson was a children’s and reference librarian in Southern California. gram built around designing a life, a better world, with a focus on integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Upcoming events will include visits from Zoo to You, a day making and learning the science behind giant soap bubbles, Lego days, movie days, a visit from an Abraham Lincoln lookalike, and prizes and drawings for summer readers.

“Last year, about 200 adults participated in summer reading even though we didn’t have pro-

grams designed specifically for them, so this year we’ve added programs for them as well,” Bleyl said.

Community partners including Southside Coffee, Nikka Fish Enterprise, and Scratch Kitchen have donated to the cause, and additional sponsors are on deck.

Chipotle and Legoland are regular contributors to the youth awards.

Meanwhile, the library will continue its ongoing programing including Movie Mondays,

Thursday evening craft programs, coloring clubs for adults and children, Bingo night and Scrabble days.

“Scrabble is great because the theme is Reading by Design and in Scrabble you design words on the board,” Bleyl said.

While the Vandenberg Branch is heavily used, the main branch continues serving the bulk of the valley’s library patrons. On any given afternoon, some 200 visitors wander the stacks, seek homework help, socialize and read. In 2016, the library averaged 750 visitors per day, all in a building that dates back to the 1950s.

“We’re in the process of getting the public restrooms updated, and working on the carpet, but most of the building’s still original,” Bleyl said. “I would love it if we had a larger building where we could have a separate teen space, separate computer lab.”

Computers are now located in the center of the library, which makes for a bit of a noise distraction as users seek technology coaching.

“Sometimes people get upset when it’s not the quiet library they remember, but I found articles from the 1970s talking about people being loud in the library.

This isn’t just a place to sit quietly and read. People interact here,” Bleyl said.

For more information about Lompoc Public Library System, visit cityoflompoc.com/library.

Lompoc Aquatic Center offers water play, education for everyone Top-grade facility features lap pools, water slides, therapy pool and more JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Anderson Recreation Center

A perfect rental location, right in Lompoc Lompoc Aquatic Center 207 West College Ave. Featuring rental options including: our Aqua Play structure, lap lanes and water slides, therapy pool, competition pool and a classroom.

Lompoc Civic Auditorium 217 South L St. Our Lompoc Civic Auditorium includes a stage and can accommodate up to 430 people.

Anderson Recreation Center 125 W. Walnut Ave. With rental options including a gymnasium that accommodates up to 300 people and dining for up to 225, as well as three meeting rooms.

Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center 1120 West Ocean Ave. This modern facility features the Banquet Room with a kitchen and patio that can accommodate up to 300 people for dining, or 430 for a conference or training. The

The City of Lompoc is home to four beautiful and spacious recreation facilities that are available for rent by the community.

From weddings to birthday parties to lectures, there is an affordable space that’s right for you. center’s Multipurpose Room can accommodate up to 96 for dinner, and meeting rooms are also available.

Tables and chairs are available with all rentals. To make reservations and for more information, call: 875-8100 or visit us online at: www.cityoflompoc.com/ parks_rec/

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center

‌Protected from wind and fog by glass walls and ceilings, swimmers and splashers, competitors and pool walkers all find their home at Lompoc Aquatic Center, which has reopened after winter upgrades and renovations.

“It’s a beautiful facility. My goal it to make sure it’s beautiful and amazing. It’s the jewel of Lompoc, and I want to keep it that way,” said Ashlee Winslow, recreation supervisor-Lompoc Aquatic Center.

The Central Coast’s only indoor public aquatic facility features a 10lane, 25-yard competition and lap pool, water slides, a shallow activity pool complete with a water-play structure, and a therapy pool that is maintained at 91 degrees fahrenheit. There are classrooms, a patio and BBQ area as well.

The center was closed from Dec. 23, 2016 until late March for significant maintenance projects. They included replastering all of the pools, maintenance of the slides, aquaplay equipment and heaters.

“It was really our opportunity to get in there and do all those nitty gritty things that can’t really be done unless the pools are shut down,” Winslow said.

