Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Makenna Koffee Company will open in Isla Vista in early September at 6521 Pardall Road as a tropical-themed coffee shop offering signature drinks, live music, and study space while forging local partnerships (including Thriftopia) and pursuing green certification.

Paradise Found, a beloved local bookstore, marks 40 years as owner Teresa Taylor prepares to pass on the business.

The store seeks a new leader—one who will continue its service—and is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 17 East Anapamu.

New Beginnings is hosting a talk with bestselling author Annabelle Gurwitch at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

24 at the New Beginnings Collaborative Center (501. E. Montecito St. Ste. 101), where she will discuss her memoir and tickets cost $50 each including a copy of her book.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise rocked Santa Barbara Bowl on July 19 as they delivered a dynamic set featuring hits like Cocaine Jesus, Goodnight Chicago, and It’s Called: Freefall.

The band’s performance followed an engaging set by up-and-coming Spacey Jane + set the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Westmont Observatory in Montecito opens its doors as nearly all of the moon slips into Earth’s shadow during a near-total eclipse today.

Local physicists and astronomy enthusiasts will help visitors view the red-tinged lunar display.

UCSB physics professor David Weld received the Brown Investigator Award earlier this year and will get $2 million over five years to study a strange mirror made from very cold atoms that can both reflect and let light pass.

His work may lead to new ways to send messages.

Today the City of Santa Barbara released its Q4 sales tax data and July transient occupancy figures showing Bradley-Burns, Measure C, and Measure I generated $8.1M, $8.5M, and $4.1M while hotels + short-term rentals produced $4.7M TOT; year-to-date TOT revenue is 9.7% above budget.

California lawmakers approved a bill that will track PFAS pesticides on crops, requiring state regulators to post data and trends from 2026 or January 1, 2028; the bill now heads to the governor for consideration.

UCSB researchers used light to trigger a stress response in glioblastoma cells grown in 3D lab models, slowing tumor invasion and pointing toward potential targeted cancer treatments.

Further research is planned to test this approach.

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone welcomes The Mullet (a cocktail bar with a mullet twist) that offers drinks inspired by icons like McCartney and Van Damme.

Located behind Lama Dog Tap Room at 116 Santa Barbara St., it hosts DJ sets from Thursdays to Sundays and rotates its cocktail menu seasonally.

Kellogg Square, a longstanding retail center on Hollister Avenue in Goleta, sold for $11.3 million on Aug.

24 and is now owned by AJR Capital Group who plans to keep it as a community destination.

Senior libero Paylin Marcillac helped Santa Barbara High sweep Dos Pueblos on Thursday at Sovine Gym by recording 20 digs and four aces, boosting her team to a 6-4 overall record while Dos Pueblos fell to 0-4 in the non-league match.

Cate boys water polo won 17-7 against Thousand Oaks on Wednesday in Carpinteria and improved their record to (4-0).

Monte Prince scored five goals as the team will face Ventura High on Friday at 4 p.m.

Two Goleta-raised founders launched the Central Coast Golf Challenge at Glen Annie Golf Club this Labor Day weekend.

For $20, golfers can try for a hole in one on the ocean view 11th with a chance to win $10,000 & support Folds of Honor.