It’s time for a breather. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Santa Barbara County’s ad hoc subcommittee are taking a break from their monthly meetings to step back, work out some kinks, and plan out how to move forward. The meetings began in September 2015, after Congress told the county to sit down […]
BRENNA SWANSTON
Posted inNews
Chumash chairman resigns in favor of culinary school
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ longtime leader is resigning, packing his bags, and moving to New York for culinary school—an unexpected move from Vincent Armenta. Armenta, who held the position of tribal chairman for 17 years, announced his resignation on March 17. He will now pursue an education at the Culinary Institute of […]
Posted inNews
California minimum wage hike takes a crack at poverty problem
California residents could be looking at a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour by 2022, according to a March 28 announcement by Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown, along with fellow Democrats and labor leaders, is proposing legislation that would incrementally raise California’s minimum wage over the next six years, starting with an increase from $10 […]
Posted inNews
April collection will take hazardous waste off the hands of Solvang residents
Attention Solvang and unincorporated county residents: Grab those bags of dead batteries you’ve been trying to figure out how to throw away and head to Los Olivos on Sunday, April 10. It’s hazardous waste collection day. Santa Barbara County’s Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division holds its hazardous waste collection events biannually to provide a […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Public Health hires Animal Services operations manager
Operations Manager Dori Villalon joined the team at Santa Barbara County Animal Services on Monday, March 28. County Public Health created the position of operations manager for Animal Services several months ago, at the recommendation of the American Humane Association (AHA). After months of reviewing candidates, the department announced its choice March 24. “It was […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Eating Solvang: The best of Taste of Solvang 2016, according to one woman who tried pretty much all of it
View a slideshow from Taste of Solvang 2016. A food columnist who knows what she’s doing would narrow her field of coverage so she’s reviewing one meal—or at least one restaurant—at a time. But I have no idea what I’m doing, so this week we’re going to review the dining options of an entire city. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Preview: Taste of Solvang
Solvang dining has more to offer than just Danish pastries—though let’s be honest, Danish pastries play a big role. Staff Writer Brenna Swanston headed to Taste of Solvang on March 19 to sample the city’s best food and drink. See it all for yourself right here, and keep an eye out for the full review […]
Posted inNews
A mile beneath our feet: A massive natural gas leak in L.A. prompts the question–could it happen in Santa Barbara County?
The La Goleta gas storage field nestles between the city of Goleta and the ocean, only a couple hundred feet inland. To its north lies a residential community that families call home, and the Santa Barbara Airport. Goleta Beach Park, where people play, bike, sunbathe, and fish off the pier, sits just south of La […]
Posted inFood & Drink
March Madness and chicken wings: The best places in town to eat, drink, and watch basketball around Santa Maria
I don’t know crap about sports, but I do know a little about wings and beer. I also know March Madness is a thing that happens, and sometimes while it’s happening you can find me at Buffalo Wild Wings drunkenly screaming “SPORTS!” at the TV with barbecue sauce slathered all over my face. I thus […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc councilmember to host transparency forum
At Lompoc’s March 15 City Council meeting, resident Jane Behr demanded the council address the issue of government transparency. “I’d like to ask you to agendize the topic of transparency,” Behr said at public comment, “with the goal of having a public discussion with public input on ways to increase the openness of city government.” […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County bans plastic bags
Orcutt shoppers should start hanging onto their dimes, because checking out at the grocery store just got a little less convenient and a little more environmentally friendly for residents of unincorporated communities. A Santa Barbara County ordinance banning single-use plastic bags went into effect Tuesday, March 22, prohibiting large grocery stores, liquor stores, and pharmacies […]
Posted inNews
Chumash chairman resigns, heads to culinary school
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ longtime leader is resigning, packing his bags, and moving to New York for culinary school—an unexpected move from Vincent Armenta. Armenta, who held the position of tribal chairman for 17 years, announced his resignation on March 17. He will now pursue an education at the Culinary Institute […]