Your feature article of July 4 titled, “All day, all night: A YMCA in Santa Ynez wants to stay open 24/7, but its neighbors are against the plan,” by Taylor O’Connor is very one-sided, whether intended or not. Most of the article focuses primarily on the reasons why it is a good idea to convert […]
Cover the other side of the YMCA issue
Posted inOpinion
The center must hold if there’s any hope for the presidential election
In November 2016, immediately after Donald Trump’s election, Yeats’ famous lament over the apocalyptic carnage of World War I seemed to capture that moment in our history. Of course, our nation survived the next four years. The “centre” did hold, but just barely: On Jan. 6, 2021, for hours “mere anarchy” was loosed upon the […]
Posted inOpinion
Line of fire
Our country’s celebrity obsession hit a new low earlier this month. If it please the court of readers, I’d like to submit these exhibits regarding the Lake Fire. Exhibit A: “The battle to save Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch from destructive Lake fire” is the headline for an LA Times July 12 feature-length piece. Exhibit B: […]
Posted inNews
Youthwell showcases student summer and school year volunteer opportunities
Since high schoolers often need volunteer hours in order to graduate, Youthwell provides resources to help connect teens and youth with nonprofit organizations that pique their interests while meeting their extracurricular requirements, Executive Director Rachael Steidl said. “The idea is so that volunteering doesn’t become a checklist item. We know volunteering can improve stress and […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: July 18, 2024
• U.S. Sens. Laphonza Butler (D-California) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Keep Families Together Act, a legislation that would mandate immigration enforcement to prioritize keeping families together and provide guidelines to ensure they are kept together throughout the legal process, according to a July 11 statement from Butler’s office. In 2018, the Trump administration […]
Posted inNews
County union members advocate for higher wages for future contracts
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 […]
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 […]