Tree planting under way in Santa Maria

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department continues planting trees throughout the community.

This winter, staff planted 250 trees in city parks and 50 trees along sidewalks and street medians.

The department will plant 235 15-gallon street trees as part of the Cal Fire Urban and Community

Forestry Grant. Additionally, 125 large street trees will be planted using the annual street tree budget.

The department is also planting trees in front of residences. Residents interested in having a tree planted in the easement at their home can contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 805-925-0951, ext. 2260. The department staff will also provide regular pruning. The value of trees is experienced every day in many ways. Trees help cool temperatures, slow traffic and provide homes for wildlife. Trees also absorb air pollutants and greenhouse gasses, provide oxygen and increase property values.

To give input on how the city should manage the Urban Forest, consider taking the Urban Forest Management Plan survey. Responses to this survey will be kept anonymous, and findings from the survey will only be reported in group form. All survey responses will be stored securely and confidentially. For more information, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/ santamariatrees. For information in Spanish (Español), see www.surveymonkey. com/r/arbolessantamaria. Questions can be directed to the Recreation and Parks Department at 805- 925-0951, ext. 2260. email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

Boot Camp

Continued from Page A1 his appearances on “Top Chef” and “Iron Chef America” and is the author of “Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive Little Plates for Intimate Occasions and Lavish Parties.”

Helen Johannesen of Helen’s Wines will pair up with Chef Gordon for a wine, cheese and chocolate tasting experience.

With four locations in Los Angeles, sommelier Johannesen’s wine shops focus on naturally driven and organically farmed labels, small production vineyards, wine makers with integrity, lower intervention élevage and dynamic thoughtful wines. She is also celebrated for her “WineFace” podcast.

In addition to the guest chef experiences, participants will be taken to the nearby Folded Hills winery for a private, expert-led tasting.

Starting at $945/a night for double occupancy, the adultsonly, multi-day package at Alisal Ranch includes:

• Western-themed accommodations for three nights.

• All meals and specialty dinners.

• A selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Demonstrations on grilling methods, equipment, barbecuing, spice blending and more.

• Special event keepsakes.

• Hay wagon ride to the historic adobe for breakfast.

Future iterations of the experience this year include BBQ Bootcamp: Spring Classic in May and BBQ Bootcamp: World BBQ in October. Dates and guest chef lineups will be announced.

“It has been exciting to see guests fall in love with our BBQ Bootcamp experience and return year-after-year to learn from the very best in the industry of food and wine,” said Kathleen Cochran, Alisal Ranch general manager. “We are starting 2023 with an incredible lineup of talented chefs, who each bring something unique to barbecue, a cuisine that has always been celebrated as part of our ranch’s unique and timeless history.” email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

The BBQ Bootcamp will take place March 5-8 at Alisal Ranch in Solvang. For more information, call 800-4254725 or visit www.alisalranch.com/ experiences/bbq-bootcamp.