Wanted: Volunteers to cuddle babies, play with puppies, and taste ice cream. Looking for volunteer opportunities? You won’t find that ad—not in real life, anyway. Then again, you probably won’t see one detailing the true work behind an opportunity: Wanted: Someone to wash 20 loads of laundry, mop poopy kennels, and rake dirt. For free. […]
SHELLY CONE
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Book smarts
With the help of Chinese schoolchildren, a local reverend writes a book to raise funds for orphans
Having grown up during the Depression, Rev. Robert Wedaa remembers what it was like to be poor: putting cardboard in his shoes when they wore down and never having as much food on the table as his family would have liked. His experiences, like those of many other members of his generation, were harsh back […]
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Long days
Arizona band Decker rocks Lompoc in support of its freshman release of gritty acoustic rock songs
Creative types have long been drawn to Sedona, Ariz., for inspiration. Perhaps it’s the beautiful red rock formations glowing orange in the sun that set the backdrop for creative thought. Or maybe it’s the spiritual aspect that some claim surrounds the area. Or maybe it’s a little more vague than that. Brandon Decker headed to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The best medicine
Bring on the levity by enrolling in Laughter Yoga
When he first experienced Laughter Yoga, Bill Alarid couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He wasn’t surprised at the concept itself, but rather the effect it had on the participants and the way it seemed to be so infectious. Once someone started, the laughter literally spread to everyone in the room. “I was just amazed […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Music students hit a high note
The Central Coast Music Teachers Association recently held its 20th annual fall auditions. Out of a total of 35 participating students, 23 received the highest rating of “5,” qualifying them to play at the CAPMT Northern Festival in Danville on Jan. 23, 2010, or at the upcoming CAPMT conference on Feb. 6, 2010, in the […]
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Daytripper: Santa Barbara and Solvang
Honeymoon-type romance isn’t far from home
Having a wedding anniversary in the middle of the holidays isn’t ideal, but it was definitely planned. As with most of the things my husband and I plan in our lives, however, it doesn’t make much sense. The holidays are the busiest time of the year—what with travel and shopping and planning—and this year, in […]
Posted inNews
Christmas for baby
When buying for little ones, basic is best
Buying for babies may seem like one of the easiest gift assignments. After all, they won’t express displeasure with the item, they won’t return or re-gift it, and the mere act of tearing into wrapping paper primes them for what’s inside. Baby gifts do, however, take some thought. There are concerns about age appropriateness, and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nouns on display
Franczeska Bobi Angel presents People, Places, and Things at Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall Gallery, 421 S. McClelland St., Jan. 4 through 29 during normal library hours. For more information, call 925-0994.
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Book it to the shop
Pastor Bob Wedaa is releasing his second book illustrated by Chinese school children, When I was a Little Boy I Played in a Hayloft, and will hold a signing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the Bookworm, 230 Betteravia Road. For more information, visit tmihope.org. Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get ready to laugh
Bill Alarid will present Laughter Yoga Sessions at the Luis Oasis Senior Center beginning Jan. 8 in the Main Hall at 420 Soares Ave., Old Orcutt. To sign up, call 937-9750. For more information, call Alarid at 925-3216
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Artists come together
Artists and people passionate about the arts are invited to get together to discuss and identify issues facing the arts in the Santa Maria Valley. A meeting will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Shepard Hall Gallery in the Santa Maria Public Library. Organizers hope to hear from a diverse […]