While cannabis odor has concerned John Parke in the past when it comes to project proposals, the Santa Barbara County 3rd District Planning Commissioner voted alongside his colleagues to approve a cannabis processing project near Buellton and deny an appeal from neighbors during the July 31 Planning Commission hearing. “We have several experienced commissioners who […]
County Planning Commission approves Buellton cannabis cultivation project
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Ferngully: The Last Rainforest
Ferngully: The Last Rainforest What’s it rated? G When? 1992 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11, at 1:30 p.m. My favorite troublemaking fairy is back on the big screen! Crysta (voiced by Samantha Mathis) is fixated on seeing what lies beyond the boundaries of FernGully and tales […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: Silent Fallout
Silent Fallout What’s it rated? Not rated When? Monday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m. (reserve a free ticket at eventbrite.com) Where’s it showing? Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo (2201 Lawson Ave.) SLO Mothers for Peace hosts a screening of Silent Fallout on Monday, Aug. 12, and director Hideaki Ito will attend the three-hour event and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Trap is preposterous fun
Trap What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs, Lady in the Water) helms this psychological thriller about a serial killer called The Butcher, but even serial […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Combating stigma
Help out CAPSLO is hiring 50 student ambassadors for both SLO and Santa Barbara counties for its Teen Wellness Program. Applicants must be 13 to 18 years old and have an eagerness to address the mental health crisis. Ambassadors will dedicate three hours per week to the program. To apply, visit forms.gle/rjs2Y63dqechTNC29. Since the COVID-19 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Solvang Festival Theater brings PCPA’s Cabaret to its stage
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of Cabaret at the Solvang Festival Theater, with performances through Aug. 25. This iteration of the iconic musical opened at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria where it ran in late July, and moved to Solvang in early August. Set in Berlin during the 1930s, Cabaret follows […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Bond, school bond
Santa Maria-Bonita In the 2023-24 school year, Santa Maria-Bonita School District had more than 17,000 students enrolled in its 17 elementary schools, four junior high schools, and one combined elementary and junior high. By 2029-30, the district expects more than 18,000 enrolled students, not accounting for students who might come from housing projects currently in […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
County Youth Poet Laureate hosts reading at Solvang Library
Born in Santa Barbara and raised in the Santa Ynez Valley, Jasmine Guerrero Sevilla holds the prestigious title of youth poet laureate of Santa Barbara County. In early August, Sevilla led a free workshop in Solvang for young writers ranging from ages 9 to 12. On Saturday, Aug. 10, Sevilla and the workshop’s students will […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Education Today 2024
School is about to be back in session for the 2024-25 school year, which means summer is almost over—sad. But it also means a new school year for all of those students, new learning, new friends, new experiences—rad! For this year’s annual Education Today issue, Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor speaks with school districts that are […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Discover one of Solvang’s hottest nightcap spots inside the Vinland Hotel
Enjoy your stay Visit vinlandhotelandlounge.com for more info on the V Lounge, located inside the Vinland Hotel, at 1455 Mission Drive, Solvang. The lounge’s menu features appetizers, desserts, craft cocktails, beer, and wine, and is open to hotel guests and the public. A handful of luxury suites at the hotel are sponsored by local wineries […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
FitForever Gym’s Artisan Market unites artists, benefits local dog rescue
Fit check FitForever Gym in Arroyo Grande will hold its upcoming Artisan Market on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event’s featured artisans are Tina Doherty, Anne Kunzig, Myles Herman, Judy Wood, Craig Trapp, Cheryl Carlson, Rich Wilke, Lori Sherry, Adrian Luna, Lisa Ferson-Zavala, Maggie Pickering, Nancy Valentine, Melissa Walker-Scott, Jeanne […]
Posted inOpinion
Let’s teach how to think, not what to think
In response to Ron Fink’s July 25 “What’s the fuss?” commentary about the Ten Commandments in public schools, I have a couple of points to make about the Constitution mandating a separation of church and state. He claims it was not to keep the church out of the state, but it was that, and to […]