• U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (D-California) sent a letter to the Department of the Interior on March 6 asking it to ensure that there are no more cuts to the Bureau of Reclamation, which is set to lose about 100 employees in California. That’s about 10 percent of its regional staff, according […]
Category Feature
Posted inFood & Drink
Brix Wine Bar makes a splash in Shell Beach
For après-beach and beauty Brix Wine Bar & Bottle Shop, located next to Fringe by Jasi & Co. hair salon at 753 Shell Beach Road in Pismo Beach, is open Monday and Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday from 2 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 8 […]
Posted inNews
Ticket to ride: Santa Maria’s regional bus service accelerates toward zero-emission fleet, additional Central Coast routes
Ride SMRT For more information, including a ride guide, route maps and schedules, fare information, and other rider tools, visit the Santa Maria Regional Transit website. Without a car of her own, lifetime Santa Maria resident Faith Collar relies on public transit nearly every day to get to and from Allan Hancock College. She’s been […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: March 6, 2025
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) joined congressmen from Washington state, Texas, and New Mexico in introducing the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act to improve the nation’s aerial firefighting capabilities through expanded use of excess military aircrafts and parts, according to a Feb. 20 press release from Carbajal’s office. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize military […]
Posted inNews
SEEAG expands its education and outreach efforts with new office in Orcutt
It takes about nine months for a lemon to go from a flower to a harvestable fruit. That’s one of Caitlin Paulus-Case’s favorite lessons to teach students, helping them put into perspective how much time and effort goes into the food they consume. “By the time that it reaches your fridge, just the amount of […]
Posted inOpinion
Eyebrow raise
Raising your own salary is never a good look. But it’s something we task many elected decision-making bodies with, from city councils and community services districts to boards of supervisors and sometimes even the Legislature—although not in California. In California, our legislators’ salaries are determined by an independent commission. I bet that the Santa Barbara […]
Posted inOpinion
The county’s new ambulance contract doesn’t meet national standards for response times
Response times are very important when defining adequate emergency medical/fire services; the National Fire Protection Association established nationwide consensus standards, NFPA Standard 1710, for those services. For example, the standard specifies that a fire engine with four members is expected to arrive at a medical or fire emergency four minutes after dispatch 90 percent of […]
Posted inOpinion
Questions about Nipomo battery storage
Upgrades better than Moss Landing is not good enough (“Nipomo residents express concerns about battery energy storage plant safety,” Feb. 27). If the Nipomo battery energy storage facility needed upgrades, it was not perfect, and safety is still an issue. Can we do better? Can we even trust that the safety measures and standards are […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Orchids After Dark shines a light on local wine-produced paintings and DJ sets
Orchid kindred For more info on the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show and Orchids After Dark, held March 7 through 9, visit sborchidshow.com. Both events will be at Earl Warren Showgrounds, located at 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Intricate floral arrangements at the 77th annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show will take on a new […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Last Breath is harrowing tale of survival against impossible odds
Last Breath 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, Movies Lompoc, Fair Oaks, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Alex Parkinson directs this story he co-wrote with Mitchell LaFortune and David Brooks based on his 2019 documentary he co-directed with […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Trilogy Art Group holds spring exhibit at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts
March gladness The Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande will debut its new exhibit of artworks by members of the Trilogy Art Group on Saturday, March 1. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. The show is scheduled to remain on display through Wednesday, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Weddings Issue 2025
This year’s annual issue highlights the latest trends and revamped traditions in flowers, videography, and gowns
This year’s Weddings Issue celebrates the couples who say “I do” to current trends and their own sense of style as they prepare to say “I do” to each other. Staff Writer Emma Montalbano gathers insights on floral styles, including organic designs and “grounded meadows” [6]; New Times Staff Writer Libbey Hanson, from our sister […]
