The 16th annual Morro Bay Bird Festival is held for four days over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend every year, drawing nearly 500 birders (yes, that is a word) from all over the country to Morro Bay, a globally important birding area. Registration for the entire four days is $75 and includes access to more […]
Watch and listen
Posted inOpinion
Let love, not hate, prevail
My name is Mohammad Mohabbat and I’m the author of the internationally selling book “My Name is Mohammad,” which is a heart-wrenching story of my life. I have been working diligently for decades to bring people of the world together and not allow just a few misguided individuals to pit us against each other. My […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A love story
A new ray of sunshine is radiating from the old California town of Los Alamos. Her name is Sonja. Sonja Magdevski, of Malibu. The blonde beauty opened a charming wine tasting room in a prime location in downtown Los Alamos a month ago, and the townsfolk have lovingly taken her under their collective wing ever […]
Posted inNews
A cinephile’s paradise
For a relatively little town, Santa Barbara takes its films very seriously. In addition to boasting an impressive lineup of selections ranging from regional to international, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, now in its 27th year, will also host 37 American and 16 world premieres—among them Darling Companion, starring Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline, […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness will be celebrating the grand opening of its new 24-hour gym on Jan. 28, and lots of Old Town Orcutt business merchants are pitching in with free food and prizes to make it a grand day for the entire community. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will offer something […]
Posted inOpinion
What do you do in your spare time?
Steven Garcia sales “I go to shows where my friend’s band, The Mighty Fine, is playing.” Tamara Hooker radiation protection tech “I like to scrapbook. I like to cook.” Brian Hooker radiation protection tech “I love to hunt and fish. And I like to eat.” Yohan Silva Caregiver for mentally handicapped “I like to socialize, […]
Posted inNews
Power Lunch, Book 1: First Course, recommended for all ages 9 to 13
Joey has a secret, one that’s prompted several moves to new towns, new schools: He has superpowers. Sometimes. As long as he sticks to an all-white diet—milk, tofu, eggs without the yolks, unbruised bananas—he stays normal. But if he eats trail mix, he gets a burst of amazing speed. If he drinks fruit punch, his […]
Posted inNews
How animals spend the winter
During winter, most of us keep warm by bundling up and staying indoors. Do you ever wonder how animals spend the winter? Some animals—like geese, bats, caribou, elk, and whales—migrate to warmer weather. Whales have even been spotted traveling south this week near our coastline! Check out Santa Barbara whale-watching tours to watch the migration […]
Posted inNews
Spring registration is still open at Hancock
Planning to take a spring credit class at Allan Hancock College? Register online at hancockcollege.edu through Jan. 27. Classes begin the week of Jan. 23. New students and those without a user name and password must apply for admission to the college before registering for classes. Access to the online admission application is also available […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria-Bonita GATE students end their winter break with a special workshop
The pounding of tribal drums resonated through the air at Tommie Kunst Junior High School on Jan. 11. Inside the school’s gymnasium, several hundred students craned their necks or stood on tiptoe to catch a glimpse of the frightening, golden-headed dragon prowling in front of the stage. The performance by Los Angeles-based Japanese Taiko drummers […]
Posted inNews
Come together, right now
Going through Alzheimer’s can be a lonely, frightening ordeal for people afflicted with the disease, as well as the families and caregivers who are responsible for around-the-clock care that can last up to a decade or more. Stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can lead to social isolation for both patients […]
Posted inNews
Nurse of all trades
Almost everyone knows how important teachers are to education, but there are plenty of other people working to make sure our children develop into well-informed citizens. There are parents and other family members, child-care providers, tutors, and community volunteers. And there are countless other individuals supporting children from behind the scenes at local schools—such as […]