Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Dojo is raising money for its annual Basket Brigade to deliver Thanksgiving baskets to families as the need for food rises—volunteers report more than 370 families have asked for help with Carpinteria rising from 5 to 50 families and have raised $12,000 so far.

Peasants Feast in Solvang earned its fourth consecutive Bib Gourmand award when it received a hand-delivered plaque on October 16.

The restaurant, which opened in April 2020 and serves seasonal, farm-driven comfort food, thanked guests for their support.

EōS Fitness bought 23 gyms in Southern California, including one in Santa Barbara — the deal brings its total to 46 locations and will add over 1,000 workers as the company plans to open 50 gyms by the end of 2025 while keeping teams from the longtime Angel and Willy Banos franchise.

The UCSB Department of Theater and Dance will stage Selina Fillinger’s farce, POTUS— a feminist play set in the White House— from Nov 14 to Nov 22 at the Performing Arts Theater.

The production uses physical comedy and sharp humor to show women helping manage a powerful leader's chaotic mistakes as part of a season with a political tint.

The Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Lights Festival will light up the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Dec.

5-21 as families enjoy live music, rides, marshmallow roasting and crafts in support of the nonprofit garden foundation. Organizers say the festival will bring winter magic to the valley—creating a special holiday experience for all ages.

Amanda McBroom, a Golden Globe Award winning singer songwriter, will perform Wintersong at the Marjorie Luke Theatre on November 30 at 3 p.m. as a benefit for the Center for Successful Aging, singing songs from her holiday CD with pianist Brourman and bassist Larry Tuttle (free off-street parking and wheelchair access are provided).

Restoration work continues at Casa Del Herrero in Montecito using a $750,000 federal grant to repair cracked tiles, arches, and water features on the 11-acre estate.

The project — managed by the California Missions Foundation — also supports local programs like the Food Bank.

SpaceX will launch NASA’s Sentinel-6B satellite — an identical twin to the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launched in 2020 — from Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 16 at 9:21 p.m. Nearby residents may hear sonic booms during liftoff and the booster’s landing while Kennedy Space Center and JPL manage the mission.

YouthWell will host its inaugural Stronger Together for Neurodiverse Youth conference at Santa Barbara Zoo on Nov.

17 — the event will bring together families, educators and providers through panel discussions, expert talks and resource booths to support neurodiverse youth.

Westmont of Santa Barbara will host a free community program on Navigating the Holidays When Your Loved One Has Alzheimer’s from 10-11:30 a.m. Nov.

20 at 190 Via Jero in Goleta; Alzheimer’s educator Jennifer Blood will share practical strategies and emotional guidance to help families manage holiday challenges (seating is limited with early registration encouraged).

Wine expert Jamie Knee said that Santa Barbara’s cool climate produces crisp wines that work well for holiday meals—she advised locals to pair turkey with Grüner Veltliner, green bean casserole with white wine, and finish with a sparkling wine.

Her tips may help residents choose the perfect bottle for Thanksgiving dinner.

Downtown Santa Barbara’s Paseo Nuevo redevelopment project will build 233 market-rate apartments and 80 affordable units on the old Macy’s site—adding over 300 new homes to the urban core.

City council leaders must act soon, as delays risk losing housing potential, tax revenue, and downtown vitality.

Local high school student-athletes signed on Wednesday to join college teams, including twelve from San Marcos, four from Dos Pueblos, and one from Laguna Blanca.

They committed to programs in baseball, volleyball, water polo, softball, lacrosse and more—some moving to New York, Massachusetts or staying local to further both their sports careers and academic goals.

Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club and Santa Barbara Unified Water Polo Club have joined to form the new Santa Barbara Water Polo Club (SBWPC), creating one home for youth water polo athletes aged 3 to 18 that will offer unified coaching, competitions, and school partnerships.

Coach Brian Roth and veteran coach Cathy Neushul will lead the club as it builds on Santa Barbara’s water polo tradition and prepares to host events and training programs.

Repair Cafe Santa Barbara

6-8 p.m. — Rancho Goleta Lakeside — Free entry — Gather with neighbors to repair, recycle, and restore your items in a friendly community setting.

Evening with Judy Collins and Tom Rush

7-8:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the enchanting voice of Grammy award-winner Judy Collins alongside the legendary Tom Rush in a memorable concert.

Object-Oriented Programming in C# Training Class

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — GSA Training — $2250 — Enhance your software development skills with expert-led C# programming training in Santa Barbara.

Samantha Fish Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Not specified — Experience the GRAMMY®-nominated musician showcasing her new album alongside Southern rock powerhouse Robert Jon & The Wreck.

Shine On - Pink Floyd Tribute

7:30-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the magic of Pink Floyd's iconic music brought to life by Shine On with stunning stage design.

UCSB Chamber Players Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Karl Geiringer Hall — Ticketed event — Experience an evening of captivating chamber music performed by talented musicians from UCSB.

SBHS Class of 2005 Reunion

7-10 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — $40 — Celebrate 20 years since graduation with light bites, a photobooth, and nostalgic 2005 drink specials.

Swan Lake

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Family-friendly event — Experience the world’s most in-demand ballet with a full-scale production of Tchaikovsky’s legendary masterpiece.

Indigenous Market

11 a.m.-3 p.m. — 3227 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA — Free admission — Celebrate local native artists and enjoy vibrant traditional performances at this cultural arts fair.

Christmas Mariachi Festival

7-10 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Pre-sale available — Experience a festive evening with El Mariachi Estrella de Mexico and the largest mariachi in the world.