On April 22, gymnast Cameron Rea signed to join Southern California United, an association that offers NCAA level training and competition for collegiate gymnastics. He plans to attend Allan Hancock College and eventually transfer to a CSU. He signed the pledge at KT’s All Star Gymnastics in the Santa Maria Town Center Mall. David Eckenrode, […]
Cameron Rea
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Former MLB player Steve Sax starts foundation to mentor youth
After spending 14 years playing Major League Baseball, Steve Sax is known worldwide as a legendary athlete. During the span of his career from 1981 to 1994, Sax played for the L.A. Dodgers, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Oakland Athletics. Now, Sax has a different venue in which to use […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Passion in Paso: How regional wine producers are pushing the envelope to attract sophisticated palates
The merriest month in Paso Robles may well be May. Before the intense heat of summer sets in, two wine events are planned in this Northern San Luis Obispo County wine region: CABS of Distinction and the Paso Robles Wine Festival. With 32,000 vineyard acres and more than 200 wineries producing wines from more than […]
Posted inOpinion
Should businesses that have contributed to the creation of Superfund sites–through dumping hazardous materials–be held liable?
Mauricio Herrera student “Yes, they should. If you make the mess, clean the mess.” Antonio Ibarra student “Yeah. If they were the ones dumping, then yes.” Alicia Morales student “Well, yeah, I think that [the question] answers it. They contributed to it, so yes.” Adrian Novoa student “If they had permission, they shouldn’t be held […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
‘What’ is the problem
The University of California system has decided that my son is some sort of academic genius. He was accepted into both UCLA and UC Berkeley. Yes, I am a proud father, but since I know him so well, I find it a bit odd that the universities think he’s a genius. Sure, on paper, his […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
WonHeart gives Battles students musical tools to abate bullying
WonHeart facilitators Joelyn Lutz and Patrick Mahan improvised a rhythmic minor jam as Battles Elementary School third and fourth graders filed into the school’s cafeteria on a recent Friday afternoon. Even before they found places to sit, some kids were tapping their feet or bobbing their knees in rhythm with the bluesy beat. Though Lutz […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Leadership Lompoc Valley holds fundraiser for Lompoc Theatre Project
Leadership Lompoc Valley’s class of 2015 and board of directors named the Lompoc Theatre Project as its fundraising beneficiary this year. The public and Leadership alumni are invited to a fundraising event featuring live entertainment by Lompoc performing arts groups, wine tasting, and food on April 30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the La […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Art of Recovery show seeks submissions
The Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) is preparing for the 2015 Art of Recovery exhibition, a collection of media created by locals recovering from substance abuse or mental illness. The exhibit will show in Santa Maria during May in support of Mental Health Awareness Month, but submissions can be made through April 30 at 5 p.m. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ag pen pals explore local vineyard
The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau’s GAATE Foundation Ag Pen Pals Program includes Los Olivos Elementary School’s third-grade class led by Mrs. Branquinho. The class visited its collective pen pal Kevin Merrill of Mesa Vineyard Management on April 15 among the vines in Los Alamos and gained first hand knowledge of how local grapes are […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hancock College hosts first-ever poetry slam
Poetry is word music: It’s a language composed of rhythm and melody, and its multiple layers of meaning can help readers see and express things in fresh and unique ways. Northern Santa Barbara County now offers community members more opportunities to recite poetry through open mics at the Solvang Brewing Company, Lucia’s Wine Co. in […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Lompoc Civic explores relationships with ‘I Do! I Do!’
If the audience’s reaction to the first performance of the Lompoc Civic Theatre’s (LCT) current production is any indication, there’s something special about the volunteer theater group’s take on Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones’ musical I Do! I Do! Volunteer actors Lea Schultz and David Gaertig gave such life to subjects of the show, married […]
Posted inFood & Drink
ManRock Brewing in Grover Beach offers up craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and a lesson in California history
Deshia Hiebner loves to watch the expressions on customers’ faces when she tells them the origin of the name “ManRock Brewing Company.” Eyes usually widen from amused to curious to spellbound, all in the span of a brief conversation. Although the Grover Beach hangout sounds like it was named after an ’80s metal band (or […]