Unless you take a guided tour or happen to arrive at Avila Beach from the north by sea, you might never see the collection of structures that make up one of our very few local lighthouses. It’s a relic of the past, first becoming operational in 1890 and eventually becoming automated in the 1970s. These […]
Kathy Mastako’s new book ‘The Lighthouse at Point San Luis’ chronicles the colorful history of the iconic landmark
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Righetti High School student recognized in statewide choir programs
Righetti High School student Jadyn Voss (pictured, right) is the sole student singer in Santa Barbara County to be accepted into this year’s California All-State Choir, according to the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Voss, a junior at Righetti and member of the school’s Varsity Choir, was notified about the selection in mid-December. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Wildling Museum hosts talk with wildlife photographer Roy Dunn
Pre-registration is open for an upcoming artist talk, Capturing Imagery of Our Wild Neighbors, with wildlife photographer and cinematographer Roy Dunn (pictured), which will take place at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. Admission to the event is $5 for museum members and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Total devotion to her craft and colleagues sets local winemaker Justin Trabue on a path to icon status
Justin Trabue has wine in her veins. She was born and raised in Washington, D.C., but California beckoned since birth, with her namesake being Justin Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles. “This was my initial spark connector to this region,” she said. While in high school, her wine enthusiast parents invited a Black sommelier to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: DISENCHANTED
NEW FLICKS: DISENCHANTED Where’s it playing? Disney Plus What’s it rated? PG Set 15 years after the events of Enchanted, former princess-turned-New Yorker Giselle (Amy Adams) returns to the screen with a full family in tow. She misses the easy, uncomplicated charm of her old life in fairy tale land and moves her husband (Patrick […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gallery Los Olivos’ 2022 Winter Salon showcases landscapes, portraits, still life paintings, and more
Last year marked artist Ginny Speirs’ first year of membership with Gallery Los Olivos, where she recently joined two of her peers to co-organize the venue’s latest group exhibition. “I embraced the opportunity to get to know my fellow artists better,” said Speirs, who jumped at the chance to help hang the featured artworks in […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Johnny Mathis brings Christmas concert to Santa Ynez
The Chumash Casino Resort presents Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Johnny Mathis live in concert on Friday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. The legendary musician will be performing a variety of Christmas songs during the upcoming show. Mathis is best known for “It’s Not for Me to Say,” “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” “Misty,” […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Great American Melodrama holds annual holiday production
The Great American Melodrama’s 2022 iteration of The Holiday Extravaganza debuted in mid-November and is scheduled to run through Saturday, Dec. 31. The three-act show includes the venue’s traditional retelling of A Christmas Carol, a fairy-tale spoof segment, and a reindeer-themed vaudeville act. During A Christmas Carol, miser Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts […]
Posted inNews
More adoption needed with overcrowding concerns at Animal Services
Calls for adoption and fostering rang out from Santa Barbara County Animal Services after its kennels recently reached capacity. “We see an increase in adoptions and fostering as well as people bringing in surrenders because the holidays bring many things for many people,” said Sarah Aguilar, the director of Animal Services. “The holidays may bring […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria teens are invited to help paint the city’s next mural
Young artists in Santa Maria will have the chance to dip their paintbrushes and leave their mark on the community as the city seeks help from its youth to work on a new mural that will be displayed at the city’s civic center. “We really hope the teens take the opportunity to learn not just […]
Posted inNews
County’s low-income communities still need infrastructure help
Almost 3,000 Santa Barbara County residents live in areas officially labeled as “disadvantaged unincorporated communities.” Casmalia, Garey, Sisquoc, Los Alamos, New Cuyama, Cuyama, and Ventucopa first received the label in 2015—and not much has changed since then. “There haven’t been any improvements,” county Senior Planner Zoe Carlson told the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County certifies election results
There are no more ballots to count, no more campaign flyers filling mailboxes, and no more candidate debates being held as the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office certified the 2022 election on Dec. 7, allowing the new or returning elected officials to step into their roles. In Santa Maria, Gloria Soto—the incumbent for the City […]
