Tony Vincent wants to provide a legacy for his family. He’s already built a house on the land he bought in the Los Olivos area. It took eight months. When he started the house, he also began a winery and tasting room. Two years have passed, and Vincent is still trying to wade his way […]
If you’ll permit me
Posted inNews
Nicholas Bendle is sentenced to life in a state mental hospital
The Santa Maria resident convicted of murdering an elderly man with a hatchet two years ago has been sentenced to life in a state mental health institution. On Nov. 28, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Edward Bullard sentenced Nicholas Bendle, 22, to Patton State Hospital, where he could remain for the rest of his […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc Chamber seeks stakeholder input on tourism
Attracting non-resident pleasure seekers to the Lompoc Valley for a day’s worth of recreational activities isn’t a particularly hard thing to do, by most accounts. The hard part—and an integral piece in the puzzle of Lompoc’s revitalization efforts—is encouraging those tourism dollars to stick around for that second, or even third day, according to some […]
Posted inNews
Judge considers alternate release sites for a sex offender
A Placer County Superior Court judge is reconsidering his plan to release a soon-to-be-paroled sex offender into Santa Maria, after a sustained fight by city officials. On Dec. 5, Judge James D. Garbolino found that “extraordinary circumstances” existed in the case of Tibor Karsai, 58, who was convicted in 1980 of kidnapping and raping a […]
Posted inNews
City officials mull a quarter-cent tax to pay for public safety improvements
Over the next few weeks, Santa Maria city staff members—including Police Chief Dan Macagni and Fire Chief Jeff Jones—are expected to hold a series of community presentations to discuss potential funding options for the city’s public safety departments. Officials want to hear more from residents before recommending the City Council vote to place a quarter-cent […]
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Not home for the holidays
This Christmas, 17-year-old Jennie* will spend the day at the same place she did last year: in a room surrounded by a few of her favorite possessions and with strangers who have become her new family. Like many of the other girls in the Changing Faces group home, she will never have another typical childhood […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s the next book on your reading list?
Tom Balogh library page “Micro by Michael Crichton. I’ll pick an author and read all their books. It’s his turn.” Diane Abbott author “Living a Life of Fire by Rinehard Bonnke, a German evangelist minister. It’s explosive. It would knock your socks off.” David Dube retired “Anything by Tom Clancy that I haven’t read yet. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ladies in harmony
Sweet Adelines International, founded in 1945, is a global organization of women who enjoy singing in the four-part barbershop style. Any group of women vocalists may apply to open a chapter and start a chorus, just like was done in 1970 by the Flower Valley Chorus in Lompoc, which has since expanded and is now […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Catch the work of Renee Miranda
Experience the photography of Renee D. Miranda at an exhibit of her work at the South Side Coffee Company. The images will be displayed Dec. 1 through 31. A reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, at South Side Coffee Company from 3 to 5 p.m. The event is free and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sing a song
In association with the Lucia Mar Adult Education District and the Nipomo Recreation Department, Natasha Yufe’s singing classes will present their annual recital of various musical selections on Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road. Judge Jed Beebe will be the featured guest artist, performing violin favorites and joining […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Jazz up the holiday
The Hancock College Jazz Ensemble will host its fall concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road in Orcutt. Under the direction of Chuck Osborne, the group will present jazz and holiday favorites by George and Ira Gershwin, Henry Mancini, Mel Torme, and others. Musical numbers will […]