There are parades, and then there are Fourth of July parades. Lucky for you, we feature both and more in our annual Summer Guide. You can find events for feasting, drinking, holidays, art, artisans, and whiling away the summer days. You can find things for your kids to do while you’re at work or things…
A status report on Guadalupe’s initiative to restore its shuttered Royal Theater teed up an argument between the project’s lead and the elected official who serves on its capital campaign committee. During the Guadalupe City Council’s May 13 meeting, Councilmember Whitney Furness said there’s not enough city oversight when it comes to finances tied to…
On May 27, Solvang City Council members will vote on whether the city will become the next domino to fall in line with California’s legislative push against unhoused people trying to live outside of shelters. Lompoc introduced public and private camping bans in March. In February, members of the Fremont City Council tried to criminalize…
Ten years almost to the date after the Refugio oil spill, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors revisited news headlines centered on the coastal disaster. Second District Supervisor Laura Capps shared snippets of media coverage from May 2015 at the board’s May 13 meeting. She also compiled excerpts from articles on the 2017 Thomas…
• On May 14, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined immigration advocates and some of his colleagues at a press conference to speak out against anti-immigrant provisions in Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill—such as increased funding for the border wall and immigrant detention centers, according to Padilla’s office.…
Wielding a giant pair of scissors is one skill Aeron Arlin Genet now has firsthand experience with. One of her recent duties as the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) executive director was cutting the ribbon at an open house event to celebrate the agency’s new Santa Maria office. “The scissors were a…
Things got a little testy at a recent Guadalupe City Council meeting. Any guesses as to the topic du jour? Ding, ding, ding! Yes. It was the Royal Theater renovation project—you know the one, with grant issues, cost issues, redesign controversy, and the failed potential ballot initiative idea. Residents have complained multiple times about the…
For years, I’ve devoted my time to local issues. I’ve done so not because I’m apathetic to national politics, but because I’ve believed—and still believe—that our most direct influence lies in our own backyard. While the media machine churns 24/7 content about Congress, cable news spats, and whoever President Trump is threatening this week, I’ve…
As a lifelong resident of Orcutt, I’ve watched this community grow and change over the years—but some things haven’t changed at all. One of those is the empty Richards Ranch property, which has sat vacant for more than 40 years, growing weeds instead of providing homes and opportunities for local families. I knew the original…
Grab a copy Santa Maria writer Chris McGuinness’ first book, Hellbound Bastards—a vintage cosmic Western horror with classic roots—is available at amazon.com. As a preteen, Chris McGuinness began his journey down the horror path after receiving a copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot for Christmas. “That was the first adult horror book I ever read,”…
American rock band Three Dog Night will perform live at the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom Friday, May 23, at 8 p.m. Known for hits like “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” Three Dog Night has performed more than 2,200 shows since it formed in 1967. The band has sold…
Ernest Righetti High School hosted its 26th annual film festival May 9. Students in attendance were treated to a karaoke performance before more than 20 short films made by ninth through 12th graders were screened on the gym stage. Film genres included comedy, horror, documentary, and drama, teacher Jacob Gustafson said in press materials. He…
The Friend What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre in San Luis Obispo Co-writers-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel adopt Sigrid Nunez’ 2018 National Book Award-winning novel, The Friend, for the big screen. After the death of her friend and mentor,…
Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey What’s it rated? PG When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Buckle up and prepare to fall in love with Kulu. Looking like a hybrid of an anteater, armadillo, and a sloth, the pangolin is a contender for World’s Most Adorable Animal. Kulu was rescued as a pangopup (yes, that’s what the babies…
Mobland What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Paramount+ Created by Ronan Bennett (Gunpower, Top Boy, Day of the Jackal) and set in London, the story follows Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy), a fixer for a crime family led by Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) and Maeve Harrigan (Helen Mirren). Harry, a highly capable fixer,…
Keeping it simple With locations at 3546 Skyway Drive and 1414 Miller St., Simple Cafe provides a variety of sandwiches and baked goods across Santa Maria. Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Inquiries can be directed to (820) 946-4526 or…
