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FOOD & DRINK 2020
Food & Drink 2020: Get your foodie on Restaurants, bars, and adult-beverage makers start to reopen just in time for the Sun’s annual Food & Drink issue Even though it seems as if we’re heading down the road back to normalcy, “normal” is going to look very different than we’re used to—at least for the…
Supervisors propose measures to tighten cannabis regulations
Cannabis farmers in Santa Barbara County could face additional hurdles if proposed changes to existing local regulations take effect. On June 11, the county Board of Supervisors held a hearing to discuss the county Planning Commission’s proposal to require all cannabis applicants obtain a conditional use permit, rather than a land use permit. Under existing…
Wildling Museum of Art and Nature hosts Zoom webinar with Northern Lights photographer James Studarus
In February 2016, Goleta-based photographer James Studarus experienced the Northern Lights for the first time, during a trip to Iceland. “I traveled to Iceland with very limited knowledge of the aurora,” Studarus told the Sun. “I found myself deep in the Westfjords on the night of a predicted aurora storm. Sure enough, a monstrous light…
Leadership SMV holds illustration contest for its 2020 Legacy Project, an upcoming bilingual children’s book
Having grown up in Orcutt, I can’t help but wish I had a book like Strawberry Moon says, Goodnight, an upcoming children’s book set in and around the Santa Maria Valley. The book is full of clever rhymes that lovingly celebrate all things Santa Maria, from tri-tip to one of my favorite pieces of local…
Terracore pushes ahead with Cat Canyon proposal while others fall away
Despite low oil prices and a difficult local political climate, Terracore continues to move forward with plans to expand its operations in the Cat Canyon oil field. Over the last few months, two other companies have abandoned their plans to develop new wells in the oil field. Rick Rust, a representative from Aera Energy—which withdrew…
County public health director releases Santa Maria-specific coronavirus data
COVID-19 data presented to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on June 16 reveal some of the reasons for the disproportionately high number of cases in Santa Maria. “Like other jurisdictions, we are seeing that communities who have to work … do have a higher incidence of positivity,” county Public Health Director Dr. Van…
Film and television composer Carl Johnson joins Hancock faculty
The Allan Hancock College faculty welcomes Emmy Award-winning composer and Central Coast local Carl Johnson, who is teaching an online music business course during the school’s summer term, which began on June 15. Johnson has scored numerous film, television, and theme park attraction projects for Warner, Disney, DreamWorks, MGM, and other companies over the past…
Youth ARTS Alive welcomes new program coordinator, announces July classes
Local music and theater teacher Sarah Raines recently accepted the role of Youth Arts Education and Arts Advocacy Program Coordinator at Youth ARTS Alive, according to the program’s founder and director, Gale McNeeley. Raines studied music at New York University and acting at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre before beginning her teaching career. Thanks to grants…
When it comes to Lompoc’s budget, spending new revenue deserves more thought
When Lompoc Measure I2020—the temporary 1 percent tax measure—was proposed, city leaders said they would use the money to “maintain and improve public services, including neighborhood police patrols, firefighter staffing, gang enforcement, crime and vandalism prevention, street improvements, community and recreational services, and park upgrades.” After several statements made by council members, I was skeptical…
CANARY: Targeting growers
I didn’t know it was possible to feel any worse for cannabis growers and the way regulations have haltingly rolled out in California—lurching forward, reversing, and being revised as special interest groups come forward with their grievances about the devil’s lettuce! But the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is making it happen! High five! …
Political Watch: June 18, 2020
• On June 5, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his support for new policing and criminal justice reforms that will “work toward a statewide standard for policing peaceful protests and ending the carotid hold,” a press release states. “We have a unique and special responsibility here in California to meet this historic moment head-on,” Newsom said…
Santa Maria opens inclusive playground at Preisker Park
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria, and the People for Leisure and Youth Inc. planned to open an inclusive playground on June 17 at Preisker Park. The playground allows children of all abilities to enjoy the equipment, making it the first disability-friendly park of its kind in…
Solvang approves urban growth initiative
Following the adoption of a new ordinance, the city of Solvang won’t be able to expand beyond its existing limits for the next 20 years. At its June 8 meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance establishing this urban growth boundary after two residents led a successful campaign to push the initiative forward. With this…
Cunningham bill expands qualification options for teacher credential candidates
The state Assembly unanimously passed a bill to address statewide teacher shortages on June 10. Introduced by Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo), Assembly Bill 1982, would allow teacher credential candidates to satisfy the state’s Basic Skills Requirement with an A or B grade in accredited courses approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.…
