Cover Story
Marian hospital, the county Sheriff’s Office, and Vandenberg Air Force Base attempt to address deficiencies in mental health services
In his office at Marian Regional Medical Center, Dr. David Ketelaar described a mental health crisis. He may not be a psychologist or psychiatrist, but he’s seen what happens when people with mental health needs or even emergencies wind up at the hospital’s emergency room: A patient comes into the emergency room with a physical…
Danielle Taylor performs Colors album at Naughty Oak Brewing Company
Bravery, kindness, love, perseverance, strength; each keyword holds a special place in any standard inspirational calendar. These themes and similarly empowering topics can also be found laced throughout the subject matter of pop artist Danielle Taylor’s new album, Colors. Taylor and her backup band will be performing tracks from her latest project at Naughty Oak…
Political Watch: October 24, 2019
• U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barabara) spoke out against President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria calling it “foolish, shortsighted, and not really the right course of action to take.” The comments, posted on Carbajal’s Facebook page Oct. 16, were given in an interview to Cheddar News. Carbajal, a former Marine,…
Lompoc rehashes budget debate in the wake of shootings
The city of Lompoc’s budget is a renewed point of contention amid public safety concerns following two deadly shootings in the city over the last two months. On June 24, the City Council passed the 2019-21 biennial budget, which included numerous cuts to cover a roughly $3 million deficit. Mayor Jenelle Osborne cast the lone…
Uncertainty remains four months after shooting, explosion in a Santa Maria mobile home park
On a quiet street in the back of a mobile home park in Santa Maria, a chain link fence wrapped in green netting hides the remnants of an explosion and fire that destroyed three homes and damaged a fourth earlier this year. Garage doors, a burnt-out car, and a stone fireplace remain mostly intact among…
Carbajal introduces legislation to help fund local infrastructure
U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) wants to expand financing options for local municipalities, and on Oct. 22 he introduced legislation that could do just that. He announced the bill, the National Infrastructure Corporation Act, at the 11th North American Infrastructure Leadership Forum hosted by CG/LA Infrastructure in Washington, D.C. The event traditionally draws big…
Solvang residents give feedback on bike lane master plan
The Solvang City Council passed the Santa Ynez Valley Master Bike Plan on for further consideration and development on Oct. 14, but it wasn’t without its detractors. Public Works Director Matt van der Linden introduced the item to City Council, saying that the bike plan has been under development with the Santa Barbara County Association…
Santa Maria halts sports field conversions
City staff is pressing pause on a move to change the purpose of sports fields at two parks in Santa Maria after some residents demanded the city to reverse its actions at a recent City Council meeting. In early October, the city’s Recreation and Parks Department began removing the dirt and other infield material from…
Santa Maria Library nonprofit reopens its book store in the mall
After leaving the library building, the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library was without a location for its bookstore for more than a year. The nonprofit left its space in the building’s lobby following numerous disagreements with the library over contracts and lease agreements. During the past year, the Friends primarily sold its books…
CANARY: The blame game
Guess what’s happening in Lompoc, again? I know. You’re sick of hearing about that damn City Council and its bickering. But would you believe the 2019-21 budget debate that we thought was finally settled reared its stubborn little head again on Oct. 15? It’s the stupidity that just won’t quit. This time around, Mayor Jenelle…
Shepard Hall Gallery showcases Music Series by acrylic artist Lori Mole
Lori Mole cites her earliest artistic endeavor as sketching Bugs Bunny when she was a toddler, but ironically, it’s Bugs’ biggest competitor that inspired her to pursue music as well as painting. I’m, of course, referring to Mickey Mouse. Mole was 3 years old when she saw a live musical performance she will never forget…
Photo archivist and author Steven Rea discusses The Hollywood Book Club: Reading with the Stars
Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Gregory Peck, Marilyn Monroe. Photos of these classic movie stars aren’t hard to find, but author Steven Rea has curated his latest compilation book to show them and several of their peers in a unique, thematic light. The Hollywood Book Club: Reading with the Stars features more than 50 rare photographs…
Pacific Conservatory Theatre presents ‘The Little Mermaid’
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s (PCPA) production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid opens on Thursday, Nov. 7, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 22. Performances will be held at the Marian Theatre, located at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. The cast of the show includes Katie Emerson as Ariel, Luc Clopton as Prince…
The Pad screens ‘Climbing Out of Disaster’documentary
SLO Motion hosts a screening of Climbing Out of Disaster at The Pad Climbing in Santa Maria on Friday, Nov. 8, at 5:30 p.m. The event is part of Climb On, SLO Motion’s ongoing series screening short, climbing-inspired films. Climbing Out of Disaster tells the story of climbers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that sprang…
Elverhoj Museum holds traditional Queen of Arts show
The Queen of Arts Show and Sale takes place at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art on Friday, Nov. 8, from 2 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 9., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will find 34 regional artists on site, either in the garden or gallery, selling their handmade goods during…
One of the men behind the California Homemade Food Act brings organic French breads to the Central Coast at Pagnol Bakery
Some have called him a renegade. Others might call him a rebel with a worthy cause. But after a long coffee talk with Mark Stambler as the sun came up at his bakery in the Baywood-Los Osos community, this peaceful man with a desire to keep the world fed would best be described as “Father…
No fracking on our public land
This matter concerns an attempt to foist on us oil leasing and hydraulic fracturing in 1.6 million acres of our federally protected public lands here on the Central Coast. Supervisor Gregg Hart’s resolution opposing further dangerous oil operations here aims to protect us all. We can hope that a measure of wisdom and courage will…
Can Santa Barbara County and California solve the homeless issue with more funding?
This is a question many people have been asking for several years; so far, the progress has been minimal when compared to the scope of the problem. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently visited California in response to a request for more federal funding to solve the problem; a letter “Homeless…
