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 […]
Riptide Big Band celebrates 10th anniversary
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Chumash Casino Resort presents Engelbert Humperdinck, live in concert
Tickets are currently available to British pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck’s upcoming concert, slated for Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. The performance is part of Humperdinck’s farewell tour, The Last Waltz, and will be held in the casino’s Samala Showroom. Throughout his 50-year career, Humperdinck has sold […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Prolific painter Debbi Green unleashes animal portraits in Los Olivos
Art with heart Gallery Los Olivos presents En Mi Corazón: Amigos y Familia, a new solo exhibition that opens on Thursday, Feb. 1, and will remain on display through the end of the month. An opening reception is planned for Saturday, Feb. 3, from noon to 3 p.m. For more info, call (805) 688-7517 or […]
Posted inOpinion
The Oceano Airport doesn’t serve Oceano
As a concerned lifelong resident of Oceano, I perceive a disparity in the treatment and resources allocated to our community compared to other oceanfront towns. Specifically, using 60 acres of our precious coastal land for an airport is frivolous and unfair to our community. I believe that this property holds immense potential for the benefit […]
Posted inOpinion
Ruling Donald Trump stricken from the ballot is a big deal, so don’t take it lightly
Democrats, dispirited after recent polls showing Donald Trump running ahead of Joe Biden and facing the unendurable possibility of another four years of the Orange Beast, finally got a bit of encouraging news. One of their “Hail Mary” passes, the use of an obscure portion of the 14th Amendment barring anyone who has engaged in […]
Posted inOpinion
Grassroots, shmassroots
As if the campaign for Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District supervisor wasn’t already a little weird—with Frank Troise holding his own candidacy hostage by threatening the other two candidates to agree to his budget terms or else he’ll continue running—the race’s finance filings are weirder still. Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne, who surprised everyone with her […]
Posted inNews
SYV Pride hosts new fundraiser to grow its Pride activities and youth scholarship program
Santa Ynez Valley (SYV) Pride’s first fundraiser outside the month of June will help fund the nonprofit’s Pride parade and festival and its youth scholarship program. The Love Above All Ball is a black-tie event on Feb. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Vega Vineyard and Farm—9496 Santa Rosa Road—which features a silent auction, […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: February 1, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) marked 20 years since the launch of Santa Barbara’s safe parking program—the first in the nation—by announcing bipartisan legislation to unlock federal dollars for similar programs designed to offer a “critical lifeline” to people experiencing homelessness, according to a Jan. 25 statement from Carbajal’s office. The Naomi Schwartz […]
Posted inNews
Strauss Wind Energy Project begins operating in Santa Barbara County
After years of going through the Santa Barbara County planning process, the Strauss Wind Energy Project is officially running—generating enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes, said Errin Briggs, supervising planner for the Energy, Minerals, and Compliance Division of the county Planning and Development Department. “I think it’s just really impressive that they were able […]
Posted inNews
State Parks increases number of campers allowed at Oceano Dunes
After months of advocating for State Parks to bring camping reservations back to pre-pandemic levels, the Friends of the Oceano Dunes is pleased that the number of units available to overnighters at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) recently increased to 500. The group is also looking forward to working with State Parks […]
Posted inNews
Incumbent Joan Hartmann leads fundraising for 3rd District race
Third District Santa Barbara County supervisor candidate Jenelle Osborne is heading into the March 5 primary election with only $100 in her coffers, according to campaign finance filings. She’s raised the least among the three candidates, so far. “I got into the race late so I didn’t start funding or did any appeals for funds, […]
Posted inNews
Hancock’s first rodeo
Spring roundup Contact ahcrodeo@gmail.com or (805) 357-6324 for vendor or sponsor information, or if you are interested in volunteering to help Allan Hancock College host its first college rodeo. Gates open at 5 p.m. at the Elks Rodeo Grounds on March 14 and 15, and the college rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. each day. Paloma […]