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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
DEC 4 5-8 PM
DEC 5
1ST THURSDAY ART WALK
SEE PASSPORT FOR VENUES
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
ARLINGTON THEATRE, 1317 STATE ST 6-8 PM
DEC 11
ROOFTOP HOLIDAY PARTY
DSBIA, 419 STATE ST, * TICKETED* 4-7 PM
DEC 12 6-8 PM
DEC 13
HOLIDAY SING-ALONG WITH THE PRIME TIME BAND
SB MUSEUM OF ART, 1130 STATE ST
BIG BRASS HOLIDAY CONCERT
STORKE PL ACITA, MIDDLE OF 700 BLOCK OF STATE ST 12-2 PM
SPONSORS
another fine property represented by
Daniel Encell
• Graduate of UCLA School of Law and former attorney (with training in Real Estate law, contracts, estate planning, and tax law)
• Dedicated and highly trained full-time support staff
• An expert in the luxury home market
Remember, It Costs No More to Work with The Best (But It Can Cost You Plenty If You Don’t)
Dan Encell
“The Real Estate Guy”
Phone: (805) 565-4896
Email: danencell@aol.com DRE #00976141
49 SEAVIEW DRIVE • MONTECITO
Just steps from the beach, this bright Montecito Shores residence combines ocean views, sunlight, and a relaxed coastal energy. The desirable third-floor, south-facing end unit offers incredible natural light and large windows that frame the ocean and tree-lined skyline, creating a connection to the outdoors. The twobedroom, two-bath layout is open and inviting, with enclosed balconies and generous living spaces perfect for entertaining or quiet evenings at home. Every room feels airy and calm, surrounded by the soft sounds and light of the coast.
PAloha at the Arlington!
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai’i
By Daisy Scott / VOICE
ALM TREES WRAPPED IN LIGHTS, a chilly nip to ocean breezes, and now, the return of ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro are tell-tale signs that it is the holiday season once again in Santa Barbara. On December 10th, UCSB Arts & Lectures will welcome back Shimabukuro to the Arlington Theatre to perform Holidays in Hawai’i, a night of reimagined festive favorites and original musical artistry.
“I always look forward to our Santa Barbara concerts,” Shimabukuro shared with VOICE. “The community is so supportive of the arts and live music. There’s such a wonderful energy there and we hope to bring some aloha and holiday cheer to the UCSB Arts & Lectures series!”
On December 10th at 7:30pm, Shimabukuro will lend ukulele innovation to carols such as We Three Kings and O Holy Night as well as pop hits such as All I Want For Christmas Is You and I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Many songs are tracks on Shimabukuro’s new Tis the Season album, which captures the music Shimabukuro has performed during his past four years of holiday tours. Singer Justin Kawika Young and bassist Jackson Waldhoff, who are featured on the album and have played with Shimabukuro’s past holiday tours, will join him on the Arlington stage. Together, the trio will deliver a setlist brimming with energy.
“The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate gratitude and kindness. Music brings the community together and gives us the
opportunity to share beautiful moments together,” said Shimabukuro. “I love when songs make us feel closer and remind us that we are all in this together.”
Dubbed the “Hendrix of the ukulele” by Guitar Interactive Magazine, Shimabukuro is the most popular ukulele performer today. He is celebrated the world over for transcending traditional ukulele sounds to harness the twangy soul of the blues, gritty edge of rock and roll, and even the gentle power of classical music.
Shimabukuro is also one of Santa Barbara’s favorite returning musical acts. He has played for multiple UCSB Arts & Lectures seasons in addition to performing students-only concerts for regional elementary school field trips. Thanks to support from A&L donors, Shimabukuro will once again perform a free, special concert for young people for 1,800 schoolchildren on the morning of the 10th.
“I love every opportunity to share music with people. The student-only concerts are great because it provides an opportunity for us to share our passion with individuals who wouldn’t normally attend our shows,” said Shimabukuro. “It helps foster new experiences and promotes the importance of the arts.”
