Daily
Santa Barbara
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 21st of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Two Santa Barbara catering companies, Pure Joy Catering and Catering Connection, have merged to form Solera & Co. under the Schaffer Hospitality family, expanding full-service event and catering services for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations (blending 30 years of local experience). Edhat
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Cellist (Yo-Yo Ma) returns to town with a solo recital of new music on Sunday afternoon at The Granada Theatre; the program features commissioned pieces from South African composer Abel Selaocoe and Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, inviting local fans to experience fresh sounds. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck will curate a two-night tribute festival to Jerome Robbins at The Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara on March 3 and 4. The event will feature group dances and live music that capture Robbins' gentle style. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Tiffany Chung: indelible traces celebrates 70 works by UCSB alum artist Tiffany Chung at the AD&A Museum. The exhibition (curated by Orianna Cacchione) explores themes of migration and climate change and marks her first comprehensive museum survey. Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara and the Rotary Clubs of Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara North announced a high school Architectural Design Competition beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Allan Hancock College and Santa Barbara City College with the finals (Feb. 28 at the Elverhoj Museum in Solvang). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Cox Mobile announced 22 teen finalists in its second annual phone case design contest with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, including local finalist Sara from the Santa Barbara Club (inspired by the contest theme). Judging will occur later this spring, and public voting runs until Feb. 28. Santa Barbara Independent
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara County is experiencing above normal rainfall this water year, with reservoir levels near full capacity. Cachuma Reservoir stores 193,575 acre-feet (slightly above capacity) and Gibraltar Reservoir holds 4,532 acre-feet to secure water supplies for local needs. Edhat
- ➤ The Community Environmental Council has launched A Year of Active Hope at its downtown Environmental Hub at 1219 State St. The spring series started with a Feb. 20 film screening and will include arts workshops and youth sessions through April — residents should register early as space is limited. Santa Barbara Independent
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Feb. 19, the Santa Barbara Water Commission warned that if repairs to the California Aqueduct’s subsidence damage are not funded, it could lose up to 87% capacity within the next decade (with repairs estimated at $3.9 billion) and called for state and federal action to secure water supply. Edhat
- ➤ The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments approved a one year pilot to connect Ventura and Santa Barbara counties by rail in spring (operating daily). The early morning northbound train leaves Los Angeles Union Station at 5:13 a.m. and reaches Santa Barbara before 8 a.m. Edhat
- ➤ The U.S. Space Force approved the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the Starlink 17-25 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base today between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.; local residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear sonic booms (weather permitting). Edhat
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A research team from UC Santa Barbara led by Professor Craig Montell discovered Painless1—the first mosquito taste receptor that detects fatty acids on skin to stop feeding—and the finding may lead to new, safer repellents that outperform DEET. Edhat
- ➤ Sutter Health welcomed Hayashida Physical Therapy on Feb. 19 with a ribbon cutting that brought its expert physical therapists into the Santa Barbara and Goleta network, expanding local care for sports injuries and orthopedic needs. Patients can now access integrated, patient-centered treatment close to home. Santa Barbara Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Dos Pueblos softball won 14–0 over Fillmore High on Friday in Fillmore in a season opener, with sophomore Julianna Brunner and freshman Emily Morici combining for a no-hitter (5 innings). Morici shined with a 4-for-4 game that included a home run, double, and four RBI. Noozhawk
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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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California Agave Symposium
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort — $125-$350 — Network with industry leaders and explore the future of California's agave industry.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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