For decades, New Times Media Group has asked local photographers to send their best shots our way as part of the annual Winning Images contest. Covering categories from Animals and Landscape/Seascape to In Motion and People, the images capture the beauty and strangeness across the Central Coast and beyond. This year, our judges sifted through…
Complaints from some Solvang officials about being blindsided by Mayor David Brown’s new side venture prompted an update to the City Council’s ethics code. While Brown informed city staff about his plans for Solvang Passport—a mobile phone app he created that promotes specific tourism destinations and businesses in town for a monthly fee—in late 2025,…
Santa Barbara County kicked off its final round of budget hearings on June 16 with a unanimous vote approving recommendations from Public Health Director Mouhanad Hammami to cut millions of dollars from his department. A structural deficit has plagued Public Health’s savings, but changes to federal and state policies regarding who qualifies for Medi-Cal “added…
Based on a unanimous Guadalupe City Council decision, voters will likely see a new cannabis business tax measure on their November election ballots. With a 5-0 vote, the council approved the ballot addition’s first reading on June 9. If its second reading passes, constituents will decide whether Guadalupe should impose new taxes on the gross…
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) reintroduced the Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act with fellow U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), according to a June 10 press release. The bill would create a new federal program encouraging commercial shipping companies operating off the Pacific coast to reduce their vessel speeds to…
When Sal Caminada retired from being a professor of health and nutrition at Allan Hancock College, he wanted to spend his retirement doing something good for the community. That is how he came to volunteer at the SLO Noor Foundation, a free clinic that serves San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara County. He’s been…
Budget cuts are hitting Santa Barbara County. One reality is an almost $10 million cut to the Public Health Department that’s closing pharmacies and other services in both North and South counties. If you need to use the county-run pharmacy, you’ll have to run to Lompoc. It’s the middle ground—so at least it’s not just…
A common argument for continuing driving and off-roading on the Oceano beach and dunes is that if vehicles go away, then the off-highway vehicle (OHV) funds that protect the snowy plover will go away too. Probably, yes, some of it will go away. But so would the biggest threat to the snowy plover and the…
The recent letter from the Oceano Beach Community Association calling for Oceano Airport to be converted into a vertiport is putting the cart before the horse (“The Oceano Airport needs to evolve,” June 4). Before Oceano abandons another public asset, we should examine the facts. The authors, who have no aviation experience, argue that the…
No interest in a primary election? Not enough Vote for Me flyers from candidates? Does it take massive advertisements from and about candidates to alert the voters to vote? Are voters unaware unless there is a contest generating ads on radio, TV, or in our mailboxes that there is an election and they should care…
Youth Arts Alive isn’t marketed as a summer camp, but it meets similar standards for families looking for one. Kids could be entertained in classes with professional artists from 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. four days a week. Alternatively, some kids want to only take guitar lessons or crafting workshops, the nonprofit’s founder…
Just after celebrating its one-year anniversary, the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is offering new experiences including a self-guided audio tour, a free event series, and a gallery of paintings by Christopher Evans. “As the museum enters its second year, it remains a place for learning and cultural connection, strengthening its overall visitor…
An ancient grudge, a bright pink mask, and a high-stakes wrestling ring all play big roles in Luchadora!, the latest production at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA). Community members can experience the adventure at the Marian Theatre from June 18 to July 3. Watch as protagonist Nana Lupita secretly trains with help from a mysterious…
Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raider of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan) directs his story scripted by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Carlito’s Way, Mission: Impossible) about the moment the public finally see evidence proving we are not alone in the universe. (145 min.) Disclosure DayWhat’s…
Margo’s Got Money TroublesWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ Margo’s a college freshman who wants to be a writer. Cue crush on her professor, a totally not cool affair, and an unplanned pregnancy. Her professor, Mark Gable (Michael Angarano), wants nothing to do with her or the baby, and her…
The Wrecking Crew!What’s it rated? PG When? Monday, June 22 Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Denny Tedesco (Immediate Family) directs this incredible 2008 music documentary about a group of seasoned Los Angeles session musicians called The Wrecking Crew who worked with a who’s who of the music world and appeared on…
Frank Perez’s favorite memory from his first year studying winemaking was when he and his classmates bottled their 2025 vintage. The April day was a master class. It illustrated how big of a team it takes to make a bottle of wine. “It started the day before. We were sterilizing or filtering a lot of…
