Daily
Santa Barbara
Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ In October, the 13th annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down offered more than 120 services to 427 veterans at Santa Maria Fairpark — reducing the number of unhoused veterans from 171 in 2018 — and recognized local volunteers and businesses. Noozhawk
- ➤ The City Council designated the Music Academy of the West project at 901 State St. as a community benefit project on Tuesday, allowing architects to expand the building to include performance areas and studios (a step toward integrating downtown arts). The project will return for design approval in January. Noozhawk
- ➤ Santa Barbara High School student Axel Wright is set to paddle 28 miles from Santa Cruz Island to Ventura Harbor to raise funds for DignityMoves while his campaign has already drawn $7,555 from 48 local donors; his effort follows a previous successful kayaking fundraiser. Edhat
- ➤ The Chumash Charity Golf Classic raised $135,000 — funds were shared among Angels Foster Care, CALM, and Mental Wellness Center during Sept. 23 to 25 at the River Course at the Alisal in Solvang, organizers said. Noozhawk
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Montecito restaurant Bar Lou announced it will permanently close on Friday, Dec. 19 + its final day follows just over a year of service since its opening in Nov. 2024. Edhat
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Last Tuesday, the Holiday Décor Contest Committee judged 27 local businesses and named Ace Rivington at 1100 State St as first, 33 Jewels at 814 State St as second, and Baja Sharkeez at 525 State St as third; the contest filled downtown with festive decor. Edhat
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries will launch their 14th Winter Reading Program on Saturday, Dec. 20 to engage community readers of all ages with six weeks of reading challenges, weekly prize drawings, and options for digital tracking on Beanstack or paper entries at local branches. Noozhawk
- ➤ First 5 Santa Barbara County mourns the loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner (key leaders in early childhood education) and honors their lasting legacy as their work helped local children and families thrive. Their pioneering efforts advanced early care systems across California. Edhat
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A three-inch Joro spider was spotted at a local business this fall, marking the first sighting of this Asian orbweaver west of the Great Plains, according to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Local naturalist Sophie Cameron called experts & preserved the specimen for tracking. KEYT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A federal bankruptcy judge set a hearing for March 11 for Wendy McCaw’s venue change motion in the revived Santa Barbara News-Press dispute — the move could shift the case outside the central district. A nonprofit media group also hired former Noozhawk reporter Josh Molina as managing editor. Santa Barbara Independent
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara officials broke ground at Jacaranda Court, a 63-unit affordable rental project for workforce and moderate-income residents. The $44.8 million development will convert a city-owned parking lot — located at 400 W. Carrillo Street — into studios and apartments as construction begins today. Edhat
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Dos Pueblos girls basketball won 60-38 over Rio Mesa on Tuesday night and will face JSerra in the Tournament of Champions Friday at 6 p.m. at Santa Barbara High. In a separate (Channel League) game, Santa Barbara High lost 62-20 but will host Arroyo Grande Friday at 7:30 p.m. Noozhawk
- ➤ Picklr Santa Barbara will open this spring at Fairview Shopping Center in a former Bed Bath & Beyond, featuring seven indoor pickleball courts with locker rooms and fitness equipment. Owners Ted and Trish Guggenheim plan Grand Opening Month (with a free six-week league for first responders) to welcome players. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Three local eighth-grade water polo players (Holyn Vega, Zia Ma, and Junius Fedders) have been chosen for the USA Water Polo ODP Holiday Camp at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this December. Their selection highlights Carpinteria’s strong youth aquatics program. Noozhawk
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3rd Friday’s Lunch Hang
12-1:30 p.m. — The Cruisery, 501 State St, Santa Barbara, CA — Free entry — Meet locals in your 20s and 30s for lunch and great conversation while making new friends.
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Christmas Day Buffet
12-7 p.m. — Finch & Fork — Reservations recommended — Celebrate the season with a lavish buffet featuring seafood, carving stations, and delectable desserts.
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The Gift of Christmas Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket pricing varies — Experience an unforgettable evening with Jim Brickman featuring holiday classics and heartwarming stories.
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New Year's Eve Celebration in Santa Barbara 2025-2026
3:15-5:15 p.m. — Celebration Cruises — $110 admission — Enjoy a Champagne Cruise with breathtaking views as you toast to the New Year.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
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