Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Clean Energy has relaunched its Community Tree Program, offering free drought-resistant trees to residential SBCE customers to support the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Eligible residents may reserve one 5-gallon tree, with pick-up details provided upon approval — helping improve neighborhoods and reduce greenhouse gases.

On Jan. 28, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation awarded a record-breaking $228,000 to 102 teachers from 21 schools at the Historic Carrillo Ballroom, funding innovative classroom projects in music and outdoor learning (including a new string program and garden development) that benefited thousands of students.

On Feb. 19, SBCC created an ad hoc committee to plan use of the $13M remaining from Mackenzie Scott’s $20M donation.

Trustees (including vice president Kyle Richards) discussed using funds for an Umoja endowment, student housing or the Promise program while an investigation into unauthorized spending continues.

Dos Pueblos High School claimed its fifth consecutive victory at the county mock trial competition held over the past two weekends at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse by defeating San Marcos High School.

The team will represent the county at state finals in Oakland from March 20 to 22.

Nine Giant Pacific Seahorses have returned to the Sea Center’s Dive In exhibit on Stearns Wharf, where guests can view them from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM plus learn about climate change’s effects on local marine life.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department will conduct prescribed fire pile burns in the San Antonio Creek area this week when weather conditions permit.

About 20 piles of cut vegetation (covering 4 acres) are scheduled for burning as officials coordinate with air quality agencies to minimize smoke impacts.

Santa Barbara residents can safely dispose of hazardous materials at a free collection event hosted by the Sustainability & Resilience Department and MarBorg Industries on Saturday, March 14 at Santa Barbara City College’s Lot 2-C.

Only household waste is accepted at this event.

New roundabouts at Hollister and Highway 217 are now open, enabling smoother traffic and safer sharing among vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians – landscaping and aesthetic upgrades are scheduled later this year while other project works continue until spring.

Crews are working on Highway 101 from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara until March 7, and drivers will face lane closures, ramp detours, and a 55 mph limit.

The project adds sound walls, paving, drainage upgrades, and safety barriers (in Santa Barbara South, Montecito, and Padaro).

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Santa Barbara Humane, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, and ASAP Cats performed 134 low-cost spay and neuter surgeries at clinics in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Buellton as part of World Spay Day to help reduce pet overpopulation.

The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic held its sixth annual Give Kids A Smile event on Wednesday, Feb.

25, providing 35 children free dental checkups, cleanings, and exams at its facility (90 Via Juana Lane) with $7,567 in complimentary services.

The SB Soccer Club Girls 2014 Pre-GA Aspire team won the SoCal State Cup Championship last weekend in Norco, beating Chelsea OC 2-1. (Head coach Marco Medina noted the team’s hard work during the two-month tournament.)

Brandon Velasquez of Dos Pueblos wrestling ended his season with a 1-2 record and finished in the top 20 of the 157-pound class at the CIF State Championships last weekend.

He opened with an upset pin win before losing his next two matches by decision.

Cole Anderson, a former UCSB star, has joined the Central Coast–based Prospects Basketball Association as a coach and advisor for its spring season and has already begun working with players in Santa Barbara.

The nonprofit will boost development through *LevelUp* skills sessions and regional competition teams.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Live Concert by Booker T. Jones

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets required — Enjoy an evening of soulful music by the legendary Booker T. Jones.

Los Inquietos Del Norte Concert

11 PM - 3 AM — Earl Warren Showgrounds — Ticket prices vary — Experience an unforgettable night with Los Inquietos Del Norte and Los Caimanes de Sinaloa.