The holidays at my house are an international affair. I plan my shopping, baking, decorating, and gifts with the kind of precision that went into the Yalta Conference. I, of course, represent President Roosevelt, the American contingent. I replace Stalin with stollen—sweeter, nicer, and far more palatable—and my husband is Sir Winston Churchill, cigar and […]
Cookies and latkes and Brits, oh my!
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Check out best-dressed homes
The city of Santa Maria announced the winners of this year’s Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights program. Recreation and Parks staff pre-judged entries, and then the Recreation and Parks Commission’s Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Committee determined the final award winners. The Grand Prize winners include: • Best Decorated Residence within four City quadrants: Jose […]
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Photography fills the C Gallery
The C Gallery is having its first all-photography show. The exhibit, called “Road Trip,” will be curated by photographer, teacher, and author Kam Jacoby. Photographers are invited to submit work relating to the theme. The show is set to open Jan. 21. There’s an entry fee of $20 for the first submission and $5 for […]
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See Rittenberg’s display at Los Olivos Cafe
Jean Rittenberg’s paintings are showing through Feb. 10 at the Los Olivos Cafe, 2870 Grand Ave., in Los Olivos. Rittenberg is an active member of the Artists Guild of the Santa Ynez Valley, whose work is often on view in the Guild Room at Gallery Los Olivos. A reception for the artist will be held […]
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Made you look!
Mark Velasquez was just 13 when he first encountered the obstacle that would make his artistic career the frustrating, delicious thing it is today: He was unabashedly fascinated by the human figure. The young Velasquez had asked his mother for a book by artist Boris Vallejo, whose highly photorealistic depictions of ripplingly muscled men and […]
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Out to sea
Shortly before Christmas, Santa Ynez Valley artist Ron Guthrie will deploy with the U.S. Coast Guard. His job will be a little different from that of typical personnel, though, as he’s tasked with bringing along a camera and his artistic eye to document his trip. Guthrie will be traveling on the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton […]
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What’s on Deck?
Thursday, Dec. 15 Boys’ Basketball Nipomo @ Morro Bay 5 p.m. Templeton @ Lompoc 6 p.m. Boys’ Soccer Santa Ynez @ Santa Barbara 5 p.m. Cabrillo @ Lompoc 7 p.m. Girls’ Basketball Lompoc @ Templeton 6:30 p.m. Morro Bay @ Nipomo 6:30 p.m. Girls’ Soccer Cabrillo @ Lompoc 3:30 p.m. Santa Barbara @ Santa Ynez […]
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Lace up those basketball shoes
Basketball players ages 18 and up have until Jan. 12 to register for the city of Santa Maria’s Adult Basketball League. Games are five-on-five and league play begins on Jan. 27, with men’s and co-ed divisions offered. Players must be able to suit up Monday through Friday for the 10-week season. Fees are $252 for […]
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On the roster
• Winter Break Camp: The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s Winter Camp for children ages 6 to 12 will be held at the Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Dr., from Dec. 19 through Jan. 13, 2012. The fee is $75 per week for each child, based on a full day from 7:30 a.m. […]
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Set and spike with a city volleyball league
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is looking for men and women to participate in the city’s six-on-six adult volleyball league, which begins play on Jan. 29. Games will be held at various city gyms over 10 weeks. Men’s and women’s divisions play on Sundays; co-ed divisions on Wednesdays. Fees are $152 for resident […]
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The Bleacher Bum Chronicles Vol. XXI
Time is running out. The shopping days are counting down like the final minutes of a deciding playoff game. The outcome is in your hands. Will you pull out a game-winning gift or choke in the clutch? Wipe that sweat off your brow and take a breather, Buyer, because the Bleacher Bum is here to […]
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Luke Branquinho
Now it can be told: Los Alamos’ Luke Branquinho truly has a handle on the sport of steer wrestling. Competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the 10th time since 2001, Branquinho won his third world championship at the 10-day professional rodeo event in Las Vegas, which concluded on Dec. 10. “It’s been the […]