Float on For more information about Central Coast Floats in San Luis Obispo, visit centralcoastfloats.com. Central Coast Floats is located at 4472 Broad St. Entering a white pod, I stepped into a foot of water. Blue and purple hues glowed, and crystal bowl-like music filled the enclosure as I sat down and nearly floated above […]
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Posted inFood & Drink
Cheers to the garagiste: Micro-wineries are ready to pour you a taste in Solvang
Hall of fame Solvang’s 11th annual Southern Exposure Garagiste Festival will hold its rare and reserve tasting on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and its grand tasting on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. Both events will take place at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, located at 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. […]
Posted inNews
Encampment risks: Those living in the Santa Ynez Riverbed are at risk for human trafficking, something local officials want to tackle
See something, say something To learn more about efforts to combat trafficking and exploitation across the county, visit kingdomcauses.org/httaskforce. To report possible cases of human trafficking, contact 911 for emergencies or email humantrafficking@sbsheriff.org for nonemergencies. The struggle to survive in a Santa Ynez Riverbed encampment can be brutal. “In order to have a tent to […]
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Care behind bars: Wellpath begins negotiations with county over jail health care, despite bankruptcy and personnel concerns
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors recently decided to allow the Sheriff’s Office to negotiate a new shorter-term contract with the current jail health care provider, despite voicing concerns about the company’s money troubles and ability to offer quality care. “Performance is the best indication of future results,” 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson told […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Always greener: Central Coast resident Lou Ferrigno talks about his new movies, chess, and of course, The Incredible Hulk
Expiration dates. Stock prices. Autocorrect suggestions. Too many things warrant double-checking, but the fine print on the back of jerky packs wasn’t one of them for Lou Ferrigno until recently. “I play a cannibalistic pig farmer who makes jerkies out of people,” Ferrigno said about his new role in an upcoming horror flick, The Hermit. […]
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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A soup box to stand on: The ramen, shave ice, tater tots, chicken wings, and vanilla lattes that defined 2024
After looking back at my foodie adventures over the past 12 months, I feel so grateful for the outpouring of winemakers, chefs, and business owners who invited me to their places of work for savory grub, sweet treats, soft and hard drinks, and warm conversation. In summing up this year’s most memorable occasions, I’d be […]
Posted inNews
Turn around: A peek back at 2024 in northern Santa Barbara County
In a year overshadowed by a contentious presidential election full of surprises, northern Santa Barbara County still managed to make its fair share of headlines. Local elections had their own drama in places like Lompoc and Santa Maria, where some incumbents held their own while others were voted out. The Lake Fire broke out near […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Take me back to the start: An arts editor’s trip down memory lane ahead of 2025
Tigers. Clowns. Men in top hats. This year in arts reporting was quite a circus, in all the right ways. Between one edge of the Sun’s coverage area to the other, 2024 was full of visually compelling art displays and equally dazzling live performances. There’s even still time to catch some of them before the […]
Posted inNews
Restoring resources: While repairing damage from Lake Fire suppression efforts, the Forest Service and the Chumash protect Indigenous cultural sites
Chumash Fire Department Capt. Quntan Garcia placed a stalky beige plant into my hand and slowly trickled water from his Kirkland water bottle over it. My hands were slightly coated with dust after spending a dry October day outside on Sierra Madre in Los Padres National Forest. “This is soap plant,” he explained as he […]
Posted inNews
Heat shock: Cuyama Valley farmers lost crops due to extreme temperatures over the summer
White jujube flowers shriveled up and fell off Alisha Taff’s trees during the summer, and all she could do was watch. “The type of fruit tree I have is really resilient,” Taff said. “It’s the perfect tree to grow out here but the extreme duration and heat temperatures in July were very impactful. … When […]