According to a very thorough Google search, the average American wedding costs an estimated $30,000. Those must be some mighty hors d’oeuvres and fancy place settings, because that’s a hefty chunk of change. Luckily, there are some arenas in which you can save. Hair is definitely one of them. That’s why I asked hairstylists from […]
A hairy situation: Two easy styles from top Central Coast salons
Posted inNews
Hobnobbing with Helen: Finding treasure for Special Olympics
Ahoy, Mateys! Avast me hearties! “You are invited to join us for a swashbuckling evening of dinner and dancing at the 2016 Special Olympics VIP Dinner and Dance on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Veterans Memorial Community Center.” So read the invitation, which labeled the event, “A Pirate’s Life for Me.” The place was awash […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria-Bonita School District to purchase dozens of portable classrooms
Santa Maria-Bonita School District will acquire 26 portable buildings to accommodate the growing student population, following a unanimous vote from the district’s board of trustees last week. The district will place the buildings on 11 of its 20 campuses starting next school year, according to Public Information Officer Maggie White. About half of the portables […]
Posted inNews
Camp 4 talks heat up over taxes, gaming plans
Monthly discussions between the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the County of Santa Barbara Ad Hoc Subcommittee continued Thursday, Feb. 11, carrying on the groups’ attempt to agree on terms for Camp 4, a portion of land the tribe intends to submit into federal trust. Points of contention in last week’s meeting included […]
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Channel Island fox may be removed from endangered species list
On Feb. 12, after more than a decade of successful recovery efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a statement that it wants to remove the Channel Islands fox from the endangered species list. Four of the six subspecies of the fox were added to the list in March 2004 following years of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Ynez Valley Arts launches Art in the Courtyard
Santa Ynez Valley Arts is a coalition of valley-based artists that coalesce to organize events and exhibits, including the upcoming Art in the Courtyard event kicking off on March 5 at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, during Free Museum Day in the valley. Art in the Courtyard will continue to run the second Saturday […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley hosts Arts Outreach benefit concert
A benefit concert for Arts Outreach is scheduled for Feb. 21 at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, featuring two highly acclaimed musicians: pianist Francesco Attesti, and organist Matteo Galli. The two will perform several duets on the church’s Steinway B grand piano and the 22-rank Schoenstein organ. The concert will also include solo […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Arts Council announces grant competition
The Santa Maria Arts Council is gearing up for its annual Individual Grants in the Arts Competition, which will award $13,000 in grants to emerging local artists. Locals wishing to compete for the grants must be at least 12 years of age and must have studied art in Northern Santa Barbara County for a minimum […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA The Pacific Conservatory Theatre presents a hilarious and tuneful rendition of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’
The legacy of Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert in musical theater is nearly beyond measure, and The Pirates of Penzance is a prime example of their genius. The play was premiered in 1879, and immediately wooed audiences with its tuneful melodies, bombastic characters, and satirical British humor. The play has enjoyed continual performance ever since, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Allan Hancock College features students’ work in annual Fine Arts Student Showcase
Allan Hancock College’s Ann Foxworthy Gallery is a perfect space for showing art, with its octagonal shape allowing a number of spaces that can all be partitioned with faux walls. The gallery’s setup allows a varied show that viewers can easily navigate and enjoy in sections. And for the annual Fine Arts Student Art Show—which […]
Posted inOpinion
Understanding the Quran
Tom H. C. Anderson said, upon completion of his analysis assessing if the Holy Quran was more violent than the Holy Bible, “Personally, I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised that the concept of ‘mercy’ was most prevalent in the Quran.” As the fear of Islam continues to permeate society, non-Muslims find themselves questioning […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CovenTree in Santa Maria hosts Heartbeat of Mother Earth drum making class
The tradition of drumming exists worldwide and serves as a musical universal among indigenous populations who use the instruments in differing rituals, often of the spiritual persuasion. Whether African, Australian, or American natives, the crafting of the drum is incredibly important in these cultures, explained Julia Bÿl, who has helped many Californians of all ages […]