I’m with Mike Stoker on this: We have got to break the circle of government employee union dues going to finance the campaigns of politicians. The politicians award the employees grandly with wages and benefits. The taxpayers pay the bills. There have been lots of assertions about the public employees’ work schedules being shorter than […]
How do Santa Barbara and SLO counties compare?
Posted inOpinion
Fight back, now: It’s urgent
I had my “I’m mad and I’m not gonna take it anymore!” moment last week. The day had started with a high purpose: Representatives from the world’s governments, along with members of non-governmental organizations and global researchers, were meeting at the United Nations to discuss their country’s progress toward eliminating gender inequality. At one session, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc will see low-speed autocross
The Vapor Trail Vettes are holding a low-speed autocross event on March 26 at the Allan Hancock College campus in Lompoc. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. All makes and models of cars are welcome. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Vapor […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
All-star seniors to shine on the court
Senior high school basketball stars from Northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County will show their stuff at the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria Valley’s 21st annual Central Coast All-Star Basketball Spectacular on March 27. The girls’ game takes place at 3 p.m., with the boys hitting the court at 5 p.m. inside […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Liftoff, we have liftoff
Exit the Ruff Rollerz, and enter the Rocketeer Rollers. Last summer, Santa Maria came face to face with the spectacle of roller derby, with the Ruff Rollerz drawing raucous crowds to the Fairpark’s indoor flat track on a regular basis. However, issues with team management caused a rift among the players, and organizers walked away […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sean Hollinshead
When Sean Hollinshead, 11, isn’t at KT’s All-Star Gym, he can be seen walking around his house on his hands. “He just learned how to run up a wall and then do a back flip,” said John Hollinshead, Sean’s father. “He flips whenever he can.” Sean is in his first season of gymnastics, but he’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Still searching for talent
Final auditions for Santa Maria Has Talent will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 12 at Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Road in Orcutt. Santa Maria Has Talent is sponsored by Santa Maria Rotary Club South. The top act will win the Coast Hills $1,000 Talent Award. For more information, call 937-8910.
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get hooked
It doesn’t take a professional production to present a powerful message through theater. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from a troupe of real people telling a story to which they can deeply relate. That’s the method behind the Poetic Justice Project, which explores prison culture, the choices prisoners and staffers make to survive, and the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Art wins at the library
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will host its seventh annual Lompoc Empty Bowls fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building at 100 E. Locust Ave. in Lompoc. The annual event is a special Foodbank-sponsored gathering where, for a donation of $20, attendees choose a handcrafted ceramic bowl, enjoy a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Historical Society loses funds
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center will present a hike to Coreopsis Hill led by Jenny Langford, Lauren Brown, and Dirk Walters of the California Native Plant Society. The hike will begin at 9 a.m. and will be a casual walk through the National Wildlife Refuge to the top of Coreopsis Hill. The moderate to strenuous hike […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Back to her roots
Yulianna Zinovieva is gearing up for a couple of live performances in Los Angeles before bringing her act to Santa Maria. It’s a good thing she has those two dates to “break the ice,” she said, because it’s been two years since she’s performed live, having been wrapped up in recording. “It’s kind of good […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Give a little, sip a little
Santa Barbara County’s winemakers come from a dazzling diversity of backgrounds. Despite their differences, however, they share a generous streak that compels them to step up in support of worthy causes. The members of the local wine community regularly lend a helping hand to both regional and international charities. From the global good works of […]
