The sleepy town of Guadalupe takes up barely a mile and a half of Highway 1, right up to the Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo county line. Most of Guadalupe’s attractions are available on the main drag, so the town is perfect for an afternoon stroll. Restaurants, stores, and several cultural institutions make the small but […]
Arts
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County offers rebates to locals with water-wise gardens
Thanks to a federal grant, the Santa Barbara County Water Agency has announced that more county residents are now eligible to apply for rebates to subsidize certain costs tied to renovating drought tolerant lawns and gardens. The rebates include water-wise improvements such as switching to drip irrigation, turf removal, water-wise plants, applying mulch, and other […]
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Dana Adobe holds Las Posadas celebration
The Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos is holding a Mexican Christmas celebration, the Las Posadas, on Dec. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the historic adobe house in Nipomo. The word posada means “inn” or “shelter,” and the celebration sets out to recreate Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. A local youth choir […]
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Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation receives art award from county Arts Commission
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors recognized the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation at the Dec. 2 meeting with a resolution acknowledging the foundation as the recipient of the 2014 Leadership in the Arts Award. The Leadership in the Arts Award was established in 2006 by the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, which has received […]
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Central City Swing to perform big band Christmas
The Central City Big Band is performing a concert of holiday music arranged for the big band jazz orchestra on Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The 17-piece ensemble is led by local jazz master Bob Swayze and will feature vocalist Michelle Swanson and leap trumpeter Mitch Latting. The concert doesn’t require admission, but the group […]
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Stroll through Orcutt
The Old Orcutt Merchants Association welcomes the community to join the first annual Old Orcutt Holiday Stroll, which includes music, refreshments, decorations, a Christmas tree lighting, shopping and dining specials, and a visit from Santa Claus on Dec. 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. in Old Orcutt. More information is available at 937-6767.
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Kids and teens alike can craft gifts with two hands
The pressure of providing an awesome holiday-time gift to friends and family isn’t helped by the usual problems of youth. Without much funds, supplies, or transport other than those provided by parents, kids are hard-pressed to surprise their progenitors with a thoughtful gift. Thankfully, there are several chances for young people to handcraft some unique […]
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Local artists offer a way to preserve your pet’s memory without photographs
Pets are family, and much like we do for family, we tend to take photographs to preserve the precious moments with our pets. But photos, even framed, might seem a little cliché these days. For those who are looking for a more artsy alternative, pet portraits may be the way to go. Marilyn Benson, acrylic […]
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Santa Maria offers a shoppers trolley for the holidays
The city of Santa Maria is unveiling the new Downtown Trolley during the holiday season, starting on Dec. 7 and offering a shuttle service between several major Santa Maria shopping centers. The 28-passenger trolley is being introduced to the city as the Holiday Shopping Shuttle, which locals can ride for 25 cents, or 10 cents […]
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Join Santa Maria for its tree lighting
The city of Santa Maria is inviting local families out to the third annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5. The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department along with The People for Leisure and Youth Inc. (PLAY Inc.) will provide cocoa and cookies and even welcomes Christmas carolers to the event. Local cancer survivor […]
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Library offers holiday songfest
The Santa Maria Public Library is offering a live concert by Craig Newton, who will bring his stash of instruments for a Holiday Songfest. The concert will include sing-a-longs, audience participation, and holiday music from different cultures. The show is open to children ages 5 and above. Newton’s songfest happens Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. […]
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Lompoc Theatre Project holds a fundraiser
The Lompoc Theatre Project will hold a fundraiser event on Dec. 12 and present a preview of the future plans for the old theater. The event will include Montemar wines paired with fire-cooked pizzas by John Martinez to accompany a presentation by Mark Herrier, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, who will speak about […]