Santa Maria Times from Santa Maria, California • A4

A4 Times Wednesday, June 20, 2012 animal owners like that alternative. "Why should we have to Last night and the night before my dogs couldn't sleep because of the bang, bang, bang," Ciavarelli said. "Ihave a right to have a safe home for me and my dogs They say give your dogs sedatives. I don't even take those myself." Ciavarelli said people throw fireworks into her yard, which adds stress to her and her pets. Short of drugging pets, Tucker said a product called a Thundershirt, a vest that wraps tightly around a dog's chest and midsection, has proven to calm anxious pets Concern for pets isn't the only reason many people aren't exactly celebrating Independence Day.

Excessive noise, post -celebration litter and fire danger are other key concerns. "There's just boom, boom, boom all night long," said Liz Fuentes who lives in a northwest Santa Maria neighborhood. "It just gets worse right up to Fourth of July." Even though fireworks are sold and are approved for use in Santa Maria, using them is only legal July 4-5, according to Fire Inspector Larry Com-erford. "We allow them one day after the Fourth for people who were out of town and what not if they're using (them) the way the manufac -turer recommends," said Comerford, who added excessive use of fireworks tends to happen more when the holiday falls on or near a weekend. "There's a lot of illegal usage in the town on the Fourth.

Fortunately it lands on a Wednesday this year, so hopefully that helps out." Comerford said the city sees alot of illegal fireworks on the holiday and both the fire and police departments do everything they can to police their use. Ciavarelli said legal or not allowing their use brings problems. "When you sanction legal fireworks that just brings the illegal ones in, too," she said. NOISE: Continued from page A3 about fireworks. It's the best thing to be with your animal and not let them out of sight Don't leave them outside be -cause an animal that's fright -ened can do incredible things to get out of a yard," said Jill Tucker, executive director of the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society.

Tucker said one of her animals once became frightened enough to chew through a chain -link fence to escape. Animals can be sedated to get them through stressful situations like Fourth of July fireworks, but not many ior or chain of behaviors before a handler can call an "alert." In addition to three title winners at each level, three overall trial winners are also chosen based on the shortest times running all four elements. Nipomo title winners were Judi Macias and Windy, a miniature bull terrier, and Georgia Barr and Noel, a miniature poodle, in NW1. Ribbons are awarded for first through third places in each element, Anders said, and Jean Mitchell and LiT Slade an Aus -tralian shepherd from Nipomo, won first in container and first in vehicle searches. Dogs also can earn the Harry Award, given to "the most outstanding rescue dog that demonstrates extraordinary ability and spirit," but only once.

Roxy, an Australian cattle dogAmerican pit bull terrier mix, handledby Tanya Moreland of Nipomo, earned the Harry Award as well as a ribbon for first in exterior searches. "The dogs love it," she said of the competition. "You don't really have to train a dog. A dog actually knows how to scent. We just reawaken that and give them a platform to work it out like a game which is really cool." Anders said Gentle Touch has four certified Nose Work instructors "a lot of places don't have anybody" who offer several introductory and advanced classes each week.

For more information, contact Anders at Gentle Touch at 481-1490 or teahgentlepets.com or visit www.gentlepets.com or www.nacsw.net DOGS: Continued from page A3 only organization that sanctions K9 Nose Work trials. Under the association's rules, dogs must be registered with the organization and have passed the appropriate ORT, or odor recognition tests, before they can compete in atrial. Dogs compete in four search elements container, exterior area, interior building and vehicle at three levels. Each element is worth 25 points, and once a dog has won a title by recording no more than three faults in the total 100 points, it moves up a level. Dogs start at Nose Work 1, then move to NW2 and, finally, NW3.

In NW1 they search for the odor of birch hidden in only one location in each element with a five -minute time limit per element. A handler is allowed to call an "alert" even if a dog is not exhibiting specific behavior in NW1. In NW2, the dogs must locate birch and anise which can be combined, at up to two locations, with one distracter odor food, toy or animal smells allowed, within five minutes per element. A dog must exhibit one of several specific "alert" behaviors in NW2 before a handler may call it NW3 competitors search for birch, anise and clove which again can be combined, at up to three sites in each element, with multiple distracters allowed, within specified time limits for each element. In NW3, a dog also must exhibit one specificbehav- Those included adding a limited-term capital proj -ects coordinator position and a Sheriff's Department legal clerk position approved in May and a Social Services Department program manager approved in April.

Other changes included adding $45,2777 of revenue and expenses to the public defender budget for the pacted Soils (NHIS) program into the LEAF. In cutting operational expenses, the 2012-13 budget recommends the elimination of one full-time position reference librarian which drops the city's full-time staff to 456 people. Two other positions were recommended to be authorized but not funded, bringing the total of unfunded positions to a dozen, 11 of which are public safety positions. It also recommends delaying hiring for three vacant positions. The two-year plan has $36 million in capital improvement projects includ the state budget, which is far from being approved.

