With more than 930 students involved, the Lompoc Family YMCA’s Teen Activity Program continues to grow and aims to provide a safe space for local teens to explore passions, build confidence, and prepare for the future. The Lompoc Family YMCA offers services like gym memberships, child care, and youth sports leagues. Nearly two years ago, […]
Lompoc YMCA Teen Activity Program continues to grow and empower local students
Posted inNews
Political Watch: January 16, 2025
• The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians received a $1.4 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help with the planning and community engagement efforts for an 8.7-mile path that would connect the Santa Ynez Reservation with Buellton, Solvang, and other parts of the valley. “Our tribe is thankful for receiving this grant […]
Posted inNews
Supervisors to vote on wine business improvement district in February
Santa Barbara County Vintners Association members clapped as the Board of Supervisors set a final public hearing date for forming a wine business improvement district in the county. “I couldn’t afford a marketing agency. I don’t have a tasting room. I have to do it all myself,” Karen Steinwachs from Seagrape Wine Co. told the […]
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Solvang swears in new councilmember, Buellton delays decision after gridlock
After their new mayors were sworn in, Solvang and Buellton were each left with a single vacant city council seat to fill. Solvang Mayor David Brown and Buellton Mayor David Silva both left behind mid-term vacancies as former city council members when their mayoral terms began. To avoid holding a costly special election, both governing […]
Posted inNews
County targets cannabis odor with proposed ordinance changes
With more than 3,700 complaints about cannabis odor since 2018 and zero enforcement, the time is right to make a change, 2nd District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps said during the board meeting on Jan. 14. “We know what works. The complaint system hasn’t worked. Folks are fed up, and we do have an […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Saloons and grills ring in 2025 with Craft Cocktail Contest and Dine Out Santa Maria Style
Telltale cocktails To find out more about the Santa Maria Valley’s 2025 Craft Cocktail Contest and Dine Out Santa Maria Style program, visit santamariavalley.com. Working under a certain constraint ended up paying off for Naughty Oak Brewing Company in 2024, when the Orcutt staple took home a top award for its first-time entry in Santa […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nosferatu delivers a creepy gothic parable of disease
Nosferatu What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Writer-director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) helms this retro iteration of the classic vampire tale focusing on Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who’s haunted […]
Posted inOpinion
Hack the system
In Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors news, the changing of the guards is complete! Second District Supervisor Laura Capps took the chair’s gavel from 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, and new 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee took his seat on the board on Jan. 7. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to […]
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Dignity’s Substance Use Navigator program helps patients struggling with opioid addiction
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 […]
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. […]