

Cover Story
Too much risk
Stay informed For more information on insurance options and what to do if your carrier drops, visit uphelp.org. For more information on the California FAIR Plan visit cfpnet.com. Nicole Pratt couldn’t believe her eyes when she read the letter from her insurance company. Kemper said it was dropping her home insurance. “We have lived and…
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny pays slavish homage to Raiders
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing?Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Fair Oaks Theatre Arroyo Grande, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande James Mangold (Copland, Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, Logan, Ford v Ferrari) directs…
Octagon Barn holds Bootleg Ball to benefit the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
On Saturday, July 15, the historic Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo will host the Bootleg Ball, a roaring ’20s-themed fundraiser with live jazz music, casino games, auctions, craft cocktails, wine, beer, and more. Proceeds of the event will benefit educational programming offered by the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center. Visit dunescenter.org for more info on the…
Santa Barbara County Fair Guide 2023
Come and enjoy the Santa Barbara County Fair 2023, July 12-16.
BINGEABLE: Beef
Beef What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix Amy (Ali Wong) and Danny (Steven Yeun) have more in common than either one could ever guess—namely, short fuses and a deep need for revenge. When road rage gets the better of the two strangers, the snowball that forms soon grows out of control. …
Bubbles and Tea Coffeehouse dishes out espresso, brunch, and sparkling wine in Nipomo
Cafe cravings Find out more about Bubbles and Tea Coffeehouse at bubblesandtea.co. The new shop opened in June and is located at 338 W. Tefft St., suite B, in Nipomo. After a WiFi lag disrupted her workflow, a separate issue bubbled to the surface for Nipomo resident Maricruz Sanchez. “I looked up coffee shops nearby,”…
Supervisors amend county code to better protect renters
Toni Leon told the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors that she had an eviction notice taped to the front door of her apartment on March 16. During the last few months, Leon said, she’s been looking for alternative housing that would meet her needs. As an elderly woman who has a medical issue, she’s…
County Planning Commission rejects appeal of Calynx cannabis cultivation
An appeal filed against the Calynx cannabis project in Cat Canyon was recently shot down by the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission. Lisa Bugrova, of The Lise Consulting, spoke at the Planning Commission’s June 28 meeting on behalf of the applicant Lawrence Epstein, whose proposed 2.52 acre cannabis operation was approved by the county last…
SYV Pride receives state, local recognition for LGBTQ-plus advocacy
Through months facing community backlash, advocating for the LGBTQ-plus community on local and international levels, and a second Pride flag theft in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez Valley (SYV) Pride came out on the other side with a very successful Pride month, Vice President Alyce Barrick said. “This has probably been the most emotionally fulfilling month…
Political Watch: July 6, 2023
• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein (both D-California) announced that California was awarded more than $1.8 billion in funding for broadband access through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, a key component of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, according to a June 26 statement from Padilla’s office. BEAD is a federal grant…
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm celebrates the flowers’ peak bloom and grand opening with July events
The lavender at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm is coming into full bloom just in time for the farm’s grand opening, Lucas Neumann said. Neumann works as the vice president of the Lompoc-based farm alongside his mother, Denise. The pair held a soft-launch for their farm in 2022 with property tours and private events because…
Newsom’s budget trailer bills get pushback from state legislators
At the height of the fight over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget trailer bills (see “How a bill shouldn’t become a law,” my June 1 column), he took time to sit down for a New York Times interview with a sympathetic Ezra Klein. Newsom unloaded on ungrateful environmental groups for the reception he got for his…
Ditch meat and save the climate
A new study reveals that the surge of disastrous wildfires in California is almost entirely due to the changing climate. So as Independence From Meat Day (July 4) draws near, let’s help to tame the flames with planet-friendly vegan food. Animal agriculture is a leading driver of the climate catastrophe. It’s responsible for copious amounts…
On your own
“You’re in good hands.” “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” “Let Prudential be your rock.” “Nationwide is on your side.” Man, all of these insurance company slogans are so reassuring. They really care! Do they, though? Capitalism says they only care as far as their bet to make a dollar rather than lose…
NEW FLICKS: Asteroid City
Asteroid City What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Now in their fifth go-around as co-writers, director Wes Anderson has reteamed with Roman Coppola (The Darjeeling Limited, Moonrise Kingdom, Isle of Dogs, The French Dispatch) to pen this meta story about Tennessee Williams-esque playwright…
Central Coast Arts Collective represents artists in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo counties
Submit your art The Painters Group, a subgroup of the Central Coast Arts Collective, will have its show at Art Center Morro Bay Sept. 21 through Nov. 6. Entries opened on July 1, submission deadline is Aug. 1. For more information on the collective, visit centralcoastartistcollective.org for future exhibitions or to join or donate. The…
Gallery Los Olivos presents Imaginings: An Exploration of Whimsy
A new duo show debuted at Gallery Los Olivos in early July and will remain on display through the end of the month. The exhibit, titled Imaginings: An Exploration of Whimsy, highlights a collection of oil paintings by Carol Simon and watercolor and ink works by Cathy Quiel. According to press materials, Simon is a…






