Cover Story
VOLUNTEERS 2020
National volunteer-based nonprofit is bringing mental health services to Santa Maria BY ZAC EZZONE After their son was diagnosed with schizophrenia 25 years ago, George Kaufmann and his wife didn’t know where to turn for answers on how to help their son with his recovery or how to cope with the diagnosis themselves. “Our…
Winter Salon at Gallery Los Olivos showcases featured artists in salon-style exhibition
Even with two months of winter still ahead of us, things are heating up at Gallery Los Olivos—at least in a non-literal sense—according to local stained glass and mosaic artist Michele Knect. “The gallery is warm and welcoming, both for patrons and artists to connect with each other,” Knect told the Sun, while discussing the…
Santa Barbara pop-up gallery showcases handmade home accessories from North County artisans
Works from more than 40 artisans are on display and available for purchase at the 13th annual A Crimson Holiday, a special pop-up studio that returns to Santa Barbara’s La Cumbre Plaza every holiday season. If you weren’t able to check out the gallery in time for Christmas gift giving, there’s still one week left…
Wildling Museum hosts artist panel
As part of the closing weekend of its Celebrating the National Lands of California exhibition, the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is hosting a special artist panel discussion on Sunday, Jan. 19, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The panel will include four of the juried exhibition’s featured artists: Patricia Hedrick, James Hodgson, Alan Sonneman,…
Local author Wendelin Van Draanen discusses new memoir
Central Coast local and best-selling author Wendelin Van Draanen, creator of the Sammy Keyes series, will discuss her new book, Hope in the Mail, during two upcoming book signings: Saturday, Jan. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library; and Sunday, Jan. 26, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Book…
Michael Cone and Diane Borad-Mirken team up for Broadway-themed benefit concert at Temple Beth El
Santa Maria resident and retired Broadway veteran Michael Cone is joining local entertainer Diane Borad-Mirken for a special concert fundraiser to benefit Temple Beth El on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m. The duo will collectively perform both duets and solos, covering a variety of Broadway standards and other show tunes. The program will also…
Political Watch: January 9, 2020
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) cautioned against war on Jan. 3 as the news of President Donald Trump’s authorized assassination of a top Iranian general spread. Carbajal stopped short of decrying the choice to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Iran’s Quds Force. “Tensions with Iran are already high,” Carbajal said…
Orcutt doughnut shop feels the Krispy Kreme effect
In the meandering hours of the late afternoon, Houth Hak served doughnuts with metal tongs and chatted with her Golden Donut regulars. The quiet followed the usual morning bustle and the recent crush of longtimers and newcomers—a show of support for the Orcutt staple in response to a plea of sorts from Hak’s daughter, Nicky,…
County meets state ozone standards for first time
Despite continuous population growth and an increasing number of cars on the road, Santa Barbara County met state ozone standards for the first time. At its Dec. 12 meeting, the California Air Resources Board designated the county as attaining state ozone standards. This designation is pending final approval from the state Office of Administrative Law.…
Solvang wastewater treatment plan still waiting on Santa Ynez
The Solvang City Council is still shopping for ways to cut costs for management of its wastewater treatment plant as plans for a new facility inch along. The city is looking to upgrade its wastewater system, but Solvang’s 6,000 people would be on the hook for a $16 million facility if it moves forward with…
Lompoc urges more public access at Surf Beach, Ocean Beach Park
A few months after the city of Lompoc announced that Vandenberg Air Force Base and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to end a policy that often resulted in Surf Beach closing, the city is pushing for more changes at nearby beaches. In one letter addressed to officials with the California Department of Fish…
CANARY: We want more!
Give someone an inch and they’ll take four more inches. Or in the case of Lompoc: Give a city the beach access they want and they’ll take a few more little things. OK. Maybe it’s not the perfect metaphor, but I can’t be on my tippy talons every week. I might be slightly hungover from…
Santa Maria Library screens ‘The Big Sick’
The Santa Maria Public Library hosts a special screening of The Big Sick on Monday, Jan. 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. This 2017 romantic comedy-drama follows Kumail, a Pakastani comedian who meets Emily, an American grad student, during one of his stand-up shows. A relationship begins to blossom, but Kumail worries what his traditional…
From beer-wine hybrids to grazing tables, recent trends show a lot of Central Coast character
This past year was all about alternative milks and nut butters.� Cannabis and/or CBD-infused food and beverages.� Flower flavors and bitter plant fronds in cocktails.� Salads, collagen-pumped foods, prebiotics, avocado toast, açai bowls, and antioxidants.� Real butter is back, and we all seem to be comfortable cooking with ghee and coconut oil. That was 2019…
Dear Salud Carbajal
I was very sorry to read you voted for impeachment, but not surprised. You have handed the Republicans a major victory in November 2020. The president is not going to be removed from office via impeachment. The Senate will never vote to impeach him. In 11 months, the American voters will decide Donald Trump’s fate,…
The public can be engaged
Ron Fink’s lament about a disinterested public (“Time for an overhaul,” Jan. 2) isn’t so much about civic disinterest as it is about the changing methods of attracting attention. Most of it has evolved to the # awareness, but even that has morphed to, “OK I passed on a #, so I’m good, did my…
Here’s to your health, happiness, and education in the new year
For as long as I can remember—from growing up in Santa Maria to leaving home to attend UC Santa Barbara to the present—there has been one particular holiday that my family has held close: New Year’s Day. As a child, we celebrated birthdays, holidays, and other special events together, but now, as the family has…
Second annual women’s march in Santa Maria wants to ensure everybody’s voices are heard
Audy Macdonald doesn’t want people to get caught up in the idea that the upcoming second annual Women’s March Santa Maria Valley is strictly for women. Yes, the committee organizing the event has invited some organizations that primarily serve women, like Planned Parenthood, but the committee has also invited groups involved in a variety of…
