Santa Maria Sun

12/20/2024

“The auditorium won’t be done until 2027, but … our New Year’s resolution is by the end of 2025 to have regular live performances on the Lompoc Theatre stage for the first time in 60 years,” Lompoc Theatre Project Executive Director Mark Herrier said.

A fundraising concert slated for Dec. 28 intends to help.

There’ll be church pews and stacking chairs but no standing room for guests of an intimate concert, set to bring a handful of rock, roots,...

12/19/2024

About 170 miles of containment line encircled the Lake Fire earlier this summer as part of U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest's effort to prevent it from spreading even further. In October, the forest started working in collaboration with the Chumash Fire Department to repair the damage done to the ecosystem, important cultural sites, and native plants by those dozer lines.

Chumash Fire Department Capt. Quntan Garcia placed a stalky beige plant into my hand and slowly trickled water from his Kirkland water bottle over it....

12/16/2024

We’re in the midst of our end-of-year fundraising drive, now through Dec. 31.

Every dollar raised will pave the way for us to continue our award-winning coverage. Every contribution also allows our journalists to access the resources they need to keep holding lawmakers and elected officials accountable, from the Board of Supervisors to school boards.

Will you help us continue to safeguard democracy every day for the citizens of SLO County?

https://new-times-inc.fundjournalism.org/supportsunjournalism/

12/10/2024

Santa Barbara County’s visitors will soon see a higher bill at the end of their stay as local voters approved hotel bed tax increases throughout the region.

In the face of slowed budget growth at the county level and high impacts from tourism in the Santa Ynez Valley region, Buellton, Solvang, and Santa Barbara County put a 2 percent transient occupancy tax (TOT) on their respective ballots to boost funding streams.

Santa Barbara County’s visitors will soon see a higher bill at the end of their stay as local voters approved hotel bed tax increases throughout...

12/09/2024

Four North County school districts placed bond measures on the ballot this year to make site improvements or build a new school—with two passing the 55 percent voter approval threshold.

Santa Maria-Bonita and Lompoc Unified school districts had 62 percent and 59.6 percent approval, respectively. Both districts wish to make improvements to aging buildings, remove asbestos, and replace outdated portable classrooms.

Four North County school districts placed bond measures on the ballot this year to make site improvements or build a new school—with two passing the...

12/06/2024

A pristine copy of Trisha Cole’s new book—a compilation of recipes, life hacks, poetry, puzzles, hand-drawn illustrations, photographs, and more—shouldn’t stay pristine for too long, its author advised her readers. She expects coffee stains, food drippings, and more to splatter across the text and drawings before too long.

A pristine copy of Trisha Cole’s new book—a compilation of recipes, life hacks, poetry, puzzles, hand-drawn illustrations, photographs, and more—shouldn’t stay pristine for too long,...

12/05/2024

Allan Hancock College is already prepared to take advantage of a proposition that California voters passed that earmarks $1.5 billion in bonds for community colleges and $8.5 billion in bonds for K-12 schools.

The Santa Maria community college submitted requests for renovations on Building N or the Sports Pavilion, Vice President of Finance and Administration Dennis Curran said.

“It houses our kinesiology program, our fitness area, our basketball and volleyball courts, classrooms, coaches’ offices,” he said.

California’s community colleges, including Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College, rely on bond measures to help fund campus enhancements—anything from adding new buildings to renovating...

11/25/2024

The theme of Lompoc artist Liz Poulin Alvarez’s latest solo exhibit—dedicated to the dogs who’ve left lasting impressions on her throughout her life—sprung from a very human place.

“The impetus for the show was influenced by Fred, … my daughter’s dog,” Alvarez said. “[Fred] is a kelpie-blue heeler mix and currently lives with us. … He’ll be returning to my daughter next month, and my plan was to capture his personality in a variety of outdoor settings.”

The theme of Lompoc artist Liz Poulin Alvarez’s latest solo exhibit—dedicated to the dogs who’ve left lasting impressions on her throughout her life—sprung from a...

11/22/2024

A federal judge recently ruled in favor of the Forest Service for a project proposing removing chaparral and trees across 755 acres that extend along Pine Mountain between state Highway 33 and Reyes Peak in Ventura County.

A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service’s controversial tree and chaparral removal project in the Pine...

11/21/2024

Don’t blink or the year might be over. Before that happens, you’ve got to revel in the spirit of the holiday season! And I don’t just mean when the big man in red comes to deliver all those things you want. We've got you covered with our annual Holiday Guide!

All the events, comfort food, traditions, and volunteering opportunities to get you through the season

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...