Shimabukuro’s motivation to connect with young listeners is rooted in his personal experience. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i, his mother taught him how to play the ukulele when he was four years old. He took to the traditional instrument like the island’s seabirds take to the air, and soon became an Internet sensation when a clip of him playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps went viral on YouTube in 2006, sharing his remarkable talent and musical vision with millions.
“When I was in high school, I would pull electric guitar riffs and quote classical pieces and things like that,” said Shimabukuro in an interview with Fretboard Journal. “And I remember people just kind of looking at me and saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t think you could do that with the ukulele.’ That’s kind of when the light bulb went
off. I started dabbling in different styles of music, playing some rock tunes, and jazz tunes, classical pieces… just hinting at different things in the beginning before really tackling them with a serious arrangement.”
His unique vision has kept Shimabukuro at the forefront of ukulele artistry, as he effortlessly honors the instrument’s legacy while achieving new and unprecedented heights. Much of his work has centered on vibrant collaborations, playing alongside the likes of Yo-Yo Ma and Jimmy Buffet, who joined Shimabukuro to record Happy Xmas (War is Over) and Mele Kalikimaka, respectively, on the Tis the Season album.
On December 10th, Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai’i will celebrate his collaborations by also including original works and covers featured on his album Grateful. The project paired Shimabukuro with friends and mentors from Hawai’i and served as a follow-up to his past album of duets with Willie Nelson, Ziggy Marley, Bette Midler, Jack Johnson, and Kenny Loggins.
Holidays in Hawai’i will be performed at 7:30pm on Wednesday, December 10th at the Arlington Theatre. For tickets (youth $19, general $43-73, UCSB students $16) visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
The UCSB Arts & Lectures 2025-2026 Season Sponsor is Sara Miller McCune, and Community Partners are the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli.
Photo by © 2024 Sienna Morales
Ukulele star Jake Shimabukuro returns to the Arlington on December 10th
Photo by © 2024
Jake Shimabukuro signs Mount Carmel students’ ukuleles after a 2022 field trip concert
Photo by David Bazemore
SB Festival Ballet Celebrates 50 Years of The Nutcracker
TRANSPORTING AUDIENCES ON A MAGICAL, VISUALLY STUNNING ADVENTURE each holiday season, the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet will celebrate its 50th anniversary performances of The Nutcracker at the Arlington Theatre on December 13th and 14th. A cherished annual tradition for many locals, this golden anniversary production will feature internationally-celebrated guest artists, returning SFSB alumni, and a full symphony orchestra conducted by Elise Unruh to bring Tchaikovsky’s score to life.
Four powerhouse stars will take the spotlight, including Misa Kuranaga of San Francisco Ballet and Angelo Greco of Houston Ballet. Dance Theatre of Harlem stars Alexandra Hutchinson and Kouadio Davis will also elevate the ballet’s emotion and skillful beauty.
“Santa Barbara Festival Ballet’s Nutcracker is such a special tradition for me, and sharing the stage with my talented dance partner, Kouadio Davis, makes it even more meaningful,”
said guest artist Alexandra Hutchinson. “Performing with a live orchestra brings the beauty of the ballet to life in a way that makes every performance magical. I also love working alongside the students each year—it reminds me of my own journey as a young dancer. Seeing their hard work shine on stage is incredibly fulfilling, and they inspire me just as much as I hope to inspire them.”
Many SFSB alumni, who first danced in The Nutcracker as children, will return to the Arlington to honor SFSB’s legacy. A multigenerational celebration will also transpire as the children and grandchildren of former dancers take the stage as Little Gingers and in the ballet’s famed party scene.
