Good morning, Santa Barbara.

On April 30, Friendship Center held a Senior Prom for nearly 90 older adults with dementia and their loved ones in Santa Barbara.

Local partners helped with makeovers and floral arrangements while DJ Darla Bea played nostalgic music—ensuring a joyful day for everyone.

Starbucks opened last week on the Eastside at the corner of Milpas & Gutierrez streets in a former 7-Eleven site, offering locals a closer spot for their daily coffee.

The company will soon close its downtown shop at State & Victoria streets as it adjusts its strategy to boost sales.

On Wednesday, Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies arrested 40-year-old Simon Khalili from Woodland Hills after he fled on foot while allegedly armed with a sword—he had started a brush fire in State Parks property near El Capitan Canyon Resort that firefighters stopped by 7:41 p.m.—with bail set at $75,000.

Leslie Dinaberg’s arts newsletter previews several local cultural events including a Juneteenth with Jon Boogz performance at MCA Santa Barbara on June 19 and a tribute to David Crosby at the Granada on May 24—other offerings include concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl and film festivals.

Ricardo Valencia, Primitiva Hernandez, Teresa Alvarez, Julissa Pena, and Michelle Guerrero were honored at the 10th Annual Latino Legacy Awards hosted by Future Leaders of America on May 8 for their work in the Latinx community.

Guerrero received a $1,000 scholarship as Santa Barbara County Youth Leader of the Year.

Santa Barbara’s Dwight Murphy Park will begin a two-year renovation on June 2 that will upgrade the sports field and add an all-abilities playground—closing the park until spring.

Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation will begin work on the Dwight Murphy Field Renovation Project on June 2.

The project will update the 100-year-old park with a new all-abilities playground and multi-sport field—reopening in spring.

A tax proposal released Monday, May 12 by the House Ways and Means Committee would impose a tiered tax on foundation investment income + grant the Treasury Secretary power to revoke nonprofit tax-exempt status without clear rules, threatening resources for community services.

Local advocacy groups urge lawmakers to act quickly as a potential floor vote is expected next week.

Santa Barbara County sent out its first test emergency alert Thursday at 10 a.m. that urged residents to update their contact info on ReadySBC.org – the service designed to provide timely updates during wildfires, floods, and other emergencies; around 18% of locals are already signed up.

Saturday Day Meetup for Singles 40+

3-5 p.m. — SB Biergarten — Free entry — Connect with fellow singles over drinks and socializing in a relaxed atmosphere.

Dom Hair Cutting Class

10 AM – 3 PM — Mishay Salon & Spa — Cost not specified — Learn Dom's most valuable hair cutting techniques in this engaging class.

Pilipino Cultural Night 34

5 PM — Campbell Hall — Tickets available — Experience a vibrant celebration of Pilipino culture and community.

2025 Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Registration fees apply — Experience swimming, running, and biathlon events against the stunning Santa Barbara coastline.

UCSB Wind Ensemble & UCSB Choirs Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall — General ($10), Senior/Military/Non-UCSB Students ($7), UCSB Students/Children under 12 (FREE) — Experience a vibrant collaboration of wind and choral music featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning compositions.

Mitch Kashmar Live Performance in Santa Barbara

7-10:30 p.m. — Carrillo Recreation Center — $35 general/$45 VIP — Experience the soulful sounds of blues legend Mitch Kashmar along with local favorites Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan.

UCSB Gamelan Ensemble

5-8 p.m. — Karl Geiringer Hall — Free entry — Experience the enchanting sounds of traditional Indonesian gamelan music performed by talented UCSB musicians.

2025 Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Entry fee applies — Experience a thrilling evening of swimming, running, and biathlon events in scenic Santa Barbara.

Home & Garden Lifestyle Expo

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Earl Warren Showgrounds — Various show discounts — Explore hundreds of sustainable home and garden products and services under one roof.

Art KIT: Grant Writing, Funding, and Residencies Workshop

1-3:30 p.m. — Paseo Nuevo Conference Room — Cost info not provided — Explore the essentials of securing grants and funding for creative projects.