I first met Andrew Rubin in 2011, when he was in high school (and the year I began writing this column), and he made an immediate impression as an artist and musician. I’d heard of him before (“Your dad’s the cartoonist, Leigh Rubin, right?”), but I hadn’t seen his talent firsthand. Even as a teenager, […]
Remembering Andrew: Friends and family celebrate Andrew Rubin’s life and music
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA’s ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ is the good kind of hot mess
Good news. You don’t have to be an expert on the work of Russian playwright Anton Pavlovich Chekhov to enjoy the Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s (PCPA) Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. But a little inside baseball knowledge won’t hurt either. The play, written by Christopher Durang in 2012, tells the story of an oddball […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nailed it
My job often takes me to certain places that require that I at least give the impression of having my collective shit together. This would be fine if I didn’t find a way to exquisitely screw it up every time I’m called upon to mingle among the “Beautiful People.” A few weeks ago, I was […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Central Coast Competitive Cheer
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 […]
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 […]