Performances will be held at 2:30pm and 7pm on Saturday, December 13th and at 2:30pm on Sunday, December 14th. To purchase tickets visit arlingtontheatresb.com
DECEMBER 3-21
Misa Kuranaga and Angelo Greco
Alexandra Hutchinson and Kouadio Davis
Photos by Fritz Olenberger
SANTA BARBARA’S PROFESSIONAL THEATRE COMPANY
WRITTEN BY Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, AND Meghan Winch
DIRECTED BY Robert Kelley
L to R: Kirsten Høj Kyle T. Hester Alyssa Anne Austin
Photo: Heidi Bergseteren
Community News
Santa Barbara Students Attend National High School Journalism Convention, Win Awards
LEARNING ALONGSIDE OVER 5,000 STUDENT JOURNALISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, 30 Santa Barbara Unified School District students traveled to Nashville, Tennesee, last month to attend the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. The Sant Barbara group included 19 students from Dos Pueblos High School, six from Santa Barbara High School, and five from San Marcos High School.
“This conference had back-to-back sessions about all the different types of journalism, helping students get more ideas and tips to make us better journalists,” said SBHS yearbook editor, Ashley Mendoza. “It helped me explore more ideas for my future and gave me ideas for my role in my yearbook class.”
For three days, students attended workshops in broadcast news, reporting, sports media, design, and storytelling to strengthen their schools’ publications. San Marcos adviser Lara Willbanks and SMHS students also used the convention to support the growth of the school’s journalism program, its new Arts, Media, and Entertainment CTE pathway, and the many new dual-enrollment media offerings.
“The convention was an excellent opportunity to expand our journalism skills and hear from industry professionals,” said San Marcos King’s Page editor-in-chief Aurora Ivanova. “It was amazing to be surrounded by so many other teenagers who share our interests in arts, media, and entertainment.”
DPNews returned from Nashville with a strong showing in the annual NSPA awards, highlighted by senior Sophia Pixley’s third place finish for National Broadcast Journalist of the Year for 2024–25. The program also earned multiple national honors in broadcast and podcast categories. Kaarlo Anderson, Arthur Bonifield, and Kevin Ngo placed fifth
for Podcast of the Year, while Lucas Trexler and Townes Widger won first place in the same category. In the Broadcast Sports Story of the Year, Charles Day and Pixley took third place. Jonathan Harling, Diego Marin, Mychal Nuno, and Rocky Thoman earned third place for Broadcast Commentary Story of the Year, and Ashton Belding, Wyatt Ginder, and Chloe Miller finished fourth in Broadcast News Story of the Year. DPNews earned 6th place Best of Show for its show “Beyond DP.”
Yearbook students also earned multiple Best of Show awards. Photographers Evan Hildner, Everett Lemon, Max Heinemann, and Tash Huie were recognized for their work, and the 2025 yearbook placed tenth in the national Best of Show competition. From The Charger Account, Mika Glasgow brought home Best of Show honors, winning 6th place in design, and Anna Gray earned third place for Reporting and Writing.
Tariff Nation: The Rise, Fall, and Return of America’s Most Contentious Tax
History professor Alastair Su will trace the rise, fall and return of tariffs — and what their comeback says about America today.
Monday, Dec. 8 | 5:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop (CAW) 631 Garden Street SPONSORED BY THE WESTMONT FOUNDATION
Conversations About Things That Matter
Photo courtesy of SB Unified
MOLLY TUTTLE
THE HIGHWAY KNOWS TOUR
Kaitlin Butts and Meels
Sun, Dec 7 / 7 PM
Arlington Theatre
“Between her expressive, crystalline voice and astounding flat picking guitar skills, Tuttle has made history.”
Rolling Stone
Community News
Meet The Wild Neighbors: Biologist Offers Fresh, Field Guide
THE “CALIFORNIA WILD NEIGHBORS” SERIES by Amanda Sparkman, has added a new volume. Parkman, a Westmont professor of biology and director of environmental studies, released the third volume, Neighbors with Fur: A Family Guide to California Backyard Mammals, with illustrations by Westmont professors, staff, students, alums, children, and others in the community.
“I hope it offers something for readers of every age who feel a new or renewed sense of connection with their wild neighbors,” said Parkman in an announcement.