In the fall of 2000, the City Council appointed its 11-member citizen’s Aquatic Ad-Hoc Committee comprised of athletes, youth commissioners, aquatic coaches, senior citizens, school district employees, teens, and other local organizations to develop a new aquatic facility for Lompoc. In October 2006, the doors to the 41,000-square-foot facility were opened.

Today, it hosts Cabrillo and Lompoc High School swim and water polo teams, Lompoc Tsunami Swim Club, and an array of public aquatics programs from swimming lessons to therapeutic water exercise. There are designated hours for swim lessons, lap swimming, aquatic therapy and aquaerobics, infant swimming classes and parent-tot time, leisure therapy classes, even classes for adults who have never learned to swim.

“Our programs go full circle. Our pool is pretty much jam packed from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. I try to get everyone in, if I can,” Winslow said.

Winslow, who moved from Kingsburg to Lompoc six months ago expressly to run the city’s aquatics facility and programs, is particularly proud of the Lompoc Aquatic Center.

“When I came in for the inter-

LEN WOOD, STAFF

Water falls from a giant bucket onto swimmers after a complete refurbishing of the AquaPlay children’s play area at the Lompoc Aquatic Center. view and took the tour, it really took my breath away. You don’t realize how amazing this is and what a feat of beauty it is. I love water, but you can’t find something like this anywhere. The fact that we have it is amazing. We should be proud of it,” Winslow said.

In an effort to maintain better communication between pool patrons, Winslow publishes a free, weekly newsletter available in print at the pool, online via the city website or via e-mail subscription. Poolside Publication provides scheduling updates, information about available programs, upcoming events and features on staff members who visitors see regularly around the facility.

The Lompoc Aquatic Center has also adopted a “Watch Around Water” education program.

“We’re asking parents to think twice about using electronic devices when they’re outdoors with their kids, especially around water,” Winslow said.

Too often, lifeguards are treated as babysitters while parents and guardians sit on the pool deck with their smartphones, tablets, even laptops.

“You wouldn’t go to the park and let your child talk to a stranger, but you come to the pool and put your child in a stranger’s hands,” Winslow said.

It’s baffling to lifeguards, trained specifically for emergency rescue and first aid.

“Yes, lifeguards are present, but just because you walk through

these doors, you don’t relinquish all your responsibilities as a parent. You know your child, what they can and can’t do, more than anyone else. In our day and age, especially with social media, I know it’s hard. But we see it here every day: parents sitting on the side not paying any attention to their kids.

When you’re not paying attention, you’re putting your child at risk,” Winslow said.

Summer brings the busiest time for the Lompoc Aquatic Center as lessons and recreational swim hours ramp up. The facility is open seven days a week, with recreational swimming offered every day, and additional recreation sessions offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

“I think it’s important for everyone to learn how to swim, and to start young because that sets up habit for life,” said Winslow. The city provides scholarships to ensure all families are water safe.

The facility also hosts special events such as the Hank Hudson Memorial Sprint Triathlon which returns Aug. 5 after a two-year hiatus.

“This isn’t a long triathlon. It’s a sprint. A short swim, relatively short run and bike. There are people in their 60s who do these. It’s a motivator,” Winslow said.

For more information about Lompoc Aquatic Center, its programs, events and scholarship opportunities, visit www.cityoflompoc.com/parks_rec/Aquat- 00 1 icCenter.htm

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Lompoc offering development incentives, welcoming businesses JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer

When the needs of DenMat international headquarters in Santa Maria no longer fit its leased space, the company didn’t have to look far for a new home. Like other businesses moving to, expanding in or being created in Lompoc, DenMat was greeted with open arms and enticing incentives.

“We looked from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles to try to maintain our existing workforce as much as possible. The mayor in Lompoc really courted us, came and talked to our employees, told us how wonderful Lompoc was, offered to help us as far as working with the bus system to get employees here,” said DenMat Executive Administrator Carol Newberry.

The company made the move in 2012, and have worked together with the city to benefit employees.

A bus stop was placed at DenMat’s driveway, which made affordable transportation immediately accessible and convenient to all employees. The human resources department sells bus passes for added convenience.

