Spend the day on Orcutt Hill and be a part of history at the Santa Maria Valley Open Space’s first-ever “Orcutt Trailpaloosa” fundraiser on April 21. The event kicks off at 8 a.m. when the Open Space group opens the first multi-use trail system in the Santa Maria Valley at the Orcutt Community Park on […]
All-day festival to mark Orcutt trail opening
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week: Hunter Walker, Righetti
The Sun spoke to Righetti High School’s Hunter Walker as he laced up his kicks in preparation for taking on the area’s best basketball players at the Kiwanis Central Coast All-Star Basketball Spectacular on March 31. Walker has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember, but it wasn’t until junior high, after […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Weighted numbers
Are Santa Marians getting skinnier? The answer appears to be yes—if you’re to believe a Gallup-Healthways obesity survey released in March. In fact, the survey ranks Santa Maria, when combined with Santa Barbara and Goleta, as one of the “skinniest” metro areas in the country for 2011. At 16.4 percent, the region is the fifth-least […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
An honored band
He glitz and glamour that Hollywood has pumped up around the idea of a rock’n’roll band has hardly ever been accurate. Late nights, heavy equipment, and lots of driving come with the professional lifestyle. But, as is the case with the local Mean Gene Band, all the toil is worthwhile for the time on the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
God help this woman
You know there’s trouble brewing when you come into the house and hear these words: “Oh my God, what were you thinking? She’s going to kill you!” Spoken by my grandson, the Britween, to my husband, the Brit, they hold ominous portent, especially when followed by the Brit’s utterance that can only mean total mayhem […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Bring on the strings
The Santa Maria Philharmonic will present its fourth subscription concert of the 2011-2012 season at 7:30 on April 28 at Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy Lane. This concert primarily features the members of the string section of the orchestra. The repertoire spans the early years of the 17th century to the middle of the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA to present Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s most popular romantic tragedy, plays in the Marian Theatre April 19 through May 13. It’s a timeless story of young passions caught between the feuding families of Capulet and Montague. Director Patricia M. Troxel said the excitement of this production lies in the “radical” choice of setting the play in the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Civic Theatre ends season with Battle
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre ends its 53rd season with the comedy Battle of Shallowford, the last play of the 2011-2012 season. Written by Ed Simpson and directed by Richard Dresp, the show runs April 27 and 28, May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19. All performances are at 8 p.m. at the theater […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Creating buzz
Jewelry often makes a statement, but jewelry by artist James Cleland tells a story. Using metals, gems, and intricate overlay, Cleland sets his work apart with his forging, piercing, and hand-engraving techniques. He crafts ornate designs inspired by natural forms combined with elements from his Irish and Scottish heritage, Celtic art, and Japanese symbolism to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The chair affair
Part of what makes reading a good book a pleasurable experience is finding a good place to read it. Santa Maria Valley artists have created unique chairs to add flair to a cozy nook or quiet corner, helping to create the perfect reading place. A lower-level storefront in the Santa Maria Town Center contains dozens […]
Posted inOpinion
Politics pays
Tupac said it best: California knows how to party. We’ve got beaches, wineries, ski resorts, and all sorts of delicious fruit. Our movies have the biggest stars and the loudest explosions. We live large, so it’s no wonder our state legislators are the highest paid in the nation, according to a recent report in The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Rhône rendezvous
I credit Hospice du Rhône for introducing me to some of the most memorable wines I have ever had the thrill to taste: A luscious lineup of Rhône wines from France’s exceptional E. Guigal Winery, including an exquisite Condrieu Viognier. Alban Vineyards’ intensely intriguing Reva Syrah (we were so intrigued, my youngest daughter was given […]