The PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre serves up Waitress, a heartfelt tale of love, liberation, and the pursuit of dreams, from April 24 to May 11 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria. Jenna, a talented piemaker and waitress, dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. With the help of her […]
PCPA stages Waitress at Marian Theatre starting April 24
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Body in the Snow examines the hoopla surrounding Karen Read’s murder trial
A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Max The Karen Read case is all the rage in the true crime world right now, and this five-part series dives deep into the hazy events of the early morning hours of that January morning in […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Residence is a juicy whodunit
The Residence What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer Paul William Davies—inspired by journalist Kate Anderson Brower’s 2016 book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House—created this TV miniseries about the innerworkings of the U.S. president’s living quarters […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cypress Gallery brings handmade masks, crafts, and interactive art to Lompoc
Solo round Santa Barbara-based artist Mitra Cline’s solo exhibition at Cypress Gallery opened in early April and will remain on display through Sunday, April 27. Visit lompocart.org to find out more. The gallery is located at 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Often latched behind Mitra Cline’s bicycle, the local crafter’s mobile art studio has a […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc City Council supports undocumented residents with formal resolution
After filling Lompoc’s City Council chambers for three meetings in a row, Voces Sin Fronteras received an answer to its request for support for the city’s undocumented immigrants. On April 1, the City Council unanimously directed staff to draft a resolution highlighting that support and reiterating existing city policy to abide by state laws restricting […]
Posted inNews
Buellton Planning Commission refurbishes ADU policy to meet state standards
A state agency is calling for Buellton to carve out more elbow room than past years for homeowners seeking to retrofit their property with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). In 2022, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) reviewed Buellton’s ADU ordinance—last updated in 2020—and singled out a few restrictions as inconsistent with […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County upholds Richards Ranch appeal, deems application complete
Richards Ranch in Orcutt continues to move forward with two separate project applications for the same site, thanks to a recent Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors decision. On April 8, the board unanimously voted in favor of Richards Ranch, upholding the developer’s appeal of the county Planning Department’s decision and subsequent Planning Commission vote […]
Posted inNews
Beyond bars: County supervisors approve North County jail expansion set to cost more than $165 million
The county Board of Supervisors’ decision on the Northern Branch Jail expansion will impact future boards, sheriffs, county staff, and community members, Sheriff Bill Brown said at the April 1 meeting. In a 3-2 vote (with 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson and 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino dissenting), the board decided to build 1.5 new […]
Posted inFood & Drink
More than 60 craft breweries converge at Lagerville in Buellton
Ville of goods Lagerville takes place on Saturday, April 12, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., located at 45 Industrial Way, Buellton. VIP ticket holders get early access, starting at 11:30 a.m. Find more info on the festival by visiting lagerville.beer or figmtnbrew.com. When it rains, it pours—as did the featured […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Patti Robbins’ contemporary paintings envelope Gallery Los Olivos’ April display
Gallery Los Olivos presents Pizzazz, a solo exhibition of contemporary still life paintings by local artist Patti Robbins, currently on display and scheduled to remain up through Wednesday, April 30. This new showcase opened at the beginning of the month. According to press materials, Robbins’ portfolio features reimaginings of “everyday objects with daring perspective and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria’s Betteravia Gallery presents New Muralism: Valley Visions
In collaboration with the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, Betteravia Gallery is showcasing a collection of expansive textile panels that “reflect the vibrant landscapes, cultures, and commercial hubs of the Santa Maria Valley,” according to press materials. The opening reception for the new exhibit, titled New Muralism: Valley Visions, will be held […]
Posted inOpinion
Disproportionate power deserves a response
We face the greatest threat to democracy and our constitution in our lifetime, if not in the history of the republic, and the Democratic “leadership” is AWOL! A coup has usurped judicial and legislative roles, consolidating them all in the executive branch. Meanwhile, past presidents are mute; the Senate minority leader has become an enabler; […]