Air tankers and drones are among the forms of aerial support available to the crews—made up of more than 4,000 personnel—tackling the Gifford Fire, which has grown to 123,000 acres since Aug. 1. Helicopters are in the mix as well—some armed with a crucial accessory firefighters will use to essentially fight fire with fire. “We […]
Gifford Fire exceeds 123,000 acres while crews plan burning operation
Posted inNews
Breaking ground: An empty Santa Maria department store begins its transformation into apartments—aiming to revitalize downtown
Making its downtown area more lively and walkable has been a goal of Santa Maria’s since 2004. About four years’ worth of community workshops ushered in the city’s first downtown revitalization plan, adopted in 2008 with hopes of increasing foot traffic through new retail, restaurants, and housing opportunities. But over the course of the next […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA’s Songs for Nobodies welcomes everybody to Marian Theatre and Solvang Festival Theater
A one-woman show featuring songs from five iconic artists will open at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria on Aug. 14. In Songs for Nobodies, five famous singers meet five women in a “tour de force of inspiration and resilience,” according to the PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s description. Award-winning actor and singer Bethany Thomas is […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc art duo’s fifth show is on display at Gallery Los Olivos
Visit the gallery Gallery Los Olivos is located at 2920 Grand Ave. in Los Olivos and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The current show, Rhapsody in Hue, will be on display until Aug. 31. For more information, visit gallerylosolivos.com. On a 12-by-16-inch canvas, artist Neil Andersson intertwines shapes and colors as […]
Posted inOpinion
Now is the time to help each other prepare for eventual evacuations
Two friends, who have lost absolutely everything to wildfires, say now is the time to help one another prepare to evacuate. If it’s not this fire, or an earthquake, or a tsunami warning … it will be some big challenge in the near future. How about we each help an elderly or disabled neighbor? Help […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Rideau Vineyard celebrates National Relaxation Day with new wines
In its 141 years of existence, the Rancho El Alamo Pintado Adobe has lived many lives. It was a French countess’ social spot, an innkeeper’s guest house, and a rancher’s home. In 1996 Iris Rideau bought the estate, and Rideau Vineyard was born. The adobe is now Rideau’s tasting room, where guests take in a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Into the Wild is cautionary tale of an idealist and dreamer
Into The Wild What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2007 Where’s it showing? Monday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m., at the Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Sean Penn directs this 2007 film he adapted from Jon Krakauer’s novel about the true story of Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a disconnected recent college grad who travels throughout North America, […]
Posted inOpinion
The Central Coast desperately needs to build its way out of the housing crisis
We are pro-housing. Period. At Generation Build, housing is our core mission. We advocate for it all: for all types, at all levels. Unlike some organizations, we aren’t afraid to engage in the tough political conversations that others shy away from. That’s because we know real progress requires bold action, not empty platitudes. To solve […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Casino is an expansive, gritty mob picture
Casino What’s it rated? R When? 1995 Where’s it showing? Friday, Aug. 15, 7:15 p.m. at the Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Director and co-writer Martin Scorsese knows his way around a mob picture, and in this sprawling story that takes place over more than a decade, we see Chicago sport handicapper Sam “Ace” […]
Posted inOpinion
Flooding downtown
Do you think it’s possible that converting a dingy old department store in downtown Santa Maria into apartments is the step needed to reinvigorate an area that’s needed reinvigoration for as long as it can remember? I remember when Fallas Discount Store first proposed filling the space on Broadway. It was 2013. Mayor Alice Patino […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Freakier Friday delivers emotive body swap comedy
Freakier Friday What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Chuck? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande, Fair Oaks Nisha Ganatra (Late Night, The High Note) directs this sequel to Freaky Friday (2003), itself a remake of a 1976 film […]
Posted inNews
Local appraiser Courtney Hood auctions off antique jewelry from her personal collection
Helping others scope out the value of their earrings, necklaces, and rings is a daily occurrence for Courtney Hood, who began learning the ropes of her family’s business—CB Hood Diamond Co. in Santa Maria—from a young age. After graduating from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, she enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where she […]