Good morning, Santa Barbara.

On Sunday, shoppers supported local women of color at Mujeres Makers Market at El Presidio with handcrafted goods, art, and wellness products.

The market will celebrate its 5th anniversary on May 3 — it aims to boost local business visibility.

A new event called Soltopia is scheduled for April 4 to replace Deltopia, taking place in Isla Vista’s business corridor between Pardall Road and Trigo Road.

The festival will feature live music, free food with wristbands, art installations and robust safety measures — designed to support local businesses and community well-being.

SpaceX is set to launch its Falcon 9 rocket today from Vandenberg Space Force Base with a 57-minute window beginning at 3:20 p.m. The mission, Transporter-16, will carry 119 payloads into orbit and has a backup window tomorrow if needed.

The DSBIA will host free salsa and bachata nights every Wednesday in April at 634 State St, with complimentary instruction from Brenda Ruiz at 6 p.m. — social dancing runs until 8 p.m. and events will also include country line dancing in May and West Coast swing in June.

Adelante Charter School teacher Erika Ruiz Santillán (16-year educator) was named the 2026 Teacher of the Year by the California Association for Bilingual Education during its annual conference in San Francisco.

The honor comes as the school reports strong academic gains.

UCSB professor Scott Jasechko detailed how combining alternative water sources with updated policies can help aquifers recover even as global groundwater levels drop.

His study shows that local water managers may adapt these multi-step methods to protect water supplies where demand is high.

Nine giant Pacific seahorses are now on view in the Dive In exhibit at the Sea Center at Stearns Wharf, offering a glimpse into a species vulnerable to warming waters and habitat loss (their range is shifting north).

California law now requires folic acid be added to corn masa flour to lower neural tube defects in Hispanic communities.

Leading manufacturers have already fortified their products — and other states are expected to adopt similar measures soon.

A 2026 American Cancer Society study shows colorectal cancer is rising by 3% annually among adults 20-49 and has become the leading cause of cancer death.

Local providers urge early screening as some uninsured patients may get free colonoscopies (via a community partnership with the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara).

UCSB Softball clinched its series over CSU Bakersfield with a 9-0 run-rule win on Sunday at Campus Diamond in Santa Barbara (record now 21-16, 11-1 in Big West).

The Gauchos will host University of Hawaii in a home series starting Friday at 12 p.m.

Santa Barbara City College Baseball won its conference series against Ventura by taking two of three games; the Vaqueros rallied with key hits and strong pitching and now prepare (Tuesday) to face Hancock in a three-game series.

The UCSB baseball team lost 2-0 to Oregon on Sunday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium — the Ducks held the Gauchos scoreless.

UCSB will travel to face USC on Tuesday at Dedeaux Field.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

How to Utilize the Services at Your Library

4-6 p.m. — Goleta Valley Library Express — Free assistance — Bilingual staff available to guide the community on using library services effectively.

Cal St. Fullerton Titans vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

4:35-5:35 p.m. — The Cove Santa Barbara — Ticket prices may vary — Cheer on the Titans as they face off against the Gauchos in a thrilling collegiate baseball matchup.

FREE Youth Learn-to-Row Event

FREE Youth Learn-to-Row Event EXCLUSIVELY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS GRADES 6-9 NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 25th 9 - 11:30am WHERE: Santa Barbara Community Rowing, CACHUMA LAKE 2225-CA 154 Discover the ultimate team sport outside and in nature! It is one of the most open and welcoming sports and loads of fun. New rowers will practice basic rowing technique on rowing machines before rowing in boats on the water. EMAIL COACH GRACIE at [email protected] TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.

Hadestown Musical Performance

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Granada Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical journey of Hadestown, where a song can change your fate.