That means the county's spending plan likely will have to be adjusted probably in September after the Legislature and governor hammer out the state budget. Some of the changes recommended by the staff were the result of previous decisions made by the board. reducing operating costs by around $750,000 to balance the budget. Haydon also said the budget plan forecasts using $2.5 million in Local Eco -nomic Augmentation Funds (LEAF each of the next two years which would leave the fund empty. It had $11.7 million in it just four years ago, but the city has dipped into the fund to balance the last four budgets.

The city manager made some recommendations to restock the once-flush reserve fund by placing any excess revenue over budget projections from its Non-Hazardous Hydrocarbon Im BUDGET: Continued from page A3 in its contingency fund, which maintains the county's own mandated level of 4 per -cent of general fund appropriations. However, the budget ap-provedby supervisors Tuesday does not include any unknown impacts from COUNCIL: Continued from page A3 budget. Last year's adopted general fund budget was $54,451,970. The 2012-13 budget adopted Tuesday night was $54,669,440, an increase of a little more Similarly, the 2012-13 budget for all of the city's operating funds is $133,994,090, or just 0.7-percent less than last year's figure of $134,909,310. Like each of the past five years the city will defer workers' compensation and fleet replacement costs to the tune of $1.45 million and 0ih uanes state's realignment program.

A total of $55,000 was reallocated within the Public Works Department internal service fund to purchase equipment, and the list of capital projects was incorporated into the department's budget. Supervisors also approved a new mental health nurse practitioner job description and salary. ed, $26.7 of which are maintenance related. The most ambitious of which is re -placement of 5,200 low-pressure sodium street lights. The project willbe funded with gas tax money and grant funds.

Haydon said the budget was developed prior to the voters' approval of Measure a one -quarter -cent sales tax initiative for essential city services, and before voters decide on the fate of the state tax initiatives. Measure is expected to bring in about $2.1 million to the city in January 2013, and approximately $4.2 million per year after that. Notices Robert Lee Carmichael Doris Rose Sparrow qf- Doris went home to be with her Lord and Savior on, Tuesday June 12, 2012 Sfc from Arroyo Grande, Ca. She was 84YO, September 27, 1923-June 13, 2012 Robert L. Carmichael, 88, passed away at his home in Santa Maria, California on June 13, 2012.

Born on September 23, 1923 in Columbus, Indiana, he spent his early years in the 'big brick house' near Scipio and Sand Creek. He worked in the local corn fields, found arrowheads and fished. But due to hard times the farm was lost in 1936. After graduating from High School, he worked as a draftsman for Cummins Engine until drafted into WWII. Returning home 3 years later, he and had lived in Nipomo Ca.

Doris was born in 1928, and was raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin, where she graduated from high school and continuing on to vocational school. During WWII, Doris met the love of her life, Art Sparrow. In that time they wrote letters back and forth the entire time. At the end of the war Art and Doris were married in Milwaukee, WI. They MM.M Erma Jane Burger Erma Jane (Ontiveros) Burger passed away on June 16, 2012.

Erma Jane was born in Sisquoc on November 5, 1924, the first daughter of Roman and Jane Ontiveros. She was a member of the pioneer Ontiveros family. She attended Olive School and graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1943. After graduation, Erma Jane worked in Los Angeles as a riveter and later worked at the Greyhound Bus station in Santa Maria. On January 11, 1947, Erma Jane married the love of her life, Earl Burger.

They began their 62 -year marriage living on the Palmer Oil Lease. After the birth of their children, Blaine, Teresa (Toot) and Jerry, the Burgers purchased the old Blochman School using the building materials to build their home in Sisquoc. Over the years, Erma Jane Burger was a room mother at Benjamin Foxen School and active member of the Santa Maria Valley Pioneer Association and the San Ramon Preservation Committee. Erma Jane was an excellent cook-her tortillas were a favorite-an avid gardener and a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Mrs.

Burger was also a poet. Her adages and sayings have been repeated and savored by her family for generations. Erma Jane was preceded in death by her husband Earl, her brother and sister-in-law Clay and Juanita Brown, and her brother Alexander Ontiveros. She is survived by her children Blaine and Jan Burger of Douglas City, CA, Teresa (Toot) and John Rivas of Sisquoc and Jerry and Nanci Burger of Grass Valley, CA. She was also survived by sister, Ramona and Orvill Gracia and sister-in-law Jeanne Ontiveros, surrogate daughters and sons-in-law Ileen and Daniel Barberena and Marjorie and Ken Tucker.

Erma Jane had many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a large and loving extended family. A viewing will be held Thursday, June 21 from pm, at Dudley -Hoffman Morturary Chapel followed by recitation of the rosary. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Louis de Montfort Church on Friday, June 22 at 9:30 am. Interment will take place at the San Ramon Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to San Ramon Preservation Committee, P.O. Box 8109 Santa Maria, CA 93456 Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley -Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens. Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary Crematory (805) 922-8463 www. dudleyhof fmanmortuary com were married for 64yrs, after Art preceded her in death in 2011. Doris started her career as a cashier at a department store as teenager, lasting over 40 years, mostly at Supermarkets.

