Humberto Hernandez opened his first restaurant at the age of 16 in Jalisco, Mexico. He had spent the past five years learning to cook at home and working in kitchens and thought he was ready to take the next step. “We had a little bar and food,” he said. “It was hard because it was […]
Torta-tastic: Deli Delicias’ tortas are a big hit in a small space
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local bands reunite for Thanksgiving Eve show featuring Joe Kidd and The Gash
The holiday season is the perfect time to get a band back together. First of all, everyone comes back to town for the holidays, so it’s easier to get people together for a show. That goes for both band members and the prospective audience, explained local singer-songwriter Joe Kidd, whose group Joe Kidd and The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Former Central Coast journalist pens wine country thriller
The hills of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County are dotted with wine grapes as far as the eye can see. But in those twisted vines, former Santa Maria Times journalist Steve Corbett saw something more–a tale of bloody vengeance and even enlightenment. After five years of covering undocumented immigrants, outlaw bikers, the Michael […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Bold fold: Robert Salazar’s visionary origami work draws attention to conservation issues
Scrolling through Robert Salazar’s website yields some unusual finds. The artist, scientist, and activist, known for his intensely detailed origami works of art, has a lot going on besides folding paper. His website has tabs for “Research,” which lists projects such as Challenging Freshwater Scarcity with Solar Origami and Origami Inspired Transformers for a Lunar […]
Posted inOpinion
Tuesday surprises
It takes a lot to surprise this old bird, but the midterm elections on Nov. 6 did just that. Well, I wasn’t surprised by all of it. I rightly predicted (“Political exhaustion,” Nov. 8) that Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) would send his challenger Justin Fareed home, again, and help shore up the Democratic Party […]
Posted inNews
Business community eyes diversified approach to keeping and bringing “living wage” jobs to Santa Barbara County
It was a packed house at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott on Nov. 8, and the topic at hand was jobs and how to bring more to Santa Barbara County. Business ranging from Pacific Coast Energy to Halsell Builders to communications giant Comcast shelled out $750 per table and $85 a plate to hear how […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County firefighters, Sheriff’s Office help with fires
California is under a fiery siege, and emergency responders across the state and country have been dispatched in large numbers to stem the flaming tide. Santa Barbara County Fire sent a team of two engines on Nov. 9 to the 125,000-acre Camp Fire in Northern California. As of Nov. 13, the blaze had claimed more […]
Posted inNews
Guadalupe takes input on LeRoy Park repairs at community workshop
After a workshop on Nov. 11 where Guadalupe community members discussed the needs and future of LeRoy Park, it’s back to the drawing board for city staffers working to lay out plans for the park’s coming $4.5 million rehabilitation. Roughly 60 residents filled Guadalupe City Hall on Sunday to take part in the workshop, according […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Jarred Torres
Lompoc High School’s water polo team might not even exist today if it weren’t for senior Jarred Torres. Torres, who started playing water polo his freshman year, according to head coach Carl Thacker, has always been a committed athlete. But Torres went above and beyond last school year, when Lompoc High School officials failed to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Great balls of fire: Krider suffers some technical difficulties on the racetrack
Even though I am a grown-ass man I still like to play with cars. As a little boy all I wanted to be when I grew up was a race car driver. It was a dream I never let go of. So, whenever the schedule will allow me to (for the record, my wife, whom […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
New York City gallery features Orcutt artist
Local artist Lori Mole is featured in a new exhibit at the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in New York City. The exhibit, titled Moulin Rouge Thanksgiving, features work celebrating the autumn season and November holiday. Mole, who recently moved to Orcutt, has a background in graphic design, art, and music. She was active in the arts […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Civic Theatre presents Boy
The latest production from the Santa Maria Civic Theatre is Boy, inspired by a true story. The play explores issues of sexual identity and falling in love as well as the complex bonds between a doctor and patient. Set in the 1960s, the play follows the story of a doctor who, after an accident, convinces […]