Good morning, Santa Barbara.

A recent county count shows residents living in vehicles increased from 675 to 962 over two years (a 50 percent rise) with most respondents being local men in service jobs.

The survey recommends local agencies provide safe parking options (including utility hookups) for those choosing vehicular living.

Miramar Best in Show returns to Rosewood Miramar Hotel on Thursday, Aug.

13 from 2 — 5 p.m. — the 5th annual event features vendors, drinks, food, and fur-babies competing for Best in Show while benefiting Santa Barbara Humane; resort guests and locals can attend as spectators since competitor tickets are sold out.

Gabriele Drozdowski, known as Gabi, a cherished local wildlife educator and founder of Eyes in the Sky, died on May 28 after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Her memorial (at Fleischmann Auditorium at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History) will be held Aug. 9.

The Downtown Club of Santa Barbara will host its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Aug.

8 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.—a free event with optional donations to support youth programs for more than 200 local kids.

Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association invites locals to a ribbon cutting for Sweetaly Gelato on Saturday, August 1, at 12:00 PM at 401 Paseo Nuevo.

The family-owned shop (its third location and first in California) will serve authentic Italian gelato downtown.

Cajun Kitchen in Goleta reopened its 6831 Hollister Avenue location with a refreshed look and new murals by Hello Coyote featuring a mature, smiling Gator Boy (a nod to the venue’s heritage).

The cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., inviting locals to enjoy its local art and history.

The Santa Barbara Rodeo will present the inaugural Dustin Noblitt Legacy Award at the opening ceremony on Friday, July 31 at Earl Warren Showgrounds to honor a longtime rodeo leader who helped preserve Western traditions, and the rodeo will run through Aug.

2.

Santa Barbara's CAMA has elected acclaimed soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and distinguished physicist Dr. Eric D’Hoker to its Board of Directors effective July 6 as it prepares for its 108th concert season (2026/2027), highlighting their contributions to local arts and education.

UCSB's START program pairs teens with autism with trained college mentors in a 10-week summer session that builds social skills through group activities + hands-on practice.

Program leaders say the experience will boost confidence for school, work and community life while offering guidance to families.

UCSB researchers and international experts met in Bucharest to study marine anoxic carbon storage (MACS) as a method to trap carbon from plant biomass, with their report outlining key questions before the approach can be used to fight climate change.

Santa Barbara County APCD's Clean Air Grant Program opened on July 27 and will accept applications until Friday, Sept.

4. Projects that cut emissions and use zero-emission technologies may get grants from $10,000 to $250,000 (covering upgrades like EV charging stations and equipment).

Dr. Jenna Holmen of Cottage Health (Santa Barbara) said the MMR vaccine is the best defense against measles as California recorded 52 cases since January.

No local patient has been reported since 2019, and immunocompromised individuals should remain cautious in crowded areas.

On Tuesday, Jul. 28, the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara awarded $30,000 in grants—$25,000 to UC Santa Barbara Pre-College Programs for oncology research and $5,000 to Kesem at UCSB for a free summer camp for children facing a parent's cancer.

The awards continue a longstanding partnership.

The Coastal Warriors 9U team captured the USSSA Santa Barbara Summer Championships title last weekend at Girsh Park in Goleta after overcoming a seven-run deficit with a walk-off hit by Sutter Anderson, and they earned their second consecutive tournament win with strong efforts from Jack Bischoff & Davis Fiore.

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.