Cover Story
Roblar Winery pairs signature sparkling wines with chef Peter Cham’s buttermilk fried chicken every Thursday, during Birds & Bubbles
Santa Barbara local Peter Cham said most people are surprised to hear that it takes him multiple days to make fried chicken. “I know fried chicken sounds really simple, but it’s surprisingly difficult to make really good,” said Cham, executive chef at Roblar Winery in Santa Ynez. “So with ours, we brine it for 24…
Roblar Winery pairs signature sparkling wines with chef Peter Cham’s buttermilk fried chicken every Thursday, during Birds & Bubbles
Santa Barbara local Peter Cham said most people are surprised to hear that it takes him multiple days to make fried chicken. “I know fried chicken sounds really simple, but it’s surprisingly difficult to make really good,” said Cham, executive chef at Roblar Winery in Santa Ynez. “So with ours, we brine it for 24…
FLEX Performing Arts co-founders Brianna Deveraux-Allen and Jennine Dunne reflect on lifelong passions in dance, while celebrating new studio’s grand opening
Local dancers and actors of all ages and skill levels are invited to “flex their muscles and point their toes” at a brand-new Grover Beach studio, FLEX Performing Arts, which celebrated its grand opening at the end of August. It was important for the studio’s co-owner and artistic director Brianna Deveraux-Allen, a frequent choreographer for…
Santa Ynez Valley businesses encouraged to participate in 12th annual Scarecrow Fest
Entry forms to participate in Solvang’s 12th annual Scarecrow Fest are due by Friday, Sept. 17. Application materials to join the Santa Ynez Valley-wide initiative are available at the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, located at 485 Alisal Road, suite 245, Solvang. Throughout the month of October, participating businesses and organizations will create their own unique…
Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department seeks artist for new mural proposal at Jim May Park
As part of the Leadership Santa Maria Valley Legacy Project, the city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is seeking an artist to design a double-sided mural at Jim May Park. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that “convey the culture and history of the Santa Maria Valley,” according to press materials. Submissions to…
Veggies and vegetation
Just in case you guys were wondering, 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino is ardently against Brussels sprouts. “Brussel sprouts, I’m total anti-Brussel sprout. I’ll come out right now on that one. Anyone that orders it around me has got a problem, because I will tell you to please move it away from me. It smells,”…
To the anti-vax community
The COVID-19 pandemic rages on, and there are still tens of thousands who have yet to get vaccinated, even though the shots are free and readily available. There is no doubt this mindset is prolonging the pandemic. Back in the early ’50s, a polio epidemic swept through this country with a vengeance. I was in…
Our nation’s president has turned his back on those who’ve helped us in Afghanistan
The Afghan man was one of thousands in Kabul attempting to escape Taliban and ISIS fighters who had conquered the country. He actually evaded the Taliban checkpoints and was even able to show his papers to the U.S. officials that granted him permission to be evacuated. They agreed to allow him to enter the sanctuary…
Political Watch: September 16, 2021
• Gov. Gavin Newsom laid a wreath at the Wall of Heroes memorial in the California National Guard’s headquarters on Sept. 11, in memory of those lost in the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago. The Wall of Heroes honors California National Guard soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. The governor released a proclamation…
Guadalupe plans to regulate short-term rentals
After a resident voiced concerns about short-term rentals during the Aug. 24 Guadalupe City Council meeting, City Attorney Phillip Sinco said he was interested in hearing what council members had to say about hosted versus unhosted short-term rentals. The Pasadera Homes resident spoke about a short-term rental near her home and asked for more discussion…
Santa Barbara County passes COVID-19 surge peak, but many remain hospitalized
If current trends continue, it appears Santa Barbara County has passed the peak in its recent surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. But with 66 community members still hospitalized, and more than a quarter of those needing intensive care, the pandemic is far from over, public health officials say. At the Sept. 14 Santa Barbara…
Child care, cannabis regulation amendments to be prioritized by county
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors chose to focus some of the county’s zoning ordinance amendment efforts on cannabis permitting and child care facilities for this fiscal year. When the board adopted the county budget in June, it approved a new position within the Planning and Development Department that would focus on processing zoning…
Santa Maria wants to keep Main and Broadway as district boundaries
The Santa Maria City Council voted to set Main and Broadway as major boundaries for the city’s redistricting process after hearing public comment and discussion at the council’s Sept. 7 meeting. Mayor Alice Patino said the boundaries would allow all council members to continue contributing to Santa Maria’s growing downtown. “We are divided in four…
The Dana Adobe and Cultural Center offers visitors a slice of tangible history to learn more about Nipomo’s roots
The Dana Adobe and Cultural Center held its Heritage Day on Sept. 11, a gathering celebrating the historic landmark and the mid-19th century Californio era that it signifies. “We’re trying to bring it back annually, because it’s really a big event where there’s reenactments and so many community groups that come together to celebrate,” Executive…
Santa Barbara County’s homeless encampment strategy aims to get people housed
Based on data collected through the Homeless Management Information System, Santa Barbara County experienced a 34 percent increase in unsheltered homelessness from between 2020 and 2021. According to Santa Barbara County’s 2020 point-in-time count, 1,897 homeless individuals resided in the county in 2020, with the largest number in the city of Santa Barbara. To help…