Other books in the series include Neighbors with and without Scales and Neighbors with Feathers. The books can be purchased at Chaucer’s Books, the Westmont Bookstore and on Amazon.
Sparkman, whose research focuses on the evolution of dwarfism in Channel Island reptiles and the urban ecology of fence lizards and acorn woodpeckers, teaches courses in ecology, evolution, behavior, ornithology, herpetology, bioethics, and environmental studies at Westmont.
Nominations Open for 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards
NOMINATIONS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN for the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards. Each year, Explore Ecology recognizes local students and educators dedicated to protecting our environment. Community members are invited to nominate outstanding students, teachers, classes, or clubs by the January 31st, 2026 deadline. These annual awards celebrate eco heroes who are making a difference on school campuses across Santa Barbara County.
Learn more and nominate at ExploreEcology.org/Environmental-Stewardship-Awards
Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA CITY RECEIVED $7.4 MILLION IN BRADLEY-BURNS, $8.1 MILLION IN MEASURE C, AND $3.9 MILLION IN MEASURE I SALES TAX REVENUE during the quarter ended September 30, 2025, which is the first quarter of the City’s fiscal year.
Year to date, Bradley-Burns sales tax revenues are about 8.4% below budget, Measure C sales tax revenues are about 7.2% below budget, and Measure I sales tax revenue are about 3.8% above budget. For Fiscal Year 2026, the City’s Bradley-Burns sales tax revenue budget is $32.0 Million, Measure C sales tax revenue budget is $34.2 Million, and Measure I sales tax revenue budget is $15.1 Million.
Transient Occupancy Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara – October 31, 2025
The City of Santa Barbara collected $3.3 Million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for October 2025, the fourth month in the City’s fiscal year. Year to date, the City has collected $15.1 Million in overall TOT, of which approximately $13.3 Million came from hotels and $1.8 from shortterm rentals. Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 2.5% above budget.
The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a Tax on "Transient" guests staying in any hotel, inn, motel, or other commercial lodging establishment for a period of less than 30 days.
The City’s adopted TOT budget for all funds is $35.5 Million, of which $29.5 Million is budgeted in the General Fund.
The City’s TOT tax rate is 12.0%, of which 10.0% goes to the City’s General Fund and the remaining 2.0% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund.
For additional current and historical financial data, visit the City’s Budget & Reporting webpage.
Resultados fiscales de la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara
LA CIUDAD DE SANTA BÁRBARA RECAUDA EL IMPUESTO LOCAL SOBRE LAS VENTAS BRADLEY-BURNS, el impuesto de distrito sobre las ventas para Infraestructura Crítica y Servicios Comunitarios Esenciales – Measure C (aprobado en 2017), el impuesto de distrito sobre las ventas para Servicios Esenciales de Santa Bárbara – Measure I (aprobado en 2024).
La Ciudad recibió $7.4 millones en ingresos por impuestos sobre las ventas BradleyBurns, $8.1 millones en ingresos por Measure C, y $3.9 millones en ingresos por Measure I durante el trimestre finalizado en 30 de septiembre, 2025, que es el primer trimestre del año fiscal de la ciudad.
En lo que va de año, los ingresos por impuestos sobre las ventas Bradley-Burns están aproximadamente un 8.4% por abajo del presupuesto, los ingresos por Measure C están aproximadamente un 7.2% por abajo del presupuesto, y los ingresos por Measure I están aproximadamente un 3.8% por encima del presupuesto. Para el año fiscal 2026, el presupuesto de ingresos por impuestos sobre las ventas Bradley-Burns es de $32.0 millones, el presupuesto de ingresos por Measure C es de $34.2 millones, y el presupuesto de ingresos por Measure I es de $15.1 millones.
Resultados del impuesto de ocupación transitoria en la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara – 31 de octubre 2025
La Ciudad de Santa Bárbara recaudó $3.3 millones en Impuestos de Ocupación Transitoria (TOT) en octubre 2025, el cuarto mes en el año fiscal de la Ciudad.
