Cover Story
The U.S. Forest Service works with several nonprofit organizations to repair Los Padres National Forest trails and roads after significant storm damages
A “tidal wave” of water ripped through Colson Canyon Road, wiping it out entirely after the area received 10 inches of rain in one day during the January storms that drenched Santa Barbara County, Paul Antolini said. “There’s 30-feet sheer walls where the road used to be,” Antolini said. “It’s going to take quite a…
BINGEABLE: THE RELUCTATNT TRAVELER (2023)
BINGEABLE: THE RELUCTATNT TRAVELER (2023) Where’s it playing? Apple TV Plus What’s it rated? TV-PG Eugene Levy isn’t the type of guy who seems like he’s interested in spending any time outside of his comfort zone, so what could be more fun than putting him in some of the most beautiful and most uncomfortable places…
BINGEABLE: THE BIG BRUNCH (2022)
BINGEABLE: THE BIG BRUNCH (2022) Where’s it playing? HBO Max What’s it rated? PG-13 I know, I know—what new can a cooking competition show really offer? But hear me out. This one focuses on the best meal there is—the one you’ll wait in line for an hour outside the new pop-up eatery to enjoy, the…
LA photographer Darcy Hemley shares career tidbits, holds Solvang workshop
When it comes to portrait photography, Darcy Hemley likes to capture subjects in their natural habitats—whether it’s their home, place of work, or sanctuary of some kind—with as few alterations to those environments as possible. “I’m sure that some of my portraits are things that make some people think, ‘Oh my God, I would never…
Ann Foxworthy Gallery’s newly featured artists combine digital and traditional art
A collection of artworks created by members of Digital Arts Group SLO are currently on display at Ann Foxworthy Gallery in Santa Maria, as part of the venue’s latest group exhibition—PIXELS, Portals, and Paradigms. An artist reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, March 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., while the show…
‘Sideways’ author Rex Pickett holds book signing in Paso Robles
Tickets are available in advance for an upcoming book signing event with author Rex Pickett at Windward Vineyard in Paso Robles, scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 15, from 2 to 5 p.m. Pickett will be signing copies of Sideways, the popular novel that explores Northern Santa Barbara County’s wine country and spawned a…
Santa Maria-based nonprofit holds corned beef takeout fundraiser
Emerald eggs. Green beers. Shamrock shakes. St. Patrick’s Day is synonymous with a handful of festive consumables, including the headliner of one local nonprofit’s upcoming dinner fundraiser. On Sunday, March 12, Kiwanis of Santa Maria Valley Foundation will hold its annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner at the Elwin Mussell Community Center. The organization has…
Bad actors
California’s No. 1 inland oil polluter—aka Greka Oil & Gas, aka HVI Cat Canyon, aka owned by Randeep Grewal—is now on the hook for $65 million for more than 12 oil spills between 2005 and 2010. Oil spills, as in plural, as in multiple spills taking place over and over and over again on the…
‘Who’s zooming who?’
I never understood the exact meaning of that Aretha Franklin song title, but the lyrics imply a lack of trust. I just finished reading an investor newsletter explaining why some of my investments are not living up to my expectations. I have holdings in some natural gas companies, expecting a cold winter would boost demand.…
Lompoc community members have ongoing concerns about ‘code enforcement’ and owners’ responsibilities
What is the purpose of a “code enforcement program”? In cities, the legislative body adopts policies and regulations designed to “protect the public,” and the public should be held accountable for compliance. Sometimes these policies can be open to interpretation, thus making enforcement a challenge. For example, the Lompoc Municipal Code says, “Excessive, unnecessary, or…
Central Coast energy agencies offer incentives to electrify home and heating systems
Recent extreme natural gas prices had a huge impact on Central Coast residents, with SoCalGas’ rates tripling from $1.05 per therm in December 2022 to $3.45 in January 2023. Three energy agencies are offering opportunities to switch to cleaner, more sustainable sources for heating. The Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN), Central Coast Community Energy, and…
Pipeline proposal raises concerns about resuming oil operations
After six hours of debate, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission decided it needed more information before making a decision on a plan to update the Plains All American Pipeline that caused the Refugio oil spill in 2015. Plains Pipeline L.P. proposed installing 16 new safety valves along the existing pipeline system that hasn’t operated…
Solvang City Council denies Pride banner, crosswalk proposal
A local nonprofit’s request to repaint crosswalks at two intersections in Solvang with a temporary rainbow pattern during Pride Month recently divided city officials. The application—submitted by The Rainbow House Inc.—also included a request to install Pride-themed streetlight banners in town during June. It was denied with a 3-2 vote during the Solvang City Council’s…
Federal court orders HVI Cat Canyon oil company to pay $65 million
In the 15 to 20 years that HVI Cat Canyon operated in Santa Barbara County, Errin Briggs saw one issue after another but never saw any improvements to the oil company’s operational behavior. As the Santa Barbara County Planning Department’s supervising planner overseeing oil and gas permits and leases, he and his staff would interact…
Political Watch: March 9, 2023
• Disaster Loan Outreach Centers opened at the Solvang Superior Court offices and at the Orcutt Union School District office to help meet the ongoing needs of businesses and community members impacted by the January storms, according to the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) established the centers…
