Cover Story
Looking back, moving forward: While reminiscing about its 30-year history, the Elverhoj Museum in Solvang plants a foot firmly in the future
The building that sits on Elverhoy Way is an illustration of exceptional contradictions. At once giving off a staunch sense of antiquity, with its half-timbered building style indicative of the Danish architecture reflected throughout Solvang, the facade of Elverhoj Museum of History and Art is nothing if not traditional. It’s the kind of building you…
Focus on rebirth: The Wildling Museum’s annual photography contest explores regeneration
Judy Villa knew it was something special the minute she came upon it. Walking through the aftermath at ground zero of the Whittier Fire, which burned more than 18,000 acres in 20 days, Villa knew there was something remarkable about the skinny purple blossom. “It stood all alone in the field,” she said. “I just…
Boba House will bowl you over
Don’t be shy about ringing the bell at the counter at Boba House. I’m also paranoid about coming off rude or obnoxious, like some pushy hotel patron demanding to see a manager. But really, it’s fine. The family-run business is small and the staff are usually in the back, prepping food and drinks for the…
Burgers with a view: Check out the sandy beach at Jalama Beach County Park
The interesting thing about San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties is that there are so many county parks scattered across them with camping amenities. These parks make the perfect day or weekend trip if you’re prepped for a sleepover adventure. After a couple of Google searches, I found Jalama Beach in Santa Barbara County.…
Ghost story: Local group Ghost/Monster explores generations of rock music across the Central Coast
Local musicians Nataly Lola and Jaxon Camaero have more in common than their love for American guitar rock–they’re also into some weird stuff. Lola grew up in a household that loved horror movies and Steven King, she told the Sun, so she has an affinity for anything supernatural. Camaero on the other hand loves mythology…
Democracy demands a free press, by Glen Starkey
I’ve always been proud to be a journalist. The Fourth Estate is another check and balance on government, and local journalists like those of us at the Sun and our fellow reporters at the Santa Maria Times also chronicle our community’s achievements, inform our neighbors of important news, and do our very best to be…
Spotlight on: Santa Maria Public Library Seed Program
A new program in the Santa Maria Public Library system will allow patrons to borrow seeds to plant for growing various vegetables, spices, and flowers. Community members may come to any of the five libraries (Cuyama, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, Orcutt, and Santa Maria) in the Santa Maria system to collect the seeds. “Hundreds of public…
A strained friendship: Santa Maria library opens used bookstore in space vacated by Friends group
It’s been barely a month since an unresolved legal dispute led the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library to pack its bags, close its used bookstore, and move out of the library lobby in mid July. Now another bookstore occupies the recently emptied space, and the business opened its doors to customers on Aug.…
County approves streamlined permitting process for accessory dwelling units
Local homeowners can now build accessory dwelling units on land protected under agricultural preserve contracts, according to amendments to the Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves that were unanimously passed by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 14. At the meeting, supervisors also approved changes that will make it easier for owners of…
Community mourns death of former county and city official Toru Miyoshi
After a life of public service, former Santa Barbara County Supervisor and Santa Maria City Councilmember Toru Miyoshi died on Aug. 13. He was 90 years old. Miyoshi served as a Santa Maria City Council member from 1978 to 1982, according to a county press release. Later in 1982, he was elected to the Santa…
Rock Front Ranch avoids damage from Front Fire
Alisha Taff remembers the heat on Sunday afternoon and the horns from a U.S. Forest Service worker’s truck blaring her day into action as a wall of flames approached her home and property at Rock Front Ranch off Highway 166. “It was crispy,” she said of the moment the Front Fire sprang to life a…
PCPA presents Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) is set to present Arcadia, a highly acclaimed play by Tom Stoppard. Set in different time periods, Stoppard (who wrote the award-winning Shakespeare in Love) tells the story of the Coverly family, as their lives unfold over many years. Arcadia starts in 1809 with the story of 13-year-old Thomasina, who…
Solvang Theaterfest welcomes newest board member
Susan Beckmen recently joined the Solvang Theaterfest board of directors as its newest member. Beckmen has a long history working in the wine industry and doing philanthropic work. For more than 30 years, she served as controller at Hartley and Ostini LLC, Hitching Post Wines. She also spent eight years working as treasurer for the…
Film group brings Charade to Buellton
The Central Coast Film Society (CCFS) will host a screening of Charade in Buellton on Sept. 1. The film first debuted in 1963 and stars Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. The genre-blending film was directed by Stanley Donen and tells the story of a woman (Hepburn) pursued by numerous men who seek the money that…
Remembering the power of our vote
Voting was once a valued civic duty in American politics. Our democracy is built around opportunities that allow its citizens a voice in the structures that govern society. Voting is a way to make change; it’s our way to let the government know what we think would help our society. A lot of people don’t…
Frenemies
Don’t you hate it when you want the same thing as your friend wants, but you can’t agree on exactly how to get it? It really burns my feathers, guys. I don’t want fair-feathered friends on my side of the cage, I want yes birds, dammit! As in, whatever I say goes! I think the…
Sebastian Saiz
Santa Maria High School’s starting quarterback Sebastian Saiz has a challenging football season ahead of him. The 17-year-old senior is following in the immediate footsteps of last year’s All-Area MVP, and he’s working with a young, inexperienced team. But head football coach Dan Ellington said Saiz is determined to make this football season a good…
UCSB SmartFarm uses cloud computing to help farmers increase sustainability
The cloud. It’s that mysterious term that IT technicians rattle off but never really explain, the confusing technology that somehow backs up our phones, saves our endless emails, and allows for quick and easy video streaming on Netflix. Cloud computing technology–which allows businesses and individuals to deliver and receive storage, processing power, and other computing…
Supervisors approve loan for Santa Maria affordable housing project
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved more than $3 million in federal, county, and city loans to help fund an affordable housing project in Santa Maria. “There’s been an increased sensitivity in the city of Santa Maria for folks that are homeless and there’s been a considerable push for outreach,” 5th District Supervisor…
