Whether the risk of being fined $1,000 discourages illegal fireworks use in Guadalupe or not, two longtime residents said they’re hoping to make the city feel like less of a “warzone” when July 4 rolls around by targeting offenders’ hearts rather than their wallets. “We sort of went with the approach that we appeal to […]
Targeted tactics: Northern Santa Barbara County cities try to get a handle on illegal fireworks in the sky and on the ground
Posted inSpecial Issues
Winning Images 2025
For 30 years, New Times Media Group has been asking Central Coast photographers to send their best moments our way. Animal moments, people moments, floral moments, and more. This year, they submitted 333 images for our annual Winning Images contest, which our judges narrowed down to the top three in each of eight categories and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Filmed in Cambria, family drama Hidden Creek starts a one-week run in the Palm Theatre
Hidden Creek What’s it rated? Unrated When? 2025? Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo, Friday, June 20, through Thursday, June 26 In their directorial debut, Darien Jewel and Julian Mercado helm this family drama written by Cambria-based clinical psychologist Steve Brody about Jimmy Tucker (John Henry Richardson), an elderly widowed rancher […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Studio satirizes a legacy movie studio struggling to survive in a changing Hollywood
The Studio What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ Hollywood gets a thorough skewering in this ensemble satirical comedy about struggling film production company Continental Studios. Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) is the newly appointed studio head, a self-described cinephile who wants to make important films. Continental’s CEO, Griffin Mill (a hilarious […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Tyler Perry’s Straw follows a desperate and marginalized mother struggle to care for her daughter
Straw What’s it rated? Unrated What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Six Triple Eight) helms this psychological crime drama about single mother Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson) living hand-to-mouth in a rundown apartment with her […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Demetria Estate announces summer movie nights, live music
Demetria Estate announces summer movie nights, live music Demetria Estate will welcome summer to Los Olivos by hosting Live Music Sundays and Movie Nights in the Vineyard. The film screenings will take place summer evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting in July. Tickets are $220 per couple—$75 for kids—and include a buffet-style dinner, a glass and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Oak Ridge Boys celebrate July 4 with farewell concert at Chumash Casino
Oak Ridge Boys celebrate July 4 with farewell concert at Chumash Casino Iconic American vocal quartet The Oak Ridge Boys will celebrate the United States’ 249th birthday with a farewell concert at the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom. Along with Ben James, who joined in 2023, longtime members Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local photographer Kayla Marie highlights the planet’s natural beauty with her shots of beaches, sunsets, mountains
Picture perfect Kayla Marie has been photographing Santa Barbara County’s landscapes since she was 9 years old. Now a mother of two young children, she shares her pictures, hoping to inspire the next generation. Find her photos on Instagram under @_kayyyyylaaaaaaa_. Find her portfolio online at kaylamariephotography.smugmug.com. Growing up in Pismo Beach, a young Kayla […]
Posted inOpinion
When youth are the target: we must stand up to immigration raids on the Central Coast
Across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, a deeply disturbing pattern is unfolding—one that echoes the violent immigration enforcement actions taking place in Los Angeles. Even more disturbing is that they are not isolated incidents. A Massachusetts high schooler was detained after appearing in court. A 9-year-old child from California is now in deportation proceedings. And […]
Posted inOpinion
Democrats who make fun of Trump motivate his sense of vengeance
TACO Trade? Seriously? Democrats just never learn. And thus, we are where we are right now. And, if Trump’s vengeful personality has anything to do with it, things are going to get a lot worse, thanks in large part to Democrats who just can’t get out of their own way. According to some of his […]
Posted inOpinion
Chamber danger
How much does it take to fold a chamber of commerce? In Lompoc, apparently, it takes a little less than $50,000. The Lompoc City Council decided to cut into the amount of funding it provides to the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce—both in cash and in-kind. The result of that is about a net $60,000 […]
Posted inNews
Veggie Rescue delivers fresh produce donations throughout Santa Barbara County
A side from dialing Veggie Rescue’s phone number, local growers don’t need to lift a finger to gift surplus food to community members in need of a helping hand. Based in Santa Ynez, Veggie Rescue travels via box truck to multiple farms and businesses across Santa Barbara County for pickups of excess fruits and vegetables […]