Dear Friends,
This artist is GREAT! And he has a marvelous website (http://www.digitalartbykurt.moonfruit.com) where, if you click on the "newest art" and then on the various virtual galleries, you'll see what is showing at the Lompoc library (through the month of June).

Almost all of his art is on display at the library. Only some of his nude pieces (at the website) were not displayed. You missed the great reception on Sunday. Boy, was the food good! His whole large family of sisters, brothers, mother and dad, wife, kids, nieces and nephews, was there to support him. I spoke to many of them - they are all so talented! The artist is a neat guy who emphasizes tolerance of people's beliefs. Which is neither here nor there. Go see his digital art. Created on computer, using photographs, and they end up looking like paintings. It's a real treat.
Best Wishes,
Julie
Email artist Kurt Van Wagner
Email Julie Levy

Orchid Slideshow
Bill Swingle took some great photographs at the Orchid Festival at Earl Warren Campgrounds (Santa Barbara) early in March 2002.

Check them out in our "Orchid Slideshow" on Lompoc Online's "Things To Do" page.

Questions for You!
Lompoc Online's website visitors make up a "Virtual Lompoc Help Center." If you have information that will help any of our questioners, (BELOW), please email us or email the questioner directly. Thank you for helping!

Mission Hills Revisited
Johnny Sales writes,
I'm hoping you can help with this search.

My father was stationed at Vandenberg AFB from 1963 to 1966. When we first got there, we rented a house in an area called Mission Hills. We only lived in the house for a couple of months before my father was able to obtain on-base housing for us.

I've done a rather extensive search of the area, but am unable to locate it on any of the online maps. I was wondering if that area has been renamed since 1966, and if so, would you know what it is now called?

My brother is planning on visiting that area soon and he was wanting to see if he could locate the house we lived in at the time.

Sure would appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks in advance.
Email Johnny

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mission Hills has not been renamed, John. Your brother can take Route 1 North out of Lompoc, but instead of following Route 1 to the left at the light, go straight onto Harris Grade Road. Turn right on Burton Mesa Blvd. and it will take him right into the Mission Hills area. I hope he enjoys his trip to the old homestead.

La Honda Not Listed?
Rafael Arreguin writes,
Why is La Honda school not listed under "Schools"?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Lompoc Online would gladly list La Honda School on our "Link-Lompoc" page under "Schools" if they had a website. The Santa Barbara County Education Office website lists the public schools in the county. A school with a website is presented as an underlined link. La Honda School is listed, but there is no website for us to link to.

If anyone knows of a website for La Honda School, please email us so we can link to it.

LHS '76 Reunion
Yolanda Wood Lennon writes,
Do you have any information about a possible class reunion for the Lompoc High class of 1976? Any info you have would be appreciated.
Email Yolandaor Email Lompoc Online.

Walk Dog Offleash?
Chris writes,
Hello,
I am new to the area, and wonder if there is anywhere in Lompoc that I can have my dog offleash to play. I am aware of Waller Park's Dog Park, but wondering if there is anything closer.
Thanks,
Chris and dog 'Jake'

EDITOR'S NOTE: Last year there was a push to create a dog park in Lompoc, but I haven't heard any more about that for some time. (If any readers know the status of the dog park effort, please let me know!) Dogs sometimes walk their people along the Santa Ynez -- you can get there by taking a path from the periphery of River Park. I hope some folks write in with more suggestions.
Email Chrisor Email Lompoc Online.

Susan writes, You probably are already aware of the new off-leash park in Santa Maria’s Waller Park? It was a most welcomed addition to the park for our canine friends.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You're absolutely right, Susan.

