Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County will host Party with a Purpose Benefit Concert featuring Bullfrogg Blues Band on Saturday, Sept.

12 from 4-8 p.m. at Blast 825 Stockyard in Old Orcutt. The event supports the Heart to Home Resource Closet that provides essential items for children entering foster care.

Santa Barbara's Colombini Bakery, founded by Carolina Colombini inspired by her Italian roots, has served European-style loaves made with imported Italian flour and extra-virgin olive oil since June 2025.

Orders placed online by Tuesday deliver fresh bread or Montecito pick-ups on Friday (subscription options available).

Santa Barbara writer Ellen O’Connell Whittet will host a book talk and signing for her novel 'Book of Hours' at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.

15 at Chaucer’s (3321 State St.), joined by Rev. Sarah Thomas to discuss themes of mystical childhood and modern motherhood.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will show all five Disney/Pixar Toy Story films on five consecutive Saturdays beginning with the original on Saturday, Oct.

17 at SBIFF’s McHurley Film Center (with free popcorn and refreshments available).

On National Relaxation Day, Rideau Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley hosted a wine tasting featuring a new viognier, first ever grenache blanc and a saignée method rosé, along with seasonal charcuterie and comfort food.

Visitors enjoyed guided tours and live guitar music that enhanced a relaxing, upbeat atmosphere.

Henry Woodruff—an 18-year Santa Barbara Strings graduate—will begin studying as a Bachelor of Music student at the Juilliard School in New York this fall.

He is the sole recipient of the Kovner Fellowship that covers tuition, room and board, plus a stipend.

UCSB’s NCEAS (National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis) has released a 10-rule framework in PLOS Computational Biology to help environmental scientists use generative AI for coding.

Developed by 22 researchers, the guidelines outline best practices for AI use and address challenges like access disparities and environmental impacts.

Opera Santa Barbara offers a free Student Matinee performance of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville for grades 7–12 at the Lobero Theatre (33 E.

Canon Perdido Street) on Monday, Feb. 22, 2027. Registration is open until Dec. 1, 2026 and includes limited transportation assistance for schools.

The Canary Island Date Palm is named August Tree of the Month and is honored by Santa Barbara Beautiful, appearing in parks and public boulevards across town — celebrated for its impressive stature and Mediterranean heritage linking back to the Spanish colonial era.

A new study shows El Niño is nearly 40% stronger over the past 40 years than in the previous thousand years based on coral samples from the Galápagos.

Water temperatures off Santa Barbara reached the low 70s in late August, and anglers caught dorado and yellowtail near the Channel Islands.

A red flag warning is in effect across parts of Santa Barbara County as extreme heat, dry vegetation, and lingering summer conditions heighten wildfire risk.

Fire managers say continued vigilance is needed since fall could bring worsening conditions due to sundowner winds — dry heat and minimal rainfall.

California is using state resources to build a fuel break near Diablo Canyon Power Plant so firefighters can better manage wildfire risks, following a 2023 federal agreement.

The project is ongoing and aims to protect high fire severity zones during the season & support stronger fire response.

Guests can enjoy a quiet luxury at Rosewood Miramar Beach with elegant rooms, beachside service, and a standout omakase dinner at AMA Sushi — a stay that resets how locals view a home escape.

Bishop Diego hosted West Ranch High School at La Playa Stadium for its season opener and won 42-13.

Coach Tom Crawford’s Cardinals overcame key absences with a strong ground game and timely interceptions to control the match.

UCSB’s women’s volleyball team swept Prairie View A&M in Tucson on Saturday — Gabi Martinez and sophomore transfer Sophia Wendlick combined for 28 kills to help the team notch its second straight win with 45 kills overall.

The Gauchos will face host Arizona in the tournament on Sunday.