Long-awaited repairs are coming to Guadalupe’s LeRoy Park and its community center, according to Guadalupe Mayor John Lizalde, who announced on July 10 that the city was awarded a $4.5 million federal grant to fund the project. A sprinkler system, barbeque pits, and new landscaping will be added to the 5-acre park, which Lizalde said […]
Guadalupe awarded $4.5 million for LeRoy Park renovations
Posted inNews
Gloria Soto announces candidacy for District 3 City Council seat
Surrounded by dozens of enthusiastic supporters, lifelong Santa Maria resident Gloria Soto announced her candidacy for the City Council’s District 3 seat outside the Minami Community Center on June 21. Business owners, several recent high school graduates, and staff members of various advocacy organizations gathered outside Minami at noon that day to show support for […]
Posted inNews
Up on the hill: An iconic Los Alamos motel gets a makeover
The motel with the campy, giant yellow sign was never talked about much. But I had always been curious–myself a bit of a retrophile–about the Skyview Motel in Los Alamos. The sleepy motel had earned a dubious nickname from some locals. They dubbed it the Psycho motel, and its seemingly ominous and withdrawn presence overlooking […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Going to pot: Instant pot roast sounds too good to be true, but it works
I will openly and shamelessly admit my Instant Pot spent six months on my kitchen counter before I would even touch it because I was terrified it would explode all over my kitchen. I must have Googled “pressure cooker explosion bomb” so many times, the FBI probably has me on a list called “People Who […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gazebo a go-go: Local bands bring their sound outside for Summer Concerts at Solvang Park
Smack dab in the middle of all the windmills and bakeries in Solvang is Solvang Park, and right in the middle of that is a shady gazebo overlooking its sprawling lawn. For many a local band and musician, like Dan Robinette, drummer for local rock group LiveWire, that’s where the magic happens. “We like to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Soul connections: Local children’s book explores a higher power and twin flames
Creation, reincarnation, and twin flames are all the makings of a great exploration of religion, life, and true love–or a children’s book, if you think like San Luis Obispo-based Rebecca Velasquez and her 8-year-old son, Wesley, who co-produced a story on these very topics that came out in May. Rebecca and Wesley sat down with […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
An evening of art: VTC artists pull big crowds as they hold their annual art show in Orcutt
Rebecca* is eager to show visitors at CORE Winery in Orcutt her works of art. Two of her pieces hang on the walls of the tasting room, which at the moment is crowded to near capacity. As she gets word that one of her paintings has sold, she reacts with joy and shock. “I’ve sold […]
Posted inOpinion
Due credit
I know I spend most of my time pecking at people, but hey, I’m a bird! It’s what I do. That’s why it’s always good to give some credit when it’s due, especially to those I’ve pointed my beak at recently. A couple of weeks ago I challenged the Santa Maria City Council and Mayor […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Santa Barbara County Fair
Hold on to your cowboy hats, the fair is back in town. The annual event, now celebrating its 127th year, features the state’s largest junior livestock auction, big-name musical artists, and an assortment of local goods ranging from jams, jellies, pies, homemade quilts, floriculture, and photography at the Santa Maria Fairpark. “It’s going to be […]
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Dividing lines: Pair of competing ordinances aim to control supervisorial redistricting process
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and citizen activists traded barbs over two competing ordinances that aim to redraw the supervisors’ district boundaries. The conflict was pushed into public discussion during two separate hearings at the board’s regular meeting on July 2. At issue were the differing language and requirements found in the ordinances, […]
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SMAT bus driver involved in fatal collision will not face criminal charges
The Santa Maria city bus driver involved in April’s fatal collision with a bicyclist will not face criminal charges, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Santa Maria resident Veronica Perez, 43, was seriously injured when she was hit by a Route 7 Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) bus just before 6 p.m. […]
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After slow start, fire season roars to life
The call came in around 8 p.m. on a Friday night and the worst fears were quickly confirmed. A wildland fire on the north side of Goleta, fanned by 40 mph wind gusts, was pushing down the mountains rapidly toward homes, neighborhoods, and the city proper. Fire crews, stationed nearby due to a Red Flag […]