News Music Arts
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY’S NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY > DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 > VOL. 19 NO. 43 > WWW.SANTAMARIASUN.COM AT THE MOVIESAT THE MOVIES Mary Poppins Returns: Magical rehash [41] 1 Max is mushy [26] cover heads.12-27 SUN SCREEN: COVER HEAD: ARTS: The Sun takes a look back on the stories that defined 2018 [8] Santa Maria City Council Remember See how local artists NEWS swears in new members [4] MUSIC the music [35] ARTS beautified 2018 [38] DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 3, 2019 VOL. 19 NO. 43 ell, it’s over—2018 has come and gone. If it felt like a blur, it’s because it was, with so many important stories rising to the forefront. The year saw disaster Wand tragedy, generosity and community support, a decisive election season, and boundless creativity on the Central Coast. 2 As we catch our breath before diving head first into 2019, the STORIES TO TELL: The Sun’s annual Year Sun always takes a look back with our annual Year In Review In Review issue looks back on what made issue, which explores the news [8], opinions [12], music [35], 2018 an unforgettable year. art [38], and food [43] that defined 2018. Joe Payne, managing editor Photos by Jayson Mellom > Cover design by Alex Zuniga NEWS MUSIC News Briefs ........................................................4 Music listings .................................................. 36 Political Watch ...................................................4 Weather ..............................................................4 MOVIES Reviews & Locations ........................................41 OPINION Web Poll ...........................................................12 Canary ..............................................................13 CLASSIFIEDS, HOME, AND REAL ESTATE .......................................45 EVENTS CALENDAR Hot Stuff ..........................................................14 Adoptable Pets of the Week ELIJAH A beautiful, full-service Age: 1 year 1 month property located in the Breed: German heart of Santa Maria Shepherd • Banquet Facilities for groups of up to 350 Sex: Male • e Century Room Restaurant Weight: 80 lbs. o ering a champagne Sunday Brunch • English Pub with Happy Hour • Wine Cellar o ering complimentary appetizers BJ Age: 3 years 1 801 S. Broadway month Breed: Domestic 805-928-7777 Short Hair www.santamariainn.com Happy New Year Sex: Male Weight: 12.5 lbs. from everyone at All animals are health checked, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. New Times Media Group Our offi ces will be closed on 1687 West Stowell Rd • Santa Maria (805) 349-3435 • www.smvhs.org ·Vintners Lounge Tuesday, January 1st. Adoption Center Hours ·Atrium Bistro Wed - Sun, 11 am - 6 pm WE HAVE EARLY DEADLINES FOR OUR 1/3/19 PAPERS! AD PROVIDED BY ·Vintners Grill ·Champagne Sunday Brunch ·Conferences & private parties for up to 350 people (805) 878-0807 928-8000 · 3455 Skyway Drive, SM NewTimesSLO.com • SantaMariaSun.com · My805Tix.com www.radisson.com/santamariaca 2 • Sun • December 27 - January 3, 2019 • www.santamariasun.com 3 www.santamariasun.com • December 27 - January 3, 2019 • Sun • 3 BRIEFS PHOTOS BY JOE PAYNE Santa Maria City Council swears Political Watch in re-elected and new members, • Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown gave a warning about honors retiring member pension costs during an interview with The Sacramento Bee on Dec. 21, saying the state could fall into “fi scal The Santa Maria City Council chambers were 4 oblivion” if it didn’t do more to address the cost of packed with supporters and city residents on retirement benefi ts for government employees. Brown’s Dec. 18 who were eager to see returning and new comments came weeks after his administration defended members of the council sworn in. the state’s right to adjust pension benefi ts in the California But before re-elected Councilmember Etta Supreme Court. After Brown took offi ce, he signed a law Waterfi eld and newly elected Gloria Soto were that took effect in 2013 that reduced potential retirement sworn in to represent their respective districts, earnings for government workers and required them to the council issued a proclamation honoring pay more to fund their pensions. The law also put a stop retiring Councilmember Jack Boysen for his to retirement plans that Brown called an “overreach.” Cal service to the city. Boysen, who plans to move Fire Local 2881, Cal Fire’s union, sued the state over the away from town with his wife, thanked the city law, saying it violated the California Rule, which prohibits staff, council members, and the community for governments from reducing retirement benefi ts without the honors. offering compensation. “In order to maintain the defi ned “It has truly been my pleasure to serve the benefi t, there has to be the power of management to citizens of Santa Maria for the past eight years,” make modifi cations,” Brown told the Bee. “If we do right, he said. “Congratulations