The Canary

 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 […]

If you think your life is bad during 2020, you can take solace in the fact that Lompoc had actual dumpster fires over the second weekend in September—well, you can take solace if you don’t actually live in Lompoc.   Ismael Zaragoza Chavez is suspected of starting multiple dumpster fires, as well as a vehicle […]

Apparently, Santa Barbara County is taking a page out of the LA playbook. In April, LA prosecutors filed charges against several retailers that refused to follow COVID-19 closure orders.  A paddleboarder even got arrested for violating beach closure orders, according to the LA Times. How many law enforcement officials does it take to arrest a […]

Apparently East Coast residents felt the need to give Solvang some direction, going so far as to call in to the City Council meeting with their two cents on exactly what the city should do about Doubletree Carriage’s application for a horse-drawn conveyance license.  That horse-drawn carriage drama! It extends beyond those quaint Danish-inspired streets!  […]

To be perfectly frank—to speak with extreme candor—I have a hard time following almost anything that tumbles out of Andy Caldwell’s mouth. But then again, perhaps that’s because his thoughts are just too big for my simple canary capacity.  Or maybe, it’s because this particular candidate for the 24th District seat in the U.S. House […]

Well, it really happened. Solvang’s voters will get the chance to recall City Councilmember Chris Djernaes on Nov. 3.  More than 25 percent of the city’s registered voters signed the petition, so neither the city nor Santa Barbara County has a choice but to put it on the ballot. The people have spoken!  Lammy Johnstone, […]

Sometimes when you tune in to the right Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, you get more than you bargained for.  And often, that’s in hours—people droning on about zoning and regulations that support their opposition to their neighbor installing a patio.  “The very thought of them enjoying their backyard conjures up noise, noise, noise!” But […]

Order anything from China lately? How about a pair of pumpkin stud earrings?  Just kidding! They’re just seeds. Seeds you didn’t order. And they’re showing up in your mailbox after you order random stuff online. And they come labeled as jewelry such as “pumpkin stud earrings.”  At least the package that arrived on Mike Brown’s […]