“They fast-tracked everything as far as permits and approvals.

The city really welcomed us and made the transition smooth,” Newberry said.

That’s just the kind of feedback Lompoc Economic Development Director/Assistant City Manager Teresa Gallavan likes to hear. It’s what she and her peers in the city have been working toward.

“The City Council has made economic development one of its priorities,” Gallavan said.

Raytheon, Epic Cooling, Hilton Garden Inn and Solvang Brewing Company have all made the move to Lompoc because of its opportunities and room for growth, she added. The city offers business supportive services from site selection to no-cost meetings with the City Development Assistance Team, affordable housing, competitive utility rates, and capacity for development.

Lompoc established its Economic Development Committee which created a strategic plan that is now regularly updated.

The committee, made up of a variety of stakeholders representing various industries, education, the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, and workforce development, also regularly reports its progress to the city council.

“Many of our business partners look to us to help with workforce recruitment,” Gallavan said.

When Grocery Outlet opened, they reached out to the City of Lompoc, which put them in touch with Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Centers, and helped provide free screening service to find employees.

Early in its revamped effort, Lompoc staff worked with the California Association for Local Economic Development which assessed Lompoc, provided guidance and a loose framework.

“Our vision is to create a strong, positive image for Lompoc that attracts visitors, businesses and

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DenMat International employees work in the Lompoc facility in an undated photo.

LEN WOOD, STAFF

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DenMat International employees work in the Lompoc facility in an undated photo.

Families gather at the tetherball courts and horseshoe pits outside the new Solvang Brewing Company Hoptions Taproom & Eatery in Lompoc.

residents to improve the economic vitality in our community which ultimately improves our quality of life here,” Gallavan said.

The core of economic development in Lompoc is business retention, recruitment and expansion.

To that end, the committee has worked toward efforts including supporting broadband connectivity, exploring and learning more about economic development investment opportunities, marketing, expanding events, working with existing partners, and promoting investment in the community.

The city established its Economic Vitality Award, granted to businesses that have invested in the community through any number of means. For instance, businesses that improve their facades, expand services, upgrade technology as well as long-standing businesses in the community with long track records of community involvement.

More recently, the city adopted a business visitation program in which the city manager, assistant

rials as well as customized, printed inserts for potential businesses.

In the past couple of years, the city has introduced a variety of incentive programs such as a utility rebate for businesses that move into long-vacant buildings.

There are incentives for new businesses that make improvements in Old Town Lompoc. Water retrofit fees may be waived for projects that improve Old Town, like the recent addition of Solvang Brewing Company.

“They are at the northernmost corner of our Old Town. Going through the development process, we saw that this was something that is helping revitalization. It was a good opportunity for Lompoc and we offered incentives for that area and those goals,” Gallavan said.

Lompoc is also aggressively marketing itself nationally to attract new businesses to the area.

“We continue looking at ways we can do outreach for our industrial and business park areas,” Gallavan said.

She foresees updates to city zoning ordinances which may

city manager, and economic development specialist visit once each month with local businesses.

“It’s an opportunity for them to talk to us frankly about how things are going. Our goal here is to improve communications with the business community, to see if there’s anything we can do to help, to ask everything from ‘How’s business?’ to ‘Why Lompoc?,’” Gallavan said.

Sometimes the visits result in simple solutions to long-term issues.

“One business said there was a tree blocking their sign. They asked if we could get it trimmed.

It can be as simple as that,” Gallavan said.

Business owners, she said, have been receptive.

“They tell us they’re impressed, surprised that we’ve taken time out of our schedule to talk to them because it’s not something we’ve done before,” Gallavan said.

Over the past year, the city has updated the economic development pages on its website to include all of its ongoing incentive programs, updated marking mate-

provide business growth potential.

“Under the existing ordinance, you can’t have food service in an industrial area, but it would be a big economic development opportunity to add food to our Wine Ghetto. Our zoning ordinance needs to be updated, to be more contemporary. It is very outdated,” Gallavan said.

The city never intends to change its small-town feel, she added.

