Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 18th of May.
Good morning, Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara will begin a $32 million renovation of Dwight Murphy Park as Ty Warner’s $5 million donation completes the funding; fencing is set for May 30 and construction begins on June 2 while the park—upgraded with new sports fields, sidewalks, restrooms, and the city’s first all-abilities playground—will be closed until spring for improvements.
The Santa Barbara Zoo introduced Tamur, a five-year-old male Amur leopard transferred from the San Diego Zoo through the AZA Species Survival Plan.
The zoo said his arrival supports efforts to save one of the world's most endangered big cats — guests are invited to visit as he acclimates to his new home.
Small businesses in Santa Barbara faced burglaries and vandalism this week—Friday morning, Lito's Mexican food had its glass door shattered and a cash register taken, while neighboring businesses including a meat store, Golden Eagle Tattoo shop, Branch Out Tree Service, and Metro Entertainment experienced break-ins and window damage.
The Choral Society will end its season with a concert titled 'The Many Shades of Choral' at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church on N.
La Cumbre Road—featuring familiar and new pieces chosen by conductor JoAnne Wasserman. Attendees can join a post-concert celebration in the Fellowship Hall after the performance.
City officials say Caltrans has been too slow to clear homeless camps since Gov. Newsom ordered state agencies to remove them last summer—government leaders now want a Senate bill that would require the agency to hire a liaison, set clear timelines, and let cities use their own resources for faster action. The legislation will let local teams intervene on Caltrans property while ensuring reimbursement for their efforts.
Local high school athletes competed in the CIF-SS Championship Meet on Saturday in Moorpark — Santa Barbara High sophomore Elina Stump won the Division 2 long jump with a personal-best mark of 18-7.25 and took second in both the triple jump and 100 hurdles, setting her up to compete in the Masters Meet next week. Other competitors from Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, and Carpinteria High also advanced to the Masters Meet with strong performances in their events.
Marcus Carbajal hit a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning to give Dos Pueblos a 5-3 win over Katella in the CIF-SS Division 4 playoff opener.
Dos Pueblos will travel to Valencia for a second-round game on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara’s Gauchos lost 9-1 to UCLA in their NCAA Tournament opener after UCLA scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning — a burst that sealed the loss.
The team will face Arizona State in an elimination game on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
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.
HOWL: Strawberry Moon
5-10 p.m. — Hotel Californian — Free entry — Experience inventive cocktails and personalized readings under the full Strawberry Moon.
Ryan Bingham Live in Concert
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Santa Barbara Bowl — Ticket prices vary — Experience Grammy and Oscar-winning artist Ryan Bingham alongside The Texas Gentlemen for an unforgettable night of music.
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