Cover Story
Central Coast Community Energy overhauls electricity rates, looks to ramp up local energy programs
Since Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) first launched in 2018, it’s made two promises to its ratepayers from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara counties: that it will provide carbon-free electricity, and it will provide that electricity at a discounted rate. While the regional public power provider says it still intends to keep both of those…
Broken Clock Vinegar Works wins big at 2021 Central Coast Vinegar Competition, offers new flavors and take-home fermentation kits
At the end of June, a board of judges gathered in Paso Robles for a blind tasting event to determine the winners of the California Mid-State Fair’s 2021 Central Coast Vinegar Competition. From a pool of entries encompassing 10 coastal counties (from Alameda to Ventura), Solvang’s Broken Clock Vinegar Works placed first in one of…
A cast and crew of volunteers bring the Los Alamos Theatre Group’s new musical fundraiser, ‘TRASH,’ to life
The historic Depot Mall and Bar in Los Alamos has been transformed into a fictitious county courtroom, thanks to Jim Albertson, the set constructor behind a new one-act musical currently held at the venue (with performances scheduled to run through July 11). Presented by the Los Alamos Theatre Group, TRASH debuted on July 2 and…
Cypress Gallery holds new solo exhibit, Color Connections, showcasing local artist Chris Jeszeck
The Lompoc Valley Art Association presents Color Connections, a new exhibition at the Cypress Gallery, which opened on July 2 and is scheduled to remain on display through July 25. This solo exhibit showcases a collection of artworks created by Lompoc local Chris Jeszeck. Featured pieces in the show include Celebration (pictured), Waiting, Blue Iris,…
Santa Maria Civic Theatre presents one-night reading of ‘Incorruptible’
On July 10, the Santa Maria Civic Theatre will present its first in-person Readers Theatre production of the year, Incorruptible, written by Michael Hollinger and directed by Stuart Wenger. This one-night reading starts at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to end at 9 p.m. General admission to the show is $10, and tickets are available…
Third season of NBC’s ‘Making It’ features Santa Maria local Kara Walker
Santa Maria-based artist and designer Kara Walker (pictured) was chosen to compete on NBC’s current season of Making It, which premiered on June 24. Hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, each season of Making It assembles a different group of crafters from around the country to compete with each other in various do-it-yourself crafting…
Jeers for fears
You know whose heads aren’t quite screwed on straight? The folks over at Central Coast Community Energy (also known as 3CE), which pulled a little bait-and-switch on all the people who were promised PG&E rate discounts when the electric utility traveled up and down the coast marketing itself to local cities and counties. At the…
Functioning brain cells
Have you ever had the urge to play Russian roulette? It’s a simple game, full of suspense, hope, and dreadful anticipation. The rules are simple. Load a revolver with one bullet, spin the cylinder, place it against your head, and pull the trigger. Sounds like fun, does it not? The odds are straightforward. You have…
Uncritically promoted false narratives erode our trust
As some of you may have noticed, the theory that the source of the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a lab in Wuhan, China, is no longer just the stuff of fevered right-wing fantasies and rabid Trumpists, but has become mainstream. In fact, by the time that this column runs, the lab-release scenario may be…
Political Watch: July 8, 2021
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) released a July 1 statement condemning the Supreme Court decisions in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee and Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta, which he said undermine free and fair elections. “In a pair of 6-3 decisions today, the Supreme Court turned its back on the basic foundations of…
Fish and Wildlife Service wants to save two local plant species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) wants to protect two plants that are only found in the Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes area and get them both off the federally endangered species list. The Nipomo Mesa lupine is a small annual plant that produces vibrant purple flowers, and it’s currently only found in the Nipomo Mesa within…
Solvang starts potential Copenhagen Drive reopening discussion
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s June 11 executive orders that effectively “re-opened” California have communities like Solvang considering whether to keep city modifications such as the Copenhagen Drive closure. Under the city’s emergency declaration in 2020, the council approved temporarily closing Copenhagen Drive to provide space for outdoor dining through the implementation of parklets. The policy was…
School board approves school resource officer positions, despite opposition
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District approved its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) at a June 23 board meeting outlining district goals and spending that supports students. The plan includes funding for two school resource officers, which some board members and public commenters opposed. In the drafted LCAP presented at a June 9 board meeting,…
In lieu of the typical county fair, locals can still find rides, food, and fun at the Santa Maria Fairpark this year
Although the traditional Santa Barbara County Fair isn’t happening this year, those seeking this quintessential summer fun can still get their carnival fix at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Helm and Sons Amusements will continue its Greatest Portable Theme Park at the fairgrounds from July 8 to 11. Helm and Sons is the same company that…
