Catch a family-friendly holiday performance on Dec. 14 in the vineyard with a glass of wine for the adults and cookie decorating for the kids. Headlining is the Santa Barbara Master Chorale, which will sing traditional Christmas carols featuring conductor David Lozano Torres and pianist Heather Levin-White. The program is scheduled for almost an hour […]
Madison White
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
El Ermitaño comes to PCPA
The Mexican Christmas play, El Ermitaño, returns to Santa Maria on Dec. 12 and 13. The hour-long show, hosted by the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA), is performed in Spanish and filled with music, comedy, and tradition. PCPA is partnering with actors from Tierra Blanca Arts Center, a nonprofit dedicated to offering multicultural art programs to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A Templeton farm brightens the horizon for a Santa Barbara County winery
Blending wine is very common, but not the way Michelle Vautier does it. She owns CrossHatch Winery and uses a method called co-fermentation. Instead of blending wines after they’ve fermented, her grapes—usually two or three varieties—are picked from their separate vines on the same day and start fermenting together right away. “I’m the only winery […]
Posted inNews
County Public Health pauses layoffs and patient transfers, left with budget deficits
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department paused its plan to make layoffs and transition thousands of patients away from county clinics due to “unsatisfactory immigration status.” The decision follows an ongoing injunction to a change in federal law. Mouhanad Hammami, the director of Public Health, presented this update to the county Board of Supervisors […]
Posted inNews
A Lompoc nonprofit supports mothers and their children
Becoming a parent is part of the human experience for many people, and in that way, parenthood is unifying, Sarah Starbuck described. But at the same time, it can feel lonely, especially for parents who stay home to raise their kids. Moms uniteFor more information about registering with MOMS Club of Lompoc, visit momscluboflompoc.weebly.com. Those […]
Posted inUncategorized
Santa Maria residents produce and star in award-winning Filipino film
In the Philippines, umbag means punch. It’s also the title of an independent Filipino-American movie produced by a Santa Maria resident, Rose Dumadara Koerner. Unlike traditional executive producers, she was also involved in many more of the nitty-gritty details. After being displeased with the first cut of Umbag, which follows two estranged sisters who go […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria nonprofit raises money for arts program
Corazón del Pueblo is fundraising for its Indigenous Youth Leadership Institute of Arts and Culture, a pilot program serving Indigenous migrant farm-working students. Funds will go toward the program’s last events and scholarships for the students. “We engaged 23 Indigenous farm-working students, providing them with opportunities to connect with others who are facing similar life […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Make DIY ornaments at Community Clayworks
On Dec. 6 and 7, a Buellton ceramics studio is hosting its annual make-your-own holiday ornament sessions. The classes run from 2 to 4 p.m. each day at Community Clayworks and are open to participants ages 5 and older. Visitors can make four ornaments in shapes like penguins, llamas, and sugar plum fairies. Artists can […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
A Santa Ynez couple publishes a Christmas picture book
Every year in Solvang, community members gather around a giant Christmas tree for the lighting ceremony. The festivity draws from a tradition in Denmark, where people hold hands around the tree and sing. The scene is one of the very last images in Kate and Adam McHugh’s first children’s book, Ferd and the Magic Hat: […]
Posted inNews
Solvang ups pledge to Santa Ynez aquatics center
The Solvang City Council greenlit an additional $50,000 to support the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex. With the council’s Nov. 10 approval, the city’s contribution has increased to half a million dollars since June, which will be released when construction begins. The decision came after a friendly challenge from Buellton. The cities have engaged […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
An artist helps others on their cancer journeys by teaching collage classes
At around 12 years old, Kathleen McKinnon realized she wanted to be a teacher for the deaf after her church brought in a deaf congregation. But during McKinnon’s college years in Florida, when she was studying learning disabilities, she had another realization. “I was walking back to the education department, and I walked past the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Julefest traditions return to Solvang
The traditional Danish holiday celebration starts on Nov. 28 with more than a month of parades, music, lights, and more in Solvang. “Julefest’s fun festivities provide entertaining options for all ages, for our locals and our visitors, with new daytime events and extra evening magic,” Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy said in press materials. One […]
