Cover Story
As most of the economy stalls, construction and development on the Central Coast carry on
When COVID-19 struck, Coastal Community Builders had just sent out a newsletter to thousands of prospective homebuyers. After years of planning, the Pismo Beach-based development company had finally broken ground on San Luis Ranch, a 580-home community on the former Dalidio Ranch in San Luis Obispo. A March project newsletter gave an optimistic progress report…
Sweet, salty, and delicious, Morro Bay oysters are a special weekend treat
Clacking together like stones, oysters clatter against the sink. My friend asked for a shucking knife, and I produced a butter knife. She looked at me and laughed. “I know what I’m getting you,” she says. I shrug with a chuckle. What can I say? Sometimes, you just have to make do with what you…
Original artwork from Gallery Los Olivos graces the pages of a free online coloring book
For still life painter Patti Robbins, using coloring books as an adult is more about meditation than nostalgia—although that’s definitely a big plus too. “It is great for the soul. I highly recommend it as a peaceful pastime,” Robbins told the Sun. “As a child, coloring was my introduction to the world of art.” Robbins,…
Facelift your spirits with The Art of Face Masks, Elverhoj Museum’s latest group exhibition
It all started with a casual Instagram post from Jody Williams, assistant director of the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art in Solvang. “As face masks become our new fashion accessory, we can’t help but think about our past show, The Art of Dress, and how those talented artists would’ve explored this new daily garment,”…
Great American Melodrama announces summer updates
While the Great American Melodrama in Oceano remains closed, the theater hopes to reopen in early July, according to a recent update on its website, although no specific date has been announced. The Melodrama’s original summer season was set to include Butch Cassidy and the Sunburnt Kid and The Perils of Pismo Pig and Other…
Righetti High School combines annual Student Art Show and Film Festival online
In light of Ernest Righetti High School’s cancellations of both its annual Student Art Show and Film Festival earlier this year, teachers and students in the school’s visual arts department teamed up to create a new website, righettivisualarts.org, in order to showcase student artwork online. The site includes works of various media, including drawing, painting,…
CANARY: Stench of bias
Hey all you cool kids and kiddos out there. You better watch out. The city of Santa Maria is out to get you. If you smell funny (Is that reefer?), are making out in public (Get a room!), or using vulgar language (I do declare!) in a public park—you could hear from the city’s park…
New name means chance for a new mission
The mission statement of CalGEM (California Geologic Energy Management Division) reads as follows, “CalGEM prioritizes protecting public health, safety, and the environment in its oversight of the oil, natural gas, and geothermal industries, while working to help California achieve its climate change and clean energy goals.” Failure to thoroughly deliver on its mission is not…
What we saw happen in Minneapolis on Memorial Day affects all in law enforcement
As new sheriff’s deputies or custody deputies begin their careers with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, they must solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. During the swear-in ceremony, we incorporate a badge pinning that is usually done by a loved one.…
Political Watch: June 11, 2020
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) released a statement on June 4 criticizing an executive order President Donald Trump issued that instructed federal agencies to waive environmental reviews for certain development projects during the economic downturn the country is facing. In a statement his office released, Carbajal questioned the intent of this order, which…
For California Connections Academy, online classrooms are already the normal reality
For schools across the nation, COVID-19 radically changed the learning landscape. With little warning, students started doing class from home, teachers created new online-friendly syllabi overnight, and high school sports canceled their seasons. But for California Connections Academy (CCA), not much changed at all. The academy is a network of tuition-free, K-12, online public schools…
Santa Maria established new rules for parks, plazas, and facilities that some say target homeless people
There are few places where people experiencing homelessness can simply be without fear of being asked to leave, such as public libraries, community centers, homeless shelters, and parks. The pandemic changed that. Libraries, including Santa Maria’s, closed and may continue to stay that way for months. Homeless shelters’ resources are stretched thin. Now, parks in…
Residents looking for answers after oak trees removed near Pioneer Park
Over the last 20 years, Walt Pavlakovich and his wife, Ginny, have routinely walked on well-worn paths that cut through the lot adjacent to Pioneer Park where they enjoy admiring the diverse ecosystem. “There’s sand dune environment with old growth chaparral, a big meadow with native wildflowers, all in this tiny little area right next…
Santa Barbara LAFCO begins search for new executive officer
Following the passing of its former executive officer, Paul Hood, in May, the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has begun the process of looking for a new department head. Prior to his death, Hood led the commission—which is a state-created entity made up of officials from local cities, special districts, and the county—for…
Head Start preschools will begin to reopen starting in July
Some local children who attend preschool through Head Start, the children’s services program at Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC), will be able to return to the classroom starting on July 6. CAC’s nearly 900 preschool children had to stop attending in-person class on March 13, when health orders forced the center’s various…
Lompoc locks into pension debt payment plan following sales tax increase
With additional expected revenue coming in as a result of voters approving a sales tax increase earlier this year, Lompoc City Council is entering into a payment plan to aggressively pay off its pension debt. Over the past few years, the city has suffered from significant financial difficulty, much of which city officials attribute to…
Santa Maria’s proposed budget will keep library, pool closed for months to come
The Santa Maria City Council will vote to approve the city’s proposed 2020-22 biennial budget on June 19, which seeks to address COVID-19 related deficits. So far, the city has lost $3.8 million because of the pandemic, and it could be facing more than $10 million in revenue losses over the next two years, according…
Rice Ranch developer starts work in Orcutt open space
Years-long plans began taking shape in the west portion of Orcutt Hills Open Space, which will eventually reduce the number of hiking trails available in the area. In May, the developer behind the Rice Ranch master-planned community graded strips of land where chain fences are now in place, marking where the development of the first…
