The Montecito YMCA opened its new pickleball courts with learning clinics on April 12. There are both Introductory and Intermediate clinics. Sign-up for the clinics is required through the website. On May 10, the Y will celebrate having the courts in a grand opening event. Community is invited. 411: www.ciymca.org/montecito Channel Island YMCA 25th Reaching […]

The California Coastal Commission will be meeting at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel from Wednesday, April 9, to Friday, April 11. Among the packed agenda, several key local issues will be heard on Thursday, April 10, including a Cease & Desist Order, Restorative Order, and an Administrative Penalty to Sable Offshore Corp. regarding the […]

Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, ShelterBox has sent a response team first to Bangkok to begin its assessment of what to deploy after the powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction. ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray says it’s anticipated the humanitarian needs will be high, especially for durable, moveable tents. “ShelterBox is […]

The Summit for Danny is the most anticipated annual fundraiser for the Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center, a key program at the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA). Each year the summit holds a local and an international event to raise funds for the center. The summits are designed and led by Bob […]

On March 14th, the Senate passed a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2025, providing funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through September 2025. On the evening of March 14th, President Trump then ordered that the IMLS – the singular federal agency dedicated to funding library services – “be eliminated to the […]

Local nonprofit Summer Solstice Celebration, now in its 51st year, has announced the addition of three new Board of Director members, Kari Lane, Ron Glover, and Forrest Leichtberg, to their Solstice leadership team. Ron Glover, a native of Santa Barbara specializing in event management and serving in nonprofit leadership roles, brings a wealth of experience […]

As the spring hits its peak, the Rancheros Visitadores will continue their annual tradition of parading through the streets of Solvang to old Mission Santa Inés on Saturday, May 3, at 2:30 pm. Community members will gather to witness a blessing of the riders and presentation of a check to the Cancer Foundation of Santa […]

On April 20th, William Dalziel is opening his studio (700 E. Mason St.) from 10 am to 4 pm for a public viewing of the Art Heals Project. One hundred and fifty sculptures were made by Oklahoma City and Santa Barbara teens in 1995 as a way to help the healing process of 169 lives […]

The Docent Class of 2025 graduated on April 5th after completing a comprehensive 10-week training program led by Robert L. Ooley, FAIA, County Architect (retired) and Rodney Baker, Docent Council Projects Chair, at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. For over half a century, volunteer docents have served the community and guided visitors from all over […]

Missing Person / 300 block Hot Springs Road – Sunday, March 23, at 01:35 hours Deputies were called to Casa Dorinda for a missing person. The subject was reported missing because they had not returned, and phone calls to the missing subject went unanswered. Due to the missing subject’s medical condition, an emergency ping was […]

On Saturday, April 5th, community members and local nonprofits including – Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee, 805 UndocuFund, La Casa de la Raza, and Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund, among others – joined the national “Hands Off” protest that took place in over 1,200 locations throughout all 50 states. Nationwide, the rallies appeared peaceful, […]

The Montecito Fire Department started its 2025 chipping and fire fuels reduction program on February 18, and continues for 10 weeks, concluding on June 23. Community members may schedule a complimentary Defensible Space Survey with a member of the Montecito Fire Prevention Bureau by calling (805) 969-7762 or emailing preventionmail@montecitofire.com.  MFD has an interactive map […]

Mental Crisis / Fernald Point — Sunday, March 16, at 09:46 hours Deputies were called when a subject experiencing a mental health crisis attempted to drive through a fence so they could park their vehicle on the train tracks. The individual was ultimately taken to the Santa Barbara Cottage Emergency Room by their family to […]

DUI / East Valley Road/Romero Canyon – Monday, March 10, at 23:18 hours Deputies contacted subject intoxicated behind the wheel of their work truck idling on the side of the road. The subject was obviously heavily intoxicated, and CHP responded for the DUI investigation. Subject was subsequently arrested for DUI. Intoxication in Parked Vehicle / […]

Possession of Methamphetamine / Padaro Lane Sunday, March 2, at 20:55 hours Subject was sleeping in the driver’s seat of his vehicle which was blocking traffic. When contacted, subject provided consent to search both their person and their vehicle. Inside vehicle, there were two small baggies of suspected methamphetamine inside the small pocket of the […]

Maker House – Clay Studio, founded by Lynda Weinman and Patrick Hall five years ago, is located in Goleta. Studio Director Erin Smith has announced its new Board for 2025 as follows: Yvonne DeGraw, President; Rachel Hammond, Vice President; Elizabeth Guffey, Secretary; and Melissa Cunningham, Treasurer. DeGraw is a tech writer and small business owner. […]

