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Articles by Reece Coren
Lompoc’s Pali Wine Co. triples operating grounds, announces 20th anniversary celebration for August, adapts appointments for tastings
Pali Wine Company’s 2024 Market Price orange wine blend bursts with pineapple, mango, and tangerine. The 2023 P.C.H. rosé of pinot noir has a zip of acidity and a refreshing wave of delicate red fruit flavors. The 2021 Jetty red wine offers up raspberries, strawberries, and cherries. “Making wine accessible, not overpriced, and fun, not intimidating, has been an important part of the program since day one,” Director of Winemaking Operations Aaron Walker said.
Gallery Los Olivos hosts Deborah Kalas exhibition showcasing birds from Santa Ynez Valley, across country
Lying on her stomach in mud, Deborah Kalas shivered for hours as she photographed American avocets to get the right shot. Along with trudging heavy, long lenses through fields to capture the feathered vertebrates without disturbing them, Kalas also had to maintain her patience. “The bird might sit in a spot for quite a while and not do anything, and then, all of a sudden, it does something,” she said.
Lompoc Public Library expands Books and Bubbles at Ryon Park with three summer dates, challenges junior bakers with Edible Books Contest
The Lompoc Public Library’s Charlotte’s Web Bookmobile expanded its Books, Bubbles, and Family Fun Fridays at Ryon Park. A bilingual story time with play in mind, the free summer program brings stories to life with special guests and crafts. Lompoc police cadets and Lompoc firefighters will be stopping by this summer to read. Books and Bubbles will be held July 18, July 25, and Aug. 1.
Cypress Gallery hosts Lompoc’s Jasmine Gonzalez for Creating Through Chaos display
Jasmine Gonzalez’s Creating Through Chaos exhibition will be on display at the Cypress Gallery in Lompoc from July 31 to Aug. 24. “It’s a bit of a mixed media fever dream,” Gonzalez told the Sun.
Le Vigne Winery named Central Coast Wine Competition's Winery of the Year, New York International Wine Competition's Paso Robles Winery of the Year
Sherry Isted has been drinking Le Vigne wine for 23 years. She said the Nikiara is her favorite. "It's not too tart or too sweet," Isted said. "It's smooth and blended nicely." Known for bold flavors like the Bordeaux-style Nikiara with notes of blueberry, black cherry, pistachio, and turmeric, Le Vigne Winery was named Winery of the Year by the Central Coast Wine Competition on June 19 and also named the Paso Robles Winery of the Year by the New York International Wine Competition on June 23.
Lompoc’s Wild West Pizza selected as finalist for National Real California Cheese Pizza Competition, honored for dedication to community service
Jay Turner is topped with barbecue sauce, bacon, marinated chicken breast, red onions, and ranch dressing. The Central Coast DJ’s namesake pizza is also a favorite of Wild West Pizza owner David Goldy, whose pizza has topped Turner’s charts for two decades. “I can get a pepperoni or a Hawaiian [pizza] anywhere,” Turner said. “But I can’t get a Jay Turner Pizza anywhere.” Turner said he’s been eating Goldy’s pizza for 20 years, even before Wild West existed.
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County merge to create Children’s Resource and Referral Discovery Museum | Santa Maria Sun
The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County merged on July 1, creating a new partnership at the Santa Maria hands-on museum. “It’s a perfect marriage,” said Jacquilyn Banta, chief operating officer for the museum.
Santa Maria youth respond to stepped-up ICE enforcement
Fed up with the federal government’s policies and their impact on communities like his in Santa Maria, 17-year-old Cesar Vasquez recently shifted the focus of his organization, La Cultura Del Mundo. “We are here to protect all immigrants—no matter where you are from, who you believe in, who you love, or where you stand,” Vasquez said during public comment at Santa Maria’s July 1 City Council meeting. “Join us on Aug.
Chumash illustrator John Khus highlights cultural heritage, fight for social justice with colorful imagery
A faceless Statue of Liberty with flowing, black hair dons a colorful array of Indigenous tattoos. The white “Be Human” book she holds in her right hand matches the shackle around her left ankle, chaining her to the pile of skulls on which she stands. Her blank head looks back at the viewer, while her naked, Rubenesque body faces the U.S. Capitol, which is turning into an army of police drones flashing red and blue lights.
