Wicked: Part I What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) directs this musical featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book […]
Wicked offers a dazzling Wicked Witch of the West origin story
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc’s Cabrillo High School choir participates in upcoming Cal Poly recital
Cal Poly Choirs presents its annual Holiday Kaleidoscope Concert at the Performing Arts Center in SLO on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. The college’s four student choirs will be accompanied by members of the Cal Poly Symphony and additional guest artists. The event will also feature performances from the Cabrillo High School student choir […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Riptide Big Band welcomes 2025 with free Noon Year’s Eve concert
The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club and Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department are partnering to co-host a free New Year’s Eve celebration, albeit about 12 hours earlier than most parties designed to ring in 2025. The Noon Year’s Eve Celebration Dance will take place at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Craft & Create welcomes winter with December DIY painting events
Get crafty Craft & Create is located at 446 Alisal Road, suite 11, Solvang. Owned by Art Spot on Wheels, this DIY lounge is open Sundays and Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from noon to 5 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (805) […]
Posted inOpinion
Take action to protect the Equal Rights Amendment
Women and girls in the United States still lack guaranteed equal rights. The consequences are evident in ongoing battles against unequal pay, workplace harassment, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, and more. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) became the 28th Amendment over four years ago and will update the Constitution to provide nationwide protection against discriminatory federal […]
Posted inOpinion
Things for my kids to be grateful for when times are tough
You have a roof over your head, and if you didn’t, you’d go to Big 5 and buy a tent because you are a survivor. You have enough to eat and relatively clean water to drink. You have people who love you, and even if you didn’t, you could still give love to the best […]
Posted inOpinion
Who’s really to blame for our high gas prices?
Why are gas prices in California higher than the rest of the United States? The political class in Sacramento blame the oil companies, saying that they are “profiteers.” But it is those same politicians who are driving them out of business to “save the planet.” So, who is really to blame? Maybe a recent decision […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Holiday Guide 2024
Don’t blink or the year might be over. Before that happens, you’ve got to revel in the spirit of the holiday season! And I don’t just mean when the big man in red comes to deliver all those things you want. Our annual Holiday Guide is here to help you really celebrate this season, with […]
Posted inNews
Allan Hancock College opens its long-awaited Pride Center to serve LGBTQ-plus students and allies
The Allan Hancock Pride Center, a space dedicated to serving the LGBTQ-plus community and its allies on campus, opened its doors on Oct. 30. “We were, gosh, thrilled to finally see that vision come to light. I know for decades there had been a dream to have it,” Hancock Director of Student Engagement and Community […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: November 21, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) unveiled a new legislative effort to rename a Central Coast post office in Goleta for Frederick Lopez, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Marine Corps with a 30-year career of distinguished service, according to a Nov. 12 statement from Carbajal’s office. Carbajal—a veteran himself—joined Lopez, his family, […]
Posted inNews
Cost of living, wage increases highlighted in first farmworker conditions committee meeting
Santa Barbara County 1st District Supervisor Das Williams and 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann stepped out of their seats in the Santa Maria hearing room and gave the dais to local farmworker advocates and growers. The two supervisors held the first ad hoc advisory committee meeting on Nov. 12 to better understand the working conditions […]
Posted inNews
Solvang plans to amend signage rules based on public input and case law concerns
The path toward signage approval for storefronts, restaurants, and other businesses in Solvang is a long and winding road, but a shortcut is in the works thanks to the results of a city survey. During the Solvang City Council’s Nov. 12 meeting, Planning and Building Manager Rafael Castillo summarized some feedback the city collected from […]