The Canary

 I guess now’s the time for the Central Coast to really come into its own. While Northern Californians like Gov. Gavin Newsom obviously think Santa Barbara and SLO counties are so SoCal, rebellion is brewing.  All thanks to the most recent iteration of California’s last-minute COVID-19 guidelines. While the state was split into counties for […]

Nothing like kicking a man when he’s down. Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint reveled in it on Nov. 30, verbally chastising recalled City Councilmember Chris Djernaes at a special meeting meant to accept the vote to kick the dude out of office.  Nearly 90 percent of Solvang residents who voted in the November election, opted to […]

It’s “pretty obvious what went on in this election,” according to Matt Walker, who made that comment on a Facebook post from local shock jock and resident right-wing conspiracy theorist Andy Caldwell, who lost to U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and is now insinuating voter fraud on the Central Coast.  “I think it stinks […]

Jubilation, despondence, and chaos. That’s where America is living right now. Some are looking forward to a brighter future. Some are struggling to hold onto the past. And me, I’m feeling a little hopeless.  You don’t really need to look much farther than Stowell Road in Santa Maria to see where the good ol’ U.S. […]

It’s Election Day 2020. I’m swinging in my cage, pecking away at the keyboard as I anxiously await the results that you can’t read in this week’s paper. Why? Well, it’s our press schedule, you see. We hit the printer before the results get announced.  I’m no prognosticator, but I think it’s going to be […]

How mainstream are internet conspiracy theories, you ask? Well, OK, you didn’t ask, but if you’re a member of the Solvang City Council, one such conspiracy theory was an agendized part of your Oct. 27 meeting.  A 36-page presentation put together by Solvang resident, avid internet researcher, and anti-5G activist Michael Mendizza was included in […]

 I love nothing more than the drama of a good ol’ local government meeting. But what I can’t stand is when someone on a dais doesn’t get the opportunity to respond to an allegation.  Solvang City Council meetings seem to be a place where the community gathers to pile on City Councilmember Chris Djernaes. The […]

The Second Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1791. More than two centuries later, we’re still arguing over it. Because, quite frankly, it’s written weirdly—and, here’s a shocker, people who want it to mean certain things interpret it differently! “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right […]

People are testy these days, with patience worn thin, looking for any excuse to get snippy. Take this exchange between 4th District Supervisor Peter Adam and County Public Health Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso at the Oct. 6 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meeting. They were chit-chatting about COVID-19 stats, as they often do these […]

It’s election season, y’all. And in Solvang, you’ve got two choices for mayor: Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff Charlie Uhrig or sitting City Councilmember Karen Waite.  While Solvang’s elected officials are fleeing from the dais, Waite isn’t—which should probably tell you something.  “I believe the residents of Solvang really deserve to have the choice to […]

If you don’t like the clothes your mom buys you for Christmas, I have an idea for you. Start a petition. I hear it’s the only way to get what you want these days.  Don’t like the way your local city council is governing you? Start a petition! Don’t bother voting. Votes don’t matter. Don’t […]