The monthly Lompoc Art Walk is planned for Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s hosted by the Lonely Plover Social Club, an organization that supports local businesses and artists. “Our mission is simple but impactful: to celebrate and elevate Lompoc’s vibrant arts community,” according to the organization’s website. Residents, businesses, and artists come […]
Lompoc artists and businesses host the first community Art Walk of the year
Posted inSun Screen
Goodbye June is somewhat cloying but tender family drama
In her directorial debut, Kate Winslet brings her son Joe Andres’ story to life about four semi-estranged siblings reuniting over their mother’s illness over the Christmas holiday. Failure-to-launcher Connor (Johnny Flynn) lives at home with his mum and dad, June (Helen Mirren) and Bernie (Timothy Spall), and a couple of weeks before Christmas, June takes […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hollywood Con Queen follows stranger than fiction true story of a con artist
Hollywood Con QueenWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ I listened to the podcast Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen when it came out a few years ago, so when I saw the title flash across our “New on Apple TV” screen, I knew I wanted to watch it even if I knew […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Avatar: Fire and Ash is visually stunning but nothing new plot-wise
Avatar: Fire and AshWhat’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Arroyo Grande Director and co-writer James Cameron returns with this third installment in his Avatar franchise, and I’ll start by saying it’s absolutely visually stunning but absolutely derivative in its storytelling. All three Avatar films—Avatar […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Let’s remember the people who served impeccable food and beverages last year
Allow me, the Sun’s Eats writer, to make a toast. We’ve made it through a quarter of the century, and that alone is worth a bit of cheer. Gathering around a table to break bread is one of life’s great pleasures, and it’s even better with a fun drink in hand and a spoonful of […]
Posted inNews
Almost there: Guadalupe’s Royal Theater retrofit hits another snag after groundbreaking ceremony
In the pantheon of roadblocks that have slowed down efforts to resurrect Guadalupe’s shuttered Royal Theater, asbestos is the latest hiccup keeping the $13 million project at a temporary standstill. Two weeks after local organizers and elected officials held a formal groundbreaking to celebrate the reboot reaching its construction phase (to transform the vacant venue […]
Posted inNews
Department of Transportation classifies Las Flores pipeline under new regulatory oversight
Within 24 hours of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ Dec. 16 vote to deny Sable Offshore the permit transfers it needs to revive the Las Flores pipeline, a separate governing body responded to the Texas-based oil producer’s appeal to a higher power. On Dec. 17, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted Sable’s request […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc Police Department’s Drone First Responder program is ready to take flight
Lompoc City Council members approved a deal for the Lompoc Police Department to buy and operate drones as first responders on calls. Officials hope deploying the drones will improve public safety and the department’s efficiency. At the Dec. 16 meeting, council members voted 5-0 for a two-year pilot period, which will cost $100,000 per year. […]
Posted inNews
Buellton Planning Commission approves new self-storage site on Industrial Way
When Daniel Contreras rounded out Buellton’s five-member Planning Commission, one of his first goals was to help the city make better use of existing properties that become idle for one reason or another. “[We] have a lot of facilities and parcels that are just gathering dust at the moment, and we’re not revitalizing those areas,” […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: December 25, 2025
• U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California) and John Curtis (R-Utah) co-introduced the Timeshare Pricing Transparency Act on Dec. 18. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect consumers from confusing contracts, hidden fees, and unclear exit options in the timeshare industry. “Americans deserve to have all of the information they need upfront, before entering any timeshare commitment, […]
Posted inNews
At Santa Maria’s Neurofighters gym, boxers combat the progression of neurological conditions
Around 20 boxers filed into a studio on East Main Street on a Wednesday afternoon in December. Led by sisters Kristi Boasso and April Huckabey, the class warmed up with moves like marching in place, opening and closing their fists, and cross body punches. The oldies station was on, and a few participants sang along. […]
Posted inOpinion
Tough crowd
Anyone who thought that Guadalupe’s downtown was finally going to be home to construction activities on the Royal Theater revamp needs to wait just a little bit longer. After breaking ground in early December, the project hit another snag. The city needs Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District [APCD] approval to move forward with […]