Despite a current decline in Guadalupe’s tree cover, residents can expect to see an increase in trees over the next 40 years. With grant money from Cal Fire, Guadalupe committed to adopting an urban forest management plan and increasing canopy cover by 10 percent. It’s an ambitious goal, Engineering Technician Dayanira Cruz told the Sun, […]
Santa Barbara County
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A Santa Maria obstacle course helps kids build confidence and stay active
At USA Ninja Challenge Santa Maria, the equation for playful fun is a little bit of jumping and swinging plus cargo nets, ropes, and rings. Add in lots of safety padding, and it equals the perfect space for emerging ninjas to train. The Santa Maria gym is a locally owned and operated franchise of USA […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A new novel takes readers on an adventure along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail
When anyone tells Patricia Mahon she can’t do something, she’ll prove them wrong. It’s happened with sexist professors and stodgy editors, becoming part of the reason she took up fiction writing. “You can’t tell people they can’t do something, especially when they’re creative because creative people can do whatever they want,” Mahon said. “That’s what […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Bruce Springsteen tribute band comes to the Chumash Casino
Hank Azaria and The EZ Street Band are performing Bruce Springsteen’s classics on Jan. 30 at the Chumash Casino Resort. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets range from $20 to $55 plus fees. Frontrunner Hank Azaria is known for his acting and voice work, including in the television show, The Simpsons. For the […]
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The Santa Maria Philharmonic puts on a free orchestra performance
Bring the whole family to a free concert called Fly Me to The Moon on Jan. 31 for an hour of classical music combined with the story of the history of flight. The show begins at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church of Santa Maria, and registration is required to reserve seats. The orchestra, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Small production winemakers gather at their crush facility for an open house tasting event
Two presses. One destemmer. Countless barrels of grape juice. At a 15,000-square-foot warehouse on Easy Street in Buellton, seven small-production winemakers share a custom crush facility. Many don’t have official tasting rooms, relying on wine club memberships and online sales for distribution. Readers’ discountBuy tickets for the Easy Street Wine Collective open house on Jan. […]
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Lompoc could fix its streets with proposed sales tax measure
Lompoc City Council members took the next step toward placing a half percent special sales tax measure dedicated to road and sidewalk maintenance on the ballot. The decision was informed by the city’s first FlashVote survey that asked respondents about city improvements and the tax measure. On Jan. 6, the council voted 3-2 to move […]
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Pre-applications and life-changing opportunities open at Buellton Garden Apartments
In the late 1960s, a small group of people wanted to help their neighbors with low-income housing issues in San Luis Obispo County. Founded in 1970, People’s Self-Help Housing has built affordable housing across the Central Coast over the last six-plus decades, most recently in Buellton. People’s Self Help opened up pre-applications for 89 one-, […]
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A local jeweler sets out to empower others with her craft
Long before Jessica Rangel made jewelry, she collected rocks, mesmerized by the texture of each stone. As a child she always had a rock in hand, which is nearly still true today. As an adult, Rangel remembers shopping for jewelry but never finding exactly what she wanted to wear. Rather than settling for store-bought pieces, […]
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Try a paper mosaics class in Solvang
The California Nature Art Museum (CalNAM) is hosting two entry-level classes led by local artist Katherine Taylor, who’ll teach students how to make paper mosaics. On Jan. 29, the class will be geared toward adults ages 14 and older. It’ll be held at the museum from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Taylor will help students plan […]
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Lompoc Valley Art Association accepts submissions for upcoming show
Artists in Santa Barbara County are invited to submit up to three pieces to the Lompoc Valley Art Association’s show, Art of Renewal, by Jan. 26. The exhibit is all about using repurposed materials to create something new. “This event celebrates both creative ingenuity and environmental responsibility, inviting local artists and art lovers to join […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Hapi Nani offers teas and spices blended right in Santa Maria
Growing up in India, Harpreet Sangha has fond memories of accompanying her grandmother to buy garam masala, a northern Indian spice blend that’s added to almost every dish. Sangha remembers her grandmother talking about her family’s health with the vendor so he could customize their blend. “Depending on if we had runny noses or if […]