Calibrate your visual processors and defrag your disks, because Best Of Northern Santa Barbara County 2017 is here with the Robo-Best! We did it up in precision style this year, reaching out to the businesses, people, and androids Sun readers think are at the front of the assembly line. And we have a robot! Watch […]
Video
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Rock ‘n’ roll power-up: Noe Esquivel shares his guitar covers of video game music
Watch a video of Noe Esquivel in action. For hardcore video gamers, graphics aren’t the only draw to a great game. The music composed for a game has a way of sticking in the ear, like the original Mario Bros. theme, and can be a source of joy even when not button mashing a controller. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Singer/songwriter Sean Wiggins returns to the Central Coast
View a video of Sean Wiggins performing at Cold Spring Tavern. She’s performed across Santa Barbara County, from the wooded Santa Ynez Mountains to Santa Maria Valley, singing songs under the oaks at outdoor festivals or setting up in the corner of a winery tasting room. Singer/songwriter Sean Wiggins may be based in Santa Clarita […]
Posted inNews
Flower power: The Central Coast’s winter rainfall has wildflower hot spots revving up for a ‘super bloom’
View a slideshow of wildflowers around the Central Coast. I pulled off on the side of Figueroa Mountain Road, parking just a couple windy miles up from the Figueroa campground. Stepping outside, I spotted a rogue sheet of poppies, and some bushes of pitcher sage splotched here and there on the hillside. But it wasn’t […]
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Coyote Central Coast: Coyotes have a long and colorful local history, which still thrives today
Most of us have seen them: pointed ears and caramel-colored snouts poking out of the brush at a favorite hiking trail, bushy tails whipping around the corners of country roads, and those vivid eyes, which regard you with intentional nonchalance. Often spotted at sunset, the coyote—known as Canis latrans by biologists—calls the Central Coast home, […]
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Local pet advocacy group strives to rid Central Coast of retail pet shops
View a slideshow of animals available for adoption at the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. Cristine Collier, founder of a new Central Coast-based pet advocacy group, has one primary goal: Ban local pet stores from selling commercially bred animals. Her reason: Most commercial breeders—and many smaller backyard breeders—fit the bill for puppy mills, where dogs […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Weekly habit: Musicians and poets of all flavors are welcome at 6 Degrees Coffee House in Orcutt’s open mic night
Watch a video of Anthony Michael Ariolla performing at 6 Degrees Coffee House. Freedom of expression is a founding principle of our society, but how often do we all engage in it? One last bastion of unfettered expression is the open mic, a chance for anyone to share a few thoughts or songs, taking turns […]
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SWAT standoff on Mariposa Way ends with suspect’s surrender and a house fire
View a slideshow of the Nov. 16 standoff. A standoff with the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) SWAT team on Nov. 16 ended with the surrender of a man who barricaded himself inside a home in the 800 block of East Mariposa Way. The man was wanted on suspicion of domestic violence. According to Sgt. […]
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The alpaca life: Lompoc couple runs one of California’s few carding mills, selling yarn for a living
View more photos from the Goehrigs’ ranch. Mette and Tom Goehrig trudged across one of their pastures, parting a mob of nosey alpacas. “They’re like potato chips,” Mette said of the animals. “You can never have just one.” At least, that’s how it’s been for the Goehrigs their 20-acre farm is home to 43 alpacas […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
AnnKathleen takes you on a spiritual, musical journey
Watch a video of AnnKathleen performing. AnnKathleen leads a number of classes and spiritual sessions at CovenTree Books and Gifts in Santa Maria, from meditation to transformational mentoring. But one regular get-together there uses music to help attune her and others to mindfulness. The meditation and devotional chant sessions she leads includes silent meditation followed […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Standing Sun Wines welcomes up-and-comer K Phillips
K Phillips was first brought to my attention as an artist of note during a visit to Standing Sun Wines last year to interview owner John Wright about his wine collaboration with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows and artist Felipe Molina. Wright excitedly queued up a YouTube video of Duritz performing Phillips’ “Kay’s Song” at […]
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Man’s best friend, pest’s worst enemy: Agricultural commissioner demonstrates Santa Barbara County’s new pest detection dog
Watch a video of Doomis in action! There’s a new detective on the scene in Santa Barbara County, and he’s the real deal: efficient, effective, loyal, hard-working—and adorable to boot. The detective’s name is Doomis. He’s 2 1/2 years old, and he’s a dog. Doomis is the latest installment in California’s statewide pest detection dog […]