Judy Villa knew it was something special the minute she came upon it. Walking through the aftermath at ground zero of the Whittier Fire, which burned more than 18,000 acres in 20 days, Villa knew there was something remarkable about the skinny purple blossom. “It stood all alone in the field,” she said. “I just […]
Focus on rebirth: The Wildling Museum’s annual photography contest explores regeneration
Posted inSpecial Issues
55 Fiction 2018
You can say a lot in 55 words. You can kill someone, love someone, or save someone. Tell stories about torture, divorce, or family drama. Make political statements. Riff on societal issues. But there are only a select few who can do it well enough to get published! For the last three decades, the Sun […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Boba House will bowl you over
Don’t be shy about ringing the bell at the counter at Boba House. I’m also paranoid about coming off rude or obnoxious, like some pushy hotel patron demanding to see a manager. But really, it’s fine. The family-run business is small and the staff are usually in the back, prepping food and drinks for the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Burgers with a view: Check out the sandy beach at Jalama Beach County Park
The interesting thing about San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties is that there are so many county parks scattered across them with camping amenities. These parks make the perfect day or weekend trip if you’re prepped for a sleepover adventure. After a couple of Google searches, I found Jalama Beach in Santa Barbara County. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ghost story: Local group Ghost/Monster explores generations of rock music across the Central Coast
Local musicians Nataly Lola and Jaxon Camaero have more in common than their love for American guitar rock–they’re also into some weird stuff. Lola grew up in a household that loved horror movies and Steven King, she told the Sun, so she has an affinity for anything supernatural. Camaero on the other hand loves mythology […]
Posted inOpinion
Democracy demands a free press, by Glen Starkey
I‘ve always been proud to be a journalist. The Fourth Estate is another check and balance on government, and local journalists like those of us at the Sun and our fellow reporters at the Santa Maria Times also chronicle our community’s achievements, inform our neighbors of important news, and do our very best to be […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Santa Maria Public Library Seed Program
A new program in the Santa Maria Public Library system will allow patrons to borrow seeds to plant for growing various vegetables, spices, and flowers. Community members may come to any of the five libraries (Cuyama, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, Orcutt, and Santa Maria) in the Santa Maria system to collect the seeds. “Hundreds of public […]
Posted inNews
A strained friendship: Santa Maria library opens used bookstore in space vacated by Friends group
It’s been barely a month since an unresolved legal dispute led the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library to pack its bags, close its used bookstore, and move out of the library lobby in mid July. Now another bookstore occupies the recently emptied space, and the business opened its doors to customers on Aug. […]
Posted inNews
County approves streamlined permitting process for accessory dwelling units
Local homeowners can now build accessory dwelling units on land protected under agricultural preserve contracts, according to amendments to the Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves that were unanimously passed by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 14. At the meeting, supervisors also approved changes that will make it easier for owners of […]
Posted inNews
Community mourns death of former county and city official Toru Miyoshi
After a life of public service, former Santa Barbara County Supervisor and Santa Maria City Councilmember Toru Miyoshi died on Aug. 13. He was 90 years old. Miyoshi served as a Santa Maria City Council member from 1978 to 1982, according to a county press release. Later in 1982, he was elected to the Santa […]
Posted inNews
Rock Front Ranch avoids damage from Front Fire
Alisha Taff remembers the heat on Sunday afternoon and the horns from a U.S. Forest Service worker’s truck blaring her day into action as a wall of flames approached her home and property at Rock Front Ranch off Highway 166. “It was crispy,” she said of the moment the Front Fire sprang to life a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA presents Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) is set to present Arcadia, a highly acclaimed play by Tom Stoppard. Set in different time periods, Stoppard (who wrote the award-winning Shakespeare in Love) tells the story of the Coverly family, as their lives unfold over many years. Arcadia starts in 1809 with the story of 13-year-old Thomasina, who […]