En lo que va de año, la Ciudad ha recaudado $15.1 millones en TOT general, de los cuales aproximadamente $13.3 millones provienen de hoteles y $1.8 millones de alquileres a corto plazo. A la fecha, los ingresos totales por concepto de TOT se sitúan un 2.5% por encima del presupuesto.
El Impuesto de Ocupación Transitoria (TOT) es un impuesto que grava a los huéspedes “transitorios” que se alojan en cualquier hotel, posada, motel u otro establecimiento comercial de alojamiento por un periodo inferior a 30 días.
El presupuesto adoptado por la Ciudad para el TOT, considerando todos los fondos, es de $35.5 millones, de los cuales $29.5 millones están asignados al Fondo General.
El tipo impositivo del TOT en la Ciudad es del 12.0 %, de los cuales el 10.0 % se destina al Fondo General de la Ciudad y el 2.0 % restante al Fondo de Arroyos y Agua Limpia.
Para obtener más datos financieros actuales e históricos, visite la página web de Presupuestos e Informes de la Ciudad.
Paseo Nuevo Housing Plans Come Under Fire
SB City Council Calls for Greater Transparency, Affordable Housing
By Daisy Scott / VOICE
NAVIGATING A ROCKY
COURSE rife with transparency issues, corporate threats, and specific financial details remaining veiled by nondisclosure agreements, the Santa Barbara City Council confronted the latest changes to Paseo Nuevo’s housing plans in a marathon meeting on Tuesday night.
Determined to push the housing project forward and avoid future surprises, councilmembers refused to approve the current deal on the table in favor of creating an ad-hoc committee of two councilmembers to guide city staff as they continue negotiations with mall lease-holder Alliance Bernstein (AB Commercial).
“I’d really like my colleagues to consider creating an ad hoc committee to work with our negotiating team on the next iteration of this deal to give our staff feedback, to allow our staff to do some temperature taking, to kick around some ideas in real time,” said Councilmember Meagan Harmon as she proposed the idea. “So we don’t find ourselves at another hearing saying we had no idea what was going on and we didn’t participate in this.”
Harmon’s comments echoed many of her colleagues’ concerns over a lack of transparency surrounding Paseo Nuevo’s redevelopment plans. December 2nd was the first chance that council and community members had to publicly discuss the redevelopment’s draft Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA). While all councilmembers praised the project and stressed the need to support building housing in Paseo Nuevo, the majority opinion remained that they feel far more feedback and discussion is warranted before signing any papers.
She additionally stated that AB had misrepresented their affordable housing intentions in private discussions, giving promises that were not reflected in the DDA.
“I will say in earlier meetings I asked directly, ‘will you be building affordable housing and then handing the keys over to the housing authority?’ And in the divide and conquer style of meeting with us oneon-one. You told me yes,” said Sneddon, locking eyes with the AB representatives present. “You told me yes. And that is what I based my yes votes on up until this point.”
Paseo Nuevo’s redevelopment plans present a dramatic trade offer: in exchange for the City of Santa Barbara transferring the land under the mall to AB’s ownership, AB would construct 233 market rate apartments in an up to 75-foot-tall complex at the former downtown Macy’s site. 80 affordable housing units would also be constructed in an up to 70-foot-tall building on top of Parking Lot 2.
Yet in the days leading up to December 2nd, it became clear that AB is backtracking on initial claims that they would definitely build over the minimum required number of affordable housing units. The draft DDA outlined that AB, working with The Georgetown Company, would only be required to build 24 affordable housing units, to be located inside the Macy’s apartment complex, at the outset. It would purely be AB’s prerogative to also pursue building up to 80 affordable units, which could be done either on the Lot 2 site or adjacent, privatelyowned land if purchased.
“When we are only conceding the minimum amount of affordable units that the law requires and nothing beyond that, that is what is giving the public the perception that we are just giving the land away.”
“This is like having a finished cake with candles being delivered to you and the first opportunity to talk about the flavor or the ingredients in that cake,” said Councilmember Mike Jordan.
