Cover Story
Utility companies and elected officials try to pinpoint why natural gas costs increased for residents this winter
In the 57 years he’s lived in Pismo Beach, Cliff Henley has never paid a natural gas bill as high as the one he got in January. “My bill for December is $75 average. Now it’s $435!” he told the Sun on Feb. 20. “It’s like buying a car or taking out a loan and…
NEW FLICKS: PAMELA: A LOVE STORY (2023)
NEW FLICKS: PAMELA: A LOVE STORY (2023) Where’s it playing? Netflix What’s it rated? TV-MA Ryan White (The Keepers) directs this intimate and revealing portrait of blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, who became a superstar playing C.J. Parker on the hit TV series Baywatch in the ’90s, fumbled an attempt to segue into film with Barb…
Political Watch: March 2, 2023
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) led 15 members of California’s congressional delegation in calling for a federal investigation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission into recent spikes in home energy costs, according to a Feb. 22 statement from the congressman’s office. “With unexpectedly high home gas prices, we have heard stories from our…
After 30 years of planning, Allan Hancock College opens its new Fine Arts Complex
Student-produced artwork and live demonstrations greeted people who stepped out of the rain and into Allan Hancock College’s newest building on Feb. 24. The 88,000-square-foot two-story Fine Arts Complex with a corrugated metal facade includes a 400-seat concert hall, a film screening room, and student lounge areas for students in the college’s dance, drama, film,…
Carbajal wants California coast off ‘Big Oil’s shopping list’
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently reintroduced the California Clean Coast Act to the House of Representatives in order to protect the state from future offshore oil drilling. The bill aims to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas leasing off the Central Coast and the rest of California. Carbajal first introduced the bill…
Santa Maria evaluates potential new performing arts and convention center
The city of Santa Maria is budgeting a study to determine whether a new large-scale convention hall in town would be economically viable. Thanks to unanimous approval from the Santa Maria City Council during its Feb. 21 meeting, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce has permission to spend up to $94,250 in consulting fees…
County blizzard warning went into effect for the first time in decades
For the first time since 1989, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Santa Barbara County and snow fell at elevation levels as low as 1,500 feet. Robbie Munroe, a Los Angeles National Weather Service meteorologist, told the Sun that the system traveled from the Gulf of Alaska and Western Canada, bringing…
Feast and famine
Are you sick of hearing about snow yet? I hope not, because I’m not sick of talking about it yet. It snowed in Santa Barbara County! And not just on the peaks either. Highway 154 closed and Caltrans had to break out the snow plows. New Cuyama was blanketed in the white stuff. This February…
Santa Maria’s downtown revitalization will breathe new life into the city
Downtown redevelopment in Santa Maria is proceeding with very exciting revitalization projects that will be transformative. Three developers are working with the city on projects to bring in new housing, businesses, entertainment, and restaurants, sparking more life to the area. I will summarize the vision, each project, and as always, invite the public to continue…
Americans’ shortsighted consumerism is sickening
Can it be true that America’s sunshine patriots are wavering in their support of the Ukrainian people’s valiant struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country? Does “long-term COVID” include the loss of one’s spine? “Live free or die” is just a motto here, but it is being put to action in Ukraine. These same Americans…
Gallery Los Olivos showcases oil paintings in new duo show, Because We Paint
Gallery Los Olivos’ latest duo exhibition, Because We Paint, premiered in early March and is scheduled to remain on display through March 31. This exhibit highlights a collection of oil paintings by local artists and husband and wife Garret and Ginny Speirs. An opening reception for the showcase will be held on Sunday, March 5,…
Valley Art Gallery highlights whimsical paintings by Elinor Plumer
Constantly inspired by her surroundings, Valley Art Gallery’s current featured artist is always on the lookout for potential subjects, no matter where she is or what she’s up to. “If I have time, I’ll sketch. Otherwise, I’ll take a picture,” said local artist Elinor Plumer, who often refers to her own drawings and photos before…
Gina’s Piece of Cake plans to open new Orcutt satellite bakery
Finding the perfect spot for a second bakery location was no cake walk for Gina Martin, owner of Gina’s Piece of Cake in Santa Maria. “We have looked in Orcutt for quite a few years. And then after COVID hit, we figured we’d stay put,” Martin said. “There were different locations that we looked at,…
Local author holds talk in Los Olivos on new wildlife book
UCSB professor Peter Alagona will host a talk about his new book, The Accidental Ecosystem: People and Wildlife in American Cities, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley in Los Olivos on March 2, starting at 7 p.m. Alagona’s book addresses topics centered on wildlife populations in cities in North America. Since World War II, cities throughout the U.S.…
