Special Issue
Education Today 2026
Aug. 13 is the first day of school for Santa Maria Valley students, which can mean so many things—a new school, new friends, new subjects to be interested in. For some local youth, it will also mean the chance to participate in a new after-school program with Think Together. For our annual Education Today issue, Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood digs into what that care will look like, while Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal from the Sun’s sister paper talks…
Central Coast Calendar
News
Solvang Planning Commission rejects nightclub proposal
Amid the queue for a city permit, a hopeful nightclub operator couldn’t get past the city’s bouncers—concerned Solvang officials. On Aug. 3, the Solvang Planning Commission vetoed a property owner’s application to transform the vacant site formerly known as Alisal Cellars into a new nightclub destination, despite the project’s consistency with downtown…
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Music, Arts & Culture
After gaining decades of experience nationwide, PCPA’s new artistic director heads back to Santa Maria
Full season aheadBuy tickets for upcoming productions at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre online at pcpa.org. Season 63 kicks off with La Comedia of Errors running from Sept. 10 to 27. As Valerie Rachelle prepares for her return to the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA), she can’t help but notice a few coincidences. The actor and director first stepped foot on the Santa Maria stage in 1996 as a dancer in Camelot. But when she was rehired for a longer stint…
Food & Drink
A hidden gem in Los Olivos serves pies, pastries, and wholesome vibes
When Tracy Fleming started her first catering business, there was no social media. “It was word of mouth and a little bit of advertising and treat your clients really well…
Omar’s Healthy Foods helps people reach their goals with fresh meal prep options
Omar Jimenez begins most days the same. “First thing I do? I pray. Thank God for another day,” Jimenez said. “Then I go to the gym for an hour, two…
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