The Central Coast Competitive Cheer team may be new to the game, but its members are ready to be aggressive, B-E aggressive. Experienced coaches Kira Farrell and Candace Robertson-Farrell cheered at Cal Poly and Robertson studied dance at Allan Hancock College–have their sights set on a national championship. But Farrell and Robertson said the cheer […]
Central Coast Competitive Cheer
Posted inNews
Just beginning: Most local high school grads aren’t eligible for the UC and CSU systems, and students want change
Samantha Basulto was only a junior in high school when she had to let go of her first big dreams. As a bright-eyed freshman who had never before struggled to make the honor roll, Basulto had imagined her future self running off to a four-year university immediately after high school graduation, leaving Santa Maria and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brunch munch: Kay’s Orcutt Country Kitchen is the go-to brunch spot
They used to say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I’d like to update that adage. I think brunch is the most important and best meal of the day. And in the Santa Maria Valley, one of my favorite brunch spots is Kay’s Orcutt Country Kitchen. Kay’s has a wonderful and long […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Squire Foundation animal sculptures come to Preisker Park
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is hosting a temporary exhibition of animal sculptures this summer at Preisker Park. The exhibition was brought to the park on June 27 and consists of four sculptures. The animal sculptures were created by late Santa Barbara County artist Morris Squire and are on loan from […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Movies in the park to show ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and the People for Leisure And Youth, Inc. (PLAY) invite the community to the Movies in the Park for a screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on July 7 at Preisker Park. The film is a science fiction saga following the adventures of General Leia […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Wildling Museum hosts Nature Imagined reception
The Wildling Museum in Solvang invites the public to an opening reception on July 21 for Nature Imagined, a special exhibition that celebrates nature through the imagination of artists Cheryl Medow, Ellen Jewett, and Hilary Brace. Inspired by nature, these artists use diverse materials and methods to create environments that engage the imagination. The viewer […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Make ’em laugh: Comedian Brian Regan comes to the Santa Ynez Valley
Brian Regan is not on “tour.” At least, that’s not how he likes to think of his long schedule of upcoming shows. Regan sees it not as a set time frame with a stop and start point, but rather a continuous set of shows for his fans. “I always think that’s an incorrect word,” he […]
Posted inOpinion
‘Rigging’ elections
I haven’t had many reasons to laugh lately, but a new group backed by pretty much every major conservative donor organization in Santa Barbara County has me chortling so hard my feathers are flying off. I’m talking about a new ballot initiative that that may get placed on the November ballot after its authors gathered […]
Posted inNews
Even with budget issues, Santa Maria capital projects receive funding
Santa Maria may have issues keeping its budget balanced, especially with its general fund, but its capital projects are by-and-large well financed, according to city officials. “We’re going to be spending more money on those projects,” Mark van de Kamp, the city’s public information officer, told the Sun. In all, the proposed capital projects budget […]
Posted inNews
Victor Martinez found guilty of murdering Marilyn Pharis
A Santa Maria Superior Court jury convicted Victor Martinez on June 27 of first degree murder for the July 2015 rape and death of Marilyn Pharis. According to a press release from Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley’s office, Martinez, 32, will “face life in prison without the possibility of parole as a result […]
Posted inNews
Ballot initiative aims to redraw county supervisorial districts
A new group claiming to represent the “radical center” in Santa Barbara County aims to change how the municipality creates district boundaries for its Board of Supervisors. The self-described “social welfare organization,” Reason in Government, had its ballot initiative presented to the supervisors on July 3 with 16,000-plus signatures, more than enough to place the […]
Posted inNews
Locals protest immigration policies at Santa Maria ICE facility
To the steady beat of two conga drums, a crowd of more than 200 protesters chanted slogans at the Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) facility off West McCoy Lane in Santa Maria after 5 p.m. on June 30. “The people, united, will never be divided! The people, united, will never be divided!” the group chanted. […]