- Wendy Santamaria, SB City Councilmember
The DDA also arrived with closed-door threats.
Councilmember Kristen Sneddon claimed that AB representatives privately told her that they would leave the mall “fallow,” as they had with other projects in Los Angeles, if the deal on the table did not go through.
“We don’t have any choices,” said Harmon. “These are someone else’s choices to make that we do not have a say over, in the sense that we are approving these three options, and from the three of them they may choose any of the three.”
City Administrator Kelly McAdoo continued to champion Paseo Nuevo’s trade deal on Tuesday. McAdoo, who picked up the three years-old project’s reins from past city administrators, has insisted that giving away Paseo Nuevo’s land is not only the best, but only option. Due to the mall’s complex three-way ownership between the city (who owns the land), AB (who owns the mall buildings), and Shopoff (who owns the Nordstrom site), the State Department of Finance has determined that Paseo Nuevo’s land has no monetary value as it is currently encumbered.
This drop from a guarantee of 80 to 24 affordable units turned local residents’ and councilmembers’ heads.
“When we are only conceding the minimum amount of affordable units that the law requires and nothing beyond that, that is what is giving the public the perception that we are just giving the land away,” said Councilmember Wendy Santamaria.
Moreover, the DDA outlines that if AB were interested in building additional affordable units, it could either transpire concurrently with the Macy’s construction or within five years of receiving a certificate of occupancy for the Macy’s building.
Harmon called out the move as presenting an illusion of choice for the city.
In a tense exchange, Sneddon asked city staff who had seen the proposal’s pro forma. City staff replied that they have seen the exact financial details of the proposed project, but they are subject to an NDA. Sneddon pressed staff to momentarily ignore the encumbrances and provide a dollar amount for Paseo Nuevo’s value, land and buildings included. She was told further assessment was needed.
All councilmembers agreed that it was a win that both the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara and Center Stage Theater would be protected under the current DDA. They also supported prohibiting any of the new apartments from being used as short term vacation rentals and called for the city, AB, and Shopoff (who also hopes to build apartments in Paseo Nuevo’s Nordstrom building) to collaborate together.
Mayor Randy Rowse voiced that while the project does not currently meet everything the city wants, he feels it should keep moving forward because any amount
of potential housing is better than the zero apartments currently in Paseo Nuevo.
“We need to get housing downtown. That project is really the light switch we’ve been looking for to get the downtown back up and running and back on its feet. We need to do that,” said Rowse. “We’ve had five years of absolute stagnation, probably a couple years before that. We need to get something going on.”
“My fear is equivocation and delay to the point where we kill something again,” he added. “We’ve done it before and that’s kind of where the process goes.”
Councilmember Eric Friedman adopted a positive outlook, reflecting on the years of hard work and collaborative spirit to get the Paseo Nuevo redevelopment to this stage. He stressed his peers’ unanimous support of creating more housing downtown, expressing that the project needed to progress with additional open conversations.
“I think there is a path if AB will continue on the discussions to get somewhere, where we might be able to get something that benefits the community as a whole,” said Friedman. “It’s something I think that we can all get behind, which is important because this is a huge decision.”
He playfully made a Dirty Dancing reference to address AB’s threats, stating, “you tried to flex a little bit, or a lot, and you found out that what happens is nobody puts Santa Barbara in a corner.”
Looking ahead, the City Council directed staff to investigate drafting a charter amendment that would allow the city to remove the 50-year lease requirement for city-owned assets. The ad-hoc committee will be formed and begin meeting with city staff as they conduct further negotiations with AB in the new year.
