Cover Story
A year that started with uncertainty also ended with it
At the end of 2021, it’s hard to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is still here, ever-changing and continuing to test communities, their governing bodies, businesses, schools, and residents. But while it was an ever-present part of the past year, instead of simply struggling to keep up with the pandemic, we were challenged to adjust…
My favorite foodie flashbacks to sum up 2021
This past year was full of memorable meals, at least according to my phone’s camera roll. About 60 percent of said photos are admittedly of chicken strips, nuggets, and wings, but I assure you, the other 40 percent showcase the profound moments when I had the courage to step out of my bubble and branch…
Take a trip down memory lane and reflect on this year’s local art scene
Looking back on some of the local arts happenings that occurred over 2021, it’s hard to believe just how quickly some artists and galleries were able to return to hosting in-person events. While virtual programming defined the majority of 2020, 2021 had more of a mix between the two formats, with some local outlets adopting…
A Nipomo couple wants to build a safe space for community skaters through a local skate shop
Former Santa Cruz locals Laura and Jameson Lucero want to build a local skate shop for their Nipomo community, but the last thing they want to do is be like a dancing Kevin Bacon. “Brick-and-mortar skate shops serve as more than places to grab products. They’re organic cultural epicenters for youth and artists,” Laura said.…
Endangered Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes plants receive recovery plans
The La Graciosa thistle—a plant in the sunflower family—and the Nipomo Mesa lupine—an herb in the legume family—are endangered plants only found in the coastal dune ecosystem of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex. And both now have blueprints for recovery, said Kristie Scarazzo, a botanist with the Ventura office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. …
Santa Maria approves housing development at Hi-Way Drive-In
A recent Santa Maria City Council decision will prevent any potential buyers of a local drive-in from maintaining the location as a movie theater. Thanks to an approved zoning change for the site, from commercial to residential, People’s Self-Help Housing has the final go-ahead to purchase the Hi-Way Drive-In, where it plans to develop 49…
Public health officials warn of potential winter COVID-19 surge
Last year’s holiday season ushered in one of the worst COVID-19 surges we’ve seen to date, with cases peaking on the Central Coast in mid-January 2021. But this year, with the advent of vaccines and the uncertainty of the Omicron variant, it’s unclear what the next big surge will look like. Comparing this year’s COVID-19…
There’s always next year
This year is over, man. And it almost feels like the only thing left to do is shake my little bird head. My takeaway from 2021 is that everything would be much easier if we all just learned how to communicate with others and genuinely sought out reality rather than ideas that strengthen our existing…
Sanctuaries aren’t working
One of the things I am not seeing in the discussion over a new marine sanctuary off our coast is how well are the ones we have working? As written by Lori French (“Unnecessary,” Dec. 23) there are four national marine sanctuaries designated in California since 1980. Also, there are 124 state marine protected areas,…
It’s the end of the year; how was it?
The past year saw a continuance of teeter-totter COVID-19 rules. It’s hard to keep up with the off-again, on-again restrictions, mandates, closures, and misinformation concerning this disease. All this confusion has led the government to use cash and political pronouncement’s once again as a cure-all for something they can’t fix. In the process of infusing…
Political Watch: December 30, 2021
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) joined U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and 11 of their colleagues in a letter to Meta—previously referred to as Facebook—CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing concern regarding Meta’s response to the rise of online election-related misinformation on its platforms, including Facebook, according to a Dec. 23 statement. The letter comes in…
