First let me be clear, searches authorized by a local, state, or federal courts are essential to capturing crooks. This commentary addresses data mining for commercial purposes and government searches without benefit of a search warrant from the court. With today’s electronic technology, folks can “spy” on you anywhere you go without you knowing about […]
Do you know the extent to which our every move is being watched?
Posted inOpinion
Projection rejection
Water’s a hot commodity in the Cuyama Valley. So when someone says the word “drill,” people’s ears perk up. This time around, it’s not water they’re looking to store in “frost ponds” on Harvard University’s North Fork Vineyard property in Cuyama. They’re looking for oil. West Bay Exploration Co. wants to drill a probing solitary […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Casa Dumetz founder discusses early ties with two local, long-standing wine traditions
Wine wonderlands Call (805) 344-1900 or visit casadumetzwines.com for more info on Casa Dumetz Wines, located at 388 Bell St., Los Alamos. Tickets to Solvang’s 2024 Garagiste Wine Festival—Feb. 9 and 10—are available in advance at my805tix.com. To find out more about this year’s Santa Barbara County Women Winemakers and Culinarians Celebration, which includes events […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Reacher (Season 2)
Reacher (Season 2) What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2022—present Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime I thought the first season of Reacher was good, but wowza, this second is even better. Based on the book series by Lee Child, the TV series follows retired military police officer Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), a mountain of a man […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind What’s it rated? R When? 2004 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre in SLO on Feb. 11 (1:30 and 7 p.m.) and 12 (7 p.m.) Existential crisis, here we come! Joel (Jim Carrey) can’t get Clementine (Kate Winslet) out of his head. Yet it seems that Clementine has decided […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Shortcomings is sly examination of Asian and Caucasian relationships
Shortcomings What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Randall Park directs this dramedy about a young Asian couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Ben (Justin H. Min) is an insufferable, judgmental, and aggrieved hipster and aspiring filmmaker. His partner, Miko (Ally […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Healing through horsemanship
More than a ride Visit heroeshorses.org, call (805) 868-7634 or email info@heroeshorses.org for more information about Healing Horses Through Horsemanship. Visit syvtherapeuticriding.org, call (805) 350-2280, or email info@syvtherapeuticriding.org for more information about the Santa Ynez Therapeutic Riding Program. Keenan Hartig struggled with substance abuse and lost his employment a month and a half before finding […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Health & Wellness 2024
For this year’s issue of Health and Wellness, we decided to focus on therapy—not traditional therapy, though. We explored a couple of outside-the-box approaches. Staff Writer Adrian Vincent Rosas from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, chatted with a certified music practitioner about how she uses her tunes to help individuals going through difficult medical […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Kevin Can F**k Himself
Kevin Can F**k Himself What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2021-2022 Where’s it showing? AMC Plus When we started watching this series, I was at first put off. It was a throwback ’70s style sitcom about buffoonish Kevin McRoberts (Eric Peterson), a cable installer who seems to be living a charmed life, and his wife, Allison […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: American Nightmare
American Nightmare What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Following the kidnapping of Denise Huskins in 2015, investigators and the media won’t buy her boyfriend Aaron Quinn’s story—that the two were woken in the middle of the night, drugged, and blindfolded, and Denise was taken away. This three-part docuseries on Netflix walks […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Godzilla Minus One is a monster movie with heart
Godzilla Minus One What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre in SLO Takashi Yamazaki directs this monster movie set in post-World War II Japan. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as Koichi Shikishima, a Kamikaze pilot who feigns engine trouble to avoid his duty, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Riptide Big Band celebrates 10th anniversary
During its first concert of 2024, the Riptide Big Band will celebrate its 10th anniversary, as the local ensemble was founded in early 2014. The celebration dance will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria. Thanks to ongoing support from the Santa […]