Santa Maria Sun

11/15/2024

“Rents are now completely out of control for business establishments, and we need to diversify our revenues,” Theodora Stephen wrote in a public comment letter to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

She wants to put a farm stay on her olive oil operation in Santa Ynez and was advocating for the board to pass a new ordinance on Nov. 5 that would increase what's allowed on agricultural land. The board pushed its decision to December.

The agricultural enterprise ordinance could be Theodora Stephen’s ticket to creating farm stays on her small olive oil operation in Santa Ynez. “Rents are now...

11/14/2024

When life gave her lemon sharks, Nansi Bielanski Gallup made lemon shark art.

Named for its yellowish color, the lemon shark is one of several forms of sea life found in paintings by Nansi and David Gallup—whose ongoing duo show at the California Nature Art Museum includes works inspired by the couple’s scuba diving adventures.

When life gave her lemon sharks, Nansi Bielanski Gallup made lemon shark art. Named for its yellowish color, the lemon shark is one of several...

11/12/2024

“We want to hear from everybody on all sides, but unfortunately today one of my staff persons was shoved up against a door because somebody was unhappy they couldn’t get into this room," Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Director Lisa Plowman said, kicking off a recent hearing about oil operations.

Whether you’re for or against oil operations in Santa Barbara County, you’re passionate about that position. But that decades-long debate turned up a notch at...

11/11/2024

Win two tickets for you and a friend to attend the 2024 New Times Music Awards!

Friday, November 22nd at 7pm at SLO Brew Rock

The 2024 NTMA’s will continue the tradition of presenting the first place finishers in each category with a custom-designed New Times Music Award - a "Newtie". These musicians will also receive a spot at the Winners Showcase where they will compete against one another for the Best Live Performance award. A panel of local music industry judges will determine the best live performer, who will also receive a special customized trophy.

Performers Include:
Gehrig Kniffen
Cate Armstrong
Azere Wilson
Carbon City Lights
Hot 45
Sadie Jasper
Walk the Whale

Head to the New Times website to sign up and win now!
https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/FreeStuff

11/08/2024

One of Santa Maria’s top vintners is dotting its i’s with a new set of eyes. As part of Bien Nacido’s plan to gradually replant two of its vineyards over the next several years, the Miller Family Wine Company recently enlisted Gregory Gonzalez to spearhead the project.

Gonzalez brings 15 years of viticultural experience to his new role as Bien Nacido’s vineyard director and director of agricultural operations.

One of Santa Maria’s top vintners is dotting its i’s with a new set of eyes. As part of Bien Nacido’s plan to gradually replant...

11/07/2024

“We are more than 10 weeks into the school year, and there [are] no bids accepted to build the playground,” Fairlawn Elementary PE teacher Michael Clair said. “Without a playground, they have many limited options during recess time. Many students are apathetic about going to recess, and a lack of opportunities is contributing to social and behavioral issues throughout the [day].”

Instead of soaring on swings, racing down slides, and climbing on monkey bars, students at four Santa Maria elementary schools are playing on concrete slabs....

11/04/2024

In September, the sprawling ’s El Jabali Estate launched its first open-air tram tour, occasionally led by Tasting Room Manager Rebekah Boles.

“It’s great that we can offer this new experience for those who may not physically be able to hike the vineyard,” Boles said via email. “I have experienced leading this tour a few times, and the views do not disappoint.”

There’s a new way for wine tasters to explore the rugged mountain terrain and winding paths that define Alma Rosa Winery’s El Jabali Estate without...

11/01/2024

“My top priority remains safeguarding the public from foodborne illness and safety hazards, while also supporting our local businesses, many of which are immigrant-owned, as they face unfair competition from unregulated vendors,” Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said.

Al pastor meat sitting in a 5 gallon, dirty plastic bucket on the side of the road. Beans, tamales, and/or fruit resting in coolers with...

10/31/2024

“A lot of our students are excited because they can’t afford to leave for a bachelor’s degree,” said Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College’s president and superintendent. “This is designed to get people into the workforce."

For the 12 years Kevin Walthers has been with Allan Hancock College, he has tried to work with the California State University System to make...

10/28/2024

The annual New Times Music Awards are designed to showcase music and songwriting from local musicians throughout the Central Coast of California in a wide variety of genres including Rock/Alternative, Country/Americana/Folk, Hip-Hop, R&B/Blues, Open and Youth.

The 2024 NTMA’s will continue the tradition of presenting the first place finishers in each category with a custom-designed New Times Music Award - a "Newtie". These musicians will also receive a spot at the Winners Showcase where they will compete against one another for the Best Live Performance award. A panel of local music industry judges will determine the best live performer, who will also receive a special customized trophy.

