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 […]
NEW FLICKS: Finestkind
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 […]
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 […]
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), […]
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 […]
Solvang Festival Theater hosts performances of PCPA’s The Play That Goes Wrong
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of The Play That Goes Wrong, with performances from July 12 through 28 at the Solvang Festival Theater. Described as “part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes,” this award-winning farce is about a drama group’s murder mystery production that goes from “bad to disastrous,” according to press materials. […]
Through film, mixed media, ritual, and sculpture, Outlandish highlights water’s importance in BIPOC communities
Making waves April Banks’ exhibition, Outlandish, is on display at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art through July 28. The gallery, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit sloma.org. SLOMA is located at 1010 Broad St. in SLO. On a gallery’s walls in downtown San Luis […]
Watercolor Creations highlights Claudette Carlton’s eclectic paintings in Lompoc
Summer hues The Lompoc Valley Art Association presents Watercolor Creations, a solo exhibit of paintings by Claudette Carlton, at Cypress Gallery in Lompoc through Sunday, July 28. An art reception will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. Visit lompocart.org to find out more. The gallery is located at 119 E. […]
Unsupervised
Who knew a 24-hour gym was such a big deal? 24-Hour Fitness has gyms all over the state: the greater Los Angeles area, the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, the Sacramento Valley, San Diego area, and in Santa Barbara. But there isn’t one in the Santa Ynez Valley, which has a YMCA that wants to keep […]
Assemblymember Gregg Hart selected CALM as nonprofit of the year for its work on healing and preventing family trauma
CALM President and CEO Alana Walczak traveled to Sacramento in May to receive the 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year award from Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) in recognition of the organization’s work throughout Santa Barbara County. “It was a huge surprise for our CEO Alana Walczak to get the call from Hart that we […]
Political Watch: July 4, 2024
• Representatives in the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force announced a new effort to force a vote on legislation led by U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath (D-Georgia) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) to expand Americans’ access to red flag laws, which allow the removal of a gun from someone who is deemed by a court […]
Buellton considers leeway for hotels without on-site management
An emerging trend within the hotel industry inspired Buellton officials to patch up a vacant corner of the city’s municipal code. At its June 27 meeting, the Buellton City Council discussed two separate proposals from staff that address future hotel developments intending to operate without 24/7 on-site management, comparable to the approach of many Airbnbs. […]

