Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 5th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Public Library invites residents to share Valentine-themed messages of support from Feb. 1-14 for its advocacy campaign. The messages will be displayed during National Library Week in April, with collection boxes at more than 60 local businesses, organizations, and schools. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicks off today with over 200 films including comedies, documentaries, and animations for local viewers. Festival attendees can explore selections like You Had to Be There and Space Cadet at venues across town + enjoy a rich cinematic experience curated for a wide audience. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation elected Cody Makela as president, making him and his father Craig Makela the first father and son duo to lead the organization and build on a decade of volunteer service preserving local heritage. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ UCSB will host Douglass Day on Friday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Multicultural Center Lounge, where community members will transcribe 19th-century Black history documents — a project complemented by a quilting workshop on Feb. 10. Edhat
- ➤ Four Academy Award-nominated directors will receive the Outstanding Directors Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Arlington Theatre. The event will include one-on-one conversations & a group discussion with moderator Scott Feinberg. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Bob Wesley is launching Pour Judgement — a semi-regular wine column featuring local bottles and stories — to appear on Independent.com and in print, sharing his witty insights from his years with Lazy Acres and Winehound. The column will highlight Santa Barbara County wines for enthusiasts. Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cottage Health and Santa Barbara Unified launched a new careers academy at San Marcos High School today for students in grades 10-12 (grade nine will join in fall). A $1.5M gift funds course updates and facility improvements while Royal Pride Foundation raises money for a new center. Noozhawk
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Education Foundation awarded a record $228,000 in grants to 102 teachers from 21 district schools at its annual reception, supporting innovative programs like a new music initiative and an outdoor garden learning space (backed by multiple donors) that will enhance opportunities for thousands of students. Noozhawk
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Board of Supervisors approved $800,000 on Tuesday to restore the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and neighboring open spaces through upgraded trails, native plantings, and public amenities (the project is funded by reserves set aside since 2021). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Tuesday, king tides swept through the Santa Barbara waterfront, sending waves crashing over the breakwater wall and into parking lots near the yacht club — no serious damage was reported. KEYT
- ➤ Last week, Cachuma Lake was stocked with 5,000 pounds of Rainbow Trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms given by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (fish range from half-pound catchables to eight-pound trophies). Recreational fishing by shore or boat is open and boat rentals with vessel inspections are available. Edhat
-
Outstanding Performer of the Year Award for Michael B. Jordan
8 PM – 2 AM — Arlington Theatre — $35 General Admission, $100 Priority Seating — Celebrate the incredible achievements of Michael B. Jordan at this prestigious film festival event.
-
Sunday Yin Chill
7-8 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Entry fee not specified — Experience a restorative yoga class focused on connecting breath and body in a slow-paced environment.
-
Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
6:15-7:14 p.m. — Music Academy of the West — Ticketed event — Experience Taylor Swift's hits performed by Vapour String Quartet in a magical candlelight setting.
-
Open Season Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling
7 PM — Franklin Elementary School — Tickets available — Experience high-energy lucha libre with renowned luchadores from Tijuana.
-
Sunday Yin Chill
7-8 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Cost not specified — Unwind with a restorative Yin class focused on breath and relaxation.
-
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
7-10 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — $26 General Public / $18 Youth / $15 UCSB students — Experience thrilling outdoor adventure films at a larger-than-life scale, showcasing the best mountain adventures.
-
Bored Teachers Comedy Tour
11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Check venue for pricing — Enjoy an uproarious comedy night with the 'Teachers Off Duty' Podcast stars.
-
La Chupitos Comedy and Mariachi Show
7-9 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a vibrant fusion of Mexican comedy and mariachi music featuring La Chupitos and the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas.
-
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
6:15-7:14 p.m. — Music Academy of the West — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting music of Hans Zimmer in an intimate candlelit setting.
-
Kyle Watson Live Performance
9:00 p.m. — EOS Lounge — $12.36 — Experience Kyle Watson's unique blend of house music with rolling basslines and punchy grooves.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you want to remember something, write it down. If you want to understand something, explain it to someone else.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
Welcome to the Daily Santa Barbara, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Santa Barbara, California community. If you like the Daily Santa Barbara, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Santa Barbara.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Santa Barbara and across California. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Santa Barbara
A free Santa Barbara community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailysantabarbaranews.com/sitemap