Twenty-three years ago, I began my voluntary service with the city of Lompoc. I always felt that it was every citizen’s duty to give something back to the community, and at the time there was a need for someone to serve on the Water Commission. The city operates its own water utility, as well as […]
Serving in government can teach a lot
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Athlete of the week
He may be just 7 years old, but Dominic Marshall can already kick through a slab of wood a few inches thick. It’s a feat that could seem almost impossible to most, but for kids like Marshall, who trains for about three hours a week at Rising Sun Martial Arts Academy, breaking barriers is all […]
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Hancock president discusses future without Measure Y
Allan Hancock College lost out on millions of dollars on Election Day, and although officials are already working to find backup funding, renovations are going to be a challenge. Despite an extensive campaign effort and what appeared to be vast community support, Santa Barbara County residents voted against Hancock’s proposed $75 million bond on Nov. […]
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Political Watch
• Gov. Jerry Brown announced his appointment of Joshua Groban, 45, to the California Supreme Court on Nov. 14 to fill the vacancy left by retiring Associate Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar. “Josh Groban has vast knowledge of the law and sound and practical judgement,” Brown stated. “He’ll be a strong addition to California’s highest court.” […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Payne’s Picks
• Trattoria Uliveto in Orcutt caught my eye with a Facebook post saying the celebrated Italian restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve. There’s no word on any specials the menu may include, but they do recommend early reservations. Reach them at (805) 934-4546 or trattoriauliveto.com. • Some Central Coast breweries have teamed up […]
Posted inFood & Drink
SLO celebrates 40 years of farmer’s markets
In the beginning there were few—vendors, that is. The year was 1978. The campy soundtrack from Grease was heating up the charts. It was a sunny Saturday morning and a handful of local farmers gathered at the old Young’s Giant Food parking lot on Broad Street in SLO. They didn’t know it then, but […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Humor: For the love of casserole
I recently discovered an exotic food that has really excited my palate. It is an explosion of flavors that are mixed together to create something absolutely mouthwatering. Fresh sushi? Nope. Kobe beef? Wrong. This is something even more unusual. It is called a casserole. Sure, lots of people have had casseroles. I just wasn’t one […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria library shows Marvel movie
The Santa Maria Public Library will offer a free film screening on Dec. 10 in the library’s Shepard Hall. The 2008 action movie that kicked off the Marvel universe, Iron Man, is the featured movie. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, the wealthy industrialist who creates a high-tech suit of armor to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
California Arts Council accepting grant applications
The California Arts Council announced that the application period for its grants program were open in October, with more than $21 million in state art grant funds available for organizations that “support access, equity, and inclusion; community vibrancy; and arts learning.” According to a release from the council, there are 15 agency grant programs that […]
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Spotlight on: EcoWatch Movie Nights
To close out the year, four Central Coast companies are holding three separate screenings of environmentally conscious themed films. “We choose films that may cover ‘eco’ or ‘green’ topics, including water quality issues, natural resource preservation, animal protection, waste issues, globalization, recycling, and sustainable agriculture,” said Mikel Robertson, co-owner of Green Goods. He told the […]
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County adoption celebration event highlights issues faced by foster care community
Not every child who needs a family gets one. That was the sentiment Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Arthur Garcia said he hoped community members would remember at an adoption celebration on Nov. 14, when nine former foster children were officially adopted by six families at the Santa Maria Juvenile Courthouse. The ceremony acted […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ladies Recovery holds Dining in the Dark fundraiser
The Ladies Recovery 4 Life organization in Lompoc presents a special fundraiser event, Dining in the Dark, featuring a full dinner, reception, and auctions on Dec. 1 at the Hilton Garden. The event begins at 5 p.m. and continues into dinner at 6 p.m., when diners will wear masks and will eat with assistance. The […]