Alexis Chavez seventh grade “Boxing.” Monica Novoa eighth grade “Swimming.” Angela Espinoza eighth grade “Swimming.” Javier Pinon seventh grade “Soccer.”
If you were to go to the Olympics, what sport would you compete in?
Posted inFood & Drink
Rock Front Ranch’s exotic jujube fruit is superfood for your body and good for the planet
The first thing I noticed about Alisha Taff was her electric smile and bright, glowing skin. Even under the less than flattering fluorescent lights of the SLO Guild Hall, the farmer flaunted an inner radiance that belied her age. Amid the commotion of local food purveyors at the Slow Money SLO meeting, her product—a mysterious […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Bring out your dead weight!
My husband, The Brit, and I have been living together since January 2006, marrying in March of that year. When two people of our generation forge a connubial relationship, they bring along lots of baggage, and boy, we each had more than our share! I don’t mean emotional baggage. I mean material baggage. You know—all […]
Posted inNews
Protect the plain? The Carrizo Plain National Monument is under review by the federal government
At about 6 a.m. on April 2, I feel like I’m the only thing awake for miles. Yellow goldfields, tidy tips, and green grass on the Caliente Range across the valley are starting to pick up that special blend of orange and red as the sun’s first rays rise behind me. Below, Soda Lake Road […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Margie Bowker celebrates 20 years of creating art in Santa Maria
When she was a 9-year-old student in South Africa, Margie Bowker’s teacher pulled her aside one day and told her she was going to be a famous artist someday. “She had collected little pieces and paintings I had done,” Bowker said. “I didn’t understand, I thought everybody did the same thing. When she said that, […]
Posted inNews
County grand jury report questions water agencies’ management of Cachuma Reservoir amid continuing drought
A recent Santa Barbara County grand jury report questioned the efficacy of local water agencies and their ability to collaborate effectively in managing local water supplies. Aimed at addressing ongoing issues exacerbated by the drought, the report said there is “inadequate coordination” among local water purveyors. The report also listed a number of measures to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
805 Country Music Festival to benefit Band of Brothers
The Central Coast is celebrated for many things, but the level of philanthropy found here is definitely a jewel in the area’s crown. Locals are generous for sure, but they are many other things too, like live music fans. Pairing fundraising and live music was a no-brainer for local country artist JD Hardy, who reached […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Barbara Library System receives grant for bilingual children’s books
The Santa Barbara Public Library System was given a $10,000 grant to purchase bilingual books for children. The grant comes from the California State Library as part of the California Immigrant Alliance Project and the Technology Act. The grant will allow the Santa Barbara Public Library System to expand its existing collection of bilingual children’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc announces Mobile Mural winners
In an effort to connect to the community through artwork, the city of Lompoc’s Public Works and Utilities Departments held its first Mobile Mural Contest in the 2017 National Public Works Week theme, Public Works Connects Us. The eight winners, including the grand prize Hall of Fame winner, submitted artwork that represented their vision of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Great American Melodrama delivers a hit production of ‘The Karaoke Kid’
In 1984, a little film came out about a lonely boy who had just moved to a new town and had trouble fitting in. He met a beautiful girl, befriended a wise man with a lot of unfinished chores, dressed as a shower for a school dance, beat the bad guys in an epic showdown, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Alex Ketcham
When Alex Ketcham walks her dog, she tends to take “the scenic route” as much as possible. Rather than a casual stroll through their neighborhood, the 20-year-old and her 6-year-old pit bull, Jewels, usually opt for something a bit more adventurous. “Being able to hike with my best friend is the best,” Ketcham told the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Take a hike: The Benchwarmer thinks everyone should opt for more time outside
If you aren’t a teacher you’re going to be wildly annoyed by the following sentiments, but I just can’t help myself—it’s summer break. After just finishing my third year of teaching, I have dubbed this post-school bliss as the “summer glow.” Don’t get me wrong, I love teaching and enjoy teaching high school students (cue […]