In 1950 Doris and Art received a precious gift from God, Arthur James Sparrow. Milwaukee WI was home for three more years when they came to EI Segundo, CA. Arthur James was their only child. Doris accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior as a young teenager. Being active in Evangelical churches where she was a Sunday school teacher, a member of several church committees, choirs, and working in the church nursery, where she loved the little ones dearly, while parents attend service.

Doris enjoyed homemaking, family vacations, raising Dachshund puppies, cooking, and baking. Thanksgiving Dinners were big events. Doris Sparrow survived by her only child, a son Jim Sparrow, 2 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces, and nephews. Doris attended First Baptist Church in Santa Maria, CA. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

at First Baptist Church, Santa Maria, Ca. In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to Valley Christian Academy CO Doris R. Sparrow 2970 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria, CA 93455 Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley -Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens. Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary Crematory (805) 922-8463 www. dudleyhof fmanmortuary com attended State University of Iowa and received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and MSEE.

During Christmas 1946 on a train ride home he met his wife to be, Virginia and they were married in 1948 for 62 years. In 1950 they moved to New Jersey where he worked at Bell Telephone Laboratories except for the brief Korean War recall. He helped develop the transistor and the first transistor digital computer known as 'TRADIC. With MIT Lincoln Labs, he helped develop a computer based air defense system called 'SAGE' and was granted two Patents. After the birth of their two children Terry and Tom, they moved to Van Nuys, California in 1959 where he worked at SDC Litton and Aerospace.

During this time, he was a very active Scoutmaster and took 65 mile back pack hikes with his son and went beach camping with the family at El Capitan and Morro Bay. Robert received his PhD in Education from UCLA in 1974. This led to being a professor at UCLA and Cal State Northridge. His first retirement was as a Major from the USAFR in 1983. But his real retirement was in 1989 to Santa Maria California to be near the ocean.

There they bought a travel van and toured the USA and visited his sister Jayne. They participated in Elder Hostel trips, bird watching and volunteering at Mended Hearts. Bob took up wood carving, painting and poetry with some wonderful creations. He enjoyed lying on the couch, cutting things out of the paper and then making notes and saving them for people. Later while having lunch or coffee with friends he could read the stories and tell the jokes he had saved.

Words cannot express how many lives he has touched and how much he will be missed and loved. His loving wife Virginia passed away in September 2010. Robert leaves behind his daughter Terry Woehlke (George) and son Tom (Sharon). He is also survived by two wonderful granddaughters Heather and Jennifer and two great grandchildren Ashlyn and Kyle. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St Andrews United Methodist Church, 3945 South Bradley Road on July 7th 2012 at 11:00 am and includes sharing moments and a buffet.

His ashes will be placed alongside his wife in the cemetery across from the Scipio Presbyterian Church in Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in remembrance of Robert L. Carmichael to be made to the Alzheimer's Association http:www.alz.org. Death For information Gilbert Curiel K- Gilbert Curiel, 44, passed away JOSEPH BURRIER, 57, of rural Arroyo Grande, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2012. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel, Grover Beach, CA.

CLIFFORD CHAPMAN, 82, of Pismo Beach, died on Friday, June 15, 2012. Arrangements are under the direction of Lady Family Mortuary Crematory of Arroyo Grande. PATRICK FLECKY, 60 of Pismo Beach, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2012. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel, Grover Beach, CA. RICHARD KADING, 93, of Grover Beach, died on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lady Family Mortuary Crematory of Arroyo Grande. MR ROBERT "BOB" PARKER, 78, resident of Santa Maria, CA, passed away June 18, 2012. Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley -Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens www. dudleyhof fmanmortuary on placing an obituary, suddenly on June 11, 2012. He was a loving father, son, brother and uncle.

He was born August 15, 1967 to Jose Angel Herredia Curiel and Rosa Contreras Curiel. He leaves behind his mother Rosa, his brothers Michael (Mary) Curiel, Jose (Karla) Curiel, sisters Maria Ortiz Curiel, Monica (Luis), sons Gilbert Curiel Michael Anthony Curiel of Lompoc, daughters Erica Curiel of Lompoc, Vanessa Curiel of Santa Maria, grandchildren Joseph and Brittanya Rodriguez of Lompoc, Adrian Curiel of Lompoc, Kattaleya Santana Curiel of Santa Barbara, numerous nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts. He is preceded in death by his sister Michelle Curiel, September 6, 1969 and father Jose Angel Herredia Curiel, May 1, 1987. He worked for numerous agriculture companies in Santa Maria and Guadalupe. He is also known as and "Grande." He loved spending time with his brothers and family, fishing, camping and barbecuing, and gardening.

Recycling became a pastime of his life. Services will be on Wednesday, June 20th at with viewing at There will be a Catholic Mass on Thursday, June 21st at at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Guadalupe. Funeral arrangements under Moreno Family Mortuary, 214 N. Lincoln. Santa Maria, CA 93458..