Cover Story
Inflation and increased demand impacts a Santa Ynez Valley-based food service program serving seniors and families in need
Stacy McNabb cooks 400 meals a day. Five days a week, she plans, prepares, and plates food that will get loaded into cars, and make its way to the doors of people—primarily seniors—who are in need or live below the poverty line. “Sometimes we’re the only people seniors see. We are their lifelines,” McNabb said.…
COVID-19 vaccines will soon be available for the county’s youngest population
The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest group thus far—children from 6 months old to 5 years old. Santa Barbara County Health Officer Henning Ansorg said he was really excited that the vaccines were finally approved for little kids. “It may be a…
Political Watch: June 30, 2022
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) recently introduced legislation to help the homelessness and growing substance abuse crises, according to the senator’s office. The Coordinating Substance Use and Homelessness Care Act of 2022 would create a grant program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support culturally competent, trauma-informed substance use…
Candidates announce Santa Maria City Council campaigns
After living in Santa Maria for 38 years and serving as an elected city official for eight, Etta Waterfield’s stepping down from from her seat on the Santa Maria City Council to retire and move to Montana. City Planning Commissioner Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez is running to take her place as a candidate for the 4th District…
Lompoc reluctantly renews animal services contract with county
Without ample time to explore alternative options, most members of the Lompoc City Council felt obligated to accept a new five-year contract with the city’s current animal services provider, Santa Barbara County. The City Council’s decision to sign the contract on June 21 wasn’t unanimous, and all five members expressed their mutual frustration with continuing…
‘Vote,’ local pro-choice advocates say in wake of ‘Roe v. Wade’ decision
It felt like a “gut punch” when Pam Gates heard that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade—a 1973 ruling that said women had the constitutional right to an abortion—after 50 years of standing. “Now it’s [about asking] ‘Where do we go from here? How do we unite? How do we protect what rights…
Vote.
I can’t exactly get mad at Santa Barbara County voters for not feeling motivated to make their voices heard on June 7. Most of the candidates were running unopposed, and unless you felt strongly that the 16-year reign of Sheriff Bill Brown needed to end or that Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido needed to be…
Recreational nonprescription drug use is not a victimless activity
Many people, specifically social libertarians and those who advocate for the legalization of recreational drugs claim that personal drug use is a “victimless crime.” Well, a recent crime in Lompoc and others around the nation, including recent mass shootings where recreational drug use was a contributing factor, rebut that theory. Others have criticized police officers…
Is our voting system reliable?
I have always voted in person at my local voting precinct in Lompoc, except during the pandemic when I mistakenly thought it would have long lines. It did not. Both times, we had mail-in ballots sent to all registered voters in the county. In addition, two booklets were sent to all, including a sample ballot…
Orcutt Mineral Society announces August dates for annual Rainbow of Gems Show
The Orcutt Mineral Society will host its 54th annual Rainbow of Gems Show at Nipomo High School on Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 40 vendors selling rocks, fossils, jewelry, and other items will be at…
PCPA postpones production of ‘The Agitators’ to October
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) originally planned to hold its production of The Agitators during this summer, but recently announced a postponement, “in response to ongoing pandemic impacts, labor shortages, and supply chain issues that continue to challenge PCPA,” according to a release from the company. The show has been rescheduled to premiere in October,…
Gallery Los Olivos holds new duo show, Summer Refresh
Paintings by local artists Carol Talley (pictured, left) and Terri Taber (right) will be on display at Gallery Los Olivos throughout the month of July. The new duo exhibition is called Summer Refresh and features colorful depictions of water, sky, land, and other subjects, according to press materials. Taber and Talley are longtime friends who…
Cypress Gallery showcases seaside scenes from watercolor and acrylic painter Sharon Hedman
Buying a Sharon Hedman painting can feel more like a job application than a standard purchase. The Lompoc-based artist prefers that her prospective patrons meet at least one prerequisite. “If it doesn’t stir an emotion, make you feel something, don’t buy it, please,” said Hedman, who fears her work becoming “a piece of furniture to…
New AMC series shines spotlight on Loring Wine Company’s pinot noir
Central Coast pinot noir was arguably the breakout star of 2004’s Sideways. During a road trip to explore Santa Barbara County’s wine country, Paul Giamatti’s character, Miles, can’t stop singing praises about the variety. Nearly two decades later, a Lompoc-produced pinot noir is garnering some favorable attention in AMC’s new mini series, Cooper’s Bar. The…