Trespassing & Theft / Casa Dorinda 300 Hots Springs Road – Wednesday 26, at 22:56 hours The subject was contacted for possible violation of trespassing and theft of firewood at Casa Dorinda. Upon deputy contact, the subject refused commands and continued to walk away. The subject fled, left items behind, and was last seen on […]

Leslie Hollis López passed away peacefully in her home in Montecito on March 8, 2025. She was surrounded by family members until the very end: a beautiful, sunny Santa Barbara day spent listening to The Beatles, Claude Debussy and John Barry. Leslie was an adoring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a devoted friend to many. A force of nature […]

Dr. Geoffrey Dudley Phillips, 77, of Montecito, California, died January of 2025 in Montecito. Geoffrey will always be remembered for his skills at stitching up a wound, carrying a tune and some of the BEST FÊTES Montecito knew in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s!  Geoffrey was born December 7, 1948, in Trinidad and Tobago, which […]

Care Facility Suicide / 300 Block Hot Springs Road  — Monday, February 17, at 09:36 hours Deputies responded to a care facility where an investigation revealed an apparent suicide, with subject pronounced deceased at scene. Next of Kin was notified. Tampered Mail / Loureyro Road  — Wednesday, February 19, at 16:42 hours Reporting Party (RP) […]

Marvin Agather Bauer, known to friends as “Marv” and family as “Tink,” was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Legend has it that his mother, Agatha, once remarked that she couldn’t improve on perfection, and thus he became an only child. Raised in Chicago, Marv went on to become an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin and […]

Death / N. Padaro Overpass  — Monday, February 10, at 10:40 hours At approximately 10:40 hours, a male was found down next to his bicycle near the Highway 101 northbound offramp to Padaro Lane. The male suffered an unknown medical emergency and numerous attempts at life-saving measures were taken. At 11:14 hours, the male was […]

The MA sent out a reminder that with the recent rainfall – Montecito had between 2.66-3.22” of rain – that sprinklers can be turned off for a while in an effort to save water.  Also, Montecito Fire’s Neighborhood Chipping Program begins next week and will run through June 23. There is now an Interactive Neighborhood […]

Betsy was born on December 21, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to Elizabeth Sifers and George Phillips Hollingbery. Raised in Illinois, she and her family were active in the Glencoe Union Church, instilling in her a strong sense of community and service from a young age. She attended Central School Elementary in Glencoe, IL and New […]

Betty (Bachman) Mann Doutt passed away on January 10, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California. Betty was born in Lewistown, Montana, on January 14, 1932. After her graduation from Fergus High in 1950 she married Peter Aycrigg and moved to Berkeley, California to attend UC Berkeley, remaining in the Bay Area until 1969. During the 1950s, […]

Thank you for writing this brilliant piece, Robert Bernstein. It speaks to something in the current zeitgeist (malaise?) of our times.  It’s not merely limited to printer software. Best word I’ve never heard of, before seeing it in your piece.  It made my day, and I’m still laughing at how it can apply to almost […]

Tinted Vehicle Window & Outstanding Warrant / 1100 block Coast Village Road – Wednesday, January 22, at 23:21 hours Suspect vehicle was observed traveling eastbound on Coast Village Rd. with tinted front windows in violation of CVC 26708(a)(1). Driver was contacted and a records check revealed he had an outstanding warrant. Driver was arrested and […]

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patrick Manners Sullivan, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and loyal friend who left us on December 11, 2024, at the age of 77. Patrick was born in Seattle, WA, to parents Morris and Rose Sullivan. He was the fourth child born in a […]

Jim Owens, Esq. has joined the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Board of Directors. He is a 35-year-plus health care attorney and is a partner with the global law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP. His counsel includes health care clients in California and across the U.S., primarily focusing on representing nonprofit hospitals and health systems […]

CADA announced this week the appointment of its new Director of Development, Karen Ortiz. In her press statement Ortiz writes, “CADA’s commitment to serve, uplift, and empower those around me for the last 75 years creates an excellent fit for me on many levels … Driven by a deep desire to create positive change, I […]

The Los Angeles area fires are a reminder to be prepared for any emergency situation. Start by registering for the Santa Barbara Countywide ReadySBC Alerts. The system is managed by Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in partnership with local cities. ReadySBC Alerts provide timely and accurate information during emergencies. OEM’s robust emergency […]

Stanton D. Anderson, age 84, passed away on Sunday, January 12, at his home in Santa Barbara. Stan was a proud graduate of Westmont College (Class of 1962), where he was a star basketball player, setting scoring records and earning the distinction of Small College All-American. He went on to earn his law degree from […]