No car left a more lasting impression on Christopher Williams than the police cruiser that would pull up outside of his elementary school. It was an arresting sight that caught many students’ attention, recalled Williams, whose eyes were frequently glued to the vehicle and its badged driver—who happened to be his father. “My dad was […]
Santa Maria Police Department welcomes new Chief of Police Christopher Williams
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Troll in our midst: Solvang gets a permanent installation from Danish artist Thomas Dambo
Arts and anniversary To celebrate 25 years, the California Nature Art Museum is currently showcasing artwork from its permanent collection, which includes almost 150 pieces that have been collected over the years. To learn more, visit calnatureartmuseum.org/exhibitions. To learn more about Danish artist Thomas Dambo, visit thomasdambo.com. Lulu Hyggelig snuck out of her tower every […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cypress Gallery features Kristine Kelly, who paints with glass
In May, the Cypress Gallery in Lompoc’s featured artist of the month is Kristine Kelly, a painter who uses glass as her medium. She started working with glass 30 years ago, making fused glass jewelry and decorative pieces from molds. But once she discovered the art of landscape painting using kiln-fired glass, there was no […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Elverhoj Museum screens Danish film The Kiss
The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art and World Wide Motion Pictures corporation will host a reception, discussion, and screening of Danish film, The Kiss, on May 31, following the movie’s May 16 premiere in the U.S. The Danish feature film directed by Academy Award winner Billie August is based on the classic German novel […]
Posted inOpinion
County agency formation commission should look deeper at Richards Ranch proposal issues
These are my accurate, historical comments sent to LAFCO [Local Agency Formation Commission] for its May 8 meeting, and I’ve seen some misinformation reported. As an Orcutt resident who has followed this process since 2022 and will be directly affected, I hope this study/informational session will address the following issues. First and most importantly, my […]
Posted inOpinion
Money trumps quails
What can I say about quails? They’re kind of cute, especially the babies. They can’t fly like I can, but they are native to California. You can attract them into your yard by sprinkling the right food around and providing them with some thick shrubbery for cover. Which is cool, unless you live in Solvang’s […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria’s Mission Hope Cancer Center unveils new patient resource library
Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2023, Guadalupe resident Eileen Hongo underwent 20 rounds of chemotherapy, 35 rounds of radiation therapy, and other procedures as part of her treatment plan. Between her appointments at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria, she formed strong bonds with fellow patients as well as physicians and other […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Lumpia Bros Cafe brings ‘Filipino comfort food’ to Grover Beach
Find Filipino Food Lumpia Bros Cafe, located at 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To stay up to date on menu additions and any future events, follow their Instagram @lumpiabroscafe. At 5 years old, Eric Cabrera stood on a chair in the kitchen helping […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Black comedy mystery A Simple Favor (2018) gets a sequel in Another Simple Favor
Another Simple Favor What’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Prime Emily, Emily, Emily. This woman is so exhausting! Anna Kendrick is back as Mommy Vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) five years after the events of the first film. If you haven’t seen A Simple Favor, don’t hop into this one thinking you’ll be […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Long Bright River follows a Philadelphia police officer searching for her missing addict sister
Long Bright River What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Peacock Mysteries surround Mickey (Amanda Seyfried), a police patrolwoman who can’t seem to gain the respect of her male colleagues. Her sister is living with addiction and has proven uneasy to track down lately, her young son’s father is detached and unkind, and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Thunderbolts follows the misadventures of a team of antiheroes
Thunderbolts* What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Fair Oaks, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank, Paper Towns, Beef) directs this superhero story about Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ava […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: May 8, 2025
• The California Legislative Central Coast Caucus, co-chaired by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and vice chaired by state Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), announced its bill priorities for the 2025 legislative session on May 2. “From protecting our coasts from offshore drilling to protecting our homes from wildfires, this […]