“There’s a lot of opportunity in Lompoc. It’s a beautiful community right here at the gateway to the Santa Rita Hills, nine miles from the coast, with great temperatures year round. It’s a community that really cares, that wants to prosper and is working very hard to continue to grow and increase its quality of life. You can maintain that small-town feel that Old Town brings and compact urban development that our city limit lines do define, but you can also increase the investment in the community, the offerings available for the community, that will overall improve the quality of life,” Gallavan said.

Join us in celebrating Lompoc civic pride T

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he Lompoc Valley gives its residents many reasons to be proud.

From our Native Chumash roots to the city’s formation as an agriculture town and prominent producer of flowers and flower seeds, and on to our transformation into a self-reliant full-service city launched by the establishment of what is now Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc has a rich and interesting history. Our story is continuing towards a bright future due to the investments our community makes in the Lompoc Valley, and our Lompoc pride is thriving now more than ever.

We are helping push our city to be a place where businesses continually prosper.

The City of Lompoc is proud to welcome the Hilton Garden Inn, Chipotle/Habit, a second Starbucks, Deasee’s Boutique and many other new businesses that have added to the economic vitality of the city.

Economic Vitality Awards have been given to businesses including Embassy Suites, Hot Wire Foam Factory and Scratch Kitchen, recognizing their in-

vestment in Lompoc.

Our partners in economic development, the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Explore Lompoc, further encourage tourism and support for our business community with programs such as Shop Lompoc and Sip Lompoc. These organizations lead the charge

on marketing all our beautiful valley has to offer residents and visitors alike.

Nothing calls out more clearly Lompoc’s pride than its big wall art. Lompoc has dozens of vibrant outdoor murals adorning buildings throughout town. Businesses and community members all over town

have joined hands to improve the image of Lompoc by installing “Creative Crosswalks”, renovating the historic theater, and building and improving parks and other public spaces. The city has partnered in many of these efforts, and has continued our investment in facilities our community loves.

We encourage you to enjoy the recently renovated Aquatic Center, the new ballfield at Thompson Park, and the remodeled Anderson Recreation Center. In its second year on the road, Charlotte’s Web Mobile Children’s Library can be seen throughout the Lompoc Valley promoting learning for children.

Lompoc is a place where we are proud to live. Our new homebuyer assistance program is helping families become first-time homeowners in Lompoc. This valuable program helps bridge the homeownership affordability gap for local residents by providing 30-year deferred payment loans up to $50,000 per household to assist first-time low-income homebuyers in purchasing a home in the city. The program removes

financial barriers to the dream of homeownership by lowering home acquisition and carrying costs.

The program enables qualified families to purchase a home that provides a stable residence, strengthening the family, the neighborhood and the community. In addition, our home rehabilitation loan program helps homeowners improve their properties and show pride in their neighborhoods.

Lompoc neighbors come together every year for numerous special events that showcase our sense of community pride.

The city is proud to support these events, and we sponsor the Flower Festival, the Fourth of July Fireworks Show, and Old Town Market, among many others.

This year, Old Town Market will be extended an hour, now running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., every Friday, June 30 through Aug. 18. Come out and join us in cultivating Lompoc City Pride!

Teresa Gallavan, Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director City of Lompoc

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LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

1515 East Ocean Avenue (805) 737-3300

216 North Third Street (805) 736-3466

136 North 3rd Street (805) 736-1253

1213 East Ocean Avenue, Suite 102 (805) 735-1155

1111 East Ocean Avenue, Suite 2 (805) 735-3608

228 South D Street (866) 218-8350

1515 East Ocean Avenue (805) 875-3365

223 South C Street (805) 875-8875

Serving and Healing the Lompoc Valley Lompoc Valley Medical Center (LVMC) was the first operating Healthcare District hospital established in California and was created in 1946 by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

The 463-square-mile hospital district includes the city of Lompoc, Mission Hills, Mesa Oaks, Vandenberg Village, a portion of Vandenberg Air Force Base and the area east toward Buellton.

In the past 71 years, LVMC has offered quality healthcare and expanding services for our growing community.