Guadalupe Buddhist Church hosts annual Obon festival to honor ancestors
Savor Japanese cuisine, partake in traditional dance, and bask in the Taiko drummers’ traditional booms. The Guadalupe Buddhist Church will host its annual Obon festival July 27 from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Santa Maria Veterans’ Memorial Building. Join community members in the sea of smiles and colorful kimonos to honor Japanese Buddhist ancestors’ spirits. Similar to Día de los Muertos, Obon is about keeping loved ones’ souls alive.
Cellist-led rock band will blend blues, classical music at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang
A globetrotting blues, rock, and Americana band will take the stage in Solvang on July 25. With a set list ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Charlie Daniels, Dirty Cello will perform at Lost Chord Guitars at 8 p.m. Instead of a guitarist, cellist Rebecca Roudman leads the band. “We’re all about the fun at our shows,” she said in press materials. “We step onstage with only a vague plan as to what specific songs we are going to play.
Local artist’s metal sculpture exhibit now on display at Elverhoj Museum in Solvang | Santa Maria Sun
The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art is now displaying Suzi Trubitz: Through the Years. The exhibit focuses on how the Santa Ynez sculptor transforms raw metal into art. Each piece demonstrates Trubitz’s conversation between fragility and force as a physical testament to her approach to making steel art with flames, according to the museum. The exhibit will run through Sept.
Drover’s Doughnuts ups the dessert competition in Solvang with sandwiches, cake shakes, dirty sodas
Egg topped with cheddar cheese rests comfortably on a bed of sausage. A hint of salt from the everything seasoning greets a kick of chipotle aioli. But this breakfast sandwich doesn’t include a bagel. Instead, Drover’s Doughnuts Harvest Moon comes on a plain doughnut. The doughnut shop opened its Solvang location on May 30, and the out-of-the box sandwich is just one of the ways Drover’s is changing what a doughnut can be.
Santa Barbara County awards 12 arts and culture organizations up to $5,000 each | Santa Maria Sun
Santa Barbara County awarded arts grants to 12 nonprofits on June 16, providing more than $50,000 to support community development through arts and culture. For the 2025-26 Arts Making Impact (AMI) program, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors selected a dozen organizations to receive grants of up to $5,000 funded by the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation.
South Side Coffee Company captures Lompoc’s artistic spirit with gallery of local art vendors
The divided storefront along the South H Street strip of West Ocean Avenue is meant to catch the eyes of more than just the observant stroller. Designed by a man named Terry, one window is decorated with rainbow flags, cats, doves, flamingoes, and flowers: pink, white, orange, yellow, purple, and magenta. The other window display presents a scene so white, it looks like a blizzard.
Man found dead in his Northern Branch Jail cell
A 54-year-old Santa Maria man was found dead in his cell at the Northern Branch Jail on June 28. A custody deputy conducting a routine security and welfare check found Juan Lara unresponsive in his cell in the B Unit around 10:45 p.m., according to a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office press release.
The Groves on 41 stands out with over a dozen delicious olive oil flavors
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2022 study by the Yale School of Medicine found that people who used more than half a tablespoon of olive oil in their diet daily had a 19 percent lower risk of death from heart disease. "We don't consume enough olive oil in the U.S.," Karen Tallent said. "We do about a quart of olive oil per person per year, which is not even a teaspoon a day.
PCPA celebrates summer under the stars by hosting Waitress, Holmes and Watson musicals
The Pacific Conservatory Theater (PCPA) welcomes the summer season with outdoor performances of Waitress: The Musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, singer of the 2013 hit “Brave” and 2007 hit “Love Song.” The show will play through July 6 at the Solvang Festival Theater. Through the two-and-a-half-hour show, a waitress named Jenna embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Lompoc City Council will continue providing funds to the Chamber of Commerce, allowing it to remain open, after dozens of public commenters
The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce isn’t going anywhere. Following outcry from local residents, Lompoc City Council reversed course on a decision to decrease funding for the organization. Council members unanimously decided to continue providing the chamber $108,000 annually for the 2025-27 fiscal years at the June 17 meeting. In response to a June 3 vote to cut Lompoc’s annual chamber contribution by about 30 percent, 42 different speakers spoke during public comment on June 17 in protest.
