Arts and anniversary To celebrate 25 years, the California Nature Art Museum is currently showcasing artwork from its permanent collection, which includes almost 150 pieces that have been collected over the years. To learn more, visit calnatureartmuseum.org/exhibitions. To learn more about Danish artist Thomas Dambo, visit thomasdambo.com. Lulu Hyggelig snuck out of her tower every […]
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Posted inNews
Santa Maria Police Department welcomes new Chief of Police Christopher Williams
No car left a more lasting impression on Christopher Williams than the police cruiser that would pull up outside of his elementary school. It was an arresting sight that caught many students’ attention, recalled Williams, whose eyes were frequently glued to the vehicle and its badged driver—who happened to be his father. “My dad was […]
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Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council holds wildfire evacuation workshop in Lompoc
Pull the pin. Aim the nozzle. Squeeze the handle. Sweep from side to side. During a fire emergency, PASS is a helpful acronym to keep in mind before using an extinguisher for the first time. Attendees of an upcoming wildfire evacuation and survival workshop in Lompoc will have access to a fire extinguisher training session, […]
Posted inOpinion
Triggered
Should transgender students be able to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identities? Should trans women be able to compete in women’s athletics? These are complicated questions that we have been struggling to navigate and answer over the past several years, and we’ve made progress and gained a more complete […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Solvang pastry chef plans fundraiser highlighting mental health in culinary industry
Take some cake The May 12 fundraiser will be hosted at peasants FEAST located at 487 Atterdag Road in Solvang and will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Five cakes, all different flavors, all with unique designs, all inspired by the stories and experiences of local chefs. That’s what peasants FEAST Executive Pastry Chef Taylor […]
Posted inOpinion
Lompoc should work around high-use seasons when planning repairs
Lompoc parks renovation projects seem to interfere with team sports and major park events. Something needs to change to favor the schedule of teams and events during high-use seasons and conduct these projects in the off season. The youth baseball leagues in Lompoc, and almost everywhere else, spend a lot of time and money helping […]
Posted inOpinion
Trump, Musk are destroying our government
I sat down a few minutes ago and brainstormed the likely near-term consequences of the public’s inability to reverse the Trump/Musk administration’s virtual destruction of our government and the cessation of our constitutional rights. I regret to say that none of this is hyperbole. The catastrophic implications of our current situation are as follows: • […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local artist debuts new portraits and abstract series benefiting charities at Full of Life Flatbread
Peep the portraits To find Elizabeth Chaney’s work, including portraits and abstracts, visit simplyelizabethart.com. To view her series in person, visit Full of Life Flatbread at 225 Bell St., Los Alamos. While local artist Elizabeth Chaney considers herself quiet and introverted, she described her art as the opposite. “My art is my voice, and it’s […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Accountant 2 revisits a neurodivergent math savant who violently solves a murder mystery
The Accountant 2 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, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande, Fair Oaks Theatre In this sequel to The Accountant (2016), both director Gavin O’Connor (Warrior, Pride and Glory) and writer Bill Dubuque […]
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Asking for more: Farmworkers and allies push for a countywide $26 minimum wage
The sounds of shrieking roller coaster riders clashed with protesters’ drums, tambourines, and chants at this year’s Santa Maria Strawberry Festival. On April 27, community members of various ages gathered outside of Santa Maria Fairpark to rally for a Santa Barbara countywide $26 per hour minimum wage for farmworkers. Alianza Campesina de la Costa Central, […]
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Political Watch: May 1, 2025
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced on April 25 that he and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) reintroduced two bipartisan bills focused on addressing the effects of climate change on U.S. coastlines, coastal communities, and marine ecosystems. “The climate crisis is hitting our coasts hard—from eroding beaches and stronger storms to declining fisheries. […]
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Political Watch: April 24, 2025
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently announced the reintroduction of the Housing for All Act, described as “a comprehensive approach to address the homelessness and affordable housing crises in California and across the nation,” in an April 21 statement from Padilla’s office. The […]
