California emergency rooms saw more than 21,000 visits related to opioid overdoses within the past year, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. On the Central Coast, Dignity Health’s Substance Use Navigators (SUN) program is attempting to combat the issue. At Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, and French Hospital […]
Dignity’s Substance Use Navigator program helps patients struggling with opioid addiction
Posted inSpecial Issues
Volunteers 2025
With 2025 just getting started, some people are choosing to do what they do best: volunteer. The work that volunteers do in their spare time accomplishes so much in the region, from dishing out food that serves houseless residents a meal to making sure students can cross the street safely before and after school, the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Philharmonic Society holds 11th annual Youth Showcase
Seven young classical musicians, from ages 8 to 18, will assemble at Shepard Hall in Santa Maria for a special concert program on Saturday, Jan. 11, as the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society hosts its annual Youth Showcase, slated to begin at 3 p.m. While admission to the program is free, donations will be accepted to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Elverhoj Museum presents new solo exhibit, Figuratively Speaking
Sculptures and multi-media pieces are among local artist Joe Castle’s featured works in an upcoming showcase at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art in downtown Solvang. To celebrate the debut of Castle’s new solo show, titled Figuratively Speaking, the museum will host an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local author Froggy Phevoli writes Side Effect, a young adult sci-fi story
Get your copy You can buy a copy of Froggy Phevoli’s book, Side Effect, on Amazon at amazon.com/Side-Effect-Froggy-Phevoli/dp/B0DJVJBPD1. Zack Connor can read minds, but the 16-year-old’s superpower comes with a downside. Whenever he reaches into someone’s thoughts, his own thoughts are revealed. He doesn’t know where his power comes from, and his overbearing mother, Carol, […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: January 9, 2025
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) was sworn into his fifth term in Congress representing the 24th District on Jan. 3. “As someone who grew up, got his first job and a great education, and started a family on the Central Coast, I am deeply grateful to continue working on its behalf in Congress,” […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Air Force veteran now serves the local community through homemade sourdough
Bread and butter To see Urban Homesteadings’ offerings and place an order, visit urbanhomesteadings.com. For more updates and information, go to @urban_homesteading_with_cait on Instagram. For Urban Homesteadings owner Cait Casey, one of the greatest gifts of sourdough-making is that it can’t be rushed. In fact, from start to finish, one of her homemade loaves takes […]
Posted inNews
County streamlines small cellphone tower permitting to align with federal rules
Fire risks and property values are two reasons to hold off on streamlining the permitting process for small wireless telecommunication facilities in Santa Barbara County, according to Lesley Weinstock. The physician’s assistant spoke during the Jan. 7 county Board of Supervisors meeting alongside a handful of other Safe Technology for Santa Barbara members who questioned […]
Posted inNews
Solvang enacts new objective design standards as part of zoning ordinance
New zoning rules were among Solvang’s first enacted policies of 2025. The multi-layered ordinance includes a revised application route—in effect as of Jan. 8—with clear objective standards for developers to draw from that weren’t previously codified. Staff designed the new policy to provide project applicants with a strong starting point and allow proposals to bypass […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: The Sticky
The Sticky What’s it rated? Unrated When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime The incomparable Margo Martindale stars as Ruth Landry, a sugar maker who’s being pushed to her limit by Leonard Sr. (Guy Nadon) of the Syrup Federation. While this series is based on the true story of a $18 million maple syrup heist, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: It’s What’s Inside
It’s What’s Inside What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Greg Jardin helms this sci-fi black comedy about old college friends with complicated histories who get together at a pre-wedding party that devolves into a nightmare when one guest, Forbes (David Thompson), shows up with a suitcase containing an experimental device […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Lifelong Santa Maria resident advocates for community needs through volunteering
Fueled by deep passion rather than deep pockets, lifelong Santa Maria resident Sara Macdonald has devoted countless hours to volunteering and advocating for her local community. Macdonald currently serves in several volunteer roles, including president of the Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast regional representative for the California Poor People’s Campaign, and vice […]