Santa Barbara County Public Works employee Angel Lopez had to relocate to Lompoc after living in Santa Barbara his whole life because he’s struggling to keep up with the cost of living in his hometown, he told the Board of Supervisors during its July 16 meeting. “It’s getting rough out here, too. I don’t want […]
County union members advocate for higher wages for future contracts
Posted inNews
Guadalupe addresses illegal fireworks stats after PRA request
An email thread between a former Guadalupe mayor and current city leaders on illegal fireworks kindled public attention less than 48 hours after the convo began. On July 8, Guadalupe resident Frances Romero copied a handful of city staffers and elected officials on a Public Records Act (PRA) request regarding information on illegal fireworks citations […]
Posted inNews
Maria Salguero to face Carlos Escobedo in Santa Maria Council race
Launching her campaign on July 16 at Santa Maria City Hall, Maria Salguero made her debut in local politics by running for Santa Maria City Council’s District 1 seat. “What makes me particularly excited about running for District 1 at this time is that the stakes are very high at a national level; these elections […]
Posted inNews
Protecting Midland: Los Olivos boarding school evacuates as the Lake Fire continues to spread
Following the fire Visit readysbc.org to sign up for Lake Fire alerts or download the Watch Duty app for more, up-to-date information. Before Midland School received mandatory evacuation orders for the Lake Fire, Midland Dean of Academics Ellie Moore drove back to the property several times to retrieve photos and memorabilia from fellow faculty members’ […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance holds Wine and Fire festivities in Lompoc and Buellton
Wines that spark Visit staritahills.com for more info on the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance and its upcoming Wine and Fire 2024 program, with events happening Aug. 15 through 18. Leos aren’t the only fire signs worth celebrating this August, as several local venues fall under the banner of Wine and Fire 2024. Hosted by […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: The Goonies
The Goonies What’s it rated? PG When? 1985 Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre on Saturday, July 20 (noon; $15 at my805tix.com; a fundraiser for Morro Bay In Bloom) Kids of the ’80s rejoice because we love The Goonies like Sloth loves Chunk, and we get to see it on the big screen! The band […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: The Big Lebowski
The Big Lebowski What’s it rated? R When? 1998 Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre on Monday, July 22 (6 p.m.; $15 at my805tix.com; a fundraiser for The Rock) Joel and Ethan Coen helm this bizarro crime caper about Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a slacker and avid bowler, who’s mistaken for a millionaire […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Fly Me to the Moon is a deeply charming rom com set against a compelling historical era
Fly Me to the Moon 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 Greg Berlanti (Love, Simon) directs this rom-com set during the 1960s Space Race between the U.S. and Russia. Marketing expert […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
New textile art exhibit at Cal-NAM celebrates local animal species and oak woodland habitats
The California Nature Art Museum (Cal-NAM) opened its latest solo exhibition in mid-July, a showcase of fabric collages and quilts by local artist Julia Laraway. The exhibit, titled California, Quilted: Wild in the Oak Woodland, is scheduled to run through January 2025. Laraway’s artworks in the show were inspired by California’s oak woodland habitats and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gallery Los Olivos’ July exhibit showcases ag worker portraits in oil
Unsung upholders Pillars 2024, a solo exhibition of oil paintings by Santa Ynez-based artist Bobby Williams, opened at Gallery Los Olivos in early July and will remain on display through the end of the month. Visit gallerylosolivos.com for more info. The gallery is located at 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. Rows of crops and figures […]
Posted inOpinion
No president should be above the law
What, if anything, can be done to avert the coming disaster of living in a country where our president is “above the law”? Where criminal violations of the oath of office are ignored? Where Supreme Court of the United States candidates can lie under oath to the Senate selection committee and, once confirmed, render baseless […]
Posted inOpinion
The presidential debate lacked substance but cleared up one serious question
The last time I watched a presidential debate was in 1956 when surrogates represented Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson who was challenging incumbent Republican President Dwight Eisenhower. Since then, I have relied on press/media reports and analysis of what was said or how the candidates acted. But I changed my strategy when President Joe Biden “debated” […]