Eenie Meanie What’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Hulu In his directorial debut, TV writer Shawn Simmons (The Continental, Wayne, Mr. Pickles) helms this action-packed cars and crime comedy-drama about Edie (Samara Weaving), a reformed teenage getaway driver nicknamed Eenie Meanie. When her past employer, Nico (Andy Garcia), offers her the chance […]
<i>Eenie Meanie</i> is a car-chase-fueled B-movie romp
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Night Always Comes follows a sister’s desperate attempt to protect her disabled brother
Night Always Comes What’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Nothing about Lynette’s (Vanessa Kirby) life is easy. She’s a bartender who’s barely scraping by, she’s got an older brother, Kenny (Zack Gottsagen), who needs care, and a mother, Doreen (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who seems to only be concerned with herself. Kirby’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Caught Stealing is gritty, funny, and often shocking
Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, The Whale) directs this comedic crime-thriller written by Charlie Huston (All Signs of Death) based on their 2004 novel about ex-baseball player Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) who inadvertently becomes embroiled in New York’s criminal underworld. (107 min.) Caught StealingWhat’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full […]
Posted inArts
The Santa Maria Library’s Bookmobile now visits Bob Orach Park
The Santa Maria Public Library’s mobile library will now visit Bob Orach Park near Liberty Elementary School on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. instead of Armstrong Park. The Bookmobile, a van retrofitted with bookshelves and overhead lighting, makes 11 stops each week. Visitors can check out and return books, search for media in English […]
Posted inArts
Local artists’ paintings of La Purísima Mission are up at the Cypress Gallery
The Lompoc Ten’s latest exhibit, Impressions of La Purísima, is showing until Sept. 28 at the Cypress Gallery in Lompoc. The artists will attend a reception on Sept. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. to talk to visitors. Local painters formed the Lompoc Ten group more than a decade ago to discuss painting, build community, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The paranormal circus returns to Santa Maria with brand new horrific acts and comic relief
Creepy makeup, fake blood, coffins, vampires—and the horror circus hasn’t even begun. Before audience members take their seats for the Paranormal Cirque show, they have the chance to experience the haunt attraction that begins an hour prior to the show. “Scare junkies” won’t want to miss the chance to see performers up close and personal […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s up to you to be informed
We have received numerous questions from community members asking where the League of Women Voters stands on Proposition 50, the mid-cycle redistricting measure on the Nov. 4 special election ballot. The League of Women Voters of California will not take a position on Proposition 50. Voters may have received a mailer from “Protect Voters First” […]
Posted inOpinion
PCPA’s current show, Songs for Nobodies, is unforgettable
I have worked in the theater for 55 years and have never experienced a more moving performance than the one given by Bethany Thomas in PCPA’s current production of Songs for Nobodies. In this show, Miss Thomas plays Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, and Maria Callas. She also brings to life five […]
Posted inOpinion
Shifting away from fossil fuels isn’t a good idea for the county or the state
Is phasing out fossil fuels a good or even feasible idea? This is a question that none of the so-called “experts” who want to stop this county and eventually the entire nation from using this readily available resource have considered. You know who they are, the “what if” folks that are well funded by the […]
Posted inOpinion
Tri-tip tradition
Tri-tip sandwiches are the bread and barbecue sauce (or salsa) of fundraising in the Santa Maria Valley. Need to raise money for a school basketball trip? Tri-tip barbecue! Need some funds for soccer uniforms? Tri-tip barbecue! Senior center field trip? Barbecue. Nonprofit low on dollars? Barbecue. Santa Barbara County just made it a lot harder […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: September 4, 2025
• U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), David Valadao (R-Hanford), and Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) recently reintroduced bipartisan legislation to use federal dollars for programs that provide safe overnight parking locations for people experiencing homelessness and living in their vehicles, as well as supportive services, like rapid rehousing services and facilities like […]
Posted inNews
A Santa Maria nonprofit seeks donations for farm-working students who took part in a new arts and culture program
Amid the heat of Central Coast ICE enforcement this summer, leaders of Corazón del Pueblo knew they needed to help local students. Their goal was to develop a safe space for high schoolers, many of whom are the children of Indigenous migrant farmworkers or who are farmworkers themselves, Executive Director Esmeralda Garcia told the Sun. […]