Arts and anniversary To celebrate 25 years, the California Nature Art Museum is currently showcasing artwork from its permanent collection, which includes almost 150 pieces that have been collected over the years. To learn more, visit calnatureartmuseum.org/exhibitions. To learn more about Danish artist Thomas Dambo, visit thomasdambo.com. Lulu Hyggelig snuck out of her tower every […]
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Santa Maria Police Department welcomes new Chief of Police Christopher Williams
No car left a more lasting impression on Christopher Williams than the police cruiser that would pull up outside of his elementary school. It was an arresting sight that caught many students’ attention, recalled Williams, whose eyes were frequently glued to the vehicle and its badged driver—who happened to be his father. “My dad was […]
Posted inOpinion
Triggered
Should transgender students be able to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identities? Should trans women be able to compete in women’s athletics? These are complicated questions that we have been struggling to navigate and answer over the past several years, and we’ve made progress and gained a more complete […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Solvang pastry chef plans fundraiser highlighting mental health in culinary industry
Take some cake The May 12 fundraiser will be hosted at peasants FEAST located at 487 Atterdag Road in Solvang and will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Five cakes, all different flavors, all with unique designs, all inspired by the stories and experiences of local chefs. That’s what peasants FEAST Executive Pastry Chef Taylor […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local artist debuts new portraits and abstract series benefiting charities at Full of Life Flatbread
Peep the portraits To find Elizabeth Chaney’s work, including portraits and abstracts, visit simplyelizabethart.com. To view her series in person, visit Full of Life Flatbread at 225 Bell St., Los Alamos. While local artist Elizabeth Chaney considers herself quiet and introverted, she described her art as the opposite. “My art is my voice, and it’s […]
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Asking for more: Farmworkers and allies push for a countywide $26 minimum wage
The sounds of shrieking roller coaster riders clashed with protesters’ drums, tambourines, and chants at this year’s Santa Maria Strawberry Festival. On April 27, community members of various ages gathered outside of Santa Maria Fairpark to rally for a Santa Barbara countywide $26 per hour minimum wage for farmworkers. Alianza Campesina de la Costa Central, […]
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Avoiding disaster: Santa Maria aims for de facto moratorium on new battery energy storage facilities
Santa Maria aims to keep battery energy storage system (BESS) projects out of the city with a new set of rules still waiting for final approval. The overlap between specific industrial areas where BESS facilities are allowed and spaces near residential or agricultural uses where they will be banned will make the city’s sign-off impossible, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Flying Goat Cellars creates a buzz around local beekeeping efforts
Bee there Flying Goat Cellars invites everyone to join them for an educational bee event on April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1520 E. Chestnut Court, Lompoc. More information can be found at flyinggoatcellars.com/blogs/news/down-to-earth-month-2025. Honeybee hives consist of the queen bee, the worker bees, and the drone bees, creating a complicated yet “magical” […]
Posted inOpinion
Rules to develop by
Buellton’s about to get one of the only art deco Arco’s in the United States. After seven long years of fighting the city over its Avenue of Flags design requirements, Arco gave in! “I think you guys know me very well by now. We’ve been here many times,” Alex Cuevas told the Planning Commission, which […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Pacific Conservatory Theatre seeks housing hosts for its summer internship program
Room to grow Local residents interested in providing accommodations for a PCPA intern can find more information on how the informal housing arrangement works at pcpa.org/housingnetwork. To apply to be a host, visit pcpa.org/hosthousing. Toward the end of May, the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) in Santa Maria will welcome more than 70 technical theater interns […]
Posted inOpinion
Spanked for the audacity
Sable Offshore Corporation is heading for troubled waters—giant waves that most of us could see from a few miles away. The California Coastal Commission is pissed at the oil company for work it’s been doing to fix its old, janky pipeline that spilled oil all over Refugio Beach in 2015, work the company insists it […]
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Diverted from jail: Judge grants convicted arsonist mental health help instead of sending him to trial
Exiting his Orcutt garage, Rockie Daren Ginter already had his hands raised as he approached Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies on the morning of his arrest. Owned by Ginter’s parents, the house on Genoa Way was emitting flames and black smoke, according to court documents. Ginter allegedly told deputies about the voices in his head […]