Self-advocacy is something that many folks on the Central Coast probably don’t think about on a daily basis. But for some adults, both young and old, the need to not only be treated as an equal, but also to have a quality of life that’s equal to everyone around them, presents itself on a daily […]
People with disabilities advocate for their rights on the Central Coast
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KCOY and KKFX will see more changes in ownership
On Sept. 23, News-Press & Gazette Company announced, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission, the purchase of KKFX/FOX11 in San Luis Obispo and the CBS and Telemundo news affiliates in Monterey from Cowles California Media Company. The two companies have also agreed to co-own KCOY-TV, the CBS news affiliate in Santa Maria. According to […]
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Santa Barbara County’s poverty rate is higher than the national average
New census data released on Sept. 19 by the American Community Survey showed the poverty rate in Santa Barbara County at 16.3 percent for 2012, while the official poverty rate for the nation is at 15 percent. The city of Santa Maria’s poverty rate stands even higher than the county’s at 23.5 percent. The census […]
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Villalpando is ordered to pay restitution to one of his victims
A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has ordered former St. Joseph High School student Shane Villalpando to pay more than $36,000 in restitution to one of his victims and her family. A jury convicted Villalpando in July of three felony counts of unlawful sex with a minor. He was sentenced to one year in […]
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Mission ride brings history to life at the Dana Adobe
The late San Luis Obispo County supervisor Paul Teixeira loved visiting the Dana Adobe. Debbie Gleason, legislative assistant for Teixeira’s 4th district, said he used to tell her how magical the adobe was, how he could always feel the history when he visited. On Sept. 20, she finally understood why. Gleason stood in the cupola, […]
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Spotlight on: Wild West Pizza and Grill
Hanging on the wall at Wild West Pizza and Grill in Lompoc is an autographed photo of Stuart Whitman. Best known for playing Marshal Jim Crown in the 1960s TV Western Cimarron Strip, Whitman also owns the shopping center in which the restaurant is located. “When he found out it was going to have a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Library calls for artists
The Friends of the Santa Maria Library are preparing the third annual Drop Everything and Read Painted Chair Event, which features chairs painted by local artists and benefits the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library. The Friends of the Santa Maria Library will be giving away a number of paintable chairs to local artists […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Last chance to join Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has extended its application deadlines for the 2013 Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival activities and attractions. Commercial vendor/food both, nonprofit booth, and arts and crafts vendor booth applications are being accepted through Sept. 30. Applications for entering the fine art show are also due Sept. 30. The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Tony Piazza explores mystery in the Golden Age of cinema
Read the first chapter of the book The early 1930s are often romanticized as the Golden Age of cinema, specifically in Hollywood. Though the bourgeoning motion picture industry ensured that the Depression didn’t hit so hard in the City of Angels, things weren’t always so golden in Hollywood. Local author Tony Piazza—with the help of […]
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Ian M. Hassett Foundation supports emerging local artists
Ian Hassett was just a young man when he was given his cancer diagnosis. Though he always remained hopeful, he was also realistic, his mother Stefanie Hassett explained. He sought to use his time well, engaging in the creative outlets he grew up enjoying and branching into new ones. “He handled his diagnosis so gracefully; […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Santa Maria Winds have a special ‘Rendezvous’ concert
With the help of several large donations and a wealth of community support, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is back in the game of providing quality live music to Santa Marians. The society originally canceled its season subscription concert this year due to a lack of funds, but now a smaller two-show series has been […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Many Adventures of Pita and Huha
Both of my kids are teenagers in high school, which means it takes a fair amount of patience on my part not to end their lives on a daily basis. I find this awkward point in my children’s development sort of ironic because I worked so hard during the first part of their lives to […]
