Cover Story
Santa Barbara and SLO counties await further state and federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans
While health care workers in California received the state’s first doses of the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 14, nine pharmaceutical companies are continuing human clinical trials for their vaccines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved emergency use of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 11. The decision came just a…
County cannabis tax revenue doubled in the last year, but challenges still exist
Applications for cannabis grows and storefronts continued to pour into Santa Barbara County during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020-21 along with a significant increase in tax revenue—all despite this year’s pandemic-induced economic downfall. Still, county leaders and staff say there are a number of issues related to the emerging industry that have yet…
Cuyama Homegrown produces high-quality, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables year round
The tried-and-true—and still apropos—idiom “the bee’s knees” is a bit of an understatement when describing the husband-and-wife duo behind Cuyama Homegrown. “It’s the most pure honey you could ever dream about,” said Jean Gaillard, co-owner of the farm with his wife, Meg Brown, while discussing the two bee hives on their property. One of the…
Local artists and photographers showcase their work through original 2021 calendars
Imagine holding an entire art exhibition in the palm of your hand. For Orcutt-based contemporary painter Lori Mole, the concept isn’t far-fetched, especially in the form of a desk calendar for 2021. Mole is one of a handful of local artists showcasing their original works in the form of next year’s calendar. “It makes a…
Central Coast-based Zoom series showcases artist and guest speaker Zalika Azim
The Laboratory Series, a Black-identified artist showcase program co-hosted by R.A.C.E. Matters SLO and the Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery, holds its next episode with special guest speaker Zalika Azim, on Thursday, Dec. 17, from about 5 to 6:30 p.m. This virtual program is offered via Zoom, and admission to join the meeting is free. …
Santa Maria Civic Theatre cancels its former drive-up program, Christmas in your Car
Following the recent statewide stay-at-home orders, the Santa Maria Civic Theatre (SMCT) board members voted to cancel the group’s next drive-up program, Christmas in your Car, which was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, Dec. 19. Proceeds from this holiday-themed event were meant to help support SMCT during its longtime closure. For info on…
DPAC Dancers perform to benefit Santa Maria Elks Recreation and Arroyo Grande’s Clark Center
The Dellos Performing Arts Center (DPAC) Dancers will perform live onstage as part of Christmas in the Country at the Elks Unocal Event Center in Santa Maria, on Thursday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. The dance performance, set to a variety of seasonal music, will be streamed live through YouTube and Facebook, giving…
Ridiculous ridicule
How would you like to be laughed at by a sitting Santa Barbara County supervisor? No, not in private, silly. In the middle of a public meeting. Sounds awesome, right? Wrong. Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg certainly didn’t like it when 4th District Supervisor Peter Adam laughed at him on Dec.…
Protest for the clowns
Somehow it escapes the attention of those people who have deprived us of our liberty and freedom that 99.98 percent of positive COVID cases recover. I’m checking now—since this bloody panic (yes, I meant panic) began several months ago, 12,000 cases have been confirmed and 138 deaths reported in Santa Barbara County, which has half…
The governor stole Christmas this year, was it in the name of science or politics?
When I was a young man, I bought several Dr. Seuss books to help teach my children how to read. These were wonderful little stories, cleverly illustrated with words young children could easily learn in a few minutes each evening. One of the characters was a cynical grump Seuss named “Grinch” who wanted to steal…
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation hopes to raise funds for Central Coast families facing childhood cancer and COVID-19
Seven-year old Isabella Ramirez has always been a high-energy, bubbly kid—the kind who never seems to get sleepy no matter how much she runs around all day. She’s tough, too, always popping right back up after a fall without so much as a peep. So her mom, Santa Maria resident Fabiola Ramirez, knew something was…
Hospitalization, case rate, positivity continue to skyrocket in Santa Barbara County
Over the past month, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized from the virus in Santa Barbara County has increased sixfold, and the number of patients in the ICU is more than 10 times what it was a month ago. As of Dec. 14, 75 people were hospitalized, including 21 in the ICU. One month prior…
New Solvang council disagrees with nonenforcement of state COVID-19 restrictions
Solvang’s newest City Council members don’t agree with the former council’s stance on the state’s increased COVID-19 restrictions, stating on Dec. 14 that they did not support the former City Council’s emergency decision on Dec. 7 to defy such orders. During the Dec. 14 Solvang City Council meeting, the former council accepted the results of…
COVID-19 cases at Lompoc prison creep back up, concern rises
A new COVID-19 outbreak at the Lompoc Penitentiary—though currently much smaller than the one that peaked in May and infected hundreds—has family members and inmate advocates concerned about the current situation. As of Dec. 15, the Bureau of Prisons reported that 25 inmates and one staff member had tested positive for the virus, nearly doubling…
