At the start of 2021, Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria premiered its first original podcast, Hancock Conversations, which airs on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next episode is set to be released on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and will be available through multiple platforms (Hancock’s website, Spotify, and Apple Podcast apps). […]
Caleb Wiseblood
Posted inFood & Drink
Dutch Bros Coffee marks its Central Coast debut with a new drive-through location in Santa Maria
“One of the most rewarding things in this change of occupation was going from smelling cow manure to smelling coffee,” said Dutch Bros Coffee co-founder Dane Boersma on the company’s website, referring to his former career in the dairy business. In 1992, Dane and his brother, Travis Boersma, co-founded Dutch Bros Coffee in the Pacific […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local pastelist Jim Tyler discusses New Perspectives, an upcoming trio show at Gallery Los Olivos
Editor’s note: This story is the first installment in a series profiling the three featured artists of New Perspectives, a biennial group exhibition at Gallery Los Olivos. Looking back on 2020, pastel artist and professional art instructor Jim Tyler noticed a big increase in commissions compared to previous years, especially with pet portraits. This boost […]
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Lompoc artist Kathy Badrak collaborates with Wildling Museum on virtual workshop
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang will host a serenity stone wrapping workshop on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., via Zoom. This virtual class is led by Lompoc artist Kathy Badrak, a longtime member of the Lompoc Valley Art Association. Attendees of the course will learn two methods of […]
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NatureTrack offers resources online, announces plans for next film festival
NatureTrack Foundation founder Sue Eisaguirre recently announced some changes to the foundation’s annual film festival. This year, the festival will be referred to as the NatureTrack Film Festival on Tour, a virtual showcase highlighting a variety of the festival’s award-winning films over the past three years, along with a handful of new films. This online […]
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After closure of Old Orcutt location, cnagy wines plans to streamline production and tasting under one roof
With a new year comes a new beginning for local winemaker Clarissa Nagy, who announced a big change for cnagy wines near the end of 2020. On Dec. 26, Nagy said goodbye to her winery’s original tasting room, which closed its doors for good after six years of operating on South Gray Street in Old […]
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Mixed media artist Belinda Hart experiments with abstract painted silks in Solvang
While primarily working with fabrics and textiles, contemporary artist Belinda Hart loves creating pieces that invoke “an invitation to touch,” and she described her intricate hand-dye method as a thrilling challenge. Hart’s process is an iteration of Arashi Shibori, a Japanese technique that results in shades and hues reminiscent of storm-driven rain. “The impressionistic aspect […]
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A time capsule of this year’s food and drink ventures throughout Northern Santa Barbara County
I think we can all agree, the world is hungry for a new year. As 2020 finally comes to a much needed close, let’s all take a deep breath and recognize the silver linings that either warmed our bellies or quenched our thirst during the past 12 months. No matter what 2021 has in store […]
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Local artists, galleries, and theaters adapted to 2020 through innovation and experimentation
What better way to commemorate the final Throwback Thursday of 2020 than a retrospective to sum up the year, particularly the local art scene in this article’s case. Looking back on the last 365 days, the only word to describe the innovations local artists and arts organizations have implemented—to combat the unprecedented limitations brought upon […]
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Lifelong Santa Maria resident Terri Wahlberg is baking up a storm from home through Wahly’s Sweet Treats
Whether it whets your appetite or not, there’s something objectively pure and life-fulfilling about seeing a tiny taco on top of a cupcake. It’s like crossing something off a bucket list you never thought was there to begin with. But this particular taco was made of fondant icing, like many of home baker Terri Wahlberg’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gallery Los Olivos closes 2020 with its annual Winter Salon exhibit, both in person and online
With paintings hung from floor to ceiling, Gallery Los Olivos has enough space to showcase more than 50 different local artists during Winter Salon, the gallery’s annual salon-style exhibition. And for those unable to make it to the gallery in person this year, the exhibit is available online to view for free. While the show’s […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Cuyama Homegrown produces high-quality, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables year round
The tried-and-true—and still apropos—idiom “the bee’s knees” is a bit of an understatement when describing the husband-and-wife duo behind Cuyama Homegrown. “It’s the most pure honey you could ever dream about,” said Jean Gaillard, co-owner of the farm with his wife, Meg Brown, while discussing the two bee hives on their property. One of the […]
