• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Mike Braun (R-Indiana) introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline veterans’ access to their benefit claim files, according to a Sept. 14 statement from Padilla’s office. The Wounded Warrior Access Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to […]
Political Watch: September 21, 2023
Posted inNews
Santa Maria community holds vigil for farmworker death
Between 80 and 100 people attended a vigil on Sept. 13 to honor a local farmworker who passed away in a work-related accident “It was beautiful to see the community supporting the family, bringing flowers, candles. A local priest came to support the community,” said Andrea Echeverri Betancur, a senior policy advocate for Central Coast […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Refugio Ranch Vineyards repurposes historic railroad site into new tasting space
Now boarding Visit refugioranch.com for more info on Refugio Ranch Vineyards, located at 2990 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. The new 29 Ninety food pop-up series at the venue takes place every Saturday and Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call (805) 697-5289 for more details on the ongoing program and its menu offerings. Previously […]
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Two cannabis dispensaries move forward with Guadalupe City Council support
With plans to bring two new cannabis shops to downtown Guadalupe, two separate retailers recently entered into similar agreements with the city. Public hearings for both projects, Root One and Element 7, were held back-to-back during the Guadalupe City Council’s Sept. 12 meeting. As part of their applications, each retailer was required to outline “the […]
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Board of Supervisors looks at two ambulance service provider applications after approving nonexclusive agreement
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department will be the new countywide provider for emergency medical services after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved its application. During the Sept. 19 meeting, the supervisors heard from American Medical Response—its current ambulance provider—and County Fire about their proposals to provide ambulance services for the county. These applications came […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Down for Love
Down for Love What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix This five-episode reality series by Netflix follows several young hopefuls looking for love. It’s similar to their program Love on the Spectrum, but instead of autism diagnoses, Netflix introduces us to six young men and women who all have been diagnosed with […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: Hypnotic
Hypnotic What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Peacock Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Spy Kids, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) directs this sci-fi mystery that mixes elements of Inception, Looper, Fury, and Firestarter into a detective story with a significant mid-film twist. Danny Rourke (Ben Affleck), an Austin Police Department detective, is […]
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Cultural cache
Contribute, commemorate The Santa Maria Japanese Community Center is accepting donations for the cultural center, which will be commemorated through a series of plaques in the building. Donations will be in tiers, ranging from $500 to $15,000, and donors must put “donor plaque” in the check’s memo section. Email weskoyama@gmail.com for more information on donations. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Haunting in Venice is a stylish but old fashioned whodunit
A Haunting in Venice What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Kenneth Branagh is back with his third go-around rebooting classic mysteries by novelist Agatha Christie. After Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and […]
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Bottoms is a guffaw-worthy teen black comedy
Bottoms What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria Emma Seligman (Shiva Baby) directs and co-writes with star Rachel Sennott this raunchy teen black comedy about two besties and lesbians—PJ (Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri)—who are at the bottom […]
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Washington-based author holds free webinar with SYV Natural History Society
The Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society will host a free Zoom lecture with science writer and bird enthusiast Rebecca Heisman on Thursday, Sept. 21, starting at 7 p.m. Heisman will be discussing her book, Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration, during the webinar. […]
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SLOPOKE presents 13th annual Art of the West Show in Solvang
More than 20 artists are participating in the 13th annual Art of the West Show, scheduled to open on Friday, Sept. 22, and run through Sunday, Sept. 24, at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang. The three-day exhibition of landscapes, seascapes, wildlife portraits, sculptures, and other works of art that celebrate the American West will […]