Good morning, Santa Barbara.

SpaceX will launch its Falcon 9 rocket Saturday between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base to deploy 24 Starlink satellites (the booster will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean).

Santa Barbara officials shared a plan for safety, parking & street closures for Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2026.

The guidelines cover police patrols and visitor rules along routes like State Street and the Waterfront as celebrations run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 8.

Music Academy of the West has a busy week of shows in town.

Today at the Lobero Theatre, Jennifer Koh offers her Bach and Beyond program with a family concert, and on Sunday the fully staged opera Elizabeth Cree plays at the Granada Theatre.

Veteran Music Academy pianist Conor Hanick will perform Samuel Adams’s Piano Concerto 'No Such Spring' at the Granada Theatre on Saturday, Aug.

1 at 7:30 p.m. (he premiered the piece with the San Francisco Symphony this summer) to showcase his evolving impact on local arts.

Two UCSB-led projects were selected by the DOE for its Genesis Mission—one to use AI in guiding anaerobic microbes to convert plant waste into useful chemicals and the other to design AI-driven methods for selective mineral extraction.

Announced July 22, the projects will begin Phase I research at UCSB labs.

Hundreds of Santa Barbara students will experience live orchestral music at Lobero Theatre today, as they enjoy a front-row performance and interactive instrument activities designed to spark music education.

Allan Hancock College Community Education launches a tuition-free barbering program this fall that partners with Cosmoton Academy in Lompoc to offer classroom and hands-on training for barber licensure; interested applicants can join the Barbering Program Interest List (eligibility requires being 17 and finishing grade 10).

Retired financial adviser Kirk Greene warns local seniors risk financial exploitation, which costs billions each year through stolen Social Security checks and forged documents — the District Attorney’s Office urges families to monitor sudden changes in banking and report suspicious activity.

State agencies are reviewing six access options for Hollister Ranch’s remote beaches that may allow between 240 and 579 visitors daily.

The plan may require roadway upgrades, reservation systems, and environmental measures, with an evaluation report expected early next year.

California lawmakers will examine if grizzly bear reintroduction is feasible in natural habitats, including areas near Santa Barbara (noted for possible suitable conditions), as the measure faces pushback from rural residents and ranchers while environmental groups and tribes support it for restoring native ecosystems.

On July 23, CHP officers found a disoriented man walking along Highway 101 near Patterson Avenue and noticed signs of dementia, so they used his brother's phone number to reconnect him with his family.

The officers also bought him a meal before safely transporting him home.

Santa Barbara County homeowners can apply today for the state-funded 3C-BEACH project *EPIC-funded* to get a free home evaluation that boosts air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency and earn $500 if selected.

Applicants must share a year of utility bills and plan to stay for two years.

At Kellogg Tennis Courts in Goleta, nine longtime friends gathered on Friday morning to celebrate Henry Mealy as he neared his 100th birthday.

He played tennis, enjoyed cake, and received warm messages from his community (which credits his active lifestyle for his longevity).

Team USA defeated Australia 10-6 in Sydney Friday to reach the World Cup final, as local players Paige Hauschild — scoring twice — and Ryann Neushul — tallying one goal — made key plays.

The team will face Spain for gold today at 11:15 p.m. PT.

The Hidden Life of Wolves - Film

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets starting at $140 — Experience the captivating journey into the hidden life of wolves in this must-see film event.

Slow Flow Yoga Class

10:30-11:45 AM — Yoga Soup — Registration required — Experience a gentle vinyasa and restorative class designed for all levels.

Asian American Film Series Closing Night

6-9 p.m. — Alhecama Theatre — Suggested donation of $5 — Celebrate AAPI-centered stories and filmmakers at the closing night of the series.

Siudy Flamenco - Flamenco Suite

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a captivating performance by the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in the heart of Santa Barbara.