Cover Story
Trail and open space access differences between North and South highlight community inequities
Dirt squishes beneath tightly laced hiking boots, and the trees shadow the sun as the trail begins to incline. A fresh breeze blows through the grass and ahead is nothing but the rolling hills of Santa Barbara County. Trails are nearby—maybe within walking distance from some homes—where residents and visitors can embrace the true beauty…
Prolific chef Cameron Ingle breathes new life into farm-fresh menu at Pico Los Alamos
When it comes to ingredients, less is definitely more, in Cameron Ingle’s view. Before entering his new role as executive chef at Pico Los Alamos, Ingle worked for Blue Hill at Stone Barns, where “70 percent of the dishes made were three ingredients,” he said. Ingle is approaching his new offerings at Pico in similar…
The Melodrama’s Mark of Morro is fun, funny, and fresh
As Cal State Oceano’s head honcho, Dean DeVille, breaks into his very own rendition of “If I Were a Rich Man,” strutting and shaking his booty across his office on the Great American Melodrama’s stage, the audience bursts into laughter. “Na, na, na, na, na, na,” he crooned from beneath his three-piece suit one Sunday…
First United Methodist Church holds live concert with the Lompoc Pops Orchestra
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra will perform a live concert at the First United Methodist Church in Lompoc on Monday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The group includes more than 50 musicians and is widely known for covering film and television themes, pop and jazz hits, and Broadway show tunes. The…
Santa Maria Civic Theatre presents ‘The 39 Steps’
The Santa Maria Civic Theatre (SMCT) will debut its latest production, The 39 Steps, on Friday, June 24. The show is scheduled to run through Sunday, July 10, and is described in press materials as having the plot of a spy novel with a “dash” of Monty Python-style comedy. For specific showtimes and more details,…
Level Best Books releases new mystery novel from Santa Ynez-based author Lida Sideris
Gambling with Murder, the fifth book in an ongoing mystery series by local author Lida Sideris, was recently published by Level Best Books and is available for purchase at the Book Loft in Solvang and Barnes and Noble in San Luis Obispo. The protagonist of the series is Corrie Locke, a rookie lawyer and private…
The Central Coast’s nuclear power plant must be shut down in 2025 as planned, if not sooner
May 19 was the deadline for PG&E to apply for a portion of the $6 billion in federal funds allocated to propping up distressed nuclear power plants. It came and went, but the fate of the Diablo Canyon plant—clouded by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s sudden about-face on its closure—lingers on in the form of a 45-day…
Dismal
As fate would have it, our hands here at the Sun are kind of tied when it comes to election coverage. By fate, I mean deadlines. Our paper goes to press on Tuesday, so we don’t get to share with you all the newsy election coverage our reporters are working on as I type this.…
Political Watch: June 9, 2022
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced that his legislation—the Extreme Risk Order Protection Act—will be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives sometime between June 6 and 9, according to the congressman’s office. The legislation—which has more than 100 co-sponsors in the House and a companion bill led by U.S. Sen. Dianne…
Solvang Planning Commission recommends new rules to address food trucks
Food trucks have become a staple throughout the county, pulling up at events and festivals year-round, but Solvang’s been without a clearcut ordinance governing exactly where and when food trucks can and cannot operate. So on June 6, the city’s Planning Commission supported adopting a set of rules for vehicular purveyors of victuals. The Solvang…
Santa Barbara County Courthouse begins restoration project
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse began undergoing a multi-phase restoration project to create a safe, weathertight roof and a more stable structure all while saving the building’s historic qualities. “The courthouse is very much a part of the community. It’s an important part of what we do, people think it’s an important place to be,…
Three arrested on suspicion of hate crimes, vandalism at Cabrillo High School
Racial slurs, profane messages, and graphic images were found painted across Lompoc’s Cabrillo High School campus on May 31. Concrete was poured in front of classroom doors in an attempt to prevent them from opening. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the vandalism and has arrested three men suspected of being involved in…
Two Mid Central Coast Boys and Girls Club locations see expansions
School’s out and summer’s calling all the kids to go outside with friends and get a much needed break from classrooms and academics. For parents, it means it’s time to pick summer programs to ensure a fun-filled three months, and keep their children safe while they have to work. The Boys and Girls Club of…
