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HOLIDAY GUIDE 2020
Canceled holiday travel plans got you down? Local food and drink attractions can bring you back up this winter season BY MALEA MARTIN Home for the holidays” may be taking on a more serious tone this year with many people’s travel plans in limbo, but there’s one thing that won’t be canceled no matter how…
Political Watch: November 26, 2020
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced on Nov. 18 that he was named a conferee for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2021 fiscal year. Carbajal will “play a role in resolving differences between the Senate and House NDAA bills to form one final piece of legislation,” according to a statement…
Lompoc sees rise in gang, gun violence
The city of Lompoc saw a substantial increase in gun and gang violence over the past month and a half, and community members are calling on elected officials to address it. According to a Nov. 18 Lompoc Police Department statement, more than 10 individuals have been arrested since mid-October with connections to gang activity. Many…
Fiscal forecast shows challenging years ahead for Santa Barbara County
A five-year fiscal forecast estimates that Santa Barbara County could incur a cumulative budget deficit of roughly $27 million by 2026 in part because of the pandemic-induced recession and rising pension costs. But county staff say that’s the worst-case scenario, and mid-year cuts aren’t needed at this time. At a meeting on Nov. 17, the…
County prepped to enforce COVID-19 restrictions for businesses
With new COVID-19 requirements for both businesses and individuals in place, Santa Barbara County only plans to take an enforcement approach on the business side of things—at least for now. Santa Barbara County, along with most of California, returned to the purple tier in the state’s reopening system on Nov. 16, and with the most…
Way out there
It’s “pretty obvious what went on in this election,” according to Matt Walker, who made that comment on a Facebook post from local shock jock and resident right-wing conspiracy theorist Andy Caldwell, who lost to U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and is now insinuating voter fraud on the Central Coast. “I think it stinks…
Chef Anthony Endy brings a zestful philosophy to food at The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang
Santa Ynez Valley chef Anthony Endy went up against celebrity chef Bobby Flay on Flay’s own show last April—and beat him. Endy got the best of Flay on the Beat Bobby Flay show in an episode that aired in June, giving Endy—the executive chef at Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang—a boost as the ranch reopened…
Local artist Jason Mayr continues painting and teaching through the pandemic
Jason Mayr is an amazing painter whose images seem to glow from within. He also had what is arguably the best kind of art instruction, a six-year mentorship with a master painter, in this case Spanish impressionist Joseph Mendez. Understanding the importance of that kind of instruction, Mayr has been teaching one-on-one or small-group classes…
‘Tis the season for PCPA’s first virtual cabaret production, Home for the Holidays
Last November, I fondly remember sitting in the Marian Theatre watching Yusef Seevers steal the show as Sebastian in PCPA’s production of The Little Mermaid. If anyone had told me that one year from then, Seevers would be singing Christmas carols in my living room, I’d accuse them of losing their barnacles. But alas, here…
Elwin Mussell Center hosts two upcoming drive-in holiday concerts
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is sponsoring two drive-in holiday concerts at the Elwin Mussell Center in Santa Maria, on Thursday, Dec. 3, and Thursday, Dec. 17. Both concerts will include selections of holiday music and are designed for attendees to enjoy from the comfort and convenience of their own vehicles. …
Wildling Museum presents Zoom program with conservationist and author Beth Pratt
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang presents The Wild Wonder of California and Beyond, a special Zoom presentation with conservationist and author Beth Pratt (pictured), on Wednesday, Dec. 2, starting at 4 p.m. The program is part of the museum’s ongoing Zoom lecture series, sponsored by Montecito Bank and Trust. The webinar…
Solvang and Buellton still plan to put on COVID-safe Christmas festivities
Despite Santa Barbara County’s regression back to the state’s most restrictive reopening allowances, Christmas celebrations in the Santa Ynez Valley are going full steam ahead, thanks to efforts to make events purple-tier compliant. “Fortunately, the strengthening of some of the rules didn’t affect what we had planned, because everything we were doing was already so…
Economic, environmental transitions shouldn’t happen suddenly
A group of residents wants to ban [oil] production in California in the name of the environment. What is this ban trying to accomplish? Californians today need to drive, heat and cool their homes, and use any of the 6,000 everyday products made from petroleum. Since everyone’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is…
Central Coast leftists are traveling a dangerous path
Oh, no! Once again, our Central Coast “woketariat” is in an uproar! This time, the irritated and indignant insurgents have fixed their sights on Cuesta College Trustee Pete Sysak, and on Paso Robles school district Clerk Chris Arends and demand their banishment for the usual liberal litany of “-isms.” What has our youthful cadre of…
