It’s one of the biggest payoffs for a musician: seeing audience members having a good time and knowing it’s because of the music. In that respect, Santa Maria’s latest band has reaped many rewards in its short life. Steppin’ Out is a six-piece ensemble that’s been grooving the local dance scene with a mix of […]
New grooves
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Buttbook
My entire family, my co-workers, and all of my friends are totally immersed in Facebook. They absolutely love it and use it all day long. They update their status on an hourly basis: “Jim is enjoying a nice cup of coffee.” “Andy is at the beach.” “Susan’s monthly friend has arrived.” People love to post […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local dancers get cracking
For all the dreams of sugarplum fairies and the magic of Christmas floating around this time of year, there’s one story that has brought it all to life onstage for more than a century. The Nutcracker has remained a favorite—albeit elaborate—production for ballet troupes. Every year, little girls dream of dancing the principal roles, and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
They’ve been nice
Try as we might, there’s no denying it: Christmas looms, merry and bright, and we’ve got shopping to do. Fortunately, living in Santa Barbara County makes selecting gifts for wine and food lovers a fairly easy task, whether we’re wrapping up a special vintage or planning a wine country getaway. Universally welcome and always the […]
Posted inNews
Gotta keep ’em separated
Prompted by half a year of steady gang-related violence on city streets, public support for a gang injunction in Santa Maria is gaining steam from a small but vocal group of residents. In recent weeks, a movement spearheaded by members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps led to locals petitioning the City Council. They also […]
Posted inOpinion
Do you think Christmas starts earlier every year?
Doug Burden retired “Yeah, usually. It’s because it’s getting too commercial. I saw someone put up their Christmas lights up already; the holiday is getting to be too commercial for me.” Lily Barajas educator “Yes, I saw Christmas stuff out before Halloween.” Chad Roger student “Yeah, just because stores want to guilt us into getting […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 12.03
Local environmental education could get a boost now that the House Natural Resources Committee has voted to pass legislation to formalize and expand the Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National Literacy Grant Program. Introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), the Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act is designed to improve ocean, […]
Posted inNews
Community Notebook 12.03
TUESDAY, DEC. 8 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, suite 141, Santa Maria. Agendas are available at santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Guadalupe City Council has its regular meeting at 6 p.m. in […]
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing With Helen
Sometime after 7 p.m., one Saturday a year, the Elks Lodge on Bradley Road is filled with giddy, excited screams as 57 raffle winners of gift-laden, decorated trees are announced. The winners scream. Their friends scream. People who don’t even know them scream. What a hoot! The event this year was the 19th annual Holiday […]
Posted inNews
If Abel goes, who will take his place?
The Central Coast is on track to have one of its own in statewide office. On Nov. 23, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger named state senator and former Santa Maria mayor Abel Maldonado as lieutenant governor. As of press time, his confirmation by the Legislature was still pending. “I’m honored to take on the position of lieutenant […]
Posted inNews
Drawing the lines
A little more than a year ago, California voters narrowly approved Proposition 11, also known as the Voters FIRST Act, which changes the way the state’s legislative and Board of Equalization districts are drawn. Up until now, the state’s Senate and Assembly members have been responsible for drawing their own districts—a fact many people frowned […]
Posted inNews
Let your light shine at Marian Medical Center
For many people, the holidays are a time to gather with friends and family. Some they see every day, and others are seen on a rare basis. However, for some, loved ones have passed on. Marian Hospice will be holding an annual remembrance event, Light Up a Life, on Dec. 3 in front of Marian […]