Somebody in Lompoc really doesn’t like the city’s mayor, Bob Lingl. The Sun saw more than 12,000 votes pour into its online opinion poll within 24 hours between Sept. 18 and 19, replying to the question: “Who on the Lompoc City Council is most out of line?” The four selectable answers included Mayor Lingl and […]
Joe Payne
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Panthers go to Washington: Pioneer Valley’s marching band is raising funds for performance in U.S. Capitol next year
The Pioneer Valley Marching Panther PRIDE Band got some great news earlier this year—they were selected from among dozens of high school marching bands to represent the state of California in a Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C., next year. Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino nominated the band, Pioneer Valley High School Director of Bands […]
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Allan Hancock College Men’s Soccer starts season strong
The name of the game in soccer is control—controlling both the ball and the tempo of the game. That’s exactly what dictated the outcome of the Allan Hancock College men’s soccer team’s first game of the season against Monterey Peninsula on Aug. 25. Hancock shut out Monterey 2-0, which coach Billy Vinnedge credits to his […]
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The Lompoc Pops Orchestra remembers 9/11 with music of America
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra has a longstanding tradition of performing on Mondays, and for this year’s season-opening concert, the date fell on Sept. 11. Instead of shying away from that somber day, the orchestra will perform a concert to honor everyone who was lost in the attack on the World Trade Center and also celebrate […]
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Sky’s the limit: The Blue Sky Center works to empower the residents of rural Cuyama Valley with creativity and community
Things don’t move too fast in rural communities like New Cuyama, and they especially slow down when the midday sun bears down and the heat hits the high 90s. That is, except for Louie, the pit bull/black lab mix who bounded after a small lizard darting for the safety of the nearest desert shrub on […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Central Coast native Nathan Towne releases first solo album from Michigan
This column must begin with full disclosure: Nathan Towne is a longtime friend. He played music at my wedding, actually, and has always been the most virtuosic among my musician buddies. So you can understand why I was more than a bit excited when Towne announced that he was releasing his first solo album, Renditions, […]
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Santa Maria Eagles hosted Musician Appreciation Day benefit concert event
The band was loud, with ripping electric guitar, driving bass, and smashing drums. The long shotgun hall of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Santa Maria was filled with sound and people, all there to enjoy the work of more than 30 musicians who performed in bands and impromptu ensembles and jam sessions. The performance […]
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Spotlight on: Black Bear Diner
Kevin Fitzpatrick, owner
Kevin Fitzpatrick and his wife visit Truckee a lot, and no matter which route they take, they can always find a Black Bear Diner somewhere along the way. They’ve always loved the food, he said, and wondered why there wasn’t one on the Central Coast. That’s why the Arroyo Grande-based couple decided that maybe it […]
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Santa Maria sees first Pride celebration
Hundreds of local residents, families, and couples descended on the parking lot of Santa Maria’s Town Center West on Aug. 12 to celebrate the city’s first ever Pride event, organized by several LGBTQ organizations. Jessie Funes—organizer with House of Pride and Equality (HOPE), the group that spearheaded the event—said the goal of the event was […]
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The Tepusquet Tornadoes perform customer appreciation concert at Presqu’ile Winery
A group of wine industry professionals came together years ago to talk shop, but they discovered grapes weren’t all they had in common. Talk turned to music, and friendships were forged over both fine wine and catchy tunes, explained Presqu’ile Winery winemaker Dieter Cronje. Cronje is a drummer, and began collaborating with Chris Hammell, vineyard […]
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Camp 4 decision to go before House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously on July 26 to move a bill to the House floor that would affirm the Bureau of Indian Affairs decision to add Camp 4 to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ reservation. The bill would also deny any further appeals to the decision. House […]
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Bent Myggen and the VisionEars perform live in the heart of Los Olivos
Right in the heart of downtown Los Olivos, in sight of its iconic flagpole, there’s one quaint little home that remains in an area packed with fine dining, tasting rooms, boutique shops, and a large hotel. That’s Bent Myggen’s home, and you’re a welcome guest. The Danish-born singer/songwriter hosts concerts during the summer months in […]