On Jan. 4, the Trump administration released its plan to open up protected ocean areas to oil drilling. In Santa Barbara, we’ve experienced firsthand the detriment oil spills have on our environment, economy, and community from the 2015 Refugio spill that dumped almost 143,000 gallons of oil in our coastal waters. That is why the […]
Trump’s offshore oil decision is dangerous
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Solvang museum hosts poetry reading
The Wildling Museum in Solvang will host a poetry reading titled Encounters: Poetry Inspired by Nature on Jan. 21. The reading will feature the work of Teresa McNeil McLean, Steve Braff, and Dorothy Jardin. McLean is a Santa Ynez artist, musician, and writer who pens poems that she often transitions into song lyrics. McLean has […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Marian artist featured in Los Olivos
An exhibit featuring the art of Sharon Foster will be on view at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant and Café through March 1. Foster, a longtime Santa Maria resident, photographs landscapes and natural scenery, utilizing digital enhancements for a final product. All of the work on display at the venue is for sale. This exhibit […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 1/11/18
• Santa Barbara County declared a local state of emergency on Jan. 8 due to severe winter storms forecasted to impact areas of the county. County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato signed the proclamation, which was ratified by the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 9. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) made a post to Twitter […]
Posted inNews
State blocks use of neonicotinoid pesticides during re-evaluation
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced on Jan. 3 its decision to re-evaluate four neonicotinoid pesticides due to possible adverse impacts on pollinators. The decision temporarily bans new or expanded uses of the neonicotinoids for the duration of the DPR’s re-evaluation process, effective immediately. Neonicotinoids—pesticides used to deter insect activity on a variety […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria Police shoot and kill suicidal man
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident involving Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) officers shooting and killing an alleged suicidal man. On Jan. 7, just after 6 p.m., four SMPD officers fatally injured Alejandro Valdez, 27, of Santa Maria, outside his home at the 400 block of East Mill Street after he […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s your favorite spot in the local wine country?
Sharon Morris lab technician at Hardy Diagnostics “Laetitia has the best pinots and sparkling wines in our area. Everything there is great and the tasting room employees are friendly and knowledgeable.” Mason Frakes bartender at Rooney’s Irish Pub “Presqu’ile, for the view, for the customer service. The wine has really improved lately, and it’s got […]
Posted inNews
Last Santa Maria DUI checkpoint of 2017 nabs unlicensed driver
The last in a string of DUI checkpoints arranged by the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) in 2017 again failed to catch any intoxicated drivers. As in previous checkpoints, none of the 532 drivers screened on Dec. 29, 2017, were arrested for drugged or alcohol-impaired driving. The SMPD’s Traffic Unit conducted several DUI checkpoints throughout […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
About Time blend love and harmony on the Central Coast
It’s a brisk night at Naughty Oak Brewing Company, where friends are reuniting in town on the holiday weekend over brews and sometimes-raucous conversation. The small tasting room is considerably warmer than the chill patio, not just because of the temperature, but the music emanating from the corner. An acoustic strum meets the bite of […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Diane Borad-Mirken will perform Broadway hits on one night only in Santa Maria
Santa Maria is getting a taste of Broadway, thanks to one local performer. Diane Borad-Mirken will demonstrate her keen sense of comedic timing on Jan. 21 in a one-time-only performance at Temple Beth El in Santa Maria. In addition to the comedy bits, she has also chosen a selection of her favorite Broadway songs and […]
Posted inNews
Chumash Technology in Schools Program ends first year with major donation to Guadalupe schools
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donated 48 laptop computers and two mobile charging carts to Guadalupe Union School District in December, the last of many donations made through the tribe’s first year of its Technology in Schools Program. Guadalupe Union School District will put its new Chromebooks to use in classrooms at both […]
Posted inNews
Statewide regulations restricting pesticide use near schools go into effect
New regulations adopted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) further restricting pesticide use near schools went into effect on Jan. 1. The regulations impact about 4,100 public K-12 schools and licensed child day care facilities in California, including 50 in Santa Barbara County, and nearly 2,500 growers statewide. The rules ban California farmers […]