I don my team’s colors and make sure things are tucked in right. It’s game day. Off to meet with my fellow participants to strategize where to be to watch the game. We all compare our newest gear and are energized by the prospect of the past and future meetups of our team. We all […]
Totalitarianism, fascism, and authoritarianism are not games
Posted inOpinion
Who’s got the dough?
Maintaining a city is hard. It costs money. It requires people. They need public safety services, recreation, parking, walkable spaces, city streets, and more—all of which require infrastructure, maintenance, and money. Lots of it. So why would a city willingly agree to reduce the fees it charges housing developers to pay for all of that […]
Posted inNews
Guadalupe’s new recreation services manager increases activities for locals
As someone who never considered herself a sporty person growing up, Annis Barajas wanted to offer Guadalupe residents more than sports when she joined the Recreation Department six months ago. “Guadalupe has [always] been super strong when it comes to sports,” said Barajas, the recreation services manager. “I wanted to have options for people who […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: September 26, 2024
• Bipartisan legislation to reduce wildfire risk, written by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), was unanimously approved by the House Natural Resources Committee, according to a Sept. 19 statement from Carbajal’s office. The Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act would reduce procedural steps for removing hazardous vegetation near power lines—cutting red tape to allow for […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc City Council tables electric rate increase
Concerns about how proposed utility rate increases would impact small businesses and/or residents with low- or fixed-incomes halted the Lompoc City Council’s vote on making the needed changes. “For me, personally, I know we have to do this, but I’m just having some struggle. I wish there was more nuance. I know it’s just a […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria deems new infant care a ‘vital need’ amid countywide shortage
Poised to neighbor the Santa Maria Airport, a proposed child care center recently managed to stick the landing with city officials. During the Santa Maria Planning Commission’s Sept. 18 meeting, city staff vouched for the upcoming Wings Infant Center, described in the staff report as a development to help tackle Santa Barbara County’s child care […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Capuno’s Lutong Bahay serves up Filipino food from the heart in Santa Maria
Dine in, take out Capuno’s Lutong Bahay is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2025 S. Broadway, suite B, in Santa Maria. Eat there, take it to go, or order catering for your event. Find a menu […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: The Perfect Couple
The Perfect Couple What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Uber rich power couple Greer (Nicole Kidman) and Tag (Leiv Schreiber) seem to have it all—a sprawling estate on Nantucket, healthy grown children, booming careers, and more money than God. Perfection cracks quickly, though, when their son Benji’s (Billy Howle) impending wedding […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Kaos
Kaos What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by Charlie Covell (The End of the F***ing World), this darkly funny series finds an increasingly paranoid Zeus (a delightfully droll Jeff Goldblum) fearing the end of his reign when he notices a wrinkle on his forehead and interprets it as a harbinger […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Substance is a gory, satirical exploration of beauty standards and youth obsession
The Substance What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria Writer-director Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) helms this dark comedy/body horror film about fading celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), who takes a black-market cell-replicating drug that promises to create a separate, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
American Pickers series scouts across California to find unique antique collectors
The producers of American Pickers, an ongoing documentary series on the History Channel, are currently seeking California residents who collect valuable antiques and other unique items. The show is shot in different states throughout the year and will center on California during the month of November. The series notably does not highlight flea markets, museums, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
SLOPOKE presents 14th annual Art of the West Show in Solvang
Artworks from more than 30 participating artists will be on display during the 14th annual Art of the West Exhibition and Sale, scheduled to open on Friday, Sept. 27, and run through Sunday, Sept. 29, at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang. The three-day exhibition of landscapes, seascapes, wildlife portraits, sculptures, photographs, and other media […]