Can you believe that governments aren’t required to record their public meetings and post them in an archive so anyone can view them? It seems like they have to, but they don’t. They have to keep “minutes”—and depending on the governing board those can be extremely detailed or not detailed at all. Basically, if you […]
Let freedom Zoom
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County and nonprofits deploy services to protect residents during high temperatures
With the first heatwave in what’s expected to be a scorching summer, Santa Barbara County officials and local nonprofits are taking action to keep residents safe from high temperatures. Good Samaritan Shelter Director of Homeless Services Kirsten Cahoon told the Sun that the organization deployed its outreach teams on July 5 to provide unsheltered individuals […]
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Political Watch: July 11, 2024
• Amid extreme heat waves across California and the nation, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) applauded the Biden administration’s proposed rule to establish the first-ever federal safety standard to protect workers from the severe risks of excessive heat, according to a July 2 statement from Padilla’s office. The rule, proposed by the Department of Labor’s […]
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Husband-and-wife duo gussies up SYV wine country with Cote of Paint
No paint, no gain Visit coteofpaintwine.com to find out more about Cote of Paint, bottled at Dragonette Cellars in Buellton with fruit sourced from multiple vineyards based in Santa Barbara County. One of the Santa Ynez Valley’s youngest wine brands launched in February but will wait until 2028 to celebrate its first anniversary. The two […]
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Lompoc now has two ballot measures to discontinue public park use
Two ballot measures related to the conversion of 82 acres of public land and open space for a private, space-themed education center are heading for Lompoc’s ballot after residents initiated a measure and the City Council approved its own in May. “The council may want to withdraw the city measure because you are obligated to […]
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NEW FLICKS: Trigger Warning
Trigger Warning What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Mouly Surya (Fiksi, Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts) directs this by-the-numbers mystery action flick about military special operator Parker (Jessica Alba), who on a mission in Syria gets a call from Jesse (Mark Webber), her ex-lover and hometown’s sheriff, who informs her […]
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Solvang approves land use shift at Old Mission Santa Inés
A recent proposal to redefine Old Mission Santa Inés from a land use perspective faced backlash from one Solvang official who feared the change would infringe on the church owner’s property rights. At the Solvang City Council’s July 8 meeting, Councilmember David Brown argued against staff’s recommendation to redesignate the mission’s grounds to open space/recreational […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: Finestkind
Finestkind What’s it rated? R When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Paramount Plus Writer-director Brian Helgeland (Payback, A Knight’s Tale, 42, Legend) helms this family drama about half-brothers Tom (Ben Foster), a seasoned scallop fisherman, and Charlie (Toby Wallace), who’s been admitted to college but wants to try his hand at fishing for the summer despite […]
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Los Padres Lake Fire burns more than 26,000 acres
Noelle Berg and her husband evacuated from their Santa Ynez Valley home on their own accord as they saw helicopters drop retardant on the spreading Lake Fire, Berg told the Sun on July 8. “We encouraged all of our friends to get out, but some of these people have said ‘We’re not leaving. Period,’” Berg […]
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Deciding what’s public: Local governments grapple with Zoombombers who make hateful comments during public meetings
Since 2020, city councils have grappled with the phenomenon of Zoombombing as virtual trolls disrupt public comment with hate speech. League of California Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager David Mullinax said this issue started during the COVID-19 pandemic as councils attempted to make meetings accessible and socially distanced for the public. “We are grappling with […]
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A Quiet Place: Day One doesn’t live up to its franchise
A Quiet Place: Day One What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee What’s it worth, Glen? Stream it Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Co-writer and director Michael Sarnoski (Pig) helms this prequel to A Quiet Place (2018) and A Quiet Place Part II (2020), […]
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Oceano/Five Cities Elks Lodge holds concert fundraiser to benefit Elks National Foundation
Local doo-wop ensemble The Bald Spots will perform at the Oceano/Five Cities Elks Lodge in Oceano on Saturday, July 13, at 5 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Concert proceeds will benefit the Elks National Foundation. The Bald Spots is a Central Coast-based band […]