In an act of defiance to President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord, a majority of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to say, “We are still in.” In doing so, the board directed county Executive Officer Mona Miyasato to register the county as a signatory on an […]
County is ‘still in’ on Paris climate accord
Posted inNews
Whittier Fire burns more than 10,000 acres near Lake Cachuma
The Whittier Fire ignited on July 8 near Highway 154 at Cachuma Lake, and in just three days it had blazed through more than 10,000 acres of Santa Ynez Mountainside, destroying eight residences and 12 outbuildings, according to a July 11 update from agencies responding to the fire. In an update made to the county’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nipomo Arts Commission unveils new mural
A mural featuring some Nipomo historical structures set against the backdrop of the Temettate Ridge will serve as the centerpiece for the planned Jim O. Miller Park. Painted by Visalia artist Colleen Mitchell-Veyna of Veyna Design Studios, the 9-foot-by-30-foot mural is painted on the side of the Casa Grande Center facing the park on Carrillo […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria needs more artists for utility box project
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is looking for original artists to beautify five traffic signal control boxes in Santa Maria. Local artists from Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County are encouraged to apply. A stipend of $500, and up to $250 reimbursement for material costs is available for the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Hancock’s plan for fine arts complex moves forward
Allan Hancock College’s planned Fine Arts Complex project was one of 15 capital outlay projects for community colleges included in the 2017-18 California state budget recently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Hancock will receive about half of the cost for the $48 million facility from the state through Proposition 51, which California voters passed last […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Digi Diva Graphics
Some studies suggest that scribbling helps people pay attention and retain information, which could be used as a defense for students who doodle in the margins of their notebooks during class. Heather Hight, owner and founder of Digi Diva Graphics, was always a student of the doodling variety—from elementary school to college. If you were […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 7/13/17
• Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) released a statement on H.R. 23, the Gaining Responsibility on Water Act, sponsored by California’s 21st District Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford). The joint statement criticized the bill, saying it would “weaken California’s ability to manage its own natural resources.” They also argued the bill would “pre-empt […]
Posted inNews
Fundraisers seek to help Noah Scott’s family with medical costs
A fundraiser for the family of Noah Scott drew big crowds to a local business on July 14, and another planned for Aug. 4 is actively seeking participants and donations. Scott, a Lompoc high schooler and police explorer who died on June 30 after a long battle with leukemia, inspired support from local communities during […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
55 Fiction 2017
Tales of murder, intrigue, and scandal—short and sweet at 55 words each It’s here again, like clockwork. For the last 30 years, around July 4, the Sun and New Times has brought you reader-submitted short stories for the annual 55 Fiction contest. Death, love, disgust, and fear all make appearances, and 2016-17 even brought out […]
Posted inOpinion
What is your favorite piece of fiction?
Judy Carr retired “The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough because the story was great.” Kathy Sherwoord retired “The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah because it was so fast moving and had interesting characters.” Sandy Ricca retired “My favorite is the first book I read as a teenager, Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor.” Natasha Flores mom “Put […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Dave Dascomb seeks the perfectly grown grape for Dascomb Cellars wine
Walk into Dascomb Cellars’ tasting room in Solvang and you might be lucky enough to get a warm welcome from Sparky. Sparky, a beagle who belongs to winery owner David Dascomb, sits atop a wine barrel scoping out customers and accepting their generous pets. While Sparky and his dog sister Pippa greet and amuse guests, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Richie Robles
The last Major League Baseball player to pitch a perfect game was Felix Hernandez—pitcher for the Seattle Mariners—in 2012. To pitch a victory in which no opposing player reaches a single base is a rare feat for minor league games as well, like those organized by the Santa Maria Westside Little League (SMWLL). But 12-year-old […]