The “new” acute 60-bed hospital at 1515 E. Ocean is now seven years old, and includes an expansive array of services and technology to assist in healing the community. Our coordinated healthcare system provides quality inpatient, outpatient and long-term healthcare, including emergency room, general surgery, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, hematology/oncology, laboratory services and sleep studies.

Additionally, a Physician Services facility, formerly known as Valley Medical Group, provides a hospital-based clinic with primary and specialty care physicians.

LVMC’s almost 50-year-old Comprehensive Care Center (CCC) is a shining star in the organization, creating a healing, loving family environment for about 100 residents in both short-and-long-term care.

Residents receive 24-hour care and treat-

ment under the supervision of their physicians. Physical, speech and occupational therapies are available on site. A comprehensive recreation and social program with a wide variety of preferences is available.

CCC residents have access to a registered dietician, home assessments, intravenous therapy, medication management, transportation to doctor appointments and laundry service.

LVMC’s newly opened Family Caregiver Support Network is a resource center for Lompoc residents to access education, referrals and supportive services to aid in

the delivery of care for their loved ones.

For active caregivers, the FCSN provides information and referral services; care management; caregiver education and resources; individual health education classes; support group referrals and referral for medical and non-medical service.

Walk-ins are welcome 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Parking is available in the adjacent Champion Center parking lot off South C Street.

Our economic reach goes beyond basic hospital services.

More than 700 people are employed in the healthcare district. In 2016, our total economic impact in the community was just more than $43 million. That includes more than $35.5 million paid in salaries, and

$2.6 million paid to independent contractors.

Much of LVMC’s medical, vision and dental expenses are spent in Lompoc. LVMC also paid more than $5.2 million in non-labor expenses to local companies.

LVMC is no longer the “small” little hospital with which many in the community are familiar. In the 2016 fiscal year – from July 2015 to July 2016 -- physicians associated with LVMC conducted 2,038 surgeries.

There were 2,144 endoscopies. The Emergency Department logged 24,839 ER visits – an average of more than 2,000 each month.

Outpatient visits numbered 44,559 and 380

babies came into the world under the hospital’s roof.

The district’s elected Board of Directors determined that the values that guide our actions are: Integrity – honesty and maintenance of strong moral principles Respect – acknowledging everyone’s abilities, qualities and achievements Transparency – open and candid in all our activities Excellence – accepting nothing less than our very best Collaboration – working jointly and professionally in all our activities Stewardship – responsible management of the resources entrusted to us 00 1

Lompoc Unified School District

PRIDE

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B2 | May 2017

LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

LEN WOOD PHOTOS, STAFF‌

Alfredo sauce made from scratch at the Lompoc Unified School District’s Central Kitchen is served with spice-rubbed grilled chicken for lunch at Lompoc High School. Kitchen staff learned healthy recipes during a “Culinary Boot Camp” funded by the Orfalea Foundation.

A child nutrition worker in the Lompoc High School cafeteria serves nachos at lunchtime featuring scratch-made refried beans and taco meat. Kitchen staff learned healthy recipes during a “Culinary Boot Camp” funded by the Orfalea Foundation.

Healthy food, carpentry, clean emissions set Lompoc schools apart District working to move forward on multiple fronts JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌

‌Ingenuity, innovation and creativity are key to Lompoc Unified School District, from cutting edge transportation tools to meals made from scratch, education alternatives catering to students’ varying needs to inhouse furniture production for use throughout the district.

“David Rainwater is a huge asset to Lompoc School District,” said Doug Sorum, manager of maintenance and operations.

For 33 years, Rainwater has served as the district’s finish carpenter. He has provided countless cabinets, closets, workstations and other quality products for classrooms and offices.

Rather than focusing on fast, quick, inexpensive materials, he has specialized in using quality materials and craftsmanship to create furniture that will last long beyond his retirement.

“If you’ve ever priced out finished carpentry, it’s extremely expensive, and the quality you get from most of these big manufacturers just isn’t there. It’s mostly particle board or press board. It doesn’t hold up well in a school environment. Not so with the things he makes for us,” Sorum said.

