

Cover Story
Off to the races: The Santa Maria Speedway is back in business starting May 11
Editor’s note: Santa Maria Speedway General Manager David Castaneda told the Sun after the paper went to press that races have been postponed due to logistical issues, and the speedway is holding an open practice on May 11 from 4 to 9 p.m. instead. Residents can come and watch people practice, but no concessions will…
Abigail delivers glorious gore and biting humor
Abigail What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Bulbul? Matinee What’s it worth, Caleb? Matinee Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not, Scream 2022) co-direct this horror film about a group of kidnappers who snatch a mob boss’s daughter, Abigail…
Bingeable: Shōgun
Shōgun What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Hulu Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks and based on James Clavell’s sweeping 1975 historical fiction novel, Shōgun tells the story of shipwrecked English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), the powerful Japanese warlord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) who takes him in, interpreter Toda Mariko…
Bingeable: Baby Reindeer
Baby Reindeer What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Wowza, this one’s a ride, even more so because it’s based on Richard Gadd’s true-life stalker experience. Martha (Jessica Gunning) seemingly wandered into his bar one night, and her eager laugh and undying attention feeds something in Donny he desperately needs. He’s a…
Local vintners pour their wares during Santa Barbara Zoo’s Roar and Pour
Welcome to the jungle Find out more about Roar and Pour at sbzoo.org. The wine tasting event, open to ages 21 and over, highlights several Central Coast-based wineries and will be held at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Saturday, May 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $95. VIP tickets are $130 each. Proceeds…
U.S. Forest Service to receive nearly $38 million in Thomas Fire settlement
Southern California Edison agreed to pay the United States $80 million to resolve claims and recovery costs associated with suppressing and recovering from the 2017 Thomas Fire—ending a nearly four-year litigation process. “Obviously, we are not happy about the fire and the cause of the fire, but we are happy to reach a settlement with…
Buellton grants emergency support to SYV Community Outreach
A local nonprofit recently secured emergency funds from the city of Buellton to keep its Meals on Wheels program for seniors from going belly up. In an April 24 letter to the city, Pam Gnekow, CEO of SYV Community Outreach, reported a deficit of $110,000 during 2023, due to expenses out of the organization’s control…
State completes Santa Barbara County cannabis business licensing audit
Santa Barbara County will change its cannabis licensing application as it implements suggestions from the State Auditor’s Office. “To my knowledge, this is the first time cannabis has been audited at the state level. It’s relatively new with recreational level,” Deputy County Executive Officer Brittany Odermann told the Sun. “It’s typical that the Legislature will…
Political Watch: May 2, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) highlighted $850,000 he helped secure in the 2024 federal budget to build a 1.2 mile bike and pedestrian path adjacent to Highway 227 in San Luis Obispo, according to an April 25 statement from Carbajal’s office. The funding is set aside to help complete segments two of the…
Santa Ynez Valley-based horse-riding group annually contributes to Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara
Over the past 12 years, Santa Barbara County riding group Rancheros Visitadores, in partnership with Wrangler, has donated more than $1.5 million to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara to support local cancer research and care programs. The Rancheros Visitadores was started in the Santa Ynez Valley in the 1930s by local ranch owners to…
Too little, too late?
The United States is getting $80 million from Southern California Edison for the 2017 Thomas Fire, which burned through more than 280,000 acres. That’s cash money. Why? To recoup the damages and cost of fighting said fire on 150,000 acres of Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Los Padres is getting…
The electric vehicle mandate will cost more and cause more problems—for everyone—than it solves
According to the state Air Resources Control Board, California is mandating by executive fiat the electrification of all new vehicles purchased in California by 2035. Not mentioned is the cost of the mandate or who will pay for it. The first issue is fire safety. According to Business Insider, “Car fires have always been dangerous…
Mother Nature will have her revenge on Dana Reserve development
[Regarding the SLO County Board of Supervisors April 24 approval of the Dana Reserve development in Nipomo.] Really? This is an outrage on all levels, an insult and attack on our sense and sensibilities. We have surpassed our oak tree removal quota after letting Resnick clear-cut 15,000 oaks in Paso Robles. What is going on…
Lompoc’s RocketTown Comic-Con unites several actors under one roof
Comic relief RocketTown Comic-Con in Lompoc will feature appearances from more than a dozen actors with credits that span various arenas of pop culture. For the full lineup of guests, visit rockettown-comic-con.company.site. Tickets to the two-day convention, scheduled for May 4 and 5 in the Lompoc Valley Middle School Gym, are available in advance at…
PCPA’s Little Shop of Horrors debuts in Santa Maria with Solvang performances to follow
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria through Sunday, May 12. This iteration of the hit sci-fi comedy musical, with songs by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, opened in late April. The show’s director and choreographer, Keenon Hooks, in press…






