Neither rain nor sleet nor snow has kept one local photographer—usually armed with a camera everywhere he goes—from adding to his body of work on a near daily basis. The Santa Maria Riverbed was one of Central Coast resident Lee-Volker Cox’s recent subjects, which he documented after the January rainfall, while a new solo exhibit […]
Searching for Snow exhibit highlights icy photographs by Lee-Volker Cox
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cypress Gallery holds new photo exhibit, The Quest for Hidden Gems of California
The Lompoc Valley Art Association presents The Quest for Hidden Gems of California, a new photography exhibition set to premiere at the Cypress Gallery on Thursday, Feb. 2, and remain on display through Tuesday, Feb. 28. An opening reception for the show will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. This […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Chumash Casino Resort presents Paul Anka live in concert
On Saturday, Feb. 11, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka will perform at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. Tickets to the concert, which will start at 8 p.m., range between $79 and $139. In 1956, Anka was 15 years old when he released his first single, “Blau Wile Deveest Fontaine,” according to press materials. A […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Buttonwood Farm’s new sous chef spills the beans about his culinary journey
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Before moving to Santa Barbara County in 2018, prolific chef Lee Gottheimer spent years perfecting his cooking chops in Nevada’s Sin City, where he worked for a handful of prestigious restaurants after graduating from culinary school. Gottheimer—who recently took on a new role as sous chef […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc still uncertain about continuing county Animal Services contract
Although the Lompoc City Council was thrilled to see an Animal Services facility reopened in the city, it still wanted more research into whether contracting with Santa Barbara County was the best option for service. “I was really disheartened and disappointed when the shelter closed. There was no notification, and I do feel like the […]
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Solvang City Council appointment divides public, elected officials
During its first meeting of 2023, the Solvang City Council discussed how to approach the seat left vacant by newly elected Mayor Mark Infanti, as two years remain on his City Council member term. On Jan. 12, the council voted to appoint former City Councilmember Robert Clarke, who lost his 2022 reelection campaign, to fill […]
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Residents want better outreach for Santa Maria annexation project
Mooncrest Lane resident Susan Bryant left a project hearing about a proposed development in her neighborhood unsettled and confused. “Overall I think it’s fair to say that people were frustrated and angry,” the Orcutt resident said. “I think the frustration was not knowing about [the hearing]. The anger was there were questions that didn’t get […]
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A Santa Ynez Valley resident founded a program to help adults talk about sexual health with their children
Sexual health education is often an uncomfortable topic to address, one that can be surrounded with stigma and shame, said Trish Hecker. So she stepped into the gap and founded Open Door Support, a program that helps parents engage with their kids on the topic. “For generations, sexual health in relation to how our body […]
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Political Watch: January 26, 2023
• Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is reprioritizing its groundwater recharge, stormwater capture, and reservoir storage efforts, along with water conveyance improvements and ambitious targets to build water resilience, according to a Jan. 19 statement from the governor’s office. The state has committed more than $8.6 million to build water resilience in the last two budgets, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center holds annual walk dedicated to ‘California’s Gold’ host
On Feb. 11, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center is inviting the public to join a docent-led walk at Oso Flaco Lake that will retrace the steps of California’s Gold host Huell Howser, who explored the site during an episode of his show in 2003. The walk is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Attendees will journey […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Drawing805 founder puts a cosmic twist on new butterfly mural
When it comes to public art, “less is more” rarely rings true, local artist Luis Linares believes. “I see a lot of white walls that need to be filled with art,” said Linares, who likes to keep an eye out for buildings in Santa Maria with enough blank space to fit a mural or two. […]
Posted inOpinion
Curiouser and curiouser
The Jan. 23 Solvang City Council meeting was awkward. Awkward with a capital AWKWARD. Newly elected City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona had to share the dais with the person she beat out to claim her seat on the city’s governing body. Why? Because her fellow council peeps voted to appoint that loser to fill a seat […]