Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Night Sky Rescue, a new nonprofit led by Marlena Piacenza, is working to save dogs from euthanasia and offering free training to help families keep their pets in Santa Barbara.

In six weeks it has rescued 11 dogs facing severe challenges and now has three available for adoption.

Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy announced that attorney Hillary Leffue joined the firm.

She brings strong litigation expertise (she previously worked at Foley & Lardner LLP) and will help local clients handle complex disputes.

Sweetaly Gelato will open its first California store on August 1 at 401 Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association at noon.

The new store is the company’s third and is hiring ahead of the grand opening.

Acclaimed jazz singer Roberta Gambarini & pianist Tamir Hendelman led the visiting artist series at the new Grand on State on July 22, showcasing elegant jazz at a club that opened in May and plans to host more notable acts soon.

In Montecito on Coast Village Road, Old Spanish Days launches its first Fiesta in 103 years today at 4:00 p.m. with live mariachis, flamenco and folklorico dance, a fashion show, and a meet-and-greet with El Presidente — a free celebration with local partners celebrating Santa Barbara tradition.

The Old Spanish Days Fiesta Poetry contest winners, including adult winner Elise Swanson Ochoa, teen winner Marcelo Gonzales, and youth winner Vienna Cervantes, were celebrated last week at the Public Library, and today Fiesta Montecito will host their readings (1187 Coast Village Road, 4-6:30 p.m.).

UCSB is set to lead a national cloud laboratory (COAST PCL) for advanced materials research funded by NSF with $20 million over four years.

The facility will let scientists remotely design experiments using AI and robotics from OASIS in Santa Barbara.

Local homeless service agencies rely on the county's Continuum of Care (a long-established partnership coordinating federal funding for housing) to support permanent housing, but new HUD funding rules under legal challenge could affect future support.

On Wednesday, Aug. 12 (3 to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, Aug.

29 (9 a.m. to noon) in August, the County Office of Emergency Management will host Open House events at the Emergency Operations Center, 4408 Cathedral Oaks Road, giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at emergency planning.

Guadalupe City Council voted Tuesday to cancel the Royal Theater restoration project due to budget shortfalls.

City Manager David Trujillo (official) said the move will help avoid deeper cuts and protect the building while contractors receive a 30-day notice.

Santa Barbara temporarily closed the popular Cliff Drive overlook after residents raised concerns about noise and safety.

Public Works deployed barricades in early June and will reconfigure the area to be open by day and closed at night (reopening set for mid-August pending review).

The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara awarded $30,000 in grants to UCSB programs—$25,000 to Pre-College Programs for oncology research and $5,000 to Kesem at UCSB for a free summer camp for children affected by a parent’s cancer.

The awards continue a decade-long partnership supporting research and education.

Downtown Santa Barbara saw continued redevelopment along State Street in Q2 2026 after City Council approved projects such as Yardi Systems’ new headquarters at the former Macy’s building and a Nordstrom space conversion to apartments, even as vacancies rose slightly (from 30 to 31).

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.