Rendering courtesy of The Georgetown Company/AllianceBernstein
Rendering of the proposed apartment complex at Paseo Nuevo’s Macy’s site
Community News
Granada Welcomes New Board Member
MELODY ELLISON has joined the Granada Theatre’s Board of Directors. Originally from San Francisco, Ellison has been involved in Santa Barbara’s arts and education communities, contributing her time to organizations such as Opera Santa Barbara, Cate School, and The Granada Theatre’s Legends Gala, as well as a range of youth and cultural programs. Her continued leadership with The Granada includes co-chairing the 2026 Legends Gala alongside Susan Jackson. Most recently, she launched The Halo Group, a Santa Barbara–based public relations and event firm specializing in mission-driven organizations. Through her agency, she develops and leads high-impact experiences and fundraising initiatives for nonprofits, foundations, and socially conscious organizations. On the Granada Board, Ellison will strengthen connections with donors and bring her new ideas to Granada events. granadasb.org
City of Goleta Awarded Office of Traffic Safety Grant for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program
Unity Shoppe and Anthony’s Christmas Trees Holiday Partnership Supports Families
LOCALS MAY RECEIVE DISCOUNTED CHRISTMAS TREES IN EXCHANGE FOR DONATING TO THOSE IN NEED thanks to a new partnership between Unity Shoppe and Anthony’s Christmas Trees. With tree purchases available online and in person at Earl Warren Showgrounds through December 24th, locals will receive one dollar off of their tree price for each canned good donated to Unity Shoppe. For every brand-new toy donated, customers will get $20 off of their tree.
Donors who contribute $500 or more will lead Anthony’s to donate a 6-foot Christmas tree with a stand in the donor’s name to Unity Shoppe so that a family can select their own tree for the holidays. A donor who donates the most items by Friday, December 12th will receive a decorative wreath and be featured on LIVE television in Unity Shoppe’s Annual Holiday Telethon.
To learn more or give visit: anthonyschristmastrees.com/donate-unity-shoppe-and-anthonys-christmas-trees
Alcazar Theatre Presents: Holiday Movie Magic - A Season of Giving
A FAMILY-FRIENDLY
HOLIDAY MOVIE SERIES, Holiday Movie Magic - A Season of Giving, has kicked off at Carpinteria’s Alcazar Theatre. In addition to providing festive entertainment by screening The Holiday (12/19), Home Alone (12/21), and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (12/23), the series also aims to generate donations for local organizations such as the Carpinteria Homeless Group, SB Rescue Mission, and others.
Audiences are encouraged to donate toys, clothing, and other needed items. Donations can be dropped off at the Alcazar Theatre during events, as well as at Laughing Buddha, Howard School, and Montecito Bank & Trust. Each location will provide a list of items that would help community members, with information also posted to the Alcazar website. Each screening also offers festive activities such as an Ugly Sweater Contest, hot cocoa bar, and more. Tickets for each film are $7 for adults and $5 for children, students, and seniors. To learn more visit thealcazar.org
A $64,429 GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE CITY OF GOLETA from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. This grant will be used to help promote safe practices for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide education about the importance of sharing the road.
“We are excited to receive this grant, which will allow us to expand our bicycle and pedestrian safety program,” said Autumn Glaeser, Goleta Assistant Public Works Director. “By focusing on education, awareness, and promoting safe practices, we aim to reduce crashes and prevent injuries. Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely and confidently.”
Grant funds will support a range of activities, including community bicycle and walk events, bicycle training courses educating youth on safe riding behaviors, and helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need. Funds will also promote community and school education presentations, including safety presentations specifically addressing E-bike safety and the development of a standardized E-bike education program for schools. Additional activities will include community bike rides that encourage and teach riders safe riding skills, walking field trips or on-foot safety training with an effort to reach youth, and pop-up events that promote the importance of visibility on roads with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights. The grant program will run through September 2026.
Hillside Receives Donation From Foundation For Stronger Communities
A GRANT PROVIDING MEDICAL AND THERAPEUTIC CARE, SKILLS TRAINING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES for Hillside was donated by the California Foundation for Stronger Communities. The grant, in the amount of $25,920, will support individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Santa Barbara.
“We see ability, not limitations. By supporting each resident in living a life of purpose, connection, and dignity, we are able to provide an inclusive environment where people thrive,” said Brad Frohling, Hillside Board Chair.
