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Solvang staples Elverhoj Museum and Wildling Museum celebrate reopening to the public
After several months of closure, two of Solvang’s most prolific indoor museums have reopened their doors to the public. The first week of November marked a return for in-person visitations at both the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art and the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, according to IDK Events—Solvang’s tourism marketing arm. “With…
The Tavern at Zaca Creek offers locally based beef, seafood, and wine
When the Rushing family viewed a property off Jonata Road owned by Jack Buell, whose family ranch eventually evolved into the city of Buellton, they were entranced with it. The land had been unused since 2001. “We thought it would be the ideal place to start a restaurant,” Chelsea Rushing said. The Rushings—Chelsea; her…
Lompoc Valley Art Association presents Uniquely Yours, a new duo exhibit at Cypress Gallery
Halloween might be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop watching scary movies. Even if you’re a bit trepidatious about the genre and are an avid knitter like Lompoc artist Joellen Chrones, some casual horror viewing now and then could be a fun way to multitask. “I enjoy my knitting while watching TV…
Solvang staples Elverhoj Museum and Wildling Museum celebrate reopening to the public
After several months of closure, two of Solvang’s most prolific indoor museums have reopened their doors to the public. The first week of November marked a return for in-person visitations at both the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art and the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, according to IDK Events—Solvang’s tourism marketing arm. “With…
Santa Maria Library presents Fall Gardening Kit program
A limited number of gardening kits are available at the Santa Maria Public Library for patrons to take home through Saturday, Nov. 14, during sidewalk pickup service hours (weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). To reserve a kit—which includes soil, plant markers, seeds, and other…
Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Dept. holds annual Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Decorating Contest
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department will begin accepting nominations for its annual Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Decorating Contest starting on Monday, Nov. 16, and through Tuesday, Dec. 8. Awards will be given to winners in the following categories: Best Decorated Rookie Residence (for first-time entries); Country Christmas (for Western or…
12th annual New Times Music Awards hosts events online, over the radio
On Friday, Nov. 13, the 12th annual New Times Music Awards (NTMA) will stream pre-recorded performances on several websites, including New Times’ Facebook page, SLO House Party on Big Big SLO’s YouTube channel, SLO Brew and Krush 92.5’s websites, My805Tix, and other pages. On the same day, at 10 a.m., Krush 92.5 will air Krush…
Did we break?
Jubilation, despondence, and chaos. That’s where America is living right now. Some are looking forward to a brighter future. Some are struggling to hold onto the past. And me, I’m feeling a little hopeless. You don’t really need to look much farther than Stowell Road in Santa Maria to see where the good ol’ U.S.…
The 79-day interregnum
I’m eager to see how much national treasure will be looted by President Trump and his swamp critter pals on their way out the door in the next 2 1/2 months: billions in no-bid contracts? Artwork? Everything with a presidential seal? Historical furnishings? Pencils/paper clips? For a karmically appropriate Inauguration Day gesture, Joe Biden could…
Lessons learned about America while volunteering for the 2020 elections
I volunteered to be a poll worker in the Santa Maria area for the presidential election of 2020. I was assigned to work at Orcutt Junior High School; here is what I learned. On the first day of a four-day work assignment, at around 8:30 a.m., about 16 to 20 volunteer poll workers (the number…
The Foodbank’s annual Empty Bowls event is pivoting to a virtual fundraiser, food drive, and local business support campaign
When COVID-19 gathering restrictions came down in mid-March, the Santa Barbara County Foodbank was just days away from putting on its annual Empty Bowls lunch fundraiser in Lompoc. The event, which has been going on for 19 years in Santa Maria and 15 in Lompoc, gives community members a handmade ceramic bowl and soup meal…
In the wake of a crime involving flavored tobacco, anti-tobacco advocates continue to push for banning sales of those products in local cities
On Oct. 20, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 20-year-old Solvang man in connection with arranging to meet a 12-year-old minor for lewd purposes. The suspect, Angel Saloman, allegedly attempted to lure the child into sexual acts in exchange for flavored tobacco products, an Oct. 29 statement from the Sheriff’s Office said. The investigation…
Political Watch: November 12, 2020
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), who is expected to win reelection against challenger Andy Caldwell, released a statement on Nov. 7 congratulating President-elect Joe Biden on his victory. “Votes are still being counted, but it has become clear that voters, both across the country and on the Central Coast, recognize that we are…
Supervisor Lavagnino and county officials attempt to dispel voter fraud rumors
Voters hadn’t even started casting ballots in the November 2020 election when President Donald Trump first began questioning the legitimacy of mail-in ballots and the elections system as a whole, and now allegations of election fraud and calls for recounts are spreading among those on the right throughout the nation and in Santa Barbara County.…
Mayor Patino wins reelection, Escobedo wins council seat
As voters trickled into the Edwards Community Center, one of Santa Maria’s seven polling places, on Nov. 3 it appeared most were there to drop off mail-in ballots. Only a few were there to cast their votes in person. Bolinda Rodriguez dropped off her and her daughter’s mail-in ballots. She said she felt better about…
Solvang business owners and city collaborate on design guidelines
Solvang’s Branding and Design Committee revisited its design guidelines within the tourism-related commercial district (TRC) after businesses raised concerns over costs to meet the committee’s cohesive decor goals. City Manager Xenia Bradford told Solvang City Council members during a Nov. 9 hearing that city staff held a meeting on Nov. 2 with impacted business owners,…
Trump rally altercation leads to multi-vehicle accident and chokehold
An altercation at a Santa Maria pro-Trump rally on Nov. 8 led to a man being held in a chokehold following a multi-car accident that occurred near the rally. According to a video of the incident, which was posted on multiple social media platforms and has racked up thousands of views, a man holds Jacob…
