Erika Lethcoe is more than an average youngster. Since beginning gymnastics as a recreational sport only four months ago, she’s walked away with a stunning 10 medal awards for her hard work and dedication to the sport she’s grown to love. Lethcoe first began taking an interest in gymnastics when she was 5 years old. […]
Erica Lethcoe
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hancock baseball ranks high
As players gear up for the regular season, the Allan Hancock College baseball team is being recognized among the state’s best by opposing coaches for the first time since 2003. Following a preseason that saw the team go 7-7 against some stiff competition, the Bulldogs were rewarded with the No. 20 spot in a poll […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Everybody in the pool
The Santa Maria High School swim team’s roster listed less than 30 kids at the end of 2007. Last year was Santa Maria High’s swimming coach Caren Ray’s first time back after an eight-year hiatus. She ended the season with 78 kids on the team. This year, Ray and her coaching staff—co-coach Jamie Mcgray and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
It’s easy being green
It’s coming up fast, that day when just about everyone is, wishes they were, or might as well be Irish. Love it or hate it, St. Patrick’s Day rolls around every year about this time, offering the perfect excuse for wine with dinner, happy toasts over shot glasses brimming with Irish whiskey, or gathering with […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get money, create art
The Santa Maria Arts Council is seeking applicants for the 2009 individual grants in the arts competition in dance, drama, music, and visual arts. The council has presented more than $196,000 in grants to 306 locally trained emerging artists since 1972. In 2009, the council will present $10,000 in honor of Allan Hancock College Fine […]
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Who needs scenery?
PCPA Theaterfest will offer two productions in a stage-less play-reading format. InterPlay: The Stage Between gives audiences a chance to hear a play read aloud without the adornments of a full-fledged production. Evie’s Waltz features education and outreach director Leo Cortez as Clay, resident artist Kitty Balay Genge as Gloria, and second-year acting student Michelle […]
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Dial another day
My daughter has been literally hanging on my leg and begging me for a cell phone since the moment she popped out of the womb. Her first word wasn’t “mama” or “dada,” it was “Blackberry.” For years, I’ve continued to argue with her that there was no way she was getting a cell phone. She […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The writing on the wall
Until recently, the outer walls of the Allan Hancock College Atkinson Lifelong Learning Center were bare—a stark contrast to the colorful environment of learning, community, and creativity fostered by the program. Some of the center’s excitement began to spill outside those walls, however, drawing together a group of people and resources that would make it […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Walk amid the vines
The Central Coast landscape, with its vine-snaked hills, has inspired many local artists. The beauty of simply meandering through lush vineyard grounds awakens the senses for artists and non-artists alike. Though the landscape provides a jumping-off point for artist Marilyn Dover Benson, her flash of inspiration came in the form of a venue. Benson found […]
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Political Watch
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) recently released the latest episode in his Treasures of the Central Coast television series. The 30-minute shows give an inside look at some of the area’s most celebrated landmarks, historical sites, institutions, and industries. In the March episode, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes tour of Allan Hancock College’s Santa […]
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Community Notebook 3-5
MONDAY, MARCH 9 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, MARCH 10 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s Board […]
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Unsung heroes celebrate 50 years of giving back
United Way will commemorate its 50th year milestone at the Elks Lodge in Santa Maria on March 19, when past board presidents and campaign chairs will be honored. The dedicated volunteers have given their time, talent, and resources to meet the needs of local communities. All members, past or present, are invited to participate. United […]