There’s plenty of work for the full-time carpenter. Currently he’s working on the administration office remodel for Cabrillo High School. All cabinets and workstations are built in the carpenter’s shops where electrical is roughed in, and pieces are shot in the paint booth before making the move to campus for final installation.

It’s a unique service that some district staff members didn’t realize was available. When the aquarium at Cabrillo High School added cabinets, they put the work out to bid.

“A fairly local company gave him an estimate of $10,000 to $12,000. Our carpenter was able to get the materials for $2,000, so it’s a huge savings to us to have him doing that rather than purchasing stuff externally, and a lot of that is junk,” Sorum said.

In a district where the last new campus, Miguelito Elementary School, was built in 1969, there’s no end to the amount of work.

“You could do it for a lifetime and still not make a dent,” Sorum said.

NOT YOUR FATHER’S CAFETERIA‌ While the district has not added new schools, it has completed some significant upgrades, not the least of which has been the complete renovation of 10 school cafeterias and the district’s central kitchen. Those projects were largely funded by a grant from the Orfalea Foundation, and made possible the district’s menu shift from pre-packaged bulk foods to scratch cooking.

“We’re very passionate about serving healthy foods for the kids.

We’ve been serving wonderful, scratch-cooked food since 2009,” said LUSD Child Nutrition Manager Kathy Bertelsen.

The grants also funded the retraining of kitchen staff through the countywide Culinary Boot Camp.

“The Orfalea grants enabled us to professionalize our staff.

Ezequiel Madrigal, lead cook at the LUSD Central Kitchen, slices pork for chile colorado.

“We’re very passionate about serving healthy foods for the kids.

We’ve been serving wonderful, scratchcooked food since 2009.”

—LUSD Child Nutrition Manager Kathy Bertelsen It provided training in cooking from scratch, food safety and now our highly trained staff, who are Serve Safe certified, put out great food for kids,” Bertelsen said.

Cafeteria remodels included the installation of salad bars at elementary campuses and a reworking of the high school campuses to create food courts, as requested by students. There have been taste tests at schools to experiment with menus and determine which are most enjoyed by students.

“People always say kids don’t like vegetables, but from what I’ve seen, that’s absolutely not true. If you make it look beautiful and taste delicious, they’ll eat it, and they ask for more,” Bertelsen said.

Recently, the district moved from bagged lettuce to fresh lettuce, expanding beyond iceberg into the romaines and red lettuces. Pasta days feature marinara sauce made with zucchini, carrots and onions, served with a steamed vegetable medley spiced only with salt and ground pepper.

“The students love it. It looks beautiful,” Bertelsen said.

A test on students at La Honda STEAM Academy turned up interesting findings where broccoli was concerned.

“The kids don’t like raw broccoli, but when we blanched it, then flash cooled it, it turns out this wonderful color and the kids love it,” Bertelsen said.

Students who can see what they’re offered, rather than try to work through wrappings, are also more likely to pick up healthy items. Students at the high schools prefer today’s large

The first phase of new office furniture for Cabrillo High School’s office that was built by LUSD Finish carpenter David Rainwater has already been installed.

Lompoc Unified School District Child Nutrition Manager Kathy Bertelsen, center, talks with Lompoc High student Elizabeth Twomey, who was serving in the cafeteria during a fundraiser for the cheerleaders. serving trays of hot, fresh food portioned onto trays.

“Presentation is key,” Bertelsen said.

bus-replacement grants from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment (Carl Moyer) Program had been approved. The program, administered by the California Air ReGETTING THERE‌ In early May, LUSD Transpor- sources Board, provides incentive tation Manager Frances Lemons grants for cleaner-than-required learned that her application for engines, equipment and other

sources of pollution providing early or extra emission reductions.

For Lompoc schools, that means more than $540,000 toward the $1 million cost of replacing six 29-year-old, gross-polluting diesel buses. Five of the new buses will add to the district’s existing compressed-natural-gas fleet while one will be upgraded to more fuel-efficient, pollutant-reduced diesel.

The district was required, by law, to replace the gross-polluters by Jan. 1, 2018.

