View a slideshow from 2016’s Festival. The Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival is a celebration of one of this area’s most abundant fruits, but have you ever wondered how the strawberries we eat at the event or buy from some local stands turn out to be so sweet and perfect? There is a process, and […]
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Posted inFood & Drink
Craft beer or bust: Buellton Brew Fest rolls into its fifth and biggest year
View a slideshow from the 2016 festival. Hundreds of craft beer options in one centralized location: good. Hundreds of rowdy good-for-nothin’ hooligans in one centralized location: bad. Unfortunately, the two tend to come as a package deal—except at Buellton Brew Fest. The festival will hit town for its fifth year on May 7, and according […]
Posted inNews
Standoff with Oakland homicide suspect in Santa Maria on June 10
On June 10, a suspect wanted in connection with an Oakland homicide shot himself following an hours-long standoff with police at a Santa Maria gas station, according to Kelly Hoover, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect, whose name is not being released at this time, was wanted for […]
Posted inNews
Bernie Sanders stumps in Santa Maria
View a slideshow from the May 28 rally. Vermont Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders came to Santa Maria on May 28 to speak to a crowd of more than 7,000 who gathered at Santa Maria High School’s football field to see and hear the candidate speak. Though Sanders didn’t arrive until just before […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Olivia Lane talks rodeos before performing for the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo on June 3
Emerging country artist Olivia Lane is no stranger to a good rodeo. She grew up going to the Houston rodeo, which also introduced her to a number of her favorite country artists, including Reba McEntire, George Strait, and Alan Jackson. Lane is a stranger, however, to the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, where she will perform […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local poet Michael McLaughlin releases new book of poetry, ‘Countless Cinemas’
Listen to an interview with Michael McLaughlin, including readings of two poems from ‘Countless Cinemas.’ The words flow in simple, neat little packets on the pages of local poet Michael McLaughlin’s new book, Countless Cinemas, released through Hell Press. The stanzas appear simple, but the content is far from so, and each line’s place on […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local educators to present National Endowment for the Humanities’ film series at Lompoc Library
View a preview of PBS’ Slavery by Another Name. History is a fickle friend, as far as what it reveals about human nature and society. In so many times and places, the brave struggle for humanity has been kicked down, suppressed, and beaten into submission. And even after every success, the established structure inevitably finds […]
Posted inNews
Target practice: How unmanaged recreational shooting affects health and safety in Los Padres National Forest
View a slideshow of target shooting in Los Padres National Forest. Jared Herrera unzipped a gun case and lifted his Saiga semi-automatic from it, smiling. “This is my baby.” He and his buddy Mario Martinez pressed protective plugs into their ears and crouched behind their rifles, aiming toward a hanging metal target on the nearby […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA’s Andy Philpot explores the villainous character of Shakespeare’s Richard III
Listen to the full interview with Andrew Philpot. In the beginning of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, the titular character opens the story with one of the bard’s most famous soliloquies, which starts with the line “Now is the winter of our discontent.” Addressing the audience directly, the character goes on to explain his physical infirmity—the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cafe Musique celebrates new album, ‘Ebb and Flow,’ with a concert in Santa Maria
Watch the music video for ‘Libertango’ off of Café Musique’s new album. The Central Coast’s favorite bohemian string band is at it again, releasing a new album and celebrating with an upcoming CD release show in Santa Maria. Café Musique has one new member since the ensemble’s last album, and the fiery spirit and technical […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gale McNeeley explores the creative spirit with one-man show ‘Archy and Mehitabel’
Watch an excerpt from Gale McNeeley’s one-man show celebrating 100 years of ‘Archy and Mehitabel.’ Gale McNeeley has never been an actor who revels in the mainstream. He left a promising career on Broadway to go to clown school, favoring a direct connection with an audience over the spectacle of other theatric forms. McNeeley has […]
Posted inNews
Burgeoning bloom: Drought-stricken wildflowers attract crowds to California’s Central Coast with a colorful display after the rains deliver much-needed relief
As the Ides of March passed, thirsty shrubs sucked up the moisture granted by the intermittent rains that graced the Central Coast and put their lifeblood to work. Within weeks of the rains the spring bloom came in full force, lighting up hillsides across the coast with blossoming hues of yellow, lavender, and bright orange. […]
