Street Wise

Jeff Brubaker transportation planner “[Enforce] slower auto speeds and make it more comfortable for walking and cycling.” Eve Southworth teacher “Bike lanes.” Rozairo Miralles design engineer “It needs more stores for sure. It looks kind of gloomy right now.” Cara Meche graduate student “What I really want to see is more local independent shops.”

Yesenia Nava student “I like to take photos of flowers because they’re very pretty.” Jose Nava dad “I like taking photos of nature, mountains. Especially mountains. I like hiking, backpacking, when I’m out there trying to get away from everything.” Kevin Murdock dad/husband “My kids, mainly. I like closeups of animals and insects and things […]

Doug Dougherty executive director of Oasis “Mine is an India pale ale. I like the range and different flavors of hops. There are a lot varieties.” Gloria Vanhirtum hospitality “Mine is lager, personally. It’s perfect for people who don’t want anything heavy.” Mason Frakes realtor “That’s an awful question. I’d probably go with India pale […]

Pixie Thorpe hardware store clerk “Something where people can come out and enjoy the art that helps a good cause is important. Plus, there’s so much talent to see.” Emory LeClair student “You can come and have fun and you get to see and create things you don’t see every day.” Nicole Johnson student “I […]

Kristina Pettit insurance “My mom used to take us to PCPA when we were kids, and I still remember how it’s just a really amazing experience.” Mandy Walker insurance “It brings people together, and it’s something good to do with our families.” David Gonzalez thespian “You get to see the local players.” Candyce Columbus thespian […]

Josue Guedes student “Philosophy, because I like meaning. I like to understand what’s meaningful in life.” Ashley Belaney student “I’m studying to become a correction officer. I’ve just always been interested in it.” Elias Hunter student “Currently, I’m studying kinesiology, but I’m changing my major in the spring semester to astronomy because it interests me […]

Danielle Taylor musician “I like a delicious rosé.” Brian Kimble musician “Pinot noir.” Jerry Rucks electrician “Chardonnay.” Elisha Partin assistant tasting room manager “Riverbench’s 2015 rosé; it’s the perfect picnic wine.”

George Mantoura jewelry designer “My wife. The seasoning, it’s incredible. I’m not entirely sure what’s in it, but it makes me run home for food.” Melissa Savage front desk manager at the Santa Maria Inn “It has to be the Century Room at the Historic Santa Maria Inn. They’re going to think I’m plugging it […]

Chris Cucchiara realtor “I think supporting small businesses more and supporting each other a lot more.” Josh Caballero entrepreneur “I would say making water supplies easier to get out there. A lot of people I talk to have trouble getting water, so I think that would help a lot.” Humberto Tirado truck driver “They need […]

Jaclyn Vierra Santa Maria “In my backyard.” Mike Johnson Santa Maria “The top of the grade, going north of San Luis [Obispo] toward Atascadero. I’ve gone in the past for meteor showers. If the eclipse makes the tide super low, I’d go check out the tide pools.” Carlos Boquin Santa Maria “I’d like to see […]

Melissa Garia employee at wine tasting room “Using fresh ingredients and good quality food is a big thing.” Amanda Marsh owner of Cali Love Wine “You need a lot of wine! Also, trying new things and being adventurous is important.” Cassandra Wilson wine club manager “Creativity and passion are the most important things.” Scott Sampler […]

Yzelle Fonscca employee at Macy’s “The weather.” Chris Andrade employee at Smart Phone Fix “The barbecue.” Ken Guge owner of Leisure Time Games “Leisure Time Games in the Santa Maria Town Center mall.” Nate Landwehr student at Del Mar Elementary “The mall and the movie theater in the mall.”