On Dec. 6 and 7, a Buellton ceramics studio is hosting its annual make-your-own holiday ornament sessions. The classes run from 2 to 4 p.m. each day at Community Clayworks and are open to participants ages 5 and older. Visitors can make four ornaments in shapes like penguins, llamas, and sugar plum fairies. Artists can […]
Make DIY ornaments at Community Clayworks
Train Dream is a poetic rumination one lifeās ups and downs
Train DreamsWhatās it rated? PG-13Whatās it worth, Anna? Full priceWhatās it worth, Glen? Full priceWhereās it showing? Netflix Co-writer and director Clint Bentley and his screenwriting partner Greg Kwedar (Jockey, Sing Sing) adapt Denis Johnsonās novella of the same name to the big screen. The film debuted at Sundance in January and had a two-week […]
The Beast in Me is a twisty mystery
The Beast in MeWhatās it rated? TV-MAWhen? 2025Whereās it showing? Netflix Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) is a reclusive author, walled into a world of her own making. New neighbor and billionaire Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) and his wife, Nina (Brittany Snow), move in and soon disrupt Aggieās solitude, and Nile comes to Aggie with an […]
Playdate is dumb, lightweight fun
PlaydateWhatās it rated? PG-13When? 2025Whereās it showing? Amazon Prime If youāre looking for a silly, lightweight 90-minute diversion, director Luke Greenfieldās Playdate fits the bill. The absurdist mismatched buddy action comedy follows recently laid-off forensic accountant and new stepdad, Brian (Kevin James), whoās struggling with his father figure role to Lucas (Benjamin Pajak). Brian wants […]
Roblar Winery, Yes Cocktail Co. are the best in the nation, USA Today says
For the perfect autumn concoction, Yes Cocktail Co.ās Falling Leaves recipe combines whiskey or rye with its Charred Oak & Maple Syrup. Owners Lauren Butler and Brandon Alpert, of Atascadero, prefer rye. You wonāt find a better mixer, according to New York-based USA Today, which named the company Americaās best craft mixer brand for 2025. […]
Holiday Guide 2025: āTis the season for gifts that mean something, festive fun, and giving back
What happened to 2025? Itās almost over! As the holidays draw near, maybe some of their special magic can bring us together in the spirit of the season. Weāve included some events, opportunities, and ideas that could help in our annual Holiday Guide! This includes places full of lights and sightsāfrom Buellton to Paso Roblesāand […]
A Santa Ynez couple publishes a Christmas picture book
Every year in Solvang, community members gather around a giant Christmas tree for the lighting ceremony. The festivity draws from a tradition in Denmark, where people hold hands around the tree and sing. The scene is one of the very last images in Kate and Adam McHughās first childrenās book, Ferd and the Magic Hat: […]
Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden decks out for its annual Holiday Lights Festival
The gifting treesThe Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden will host its Holiday Lights Festival on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, between Dec. 5 and 21 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. For tickets and more info on the event, visit syvholidaylights.com. The garden is located at 151 Sycamore Drive, Buellton. Gray pines. Blue oaks. Warm and cool […]
Norma Moye keeps Paso Roblesā Vine Street Christmas tradition alive
Visit Paso and be merryThe Vine Street Victorian Showcase celebrates its 39th annual event on Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is free. For more information, contact the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street office at (805) 238-4103. When Norma Moye bought her Victorian home on 18th and Vine in 1975, she never […]
Recent ICE arrests in Santa Maria draw criticism from immigration rights advocates
After asking to see the warrant for her husbandās arrest, a woman in Santa Maria was handed an insurance claim for the car window ICE agents broke to apprehend him, 805 UndocuFund volunteer Michelle Ambriz-Quintero told the Sun. A member of 805 UndocuFundās rapid response team, Ambriz-Quintero was alerted on Nov. 16 about an Immigrations […]
Solvang ups pledge to Santa Ynez aquatics center
The Solvang City Council greenlit an additional $50,000 to support the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex. With the councilās Nov. 10 approval, the cityās contribution has increased to half a million dollars since June, which will be released when construction begins. The decision came after a friendly challenge from Buellton. The cities have engaged […]
Buellton refreshes its tree policies while pursuing Tree City USA status
There are plenty of guidelines and recommendations for developers related to tree upkeep in Buellton, but not enough enforceable doās and donāts, some city officials recently argued. āI donāt like the fact that, ⦠āShouldā leads to āI donāt need to,āā Buellton Mayor David Silva said at the councilās Nov. 13 meeting. The city is […]

