• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) led 15 members of California’s congressional delegation in calling for a federal investigation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission into recent spikes in home energy costs, according to a Feb. 22 statement from the congressman’s office. “With unexpectedly high home gas prices, we have heard stories from our […]
Political Watch: March 2, 2023
Posted inNews
After 30 years of planning, Allan Hancock College opens its new Fine Arts Complex
Student-produced artwork and live demonstrations greeted people who stepped out of the rain and into Allan Hancock College’s newest building on Feb. 24. The 88,000-square-foot two-story Fine Arts Complex with a corrugated metal facade includes a 400-seat concert hall, a film screening room, and student lounge areas for students in the college’s dance, drama, film, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE
NEW FLICKS: MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE Where’s it playing? Netflix What’s it rated? PG-13 Craig (Jaeden Martell) grows to admire his employer, Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland), whom he reads to from the billionaire’s magnificent library. The two grow close, forming a bond over the words on the pages they share every afternoon. Craig teaches the old […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: SHARPER
NEW FLICKS: SHARPER Where’s it playing? Apple TV Plus What’s it rated? R Benjamin Caron (The Crown) directs this nonlinear grifter story about various confidence games being played out in New York City by several “sharpers,” or swindlers. Who’s conning who is part of the fun as these interlayered stories unfold, with each new segment […]
Posted inNews
Carbajal wants California coast off ‘Big Oil’s shopping list’
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently reintroduced the California Clean Coast Act to the House of Representatives in order to protect the state from future offshore oil drilling. The bill aims to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas leasing off the Central Coast and the rest of California. Carbajal first introduced the bill […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria evaluates potential new performing arts and convention center
The city of Santa Maria is budgeting a study to determine whether a new large-scale convention hall in town would be economically viable. Thanks to unanimous approval from the Santa Maria City Council during its Feb. 21 meeting, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce has permission to spend up to $94,250 in consulting fees […]
Posted inNews
County blizzard warning went into effect for the first time in decades
For the first time since 1989, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Santa Barbara County and snow fell at elevation levels as low as 1,500 feet. Robbie Munroe, a Los Angeles National Weather Service meteorologist, told the Sun that the system traveled from the Gulf of Alaska and Western Canada, bringing […]
Posted inNews
Utility companies and elected officials try to pinpoint why natural gas costs increased for residents this winter
In the 57 years he’s lived in Pismo Beach, Cliff Henley has never paid a natural gas bill as high as the one he got in January. “My bill for December is $75 average. Now it’s $435!” he told the Sun on Feb. 20. “It’s like buying a car or taking out a loan and […]
Posted inOpinion
Feast and famine
Are you sick of hearing about snow yet? I hope not, because I’m not sick of talking about it yet. It snowed in Santa Barbara County! And not just on the peaks either. Highway 154 closed and Caltrans had to break out the snow plows. New Cuyama was blanketed in the white stuff. This February […]
Posted inOpinion
Santa Maria’s downtown revitalization will breathe new life into the city
Downtown redevelopment in Santa Maria is proceeding with very exciting revitalization projects that will be transformative. Three developers are working with the city on projects to bring in new housing, businesses, entertainment, and restaurants, sparking more life to the area. I will summarize the vision, each project, and as always, invite the public to continue […]
Posted inOpinion
Americans’ shortsighted consumerism is sickening
Can it be true that America’s sunshine patriots are wavering in their support of the Ukrainian people’s valiant struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country? Does “long-term COVID” include the loss of one’s spine? “Live free or die” is just a motto here, but it is being put to action in Ukraine. These same Americans […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gallery Los Olivos showcases oil paintings in new duo show, Because We Paint
Gallery Los Olivos’ latest duo exhibition, Because We Paint, premiered in early March and is scheduled to remain on display through March 31. This exhibit highlights a collection of oil paintings by local artists and husband and wife Garret and Ginny Speirs. An opening reception for the showcase will be held on Sunday, March 5, […]