Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Hundreds of local agriculture students from Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties kicked off the Junior Livestock Show on Monday morning — a key part of the county fair tradition — by weighing large livestock, and today marks the beginning of the marketplace show for smaller animals with beef showmanship contests scheduled later in the week. The livestock auctions, which may earn students from several hundred to several thousand dollars, will be held on Friday and Saturday.

Santa Maria police arrested two men for armed robberies at Sunrise Market and Maguey Liquor — Raul Muniz from King City was taken on May 6th and Carlos Aguirre from Santa Maria was booked on July 3rd.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will open its new Our Cosmic Coast exhibit on July 12—members will preview it on July 11.

The hands-on show will let visitors explore the solar system with interactive displays that highlight gravity, moon cycles, and other cosmic forces, and it is included with regular museum admission.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara will host its annual Art Awards on Sunday, July 13 at 4 p.m. at The Arts Terrace in Paseo Nuevo—five artists will be honored through art, storytelling, and related events that support museum programs and upcoming exhibitions.

Local musician and teacher Matt Kustura released his self-titled debut album on June 12 which reflects his Santa Barbara experience with Americana featuring reggae, country and bluegrass influences — he drew on memories from his UCSB days and early gigs at State and A.

His album release party will be held on August 23 at Topa Topa from 3—6 p.m.

Geologist Chris Driesbach discovered a whale skull that is 13 million years old along the Gaviota Coast after January storms in 2024; researchers at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History now work for hundreds of hours in the fossil prep lab to remove rock—hoping to identify the species and learn about Miocene marine life.

Students at Santa Barbara High School earned professional certificates in translation & interpretation that qualify them for work in a growing field.

The program, part of the school’s Career Technical Education initiative, prepares them for new career opportunities.

Highway 101 in Montecito will begin shifting southbound lanes on Saturday, July 12 as traffic moves to a divided median from Olive Mill Road to Posilipo Lane—this change will close the southbound on-ramp at Olive Mill Road and off-ramp at San Ysidro Road while upgraded northbound lanes and a new auxiliary lane, opened on June 28, continue to serve drivers. Construction in these segments is expected to last through 2026.

Zane Becker hit a walk-off single in the 12th inning — driving in the winning run — to give the Santa Barbara Foresters an 8-7 win over the Arroyo Seco Saints on Sunday at Eddie Mathews Field.

The team will face the San Luis Obispo Blues on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Nite Moves Summer Sunset Aquathlon Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Various entry fees — Experience an evening of swimming, running, and biathlon events with a stunning Santa Barbara backdrop.

Girl Named Tom Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the first group to win The Voice with their unique blend of folk and pop music.

Liverpool Legends Beatles Experience

7:30-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — $44.50 – $74.50 — Experience The Beatles’ legacy with note-perfect performances and stunning multimedia.

Real Estate Meetup - Monthly Networking Event

6-8 p.m. — Kiva Cowork: State St. — Free entry — Connect with local real estate enthusiasts and entrepreneurs in a collaborative networking environment.

CAAMP Live in Concert

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Santa Barbara Bowl — Tickets required — Experience the vibrant sounds of CAAMP with their unique musical style.

California Wine Festival: Beachside Wine Festival

1-4 p.m. — Chase Palm Park — Ticketed event — Celebrate California’s wine heritage with tastings, food pairings, and live music in a stunning beachside setting.

Art KIT: Business and Legal Considerations for Artists

1-3 p.m. — Community Arts Workshop — Free entry — Learn essential business and legal skills to protect and promote your artistic career.

Soccer Summer Camp at UC Santa Barbara

9 a.m.-3 p.m. — University of California, Santa Barbara — Registration fees apply — Enhance your soccer skills and enjoy a unique training experience with Real Madrid Foundation coaches.

2025 Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Entry fees apply — Dive into a night of swimming, running, and biathlon events by the stunning Santa Barbara shoreline.

Father John Misty Live Concert

6-7:30 p.m. — Santa Barbara Bowl — $51.50 - $71.50 — Experience a soulful evening of indie rock under the summer sky with Father John Misty.