Cover Story
Local parents are split on the COVID-19 vaccine for kids
Santa Maria parent Kelly White O’Neill had no hesitations when it came to getting her 11-year-old son vaccinated for COVID-19 when he became eligible—and having a child so close to the age cutoff made the wait feel even longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the vaccine for children ages 5 to…
Cheesemonger Janelle Norman dishes out fresh-cut, artisanal cheeses at Cailloux in downtown Solvang
Every time Janelle Norman bakes a fresh loaf of brioche, part of her wishes it would go missing the second she turns away from the kitchen counter. Brioche used to be her dog’s favorite bread to steal. “This was a particularly upsetting habit because brioche takes two days and a whole lot of labor to…
Elverhoj Museum’s Makers Market showcases beaded jewelry, fiber art, pottery, and more from local crafters
It’s only fitting for a venue named after the Danish phrase for “elves on a hill” to hold a Santa’s workshop of sorts during the holiday season. Based on appearance alone, spectators probably won’t recognize the event’s 11 participating artisans as traditional Christmas elves, yet they share a mutual knack for building toys and other…
Local artisans team up for Holiday Marketplace at Wildling Museum
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang presents its Holiday Marketplace on Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event showcases a variety of handcrafted items, from local artisans working in various media, including jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, and more. Participating artists and vendors include Kathy Badrak, Ellen Albertoni, Joellen Chrones, Linda…
Winter Salon group shows displayed salon-style at Gallery Los Olivos
Gallery Los Olivos presents its third annual Winter Salon exhibition, which premieres on Thursday, Dec. 2, and is scheduled to remain on display through Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. This seasonal group exhibit will feature works of various media, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, wood turning, and assemblage. Framed artworks will be displayed salon-style, from floor…
First Methodist Church hosts holiday concert with Lompoc Pops Orchestra
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra, under the direction of maestro Brian Asher Alhadeff (pictured), presents its traditional Christmas concert at the First Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. The concert’s song selection will feature a wide variety of holiday favorites, including “Festival Sounds of Hanukkah,” “Sleigh Ride,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,”…
Skunk-like cannabis will soon be wafting into Lompoc unless the county enforces odor control
I was transferred here by the U.S. Air Force in 1975, and I stayed in Lompoc primarily because of the moderate weather and especially for the clean, fresh air in this valley. That may change soon. Our city is surrounded by agricultural operations; there is an abundance of row crops, vineyards, and several cattle ranches…
Hard to ignore
What would the city of Lompoc give to have an extra $35,000 floating around in its general revenue fund just to spend on TV advertising? For one, it would mean the Lompoc Fire Department would have earthquake-retrofitted fire stations. This year for the first time in more than a decade, Lompoc was able to balance…
Representation in Guadalupe
I would like to share my appreciation for my 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann and all she has done for our community. Since taking office, Supervisor Hartmann has kept her promise to be there for Guadalupe and care about our concerns, from providing letters of support for funding for LeRoy Park, to providing recommendations to Congressman…
Solvang sets aside $35,000 for TV exposure and additional holiday entertainment
A new marketing effort in Solvang will target channel surfers up and down the coast via two 30-second television commercials slated to air across the state. While IDK Events handles social media advertising of the city’s holiday festivities, the Solvang Chamber of Commerce pitched the TV approach as a way to reach an older demographic.…
Teachers union concerned about Santa Maria-Bonita superintendent search
Santa Maria-Bonita School District Superintendent Luke Ontiveros is retiring at the end of December, and the district plans to have his replacement hired for the 2022-23 academic school year. The school board approved a consulting firm’s timeline for the search and hiring process at a recent board meeting, including collecting input through a public survey…
Political Watch: December 2, 2021
• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Nov. 22 that Senior Advisor to the Governor for Energy Alice Reynolds will serve as the new California Public Utilities Commission president, with Maybel Batjer retiring effective Dec. 30, according to a statement. Batjer has served as president for the commission since 2019 and previously served as the first…
Santa Barbara County Independent Redistricting Commission narrows down redistricting to five maps
After hearing public comment from more than 150 people both online and in person, the Santa Barbara County Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission selected five maps—408B, 801C, 818, 821B, and 822—at its Nov. 22 meeting to move forward in the redistricting process. Daniel Phillips from the National Demographics Corporation began the meeting by breaking down the…
Sensorio Field of Light gives locals an opportunity to support North County nonprofits during the holiday season
If you haven’t yet made it out to the Sensorio Field of Light and the more recently installed Light Towers in Paso Robles, or perhaps you’re looking for a reason to make a second visit, Sensorio Gives Back might be the perfect occasion. One night a month, locals can enjoy artist Bruce Munro’s entrancing light…