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.
-- Courtesy of Myra Manfrina

Lompoc History/Genealogy Update
About a year and a half ago, Myra Manfrina of the Lompoc Valley Historical Society kindly offered to try to answer history and genealogical e-mails from Lompoc Online website visitors. Here's a brief update from her:

Myra writes,
Thank you so very much for keeping on with Lompoconline. I get about 5 queries a week - some for just an obit, some for a lengthy genealogy, some just general information. But it sure keeps me busy. There a whole lot out there who read Lompoconline!! And very much enjoy it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to you for all that research, Myra! (Scroll down on this page for Historical Society tour information.)
Email Myra Manfrina

In what year did a snowstorm close Miguelito Canyon Road? Can you name four uses for diatomaceous earth? Is tri-tip, linguisa and chicken, toasted butter-and-garlic-coated bread and pinquito beans Lompoc's official, delicious meal?

Read Ron and Myra's latest article to find these answers. Plus, catch a glimpse of Sudden Ranch and Jalama Beach as viewed from Tranquillion Peak (the tallest point on the California coast), and more. After reading may we suggest that you print out the article and take it with you on your own driving tour back into time!
Read Miguelito Meanderings, Part Two....

Can you confirm any of this?

Ron Fink gives Ken this answer:
The homes being built on the southeast corner of Highway 1 and La Pruisima Road are known as the "La Pruisima Highlands". This project has been in the planning process for about 10 years. There were a variety of reasons for the long delay.

First the developer had to acquire the property, obtain the necessary environmental documents and then find investors to fund the project. There were also several stages to the permitting process that consumed a couple of years until all of the necessary approvals were obtained and the developer got the final "green light' to build.

Early in the grading process there was some minor rainfall and local environmental activists claimed that there was a "wetland" on the property. Even though the government approved environmental documents all indicated that there were no impacts the project was stopped for several days while environmental professionals determined that the "wetland" was really only a mud puddle.

I am not sure of the cost for these homes. Other homes of similar quality are selling for $300k plus, so it would seem logical that these would be in this range as well. Housing costs are driven by many factors including environmental mitigation, the amount of "open space" required and costly add ons (such as parks and "affordable units"). Local realtors should be able to answer the question of cost and availability.

Other projects of about the same size (125 plus homes) are in the planning stages. "Providence Landing" on the south side of Vandenberg Village, "Patriot Homes" near Central and Bailey (on the northwest side of Lompoc), an unnamed development near Olive and Bodger Road (on the southwest side of Lompoc), and a unnamed development near the northwest corner of Highway 1 and La Pruisima Road (across from Ken Adam Park).

I would advise the writer to pay close attention to the local newspapers to determine when these projects will be built. Often these stories are found within reports of Board of Supervisor, City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

The housing market in this area can be reffered to as a "sellers market" so buyers must be good detectives so they can find the best deals. Good luck on your hunt.
Email Kenor Email Lompoc Online.

LHS Alumni Association Website & All Sixties Reunion
Check out the new Lompoc High School Alumni Association Website where you can get all the information you'll need about this year's LHS All Sixties Reunion.

Bob Manfrina writes,
"It is the official Lompoc High School Alumni Association website...but all classes aren't updated yet...but will be in time. Right now the site is being used for the ALL SIXTIES REUNION to be held here in Lompoc this coming July 4 thru July 7. The Flyer is on the site along with a page to submit change of addresses etc."
Go to LHS Alumni Association Website

Environmental Information Services Newsletter
In the second newsletter from this newly formed local group you'll learn an environmentally friendly way to keep brown spots off your lawn where pets urinate, how to control cat litter box odor and a non-toxic drain deodorizer.
Go to Environmental Information Services Newsletter .

Local Lompoc Farmer Delivers Organic Produce to Your Doorstep!
M. C. Miller says he always looks forward to "delicious fresh vegetables, packed in a cool styrofoam chest," that arrive on his doorstep every week. Visit Bill Swingle's web site at http://www.impulse.net/~wswingle/organic.html to find out how you can enjoy this same luxury! Also visit Claudia's Square Foot Garden for more gardening info (and a live Garden Cam, when the sun is right!.)
Thanks to Bill and Claudia's Square Foot Garden for passing along this great information :-)