Cover Story
Lines drawn
Well, I don’t like to say, “I told you so,” but it’s a a bit difficult to keep those words in my beak this week. Thanks to the Santa Barbara County Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission, change is in the air. The commission finalized its preferred map on Dec. 4, planned to make some tweaks early…
Redistricting commission selects final preferred map
The Santa Barbara County Independent Redistricting Commission drew a final county map during its Dec. 4 meeting. This meeting marks the end point of a year-long journey to redraw Santa Barbara County district lines that align with the 2020 Census Data as well as highlight communities of interest, such as renters and the Latino voter…
New Cuyama Greenway focuses on climate change mitigation
State grant funding brought more than 170 trees to New Cuyama’s Richardson Park in a project that aims to help residents beat the summer heat and offset the effects of climate change in the rural community southeast of Santa Maria. Residents and county delegates will celebrate the opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the New…
Guadalupe’s Royal Theater applies for historical preservation
As revitalization plans for Guadalupe’s nearly 90-year-old Royal Theater move forward, an upcoming hearing will determine whether the state will ask the federal government to recognize the structure as a historical building. During a Jan. 21, 2022, meeting, the State Historical Resources Commission is planning to decide whether to nominate the theater for inclusion on…
Political Watch: December 9, 2021
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) testified before the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protection in support of the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that ensures federal firefighters receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county, and municipal firefighters, according to Carbajal’s office. In order…
Dunites’ new tasting room in San Luis Obispo celebrates Bohemian-inspired wines
The co-owners behind Dunites Wine Company, Rachel Goffinet Eck and Tyler Eck, are straddling two Central Coast counties, bringing their best to both worlds. The couple lives in Pismo Beach, and both Rachel and Tyler have worked for Santa Barbara County wineries over the years. Currently, Tyler is associate winemaker for Fess Parker Winery in…
Hogwarts and Whoville are decked out for holiday happenings at Universal Studios Hollywood
No matter which acre of Universal Studios’ 425 you’re standing on, you’re bound to be hearing something composed by John Williams playing in the background—whether it’s Harry Potter fanfare or the Jurassic Park soundtrack. There are a few exceptions here and there—depending on which themed area you’re walking to, or what time of the year…
Santa Maria band performs free alt-Americana concert in Morro Bay
Mike Healy and the Canaries, a Santa Maria-based alternative-Americana group, is performing a free concert at The Siren in Morro Bay on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. (for ages 21 and over only). Frontman and singer-songwriter Mike Healy is backed by fellow band members John Murtha, Joe Kidd, Greg Lloyd, and Phil…
St. Joseph Community Theatre presents ‘The Little Mermaid’ for one weekend only
Performances of St. Joseph Community Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be held at St. Joseph High School in Orcutt on Friday, Dec. 17, and Saturday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 19, at 5 p.m. Tickets to the show range between $10 and $50. This theatrical adaptation of the classic…
Geology, physics students gather atmospheric data during Orcutt Academy High School’s annual Balloon Fest
Students in Orcutt Academy High School’s geology and physics classes will take part in an atmospheric data collection project, as part of the school’s annual Balloon Fest on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Giant atmospheric weather balloons (with 7-foot diameters) will lift student-designed experiments 300 feet into the air to collect…
Fair and balanced, not
We had expected the county to be fair with our town. Instead, Planning and Development and its director have been anything but. This is the latest update concerning a poorly conceived development project in Los Alamos. It is an issue that will have health and safety consequences for our town, especially because of a one-lane…
New facility will help the community care for its aging population, who have given much to the Orcutt area over the years
Having grown up in the Orcutt area from my early childhood days, I have always appreciated the goodness of the people who live and work in the Orcutt area. It has been a wonderful place to live and raise my own family. The community set a good example for me to follow and for all…
Orcutt artist Minnie Anderson displays work in the Santa Maria Public Library
Framed pencil drawings of pets, grandchildren with grandparents, kids playing in baseball games, and Monterey homes stretch across the walls of the Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall; children’s eyes glint with life-like joy, and pets’ personalities shine through the sketched faces. Minnie Anderson, an Orcutt-based artist, gazes at each of her pieces in the…
