Daily
Santa Barbara
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Bite Club SB is a Santa Barbara meal delivery service founded by chefs Rachel Hunter and Isabella “Isa” Bourbon that offers locally sourced, sustainable meals to support community connection. The company partners with local farmers — including Milliken Family Farms — and uses reusable packaging to reduce waste. Noozhawk
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Sunstone Winery, based in Santa Ynez, is set to open a new tasting room next month at 1294 Coast Village Road replacing the former Folded Hills tasting room; owner Teddy Cabugos says it will start pouring in March. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara author Patrice Karst is releasing a new edition of her spiritual guide God Made Easy this month. She will host a talk and signing on March 5 at 6 p.m. as part of the Godmothers Gather series, with minor updates to the original work. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ California Wine Festival returns in 2026 with a two-day wine tasting event in Santa Barbara on July 17-18. Guests will enjoy premium California wines, gourmet bites and live music at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort and Chase Palm Park. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ UCSB historian Mario T. García published a book on Chicano artist Rupert García that traces his evolution as a painter and activist. He will discuss the work in a free event on campus on Feb. 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the McCune Conference Room using detailed oral history insights. Noozhawk
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ SBCC Financial Aid Fest will help local students and families fill out FAFSA or CADAA applications on Wednesday, Feb 25 at SBCC’s East Cliff Campus while financial aid professionals guide them before the March 2 state deadline. Santa Barbara Independent
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Tri-County Regional Energy Network announced $9.5 million in funding for energy efficiency upgrades in single-family, multifamily and commercial projects across the Central Coast. Residents and businesses in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties can apply to lower utility bills and boost building performance. Edhat
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Military Working Dog Kiru retired from Vandenberg Space Force Base after seven years on duty, serving 17 Secret Service missions and deploying to Djibouti. He will now spend his retirement with former handler Staff Sgt. Cassidy Hunt. Edhat
- ➤ Goleta Valley Library marked the start of its $7.15 million upgrade project last Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the city council + community members. The project will improve safety, accessibility and energy efficiency as it prepares for a summer 2027 reopening in Goleta. Edhat
- ➤ Santa Barbara Airport is developing a Climate Adaptation Plan to address frequent flooding from heavy rains and rising sea levels – city officials and partners plan to complete immediate flood-reduction measures and release a draft plan by July. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Sen. Schiff visited Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (in Solvang) today after his bipartisan fix restored its critical access designation. The legislative measure preserves federal funding so the facility can continue providing essential health care services for the community. Santa Barbara Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ No. 14 UCSB Men’s Volleyball upset No. 6 Pepperdine 3-0 Wednesday night, snapping a five-game win streak. The Gauchos will host No. 19 Lincoln Memorial today at The Dome at 7:00 p.m. Noozhawk
- ➤ Bishop Diego beat Sunny Hills 47-45 at the Brick House on Wednesday night — the Cardinals will travel to Godinez Fundamental on Saturday. Santa Barbara Independent
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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.
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St. Patrick's Day in Ireland
7:30-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket information not provided — Celebrate Irish culture with music, dance, and high-energy performances from champion dancers.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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