Some studies suggest that scribbling helps people pay attention and retain information, which could be used as a defense for students who doodle in the margins of their notebooks during class. Heather Hight, owner and founder of Digi Diva Graphics, was always a student of the doodling variety—from elementary school to college. If you were […]
Spotlight on: Digi Diva Graphics
Posted inNews
Political Watch 7/13/17
• Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) released a statement on H.R. 23, the Gaining Responsibility on Water Act, sponsored by California’s 21st District Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford). The joint statement criticized the bill, saying it would “weaken California’s ability to manage its own natural resources.” They also argued the bill would “pre-empt […]
Posted inNews
Fundraisers seek to help Noah Scott’s family with medical costs
A fundraiser for the family of Noah Scott drew big crowds to a local business on July 14, and another planned for Aug. 4 is actively seeking participants and donations. Scott, a Lompoc high schooler and police explorer who died on June 30 after a long battle with leukemia, inspired support from local communities during […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
55 Fiction 2017
Tales of murder, intrigue, and scandal—short and sweet at 55 words each It’s here again, like clockwork. For the last 30 years, around July 4, the Sun and New Times has brought you reader-submitted short stories for the annual 55 Fiction contest. Death, love, disgust, and fear all make appearances, and 2016-17 even brought out […]
Posted inOpinion
What is your favorite piece of fiction?
Judy Carr retired “The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough because the story was great.” Kathy Sherwoord retired “The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah because it was so fast moving and had interesting characters.” Sandy Ricca retired “My favorite is the first book I read as a teenager, Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor.” Natasha Flores mom “Put […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Dave Dascomb seeks the perfectly grown grape for Dascomb Cellars wine
Walk into Dascomb Cellars’ tasting room in Solvang and you might be lucky enough to get a warm welcome from Sparky. Sparky, a beagle who belongs to winery owner David Dascomb, sits atop a wine barrel scoping out customers and accepting their generous pets. While Sparky and his dog sister Pippa greet and amuse guests, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Richie Robles
The last Major League Baseball player to pitch a perfect game was Felix Hernandez—pitcher for the Seattle Mariners—in 2012. To pitch a victory in which no opposing player reaches a single base is a rare feat for minor league games as well, like those organized by the Santa Maria Westside Little League (SMWLL). But 12-year-old […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gallery Los Olivos showcases the artwork of three women
The women featured in Women at Work: Three Artistic Visions each brings a lifetime of creativity to the exhibit showing at Gallery Los Olivos in July. Julie Fish spent most of her life living all over the world. Her father worked for the U.S. State Department and his work brought the family to places like […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Saints take home CIF baseball championship
The city of Santa Maria has cemented itself as a place for premier prep baseball talent. While Righetti was the high school that received most of the acclaim during the year with their 28-7 overall record and second round MLB draft pick, it was Santa Maria High School that finished the season the strongest. The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Los Alamos gallery welcomes painter featured on ‘Mad Men’
For most painters, one of the greatest career thrills is seeing their work hanging on the walls of a prestigious gallery. But artist Lisa Gizara got to see hers prominently featured in one of the biggest hit television shows of all time. Gizara, a Santa Monica-based photographer and painter whose work is coveted by the […]
Posted inNews
Hancock forms committee to review possible solutions for Campus Police Department
Allan Hancock College formed a committee consisting of six members to review options for the Allan Hancock College Campus Police Department after Hancock College Police Chief Paul Grohowski found six areas in need of immediate attention. Grohowski conducted multiple assessment reports of the police department and found inadequacies in staffing, officer backup, outdated procedures and […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc youth graduate Junior Police Camp
Lompoc’s Junior Police Camp saw 23 7- to 10-year-olds graduate from the program’s 2017 session. The graduates received a certificate of completion from Lompoc Police Chief Patrick Walsh and were treated to a barbecue meal at the end of the camp. The camp consisted of three training days in which the children learned about local […]