In my mind, I’m still a young, hip, cool guy, an assessment I’m sure both of my kids would quickly disagree with. Nowadays, when I look in the mirror, I don’t see my laid-back, good-looking, surfer self (another non-factual self assessment). I see some other dude, some dude with lines near his eyes and hair […]
Back inaction
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Artists Artists create a Mural in a Day
The public is invited to celebrate the Lompoc Mural Society’s 16th Mural in a Day project at a dedication ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 6, following the mural’s completion. Artists will create the mural from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the south wall of 111 1/2 South H St. The subject of this […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Community theater celebrates a milestone
Even a theater critic such as myself gets sentimental when he learns that Santa Maria Civic Theatre is celebrating its 50th season this year. I have some personal experience with the organization’s history. My first (and, thus far, only) appearance on a Santa Maria stage was in the theater’s production of the suspense thriller Veronica’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The joint is jumpin’
There are some who like it cool and those who like it hot. PCPA’s take on Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado is for the latter. It’s definitely hot. A love story at its heart, Hot Mikado balances the American swing-era style and attitude atop a Japanese setting to tell a story laced with political jabs […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Olympics got locals up and moving
Whether or not the Summer Olympics increased interest in local athletics isn’t really a question for Mike Ashmore, head coach of the Santa Maria Swim Club. “The phone has been going nuts!” he said. “Ability isn’t going to be affected by the Olympics, but there is definitely an increase in interest.” With highly publicized swimmers […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sign up now for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk is coming back to Santa Maria. The last time the walk came to town (in 2003), the event raised more than $100,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Central Coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has offices in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, including in Santa Maria. This […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
‘Take Me Fishing’ event is back for a second year
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department wants to invite boys and girls ages 6 to 12 to the second annual “Take Me Fishing” event, happening Sept. 21 at Jim May Park. The event is co-hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Sportsmen’s Association and Central Coast Salmon Enhancement. Kids can learn the basics […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the Week
Just three years ago, Rene Rodriguez, played competitive youth football for the first time. Today, at 15, he’s the quarterback for the Pioneer Valley High School junior varsity team. It’s safe to say that Rene ’s skills progressed fairly quickly. “Once he tried it, we were really proud of him, he really got it,” said […]
Posted inOpinion
The government must respect the law
When humans first came together to live in agricultural communities, the need developed for rules and laws. It became important for those early leaders, just as today, to set good examples to follow for the rest of the community. Those social rules and laws have become the glue that holds modern civilization and societies together. […]
Posted inNews
The wheels on the bus are spinning again
One way to tell that school has started up again is the addition of yellow buses on local roads and highways. On Aug. 25, Student Transportation of America (STA), the organization that manages school buses in the Santa Maria area, announced that its more than 6,000 employees are trained and ready to go back to […]
Posted inNews
AHC students: Get ready for a big ‘Bow-WOW!’
Allan Hancock College students will have something to bark about during the college’s annual Bulldog Bow-WOW! orientation event on Sept. 3 and 4. New and current students who attend the event will be able to learn about the college’s academic programs and other student services while also enjoying free music, entertainment, and food. Students will […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch
• OMG! Texting while driving has gtg, according to the California Senate, which voted 25-14 to approve a bill banning the activity on Aug. 22. Only two Republicans backed the legislation. One was Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), citing that the ban is an unnecessary infringement on personal behavior. However, supporters of the bill say […]