“CNG is a lot cheaper to run than diesel and it’s a lot better for the environment,” Lemons said.

Another grant from several years ago helped fund refurbishment of the old CNG filling station on Central Avenue, which has also been made available for public use.

The bus performance, she said, is comparable between the diesel and CNG, both of which run on a Cummins diesel engine platform.

“To date, running those buses on CNG instead of diesel has saved $9,000 to $11,000 per 00 1 month,” Lemons said.

May 2017 | B3

LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

Maple High School students stretch out in an elective yoga class on campus Wednesday.

Maple and Forinash offer alternatives to array of students Opportunities for nonprofit volunteering, field trips and more JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌

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‌Perhaps Katy Wallace’s biggest challenge as principal of both Maple High School and Dr. Bob Forinash Community Day School is overcoming the public perception about alternative high schools.

“So many people still think an alternative high school means a school where the bad kids go.

That’s just not the case,” Wallace said.

While Forinash is an involuntary school for high school students who have run far off track, Maple High School provides alternatives for an array of students whose lives and personalities simply don’t fit the traditional public education mold.

“These students are genuine, good humored, kind, and always smarter than they think they are.

I suppose every principal would say this, but I think I have the best kids in town,” Wallace said.

While some alternative high school campuses run on an independent study model, providing students access to campus for tutoring and minimal needs, Maple High runs on an in-seat model with a more traditional schedule and in-class teaching.

Maple High School is an alternative high school attended voluntarily by students who don’t fit the traditional school mold for any number of reasons. In addition to academics and athletics, Maple provides outreach consultants to help connect students in need with resources to support life outside of school such as food programs, access to the homeless and foster youth liaison, and a drug and alcohol counselor.

“We’re looking at some kids we can plan out for and we do plan out for all of them, but life happens. We see more of what’s going on in their lives because we’re in a smaller environment. We can see how much stress they bring to school from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed at night,” Wallace said.

Each plan addresses the individual student’s specific needs.

“The best thing happening at Maple High School now is that, for the first time ever, Maple students have a career pathway,” said Katy Wallace, principal at both Maple High School and Forinash Community Day School.

The first-of-its kind partnership between GRID Alternatives Solar and Maple school has a select handful of students learning how to plan and complete installations of residential solar panels. The nonprofit organization provides no-cost solar systems for families with limited or fixed

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO‌

Maple High School students pose for a picture at a ribbon cutting ceremony to note the installation of solar panels on a home during one of their Grid Alternatives projects.

LEN WOOD, STAFF‌

Maple High School students and leaders, shown on campus Wednesday, are participating in solar power projects in the Grid Alternatives program. incomes.

“These were kids who were failing classes or had no hope of graduating two years ago who are now up on roofs, able to do blueprints, in an industry of the future. Some of them were working 40 hours a week after they get off school. For most of those, it’s Domino’s or Foster’s Freeze, which is fine, but do they want to do that for the rest

of their lives,” Wallace asked.

Students who continue to volunteer with the nonprofit through the summer will receive certification, which will enable them to begin careers in the field.

“When we expose kids to opportunities, show them at a young age college campuses, what it’s like to be in auto shops, get into agricultural fields, to show them,

hands-on, what’s out there, what it actually looks like, even that tiny bit of exposure makes a huge difference,” Wallace said.

Among the myriad programs are the Boys & Girls Club and a partnership with a local yoga studio.

There are opportunities to build community pride through projects such as the recent path-clearing project in Mission Hills.

“Instead of picking up trash, which the kids see as menial labor, they were asked if they could do a complete project. In the end, they got to play with the goats (at the Mission) which was very therapeutic. It brings them a sense of pride to do stuff like that, restorative activities in the community that gives them an opportunity to give back and get a sense of self back,” Wallace said.

In addition, an array of programs that help students expand their understanding of the world.

A field trip to the Ronald Reagan Library Situation Room Experience, for example, resulted in requests from students to return to the facility to explore further.

“We have a number of students who have never left Santa Barbara County or never gone anywhere further than Santa Maria. They want to experience more things, and I absolutely think that is so important,” Wallace said.

