Holidays in shelters: Good Samaritan Shelter provides a variety of events this holiday season for individuals experiencing homelessness By Taylor O’Connor Off-centered cheer: Shake up your holiday table with showstopper dinners that aren’t just turkey or ham By Bulbul Rajagopal Check out the local holiday events, happenings, festivities, and more!
Holiday Guide 2023
Posted inOpinion
The hardest thing
Math might be the subject that confuses all of us at times. I know I’m confused by the numbers that Santa Barbara County Planning Commissioner Laura Bridley proffered during a recent meeting. During the Nov. 8 meeting, she was the sole commissioner to vote against the new cycle of the Housing Element—a state requirement to […]
Posted inNews
The Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum launches new World War II exhibit to honor local veterans
Shelley Klein embarked on a journey gathering stories from local Santa Marians about their personal or family history in World War II and received more than she expected for a new exhibit at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum. “I told my board, ‘I think I bit off more than I could chew.’ It’s […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: November 16, 2023
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently reacted to news that the United States successfully brokered a deal with Israel to approve daily pauses in military action in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in need and facilitate the safe evacuation of civilians from areas where Israel may be conducting operations, according […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria expects to save $12 million with solar agreement
Santa Maria stepped toward clean energy and dollars saved as the City Council voted 4-0 (with Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez absent) to approve a 20-year contract to construct and operate solar power infrastructure at eight city-owned sites—generating expected savings of more than $12 million throughout the contract’s lifespan. The wastewater treatment plant, civic center, police department, […]
Posted inNews
Solvang City Council addresses recent Zoombombing incidents
Zoom calls from public comment participants are commonplace at city hearings in Solvang, but the popular platform was ironically not used by any speakers during a recent discussion on silencing certain kinds of virtual discourse in the future. “I’ll point out that I keep looking at the screen to see if anyone has joined us,” […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approves Housing Element
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission recently voted 4-1 (with 2nd District Commissioner Laura Bridley dissenting) to approve the county’s Housing Element update, which will go to the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 5. The Housing Element is a process each jurisdiction in the state is required to go through every eight years to address […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Psycho
Psycho What’s it rated? R When? 1960 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theater of San Luis Obispo on Nov. 12 (1:30, 4:15, and 7 p.m.) I’ve watched Psycho many times, but only once on the big screen during a college film class. It is absolutely a different experience from watching it on TV. Director Alfred […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: No Hard Feelings
No Hard Feelings What’s it rated? R When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix Jennifer Lawrence plays down-on-her-luck bartender Maddie, who answers a strange Craigslist ad promising a used Buick to a young woman who could successfully “date” (aka sleep with) socially awkward 19-year-old Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman). The oddest twist is that it’s Percy’s oddball […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nyad chronicles Diana Nyad’s remarkable 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida
Nyad 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 Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (Wild Life, Free Solo) co-direct this incredible true story of long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad (Annette Bening), who at the age of 64 and on her fifth attempt swam […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Riptide Big Band holds live concert, Dancin’, at Elwin Mussell Senior Center
The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club presents its next dance event and live concert, titled Dancin’, with the Riptide Big Band at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center on Sunday, Nov. 12, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Special guest vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting will accompany the Riptide Big Band during the performance. The […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
St. Joseph High School Community Theatre presents Shrek: The Musical
For two nights only, students from St. Joseph High School in Orcutt will hold an upcoming production of Shrek: The Musical at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande. Performances of the show will be held on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11, starting at 6:30 p.m. both evenings. Presented by […]