The Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center started in 1972 as Social Advocates for Youth in Santa Barbara, former Executive Director Judi Nishimori told the Sun.Ā āItās been such a long-standing program; itās evolved into different areas and itās changed over the years. ⦠I began in 1978; this would be my 45th year […]
The Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center celebrates 50 years of providing services to students, families, and the community
Political Watch: September 7, 2023
⢠U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) spoke at Pioneer Park with Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne to highlight delivering $1.26 million in federal funding to support park renovations, including a new playground and baseball fields, according to an Aug. 30 statement from the congressmanās office. āParks and green spaces are essential to the quality of […]
Lompoc Valley Medical Center will pay $5 million for alleged false claims
To resolve allegations that Lompoc Valley Medical Center knowingly submitted false insurance claims to Medi-Calāviolating the federal False Claims Act and the California False Claims Actāthe health care provider agreed to pay $5 million, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Ā āMedi-Cal supports millions of Californians by providing for the critical health care they rely […]
Coalition to host education sessions about LGBTQ-plus student rights
As students and teachers begin to settle into their routines in the new school year, a new type of educational opportunity is on deck for local studentsāand itās one that Doug Heumann feels is more important than ever.Ā āParents need to know what their kidsā rights are; students need to know what their rights are,ā […]
Santa Barbara County successfully decommissions a Venoco oil pipeline
After receiving a $550,000 grant from the California Department of Toxic Substances and removing infrastructure on private properties, Santa Barbara County decommissioned Venocoās Crude Oil Line 96.Ā The 6-inch diameter pipeline was approximately 9 miles in length and extended from the Ellwood Onshore Facility near the Bacara hotel in Goleta to a tie-in point at […]
Cypress Beach House offers al fresco dining atop Pismoās Inn at the Pier
Tide change The reimagined Cypress Beach House at Inn at the Pier, located at 601 Cypress St. in Pismo Beach, is open daily for midday service from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. The bar closes at 11 p.m. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on […]
A century of theosophy
Culture cache The Legend of the Peace Maker open house art exhibit can be viewed on Sept. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Temple of the People on Temple Street and Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande. To learn more, visit templeofthepeople.org. Editorās note: This is the first installment of a two-part series on the […]
Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club hosts upcoming dance concert
The Riptide Big Band will perform at the upcoming Wear That Hat dance concert at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The band will be accompanied by vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting during the event, hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens […]
Gallery Los Olivos showcases three artists in new group exhibition, Woodlands
A collection of artworks from three artists working in various media will be on display in Gallery Los Olivosā latest group exhibition titled Woodlands, which is set to open on Friday, Sept. 1, and be on display through the end of the month.Ā The exhibit will highlight artists Chuck Klein (whose work is pictured), Deborah […]
New Times Media Group holds inaugural Pet Photo Contest
The entry period for New Times Media Groupās inagural Pet Photo Contest opened in late August and will close on Monday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. Photos from the contest will be included in the pet-centric issues of both New Times and the Sun on Thursday, Oct. 19. The Pet Photo Contest is sponsored by […]
Great American Melodramaās Gold Fever is a gold mine of laughter
Ready or not The Great American Melodrama presents its production of Gold Fever at the Rough and Ready through Saturday, Sept. 9. The theater is located at 1863 Front St., Oceano. Call (805) 489-2499 or visit americanmelodrama.com for tickets and more info. To describe the Great American Melodramaās latest offering as based on a true […]
A word to the unwise about Californiaās clean energy
The California Energy Commission recently released its data on California in-state capacity and generation for 2022. According to its figures, clean energy (non-carbon-emitting) sources amounted to 50 percent of in-state power generation. But clean energy production has the potential to improve greatly because large hydro is currently producing far below its capacity and Diablo Canyon […]

