It took less than a day for a wildfire near New Cuyama to grow into California’s largest of the year by acreage so far. While the cause of the Madre Fire remains under investigation, fire officials traced back its point of origin to the early afternoon of July 2, along Highway 166 in the Cuyama […]
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Lompoc’s Wild West Pizza selected as finalist for National Real California Cheese Pizza Competition, honored for dedication to community service
Real cheese, real ingredients Wild West Pizza is open from 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Located at 1137 N. H St., suite W, the Lompoc mom-and-pop pizza shop is known for its unique pies. It can be found on Instagram @wildwestpizza and online at wildwestpizza.menu. […]
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South Side Coffee Company captures Lompoc’s artistic spirit with gallery of local art vendors
Fill your cup with art Located at 105 S. H St., South Side Coffee Company is more of a community art center that serves coffee and food than a cafe decorated with art. Owner/operator Halle Bedford hosts exhibits by local artists with pieces for sale all throughout the shop. South Side Coffee Company is open […]
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Drover’s Doughnuts ups the dessert competition in Solvang with sandwiches, cake shakes, dirty sodas
Taking the bull by the horns Located at 484 First St. in Solvang, Drover’s Doughnuts is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its 252 E. Highway 246 location in Buellton is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon. Visit Drover’s Doughnuts on Facebook and Instagram under its name […]
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Guadalupe officials raise foot traffic concerns tied to Highway 166 and a new middle school
In mid-August, the newly built Guadalupe Junior High School’s doors will open for the first time to incoming seventh and eighth graders. The school on Arroyo Seco Road is near the Pasadera housing community. While most of Guadalupe—including its downtown area and the majority of housing within city limits—lies on the north side of Highway […]
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Lompoc to continue funding chamber of commerce after public speaks out
The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce isn’t going anywhere. Following outcry from local residents, Lompoc City Council reversed course on a decision to decrease funding for the organization. Council members unanimously decided to continue providing the chamber $108,000 annually for the 2025-27 fiscal years at the June 17 meeting. In response to a June 3 […]
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Santa Maria artist Tommy Ruiz highlights unconventional beauty with surrealist imagery expressing the trans experience
Trans-forming narratives As a trans man, Santa Maria artist Tommy Ruiz illustrates conventional people with bizarre body parts to highlight unorthodox forms of beauty. You can find him on Instagram @bunniesaregay. Tommy Ruiz was lying in bed as a 13-year-old girl when he suddenly realized he was transgender. It was July 2015. Caitlyn Jenner had […]
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Tacos El Pirata Mayor treats North Broadway to authentic Mexican cuisine
Keep your eyes out The Tacos El Pirata Mayor food truck parks at 1203 N. Broadway in Santa Maria and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Fridays from 5:30 to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Find Tacos El Pirata Mayor on […]
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Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce declares to close June 30
The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce will close June 30, according to a June 10 Facebook post from the chamber, which blamed the City Council’s decision to “abruptly and drastically cut funding.” “This is more than a budget cut. It’s the potential loss of a vital community pillar,” chamber President/CEO DeVika Stalling wrote. “We are […]
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Local photographer Kayla Marie highlights the planet’s natural beauty with her shots of beaches, sunsets, mountains
Picture perfect Kayla Marie has been photographing Santa Barbara County’s landscapes since she was 9 years old. Now a mother of two young children, she shares her pictures, hoping to inspire the next generation. Find her photos on Instagram under @_kayyyyylaaaaaaa_. Find her portfolio online at kaylamariephotography.smugmug.com. Growing up in Pismo Beach, a young Kayla […]
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Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club will host local wineries, eateries to raise funds for Old Days
Wine and dine On June 21, Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club will host Vine2Wine, Brews & Bites at 429 Leslie St. at 6 p.m. About two dozen wineries will fill glasses to pair with food served by local eateries. Tickets are available at my805tix.com for $65. Any remaining will be sold at the door on […]
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Coast Range steakhouse chef and owner Steven Fretz introduces nonalcoholic drink menu
Sip, sip, hurray Coast Range is located at 1635 Mission Drive in Solvang. For menus and more information, including details about its nonalcoholic cocktails, find it on Instagram @coastrangerestaurant, or visit coastrange.restaurant. After he drank himself into the hospital with cirrhosis last November, Steven Fretz had to be revived. The doctors gave him two choices: […]