What follows is a tale of two worlds. And it says something about the world we, and all children, live in. A few weeks ago the phone rang at my home and it was a lady from our main library in Santa Maria. I had returned a book, dropping it into the large metal collection […]
Tale of two worlds
Posted inNews
Santa Maria raising money for disability inclusive playground
With the help of community and corporate donations, Santa Maria–and all of Santa Barbara County–could soon have its first ever all-inclusive playground. The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department announced Oct. 28 plans to partner with the Santa Maria Kiwanis for Kids Foundation in an effort to build a playground that would be accessible and […]
Posted inNews
SLO County looks to remove hurdles to farmworker housing
Amid a statewide shortage of agricultural labor and housing, San Luis Obispo County is looking at overhauling its farmworker housing regulations, which has been criticized by industry members as too restrictive. County officials held a public workshop on Oct. 16 to outline the direction of the new housing ordinance and receive feedback. Proposed reforms include […]
Posted inNews
Righetti (almost) completes outdoor science classroom
Among Ernest Righetti High School’s boxy buildings, gated boundaries, and slabs of cold concrete that pave the way to and from each classroom, there lies a budding garden. Its plants are small and just beginning to grow, but the varying wildflowers are already adorned with red and purple blossoms, butterflies and hummingbirds and students frequent […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Central Coast Sports Arena
When Tobin Flamm, 27, and his mom, Lori, bought the Central Coast Sports Arena some six months ago, they did so with one goal in mind. “We just want to help give kids an outlet and encourage them to stay off the streets and shoot for their goals and dreams,” Tobin told the Sun. “If […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Papa’s best: Papa Napoli still delivers on classic Italian deli fare
I love to try new things. In my role here, I’m always looking to find the newest places to spotlight, hoping to give readers some fun fresh culinary ideas. But sometimes, I like to go back and visit the classics. That’s what brought me into Papa Napoli‘s in Santa Maria. I have some pretty fond […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Making musicals: Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s returning music director preps students for Disney’s Peter Pan
The group of Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) students sits in rows, waiting for their que, eyeing the swish of Callum Morris’ wrist. Morris, the current interim music director for PCPA, guides the piano accompanist as acting intern Chynna Walker stands, singing the part penned for the title character of the upcoming production of Peter Pan […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Spooky business: Ghost hunting is a seriously scary business in Santa Maria for Central Coast Paranormal Investigators
Mitch Flores had his first paranormal experience when he was just 11 years old. “I had a paper route on the same path my mom and her friends would walk on a daily basis,” Flores said. “I went by this house and there was an old man standing in an upstairs window of the house, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A long and winding road: The Lompoc Ten celebrates its unique interpretations of Jalama Road
Jalama Road is a little more than 14 miles of some of the most scenic landscape on the Central Coast. The winding path of road, stretching from the whirring noise of Highway 101 to a quiet strip of Jalama Beach, tells a story of the true California, a diverse state born from agriculture, ranching, and […]
Posted inNews
Time to transfer? County special needs teachers and staff face tough decisions amid transition to high school district
For more than a decade Barbara Fuston-King has worked as a paraprofessional in local special needs classes, providing health and educational services to Santa Maria’s lowest functioning high school students. She currently works in a classroom at Santa Maria High School, where she, two other paraprofessionals, and a teacher work with 10 special needs students. […]
Posted inNews
Modest measures: Shedding light on the Nov. 6 ballot’s lesser-known propositions
When SLO County voters head to the polls Nov. 6, they’re going to have a lot of decisions to make. In addition to voting for candidates running for state and local offices, as well as local ballot measures, those voters will also have to decide whether to approve or shoot down 11 statewide propositions addressing […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hallo-nope: Rebecca is done with scary movies
Halloween is finally over and I say thank goodness. Not because I don’t like the holiday or enjoy overdosing on novelty candy, believe me I do. But I’m finally through another season of marathon-watching scary movies. I watch my fair share of horror flicks throughout the year, mostly the artsy kind where the real monster […]
