Judy Villa knew it was something special the minute she came upon it. Walking through the aftermath at ground zero of the Whittier Fire, which burned more than 18,000 acres in 20 days, Villa knew there was something remarkable about the skinny purple blossom. “It stood all alone in the field,” she said. “I just […]
REBECCA ROSE
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Boba House will bowl you over
Don’t be shy about ringing the bell at the counter at Boba House. I’m also paranoid about coming off rude or obnoxious, like some pushy hotel patron demanding to see a manager. But really, it’s fine. The family-run business is small and the staff are usually in the back, prepping food and drinks for the […]
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The Century Room at the Santa Maria Inn echoes the landmark hotel’s attention to vintage details
As Johnny Mathis cooly croons about forgotten lovers, a teenager behind me pipes up. “Who is this singer?” he asks. I shoot a glance to the table, wondering if I need to offer my input. Next to him is an elderly gentleman who cracks a smile and chuckles. He shakes his head and we exchange […]
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PCPA’s ‘Mamma Mia!’ gives audiences all the ABBA they want and then some
When it comes to the music of 1970s super act ABBA, people either fall in one of two camps. It’s either literal ear poison that makes you want to scream until the pain stops or it is the soul-swelling soundtrack to your life that can send you soaring into another dimension where all your dreams […]
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Artist Trish Campbell featured at Flying Goat Cellars through September
Trish Campbell misses the flower fields that used to cover the lands surrounding Lompoc. The artist, whose work is on display at Flying Goat Cellars‘ tasting room in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto through Sept. 30, remembers them fondly. The lavish colors and perfectly color-blocked compositions of the fields sometimes even show up in her work, […]
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Dana Adobe seeks original work from famed local painter
The DANA Adobe Cultural Center is looking for paintings from local artist Milford Zornes and is asking residents if they have any of his work to share for an upcoming exhibit. Zornes was an original member of a movement known as the California Scene Painters, which lasted from the 1930s to the 1960s. He lived […]
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Discovery Museum presents Day at the Ranch
On Aug. 26, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum will host Day at the Ranch, a free event for children to commemorate the memory of museum benefactor R.H. Tesene. The event features opportunities for children to learn how to rope cattle, make their own custom brands, and participate in ranching-themed games. The day will also […]
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I want it that way: Melodrama’s The Mix Tape celebrates 1990s nostalgia
In 1999, I was living in Indiana and working as a part-time photographer. I had a car with a five-CD changer and I thought it was the most technologically advanced piece of equipment that had ever existed. The ’90s, my college glory days, were rolling past me and I was heading right into Y2K paranoia […]
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Wind down: Costa de Oro is the perfect spot to enjoy a pre-weekend night out
The sun is barely beginning to descend from the sky, leaving us with a blanket of warmth as a cool breeze comes up from the east. The music coming from inside the small two-story building is inviting, bouncy, and familiar as we approach. Here at Costa de Oro‘s tasting room in Santa Maria, Thursday nights […]
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Backroad rambler: Carol Simon’s work features whimsical interpretations of still life and world travel
Carol Simon admits she has a very patient husband. The artist, whose work currently can be seen at Gallery Los Olivos in a one-woman show running through Aug. 31, laughs when she talks about driving through the backroads of Europe and spotting a place she wants to sketch. “My husband is really sweet,” Simon said. […]
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Guadalupe Dunes Center hosts hike to Mussel Rock
The Dunes Center in Guadalupe will host a nature hike to Mussel Rock on Aug. 18. The park, which lies to the south of Guadalupe, includes 550-foot-high dunes along the Santa Maria River Estuary. The hike to the park will be led by Ray Segovia and will feature a mild pace with highlighted features of […]
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Santa Maria Civic Theatre holds auditions for new musical
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre is holding auditions for an upcoming production of the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors. The show will be the second production of the group’s 60th season. Roles include Seymour, Audrey, Orin, Mr. Mushnik, The Plant, and various ensemble members. Ages range from early 20s to middle-aged. Auditions will be […]