As an elder, I’ve lived through many political crises in this country—but I have never seen an attack on our democracy like this. In the past, there was bipartisan opposition to lawlessness. Today, the guardrails are being dismantled before our eyes, and we must sound the alarm. The damage this administration has done to our […]
America deserves better than this
Posted inOpinion
Take a look at whether government operations are expedient, efficient, or cost conscious
In private businesses, big and small decisions are made much quicker than in government. The management team makes a presentation to the board of directors and action is taken. In government, it can either be the professional staff or a group of “concerned citizens” that approach the elected officials, who then discuss the issue, sometimes […]
Posted inOpinion
The long haul
If you were a legal resident of the U.S.—not a citizen—and had to choose between flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base or being a pro-Palestinian protester on a college campus, which would you choose? One is illegal and the other riles up the delicate sensibilities of the Trump administration but is legal under […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Naughty Oak Brewing Company gets nutty with new squirrel mural, affogatos, and soda floats
The long and winding oak Naughty Oak Brewing Company is located at 165 S. Broadway St., suite 102, Orcutt. For more info on the brewery’s ongoing mural scavenger hunt contest (open for the public to participate in through April 15), visit naughtyoak.com/contest. “There were brief moments that I worried that a 25-foot-long painting of a […]
Posted inNews
CenCal Health works to expand healthcare services for local residents through partnerships and implementation of CalAIM
Local lifeline For more information on CenCal Health and the services it provides, visit cencalhealth.org. To learn more about the CalAIM initiative and how it seeks to transform Medi-Cal, visit dhcs.ca.gov/calaim. One-third of Santa Barbara County residents are members of CenCal Health. In San Luis Obispo County, 1 in 4 residents use the plan. CenCal […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The music makers: Santa Ynez nonprofit Muffin Music brings performances, education to local schools
Much ado about Muffin For more info on Muffin Music and its offerings, visit muffinmusic.org. Co-founders Sylvia Jiang and Davis Reinhart will present free concert programs on April 11 and 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Unity of Santa Maria and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Santa Ynez, respectively. From an early […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Performers bring jazz and dance to the Oceano Elks Lodge
A local jazz collective is kicking it up a notch with its next Oceano concert, set to feature a lively dance demonstration courtesy of the Cal Poly SLO Swing Dance Club. Organized by the Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club, the program is slated to take place on Sunday, March 30, from 11 a.m. to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Chumash Casino Resort presents KC and The Sunshine Band
As part of its current world tour, disco and funk group KC and The Sunshine Band is heading to Santa Ynez for a live performance at the Chumash Casino Resort on Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m. Tickets to the concert, held inside the resort’s Samala Showroom, range between $59 and $89. The 14-member ensemble […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria painter Helen Yanez pays homage to her heritage through illustrations and collaborations
Spring showcase For more info on Santa Maria-based artist and freelance illustrator Helen Yanez, visit yanezsart.com. Yanez is one of the featured artists in Corazón Café’s second annual Chingonas show, which opened in early March and is slated to remain up through the end of April. The café is located at 847 Higuera St., San […]
Posted inOpinion
Allow us to bid farewell to Dana Reserve habitat
It is my prayer that the slayers of the “Dana Reserve” native oaks at least allow a ceremony to be performed by the native Chumash and kindred spirits to bid farewell to the 3,000-plus Native Oaks that are to be sacrificed so that nonnatives can now reside on stolen Chumash land. In sympathy with our […]
Posted inOpinion
Buellton is the only city directly impacted by Sable Offshore’s pipeline plans
The city of Buellton is in a unique situation relative to Sable Offshore Corporation’s crude oil pipeline, yet city residents’ and city officials’ concerns are being ignored. To the Buellton City Council’s credit, the mayor recently sent a letter to the county Board of Supervisors explaining Buellton’s perspective and the need to ensure protection of […]
Posted inOpinion
Nasal navigator
Sniff, sniff. Do you smell that? Of course not. You need a Nasal Ranger to really get a good whiff of odorific cannabis. I don’t mean to make light of the plight of Carpinteria’s cannabis-odor-plagued residents, but tying a Santa Barbara County ordinance to something you wear on your nose is simply too much. Especially […]