Six months into its projected two-year duration, Solvang’s list of city goals is split between projects underway and those dormant since April. City staff recently drafted a status update that outlines some of the campaign’s improvement projects in progress, while stamping others as “on hold” or “no work completed.” Originally labeled as a consent item, […]
Solvang amends its 2024-26 city priorities after progress report
Posted inNews
County and cities face health, safety concerns with unpermitted food vendors
Al pastor meat sitting in a 5 gallon, dirty plastic bucket on the side of the road. Beans, tamales, and/or fruit resting in coolers with no hint as to where the food’s been prepared. Grease from what’s been cooked dumped into gutters, storm drains, and transportation paths. These are some of the food health […]
Posted inNews
Home base: Local students could soon earn four-year degrees at Allan Hancock College—but the program awaits CSU approval
For the 12 years Kevin Walthers has been with Allan Hancock College, he has tried to work with the California State University System to make obtaining four-year degrees an opportunity for students on the Santa Maria campus. He’s so close to making that long-awaited dream a reality. Hancock recently received provisional approval from the California […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Local roaster Zaca Coffee makes its coffee shop debut in Buellton
Roast host Visit zacacoffee.com or call (805) 698-4540 to find out more about Zaca Coffee’s new coffee shop, located at 240 E. Highway 246, unit 109, Buellton. It’s not every day that you see a llama riding a surfboard, unless you’re spending every day at Zaca Coffee—which opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in Buellton in […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Santa Barbara County received a state grant to explore ways to keep pet families together
With their unconditional loyalty, big eyes filled with nothing but love, and snuggles that bring endless comfort, pets can be the biggest support system for people going through tough times. But that support system can morph into the biggest barrier when trying to access services to improve their circumstances. “One of the things we talk […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: Megalopolis
Megalopolis What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Auteur Francis Ford Coppola’s decades-in-the-making fable-like passion project has finally arrived with a resounding clunk, but does it deserve being panned? I mean, this is the director of The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation we’re talking about. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story
Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix The Menendez brothers are all over the news again, in part thanks to the new season of Monsters, which tells the murderous tale of how the two brothers wound up in prison for killing their parents in 1989. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Tokyo Cowboy depicts a stirring journey of self-discovery
Tokyo Cowboy What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Opens Oct. 25 at the Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Marc Marriott directs this independent film scripted by Dave Boyle and Ayako Fujitani about Japanese corporate turnaround artist Hideki Sakai (Arata Iura), an […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Jill Thayer’s upcoming signing highlights her book on local hiking spots
Outdoor destinations in Oceano, San Simeon, and other areas along the Central Coast are among the locales featured in author Jill Thayer’s book, Sojourns: 100 Trails of Enlightenment Inspired by the California Central Coast. Thayer—a local author, artist, art historian, and professor who teaches at Allan Hancock College and other schools—will be signing copies of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local oil painter sets up shop at Los Olivos General Store during solo exhibit
No paint, no gain Michelle Feldman’s current solo exhibit at the Los Olivos General Store will remain up through Sunday, Nov. 10. She will also be participating, among nine other painters, in the Central Coast Art League’s upcoming group show at the venue, scheduled to debut on Friday, Nov. 15, and run through March 2025. […]
Posted inOpinion
Give Lompoc a continued bright future: reelect Mayor Osborne
As a 30-year resident of Lompoc, I am writing to support the reelection of Mayor Jenelle Osborne. She has turned the town around with her dedication to security and improved work conditions for all. She has balanced the budget and taken part in most city-related associations. So let’s give Lompoc a continued bright future by […]