Cover Story
Health care workers are still grappling with the trauma of the past year as COVID-19 surges again
As an infectious disease specialist for Cottage Health, Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons is no stranger to witnessing suffering and death. But nothing, she said, could have prepared her for what she saw during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I don’t think you ever get used to seeing your patients suffering,” Fitzgibbons told the Sun.…
NEW FLICKS: CRUELLA
NEW FLICKS: CRUELLA Where’s it playing? Disney Plus What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Disney Plus Although its original “premium” release was in May, Cruella finally became free for Disney Plus users to stream starting on Aug. 27. Emma Stone plays the infamous villainess in this devilish origin…
Alma Rosa Winery raises more than $175,000 to benefit mental health organizations during annual fundraiser hike
Cold water, iced tea, and protein bars weren’t the only refreshments awaiting hikers at the summit of their uphill journey through Alma Rosa Winery’s 628-acre property, during the estate’s second annual fundraiser hike—Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction. While participants had wine tastings to look forward to at both the halfway point…
Wildling Museum in Solvang showcases Central Coast artists during its Summer Open House while continuing to offer virtual programming
For SLO local Sommer Roman, the decision to join one of the Wildling Museum’s current group shows—Bio/Mass: Contemporary Meditations on Nature—was “a no-brainer.” Following an invitation from the exhibit’s curators, the prolific sculptor and illustrator jumped at the chance to participate “I love the Wildling Museum’s mission of using art to foster conservation and awareness…
Local community colleges push students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated
At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Allan Hancock College board of trustees voted 5-0 to require students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 1. This new mandate puts the college in line with other higher education institutions including the California State University and University of California systems and more than…
PCPA invites young performers to audition for upcoming production, ‘The Secret Garden’
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) is holding auditions for its production of The Secret Garden on Friday, Sept. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. The company is seeking to cast young performers (ages 12 and older) in the roles of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven, a boy and girl who both look to be around…
County Arts Commission opens grant program, Arts Making Impact, to local arts and culture organizations
The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission is currently accepting grant applications designated for arts and culture nonprofit organizations, as part of its Arts Making Impact (AMI) grant program. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, Sept. 1. The AMI program was developed to “support artists and arts and cultural organizations by funding projects and a variety…
Absurd arguments
Vaccine mandate. Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down. Before you start yelling at me for daring to write those two words, let me get to the point. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is going to consider vaccine mandates at its next meeting—Aug. 31. Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down. It’s not for everyone! It would…
Biden has bumbled
There’s something wrong with Joe Biden’s thinking. The United States became energy independent under President Trump for the first time in 75 years, and we no longer bought oil from foreign countries. Now Biden is crushing domestic oil and gas production while pressuring OPEC to boost their production so we can buy theirs. We do…
Don’t miss your chance to vote on Lompoc’s cannabis manufacturing tax, it’s a win-win proposal for the city
Recently every registered voter and city resident received two important pieces of mail; I’ll bet some of you just threw them away, but they were both very important documents, and you should have read them carefully. The first was the Santa Barbara County Voter Guide. There are two important issues on this special election ballot:…
New Lompoc Fire Chief Alicia Welch discusses her plan and strategy for the improvement and the future of the fire department
While working at the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Department early in her career, Alicia Welch turned over her pay stub to see that the city’s fire department was recruiting females. Immediately she knew she wanted to become a firefighter. More than three decades later, she continues to pursue her calling as Lompoc’s new fire…
Political Watch: August 26, 2021
• On Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older, meaning it is fully authorized and no longer under emergency use authorization. The vaccine is still under emergency use authorization for those aged 12 to 15, as well as for the third doses recommended for…
Unarmed Guadalupe resident killed in officer-involved shooting
A Guadalupe man died after being shot by a police officer on Aug. 21, when a gunshot intended for a wanted suspect struck him instead, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. At about 9:40 p.m., Guadalupe police officers recognized a wanted subject with an outstanding no-bail felony arrest warrant at the intersection of…
Coalition for Responsible Cannabis resolves odor concerns with local grows, withdraws appeal
The Santa Barbara County Coalition for Responsible Cannabis withdrew an appeal on Aug. 16 that it made against the county-approved Autumn Brands and Ocean Hill Farms cannabis project, after reaching an agreement with cannabis growers. After the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approved the Carpinteria-based cannabis operation in April 2021, the Coalition for Responsible Cannabis…
Santa Barbara County to consider requiring vaccine or frequent testing for county workers
On Aug. 24, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to discuss vaccine or frequent testing requirements for Santa Barbara County employees at its next meeting. Second District Supervisor Gregg Hart made the suggestion following a presentation on COVID-19’s resurgence. “It’s very good news that the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] has completed their…