Santa Maria artist Tommy Ruiz highlights unconventional beauty with surrealist imagery expressing the trans experience
Tommy Ruiz was lying in bed as a 13-year-old girl when he suddenly realized he was transgender. It was July 2015. Caitlyn Jenner had just come out to the world with her “I am Cait” Vanity Fair cover. “I remember the day,” Ruiz said. “Before that, I knew I was a part of the LGBTQ-plus community, but I wasn’t quite aware of what the T in LGBT meant.
Monster trucks to mash at Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles
Don’t have plans for the last weekend of July yet? The California Mid-State Fair has you covered. Tickets to the July 26 805 Country Rodeo Finals and July 27 Monster Truck Takeover are on sale now on the Mid-State Fair’s website. Both shows start at 7 p.m. inside the Main Grandstand Arena. Rodeo finals tickets are $30 for general admission and $25 for kids ages 3 to 12. Day-of-show and reserved seating tickets are available for $40.
Tacos El Pirata Mayor treats North Broadway to authentic Mexican cuisine
Buried in the back of El Gallo Market’s parking lot, lies a hidden treasure that doesn’t require a scavenger hunt. Inside the white trailer labeled with bright gold letters and a cartoon chef smiling behind his signature goatee, a family serves up five-star flavors in under five minutes. Luis Gutierrez owns and operates the Tacos El Pirata Mayor food truck, alongside his wife, Veronica. Together, they serve authentic Mexican food loaded with flavor ready to wow your taste buds.
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm to celebrate peak bloom with second annual festival hosting artisan market
Tucked away along the Tularosa Road offramp of California Highway 246 lies a quaint purple slice of heaven. Buried deep within the greens of the Santa Rita Hills, a field of bushes showcases violet buds so densely packed that from a distance they look like an amethyst-colored sheet. Lizards scurry, bees buzz, and hummingbirds and butterflies flutter at each bush—a family of quails even nested in one—as gophers and squirrels pop up from across the field.
Demetria Estate announces summer movie nights, live music
Demetria Estate announces summer movie nights, live music Demetria Estate will welcome summer to Los Olivos by hosting Live Music Sundays and Movie Nights in the Vineyard. The film screenings will take place summer evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting in July. Tickets are $220 per couple—$75 for kids—and include a buffet-style dinner, a glass and a bottle of wine, and unlimited popcorn and candy. To RSVP, email .
Local photographer Kayla Marie highlights the planet’s natural beauty with her shots of beaches, sunsets, mountains
Growing up in Pismo Beach, a young Kayla Marie would watch the sunset from her balcony every night. At the age of 9, she received her first camera as a gift from her father. “My dad saw me out there watching all the time,” Marie said. “He decided to get me a camera and told me to start taking pictures. It became a passion. From that moment on, I didn’t stop.” Marie has since been snapping pictures across Santa Barbara County for decades.
Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce declares to close June 30
The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce will close June 30, according to a June 10 Facebook post from the chamber, which blamed the City Council’s decision to “abruptly and drastically cut funding.” “This is more than a budget cut. It’s the potential loss of a vital community pillar,” chamber President/CEO DeVika Stalling wrote.
Oak Ridge Boys celebrate July 4 with farewell concert at Chumash Casino
Oak Ridge Boys celebrate July 4 with farewell concert at Chumash Casino Iconic American vocal quartet The Oak Ridge Boys will celebrate the United States’ 249th birthday with a farewell concert at the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom. Along with Ben James, who joined in 2023, longtime members Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban will sing hits like “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue” when they take the stage July 4 at 8 p.m. as part of their American Made Farewell tour.
Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club will host local wineries, eateries to raise funds for Old Days
On June 21, Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club will host Vine2Wine, Brews & Bites at 429 Leslie St. at 6 p.m. About two dozen wineries will fill glasses to pair with food served by local eateries. Tickets are available at my805tix.com for $65. Any remaining will be sold at the door on June 21 for $75. For more information, email .
Sunshine Olive Oil named Central Coast Producer of the Year by Mid-State Fair judges
Richard Delahanty said he cuts open olives nearly every day from late October until early December to see if they're ready to be harvested. He joked that he's in the field so often he'll sometimes tell his wife he's going out to talk to the trees. "We use all organic fertilizers," Sunshine Olive Oil's ranch and production manager said.
