Being in or adjacent to the cannabis biz right now has got to stink. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has gotten the short end of the stink, I mean stick, for too long, and it’s taking action. During its June 27 meeting, the board voted to implement the “death penalty” for cannabis businesses […]
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Posted inOpinion
Politicians allowing ‘broken windows’ has led to a surge in quality-of-life crimes
Back in September 2017 in a locally published commentary, I observed “Broken windows; Lompoc is full of them”; this commentary was based on a theory by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling in 1982 that used broken windows as a metaphor for disorder within neighborhoods. Expanding on the theory, they wrote, “If the […]
Posted inNews
Central Coast cities host panel discussions and screenings of new film, American Hospitals, Healing a Broken System
See for yourself To request a showing of American Hospitals, Fixing a Broken System, visit fixithealthcare.com/host-a-screening to sign up to host a free screening of the film in your community. While he doesn’t believe the current hospital industry is wholeheartedly corrupt—and in fact, he’s proud to see the innovations the industry has made over the […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: June 29, 2023
• State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and state Sen. Monique Límon (D-Santa Barbara) are calling on textbook publishers to diversify their instructional materials and work with the task force they co-chair, a special Task Force on Inclusive Education. “As our nation grapples with book bans and literary exclusions, it is critical we ensure […]
Posted inNews
County to implement ‘death penalty’ for late cannabis tax payment
Cannabis businesses that don’t pay their quarterly taxes or file the accompanying report within the 30-day grace period could lose their license to operate in Santa Barbara County starting in August. “It’s that severe,” Deputy County Executive Officer Brittany Odermann told the Board of Supervisors on June 27. “You are late. … You cannot renew.” […]
Posted inNews
Study examines the future of Oceano Dunes with OHV ban
An independent study is attempting to dust off an image of the Oceano Dunes’ future should off-road vehicle (OHV) use be permanently reduced or stopped at the state park. Called the Oceano Dunes Stewardship Study, the 105-page document released on June 1 detailed 20 recommendations as a blueprint for prospective development, management, and promotion of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Great American Melodrama presents Under the Boardwalk
A whimsical rivalry between two groups of beach dwellers is explored in the Great American Melodrama’s latest production, Under The Boardwalk, which opened in late May and is scheduled to run through mid-July. According to press materials, the plot of the show, set at Pismo Beach, follows an “unthinkable” romance between a clam and a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Corazón del Pueblo hosts book reading of The Sign Catcher
A special book reading of violence prevention activist Otilio Quintero’s autobiography, The Sign Catcher, will take place at the Santa Maria Town Center on Friday, June 23, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event is hosted by Corazón del Pueblo, also known as the Cultural and Creative Arts Center of the Santa Maria Valley, and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Classical School of Ballet presents Dancefest 2023 in Lompoc
Save the dates Performances of Dancefest 2023 will be held at the Lompoc Civic Auditorium on Friday, June 23, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 24, at 3 p.m. Tickets to the show are $15 for adults and $10 for children under age 12. Call (805) 736-4646 or visit classicalschoolofballet.net for more info. The Lompoc […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. launches first nonalcoholic IPA
At the mountains of gladness For more info on Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., visit figmtnbrew.com. The California-based brewery’s tasting rooms are located in Buellton, Los Olivos, Santa Barbara, and Westlake Village. reating the right flavors that mirrored the distinct attributes of an IPA in Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.’s first nonalcoholic beverage proved to be both […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria drafts policy to address cyberbullying within local sports groups
Youth sports leagues that use Santa Maria facilities will be subject to a zero tolerance policy on cyberbullying if a proposed city ordinance moves forward. Pitched by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Commission, the protocol is primarily geared toward adults involved with youth sports groups rather than its participants, as it was drafted in […]
Posted inNews
Supervisors request deeper dive into postpartum visitation programs
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors directed the Public Health Department during its June 16 budget hearing to look into potential ways to keep afloat a program serving infants and new families. Santa Barbara County’s budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year is $1.48 billion, a 6.4 percent increase from the previous year. About 34 […]