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), […]
<i>One Battle After Another</i> is a helluva cinematic ride
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
Should government regulate ‘hate speech’?
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution “guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.” Taking it literally, this means you can say anything you want about anything or anybody, sometimes. One exception is that you can’t shout “fire” in a crowded theater unless there really is a fire in progress. The […]
Posted inOpinion
The good fight
If my boss offered me a raise that was less than 20 cents an hour, I’d be offended. That’s why I’m empathetic to the plight of Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s classified employees, who took a look at the district’s offer of a 1 percent raise and decided it was time for a mediator to step […]
Posted inNews
Guadalupe asks the public to weigh in on urban forest management plan
The city of Guadalupe is in the process of finalizing its first urban forest management plan with grant money from the state to help maintain healthy trees. The plan is set to be finalized in February, but first the city is asking for suggestions from the public about their priorities for the city’s canopy. An […]
Posted inNews
County responds to grand jury report on unpermitted food vending
As part of their duties in a recent Santa Barbara County grand jury investigation, jurors visited dozens of food trucks and carts across the region. Their observations of several state food safety code violations, combined with interviews of local health officials, inspired the jury’s verdict that the county needs to get a better handle on […]
Posted inNews
Buellton Planning Commission reinstates former 4th District representative
With new blood on the Buellton City Council after August’s mail-in election, a familiar face returns to the Planning Commission. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue serving,” three-year Buellton resident Daniel Contreras told the Sun. “Having previously served on the commission, I look forward to building on the experience.” In early 2024, the […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: October 9, 2025
• In a Sept. 26 statement, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) commented on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) recent cancellations of bargaining agreement contracts with correctional workers nationwide, including at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC), Lompoc. The canceled contracts will impact about 35,000 employees nationally, according to Carbajal’s office. […]
