Hospitals and emergency departments are going to “fail miserably” if Santa Barbara County implements new state legislation without giving the county’s health systems enough time to set up the support needed to manage a potential influx of patients, Denise McDonald told the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12. “There’s nothing harder for an ER [emergency…
Ice to meet you Visit orcutticecreamkitchen.com for more info on Orcutt Ice Cream Kitchen. The mobile business’s next pop-up event will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Naughty Oak Brewing Company, located at 165 Broadway St., suite 102, Orcutt. Chopped nuts. Chopped chocolate. Chopped marshmallows. Without this holy trinity…
Dot your calendar Visit dotwinslow.com for more info on local poet Dot Winslow, who currently hosts monthly poetry facilitation groups at the Santa Maria Public Library and the Orcutt Area Seniors in Service (OASIS) Center. The library group is open to adults ages 18 and over and is free to attend. Admission to join Winslow’s…
The winners of the 2023 Lompoc Holiday Lights and Decoration Contest were announced by the Lompoc Beautification and Appearance Commission on Dec. 14. Judging took place on Dec. 6, according to the commission. Residential participants of the competition had four themed categories to choose from, while competing businesses and organizations were judged in three categories.…
There’s still a lot of work to do, Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Director Lisa Plowman told the Sun, now that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the 2023-2031 state-required Housing Element. But, Plowman added, her staff is relieved. “The state mandate is the headline, but really the issue that our community…
The intersection of Highway 246 and McMurray Road in Buellton grants drivers access to a handful of drive-through restaurants. A new fast food spot was set to join the lineup, before a speedy appeal surfaced one day after the project’s approval. During its Dec. 14 meeting, the Buellton City Council overturned the Buellton Planning Commission’s…
Finding enough space for sports, particularly soccer, in Santa Maria has been an ongoing issue for more than two decades. In 2016, the city decided to pursue funding and identify sites for a future sports complex, including one east of Blosser Road. The future complex ran into increasing construction costs as time went on, setting…
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently highlighted the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s approval of a bill to upgrade federal protections for Central Coast public lands, the first-ever action taken by the U.S. Senate on his legislation. The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which Carbajal reintroduced earlier this year during the wildflower…
There aren’t many options for child care in Lompoc once the school’s winter break starts, Samantha Scroggin told the Sun. But parents can turn to the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department for a helping hand during the holiday season through its winter camps for youth. “Speaking as both a parent and in my role, this…
The lack of mental health help in North Santa Barbara County isn’t a new issue. It comes up repeatedly. We don’t have enough inpatient beds for involuntary or voluntary mental health holds. We need more outpatient facilities. If you need emergency help, head to Marian Regional Medical Center’s emergency room and plan to wait a…
It’s no secret that housing has been a hot topic issue in California. Headlines repeatedly call out the skyrocketing prices, the frustration of the younger generations, and the need for more inventory. The answer to these challenges isn’t complicated: build more houses. However, as we’ve seen in multiple articles in the Sun, a vocal group…
Like many people, I have been disturbed by the events in Gaza. I always viewed the occupation of Gaza as wrong, but I did not understand the extent of the harm imposed upon Palestinians until the recent events unfolded. I am ashamed of being European because European governments are doing absolutely nothing, and I am…
While performances of The Holiday Extravaganza will be held through Dec. 31 at the Great American Melodrama in Oceano, tickets are currently available in advance for the company’s next production, Grave Mistakes. The upcoming show is scheduled to open on Jan. 26 and run through March 16. The play’s plot follows Ray, who falls in…
Maestro What’s it rated? R 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, Downtown Centre of San Luis Obispo (and Netflix) Bradley Cooper directs himself as conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein in a screenplay by Cooper and Josh Singer that chronicles Bernstein’s lifelong…
The Lesson What’s it rated? R When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Various streaming services TV director Alice Troughton (The Living and the Dead, Baghdad Central) helms this tricky, sophisticated thriller about ambitious young writer Liam Sommers (Daryl McCormack), who’s hired to tutor Bertie Sinclair (Stephen McMillan) as he gears up for university. Liam jumps at…
The Family Plan What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus This is the sort of lightweight predictable fare that critics despise but that casual viewers love—especially in the run-up to awards season. There’s plenty of “important” films to see, but can’t we all lighten up a little? Sometimes you need…
