Daily
Santa Barbara
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara will distribute $1,375,000 in grants to non-profits serving women, children, and families, with awards announced on May 13 at the Lobero Theatre & proposals chosen by member votes reflect two decades of support. KEYT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara businesses are adjusting to new statewide employment laws that require updated hiring practices and data privacy measures, and local employers are updating handbooks and training staff to avoid fines later this week. KEYT
- ➤ The Riviera Bar, a downtown staple at 20 West Figueroa St in a 1931 Edwards & Plunkett-designed building, closed on Valentine’s Day after serving classic cocktails and tavern fare since 2021. Owners thanked staff, patrons, and suppliers in a farewell message. Edhat
- ➤ Food Liaison Cafe in Carpinteria announced it will serve its final meal on Friday, Feb. 20 as it shifts to a commissary kitchen model and catering service. The locally owned business, run by Nirasha & Jason Rodriguez, faces rising costs and staffing challenges. Edhat
- ➤ Takashi Ramen, a family-run restaurant in Goleta, is listed for sale at $350,000 with seller financing available and a reduced cash price of $280,000; the listing includes $20,000 in inventory and $250,000 in furnishings after rising expenses and a fundraising plea came earlier for the owner’s father’s medical care. Edhat
- ➤ Pasta Santina opened at 4185 Carpinteria Avenue Number 5 to offer handcrafted pasta inspired by Mediterranean traditions and local ingredients. Chef Sergio Chierego, originally from Sardinia — drawn to Santa Barbara’s coastal charm — uses a slow-drying process that enhances texture and flavor. Edhat
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Symphony announced winners of its Youth Concerto Competition after live auditions at Westmont College on Jan. 25. Julian Carrera, Seungyoo Kim-Jung, and Damian Magaña will perform as soloists with the Youth Symphony next season — free concerts are scheduled on March 14 and 15 for local audiences. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Canada’s Celtic stars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy lead the Celtic All Stars in a lively concert on Sunday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall (tickets range from $15 for students to $63 for the general public). Noozhawk
- ➤ Community Arts Music Association will conclude its 2025-26 Masterseries with the Sphinx Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra performing at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at the Lobero Theatre. The concert — titled Visions of Peace — will feature four new commissions and a solo by virtuoso Randall Goosby. Noozhawk
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ At UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School of Education, 61 fellowship recipients were honored on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The awards, including a new fund for low-income, first-generation, bilingual teacher candidates (27 awards over $200K), promote local talent and community service. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Acton Academy Santa Barbara opened its Spark Studio (ages 4 to 7) to offer hands-on learning where children build creativity and leadership skills through real-world projects. Marine Corps veteran Max Peck invites interested families to book an online information session to join the founding group. Noozhawk
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Local real estate professional Melissa Tierney launched the Santa Barbara Senior Industry Network Association—an organization uniting senior living experts, financial advisors, and estate planners to offer coordinated guidance for older adults. The network and monthly Lunch and Learn seminars aim to help families transition smoothly to new housing options. Santa Barbara Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Luis Campos scored a bicycle-kick golden goal to give San Marcos a 2-1 overtime win over Mountain View on Tuesday at El Monte, sending the team to the CIF-SS Div. 5 semifinals. The Royals will host Santa Ana Valley on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Warkentin Stadium. Noozhawk
- ➤ Westmont Men’s Basketball overcame a 12-point deficit to beat Menlo 80-74 on Monday afternoon (16-9, 13-6 PacWest). Key plays from Aidan Mandel and Jarrett Bryant helped the Warriors secure their fourth win in a row; senior night starts Saturday at 3:00 p.m. with a home game against the Dominican Penguins. Noozhawk
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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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March 2026 Area Meeting
6-8 p.m. — The Community Arts Workshop — Free entry — Engage in an open forum of critiques and insights from local artists while enjoying a keynote from ceramicist Erin Smith.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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