Jane Russell—the Hollywood siren who dazzled for decades on the silver screen, and the devoted Christian, mother, and adoption advocate—died on Feb. 28 at her home in Santa Maria. She was 89. The buxom brunette first entered the public spotlight in the 1940s when she landed the role of Rio MacDonald in Howard Hughes’ controversial […]
Santa Maria’s leading lady, Jane Russell, dies
Posted inOpinion
At what age should drivers lose their driver’s license?
Derek Deleon sales associate “At 75. That seems to be the age where they start to lose their health and vision.” Ashley Frugee sales associate “There isn’t a specific age, but whenever somebody starts to lose their vision.” Greg Dorroh pizza delivery man “Depends on the person. I’ve seen some older people drive bad, but […]
Posted inNews
A cornucopia of controversy
Buellton-based organic farmer John Kiddie affably admits he’s new to the whole social media thing. “I want to make my Twitter name or whatever you call it ‘outstandinginhisfield.’ I had ‘seedsamuri,’ but I spelled samurai wrong,” Kiddie said with a sly smile, while standing in a field of leafy greens. Technology has become a valuable […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Artistic expression
How are high school years defined? Television shows them as hip, magazines paint them as beautiful. Bruce Springsteen called them the “Glory Days.” Those teenaged years are often idealized, but actual teens living through them often have a different perspective. Real teen points of view were recently brought to light through PCPA’s Arts Outreach. My […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Learn a bit about Bach
The Central Coast Music Teachers Association is sponsoring a lecture demonstration in Santa Maria on March 19 at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Charles Asche, renowned professor of music from UCSB, will present a lecture regarding the origins and pedagogical nature of Bach’s works. He’ll also share techniques of pedal use for the piano. Come to the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Fix your irises (and pupils) on these irises
Rick Tasco, noted iris hybridizer and co-owner of Superstition Iris Gardens, will give a presentation on “Historic Iris from the Eclectic Collection of Superstition Gardens,” presented by the Lompoc Valley Iris Society. The program will be held at Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church, on College Avenue and V Street in Lompoc, on March […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
An ordinary day
Martin Johnsen notices the simple things in life. Despite how it sounds, it’s not an easy task. Most people don’t actually do it, he said. Think about what’s around us every day: a gritty old sign, a crumbling building, the way the light reflects off an empty street. When Johnsen sees them, he sees art. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Shopper’s choice
I’m not allowed to go to the grocery store. Seriously. I mean, there isn’t a local city ordinance against it. I won’t be arrested by the police the moment I walk out of the store holding a bag filled with pretzels and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I’m not on an FBI watch list […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Y promotes basketball for kids
To help young children develop their basketball acumen, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA is now registering for its Rookie Sports Basketball program. The classes are intended for youth ages 3 to 6, who can practice their social, physical, and gross motor skills with a focus on fun. Classes will be offered Mondays from March 7 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Play flag football in the sand
Amateur football players from all across the Central Coast are invited to sign up for the 11th season of the 5-on-5 Pismo Beach Flag Football league. The spring/summer season starts April 3 and runs through Aug. 21, including playoffs, with games happening every other Sunday. Rosters must have at least seven players, and all teams […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ashley Spencer
Springtime is near, and with the arrival of the season comes a shift in the sports world; it’s time to break out the peanuts and Cracker Jacks while you root, root, root for the home team. The Allan Hancock College women’s softball team started play in February and will begin conference play on March 10 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The new Bulldogs
The Allan Hancock College men’s basketball team just had its most successful season in a very long time. A frustrating 1-10 start blossomed into a dream season, culminating in the Bulldogs’ first outright conference championship since 1974. After finishing last the previous year, fourth year head coach Ralph Gorton not only turned the program around, […]