For wine and film aficionados Order copies of Sideways Uncorked via publisher Applause Theatre & Cinema Books at applausebooks.com and meet authors Kirk and Mira Advani Honeycutt at upcoming book-signing events in Paso Robles—Dec. 21, 1 to 3:30 p.m., at Spare Time Books; Dec. 21, 4 to 8 p.m., at Tudor Wines; Dec. 27, 1 […]
New book Sideways Uncorked is an ode to the 20-year-old movie that made pinot noir a star
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Black Doves
Black Doves What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project, Giri/Haji), Black Doves is a compelling action thriller about international espionage and political intrigue. The storyline, as it moves back and forth in time to offer the characters’ backstories that give context to their present actions, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: The Day of the Jackal
The Day of the Jackal What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Peacock Ronan Bennett (Public Enemies, Top Boy, Gunpowder) created this spy thriller loosely based on Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel of the same name. It follows The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne), a ruthless assassin, and Bianca Pullman (Lashana Lynch), the relentless intelligence officer […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Carry-On is implausible nonsense but thankfully free with your Netflix subscription
Carry-On What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Stream it What’s it worth, Anna? Stream it Where’s it showing? Netflix Jaune Collet-Serra (Orphan, Unknown, Non-Stop) directs this screenplay by T.J. Fixman about a mysterious terrorist known only as Traveler (Justin Bateman) who blackmails LAX TSA agent Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) into allowing a dangerous […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Floral design students and teachers from Santa Maria and Nipomo contribute to Rose Parade
On Dec. 7, more than 100 floral design and advanced floral design students and teachers from Santa Maria High School, Pioneer Valley High School, and Nipomo High School’s FFA programs joined forces with Kiwanis International and the Phoenix Decorating Company to help prepare floats for this year’s Rose Parade in Pasadena, aka the Pasadena Tournament […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast holds annual youth art exhibit
A showcase of art by young members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast opened at the Santa Maria Town Center on Dec. 13 and is scheduled to remain on display through the end of December. Every year, the local Boys & Girls Clubs organization hosts activities related to the National Fine […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Stone Pine Hall holds concert benefit for the Lompoc Theatre Project
There’ll be church pews and stacking chairs but no standing room for guests of an intimate concert, set to bring a handful of rock, roots, and country acts to Stone Pine Hall in late December. With a capacity limit under 100, the historic building—previously a First Church of Christ Scientist Reading Room—is hosting the show […]
Posted inOpinion
Central Coast should heed the recent NorCal earthquake as a warning
If the 7.0-magnitude earthquake 30 miles off the northern California shore was not a wake-up call for residents of San Luis Obispo, are they waiting for the one that could possibly strike 30 yards off the coast of San Luis Obispo? Seismologists have long warned that an overdue “Big One” (7.8 magnitude or higher), which […]
Posted inOpinion
Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2024—a big success!
The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club has been promoting jazz on the Central Coast with monthly dance concerts and an annual festival for almost 50 years. BSR also provides scholarships to Jazz Camp for young musicians who are interested in furthering their knowledge of music and jazz—learning from the pros! This fall, the Basin […]
Posted inOpinion
Environmental groups are threatening South SLO County’s water security
As the San Luis Obispo County supervisor representing South County, I am deeply concerned about the recent lawsuit and court decision against the county regarding the county’s operation of Lopez Dam. This lawsuit is a judicial end run around the county’s years-long administrative process with the state and federal agencies that are responsible for regulating […]
Posted inOpinion
Soaring to new heights
Old Town Lompoc is about to grow up. At the ripe age of 150 years old, the city is primed for a good ol’ fashioned growth spurt—from 45 feet to 50 feet tall. Lompoc is aiming for increasing its housing density, both to comply with state law and some city goals. To do that, the […]
Posted inNews
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office promotes its text-to-911 feature for emergencies
There are emergencies where calling 911 isn’t possible. “An example we had in 2021 was [a] passenger with a drunk driver,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Raquel Zick told the Sun. “They can’t just say, ‘Hey, this person is driving me down the San Marcos Pass and they’re drunk’ … situations where […]