There are opportunities to take College Now classes at Hancock College, and plans are in the works to further incorporate college-credit courses with the school’s academic calendar.

“One of the best things about my students is that, when they come through the door, they’re anti-discriminatory. Whatever descriptions people may have outside of school don’t follow them here. I love that about my students,” Wallace said.

B4 | May 2017

LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

LEN WOOD PHOTOS, STAFF

Director Sarah Raines, right, talks to actors before a rehearsal of Los Berros Elementary School’s production of “The Lion King Jr.”

La Honda, Los Berros bring arts, science, tech, math to life Changes benefit students from all backgrounds JENNIFER BEST

Contributing Writer‌

‌Close your eyes and imagine schools where students can explore interests in visual arts, performing arts, science, technology and math. Envision campuses where students interact regardless of grade level on hands-on projects, create during recess both on the playground and in maker spaces.

Now open your eyes and look at La Honda STEAM Academy and Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy, two public schools in the Lompoc Unified School Districts bringing those visions to reality.

“With the adoption of the new, Common Core State Standards, we saw the necessity of integrating subjects so students could get a wholistic look at standards,” said Bree Valla, principal at La Honda, which made the switch this academic year.

Committees comprised of parents and educators worked together to develop each neighborhood school’s given emphasis.

“Things were fine before, but stagnant. We wanted to find a way to get over that hump, to become great,” said Heather Anderson, principal at Los Berros VAPA. At Los Berros, which is now in its second year with the arts focus, students recently participated in a school-wide musical. Students in grades two and three learn to play the ukulele and recorder. Fourththrough sixth-graders are offered orchestral and wind music programs. Students in grades three through six are scheduled on an elective-based model in which they are invited to explore a variety of classes such as visual arts, theatre, musical arts, dance and spinoffs such as animation, photography as well as American Sign Language.

“The arts are important at all schools, but our staff is really committed to and believes in the school-wide focus the way we’ve done it here,” Anderson said.

Both principals note that many of the students on their campuses have never had exposure to special programs like those now offered on campus.

“A lot of our students have never had a dance class, never been to a performance, they’ve not been exposed to a lot of things like this,” Anderson said.

The new campuses also provide facilities not typically found on elementary school campuses.

At La Honda, that includes this year’s transition of a computer lab to a students’ maker space. It will include robotics, 3D printer, computers for programming printers, and a variety of tools.

At La Honda, where 87 percent of students are identified as

Actors perform Monday during a rehearsal of Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy’s production of “The Lion King Jr.”

Public Invited to Talent Shows The public is invited to attend the admission-free Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy Talent Shows at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on May 31 in the school’s multi-purpose room. low-income, hands-on education is key, Valla said.

“We recognize the need to have a hands-on approach to learning so students can be successful with academics, retain information they’re learning, and make sure they have the rich academic experience they may not otherwise get outside the classroom,” Valla said.

The interactive approach also includes allowing students to work in teams across grade levels on hands-on projects, particularly through the weekly STEAM Buddies program.

“It’s built community. Students feel connected. They see school as more fun because they’re doing projects, so they want to come to school. Projects are way more fun than worksheets,” Valla said.

Ultimately, the principals agree, the changes have benefited students from all backgrounds and socioeconomic strati.

“Since adopting the model, we’ve seen fewer behavioral problems at school, our suspensions have decreased, we have improved attendance, and what’s most encouraging is that engagement in the classroom is higher, which is key. Test scores so far have also shown marked improvement, especially within the area of math this year,” Valla said.

Anderson concurs.

“The biggest things we’ve seen have been that attendance has increased and discipline issues have decreased. Students are picking up their instruments to play on the playground. They’re working together to choreograph dances out there. They’re more interested and engaged,” Anderson said.

Students from La Honda STEAM Academy try to stack cups without touching them with their hands during the Math Superbowl in Santa Maria on May 16.

Bree Valla, principal at La Honda STEAM Academy, tries out a “Bee-Bot” programmable robot that will help students improve their math skills. The Lompoc Academy is focusing on math and science instruction.

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