Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Friendship Center invites community to its Summer Polo Soirée on Friday, July 17 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where guests will enjoy premium polo viewing, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and a Polo 101 experience while raising funds for seniors living with dementia.

The City invites residents to a Fourth of July waterfront celebration on Saturday, July 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at West Beach (99 W.

Cabrillo Blvd.) featuring live music, dance, food vendors, a street fair, and fireworks; a beach cleanup on July 5 adds more fun.

Santa Barbara County firefighters rescued a fawn trapped in a fence on Monday, June 22 using the Jaws of Life — a tool usually reserved for vehicle accidents; the young deer was freed unharmed.

Today, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base from Space Launch Complex-4 between 7:48 p.m. and 9:48 p.m. to deploy 24 Starlink satellites (with a backup option on Thursday if needed).

Disney's Frozen, a musical bringing enchanted winter fun to life, is set to perform at the Solvang Festival Theatre from July 5 to August 2 (at 420 2nd St.).

SBCC Theatre Group announced its 81st season featuring four shows for local fans.

The season begins with Anything Goes from July 8-25 at the Garvin Theatre, followed by Clue from Oct. 7-24, Enchanted April from March 3-20, 2027 and Mrs. Christie from April 14-May 1, with season tickets available by phone or mail.

The Santa Barbara Chamber Players will present a fundraising concert 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at Trinity Lutheran Church (909 N.

La Cumbre Road) to support their upcoming season. Tickets cost $25 and are available online or at the door.

Santa Barbara County’s agriculture revenue reached $2.2 billion in 2025 from strong strawberry sales that generated nearly half the total, as reported to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The county recorded an 11.5% increase in overall industry value amid rising production challenges.

UCSB researchers report that California lost roughly 60% of its coastal dunes since the Gold Rush while Santa Barbara County lost only 10% due to less urban development – dunes help protect the coast from storms and sea-level rise.

Pollinator-Palooza is a free, family-friendly event hosted by the city's Sustainability and Resilience Department on Sunday, June 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Arroyo Burro Open Space (599 Alan Rd.), where citizen scientists and kids use the iNaturalist app and enjoy hands-on activities while parking remains limited.

The Santa Barbara Zoo has opened a new interactive learning space in the Richard Block Conservation Hub featuring the Snowy Plover and Southern Sea Otter (all ages can explore displays and field work equipment with daily educator sessions).

Visitors can learn about protecting native species through this hands-on exhibit.

Santa Barbara’s Grand Jury found that the gas leaf blower ban enacted in 1997 is regularly ignored by city street sweeping crews and private contractors.

The report urged City Hall to form a short-term patrol-based enforcement task force to ensure compliance.

The state budget proposal may shift 38,000 local Medi-Cal members to a fee-for-service model, risking access to the long-established managed care infrastructure across the Central Coast (built over 20 years), and local health providers and advocates are urging legislators today to choose an alternative plan that preserves essential care access.

Ajay Mitchell, a former Gauchos standout and NBA title winner, spoke to youth at the UCSB basketball camp this week to share his journey from campus courts to professional play.

He credited hard work & a strong support system as keys to his success.

Boho Tea Apothecary at Santa Barbara Lavender Festival

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Santa Barbara City College — Entry details not specified — Celebrate creativity with lavender-inspired artisans, food, drinks, and live entertainment.

Sinatra Under the Stars Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort — Full bar available — Experience iconic Sinatra hits in a stunning coastal outdoor setting.

Academy Festival Orchestra: The Planets, An HD Odyssey

7:30-9 p.m. — The Granada Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a cosmic journey through orchestral works accompanied by stunning NASA visuals.

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore Live Concert

7-10 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket details not specified — Experience the roots music fusion of Grammy winners Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Soccer Summer Camp in Santa Barbara

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. — University of California, Santa Barbara — Registration required — Train with Real Madrid coaches and improve your soccer skills while making new friends.

Jah Ollin Live with Koalishon & Heavy Rotation

9-11 p.m. — SOhO Restaurant & Music Club — Tickets available — Experience an evening of heavy rhythms and Irie vibes with Jah Ollin and special guests.