Cover Story
PRIDE 2022
Our annual Pride issue is coming a little early this year, but is it ever really too early to celebrate the activism and visibility of the LGBTQ-plus community? We talk to the Pacific Pride Foundation about the upcoming summer of in-person events, why it’s important to remember the activist roots of Pride, and the current…
NEW FLICKS: WATERMAN (2021)
NEW FLICKS: WATERMAN (2021) Where’s it playing? PBS What’s it rated? Not Rated Isaac Halasima (The Last Descent) directs this documentary about Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a five-time Olympic medalist and native Hawaiian who’s credited with introducing surfing to the world. The film uses archival materials and reenactments with Duane DeSoto starring as Duke, as well…
COLD Coast Brewing Company in Lompoc hosts grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony
The letters in COLD Coast Brewing Company don’t spell the temperature of the beer it serves. It’s actually an acronym from each of the brewery’s four owners’ last names. Now, more than two years after the quartet originally hoped to debut their new venue, Lompoc locals Dave Caro, Eric Oviatt, Mike Lamping, and Jason Drew…
Kerrie Smith develops a new multisensory installation, Portals and Pathways, in Solvang
Santa Barbara resident Kerrie Smith used to specialize in transporting theatergoers into the worlds of plays and operas. The former set designer took a similar approach with her latest creative endeavor, although it’s located inside a museum rather than on a stage. “For me, spaces are like a blank stage or canvas, and give me…
Great American Melodrama presents its latest original comedy, ‘The Mark of Morro’
The Great American Melodrama in Oceano premiered its current production, The Mark of Morro, at the beginning of May. Performances of the show are scheduled to run through Saturday, June 18. The plot of The Mark of Morro follows a shy college student, Mark, who “loves nothing more than reading about his favorite comic book…
Gallery Los Olivos showcases artists Britt Friedman and Gerry Winant in new duo exhibit
Friendly Conversation, a new duo exhibition at Gallery Los Olivos, debuted in early May and is scheduled to remain on display through the end of the month. The exhibit showcases a collection of paintings by Britt Friedman and Gerry Winant. Friedman has a background as a surface design artist and primarily paints oil landscapes. Winant…
Fighting words
Maybe Buellton has it figured out. The city recently approved forward momentum on a project intended to bring more life into the town along Highway 101, and increase accessibility for residents who may not have it. In order to give city residents who need it the option to garden, Buellton City Council approved plans to…
Where is Christy Lozano on the issues?
Citizen Christy Lozano is vying to replace current Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido with the aid of County Clerk Joseph Holland. A lawsuit has been filed against Ms. Lozano for bypassing protocol and entering the race without valid credentials. Incumbent Susan Salcido is dismissing the shenanigans stating that she is focused on her own agenda.…
South County exploitation of North County resources has been going on for more than 100 years
This is the story of how early Santa Barbara’s moneyed ranchers forced their will upon the more rural ranchers and farmers who lived and ranched in the Santa Ynez River watershed. It has long been acknowledged that politics and political advantage can be used to accommodate the powerful near the seat of government; the trend…
Political Watch: May 19, 2022
• The U.S. House of Representatives voted 288-131 to approve and advance the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act—a bipartisan measure authored by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) that ensures federal firefighters receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county, and municipal firefighters, according to Carbajal’s office. This measure would presume…
High school students advocate for Levee Trail expansion
Pioneer Valley High School senior Casey Mata Garcia said he began advocating for more community green space because of the access inequalities he saw between his community in northern Santa Maria and its neighbors. “A lot of the residents in northern Santa Maria are field workers of low socioeconomic status. I grew up in northern…
Buellton City Council green-lights proposed community garden
The vacant lot on the corner of Second Street and Central Avenue in Buellton will be the future home of a community garden for city residents to grow their own fruit, vegetables, flowers, and other plants. During the Buellton City Council’s meeting on May 12, a newly formed nonprofit, Buellton Community Garden, was granted permission…
ExxonMobil sues Santa Barbara County, claims constitutional rights violation
After the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ rejected ExxonMobil’s proposal to truck crude oil from its Las Flores Canyon processing facility to Santa Maria and Kern County pump stations, the oil company filed a lawsuit against the county stating its U.S. and California state constitutional rights were violated, according to legal documents. “We are…
Orcutt teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing honored as Santa Barbara County’s teacher of the year
When Joanna Hendrix was nominated to apply for the Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year award, she had a hard time deciding whether she’d move forward with the process. “I learned I do not enjoy the spotlight,” the teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students said with a laugh. “I really had reservations…
