I am going to be doing a ten-week road trip, basically circling the United States next spring (starting in Atlanta), and would really appreciate any info or advice you could provide on coastal California.

This trip is going to be low budget, sticking to the coast whenever possible, and staying on secondary highways - avoiding larger cities as much as possible. My interests include nature, science, local culture, food, regional music, and history.

Thanks in advance for any info, Rhonda.
Email your travel tips to Rhonda.

Flower Festival
CLIFFZEPF@aol.com writes, "Please send me the date of this year's flower festival."

Well Cliff, the 2001 festival starts June 20th and runs through the 24th. The Alpha Club's Flower Show will be Saturday, June 23th, from noon until 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 24th, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 23.

For lots more information, visit the Lompoc Valley Festival Association website at http://www.flowerfestival.org/.

Lompoc History/Genealogy Help
Myra Manfrina has kindly offered to try to answer your history/genealogical e-mails. She says she loves the research! Thanks, Myra!
Email Myra Manfrina

Historical Society Open House
The Lompoc Valley Historical Society is now open every fourth Sunday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Take advantage of the new weekend hours to visit this incredible collection of antiques, memorabilia, and Lompoc history, housed in the historic Fabing-McKay-Spanne House at 207 North L Street!

There is no charge, but donations are always appreciated. Hope to see you there this Sunday, March 25th!
-- Courtesy of Myra Manfrina

What we have here, I think, is a group of intelligent, busy, picky consumers that want what is best for our bodies and families, know what these items are, but don't (individually) have the time and energy to put together the resources to get it going. Collectively, however, I think there is not a problem. So, in light of this, I am taking the first step: organizing a meeting!

The list of people I am sending this to are the movers and shakers I know are interested. Please, email this on to other "key" people you know that are (or might be) interested, and everyone email back to me to collate the responses, set up a mail list to send back responses to, and finailize the meeting date. After the meeting we can decide on how to proceed, who will be responsible for what, etc. Who would volunteer to chair (or who would you like to volunteer to chair? ;-)

Are you interested in forming an organic food coop in Lompoc? Then email Dottie and mark each prospective meeting date with a YES or NO, depending on whether you can attend.
Proposed meeting dates/times:
Thursday May 17, 7:30PM:
Thursday May 24, 7PM:
Thursday May 31, 6PM:
Tuesday June 5, 7PM:
Other?

Teaching this class is a team of two very accomplished improv actors who also have extensive background in teaching and directing youth theatre. Richard Inman worked as program developer for the California Arts Council, program director for the YMCA Camp Ocean Pines Summer Arts Program, Artist in Residence for the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts Outreach Program, and many others. His background in professional performance includes USO tour manager and performance coordinator and music director and writer for the Great American Melodrama. Recent credits include Composer for the world premiere of Dr. Suess' 'Green Eggs and Ham,' which toured throughout Central Coast schools. He can be seen performing at night clubs throughout Santa Barbara with the improv group 'Troupe Du Jour,' of which he is a founding member.

Sheila Thibodeaux is a founding member of Santa Maria Theatre Sports and has studied under Keith Johnstone, founder of Theatre Sports. She is also a featured player with Ventura Theatre Sports and a founding member of 'Troup Du Jour', the professional improvisational comedy troupe based in Santa Barbara. She performed as a guest artist at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts at a youth outreach fund raiser. Recent writing and acting credits include, 'The Stylist' and 'Wild River,' both original musical comedies she co-wrote and starred in with her husband, Richard Inman, at the Livery Theatre in Ventura.

Richard and Sheila have been teaching improvisational comedy to adult actors for the last 5 years, and are very excited to now combine their knowledge and skill within the improv discipline with their love of, and expertise in, teaching theatre to kids. "Improv is a perfect form to use with young people because it incorporates so many skills...acting, vocal technique, movement, thinking on your feet...it really encourages individual development as well as valuable stage confidence," says Inman.

The first 6-week workshop will be held Tuesday nights from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm in downtown Santa Barbara. Tuition is $99, plus $10, for supplies. To contact Richard or Sheila at YES for more information and space availability, call (805) 648-5761.
Contributed by JPPetra@aol.com

How Can Dave Get the Missile Poster?
Dave Stoehr writes:
When I visited Lompoc last year, I saw a beautiful photograph of a Titan rocket (I think) launched in the distance with the flower fields in the foreground. Do you know where I can find that photo? Is it available on the web?
Thanks, Dave

EDITOR'S NOTE: I believe this poster is available through the Lompoc Record newspaper, phone: (805) 736-2313. (If someone out there can confirm this, please email us.

UPDATE: Bill Swingle writes:
I believe you are correct that the Lompoc Newspaper will sell copies of the picture. The photographer was Bruce Fall who lives Vandenberg Village.
"Thanks, Bill!"

The Lompoc Railroad
Ron's latest article about the Lompoc Railroad is complete with historic photographs.

"The railroad came to Lompoc near the turn of the last century. Prior to the arrival of the iron horse real horses and wagons were used to bring freight and passengers into the newly established town of Lompoc. Before the arrival of the modern railroad it took many days and sometimes weeks before small increments of mail and valuable freight could reach our community."
Read more....

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