Cover Story
Guadalupe plans to renovate and repurpose Royal Theater
Guadalupe is taking its first steps toward renovating the long vacant Royal Theater, a project that, despite a lengthy and uncertain road ahead, could result in the theater reopening for public use within the next several years. On April 16, Guadalupe released a request for proposals from development and design teams willing to restore the…
Rachel Boston, founder of Brie Happy Charcuterie, offers customizable, decorative charcuterie to Central Coast residents
Growing up as the daughter of two business owners, Santa Maria local and lifelong foodie Rachel Boston had always hoped to start a business of her own one day. The only question was what? “It has been a huge dream of mine, but the question always was what should I do that I am passionate…
Limited to 25 percent capacity, Disneyland is back in business with fewer crowds than ever
In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes, and long lines at Disneyland. Benjamin Franklin may not have lived long enough to assert the third premise, but I’m sure the folks over at the Haunted Mansion can attest to the late statesman rolling in his grave over it. For the…
PCPA seeks low-cost housing for incoming students, guest artists
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) is seeking low-cost housing opportunities in Santa Maria to offer incoming students and guest artists. Requirements include a bedroom with bed provided, a private or shared bathroom, and access to an on-site kitchen and laundry facilities. Walking distance to the PCPA headquarters at Allan Hancock College is preferred, but not…
Santa Maria Airport holds new abstract exhibit in June, showcasing artist Denise Gimbel
On Tuesday, June 8, a new exhibition showcasing abstract nature paintings by contemporary artist Denise Gimbel (whose work is pictured to the right) will debut at the Santa Maria Airport. This solo exhibit is presented by the Valley Art Gallery and is scheduled to remain on display through the end of July. For more info…
Central Coast artists sought for Water Colors 2021 Storm Drain Mural Project
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and Utilities Department are seeking artists to apply to join the Water Colors 2021 Storm Drain Mural Project, in which selected artists will design and paint sidewalk murals at five of the city’s storm drains. This public art project is part of the city’s education and outreach efforts…
Missing details
Don’t want to wear a mask anymore? I know just the spot where you can shop. Trader Joe’s! And because they trust their customers so much, you don’t even need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. The Centers For Disease Control recently announced that you don’t need to wear a mask if you’re vaccinated.…
Rangers don’t keep Oceano beach safe
I am an Oceano resident. I walk Oceano beach south of Pier Avenue almost every day. Over and over again I witness vehicles speeding, driving recklessly and in non permitted areas. I often stop the rangers to notify them, if I am lucky enough to see a ranger drive by. Never have I seen a…
Homelessness is growing at warp speed, but government moves at a snail’s pace to address the issue
The homeless (unsheltered population) problem has been festering in our community and virtually every other community in the United States for the last several decades. I can remember that in the 1960s there were scores of “cardboard condos” on Los Angeles’ Skid Row and soup kitchens were abundant in the downtown area. And decades before…
Community Partners in Caring provides transportation for seniors to get to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments
Community Partners in Caring, an organization committed to helping seniors and those with mobility issues, is on a mission to help the roughly 10,000 seniors in Santa Barbara County who haven’t gotten their COVID-19 shots yet. The organization has already driven more than 800 miles taking seniors to and from vaccination sites as part of…
Teachers in Santa Maria-Bonita School District protest expired contracts, instructional shifts
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series on the Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s decision to not allow teachers to teach full novels in their classes. The first part, “For the love of reading,” is in our May 13 issue. In the late afternoon on May 12, Santa Maria-Bonita School District teachers began…
Political Watch: May 20, 2021
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced on May 10 that he and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) recently reintroduced the Market Choice Act, a bipartisan bill that puts a fee on carbon emissions, “which would help fund infrastructure advancement and development while combating climate change,” according to Carbajal’s office. “Climate change demands our…
Local organization calls for unemployment benefits for undocumented Californians
Local immigrant worker advocates are calling on California to close the gap between unemployment benefits paid out to documented and undocumented individuals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) is part of the Safety Net for All Coalition, which seeks to include undocumented workers in…
Solvang wants a reset on its tourism marketing and visitor center
Solvang’s contract for its visitor center is up in June, but the process of receiving contract proposals left the City Council wanting a more unified vision for tourism marketing. During the May 10 meeting, the council voted to extend the city’s current contract with Central Coast Marketing for visitor center operations from June to September.…
Local businesses must follow state mask guidelines, public health officials say, but not all are
Following the CDC’s May 13 announcement that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks, a few major food and department store chains said inoculated customers could ditch their face coverings. But in California, the mask rule remains in place until June 15, leading to some mixed signals from local chain stores. According to…
