Can you believe that governments aren’t required to record their public meetings and post them in an archive so anyone can view them? It seems like they have to, but they don’t. They have to keep “minutes”—and depending on the governing board those can be extremely detailed or not detailed at all. Basically, if you […]
Section Feature
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Through film, mixed media, ritual, and sculpture, Outlandish highlights water’s importance in BIPOC communities
Making waves April Banks’ exhibition, Outlandish, is on display at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art through July 28. The gallery, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit sloma.org. SLOMA is located at 1010 Broad St. in SLO. On a gallery’s walls in downtown San Luis […]
Posted inNews
Deciding what’s public: Local governments grapple with Zoombombers who make hateful comments during public meetings
Since 2020, city councils have grappled with the phenomenon of Zoombombing as virtual trolls disrupt public comment with hate speech. League of California Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager David Mullinax said this issue started during the COVID-19 pandemic as councils attempted to make meetings accessible and socially distanced for the public. “We are grappling with […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Husband-and-wife duo gussies up SYV wine country with Cote of Paint
No paint, no gain Visit coteofpaintwine.com to find out more about Cote of Paint, bottled at Dragonette Cellars in Buellton with fruit sourced from multiple vineyards based in Santa Barbara County. One of the Santa Ynez Valley’s youngest wine brands launched in February but will wait until 2028 to celebrate its first anniversary. The two […]
Posted inNews
All day, all night: A YMCA in Santa Ynez wants to stay open 24/7, but its neighbors are against the plan
Working out at a gym was a lifeline for Danielle Laudon Ruse after having her son. “I suffered from severe sepsis and preeclampsia after giving birth. Going to work out was significant to my health and well-being and making me feel like I was in control of my body after what had happened,” the Santa […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Jonata in the Ballard Canyon AVA celebrates its 20th anniversary
Bash at The Barn Jonata, a Santa Ynez Valley-based wine producer, will host its 20th anniversary celebration event on Saturday, July 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., at The Barn at The Hilt Estate in Lompoc. Admission is $125 per person. Visit jonata.com for more info. The Barn at The Hilt Estate is located at […]
Posted inOpinion
Unsupervised
Who knew a 24-hour gym was such a big deal? 24-Hour Fitness has gyms all over the state: the greater Los Angeles area, the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, the Sacramento Valley, San Diego area, and in Santa Barbara. But there isn’t one in the Santa Ynez Valley, which has a YMCA that wants to keep […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Watercolor Creations highlights Claudette Carlton’s eclectic paintings in Lompoc
Summer hues The Lompoc Valley Art Association presents Watercolor Creations, a solo exhibit of paintings by Claudette Carlton, at Cypress Gallery in Lompoc through Sunday, July 28. An art reception will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. Visit lompocart.org to find out more. The gallery is located at 119 E. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
California Hot Dogs expands with new drive-through destination
California, here we come For more info on California Hot Dogs, call (805) 998-0265 or visit the eatery’s Facebook page. The brand’s new drive-through is located at 1311 Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria. Fans of Avila Beach’s famed food cart, California Hot Dogs, now have a place to get their frankfurter fix without having to step […]
Posted inOpinion
We all pay
Why does it always feel surprising when budgets dry up? We go a year or two without having to think too hard about money on the municipal level, and then, bam! Your city’s gotta start pinching those pennies again. Santa Maria’s currently moving forward with a solution for its $21.3 million budget deficit. Sort of. […]
Posted inNews
Coming soon: Guadalupe plans to ask voters for $3 million to help fund Royal Theater renovation
There are wants and needs for Guadalupe, resident Shirley Boydstun told the Sun, and while a renovated Royal Theater would be nice, it’s not needed. “It’s a wonderful offering; it is a beautiful drawing for a city that has more money and the ability to handle it. We’re not there yet, that’s for sure,” Boydstun […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA’s Little Shop of Horrors is big, bold, and bloody brilliant
Plant ahead The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Solvang Festival Theater through Sunday, July 7. Visit pcpa.org or facebook.com/pacificconservatorytheatre, or call (805) 922-8313 for tickets and more info. The production opened at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria in April and in Solvang in mid-June. The […]
