Olivia Newman (Where the Crawdads Sing, First Match) directs this script she co-wrote with John Whittington adapting Shelby Van Pelt’s 2022 novel of the same name about Tova Sullivan (Sally Field), an elderly cleaning lady at an aquarium in Sowell Bay, Washington. Her best friend is Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina), an arrogant and dismissive […]
<i>Remarkably Bright Creatures</i> is a sweet story about finding joy
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
#Skyking is a crazy documentary about taking a commercial plane for a joyride
#SkykingWhat’s it rated? Not rated When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Hulu Richard “Beebo” Russell knew the ins and outs of SEA-TAC airport—after all, he was ground crew. He knew the hierarchy, that the pilots frequently made dismissive remarks about the “ramp rats.” The hours were long and the pay meager, but Beebo was a glass-half-full […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Groundbreaking LGBT film Brokeback Mountain screens May 23 in the Palm
Brokeback MountainWhat’s it rated? R When? 2005 Where’s it showing? Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on Saturday, May 23, at 1 p.m. Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Life of Pi) directed this groundbreaking 2005 neo-Western romantic drama adapted by screenwriters Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry from Annie Proulx’s 1997 short story about two […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The duo on a mission to make the best bubbly on the Central Coast
Legend has it that when Elizabeth Stilson first interviewed with her now-business partner, she said, “If I never have to make another red wine again, I’ll be happy.” As soon as the statement came out of the winemaker’s mouth, PasoSecco founder Chris Kern knew she was the perfect candidate for his sparkling brand. “That sold […]
Posted inNews
Battling fear, misinformation: Santa Barbara County’s Elections Division tries to get the facts out ahead of the June primary
Stay informedLearn more about Santa Barbara County’s election protocols at santabarbaravote.gov, facebook.com/countyofsb or on Instagram @countyofsb. Some local candidates and all five members of the county Board of Supervisors agree that their constituents deserve more clarity about how local elections work—especially with June’s primary just around the corner. “This is not an ordinary election year. […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria considers ballot measure for sales tax increase
A survey of 400 Santa Maria residents showed that 60 percent of them would vote yes on a half-cent sales tax increase, as long as the extra funds—approximately $13 million a year—went toward essential city services. While 31 percent of participants answered no to the survey, which assured all hypothetical funds would stay local with […]
Posted inNews
Solvang bans public urination, defecation
Constant giggling bled into the Solvang City Council’s discussion of a recent incident that inspired officials to formally ban public urination and defecation within city limits. A sighting of the latter specifically prompted the legislation, City Manager Randy Murphy explained. “I don’t think ‘number one’ was the issue here,” Murphy said at the council’s May […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: May 14, 2026
• On May 8, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California), U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), and Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) joined Environmental Defense Center Chief Counsel Linda Krop and other local environmental leaders to rally against the Trump administration’s restart of offshore oil platforms owned by Sable Offshore Corporation along the Gaviota coastline. During […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria approves a package delivery warehouse to be built on West Stowell
Two Santa Maria planning commissioners thought last week’s meeting drew the biggest crowd they’ve experienced at a hearing. The only item on the May 6 agenda occupied the bulk of the nearly three-hour discussion. Following three study sessions that date back to 2024, the Santa Maria Planning Commission approved a project that would bring a […]
Posted inNews
Buy aesthetic home goods from a Lompoc candlemaker
Listen for the whisperFind Esperanza Jimenez’s candles at the Oceano Seabreeze Market (410 Air Park Drive) on May 30 and at the Route One Farmers Market. Discover all her products online by visiting whisperingwoodsboutique.com and on Instagram @whisperingwoodsboutique. The warmth of a yellow flame. The crackles of a wooden wick. The enchantment of a scented […]
Posted inOpinion
Defecation station
Is there a way to have a civilized discussion about excrement and urine? The city of Solvang attempted it—but giggles ruled the day. Because you can’t talk about bodily functions with turning into a child. Apparently, it’s legal in that city to do your business in a public space because there aren’t any rules in […]
Posted inOpinion
Lompoc City Council has a potentially costly rebate program audit and investigation on its hands
The city of Lompoc, like almost every other government from the federal level down to small towns like ours, has a problem managing how tax money is distributed to folks applying for rebates, grants, or any other form of government subsidy. This time it’s Lompoc’s conservation rebate program that’s being examined for what some think […]
