Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, March 19th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 19th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ State of Mind Café and the Down Syndrome Association host a family festival for World Down Syndrome Day on Saturday, Mar. 21 at the Riviera Theatre (2044 Alameda Padre Serra) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free event features a documentary screening and a live question and answer session. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ The Greater Santa Barbara Clergy Association is hosting an interfaith vigil from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara (21 E. Constance St.) to offer a space for community members to mourn and unite amid global and local hardships. Noozhawk
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Cold Coast Brewing in Lompoc announced it will permanently close after April 4. The brewpub will host weekly events, including a final trivia night on March 24, and offer discounted beer on its last day. Edhat
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Coffee Week launches today and continues through March 28, offering 14 local venues $5 to $10 coffee deals as part of a first-ever 10-day celebration culminating at Santa Barbara Junior High and Marjorie Luke Theatre (sponsored by The Independent). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ The 78th annual Santa Barbara Orchid Show, themed Orchid Escape, will run from tomorrow through Sunday at the Earl Warrens Showgrounds and feature rare and exotic orchids that create a lush and fragrant display. KEYT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Unified School District plans to convert the old armory on Canon Perdido Street into a career technical education center, holding public meetings in April for community input. The planning phase runs through June with summer renderings expected and construction slated for 2028 (student use projected by 2030). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Santa Barbara Unified received the CalSPRA 2026 Excellence in Communication Award for its Culture of Care initiative that revamped mental health support with student-led digital resources and new on-campus wellness centers (designed with student input). Noozhawk
- ➤ SMBSD translator Cesar Ruiz was awarded the Key to the District by board president Luz Maria Cabral on March 11 at the school board meeting. Ruiz, who joined in 2011 and once coached basketball at Arellanes Junior High, is recognized for easing language barriers for families. Noozhawk
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On March 17, the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara celebrated 23 graduates of its five-year Family Self-Sufficiency program and noted an average income increase of $43,007, with seven now off housing assistance (their combined escrow reached $578,608.93) as part of a plan for financial self-reliance. Santa Barbara Independent
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ UCSB researchers received a Wellcome Leap grant to study if early gut microbes influence brain development and autism; they will use ExFAB (a special lab) to test how exposures like breast milk or antibiotics change microbial communities and may help guide support for neurodivergent families. Noozhawk
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ American Riviera Bank has launched a new down payment assistance program with support from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco for middle-income first-time buyers in Santa Barbara (grants are limited), aiming to make homeownership more attainable amid high local prices. KEYT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara High boys' lacrosse beat Dos Pueblos 8-5 on Tuesday night in a Channel League contest, advancing to a 5-0 record. Coach John Keogh said the win set the team on track for its best start (with Vonn Forrest scoring a hat trick). Santa Barbara Independent
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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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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.
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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.
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Richard Thompson Concert with Zara Phillips
7-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of captivating music with the legendary Richard Thompson and the talented Zara Phillips.
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Disclosure Live in Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Santa Barbara Bowl — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electronic duo Disclosure as they bring their acclaimed sound to the stage.
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Invasion Latina Live at SOhO
8:30 PM - 1:30 AM — SOhO Restaurant & Music Club — Pre-sale tickets $20 — Enjoy an exciting night with Invasion Latina and dance to Latin beats!
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April Area Meeting
6-8 p.m. — The Community Arts Workshop — Free entry — Engage in insightful discussions with artists and share creative struggles in a nurturing environment.
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John Milton's Hypnosis Show
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the captivating performance of world-renowned hypnotist John Milton at the Arlington Theatre.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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