Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 22nd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On May 20th, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded a record $1.25 million in grants to 11 local nonprofits — supporting projects from homeless services to mental health care—at an event attended by over 500 community members at Lobero Theatre. The fund, which has distributed nearly $13 million since its inception, now benefits more than 100,000 residents. Edhat
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ After CalTrans removed a temporary traffic signal from Roblar Avenue when the Edison roundabout was completed, a near-fatal two-car collision happened at a Los Olivos intersection—locals shared their concerns on social media and with community leaders. KEYT
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A sidewalk memorial has grown on State Street near Mission Street for 29-year-old electric bicycle rider Joel Gonzalez, who was struck Sunday night by a black SUV and died at the scene while driver Christina Almada was arrested for DUI & gross vehicular manslaughter & additional charges. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The EQ25 Alliance is coordinating a centennial commemoration of the 1925 earthquake with a family street exhibition on State Street on June 28 and solemn remembrance events on June 29 that include a plaque unveiling at the Mission and 11 church bell rings at noon. Several community groups and museums are hosting walking tours, exhibitions, and educational activities as Santa Barbara honors its resilient past—more details will be released soon. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ A poppy anemone blooms in Santa Barbara, captured in the Photo of the Day by Stephen Fountain (photographer) today that highlights the beauty of local nature (featured for residents). Noozhawk
- ➤ Santa Barbara will host the 39th I Madonnari street art festival at the Old Mission from May 24 to 26—artists will create chalk masterpieces and a lively market with local food and live music will run during the event. The festival will also feature youth performances and a closing ceremony on May 26 at noon, with proceeds set to support arts programs for local K-12 students. Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara awarded over $7.7 million in college scholarships to 2,125 local students for the 2025-26 school year, with $3,722,847 for North County and $3,892,647 for South County students. Most high school seniors learned of their awards on April 25 or April 29 and other recipients on May 15 — the foundation granted nearly $600,000 more in scholarships than last year. Noozhawk
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County finalized the 80-acre purchase of Steelhead Lookout in Arroyo Hondo Canyon—completing protection of the entire Arroyo Hondo Creek corridor. This acquisition expands the preserve to over 900 acres and provides vital habitat for endangered Southern California steelhead. Santa Barbara Independent
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Housing advocates, including CLUE and the League of Women Voters, are urging the City Council to boost the Local Housing Trust Fund from $1.5 million to $5 million to secure state matching funds—an increase that would help leverage up to $40 million in affordable housing funding—and council members will decide on adjustments during the budget review on June 3. Santa Barbara Independent
-
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.
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
It is better to travel well than to arrive.
~ Buddha
About Daily Santa Barbara
Welcome to the Daily Santa Barbara, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Santa Barbara, California community. If you like the Daily Santa Barbara, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Santa Barbara.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Santa Barbara and across California. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Santa Barbara
A free Santa Barbara community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailysantabarbaranews.com/sitemap