August 7, 2026
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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
Historic Landmarks Commission approves Lobero Theatre additions Continued from page 1 PROJECT TO IMPROVE CALIFORNIA’S OLDEST OPERATING THEATER, Santa Barbara’s iconic Lobero, was approved by the Historic Landmarks Commission last week.
The Lobero Theatre, on East Canon Perdido Street, is a designated historic landmark in Santa Barbara. Todd Jerod, technical director for the Lobero Theatre, said that the project addresses problems he’s been aware of for a long time. Working there for over 35 years, Jerod has identified issues with space and functionality. “This project is much more than just building a party room,” Jerod said. “It’s also solving a lot of problems that we’ve had.” The proposed update would demolish the existing rehearsal hall and courtyard, and replace it with a new 3-story, 11,000 square foot building. This will include a new rehearsal space, rooftop terrace, bar and lounge, updated backstage storage, an updated basement and other improvements. The project will need approval from the Planning Commission to build to its proposed new height of 46 feet. On its north side, the Lobero will get a new banquet hall, more bathrooms and an expanded basement with handicap access. In the early 20th century, architect George Washington Smith popularized Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture in Santa Barbara. Smith also designed the original Santa Barbara News-Press Building. He worked on the design of the Lobero Theatre in 1924. Commissioners delved into details of the proposal to ensure that the new construction would be reminiscent of Smith’s style. “This is a very important building to the city and even the state,” said commissioner Robert Ooley. Though the Historic Landmarks Commission was generally very supportive of the project, some commissioners had issues with a new pedestrian pathway, or paseo, to be lined with a wall built along the back side of the building. The paseo will include gates on either side. Kevin Dumain, project architect at DesignARC, said the design aimed to extend and enhance the current paseo. Though the planners said the gates will sometimes remain open so the public can flow
CA Coastal Commission Meeting to Discuss Fracking on August 13th THE FIRST FRACKING PROPOSAL OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST IN MORE THAN A DECADE will be the subject of a California Coastal Commission meeting on August 13th at the Scotts Valley Hilton in Santa Cruz. In January of this year, the oil company DCOR asked the Trump administration to approve offshore fracking from Platform Gilda, located off the coast of Ventura. The platform has been operating for 45 years, which is over twice its anticipated life span. This project would extend the life of the infrastructure, at the threat of oil spills and water contamination from fracking fluids, in threats to marine life, as well as recreational and commercial access to the environment. Written comments can be submitted by August 7th at 5pm to EORFC@coastal.ca.gov
Organic Soup Kitchen Magazine to Debut ILLUMINATING HOW COMMUNITIES THINK ABOUT HUNGER, HEALTH, AND HOW FOOD CAN HELP RESTORE PEOPLE’S LIVES, the Organic Soup Kitchen Magazine will make its debut this fall. Published by area nonprofit Organic Soup Kitchen, which provides nutritious meals to individuals in need, the magazine is intended to act as a community resource, a record of impact, and a statement about the future of nutritional care. It is created with caregivers, physicians, social workers, advocates, donors, and community leaders in mind. To celebrate its 17th anniversary and the magazine launch, Organic Soup Kitchen will host a private launch event for community partners, donors, healthcare leaders, and supporters. Those interested in attending should email contact@organicsoupkitchen.org. Space is limited, and a minimum charitable donation will be required to attend.
Rendering Courtesy of the City of Santa Barbara
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By Sofia Wallace / Santa Barbara News-Press 8.4.26
The proposed renovations to the Lobero Theatre include a new rehearsal space, banquet hall, and more
through the paseo, commissioner Cass Ensberg said it felt like a “dead end,” prohibiting people’s ability to see through it. “The wall is beautifully designed but it doesn’t feel like a public paseo,” Ensberg said. “Find that balance of keeping it as a public way.” Fire Marshal Ryan DeGuilio added that the wall was added for legal and fire safety reasons. It is illegal to cross a property line as a means of exit, but the building needed one for fire safety. This was the second time the project was seen by the Historic Landmarks Commission. It was first evaluated in January, and sent back with findings. This time around, the commission deemed the project ready to send to the Planning Commission. This story was originally published by the Santa Barbara News-Press. Printed with permission • newspress.com
New CA State Report Names SB County a Leader in Expanding Childcare Access IN AN EXCITING DEVELOPMENT FOR LOCAL ADVOCACY WORK, a new case study from the nonpartisan California Budget & Policy Center has named Santa Barbara County to be a statewide model for expanding access to childcare, crediting a coordinated effort among local nonprofits, public agencies and funders. Between 2021 and 2024, the county increased enrollment in publicly funded childcare by 160 percent, the highest rate of any of California’s 58 counties. The report, How Santa Barbara County Made Strides in Addressing the Unmet Need for Child Care, released July 29th, examines how the county moved so quickly and what other regions can learn. In 2024, 23 percent of eligible children in the county were enrolled in publicly funded care, up from 13 percent in 2022 and nearly 50 percent above the statewide rate of 16 percent. “Santa Barbara County demonstrates that expanding access to childcare takes more than funding alone,” said Laura Pryor, research director at CA Budget & Policy Center. “By investing in providers, centering family choice, focusing on facilities, using data to guide decisions, and building strong partnerships across sectors, the county made meaningful progress in increasing access to publicly funded childcare. As California counties continue working to address its childcare shortage, policymakers can draw on these lessons to strengthen childcare programs across the state.” The report attributes much of that progress to a cross-sector partnership that took shape after the pandemic. The Santa Barbara Foundation partnered with Children’s Resource & Referral of SB County, the SB County Education Office Child Care Planning Council, and Eileen Monahan Consulting to implement a childcare initiative to increase the number of infant and toddler childcare spaces and strengthen the county’s childcare infrastructure. “We’re proud to have been part of this work alongside so many committed partners,” said Liz Thasiah, vice president of programs at the Santa Barbara Foundation. “The results belong to the providers and the organizations doing this work every day. What the county has shown is that when childcare is treated as essential infrastructure, access grows.” To read the full report, visit: calbudgetcenter.org/resources