Beating heart To see the digital gallery and learn more about Corazón del Pueblo and its programs, visit corazondelpueblo.org. The nonprofit is located at 120 E. Jones St. in Santa Maria. A black ball gown decorated with yellow and white flowers depicted by a Righetti High School student was the one she dreamed of wearing […]
Category Feature
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Phoenician Scheme is classic Wes Anderson
The Phoenician Scheme What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Arroyo Grande Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) directs his script co-written with Roman Coppola about shady international businessman Zsa-zsa Korda […]
Posted inNews
Oil foil: A judge puts a temporary restraining order on Sable’s progress as environmental organizations sue to prevent another disaster
For dozens of Refugio State Beach’s visitors on May 18, stepping into the ocean was a solemn act of remembrance. Local environmental groups co-hosted a morning paddle out that Sunday—one day shy of the 10th anniversary of the Refugio oil spill. Three offshore oil rigs connected to the May 19, 2015, disaster were within eyesight […]
Posted inOpinion
Rainbows galore
Pride is upon us. It’s here. And I’m ready to flap my wings and tweet and twitter in celebration of the LGBTQ-plus community during their month, June! I’m curious what will happen at the Santa Maria City Council meeting tonight—June 3—as proclaiming Pride Month in June is on the agenda. Will the emboldened haters out […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Pride Issue 2025
Celebrate the season with wines that support advocacy organizations and local establishments that support the community
It’s officially Pride Month, and despite the national politics surrounding certain LGBTQ-plus issues, the community is ready to celebrate with events across the Central Coast. As part of our annual Pride issue, Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood speaks with a handful of wineries that are contributing a portion of wine proceeds to support local LGBTQ-plus […]
Posted inOpinion
Now is the time to defend our public lands
“Action is the best antidote to despair.” –Joan Baez Public lands and waters are our country’s most popular areas for exploring nature while conserving landscapes, cultural areas, clean water, and wildlife, including the Central Coast’s very own Carrizo Plain National Monument, Los Padres National Forest, and Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. But legislation introduced in […]
Posted inOpinion
Stop targeting trans people, focus on issues
At a recent school board meeting, I stood up to speak—not to argue, but to ask our community to refocus on the real challenges facing our students. What I witnessed that night was deeply troubling: a growing effort to target trans students and trans athletes, often based on fear, misinformation, and political rhetoric. We owe […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Youth ARTS Alive returns for ninth summer of providing free art classes
Art’s alive! Starting June 16, Youth ARTS Alive will offer free summer classes for children ages 8 to 18 every Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The classes are held at three locations—the Minami Community Center, the Newlove Community Building, and the Grogan Community Center—and culminate with a Visual and Performing Arts […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Disney’s live action Lilo & Stitch adds new twists to a beloved story
Lilo & Stitch What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Emma? Full price What’s it worth, Libbey? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX, Movies Lompoc, Regal Arroyo Grande A live-action film based on the 2002 Disney movie Lilo & Stitch, this is the story of a lonely and grieving 6-year-old […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Offensive lineman-turned winemaker wins Vinter of the Year, celebrates Flying Goat Cellars’ 25th anniversary
Flying high Flying Goat Cellars will celebrate its 25th birthday on June 21, with Full of Life Flatbread and Bob’s Well Bread, along with music by Angie and the Nightmares, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the winery. On Aug. 15, winemaker Norm Yost will be honored as Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance’s 2025 Vintner […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Fire Department announces high fire season recommendations
Wildfire season is here. Don’t want your home to burn down? The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has tips it hopes will help you evade disaster. In the first quarter of this year, the Palisades Fire tore through Los Angeles County, burning more than 23,000 acres of land and destroying more than 6,000 structures. Aiming […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: June 5, 2025
• On May 29, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) released a statement in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to coordinate with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on reforming existing regulations, including time limits on license application reviews. According […]
