Instead of soaring on swings, racing down slides, and climbing on monkey bars, students at four Santa Maria elementary schools are playing on concrete slabs. The Santa Maria-Bonita School District allocated federal COVID-19 relief dollars to improve the playgrounds at Fairlawn, Tunnell, Alvin, and Ontiveros elementary schools. Over the summer, the district removed the outdated […]
Section Feature
Posted inFood & Drink
Bien Nacido’s new vineyard director oversees incoming era of redevelopment
Between the vines Find out more about Bien Nacido at biennacidoestate.com. The Bien Nacido Vineyard is located at 4705 Santa Maria Mesa Road, Santa Maria. Its sister vineyard, Solomon Hills, is located at 5550 Telephone Road, Santa Maria. One of Santa Maria’s top vintners is dotting its i’s with a new set of eyes. As […]
Posted inOpinion
Calm down!
By the time you read this, you’ll either be crying, laughing, curled up in the fetal position, clapping, or losing your mind. It really depends on who wins and who you voted for in the presidential election. I don’t know what’s going on yet, because it’s 3:30 p.m. on Election Day and we’re about to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Rings, earrings, and botanical illustrations sum up Santa Maria artist Kristen Bates’ latest outpouring
On and off the grid Check out Santa Maria-based artist Kristen Bates’ artworks online on her Facebook page. Bates’ works will be available for sale in-person at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art on Nov. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find them […]
Posted inNews
Home base: Local students could soon earn four-year degrees at Allan Hancock College—but the program awaits CSU approval
For the 12 years Kevin Walthers has been with Allan Hancock College, he has tried to work with the California State University System to make obtaining four-year degrees an opportunity for students on the Santa Maria campus. He’s so close to making that long-awaited dream a reality. Hancock recently received provisional approval from the California […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sta. Rita Hills’ Alma Rosa Winery launches first open-air tram tour
Now boarding Find out more about Alma Rosa Winery’s new open-air tram tour, visit almarosawinery.com. The tour is offered daily, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., for parties of up to seven people. Admission is $100 per person. Reservations are required in advance. The tram begins and ends at Alma Rosa Winery’s historic Ranch House, […]
Posted inOpinion
Get fierce
There’s nothing like the feeling of turning a dream into reality, especially after a long wait. Allan Hancock College is right there, on the threshold of bringing a long-awaited goal to fruition for local students. For the 12 years he’s been at Hancock’s helm, Kevin Walthers has worked to get a bachelor’s degree offered on […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Colorful landscapes and jazz-inspired abstracts find harmony at Gallery Los Olivos
Sheet mosaic Symphony of Color will debut at Gallery Los Olivos on Friday, Nov. 1, and will run through Saturday, Nov. 30. To find out more about the duo show and other upcoming exhibits at the venue, visit gallerylosolivos.com. The gallery is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and located at 2920 Grand […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Local roaster Zaca Coffee makes its coffee shop debut in Buellton
Roast host Visit zacacoffee.com or call (805) 698-4540 to find out more about Zaca Coffee’s new coffee shop, located at 240 E. Highway 246, unit 109, Buellton. It’s not every day that you see a llama riding a surfboard, unless you’re spending every day at Zaca Coffee—which opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in Buellton in […]
Posted inNews
Solvang’s Wildwood housing proposal creates tension among neighbors
Several Solvang residents are ringing alarm bells about a housing development project that’s still behind the starting line. “This area is unique, it’s precious, it’s a place where people come because it’s so special,” Michelle Neels said. “If we start to allow development that hurts that feel, that charm, then we become Anytown, USA, and […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Aww factor: This issue features the Central Coast’s cutest pets and a little something extra
Brighten up your day by flipping through the winners of our second annual pet photo contest. Readers from across the Central Coast submitted more than 400 images of their cats, dogs, lizards, chickens, horses, bunnies, and even fish in this year’s competition. A panel of five judges narrowed them to the top three in each […]
Posted inOpinion
Public participants
Wildwood in Solvang is getting wild before it’s even got roots in the ground. The proposed 100-unit, multi-family, two-story apartment and condo development is running into ye ol’ “we want development, we just want it to be the right kind of development.” Which is code for “This development is going to bring in people who […]
