The Central Coast is darn close to a photographer’s dream setting, so scouting locations is one of the most fun parts of the job for Amanda Booker. “I just love this area. There’s so much to offer,” she said. “Basically anything a client envisions, you can find here.” Book BookerAmanda Booker takes photos for couples, […]
Lompoc photographer captures all of life’s special moments
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series hosts its last shows of the season
To conclude its 45th season, the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series is preparing for two more shows at St. Mark’s Church in Los Olivos. The organization’s quest is to deliver world-class music to the valley. “Our concerts enrich, educate, and inspire audiences throughout the Santa Ynez Valley and surrounding communities, with complimentary tickets available to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Presqu’ile Winery’s tasting room debuts an art vending machine
The next time wine tasters visit Presqu’ile Winery, they can collect artwork from a coin-operated mini print vending machine. It’s the latest effort from the winery to involve creativity with its food and wine offerings. Created by artist Ana Inciardi, the machine is the first of its kind at a winery in the U.S., according […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is propelled by Rose Bryne’s Oscar-nominated performance
Writer-director Mary Bronstein (Yeast) helms this story about Linda (Rose Byrne), a psychotherapist whose personal and professional responsibilities leave her on the brink of a nervous breakdown. In between work, she cares for her daughter (Delaney Quinn) who’s got a pediatric eating disorder requiring a feeding tube and daily hospital visits. Her ship captain husband, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Unfamiliar is a propulsive German spy thriller on Netflix
UnfamiliarWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Netflix I’m generally not a fan of dubbed films or shows, so even though I was a little put off at first, this German series sucked me in. Created by Paul Coates, the story follows former intelligence agents Meret (Susanne Wolff) and Simon Schäfer (Felix Krammer) […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Netflix’s The Investigation of Lucy Letby offers previously unseen footage
The Investigation of Lucy LetbyWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Netflix Lucy Letby was a young neonatal nurse when she began at Countess of Chester Hospital in 2012. Her whole career focused on the care of the youngest and most vulnerable patients. However, in subsequent years, the hospital saw an unexplained rise […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Orcutt Bakery calls dibs on the dessert table
For any occasionThe Gerbers deliver from San Luis Obispo to the Santa Ynez Valley. Place online orders for Orcutt Bakery goods by visiting orcuttbakery.com. Call (805) 938-9140 with questions, and see the treats for yourself at 4869 S. Bradley Road, suite 112, in Orcutt. After Danielle and Shawn Gerber spend hours baking and decorating a […]
Posted inNews
‘Small water user:’ Some farmers facing a Cuyama Valley groundwater rights lawsuit could get help from new state legislation
There’s plenty of legal jargon that goes over Jake Furstenfeld’s head when he tunes in via Zoom to court proceedings tied to a Cuyama Valley groundwater dispute. This wasn’t the case, however, when the local rancher and others with stakes in a lawsuit over water rights for a critically overdrafted basin heard a judge’s tentative […]
Posted inNews
Maribel Aguilera leads campaign contributions in 5th District supervisor race
Without holding a single fundraiser, Maribel Aguilera’s campaign for Santa Barbara County 5th District supervisor has raised $98,000 as of mid-February. Local farms, restaurants, nonprofits, law firms, and private individuals were among the contributors who clicked the green “donate” button on the candidate’s website. Her campaign filings show she raised about $86,000 in 2025. She […]
Posted inNews
Guadalupe looks into accounting discrepancies with Royal Theater project
Discussing the Royal Theater project’s expenses often sparks heated exchanges between Guadalupe officials and city staff. That trend continued during the Guadalupe City Council’s Feb. 10 meeting, when staff postponed an agendized update from project manager Tom Brandeberry. “We don’t have a full presentation, … but I’m going to give you a status update,” Interim […]
Posted inNews
Solvang inventories city curbs to aid future parking enforcement
Sidewalk edges in Solvang appear in many colors: red, yellow, white, and green. They signal no parking zones, 15-minute limits, and loading areas. Solvang wants to keep track of what all the colors mean, but some of the paint has faded over the course of many years. Curb markings have been installed under different city […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: February 19, 2026
• Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) recently introduced the Reef Safe Truth in Marketing Act, or Assembly Bill 1744. This legislation would make it unlawful to advertise or label a sunscreen product sold in California as “reef safe,” “ocean safe,” or any similar term implying environmental safety unless the product contains no chemical ultraviolet filters […]