This article was updated on Jan. 25 to include Santa Barbara County’s response. Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne joined the Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor race because she wanted to bring a different perspective to the table that elevates the voices and needs of mid-county residents, she told the Sun. “It’s been two years with […]
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First Ladies of Disco brings groovy dance tunes to the Clark Center
Get your groove on Snag tickets to First Ladies of Disco: The Ultimate Flash Back Experience—taking place at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave, Arroyo Grande, on Jan. 25—by visiting clarkcenter.org. Disco is alive and well—and an iconic trio of women who were pioneers in the scene are bringing the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
New funding helps food access, gardening project grow in Cuyama
Blue Cuyama Blue Sky Center is located at 1000 Perkins Road, New Cuyama. Call (661) 413-3005 or visit blueskycenter.org for more info on the nonprofit. A local nonprofit is ringing in the new year—and the following two years—with some new funds to support its unique gardening program. Near the end of 2023, Blue Sky Center […]
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Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approves new rooster ordinance
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 (with 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson dissenting) to approve an ordinance that regulates the number of roosters on private properties to address noise complaints and illegal cockfighting concerns. “When I was asking [my predecessor] about things that were tough on this board, he said, ‘You are […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Obliterate your comfort food cravings at Savory & Sweet Eats
Boulevard of broken bread Call (805) 819-0915 for more info on Savory & Sweet Eats, located at 1412 Burton Mesa Blvd., Lompoc. The eatery posts frequent updates about its menu offerings on both Facebook and Instagram. Behind the tirades of F-bomb raids, Gordon Ramsay is less intimidating than his TV persona when the cameras aren’t […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Watercolorist celebrates local bird fest with bird-themed art classes
Bird is the word Local artist Fred Ventura hosts his Birds of the Winter Garden workshops on Jan. 19 in the art room at Trilogy Monarch Dunes in Nipomo and Jan. 26 at Art Center Morro Bay from noon to 3 p.m. both days. Visit venturaes.com/workshops for more info. Some of Ventura’s bird-centric artworks are […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Hanna’s dishes out Mexican fusion in Arroyo Grande
A grand addition to Grand Avenue Call (805) 904-6876 for more info on Hanna’s Mexican Fusion Restaurant, located at 1412 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande. Follow the eatery’s Instagram page for updates on both its new brick-and-mortar and its food truck, @hannas.street._.tacos. When SLO local Cesar Cortes and his family embarked on running a taco […]
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Previous Oceano Community Services District general manager Paavo Ogren takes the reins again
A familiar face is returning to the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) in 2024. On Jan. 1, OCSD’s previous general manager, Paavo Ogren, took over as interim general manager from General Manager Will Clemens, who retired on Dec. 31. Clemens told the Sun that Ogren was the perfect candidate to take over for him and […]
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Cuyama water lawsuit moves forward as Bolthouse, Grimmway drop out
The Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin adjudication is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, but Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms are no longer plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Originally filed in 2021, the adjudication calls for a judge to rule on how much water everyone can pump from the basin, which […]
Posted inFood & Drink
New local outlets for lunch, dinner, dessert, and wine dominate 2023
Ribbon cuttings for new eateries along the Central Coast weren’t in short supply over the past 12 months. When I looked back on the Sun’s food and wine stories of 2023, I was reminded of the contagious enthusiasm some of my interviewees exuded while gushing about their dreams of owning their own restaurant or tasting […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Team Starkey picks their favorite films of 2023
Neither of us are typically a “my favorite (fill in the blank) is” kinds of people. We might have current favorites of the moment, but how can we pick an overall favorite band, writer, visual artist, or even a favorite color for that matter? We can obviously tell you if we like something or not, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Out-of-town artists flock to the Central Coast for local showcases in 2023
Throughout 2023, galleries and other art venues across Northern Santa Barbara County proved to be not only familiar outposts for paint brush-happy locals, but hubs for traveling artisans as well. Some of my favorite exhibits in the Sun’s coverage area this year showcased artists hailing from settings far from the Central Coast, such as London, […]