Thirteen years ago, Steve Key decided to stop eating animal products. Before he flipped the switch, he’d call himself a “wannabe vegetarian,” refraining from meat most of the time but not going against the grain while out to eat with his buddies. He found it difficult in the 1980s and 1990s to find meatless options […]
Central Coast
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
In a new podcast, two Santa Maria locals inspire listeners to dream big
Nevada Gibson’s second memory with Daniel Black is their “iconic” slap fight at Pacific Christian School after playing together during recess in third grade. “For some reason we just started slapping the heck out of each other, like, in the face,” Gibson said in between laughs. “We got in trouble. We had to sit on […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Central Coast bakers deliver homemade goods to underserved children
Lee Coogan feels blessed that her birthday was always celebrated when she was a kid. So was her son’s, and so are her grandkids’. But some people aren’t as fortunate to get a slice of cake in honor of the year ahead. Starting 10 years ago, a national nonprofit, For Goodness Cakes, set out to […]
Posted inNews
TMHA’s Bowl-A-Thon raises money for Central Coast mental health resources
Since the 1970s, Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) has held an annual bowl-a-thon. The nonprofit serves San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties with the aim of reducing stigma around mental health and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness. “I think the idea was that it was unique,” TMHA Executive Director Jill Bolster-White […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Discovery beckons all ages and experience levels to the Old Orcutt Yarnery
Lisa Long learned how to knit at a Del Taco 15 years ago. At that point in her life, her routine was a long cycle of working, cooking dinner, studying for her degree, and falling asleep in the early hours of the morning. She needed to reactivate her creative brain. “I called a friend of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Barbara County opens free public art workshop series
In March the county launched Make It: Building a Public Art Practice to help artists of all experience levels plan community-based projects. They’ll receive guidance about all the practical questions that arise when creating public art. The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, an umbrella for creative programs within the county, is offering […]
Posted inWedding Issue
Sun Canyon Florals brings whimsy and nature to wedding design
Say, ‘I do’To learn more about Sun Canyon Florals and book your wedding, visit suncanyonflorals.com. For Victoria Duncan, flowers are a language spoken through texture, scent, color, and imperfection—and a way of inviting people into the present on one of the most meaningful days of their lives. “I feel like flowers provide a state of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria’s Inspirational Art Center knows how to throw a party
Alisha Muller lives for “mirror moments.” She can create them in just five minutes, using paint, sponges, brushes, and a touch of glitter. Her clients, most often children, climb onto a tall director’s chair and choose a design from Muller’s face painting samples. Then they try to sit still, anticipating their transformation. Ready to party?Book […]
Posted inGet Outside
Local nonprofit boosts environmental education for underserved high school students
FEATURE Folks at the Morro Coast Audubon Society like to say that protecting birds means protecting the entire ecosystem. Torrey Gage-Tomlinson, the organization’s program director, believes it wholeheartedly. The concept was a continuation of his early memories traveling across Latin America to go bird watching with his parents. “It was a really unique childhood, and […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Central Coast residents are getting hooked on IV treatments to boost immunity and wellness
Three for IVMedSpa SLO is located at 867 Pacific St., suite 110, in San Luis Obispo. Visit medspaslo.com or call (805) 457-3244 for more information on its treatments. IV Hydration and Beyond is located at 1512 Park St. in Paso Robles. Call (805) 769-4001 or visit ivhab.com for more information. IV Beach House is located […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc Police Department uses AI tool for non-emergency dispatch
An AI assistant is now answering calls made to the Lompoc Police Department’s business line to report non-emergencies. Police hope the technology, called Hyper, will allow dispatchers to focus on emergency situations. “It’ll help reduce the volume of calls coming directly into dispatch because there’s an enormous amount of calls that come through that aren’t […]
Posted inFood & Drink
CaliPaso expands along the Central Coast with a tasting room in Solvang
The latest additionCaliPaso Winery’s new tasting room is located at 482 1st St. in Solvang. It’s open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about the winery, visit calipasowinery.com. The giant television screen inside CaliPaso Winery’s Solvang tasting room became […]