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, […]
American Pickers series scouts across California to find unique antique collectors
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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Don’t miss the hilarious Werewolf of Arroyo Grande at the Great American Melodrama
When’s the next full moon? Werewolf of Arroyo Grande is playing at The Great American Melodrama, located at 1863 Front St. in Oceano, through Nov. 19. For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit americanmelodrama.com. The Great American Melodrama is known for its silly, audience-engaging, and lighthearted theater. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience […]
Posted inNews
Buellton and Solvang ask voters to approve bed tax increases
Tourism brings in nearly half of Solvang’s general fund revenue, but those dollars aren’t stretching as far as they once were, City Manager Randy Murphy told the Sun. “Ultimately, inflation impacts on everything post-COVID is crazy. We renewed our contract with the sheriff’s department, and that cost went up 30 percent. We are paying about […]
Posted inNews
Dreams and dread
Maya Restaurant has seen every iteration of Santa Maria in its nearly 60 years of business. From its vibrant, charming early years to the vacant lots, Santa Maria has been home to the Paredes family. “The times are changing, and it’s time we keep up with those times to keep our home thriving,” said Tere […]
Posted inOpinion
Be an advocate for truth
“The content of our consciousness is the product of our conditioning.” What we know is what we learned since we understood the spoken and written word, and from what we were told, experienced, observed at home, at school, at church, wherever we happened to be. This is who we are and how we become who […]
Posted inOpinion
Local minimum wage proposal may kill an industry
Do you think that local politicians should be able to set the minimum wage for workers whose efforts support the nation? And what would happen if they did? Well, some of the more liberal members of the Board of Supervisors are “studying” a proposal to set $26 an hour as the local labor wage rate […]
Posted inOpinion
Déjà vu?
This year feels like a rerun in some parts of Northern Santa Barbara County. In Santa Maria, Will Smith is again running to unseat longtime incumbent Mayor Alice Patino. It’s his third time running for the spot against Patino. With his checkered past, I’m not sure in what world enough people exist to help him […]
Posted inNews
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation gets a new executive director
A personal connection ultimately led Brittany Avila Wazny to work at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. “My brother was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager in 2008, and that had a pretty big impact on my and my family’s life,” Avila Wazny said. “I understand what families are going through. I realized how fortunate my […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: September 19, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) called on his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to act on legislation to avert a pay cut for federal wildland firefighters on Sept. 30, according to a Sept. 11 statement from Carbajal’s office. “As Californians have been baking this week in an extreme heat wave, our […]
Posted inNews
Supervisors highlight planning, traffic concerns during Arctic Cold discussion
Despite planning challenges, traffic concerns, and additional needed regulations, the Arctic Cold Processor and Freezer facility can move forward with its operations after the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved project revisions. “This literally can help bring products of Santa Maria, our berry markets, that can go worldwide because of the nature of this […]
Posted inNews
Chumash national marine sanctuary gets closer to designation
The Central Coast is a step closer to being home to the first tribally nominated national marine sanctuary. On Sept. 6, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the release of the final environmental impact statement for designation of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. The mammoth document is split into two volumes, […]