With 2025 just getting started, some people are choosing to do what they do best: volunteer. The work that volunteers do in their spare time accomplishes so much in the region, from dishing out food that serves houseless residents a meal to making sure students can cross the street safely before and after school, the…
The movie Gladiator II entertains hugely. However, it does not educate people about how vengeance came to be the ruling principle of civic and international life in ancient Rome. That rogue philosophy resulted from the drying up of Rome’s system of civics education and from the unregulated accumulation of money and power. Yes, characters in…
Fueled by deep passion rather than deep pockets, lifelong Santa Maria resident Sara Macdonald has devoted countless hours to volunteering and advocating for her local community. Macdonald currently serves in several volunteer roles, including president of the Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast regional representative for the California Poor People’s Campaign, and vice…
It’s What’s Inside What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Greg Jardin helms this sci-fi black comedy about old college friends with complicated histories who get together at a pre-wedding party that devolves into a nightmare when one guest, Forbes (David Thompson), shows up with a suitcase containing an experimental device…
The Sticky What’s it rated? Unrated When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime The incomparable Margo Martindale stars as Ruth Landry, a sugar maker who’s being pushed to her limit by Leonard Sr. (Guy Nadon) of the Syrup Federation. While this series is based on the true story of a $18 million maple syrup heist,…
New zoning rules were among Solvang’s first enacted policies of 2025. The multi-layered ordinance includes a revised application route—in effect as of Jan. 8—with clear objective standards for developers to draw from that weren’t previously codified. Staff designed the new policy to provide project applicants with a strong starting point and allow proposals to bypass…
Fire risks and property values are two reasons to hold off on streamlining the permitting process for small wireless telecommunication facilities in Santa Barbara County, according to Lesley Weinstock. The physician’s assistant spoke during the Jan. 7 county Board of Supervisors meeting alongside a handful of other Safe Technology for Santa Barbara members who questioned…
Bread and butter To see Urban Homesteadings’ offerings and place an order, visit urbanhomesteadings.com. For more updates and information, go to @urban_homesteading_with_cait on Instagram. For Urban Homesteadings owner Cait Casey, one of the greatest gifts of sourdough-making is that it can’t be rushed. In fact, from start to finish, one of her homemade loaves takes…
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) was sworn into his fifth term in Congress representing the 24th District on Jan. 3. “As someone who grew up, got his first job and a great education, and started a family on the Central Coast, I am deeply grateful to continue working on its behalf in Congress,”…
Get your copy You can buy a copy of Froggy Phevoli’s book, Side Effect, on Amazon at amazon.com/Side-Effect-Froggy-Phevoli/dp/B0DJVJBPD1. Zack Connor can read minds, but the 16-year-old’s superpower comes with a downside. Whenever he reaches into someone’s thoughts, his own thoughts are revealed. He doesn’t know where his power comes from, and his overbearing mother, Carol,…
Sculptures and multi-media pieces are among local artist Joe Castle’s featured works in an upcoming showcase at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art in downtown Solvang. To celebrate the debut of Castle’s new solo show, titled Figuratively Speaking, the museum will host an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m.…
Seven young classical musicians, from ages 8 to 18, will assemble at Shepard Hall in Santa Maria for a special concert program on Saturday, Jan. 11, as the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society hosts its annual Youth Showcase, slated to begin at 3 p.m. While admission to the program is free, donations will be accepted to…
California emergency rooms saw more than 21,000 visits related to opioid overdoses within the past year, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. On the Central Coast, Dignity Health’s Substance Use Navigators (SUN) program is attempting to combat the issue. At Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, and French Hospital…
Walk through history Learn more and apply to volunteer at the historic Dana Adobe in Nipomo at danaadobe.org/volunteer. The adobe is located at 671 S. Oakglen Ave. The Dana Adobe, a 187-year-old ranch that was once home to Capt. William Dana, is one of the oldest standing buildings on the Central Coast, and its history…
In Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors news, the changing of the guards is complete! Second District Supervisor Laura Capps took the chair’s gavel from 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, and new 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee took his seat on the board on Jan. 7. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to…
Every day, as part of their daily duties, first responders encounter serious trauma, life-threatening medical emergencies, and fires that displace or injure families. When they arrive, they may appear calm and disassociated with the chaos surrounding the event. They really aren’t—they are trained early in their careers to take a deep breath, assess the situation,…
Nosferatu What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Writer-director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) helms this retro iteration of the classic vampire tale focusing on Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who’s haunted…
I recently saw Don’t Look Back at the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo and felt like I had time traveled to my youth. While a college student at Columbia University, I hung out in Greenwich Village at coffee houses, jazz and folk music clubs, and at bars where Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, was…
