Between the vines Find out more about Bien Nacido at biennacidoestate.com. The Bien Nacido Vineyard is located at 4705 Santa Maria Mesa Road, Santa Maria. Its sister vineyard, Solomon Hills, is located at 5550 Telephone Road, Santa Maria. One of Santa Maria’s top vintners is dotting its i’s with a new set of eyes. As […]
Bien Nacido’s new vineyard director oversees incoming era of redevelopment
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NEW FLICKS: Don’t Move
Don’t Move What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Brian Netto (Delivery: The Beast Within) and Adam Schindler (Intruders) co-direct this psychological horror thriller about Richard (Finn Wittrock), a serial killer who injects a paralytic agent into his next victim, Iris (Kelsey Asbille), a mother who lost her child. She’s forced to […]
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NEW FLICKS: Woman of the Hour
Woman of the Hour What’s it rated? R When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix True crime fans likely already know the name Rodney Alcala and his incredibly vile acts in the ’70s. If you’re like me, you’ve even watched clips of The Dating Game episode he was on. This version of the story adds a […]
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Chasing Chasing Amy explores the complexity of queerness in America
Chasing Chasing Amy What’s it rated? Not rated What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? The SLO Film Center at The Palm Theatre In his feature film debut, writer-director Sav Rodgers, a queer kid who grew up in Kansas, helms this documentary that explores the complicated legacy […]
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Nipomo’s Gallery at Monarch Dunes hosts Fall Showcase
Several original artworks from a pool of 19 participating artists are on display as part of the Gallery at Monarch Dunes’ Fall Showcase, which premiered in early November. The exhibit will open to the public on Nov. 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. each day. The show’s featured artists are residents […]
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Scrooge and other holiday characters take center stage during the Great American Melodrama’s seasonal show
The Great American Melodrama in Oceano presents its annual production of The Holiday Extravaganza, which opens on Nov. 15 and is scheduled to run through Dec. 31. The three-act show includes the venue’s traditional retelling of A Christmas Carol, a fairy tale spoof segment, and a holiday-themed vaudeville act. During A Christmas Carol, miser Ebenezer […]
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Guadalupe’s first cannabis dispensary, Root One, is open for business
By opening its doors in Guadalupe, Root One became the first cannabis dispensary to serve the Santa Maria Valley. “It’s been great to see this multiyear mission come to fruition and for us to be so welcomed by the community, which has been the best part so far,” said Austen Connella, the owner and CEO […]
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Political Watch: November 7, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced another $1.7 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prevent roadway deaths and protect pedestrians and cyclists on the Central Coast, according to an Oct. 31 statement from Carbajal’s office. “Part of revitalizing our infrastructure and improving our roads and highways is making sure […]
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Dana Reserve annexation proposal goes before SLO County LAFCO on Nov. 14
The Dana Reserve inches closer to reality after the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a property tax agreement with the Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) on Oct. 22. Following a back-and-forth negotiation between the NCSD and county, the two finally came to an agreement after negotiating over their conflicting property tax policies. […]
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Solvang preps new permit route for live music, other temporary uses
Musicians who perform in bars and tasting rooms across Solvang can look forward to dropping their mics with less micromanagement if the city clears a recent permitting proposal. During its first meeting of November, the Solvang Planning Commission endorsed staff’s recommendation to instate an official temporary use permits policy, which is “alluded to in zoning […]
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County Planning Commission approves Santa Ynez Unit ownership transfer to Sable
Whether you’re for or against oil operations in Santa Barbara County, you’re passionate about that position. But that decades-long debate turned up a notch at a recent Santa Barbara County Planning Commission meeting. “Coming to the Planning Commission hearings or Board [of Supervisors] hearings is a really important part of our public process,” Planning […]
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Waiting for playgrounds: Four Santa Maria-Bonita elementary schools have to get creative when it comes to recess
Instead of soaring on swings, racing down slides, and climbing on monkey bars, students at four Santa Maria elementary schools are playing on concrete slabs. The Santa Maria-Bonita School District allocated federal COVID-19 relief dollars to improve the playgrounds at Fairlawn, Tunnell, Alvin, and Ontiveros elementary schools. Over the summer, the district removed the outdated […]