Santa Maria had more teen pregnancies than any city in America when I moved here in 1960. I taught contraception in my biology classes at high school and Hancock College. I started Planned Parenthood, which was very small and controversial at first. Now it’s is a very busy place with about 25 excellent employees. I […]
You’ve been warned
Posted inOpinion
Porter has community passion
I support Bruce Porter for county supervisor for our county’s 3rd District. I’ve worked with Bruce over the years in a number of nonprofits, to include the Red Cross and Rotary. He has an amazing passion for our community and its citizens, and has dedicated countless hours in volunteer time to work hard for the […]
Posted inOpinion
The experience that matters
Having known Joan Hartmann for the past six years, it’s obvious why Supervisor [Doreen] Farr selected Joan four years ago to serve on our county’s Planning Commission. In 2008 Joan provided the leadership for the Measure E campaign to amend Buellton’s general plan. Buellton voters now enjoy final say in any developments that would expand […]
Posted inOpinion
A poet in your pocket
The written exchange between John Adams and his wife, Abigail, are true treasures of American history. But the native New Englander, away from home for months at a time in Philadelphia and Washington trying to preserve a young republic for future generations, also wrote at length to his oldest son, John Quincy, who himself would […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The California Classic
I like to consider myself quite the gentleman adventurer. The name “gentleman adventurer” sounds like a very prestigious title; however it’s completely self-subscribed and thus has no real legitimacy. I’m a gentleman adventurer merely because I say that I am and because occasionally I do stupid stuff. Simple as that. Recently I decided to do […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA’s Andy Philpot explores the villainous character of Shakespeare’s Richard III
Listen to the full interview with Andrew Philpot. In the beginning of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, the titular character opens the story with one of the bard’s most famous soliloquies, which starts with the line “Now is the winter of our discontent.” Addressing the audience directly, the character goes on to explain his physical infirmity—the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cafe Musique celebrates new album, ‘Ebb and Flow,’ with a concert in Santa Maria
Watch the music video for ‘Libertango’ off of Café Musique’s new album. The Central Coast’s favorite bohemian string band is at it again, releasing a new album and celebrating with an upcoming CD release show in Santa Maria. Café Musique has one new member since the ensemble’s last album, and the fiery spirit and technical […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Celebrate Earth Day with poetry at Sedgwick Reserve
The Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society and the Sedgwick Reserve invite the public to a poetry reading in recognition of Earth Day featuring Paul Willis, former poet laureate of Santa Barbara. The free event happens April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Tipton Meeting House on the reserve. The reserve gates open at 5 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Valley Arts Council presents talk on self-publishing at quarterly meeting
The Lompoc Valley Arts Council holds its quarterly meeting, which always includes a talk by an artist, on April 21. The council’s board meeting begins at 6 p.m. with a social break at 6:45 p.m., followed by a talk by author Michael Sewall. Sewall will present the talk Getting Your Words Into Print, which touches […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA seeks young performer for ‘Shrek The Musical’
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) will hold auditions for two roles in the upcoming production of Shrek The Musical for boys and girls who are 10 years old. The characters of Young Fiona and Young Shrek each require a young actor who is comfortable singing by themselves in front of a large audience. Auditions for […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gale McNeeley explores the creative spirit with one-man show ‘Archy and Mehitabel’
Watch an excerpt from Gale McNeeley’s one-man show celebrating 100 years of ‘Archy and Mehitabel.’ Gale McNeeley has never been an actor who revels in the mainstream. He left a promising career on Broadway to go to clown school, favoring a direct connection with an audience over the spectacle of other theatric forms. McNeeley has […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Al Pho in Santa Maria gets you your Vietnamese fix
I’m going to kick off this review with full disclosure. When I stepped through Al Pho’s doors on a Thursday evening, I was in tears. It had taken me three attempts to get into their parking lot—each of which drew angry honks and rude hand gestures from surrounding drivers—because the “driveway” into the complex Al […]