Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District broke ground on Pardall Gardens on Pardall Road; construction will finish in June with a 90-day maintenance period before the park opens at the start of UCSB's fall quarter.

The park features a wooden deck, benches, picnic tables and bar-top seating (designed with drought-tolerant landscaping) to serve local residents.

Jasmine Lind, a freshman at San Marcos High School's Accelerated Leadership Academy, is asking the community to donate gently used clothes, shoes, and bags for a free clothing giveaway event.

Donations will be accepted at a bin outside the school’s Main Office from April 21-23.

Associate professor Meredith Whitnah will host a free reading and Q&A on her new book Faith and the Fragility of Justice: Responses to Gender-Based Violence in South Africa at Westmont’s Global Leadership Center Friday, April 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.+ Refreshments will be served and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Spring wildflowers blanket Grass Mountain in the Santa Barbara County backcountry as the landscape recovers from the 2024 Lake Fire — a renewal captured by local photographer Peter Hartmann.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is reviewing next year’s $1.69‑billion budget—meeting on Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building—with a focus on avoiding service cuts amid slowing state revenues and rising costs.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base Saturday morning at 5:25 a.m. to deliver satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office—its booster landed on a droneship eight minutes later to support the agency’s new plan to use smaller satellites for faster intelligence collection.

Dan McCaslin recounts his 3.5-mile hike on the Cozy Dell Trail near Ojai where winding paths lead to a scenic creek and impressive views of local rock formations—his journey highlights key geologic features like the Cozy Dell Shale and offers practical tips for parking and gear use along the trail. The report emphasizes the modest challenges of switchbacks and the benefit of proper hiking equipment for a safe backcountry walk.

On April 12th, the No. 19 UCSB Women’s Water Polo team honored seven graduating seniors with an overtime win over CSUN, 13-12—Mullane scored a crucial long-range goal to break the tie in extra play.

The Gauchos now prepare for their final regular season game in La Jolla on April 18 at 12 noon to secure a top seed for The Big West Championship.

Santa Barbara High’s senior Carter Battle broke the school’s 44-year-old high jump record with a jump of 6-8.75 at the Arcadia Invitational Saturday—moving him to No. 5 in California and No. 2 in CIF-SS Div.

2. The Dons will compete at the Mt. SAC Invitational next weekend.

SBTHP’s Third Annual Golf Tournament

5 AM - 12 PM — Glen Annie Golf Club — $185 per golfer — Enjoy a day of golf with lunch and dinner while supporting the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.

Larkin Poe Concert

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Arlington Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Catch Larkin Poe live and enjoy an exquisite musical experience.

Kenny Loggins Pickleball Tournament

8 a.m. — Santa Barbara Pickleball Courts — Check entry details for participation — Dive into a competitive weekend of pickleball fun with Kenny Loggins as the backdrop.

S.B. Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale

10:00 a.m. — Santa Barbara Woman's Club — Free admission — Explore a vast array of plants, pots, vendors, and a silent auction dedicated to cactus and succulent lovers.

Mother's Day Brunch Buffet

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Finch & Fork — Reservations recommended — Celebrate Mom with a spectacular buffet featuring fresh, locally sourced dishes in a charming atmosphere.