Santa Barbara CA

What’ll it be? Elderberry? Coast live oak? Bay laurel? Box elder?. For our less flora-savvy readers, those are all trees, made available to Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) customers — most city residents are SBCE customers — thanks to the city’s community tree program. Participants get to pick their preferred plant...

For drivers dismayed by the jump in gas prices — from $4.37 last week to $4.98 on Monday — consider an electric vehicle. As much as $12,000 is now available to qualified individuals from the Driving Clean Assistance Program to buy or lease an EV, with test drives available in Goleta on Saturday, March 14. The morning...

Hundreds of unionized University of California workers circled the Arbor in front of the Library at UC Santa Barbara on Thursday at what organizers called a “last chance” practice picket — a visible warning that a strike could be days away if contract talks continue to stall.

Rows of polished and natural rocks lined the tables at the 63rd annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show that was held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, Calif. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 7 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 8. The free-admission show, organized by the Ventura Gem &...

Free to attend | Family-friendly | Oceanfront ambiance. Enjoy the perfect coastal day with live music from 1-4 pm in the Channel Islands Courtyard! Relax by the water as talented local musicians set the scene with a mix of lively and laid-back tunes. Whether you’re dining at a waterfront restaurant or simply soaking...

Press releases are posted on Independent.com as a free community service. SANTA BARBARA—March 11, 2026—The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation (SBCHF) held its annual Party of the Year on March 7, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta. With more than 500 guests in attendance, the black-tie event raised...

SpaceX is planning an overnight launch of 25 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit on Friday, March 13, 2026. The mission will launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. After stage separation, the rocket’s first-stage booster is expected...

The City of Ventura is inviting community members to help shape the future of arts and culture by providing input on new policies, updates to grant programs, and a five-year implementation plan. In March 2025, the Ventura City Council adopted Strategic Priorities to guide City decisions through June 2029. The...

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) – An injured hiker was airlifted from the Cold Springs Trail, north of Montecito Friday after injuring his knee. According to the Montecito Fire Protection District, the man was on his way down from Tangerine Falls when he injured his knee and crews received the call to respond to the scene...

On Feb. 13, 2026, CAVA opened on 1788 S. Victoria Ave, in Ventura, Calif.. This new establishment serves Mediterranean food like bowls or pita wraps. Customers can even build their own bowl. They have multiple choices of different arrangements of foods like meats, vegetables, sauces and rice. Walking in,the...