• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla wrote to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Department of Commerce to express their strong support for swiftly designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary while facilitating the development of offshore wind energy, according to a July 26 statement from Carbajal’s […]
Political Watch: August 1, 2024
Posted inOpinion
Wild country
Kudos to all the firefighters and other personnel who worked so hard to get the Lake Fire under control and prevent it from spreading more. The 38,000-acre fire patchworked its way through the forest, left homes (but not property) relatively unscathed, kept campgrounds and trail systems fairly intact, and didn’t turn into the megafire that […]
Posted inNews
Lake Fire 92 percent contained, restorative efforts begin
Midland School faculty and animals returned to campus after the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuation orders for the 2024 Lake Fire. “By the end of the fire, we did not have any structures that burned, which was great,” Head of Midland School Hannah Nelson told the Sun. “Looking at maps, a fair bit […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: A Family Affair
A Family Affair What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Zara (Joey King) is desperate to be taken seriously by her boss, superstar actor Chris Cole (Zac Efron), but he still treats her like an assistant, despite his promises to help her become a film producer. Zara lives with her mom, Brooke […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix The heat is on … again. In this fourth entry into the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, Detroit Det. Alex Foley (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills after the life of his semi-estranged daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige), is threatened. As he […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Twisters spins an engaging yarn
Twisters What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) directs this action-adventure about Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist who’s persuaded by Tyler (Glen Powell), a reckless […]
Posted inNews
Solvang adopts residential water disconnection policy
Homeowners and renters who fail to pick up their water tabs on time in Solvang are subject to a new protocol, designed to establish clear guidelines on course correction rather than muddying ones. City staff’s goal behind the initiative, adopted by the Solvang City Council during its July 22 meeting, was to reformat some aspects […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria City Council wants more action to resolve homeless encampments
Facing an increased population of individuals experiencing homelessness, multijurisdictional conflicts in managing the Santa Maria riverbed, and higher volumes for service near its new interim shelter, the Santa Maria City Council wants changes. The City Council heard an update about the city, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County’s efforts to resolve encampments in […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Amigos sets the tone at Nipomo gala with live jazz and swing
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center’s 2024 Gala will include live music from local jazz and swing act The Amigos, dinner from Cool Hand Luke’s of Santa Maria, a no-host bar, poker games, and more festivities for guests to look forward to. The 1920s-themed event will take place at the Edwards Barn, located at 1095 Pomeroy Road, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Entry period for New Times Music Awards closes Aug. 5
Local musicians are invited to compete in the 2024 New Times Music Awards before the contest’s entry period closes on Monday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m. Participants can enter their songs online at newtimesslo.com. All entrants must reside primarily in San Luis Obispo County or northern Santa Barbara County. This year marks the 16th year […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Badge wearers and bandits of the Wild West face off with gusto in Gunsmokin’
Where there’s smoke … Gunsmokin’ premiered on July 12 and is scheduled to run through Sept. 7 at the Great American Melodrama, located at 1863 Front St., Oceano. Call (805) 489-2499 or visit americanmelodrama.com for tickets or more info. Tickets to performances of Gunsmokin’ can also be purchased in person at the theater’s box office, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
55 Fiction 2024: The winners of our annual short story contest are in!
Tiny tales: A hallmark of the 55 Fiction stories submitted to our annual short story contest is the “surprise” at the end that ties the preceding sentences together. They show up in stories about murders, love, food, animals, cars—really, you can craft a tiny twist into any tall tale. We’re here to publish the best […]