The COVID-19 pandemic played a part in delaying the production of Jimil-Anne Linton’s next album, but it couldn’t stop the Lompoc musician from unveiling its first single. Linton premiered the music video for the song, titled “The Fast Train,” during an episode of Good Morning Lompoc, on July 17. Work on the album remained mostly […]
Lompoc singer-songwriter Jimil-Anne Linton premieres music video for her new single, ‘The Fast Train’
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local thespian Emily Trask guides PCPA’s new monthly Zoom series, the Rediscovery Reading Club
If the first rule of Reading Club is “you do not talk about Reading Club,” I’m grateful to its host for making an exception in my case. Off-topic Fight Club jokes aside, talking is very much encouraged before, during, and after each session of the Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s (PCPA) Rediscovery Reading Club, a new Zoom […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Happy Canyon Vineyard postpones Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic fundraiser
Although this year’s Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic, an annual fundraiser to benefit local nonprofit People Helping People, has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, Happy Canyon Vineyard will be donating proceeds of an ongoing wine sale to help support the organization in the event’s absence. For customers who use a special discount code, PHPSYV20, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Recreation and Parks holds new virtual talent contest
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is currently seeking video submissions for its new virtual talent contest—Show Us Your Talent: We’ll Make it Shine—through its deadline on Friday, July 31. The contest is open to community members of all ages to showcase their unique talents via video entries. Participants are asked to […]
Posted inOpinion
Sharing in the sacrifice
I want to commend Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham for leading by example and pledging 10 percent of his salary to local nonprofits. With state workers having to swallow pay cuts and furloughs, and with critical budget line items being slashed as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown, it’s refreshing to see a state legislator voluntarily reduce […]
Posted inOpinion
Keep the dunes closed to off-roaders
Upon learning that the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Area (ODSVRA) will be closed until Oct. 1, dozens of off-roaders attended the California Coastal Commission (CCC) meeting on July 9. They argued that they are being denied enjoyment of the beach that they pay for with Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division money—their money, for their park and […]
Posted inOpinion
Keep Diablo open
I attended many of the meetings associated with PG&E’s proposal to close Diablo Canyon. I was amazed at the lack of pushback by citizens and local business who depend on more than $1 billion that Diablo Canyon Power Plant brings to the region yearly. I expected loud wails of, “No, we’ll go broke! The plant […]
Posted inOpinion
CANARY: Emotional exits and broken gavels
Solvang Trolley and Carriage Company drama collided with Solvang City Council drama and exploded into a cacophony of voices during a recent meeting that got so out of control Mayor Ryan Toussaint slammed his gavel down at one point and broke it! He totally doesn’t know his own strength. Guess what it was about? Something […]
Posted inOpinion
Getting into nature presents huge benefits that need to be kept safe now and for future generations
As a high school student, the pandemic has turned my life and the lives of my peers upside down. With school closures, navigating distance learning, and uncertainty looming in our futures, this has been an incredibly difficult time. And yet, there is a source of comfort I have continually turned to during these past few […]
Posted inNews
So far, two candidates have announced their run for Santa Maria’s District 1 seat
With the Santa Maria City Council now elected on a district-based voting system rather than at-large, the District 1 seat won’t have the incumbent on the ballot this November. Thus far, two candidates have tossed their hats into the ring. Osvaldo Sotelo is endorsed by the Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, and Carlos Escobedo […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: July 23, 2020
• On July 10, the House Appropriations Committee moved forward a bill that includes a proposal from U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) to prevent President Donald Trump’s plans to expand oil and gas development in offshore areas, including the Central Coast. “Protecting our environment and local economy is paramount, and I refuse to let […]
Posted inNews
Pismo Beach has the only police department on the Central Coast that adheres to rigorous CALEA auditing, but what does that mean for systemic issues?
At a time when there’s mistrust in government and law enforcement at all levels, some institutions have a solid history of transparency and accountability to stand on. The Pismo Beach Police Department has that on its side. Since 2007, the Pismo Beach Police Department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement […]