Spend NYE at SYR

Usher in 2025 at San Ysidro Ranch’s Stonehouse Restaurant with a six-course pre-fixe NYE dinner, live music, and an enchanting ambiance that will form the final, lasting impression of the year and begin the next one in unforgettable style. 

Revel around mesmerizing ice sculptures and balloon displays before heading to dine on Executive Chef Matt Johnson’s celebratory cuisine with such indulgent dishes as White Truffle Custard with Calvisius Oscietra Caviar, or a Japanese Miyazaki A5 Striploin. Naturally, there are optional champagne or wine pairings to accompany the evening fare with a little flair. Want to remember this night forever? A photo booth will help you do just that. 

Listen to live piano from 7-10:30 pm and keep the party going at The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel where a full band will play the end of year away. 

Dinner comes with a takeaway champagne flute. Cost: $375/ per adult, $275 for a vegetarian option, $75 per child.

Holiday Hiking Updates from Los Padres Forest Association

December 1 typically means the annual seasonal forest gate closures, however the Los Padres National Forest gates are still open. This allows road access to campgrounds over the holidays.

The LPFA cautions campers and hikers to watch for weather related closures that can occur at any time due to heavy rains and fires. Fire Restrictions are in effect. Campfires are only allowed in designated campfire use sites (i.e. car campgrounds). Stoves are still allowed while backcountry camping. Make sure you have a valid California Fire Permit.

There are a few 2025 Los Padres Calendars left. Get them before they’re gone! All proceeds go directly toward trail maintenance in the Los Padres.

For volunteer opportunities, and more info:

411: https://lpforest.org

Carpinteria’s New Mayor, Natalia Alarcon

As of December 9, Carpinteria has a new mayor, Natalia Alarcon. Also sworn in at the City Council meeting were new Councilmember Julia Mayer and returning Councilmember Wade Nomura, both for four-year terms. Councilmember Monica Solorzano was appointed Vice Mayor.

Leapfrog Group Awards “A” for Safety to SB Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Hospital

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital received an “A” in Hospital Safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

Leapfrog assigns an “A,” through “F” grade to hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“We are incredibly proud that both Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital have earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group,” said Ron Werft, President & CEO of Cottage Health. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team to ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care.”