Out of commission for nearly a year, Solvang’s Tourism Advisory Committee is undergoing a reboot, and currently recruiting new members. The group’s resurfacing also comes with rebranding, as it’s now called the Tourism and Marketing Advisory Committee (TMAC). The purpose of the board is to “advise city staff on matters relating to promoting Solvang as […]
Solvang accepts applications for new advisory committee
Northern Santa Barbara County receives minimal damage in storms
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara, SLO, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, among others, after an atmospheric river slowly made its way through the California. Storms began on Jan. 31. As of Feb. 6, parts of Santa Barbara County had received between 1 and 15 inches of rain total in […]
County rooster rules will do more harm than good
Not all animal advocates are cheering for Santa Barbara County’s newest rooster restrictions (“Rooster rules,” Jan. 25). In fact, a good number of us—particularly those of us who run hands-on rescues and animal sanctuaries—vehemently oppose rooster bans and restrictions. These sweeping rooster restrictions—touted as an anti-cockfighting measure—promise to hurt more animals than they could ever […]
Do you know the extent to which our every move is being watched?
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]

