

Cover Story
Whose water?
As the Cuyama Unified School District stepped out of a financial crisis after years of budget struggles, Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms sued the district over groundwater rights. And if the district didn’t join in the adjudication case, it risked losing water rights altogether, Superintendent Alfonso Gamino said. “We have it in our budget for…
NEW FLICKS: They Cloned Tyrone
They Cloned Tyrone What’s it rated? R When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix Director and co-writer Juel helms this sci-fi comedy that acts as an homage to ’70s Blaxploitation films and spoofs real-life horrifying historical events such as the CIA-Contra-crack cocaine epidemic and the Tuskegee Study (the U.S. Public Health Service’s 40-year experiment of infecting…
County looks to future ag industry challenges after releasing 2022 crop report
Agriculture remains Santa Barbara County’s largest producing industry with a gross production value of more than $1.93 billion, according to the 2022 county Agricultural Crop Report—a 5 percent increase from the 2021’s numbers. “We are certainly seeing an increase as we are getting out of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more and more people are going…
Project developer defends Dana Reserve ahead of final impact report
Titan Drama Hall of Fame photos presided over the more than 300 people seated in metal folding chairs at Nipomo High School’s cafeteria/performing arts center on July 24. Green Nipomo Action Committee shirts competed for attention with heather blue Home For All tees as South County Advisory Council chair Kevin Beauchamp attempted to call attention…
Newsom’s senior advisor on homelessness visits Santa Barbara County
Hafsa Kaka, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s senior advisor on homelessness, was scheduled to visit Hedges House of Hope in Isla Vista, Buena Tierra in Goleta, DignityMoves in Santa Barbara, and a future housing project, La Posada, in unincorporated Santa Barbara on Aug. 2, after the Sun went to press. Lucille Boss, Santa Barbara County’s encampment response…
Political Watch: August 6, 2023
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) joined members of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and other state and local officials to highlight more than $70 million in federal funding that his work in Congress helped deliver for improvements to U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County, boosting the more than 17-year effort…
Local Boys and Girls Clubs, Planet Fitness organize school supply drive in Santa Maria and Atascadero
Students from lower-income families are poised to receive much-needed school supplies through a debut partnership between the Central Coast chapters of Planet Fitness and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast. Theresa Cappelletty, Planet Fitness’ regional manager, told the Sun that the two groups came together to promote a judgment-free environment for kids.…
Carrot conundrum
Who wants to reduce their groundwater pumping by 60 percent? I guess that question only works if you rely on a well pumping water out of the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin. And I’m sure absolutely nobody really wants to pump 60 percent less water out of the ground every year, because that’s a lot! But…
Microgrids are the way of the future and there’s money available to help
Sammy Roth, the reporter who covers energy issues for the LA Times, recently had occasion to express the received wisdom on how energy must be generated and consumed in California. Roth recited the accepted wisdom in the July 13 edition of his newsletter (“Boiling Point: Peek inside Diablo Canyon”). Roth, like many of his colleagues,…
The public has been shut out of the Dana Reserve process
Excellent opinion on the Dana Reserve development (“The Dana Reserve development project in Nipomo must have constructive community input,” July 20). Yes, the public has been shut out of this process. There are still many people who do not know about it. We use to have the paper, Adobe Press; it provided much of our…
PCPA’s American Mariachi celebrates the everlasting power of music at Solvang Festival Theater
August rush The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of American Mariachi at the Solvang Festival Theater, starting on Friday, Aug. 4, and through Sunday, Aug. 27. Tickets start at $25. Visit pcpa.org or facebook.com/pacificconservatorytheatre for tickets and show times. For additional info, call the PCPA box office at (805) 922-8313. The Solvang Festival…
Entry period for New Times Music Awards closes Aug. 14
Local musicians are invited to compete in the 2023 New Times Music Awards before the contest’s entry period closes on Monday, Aug. 14, at 5 p.m. Participants can enter their songs online at newtimesslo.com. All entrants must reside primarily in San Luis Obispo County or northern Santa Barbara County. 2023 marks the 15th year for…
Solvang Veterans Memorial Building holds Summer Swing 2023
Local dance instructor Gina Sigman (pictured, center) presents Summer Swing 2023, a special West Coast Swing dance and workshop event, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. The event kicks off with a half-hour intro to West Coast Swing course for beginners. Basics and Beyond starts at…
Cuyama Buckhorn honors food critic Jonathan Gold with reboot of its signature ostrich burger
Buck stops here To find out more about the Cuyama Buckhorn, located at 4923 Primero St., New Cuyama, call (661) 766-2825 or visit cuyamabuckhorn.com. Once touted in the Los Angeles Times as the closest thing New Cuyama has to an Eiffel Tower or Taj Mahal, the Cuyama Buckhorn’s ostrich burger is making a comeback. On…
Theater Camp is a charming mockumentary with a lot of heart
THEATER CAMP What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Theater nerds, unite! Co-writers, co-directors, and co-stars Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman (with two more co-writing credits from co-stars Noah Galvin and Ben Platt) have the mockumentary…
BINGEABLE: The Bear (Season 2)
The Bear (Season 2) What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2022-present Where’s it showing? Hulu The Bear is back for season 2, and things for Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), his crew, and the new high-end restaurant they’re building are more high stakes than ever. Chef Sydney (Ayo Edibiri) is in a pressure cooker to come up…






