While performances of The Holiday Extravaganza will be held through Dec. 31 at the Great American Melodrama in Oceano, tickets are currently available in advance for the company’s next production, Grave Mistakes. The upcoming show is scheduled to open on Jan. 26 and run through March 16. The play’s plot follows Ray, who falls in […]
Great American Melodrama’s <i>Grave Mistakes</i> opens in January
Posted inOpinion
We are doing nothing to prevent further harm in Gaza
Like many people, I have been disturbed by the events in Gaza. I always viewed the occupation of Gaza as wrong, but I did not understand the extent of the harm imposed upon Palestinians until the recent events unfolded. I am ashamed of being European because European governments are doing absolutely nothing, and I am […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t exacerbate the crisis, support the Dana Reserve project in Nipomo
It’s no secret that housing has been a hot topic issue in California. Headlines repeatedly call out the skyrocketing prices, the frustration of the younger generations, and the need for more inventory. The answer to these challenges isn’t complicated: build more houses. However, as we’ve seen in multiple articles in the Sun, a vocal group […]
Posted inOpinion
More is more
The lack of mental health help in North Santa Barbara County isn’t a new issue. It comes up repeatedly. We don’t have enough inpatient beds for involuntary or voluntary mental health holds. We need more outpatient facilities. If you need emergency help, head to Marian Regional Medical Center’s emergency room and plan to wait a […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc offers winter camps for kids during the holiday season school break
There aren’t many options for child care in Lompoc once the school’s winter break starts, Samantha Scroggin told the Sun. But parents can turn to the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department for a helping hand during the holiday season through its winter camps for youth. “Speaking as both a parent and in my role, this […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: December 21, 2023
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently highlighted the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s approval of a bill to upgrade federal protections for Central Coast public lands, the first-ever action taken by the U.S. Senate on his legislation. The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which Carbajal reintroduced earlier this year during the wildflower […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria hopes to build sports complex in next few years
Finding enough space for sports, particularly soccer, in Santa Maria has been an ongoing issue for more than two decades. In 2016, the city decided to pursue funding and identify sites for a future sports complex, including one east of Blosser Road. The future complex ran into increasing construction costs as time went on, setting […]
Posted inNews
Buellton opts out of In-N-Out
The intersection of Highway 246 and McMurray Road in Buellton grants drivers access to a handful of drive-through restaurants. A new fast food spot was set to join the lineup, before a speedy appeal surfaced one day after the project’s approval. During its Dec. 14 meeting, the Buellton City Council overturned the Buellton Planning Commission’s […]
Posted inNews
Supervisors approve Housing Element, county moves toward rezoning
There’s still a lot of work to do, Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Director Lisa Plowman told the Sun, now that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the 2023-2031 state-required Housing Element. But, Plowman added, her staff is relieved. “The state mandate is the headline, but really the issue that our community […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Beautification and Appearance Commission honors winners of holiday lights competition
The winners of the 2023 Lompoc Holiday Lights and Decoration Contest were announced by the Lompoc Beautification and Appearance Commission on Dec. 14. Judging took place on Dec. 6, according to the commission. Residential participants of the competition had four themed categories to choose from, while competing businesses and organizations were judged in three categories. […]
Posted inNews
No beds available
Hospitals and emergency departments are going to “fail miserably” if Santa Barbara County implements new state legislation without giving the county’s health systems enough time to set up the support needed to manage a potential influx of patients, Denise McDonald told the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12. “There’s nothing harder for an ER [emergency […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria-based poet leads poetry facilitation groups
Dot your calendar Visit dotwinslow.com for more info on local poet Dot Winslow, who currently hosts monthly poetry facilitation groups at the Santa Maria Public Library and the Orcutt Area Seniors in Service (OASIS) Center. The library group is open to adults ages 18 and over and is free to attend. Admission to join Winslow’s […]
