Like oil and water, Sable Offshore and local jurisdictions’ visions for the future of three rigs off the Gaviota coastline are fundamentally incompatible—prompting recent pivots from both sides of the fence. The California Coastal Commission and Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office filed a civil lawsuit and criminal charges, respectively, against the Texas-based oil company […]
Sable considers restarting Santa Ynez Unit via offshore tankers if onshore pipeline ‘delays’ continue
Posted inNews
LAFCO aims to increase sphere of influence engagement with cities
Of the eight incorporated cities in Santa Barbara County, six have expressed a desire to expand their respective spheres of influence, according to Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Executive Officer Mike Prater. Guadalupe and Carpinteria are the two outliers, he told LAFCO commissioners during the board’s Oct. 2 meeting. Although LAFCO’s due for its next […]
Posted inSpotlight
Old Town Orcutt’s Vida Yoga celebrates three years of dishing out detox
Things are about to heat up at Vida Yoga. Literally. The Orcutt studio just installed new infrared heaters, which owner Jenn Gagarin plans to fire up for the first time on Oct. 11, as part of the venue’s third anniversary celebration. Describing the nuanced sensations and benefits of hot yoga to someone who’s never held […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: October 9, 2025
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently reintroduced legislation with an aim to reduce the cost of higher education for students across the country. The Degrees Not Debt Act would double the maximum Pell Grant award—which supports more than 6 million current students throughout the U.S.—to $14,800 and adjust that award cap to inflation […]
Posted inOpinion
Why we must fight back and pass Proposition 50
If ever the maxim of fighting fire with fire presented a fitting action, it’s in these desperate times. Texas mid-decade and against rules reshaped the state district map, a move intended to add more Republicans to Congress when Trump asked for five more seats. A move that suppresses the votes of brown and Black residents. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Square Perspectives is on display this month at the Cypress Gallery
Square Perspectives, an art show at the Cypress Gallery, is showing until Oct. 26 featuring 12-by-12-inch works created by both professionals and beginners. “This democratic approach creates a visually striking mosaic of styles and techniques and fosters a supportive environment where established and up-and-coming artists can connect and inspire each other,” according to the gallery. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
One Battle After Another is a helluva cinematic ride
Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood, The Master) weaves this story about Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former revolutionary now living a paranoid existence off the grid with his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). When Bob’s old nemesis, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Thursday Murder Club follows four cold-case-solving retirees who take on a new whodunit
The Thursday Murder ClubWhat’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Based on Richard Osmen’s novel, this slice-of-life film follows three retirees who welcome in a new recruit to their whodunit club, The Thursday Murder Club. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley star as the founding members of the crew with Celia […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Black Rabbit follows estranged brothers who reunite to sort out a series of dangerous problems
Black RabbitWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by Zach Baylin (King Richard, Creed III, The Order) and Kate Susman, this crime thriller miniseries focuses on the Friedken brothers, Jake (Jude Law), proprietor of NYC hotspot Black Rabbit, and his chaotic brother, Vince (Jason Batemen), who after a period of estrangement […]
Posted inFood & Drink
British-inspired afternoon tea sits at the top of a Lompoc café’s long list of offerings
Customers drive to Lompoc from as far as Los Osos for tea parties at One Room Escapes and Coffee. It’s one of the only places on the Central Coast for a proper, yet affordable, afternoon tea with tiny sandwiches and sweets served on dainty china. Clusters of sofas and lounge chairs create smaller sitting rooms […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc library hosts a book-themed pumpkin decorating contest
The community is invited to participate in a pumpkin decorating competition hosted by the Lompoc Public Library. In the Book Character Pumpkin Contest, participants of all ages are challenged to turn a pumpkin into their favorite literary character. Decorators can use real or fake pumpkins and gourds for their submission. They can decorate with supplies […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Three painters and longtime friends have their first show together at Gallery Los Olivos
Renée Kelleher’s journey as an artist took off when she started painting murals at her elementary school. Then, in junior high, an art teacher saw potential and encouraged her to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts one summer. “My teachers were all French, and it was live nude models. Our parents had to […]