“Intrigued by the intersection of faith and nature,” is how poet Paul Willis describes himself on his website. A cursory glance at his body of work reveals it’s an apt label. “[Poetry] is always there as a way for people to connect with themselves and one another,” Willis said. “And to connect to the world […]
Poets Paul J. Willis and Garland Thompson Jr. read their work in Orcutt
Posted inFood & Drink
EATS: How appear on a talk show about food (and make sure you get enough to eat)
I was recently invited to participate in a filming of the locally produced food-themed talk/lifestyle show Taste Buds. Hosted by Teri Bayus, Taste Buds is a fun and informative look at Central Coast dining featuring on-location filming at some of the region’s best and most popular restaurants. The show lets viewers get an inside look […]
Posted inOpinion
Boxed in
Everybody loves choices, right? But what happens when you only get a very superficial range to choose from? What if they’re all pretty much the same? That’s what Santa Maria‘s handy types and do-it-yourselfers are asking themselves now that Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) is closing down (see page 7). While OSH may be a multi-state […]
Posted inNews
Local Boy Scout works to bring Santa Maria-style barbecue to homeless
It’s not every day a teenager devotes his free time to raising thousands of dollars for a community project, but 13-year-old Alexander Andrade isn’t your average teen–he’s a Boy Scout. Wait–haven’t we heard this before? Alexander, a freshman at Ernest Righetti High School and member of Orcutt Troop 95, isn’t the only community-minded Andrade in […]
Posted inNews
Newly signed bail reform bill faces challenges
A newly signed bill ending cash bail in California drew a relatively mixed reaction from state representatives, activists, and local law enforcement. On Aug. 28, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 10, or the California Money Bail Reform Act, into law, effective Oct. 1, 2019. “This a transformative day for our justice system,” state Chief […]
Posted inNews
Liquidation sales commence as customers and employees mourn looming closure of Orchard Supply
It’s been a little more than 10 years since Kelly White O’Neill became a self-described “serious customer” of Santa Maria’s Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) store. As an avid gardener, do-it-yourselfer, and the owner of a historic home, O’Neill said she frequently stops in at OSH for its notoriously friendly, knowledgeable workforce and its unbeatable gardening […]
Posted inNews
Starting over: After serving time in state prison, inmates released under realignment must make a new life
The letter was written on a single sheet of ruled notebook paper. Neatly folded and just four paragraphs long. The words, penned in a looping cursive, were hopeful but pleading. “I am in need of a stable, clean and sober living environment,” it stated. “I am totally committed to living life in a productive manner.” […]
Posted inOpinion
Hold priests accountable
Catholic priests have for years abused children and are again in the headlines. I understand people believing in the traditions, liturgy, fellowship, and music of the church. I also know that pedophiles outside the church face court and jail time. What needs to be done is a total outing of these pedophile priests, bishops, and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Migel Gomez
The path to college–and college soccer–wasn’t entirely straightforward for Migel Gomez. After dropping out of Cabrillo High School to do farm work, the now college junior eventually attained his GED, attended Allan Hancock College, and transferred to UC Santa Barbara–all while dominating on the soccer field. Gomez played a historic last season at Hancock, according […]
Posted inNews
CAUSE hosts community town hall on Santa Maria general plan
A coalition of local activist groups teamed up to host a community town hall to discuss Santa Maria’s general plan on the evening of Aug. 30, asking attendees to share their ideas for improving and guiding the city’s growth. Local residents, activists, organizers, and candidates for City Council came together to brainstorm how Santa Maria […]
Posted inNews
Man killed in Santa Maria
A man was shot, stabbed, and killed near the corner of Sunrise Drive and Bradley Road in Santa Maria on Sept. 1. The man was still alive when police arrived just before 1 a.m., according to a Santa Maria Police Department press release, but he eventually died on scene from injuries caused by the gunshot […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County fire chief to retire in October
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Chief Eric Peterson formally announced Aug. 31 plans to retire by the end of October. Peterson, who was appointed to the position in January 2015 by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, said that while he’ll surely miss his work with the fire department, he felt it was time […]