Construction on the Harvest Community Center’s highly anticipated children’s library is finished, and Joseph Andrade, the 15-year-old Boy Scout who built it almost entirely on his own, is one step closer to becoming an Eagle Scout. The library, which is now located in a room formerly used for storage in the Victory Harvest Church of […]
Children’s library completed thanks to local Boy Scout
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Buellton’s Grass Mountain explores a bluegrass jam band sound at Cold Spring Tavern
The familiar formations of the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountain ranges reach out like gargantuan geologic arms, cradling the Santa Ynez Valley and its townships. Around this time of year, much of the hillsides and distant peaks are green, even with the year’s meager rainfall. One wide peak glares out at the valley from […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Getting shorted: Krider rocks the dad ensemble to the fullest, cargo shorts and all
I’ve never claimed to be a very fashionable person. I was never voted best dressed (and odds are I never will be). I don’t own a tuxedo. I’m essentially a very basic guy, and I wear basic stuff that is functional on my body. I literally have one outfit that I wear, and it’s far […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Arts Council announces grants competition
This spring, the Santa Maria Arts Council will award a total of $13,100 to emerging artists. Grants of $1,500 and $1,000 will be awarded in each category of Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts. Three additional grants will also be awarded, including the Nat Fast Memorial Grant for performing artists, the Ian M. Hassett Fund […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Great American Melodrama presents ‘Sylvia’
The Great American Melodrama in Oceano announced the production of its newest play, A.R. Gurne’s Sylvia, accompanied by a new vaudeville revue, The 1940s USO Show. For the production, the Melodrama is partnering with both Woods Humane Society and the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society to raise awareness of the many pets in local shelters […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Orcutt poet Michael McLaughlin celebrates birthday with reading at CORE Winery
Michael McLaughlin’s love of poetry goes back to the third grade. “I had a great teacher who had us memorize poems,” he said. “We had to memorize one long poem by the end of the year. She had me memorize a Robert Frost poem. And she had us writing poetry, too.” The early exposure stuck, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Former Disney Imagineer Laura-Susan Thomas lights up Orcutt with whimsical new show
Strange funny creatures come out of Laura-Susan Thomas all the time and she just can’t help it. The artist and former Disney Imagineer spent more than 11 years world-building for themes and attractions at the house of mouse in Anaheim, but lately finds herself drawn to fine arts projects at her studio in Orcutt. As […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Mad about bar food and happy hour at Mad & Vin in Solvang
One of the most difficult things about being a food writer is having to eat all the food the job requires. Wait, is that crickets I hear? What, no sound of violins playing to accompany my heartbreaking story? I get it; you don’t have a lot of sympathy for someone who gets paid to eat […]
Posted inNews
Brandon L. Harper Foundation to host tri-tip barbecue scholarship fundraiser in March
Longtime Santa Maria resident Brandon Harper was on his way to dinner on Jan. 20, 2007, when an intoxicated driver ran a red light at the intersection of Betteravia Road and South Broadway, slammed into Harper’s truck, and killed him. Harper was 26 years old, and his death shocked family members, friends, and the community […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Firestone Walker Brewing Company Barrelworks
It all started five years ago, when Firestone Walker Brewing Company moved its wild-ale program from the main brewery in Paso Robles to a new location in Buellton. Headed by resident Master Blender Jim Crooks, the 14,000 square-foot warehouse attached to two tasting rooms along with a full-service brew pub at 620 McMurray Road off […]
Posted inNews
Violent threats increase against Santa Barbara County schools
A recent influx of students threatening Santa Barbara County schools has resulted in an increased security presence on several campuses, students missing school, and demands for school resource officers. The most recent threat, allegedly made verbally by a 13-year-old Carpinteria Middle School student, was investigated on Feb. 23 by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc accepts commercial cannabis license applications
Commercial cannabis license-use applications in Lompoc are available to the public starting March 1. The applications can be accessed at cityoflompoc.com/clerk/cannabis. More information about the application process, including fees and requirements, are also available on the city’s cannabis webpage. Additionally, the city will hold a public workshop on March 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. […]