A $160,000 grant that was recently awarded to the city of Lompoc will be used to make walking to school safer for local students. Construction on Lompoc’s Sidewalk Infill Project, which includes adding sidewalks and improving crosswalks near schools, started on Nov. 27. The project is expected to last a little more than a month, […]
Lompoc begins construction on sidewalk and crosswalk improvement projects
Posted inNews
Former 4th District Supervisor Joni L. Gray passes away
Several current Santa Barbara County supervisors expressed their grief over the weekend following the sudden passing of former Fourth District Supervisor Joni Gray. Gray reportedly collapsed in court on Nov. 19. She was then transported to Marian Regional Medical Center where she died three days later. She was 75. “I was shocked to hear of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Cugini’s in Santa Maria gets cannoli right
The other night, my fiance and I were at home re-watching a classic film from the 1990s, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Shot almost entirely in Italy, the movie features some exotic and breathtaking locations along the Italian coastline, including Ischia Ponte and Bagno Antonio in Ischia as well as the city streets of Procida and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Oliver Herring comes to Cuesta College for collaborative residency, exhibit
Brooklyn-based artist Oliver Herring tells people, “I don’t know,” when asked what the plan is for one of his collaborative art happenings, and he really means it. To be fair, Herring’s work is both outside the box and elaborate. Think, using humans as sculptures or people wearing clothes drenched in colored food dye while they’re […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Special Needs Network puts on a holiday play
On Tuesdays and Thursdays in November, the Minami Recreation Center in Santa Maria is filled with some special guests. The small group gathers to quietly rehearse a performance that is set to debut on Dec. 3, a holiday-themed production written by the show’s director. The participants, about a dozen of them in total, are all […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
John Ramos
After the snap, Santa Maria High School wide receiver John Ramos took off downfield, and his quarterback, Blake Truhitte, threw him a bomb. Ramos had a step on the Montebello Schurr cornerback, and both players leapt for the football. It ricocheted off their hands and seemed destined to hit the ground. But Ramos stayed with […]
Posted inNews
Convicted felon arrested for possession of meth pipe and rifles
A Santa Maria man was arrested by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 23 after deputies allegedly found a methamphetamine pipe and assault rifles in his car. Barry Pardo, 52, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an assault weapon, high capacity magazines, and drug paraphernalia after deputies stopped him for speeding and […]
Posted inOpinion
Repeal the gas tax
I think the California Gasoline Sales Tax should be replaced with a $60 billion bond measure, about $6 billion for 10 years or a decade. This Senate bill, SB 1, is going to be hard to afford on most Californians going to a gasoline station such as the Exxon-Mobil station at Morro Bay Boulevard and […]
Posted inOpinion
Lost in the bushes
During this holiday season, I am reminded of a story I read many years ago by writer and trial lawyer Louis Nizer. Nizer was most famous for his defense of those who were blacklisted as Communists during the 1950s. Anyway, Nizer’s brief story, “An Editorial Lost in a News Item,” recounts a newspaper article about […]
Posted inOpinion
COMMENTARY: Susan Salcido on ‘Giving thanks’
Thanksgiving is a particularly special holiday, due in large part to the opportunity it affords us to think of friends and families near and far. As many of us will continue to share special times together with our loved ones, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the many things for which we are […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc hosts holiday fundraiser
The Friends of the Lompoc Library System is holding its annual Decorated Tabletop Christmas Trees Fundraiser with all proceeds benefitting the Lompoc Library System. The trees will be on display at the Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Ave. and the Village Library, 3755 Constellation Road, until 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 when the winner […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Holiday decorating contest announced
The city of Santa Maria launched the 21st annual Holiday Decoration Contest, which features the opportunity for residents to nominate a decorated residence, business, storefront, or church for top prizes. The Lights, Sights, Holiday Nights committee of judges will select the winning displays to be included in the Holiday Hall of Fame Tour map. In […]