Daily
Santa Barbara
Friday, February 13th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 13th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ City leaders initiated construction at Goleta Valley Library Thursday at 500 N. Fairview Ave with a groundbreaking ceremony. The renovation (backed by a $4.2M grant) will modernize reading areas, add study pods, and update the teen space, with work scheduled for completion by June 2027. Noozhawk
- ➤ The Santa Barbara County Courthouse saw record wedding ceremonies in 2025—issuing 5,000 marriage licenses as couples celebrated in intimate groups either outdoors by the Sunken Gardens or on an indoor balcony. KEYT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ At its February 6 meeting, the California State Historical Resources Commission approved nominating Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens and the adjacent Chung home to the National Register, recognizing their role in Santa Barbara’s Asian American heritage (the site remains the last visible remnant of the historic Chinatown). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Nearly 2,000 elementary students from across the county attended Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies at Arlington Theatre on Thursday morning for a screening of Elio and a filmmaker Q&A. The program — which offers cultural experiences and a glimpse into film careers — helped broaden local students’ horizons. KSBY
- ➤ On Wednesday, SBIFF hosted a second screening of Julian Schnabel's film In the Hand of Dante following its North American premiere, and the director answered audience questions at the festival in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Chinese School and the Public Library are hosting a family Lunar New Year festival on Feb. 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Plaza Michael Towbes (40 E. Anapamu), featuring free activities, refreshments, crafts, prizes, music, and a Chinese painting exhibit by StudioYU. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ At the Arlington Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 11, actress Jessie Buckley received a standing ovation during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival following a free screening of Hamnet and later joined a Q&A to discuss the film’s emotional ending. Edhat
- ➤ The Bear Beneath, a documentary by UCSB students, will screen Feb. 11 and 13 at the SBIFF Film Center downtown, featuring historian Peter Alagona on the possible return of California grizzlies. The 12-minute film includes a Q&A (with director Olivia Hille) that offers insights into the state’s wildlife history. Edhat
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ More than 60 mathletes from seven Southern California high schools competed in the 37th annual Mathematics Field Day at Westmont College’s Montecito campus, with Dos Pueblos and Oaks Christian earning top wins in group, individual and team events. The event ended with an awards banquet and a guest talk by Judith Canner (Cal State Monterey Bay professor). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Teachers filled the Santa Barbara Unified board room Tuesday to support a seventh period at junior highs that would allow more electives (woodshop, pottery, music). The board asked staff to study how to pilot a longer day next school year amid budget concerns. Santa Barbara Independent
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Santa Barbara City Council approved an ordinance on Feb. 10 that bans Mylar balloons, plastic confetti, small water bottles, and noncompostable to-go foodware to reduce landfill waste and environmental risks — the measure passed 4-1 with one councilmember recused and the mayor opposing it. Edhat
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Humane (nonprofit), Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, and ASAP Cats will provide $5 spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs on Tuesday, Feb. 24 across Santa Barbara County to reduce pet overpopulation. Appointments are required due to limited availability. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ County Health is advising residents to avoid products containing Kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine amid warnings of addiction, overdose and death. The advisory follows two fatal overdoses in 2025 and emphasizes that these products remain illegal to sell or manufacture. Edhat
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UCSB has named Michael Henchy as its new women’s volleyball head coach. He joins after helping Penn State win the national title and returns to his Central Coast roots in Ventura — ready to build on the program’s legacy under Athletics Director Kelly Barsky. KEYT
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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.
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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.
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Open Season Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling
7 PM — Franklin Elementary School — Tickets available — Experience high-energy lucha libre with renowned luchadores from Tijuana.
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Sunday Yin Chill
7-8 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Cost not specified — Unwind with a restorative Yin class focused on breath and relaxation.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nachle Deewane 2026
4:30-7:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Proceeds aid South Asian charities — Experience a vibrant annual Bollywood-fusion dance competition featuring teams from across the country.
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