Santa Ynez author releases Central Coast-based novel featuring characters based on real chefs
Santa Ynez Valley-based author Jamie Baker released his new novel, You Ate It, on May 25. The 368-page novel addresses school shootings, vigilante justice, drug addiction, sex, and politics. You Ate It tells the story of a teenager named Michael who has a big idea that makes him rich and lands him in Silicon Valley.
PCPA offers summer performing arts classes for kids ages 8 to 18
The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) will host three week-long camps this summer at its Severson Theatre on the Allan Hancock College campus, located at 800 S. College Drive in Santa Maria. Campers will learn how to build confidence and find their voice while socializing and exploring the whimsical, musical world of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. PCPA instructors will guide aspiring actors through the fundamentals of musical theater while challenging them with theater games and movement exercises.
Salud Carbajal proposes law to help mitigate rocket launch noise impacts
Shaking windows and a sonic boom awoke Orcutt and Lompoc residents around 7 a.m. on June 8, when SpaceX Starlink group 15-8 launched the Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Once a relatively rare occurrence, rockets are launching from the Vandenberg base with increasing frequency. With each launch comes a sound loud enough to disturb anyone in the nearby area.
Coast Range steakhouse chef and owner Steven Fretz introduces nonalcoholic drink menu
After he drank himself into the hospital with cirrhosis last November, Steven Fretz had to be revived. The doctors gave him two choices: stop drinking alcohol and live or keep drinking and die. Fretz had been a chef for 25 years at that point, making his living in a drinking world that was slowly sucking the life from him. Cooks are nearly twice as likely to die from alcohol addiction compared to the average person, according to .
Local volunteers organize mobile vaccine clinic for unhoused pet families inside Santa Maria riverbed
Walking along dirt paths in the Santa Maria Riverbed, there’s not much to see but dry brush and the occasional jackrabbit. In the distance, a group of people appear among the bushes. A man in bright mint green scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck rips open a bag of plastic syringes and grabs a small, clear vial from the red NOBIVAC 3-rabies CA case in his black insulated cooler.
Local nonprofit displays local high school students’ illustrations highlighting Mexican identity, fight for social justice
A black ball gown decorated with yellow and white flowers depicted by a Righetti High School student was the one she dreamed of wearing at her quinceañera. But when ICE agents swarmed her neighborhood, the first-year student and undocumented immigrant remained trapped, hiding in her house on the day that should’ve been all about her.
Youth ARTS Alive returns for ninth summer of providing free art classes
Summertime is just around the corner. School is ending, giving kids plenty of free time. What is there for them to do that doesn’t require spending money? Nothing—at least that’s the realization Gale McNeeley had in 2017. That’s when he started Youth ARTS Alive, a five-week schedule of free summer art classes for children that culminates with a showcase performance in July. Painting, drawing, and sculpting are just some of the skills children can build.
Alma Rosa annual charity walk through the vineyards raises more than $250,000 for mental health
The 2025 Alma Rosa Winery Peace of Mind charity walk raised more than $250,000 to support research on and community services for mental health. On the morning of May 17, more than 250 local community members participated in Alma Rosa’s sixth annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction walk.
Offensive lineman-turned winemaker wins Vinter of the Year, celebrates Flying Goat Cellars’ 25th anniversary
Norm Yost said he was a beer-drinking offensive lineman for the University of California, Davis when he first tried wine in 1979. “My roommate was a winemaker at the time,” Yost said. “I put down my beer and joined him for a wine tasting one afternoon, and I was completely taken by the whole process.” This spring, Yost was named the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance’s 2025 Vintner of the Year, an honor he’ll officially receive in August.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department announces high fire season recommendations
Wildfire season is here. Don’t want your home to burn down? The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has tips it hopes will help you evade disaster. In the first quarter of this year, the Palisades Fire tore through Los Angeles County, burning more than 23,000 acres of land and destroying more than 6,000 structures. Aiming to prevent a similar catastrophe locally, the county Fire Department announced the start of high fire season on June 2 during a press conference.
Book Loft in Solvang displays graphic novel allowing kids to write their own adventure
Iranian writer Vahid Imani’s graphic novel, Naji and the Mystery of the Dig, is now on display at the Book Loft in Solvang. Adapted from Imani’s chapter book of the same name, this version offers readers a uniquely interactive storytelling experience. Rather than having the words already filled in, Imani’s novel comes with blank dialogue bubbles, inviting kids to write their own narratives.
