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, […]
BINGEABLE: The Sticky
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
We prefer to be entertained rather than learn from history
The movie Gladiator II entertains hugely. However, it does not educate people about how vengeance came to be the ruling principle of civic and international life in ancient Rome. That rogue philosophy resulted from the drying up of Rome’s system of civics education and from the unregulated accumulation of money and power. Yes, characters in […]
Posted inOpinion
Folk music shaped an important time in history
I recently saw Don’t Look Back at the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo and felt like I had time traveled to my youth. While a college student at Columbia University, I hung out in Greenwich Village at coffee houses, jazz and folk music clubs, and at bars where Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet, was […]
Posted inOpinion
Emergency services chaplains provide essential ‘whole person’ help
Every day, as part of their daily duties, first responders encounter serious trauma, life-threatening medical emergencies, and fires that displace or injure families. When they arrive, they may appear calm and disassociated with the chaos surrounding the event. They really aren’t—they are trained early in their careers to take a deep breath, assess the situation, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The Dana Adobe needs volunteers to help preserve the history of the 130-acre property
Walk through history Learn more and apply to volunteer at the historic Dana Adobe in Nipomo at danaadobe.org/volunteer. The adobe is located at 671 S. Oakglen Ave. The Dana Adobe, a 187-year-old ranch that was once home to Capt. William Dana, is one of the oldest standing buildings on the Central Coast, and its history […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
SLO REP presents Shakespearean comedy Twelfth Night
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre’s Academy of Creative Theatre presents its production of Twelfth Night from Jan. 10 to 19. The ensemble of local students offers a fresh interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, SLO REP said in a press release. Set in Illyria, the comedy about love, identity, and mischief tells the story […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Western Monarch Trail places new educational site
The Western Monarch Trail continues its steady advance along the Central Coast of California with a set of educational panels and a native flower garden that just touched down in San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza joins sites like Carpinteria Creek, the Nipomo Native Garden, and Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local printmaker celebrates the state’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems in her California Wilds show at Lompoc’s Cypress Gallery
Prints to ponder The Lompoc Valley Art Association features block prints from local printmaker Angelina LaPointe until Jan. 26. Visit lompocart.org to find out more. The gallery is located at 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. More of LaPointe’s artwork can be found on her Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/TheSidecarPress. With every deliberate carving and layer of […]
Posted inNews
LAFCO approves SLO County’s takeover of Oceano fire services
San Luis Obispo County is officially responsible for delivering Oceano’s fire services now that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved divestiture of those services from the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD). Following LAFCO’s Dec. 19, 2024, approval, the county, which has partnered with Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA), took over fire services on Jan. […]
Posted inNews
Searching for butterflies: Fish and Wildlife Service proposes placing the monarch butterfly on endangered species list
A few visitors shielded their eyes from the sun on a warm December day as they peered into the eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove trying to spot a cluster of orange and black wings. But the trees and sky were fairly empty. Two monarchs fluttered around at about eye level by […]