to Gloria Soto, who people who have a pension and what they’ve earned will will fi ll this seat next. … You are joining a great never be changed. But you can’t say that fi ve minutes and caring council. Learn from them; I know I after you sign your employment application, for the next have.” ON THE DAIS: The Santa Maria City Council meeting on Dec. 18 saw the swearing in of re-elected member Etta Waterfi eld (left) to 30 or 35 years that not one benefi t can be changed. Boysen remarked on his time serving on the represent District 4 and newcomer Gloria Soto (right) to represent District 3. That’s a one-way ratchet to fi scal oblivion.” council and on other committees, and shared a list of parting items he hoped the council would giving me the opportunity to engage with voters care,” Phelan said. • Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) issued two stay focused on. Topics included more bike that would not have been possible in a citywide The mobile unit will provide services at eight statements on Dec. 20 regarding President Donald paths in the city, housing, the H-2A program, election. sites in Santa Maria on Sundays, Mondays, Trump’s acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker collaboration with local nonprofi ts, and “During the campaign, we heard people’s and Wednesdays, and at two locations in and nominee for the position, William Barr. First, Feinstein “keeping the downtown specifi c plan moving.” stories, struggles, and visions for Santa Maria; Guadalupe on Mondays and Thursdays—with responded to reports that Whitaker ignored the advice of “Most of all I’ve learned that public service we were able to communicate with constituents no appointment necessary. Phelan said the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) offi cials to recuse himself is more than making budgetary decisions and who haven’t been spoken to,” she added. reason for providing so many service locations from any matters involving Special Counsel Robert Mueller providing essential services,” Boysen said. “It’s “We listened to their concerns, which can’t is to ensure that uninsured families and migrant investigation into Russian election meddling in 2016 about charting a future and laying a foundation be addressed until they are heard. And most workers will have convenient access to health election and possible conspiracy with Trump’s campaign. that will enrich the lives of the community that importantly, we reminded people that their care. Feinstein also criticized Whitaker’s reported use of a team we serve for decades to come.” voices and their votes are powerful, and that Patients will be able to receive care in English, of advisors to argue he didn’t need to recuse. “An issue of Council members gave comments on Boysen’s they can make a difference.” Spanish, and Mixtec languages. this signifi cance should be addressed with a formal ethics service, with Mayor Alice Patino saying, “He Soto continued to say she hoped to work “Students will learn by doing with opinion—not by handpicked political advisors—and educated us, on the council,” on several issues with the rest of the council and city staff on observation and administering health advice of career attorneys should be followed,” Feinstein like homelessness in the city and best budgetary issues like housing, bringing living-wage jobs assessments, referrals, and co-leading a lot of stated. “Recusal is important to ensure confi dence in the practices. to Santa Maria, expanding programs for youth, these programs,” Phelan said. independence of an investigation. Whitaker’s repeated After Boysen stepped off the dais, it was and “bringing back Santa Maria-style barbecue According to Cal Poly, patients will also have statements against the special counsel’s investigation, at a time to swear in Waterfi eld to represent Santa down Broadway.” the option to participate in sponsored research minimum, create the appearance of a confl ict.” Then, after Maria’s District 4. Waterfi eld brought her Bible —Joe Payne aimed at improving maternal and child health a 20-page memo authored by Trump’s nominee, Barr, to the from home for the ceremony, she said, and her through Cal Poly’s Center for Health Research. DOJ arguing that Trump shouldn’t be recused became public, husband, Buck Waterfi eld, held the gold-leafed The customized mobile unit, a repurposed Feinstein issued another statement, characterizing the news tome as she repeated the oath from Santa Maria Cal Poly and SLO Noor RV, includes a fully furnished exam room and a as “troubling.” “The memo presents a thoroughly crafted Chief Deputy City Clerk Rhonda Garietz. counseling area. If a patient needs a service that legal argument against investigating the president,” she Waterfi eld returned to the dais and thanked partner to offer free health is not provided by the mobile clinic, patients stated, “with pointed conclusions that the president is above city residents during her opening remarks as a services in North County the law. The president is not above the law.” twice-elected member of the Council.