Central Coast Cooking Show says goodbye for summer with Father's Day-themed barbecue dinner
When they step foot into Idler's Home on June 17, ticketholders will be greeted with a splash of sparkling wine and a bite of teriyaki beef before chef Gregory Kalatsky leads them through the evening's four courses, each paired with a local wine from Peachy Canyon Winery. Central Coast Party Helpers [CCPH] will host the next Central Coast Cooking Show, a monthly cooking demonstration, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Paso Robles home and appliance showroom.
Mexicana Artist Helen Yanez depicts Purépecha heritage to highlight Mexican culture
Helen Yanez said she was always the kid walking around with a coloring book when she was little. In class, instead of taking notes, she would doodle in the margins of her notebooks. Even today, whenever she needs to write something down at work, she tries to make sure she always has her bright pink pen on hand. Now 24, Yanez is a full-time artist and professional illustrator.
One local graduates from Righetti High School, Allan Hancock College at same time
Samantha McDonald was 13 years old when the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm, forcing schools across the United States to pivot from in-person to virtual learning sessions. Then a seventh grader, Samantha suddenly discovered she had a lot of free time for the first time in her young life. Most kids that age would use the time to sleep or play video games. Or they’d scroll social media or look for a show to stream. Not Samantha.
Lompoc’s Pour Decisions blends a leisurely atmosphere with zesty margaritas
It’s happy hour in Lompoc. You’re thirsty for a drink—and maybe some socialization. You want to listen to classic hits that aren’t too loud and hang out at a bar that isn’t so fast-paced you’ll be overwhelmed. Try Pour Decisions. Located at 724 E. Ocean Ave., the former home of DJ’s Saloon, Pour Decisions is not your average loud and crowded cocktail bar.
Fossemalle Dance Studio dancers perform An Invitation to Dance
Fossemalle Dance Studio’s Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts Company will host its 36th season of An Invitation to Dance at the Santa Ynez Valley High School Little Theater. Under the direction of Christine Fossemalle, students will perform on June 18, 20, and 21 starting at 7 p.m. each night. Guests will be treated to three nights of elegant ballet, fun jazz, and trendy hip-hop as they take in the unique choreography.
Santa Barbara Supervisors prepare for next potential pandemic
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to prepare for the next pandemic on May 20. In response to the 2024-25 Santa Barbara County grand jury’s March 10 report that identified a need for the county Health Department to develop a proactive approach to the next potential epidemic, board members Laura Capps, Roy Lee, and Joan Hartmann—the only members in attendance—all voted to support pandemic preparations at the meeting.
Lompoc starts summer with family-friendly movie nights
The city of Lompoc’s Parks and Recreation Division will host three free movies for community members throughout the summer at Ryon Memorial Park. Beginning with Moana 2 on Saturday, June 14, the Parks and Recreation Division will welcome families around 8 p.m. for a night of cinema under the stars. The division will screen on July 12 before concluding its trio of movie nights with on Aug. 2. Parks and Recreation encourages those attending to bring low-back chairs, blankets, and snacks.
Future producers take today’s stage during Righetti High film festival
Ernest Righetti High School hosted its 26th annual film festival May 9. Students in attendance were treated to a karaoke performance before more than 20 short films made by ninth through 12th graders were screened on the gym stage. Film genres included comedy, horror, documentary, and drama, teacher Jacob Gustafson said in press materials. He said some of the films showcased were even selected for future film festivals, like the Central Coast Film Society Student Showcase.
Hellbound Bastards author Chris McGuinness shares layers of writing journey
As a preteen, Chris McGuinness began his journey down the horror path after receiving a copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot for Christmas. “That was the first adult horror book I ever read,” Chris said. “It just blew my mind. I came away from that book as a lifelong fan of horror, especially horror fiction. That’s one of the books that made me really want to be a writer and specifically write horror.” Last month, he published his first book—a novella titled Hellbound Bastards. Its genre? Horror.
Solvang could join growing number of California cities outlawing encampments
On May 27, Solvang City Council members will vote on whether the city will become the next domino to fall in line with California’s legislative push against unhoused people trying to live outside of shelters. Lompoc introduced public and private camping bans in March. In February, members of the Fremont City Council tried to criminalize “aiding” and “abetting” people in encampments before public outrage caused them to pull back.
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