Paso Robles author Deborah Brasket will discuss why it’s never too late to pursue life’s creative endeavors at the Santa Maria Public Library on March 22. The catalyst for the book talk, Creativity Has No Expiration Date, was the publication of her 2025 debut novel, When Things Go Missing, which she wrote later in life. […]
A local writer hosts an encouraging book talk in Santa Maria
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Undertone is long on atmosphere but short on substance
In his directorial feature-length debut, writer-director Ian Tuason helms this psychological supernatural horror film about popular paranormal podcast host Evy (Nina Kiri), who is haunted by recordings anonymously send to her and her podcast partner, Justin (Adam DiMarco). (126 min.) UndertoneWhat’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Don’t bother What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Night Agent season 3 is an espionage romp
The Night AgentWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023-present Where’s it showing? Netflix Now in its third season (and renewed for a fourth), The Night Agent is a bingeable, implausible espionage romp with a likeable protagonist. In the first season, FBI Special Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) saved a lot of lives thwarting a DC Metro […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Reality TV series Traitors pits contestants in a social deduction game
The TraitorsWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023-present Where’s it showing? Peacock “Come one, come all, come friend, come foe,” states the great Alan Cumming—whose Moira Rose-inspired accent and incredible wardrobe unite to create what may be the greatest reality show host ever. There are plenty of versions of The Traitors, so if you (like me) […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Central Coast bakers deliver homemade goods to underserved children
Lee Coogan feels blessed that her birthday was always celebrated when she was a kid. So was her son’s, and so are her grandkids’. But some people aren’t as fortunate to get a slice of cake in honor of the year ahead. Starting 10 years ago, a national nonprofit, For Goodness Cakes, set out to […]
Posted inNews
Justice delayed: Jury finds a Georgia man guilty of a Santa Maria resident’s murder 37 years later
On a trip from California to Georgia in 2024, Julia Tatarian brought a photo of a woman she knew a lot about but had never met. It was a portrait of Ofelia Sandoval, who was found dead at age 30 in her Santa Maria residence on Sept. 18, 1988. Authorities ruled her death a homicide […]
Posted inNews
Solvang Passport mobile app raises City Council conflict concerns
A new smartphone app with local ties invites those who download it to make Solvang their own personal “playground.” Created by Mayor David Brown, Solvang Passport highlights dozens of businesses across the city while promoting “stamps” (QR codes) at each location for app users to seek out and scan. The more stamps users collect through […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc to petition state for exemption from solar mandate
Lompoc wants the California Energy Commission to exempt the city from the state’s renewable energy mandates for new homes. The Energy Commission’s 2025 code for new construction requires photovoltaic solar and battery storage systems on homes to reduce wasteful and expensive energy use. However, under the state’s economic model, Lompoc residents wouldn’t be saving as […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria City Council seeks applicants after Carlos Escobedo resigns
With two years left on his Santa Maria City Council term, Carlos Escobedo resigned from his role as the 1st District’s representative in early March. Eleven minutes into the council’s March 3 meeting, Escobedo announced his decision from the dais during the public comment period. “Due to my upcoming move outside District 1, I will […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: March 12, 2026
•On March 9, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced that he secured new federal funding for two infrastructure projects in San Luis Obispo County. These two projects are related to improving the Shell Beach Road shared use path and Morro Bay’s city stormwater system, respectively. In order to extend the local shared use path, […]
Posted inNews
TMHA’s Bowl-A-Thon raises money for Central Coast mental health resources
Since the 1970s, Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) has held an annual bowl-a-thon. The nonprofit serves San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties with the aim of reducing stigma around mental health and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness. “I think the idea was that it was unique,” TMHA Executive Director Jill Bolster-White […]
Posted inOpinion
Surprise, surprise
The Santa Maria City Council had at least one surprise during its March 3 meeting—and no, it’s not that the council isn’t forming an ad hoc immigration committee. One of the council members resigned 11 minutes into the meeting. Why? Well, Carlos Escobedo said he’s moving out of his district and didn’t feel right sticking […]
