Santa Barbara County kicked off its final round of budget hearings on June 16 with a unanimous vote approving recommendations from Public Health Director Mouhanad Hammami to cut millions of dollars from his department. A structural deficit has plagued Public Health’s savings, but changes to federal and state policies regarding who qualifies for Medi-Cal “added […]
Santa Barbara County
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Santa Maria nonprofit adds to its 10th summer of no-cost arts courses for students
Youth Arts Alive isn’t marketed as a summer camp, but it meets similar standards for families looking for one. Kids could be entertained in classes with professional artists from 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. four days a week. Alternatively, some kids want to only take guitar lessons or crafting workshops, the nonprofit’s founder […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Explore the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum in a new light
Just after celebrating its one-year anniversary, the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is offering new experiences including a self-guided audio tour, a free event series, and a gallery of paintings by Christopher Evans. “As the museum enters its second year, it remains a place for learning and cultural connection, strengthening its overall visitor […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Watch a summertime wrestling adventure at PCPA
An ancient grudge, a bright pink mask, and a high-stakes wrestling ring all play big roles in Luchadora!, the latest production at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA). Community members can experience the adventure at the Marian Theatre from June 18 to July 3. Watch as protagonist Nana Lupita secretly trains with help from a mysterious […]
Posted inFood & Drink
West Coast schools shined at Allan Hancock College’s annual wine festival
Frank Perez’s favorite memory from his first year studying winemaking was when he and his classmates bottled their 2025 vintage. The April day was a master class. It illustrated how big of a team it takes to make a bottle of wine. “It started the day before. We were sterilizing or filtering a lot of […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County’s 5th District heads to a November runoff
For the first time in years, the race for 5th District Santa Barbara County supervisor will extend to the general election. Initial vote counts for the June 2 primary put Ricardo Valencia and Maribel Aguilera on the November ballot, with Cory Bantilan out of the running. Count totals released on June 8 show Valencia with […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc voters came up short at the polls for a special road repair tax
As much as people in town want the potholes fixed, Lompoc’s attempt to pass a special sales tax for road maintenance failed. It would’ve brought in roughly $3.75 million annually. In January, the City Council discussed putting a tax measure on the primary election ballot. The Sun reported that a half percent special sales tax […]
Posted inNews
A Central Coast photographer receives recognition from a national magazine’s photo contest
Trends have changed drastically since Amy Marlan posed for her high school senior portraits. She remembers wearing the same pearls and drape as the rest of the women in her class. The men put on the top half of a suit. Then, their family photographer took some shots of Marlan on a film camera, but […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Giant puppets made in Lompoc are heading to World Cup watch parties in LA
Most people have never been the puppeteer inside a 12-foot-tall puppet, but Jennifer Racusin has. “You are completely surrounded by fabric, and you have this big, heavy wooden thing attached to you,” Racusin recounted. “You don’t feel like yourself at all because you’re hidden inside of this thing. … You kind of become whatever it […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Pops presents a patriotic tribute
Celebrate the Fourth of July a little early with the Lompoc Pops Orchestra’s recognition of America’s 250th birthday. The group’s performance on June 21 will honor those who have served the country through tributes to the nation’s Broadway, Hollywood, opera, and Americana traditions. “The program will feature familiar patriotic favorites, stirring selections, and a special […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A comedy festival for charity promises laughs in Santa Ynez
After a sold-out debut year, the Corkscrew Comedy Festival is returning to the Santa Ynez Valley from June 18 to 20 starting at 7 p.m. each night. Three venues are set to host the locally produced festival. This year’s event is a fundraiser for Atterdag at Home Meals on Wheels, which delivers nutritious food to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A crowd favorite at the Route One Farmers Market offers cookies, cheesecakes, pies, and more
Tamara Warren has a selectively superb memory. When it comes to her passion for baking, she has muscle memory. Anything else, and it can get a little murky. The baker doesn’t keep an ingredient list or measure anything out. Recently she debuted a banana chocolate chip cookie, and somebody asked her what’s inside. “I was […]
