Cover Story
Up on the hill: An iconic Los Alamos motel gets a makeover
The motel with the campy, giant yellow sign was never talked about much. But I had always been curious–myself a bit of a retrophile–about the Skyview Motel in Los Alamos. The sleepy motel had earned a dubious nickname from some locals. They dubbed it the Psycho motel, and its seemingly ominous and withdrawn presence overlooking…
Going to pot: Instant pot roast sounds too good to be true, but it works
I will openly and shamelessly admit my Instant Pot spent six months on my kitchen counter before I would even touch it because I was terrified it would explode all over my kitchen. I must have Googled “pressure cooker explosion bomb” so many times, the FBI probably has me on a list called “People Who…
Gazebo a go-go: Local bands bring their sound outside for Summer Concerts at Solvang Park
Smack dab in the middle of all the windmills and bakeries in Solvang is Solvang Park, and right in the middle of that is a shady gazebo overlooking its sprawling lawn. For many a local band and musician, like Dan Robinette, drummer for local rock group LiveWire, that’s where the magic happens. “We like to…
Soul connections: Local children’s book explores a higher power and twin flames
Creation, reincarnation, and twin flames are all the makings of a great exploration of religion, life, and true love–or a children’s book, if you think like San Luis Obispo-based Rebecca Velasquez and her 8-year-old son, Wesley, who co-produced a story on these very topics that came out in May. Rebecca and Wesley sat down with…
An evening of art: VTC artists pull big crowds as they hold their annual art show in Orcutt
Rebecca* is eager to show visitors at CORE Winery in Orcutt her works of art. Two of her pieces hang on the walls of the tasting room, which at the moment is crowded to near capacity. As she gets word that one of her paintings has sold, she reacts with joy and shock. “I’ve sold…
Due credit
I know I spend most of my time pecking at people, but hey, I’m a bird! It’s what I do. That’s why it’s always good to give some credit when it’s due, especially to those I’ve pointed my beak at recently. A couple of weeks ago I challenged the Santa Maria City Council and Mayor…
Spotlight on: Santa Barbara County Fair
Hold on to your cowboy hats, the fair is back in town. The annual event, now celebrating its 127th year, features the state’s largest junior livestock auction, big-name musical artists, and an assortment of local goods ranging from jams, jellies, pies, homemade quilts, floriculture, and photography at the Santa Maria Fairpark. “It’s going to be…
Dividing lines: Pair of competing ordinances aim to control supervisorial redistricting process
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and citizen activists traded barbs over two competing ordinances that aim to redraw the supervisors’ district boundaries. The conflict was pushed into public discussion during two separate hearings at the board’s regular meeting on July 2. At issue were the differing language and requirements found in the ordinances,…
SMAT bus driver involved in fatal collision will not face criminal charges
The Santa Maria city bus driver involved in April’s fatal collision with a bicyclist will not face criminal charges, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Santa Maria resident Veronica Perez, 43, was seriously injured when she was hit by a Route 7 Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) bus just before 6 p.m.…
After slow start, fire season roars to life
The call came in around 8 p.m. on a Friday night and the worst fears were quickly confirmed. A wildland fire on the north side of Goleta, fanned by 40 mph wind gusts, was pushing down the mountains rapidly toward homes, neighborhoods, and the city proper. Fire crews, stationed nearby due to a Red Flag…
Blue Sky Center in Cuyama hosts visiting artists
The Blue Sky Center recently hosted its first residency program in the Cuyama Valley. With support from the Squire Foundation, the Santa Barbara County Department of Arts and Culture, and in collaboration with Explore Ecology and the Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store, the center hosted five artist teams. In five Shelton Huts on its…
Great American Melodrama presents ‘Gold Fever’
The Great American Melodrama brings the Old West to life in its latest comedy production, Gold Fever at the Rough and Ready by Neil LaVine. Gold Fever joins The Mix Tape in the Melodrama’s summer repertory season. Both shows, featuring the same cast, will play on alternating nights throughout the remainder of the summer. The…
Arts Fiesta planned in Santa Maria
Youth Arts Alive, a Santa Maria free youth arts education program, presents its first Arts Fiesta event at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center on July 13 at 6 p.m. The Arts Fiesta will feature performances by Youth Arts Alive students in dance, music, and theater, as well as a display of the visual art…
Supreme Court nomination
Now that there is a vacancy in the Supreme Court of the United States, Americans and U.S. senators should be reminded that there is still a nomination for the Supreme Court that was never appropriately dealt with. Now is the time for Americans and senators to stand behind the nomination of Merrick Garland to be…
Library Shop does good work
Congratulations to the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library for 10 years of dedicated service to the people of the Santa Maria Valley through their operation of the Library Shop at the Santa Maria Public Library. I especially thank the 40 volunteers and shop manager, Nancy Marriott, who staff the shop and work to…
Library Shop should stay
I read with interest City Librarian Mary Housel’s comments in the “Library Shop to close after tiff with library” article (July 5). I have been a librarian for 31 years, as well as currently serving on the Friends Board, and have never encountered a city librarian who felt they needed to evict a group that…
Fireworks in Santa Maria
For the past three or four years my next door neighbors have thrown a very large Fourth of July party, and every year they have ignited illegal fireworks. The fireworks shows have run continuously for three to four hours. Last year we called the “Santa Maria Fireworks Hotline,” and were informed that no police would…
The new GOP
Thanks to Michael Smith for his no-nonsense column on the horror story that is Donald Trump (“Trump’s not a Republican,” June 28). Whether or not America survives this administration, there is no doubt historians will not look kindly on his term in office. However, Mr. Smith’s article does not support its title, “Trump’s not a…
Lompoc’s downward spiral continues
We have been living in Lompoc for 24 years. During that time my husband and I have devoted our lives to improving the quality of life in this city. We have volunteered our time and what little extra funds we have to support many of the positive events, activities, and ongoing projects that we believed…
Orcutt American Little League player Carson Gooley
Although Orcutt American Little League player Carson Gooley is truly versatile on defense, head coach Jim Stollberg said his exceptional infield game is unmatched by any local athletes his age. “Carson was our most electric player and his positive attitude made his teammates play better every day,” Stollberg told the Sun. Gooley, who recently wrapped…
Federal funding reinstated to Community Action Partnership sex ed programs
It’s been a financially rocky year for some Community Action Partnership San Luis Obispo programs, but because of a recent federal court ruling, the nonprofit will continue offering its reproduction education courses to local schools and youth organizations. Community Action Partnership won grant funding in 2015 through the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, which provides financial…
Clarification
In the July 5 news article, “Ballot initiative aims to redraw county supervisorial districts,” the Sun incorrectly said that Reason in Government was “new.” The organization formed in 2016.
Santa Maria City Council puts increased sales tax on November ballot
If Santa Marians want to improve and maintain the city’s public safety services, it’s going to cost. The Santa Maria City Council voted unanimously on July 3 to put Measure U2018, the Public Safety and Essential Services Measure, on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The measure, according to a city staff report, would extend…
