Two friends, who have lost absolutely everything to wildfires, say now is the time to help one another prepare to evacuate. If it’s not this fire, or an earthquake, or a tsunami warning … it will be some big challenge in the near future. How about we each help an elderly or disabled neighbor? Help […]
Now is the time to help each other prepare for eventual evacuations
Posted inFood & Drink
Rideau Vineyard celebrates National Relaxation Day with new wines
In its 141 years of existence, the Rancho El Alamo Pintado Adobe has lived many lives. It was a French countess’ social spot, an innkeeper’s guest house, and a rancher’s home. In 1996 Iris Rideau bought the estate, and Rideau Vineyard was born. The adobe is now Rideau’s tasting room, where guests take in a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Into the Wild is cautionary tale of an idealist and dreamer
Into The Wild What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2007 Where’s it showing? Monday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m., at the Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Sean Penn directs this 2007 film he adapted from Jon Krakauer’s novel about the true story of Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a disconnected recent college grad who travels throughout North America, […]
Posted inOpinion
The Central Coast desperately needs to build its way out of the housing crisis
We are pro-housing. Period. At Generation Build, housing is our core mission. We advocate for it all: for all types, at all levels. Unlike some organizations, we aren’t afraid to engage in the tough political conversations that others shy away from. That’s because we know real progress requires bold action, not empty platitudes. To solve […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Casino is an expansive, gritty mob picture
Casino What’s it rated? R When? 1995 Where’s it showing? Friday, Aug. 15, 7:15 p.m. at the Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Director and co-writer Martin Scorsese knows his way around a mob picture, and in this sprawling story that takes place over more than a decade, we see Chicago sport handicapper Sam “Ace” […]
Posted inOpinion
Flooding downtown
Do you think it’s possible that converting a dingy old department store in downtown Santa Maria into apartments is the step needed to reinvigorate an area that’s needed reinvigoration for as long as it can remember? I remember when Fallas Discount Store first proposed filling the space on Broadway. It was 2013. Mayor Alice Patino […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Freakier Friday delivers emotive body swap comedy
Freakier Friday What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Chuck? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande, Fair Oaks Nisha Ganatra (Late Night, The High Note) directs this sequel to Freaky Friday (2003), itself a remake of a 1976 film […]
Posted inNews
Local appraiser Courtney Hood auctions off antique jewelry from her personal collection
Helping others scope out the value of their earrings, necklaces, and rings is a daily occurrence for Courtney Hood, who began learning the ropes of her family’s business—CB Hood Diamond Co. in Santa Maria—from a young age. After graduating from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, she enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where she […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria’s Central Coast Orthodontics celebrates 30th anniversary
Sunsets and cups of coffee are among the units the musical Rent suggests measuring a year in the life with. For local orthodontist Dr. Kirk Specht, the amount of patients he’s seen since opening his first office in Santa Maria helps sum up the past three decades. “It could be 6- to 8,000 maybe,” he […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: August 7, 2025
•On Aug. 4, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the adoption of a bipartisan resolution to celebrate National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 3 through 9). The resolution recognizes the vital role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together, supporting livelihoods, and enriching the lives of millions of Americans, from farmers […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission green-lights Lompoc Valley apartment project for moderate income levels
To make way for 60 apartments and 87 hotel rooms proposed for the Vandenberg Village area, Santa Barbara County needs to approve the removal of about 3 acres of chaparral—or chaparral in name only, 3rd District Planning Commissioner John Parke explained. “I guess you could call it Burton Mesa Chaparral, but it really isn’t,” Parke […]
Posted inNews
Survivor of alleged sexual assault files suit against former Hancock instructor
Former Allan Hancock College instructor Kevin Daily, who’s facing trial for alleged sexual assault stemming from charges filed by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, is now being sued by the survivor of the reported abuse. Jacqueline Doe—the woman identified in the DA’s Office complaint from 2022—sued Daily on May 9 for sexual […]