Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Sarah Aguilar, director of Santa Barbara County Animal Services, was honored by the County Health Department for her leadership and innovative animal welfare efforts.

She was named to the Best Friends Network Strategy Council to help shape sheltering practices nationwide.

United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County served over 1,000 kids and families this holiday season with Thanksgiving dinners, Breakfast with Santa at Camp Whittier, and local parades — the program also celebrated youth achievements during city council sessions.

Leah Weber King will be the keynote speaker at the MLK Day celebration on Monday, Jan.

19 at 11 a.m. at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St — the event is free to attend with donations welcome.

This weekend, Santa Barbara hosts an Arts & Crafts Show at Chase Palm Park on Sunday as part of festive holiday events along the Central Coast, with nearby Lompoc and Goleta offering food trucks and train rides under mild weather.

Last weekend, Christmas Revels returned at Lobero Theatre with nostalgic European-inspired music and costumes, reviving a 19-year tradition after a hiatus — a welcome seasonal highlight.

The 43rd annual Messiah Singalong at First Presbyterian Church united community voices with playful interludes and cherished choruses.

UCSB’s Future Makers Program gave underserved fourth to sixth grade students from Santa Paula a day of hands on STEM learning at Elings Hall.

The initiative backed by a Uplift Central Coast grant will fund nine field trips from Santa Paula, Lompoc and Santa Maria starting early 2026.

Students from the Mark Richardson Ag Farm and local high schools joined forces in September to grow, harvest, and donate 100 boxes of vegetables to food banks and church pantries using a new robot transplanter demonstrated by Plantel (they learned irrigation, cultivation, and food safety methods during the project).

UCSB Arts & Lectures will host four speakers at Campbell Hall in Justice for All programming: Dr. Michael V.

Drake on higher education Jan. 22, Caitlin Dickerson on immigration Mar. 5, Ibram X. Kendi on authoritarianism Apr. 7, and Masha Gessen on political tactics Apr. 14.

Philip Hampton has been named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at CSUCI, effective Jan.

1. He served as interim dean since Feb. 2024 (joining CSUCI in 2001) and brings extensive experience to guide the school toward growth.

Storms this week raised Lake Cachuma by almost 5 feet to 82% capacity as local reservoirs (Jameson and Gibraltar) hit spill levels, officials said.

Light showers are expected into today, and the Santa Barbara Airport reopened after temporary flooding closed its runway.

On Dec. 24, the Santa Barbara County Health Department closed part of East Beach because 4,500 gallons of sewage spilled from a pump bypass failure near the Mission Creek outfall.

Signs warn beachgoers to avoid the area until tests confirm the water is safe.

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers finds that pregnant women exposed to extreme heat and high humidity may have children who are significantly shorter due to increased heat stress.

The findings suggest that humidity greatly worsens heat effects and may urge new public health measures.

Hasbarco and Redtail Multifamily broke ground on Heritage Ridge, a 104-home affordable housing project at 6488 Camino Vista in Goleta today.

The project, developed with public agencies and local officials, will offer solar-powered senior housing and special needs family units along with a two-acre park.

Santa Barbara High is hosting the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic, a four-day tournament that will see over 30 boys basketball teams compete in 58 games from Friday through Tuesday at local gyms including San Marcos and Dos Pueblos — a notable event for our local sports scene.

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.

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.

Reading Skills 101 Workshop

2-4 p.m. — Santa Barbara Public Library — Free entry — A community workshop designed to empower families with essential reading skills and understanding for children across all grades.