Performers Include:

Gehrig Kniffen

Cate Armstrong

Azere Wilson

Carbon City Lights

Hot 45

Sadie Jasper

Scott Martin

Second and third place winners in the six genres, songwriting, and album categories will receive specially designed plaques. All winners will be honored at the 2024 showcase, happening Friday, November 22nd at SLO Brew Rock Event Center. Come celebrate the best local live music!

Once again we will be raffling off a one of a kind Earnie Ball guitar again this year! This year we'll be raffling off a one of a kind Vintage Sunburst Cutlass CT30 HSS. There are three raffle ticket options available for purchase. Online raffle ticket purchases will become disabled on November 21st at 7pm (24 hours before the big show), however, they can still be purchased at the event until the raffle is called!

Get your tickets today!

https://my805tix.com/e/ntma24

10/28/2024

On almost every wall of the Los Olivos General Store, visitors will spot Michelle Feldman’s oil paintings, some of which were painted directly onto rice paper. One of her favorite perks about working with rice paper is how transparently paint can seep through it.

“It stains. You’re literally staining the paper,” Feldman said.

Across the street from where her former stationery shop once stood, Michelle Feldman is working with paper in a different way. On almost every wall...

10/25/2024

“Let’s say you are a person who doesn’t have a house, and you have a dog, and you need to go to a wellness appointment or a probation appointment … but you don’t have anywhere to put your dog,” Santa Barbara County Animal Services Director Sarah Aguilar said. “Do you leave the dog and risk it being taken from you or not go to your appointment? If you don’t go to your appointment, does that cause an emergency later—which causes stress to the system, but it also puts a burden on the person.”

With their unconditional loyalty, big eyes filled with nothing but love, and snuggles that bring endless comfort, pets can be the biggest support system for...

10/25/2024

Brighten up your day by flipping through the winners of our second annual pet photo contest. Readers from across the Central Coast submitted more than 400 images of their cats, dogs, lizards, chickens, horses, bunnies, and even fish in this year’s competition.

Brighten up your day by flipping through the winners of our second annual pet photo contest. Readers from across the Central Coast submitted more than...

10/18/2024

More surprise changes for the planned Royal Theater revamp: City staff morphed the project's scope from a three-story building to one-story in order to reduce costs.

Chasing deadlines and a need to cut costs continue to haunt the Royal Theater renovation project. Most recently, Guadalupe city staff submitted redesign changes for...

10/17/2024

The local branch of the Photographic Society of America has been around for almost a century. Getting its start in 1938, the Santa Maria Camera Club hosts monthly competitions for its members—many of whom are retired professional photographers. But the club accepts shutterbugs of all ages and skill sets and even hosts field trips for photo fun.

For budding photographers, gaining exposure is virtually synonymous with raking in Instagram likes nowadays. Among the online platforms where photogs can freely showcase their portfolios,...

10/11/2024

More than 60 local winemakers are slated to show off their pours during 2024’s Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival. The 40th annual fest’s afternoon grand tasting will be held at Vega Vineyard and Farm in Buellton on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Cabanas and cabernets await the attendees of a yearly wine mecca with a rich four-decade history. More than 60 local winemakers are slated to show off their pours during 2024’s Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival. The 40th annual fest’s afternoon grand tasting will be held at Vega Vineyard an...

10/10/2024

Since July, 28 people in the Santa Maria Riverbed have tested positive for syphilis and five people tested positive for hepatitis C.

STIs, emergency care, and substance use are some of the health issues facing the unhoused population that calls the Santa Maria Riverbed home. Nonprofits and local agencies providing health services to encamped residents and those transitioning to temporary housing situations said it’s been challe...

10/10/2024

We're stoked to announce the 2024 NTMA finalists!

Each band/performer is up for the Readers Choice Award and voting in now OPEN

The voting period goes from today to Monday, October 28th at 5pm. Head to the main page of the New Times website to cast your votes. LISTEN AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BAND TODAY!

This year's finalists include:
Azere Wilson “Bittersweet Addiction”
Azere Wilson “Wish For You”
Big Sierra “I Don’t Know Why”
Carbon City Lights “Skye Blue”
Cate Armstrong “Maybe This Time”
Elysian Moon “Infinite Surrender”
Gehrig Kniffen “The Coast”
Gehrig Kniffen “What A Year”
Hot 45 “Can’t Stop”
IMVA “Feel My Love”
Jovian Queen “Sirens Over Gravesend”
Little Time “Sailing Around Nassau”
Noach Tangeras “Put Me On A Train”
Scott Martin “OG Funk”
Shawna Mix “Booty Church”
The Loving Mosh “After Sunset”
Walk the Whale “Overboard”
Ynana Rose “One Eyed Ghost”

The winner of the Readers Choice Award will be announced at the 2024 New Times Music Awards, Friday, November 22nd at 7pm at SLO Brew Rock. Get your tickets now!