SHELLY CONE, Author at Santa Maria Sun

The 99 percent

Santa Barbara County imports nearly all the food it consumes, and some organizations are taking action to change that

by SHELLY CONE August 9, 2012October 11, 2024

Santa Barbara County is an abundant agricultural area. Emerald green carpets of vegetables stretch out from the highways, dotted by plump strawberries like clusters of rubies in the sun. To the visitor, it’s a foodie paradise full of farm-fresh, just-picked healthy fare, but the truth is that Santa Barbara County in general eats weeks-old travel-weary […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Back to school

At what point do your former classmates change? Hopefully never

by SHELLY CONE August 8, 2012March 20, 2024

Last weekend was my high school reunion. I grabbed a slinky black and silver sparkly dress I wore only once before and a pair of dangly earrings. Slipping into a pair of sky-high platforms, I wobbled over to my poor excuse for a full-length mirror. The reflection wasn’t so bad. In fact, at the time, […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Tuesdays with Marti

The latest exhibition at the Santa Maria Public Library dives into watercolor

by SHELLY CONE August 8, 2012September 25, 2023

The Santa Maria Library has played host to a variety of artistic expression on display. This month at the library, visitors can be immersed in a watercolor world. Coordinated by instructor Marti Fast, “Tuesday’s with Marti” is an exhibition by watercolor students from Allan Hancock College. The students, under the instruction of Fast, have a […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Spend time with Daddy

PCPA’s production of Daddy Long Legs is a winner

by SHELLY CONE August 8, 2012August 17, 2023

One of the basic rules of writing is “show, don’t tell” when engaging a reader in a story. This rules seems logical—not to mention easy—when it comes to writing a play. After all, it is a show. When a play is about a writer, however, and the plot revolves around letters, it might be best […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Brushes at high noon

The annual Los Olivos Quick Draw art competition determines who’s the fastest draw

by SHELLY CONE August 2, 2012August 17, 2023

One day a year for 26 years, artists have been strutting into Los Olivos and proving their quickness on the draw—drawing board that is. They converge on the tiny wine and art town for the annual Los Olivos Quick Draw and Art Auction. In the warm Los Olivos air, in plain sight of onlookers, artists […]

Music, Arts & Culture

The last dance

The Obon Festival offers Japanese cultural immersion, but it may soon be gone

by SHELLY CONE July 25, 2012April 12, 2023

A day trip to Japan? It’s literally not feasible, of course, but you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture for a day at the Obon Festival in Santa Maria. Bon Odori refers to the dance that honors people who have passed away in the last year. It’s most often referred to simply as Obon. The […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Ambition explosion

Lompoc Civic Theatre presents its first musical since 2008

by SHELLY CONE July 25, 2012May 13, 2023

Before Jonathan Larson created the hit RENT, he put together a musical autobiography that delves into the life decisions everyone faces in one way or another. In the play, Larson is living a Bohemian lifestyle in a tiny apartment in early 1990s SoHo New York City. It’s a week before his 30th birthday, and Larson […]

News

City releases bike trail map for summer recreation

by SHELLY CONE July 25, 2012March 2, 2025

School is out, and summertime is in full swing, and that means more bicyclists and pedestrians are on the road taking advantage of the mild and sunny outside weather. In light of this, the city of Santa Maria and People for Leisure and Youth have released a bike and pedestrian trail map along with some […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Empty Bowls fill bellies

Organizers of the Foodbank’s annual fundraiser are seeking bowls for this year’s event

by SHELLY CONE July 19, 2012August 17, 2023

They may be empty, but the artfully crafted bowls featured at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s annual Empty Bowls event go a long way toward feeding the hungry. This year, however, those bowls are coming up short. Organizers need 200 to 300 more bowls by Oct. 24. For a $25 donation, attendees get a […]

Music, Arts & Culture

Children wanted

Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland invites children to participate in the whimsy

by SHELLY CONE July 19, 2012August 17, 2023

Live theater can be an exciting experience. The costumes, characters, and sets can take the audience to another world, a journey that can be especially exciting for children. Think live theater isn’t for someone so young? There’s a cast of characters at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre that disagrees. In fact, every summer, the cast […]

Music, Arts & Culture

To lie or not to lie?

Is it wiser to lie to a child or expose the heart-wrenching truth?

by SHELLY CONE July 12, 2012August 17, 2023

With parenting comes a heady sense of power and subsequently lots of responsibility. You have the power to shape young minds, but what I’m really talking about is using that power responsibly. That means knowing how and when to deceive your kids. Recently, I’ve had to grapple with the moral dilemma posed by that very […]

Music, Arts & Culture

One night with Jacques

Gale McNeeley and company present an evening to remember with the music of Jacques Brel

by SHELLY CONE July 12, 2012April 12, 2023

Singer and performer Gale McNeeley believes there are times for entertainment as escapism and other times when entertainment should allow an audience to address life and all the wonderful, sad, joyous, heart-wrenching emotions it involves. With his latest show, A Jacques Brel Cabaret, he aims to run people through emotions they often don’t want to […]