The California Foundation for Stronger Communities is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation.
For 80 years, Hillside has been a place where abilities are nurtured, residents are empowered, and where the community has come together to support those most in need.
“(Hillside’s) service to the community is heartwarming and we are honored to help support (their) goals”. This unsolicited contribution will directly support Hillside’s programs and services, ensuring that Hillside residents can live with dignity, independence, and a true sense of belonging,” stated the announcement. For information: hillsidesb.org, or contact Cheryl Sweeney, Chief Development Officer, at csweeney@hillsidesb.org or (805)-687-0788 x123.
Melody Ellison
An E-bike Safety Class and Community Ride in January 2024
Photo courtesy of City of Goleta
Courtesy Photo still from The Holiday
A New Creative Space Downtown Begins to Take Shape for Music Academy of the West
By Mark Whitehurst / VOICE
CREATING A DYNAMIC NEW HUB FOR MUSIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, Music Academy of the West has announced their architectural plans for a landmark building in downtown Santa Barbara, which they purchased earlier this year.
“We’re thrilled to share the first visual preview of the Music Education Center. Guided by our extraordinary team—Brooks + Scarpa, TheatreDNA, Kirkegaard, DMHA Architecture, TynanGroup, and Meraki Land Use Consulting—whose world-recognized expertise spans architecture, acoustics, performance design, project leadership, and planning, the Center reflects a collective dedication to elevating the human experience through space, sound, and community-centered design,” stated Shauna Quill, President & CEO of Music Academy of the West in an announcement.
The project consists of the redesign of an existing three-story, 19,000-square-foot building located at 901 State Street. The current structure includes a basement, first floor, mezzanine, and an exterior trellis structure to the southwest—located on an adjacent parcel but incorporated into the overall plan via a lot merger to allow for a new stair and elevator tower addition.
“This Music Education Center allows the Music Academy to expand its mission beyond an eight-week Summer Music Festival & School and into a year-round presence in the heart of Santa Barbara. It brings world-class music education downtown—making it more visible, more accessible, and more connected to daily civic life,” commented Kerry Allen VP, Marketing & Communications Music Academy of the West.
The new Center will complement the Music Academy’s Montecito campus and establish a year-round destination for concerts, educational programs, and community gatherings—supporting the revitalization of the Santa Barbara Arts District.
“Our plans for the Music Education Center continue to advance, and as with any major capital project, our financial modeling will evolve as design, permitting, and construction details are finalized. As this process continues, we’re fortunate
to have received a remarkable $20 million leadership commitment from Music Academy Board member and Founding Contributor Cheryl Goldberg, whose generosity has helped make this vision possible. We are deeply grateful to the additional early supporters who are partnering with us as the project takes shape,” continued Allen.
Construction is expected to start in 2026 and when completed, the Center will offer immersive, state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance facilities; become the future home of the Lehrer Vocal Institute and Sing! Children’s Chorus; host dynamic programs for learners of all ages; celebrate artistic innovation and collaboration; and showcase diverse musical voices.
arts community to thrive.
“As the Music Academy of the West approaches its 80th anniversary, this project represents the next chapter of our commitment to Santa Barbara. The Music Education Center will be a place where artistry, education, and community intersect—a space for discovery, collaboration, and inspiration. We look forward to welcoming the community into the Music Academy’s new space in 2028!” stated Allen.
“Our goal is to create spaces that feel inspiring, welcoming, and distinctly Santa Barbara. The design emphasizes natural light, warmth, texture, and connection— so that every visitor, whether a student, audience member, or passerby, feels invited into an environment where creativity thrives,” said Allen in a VOICE interview.
The Music Academy is seeking a Community Benefit, Economic Development Project Designation from the Santa Barbara City Council. The project provides significant local and public value by expanding access to cultural, educational, and experiential programming; bringing a long-standing, local nonprofit into the heart of downtown; filling a critical gap in music education infrastructure within the city; and creating new opportunities for the
The 2026 Summer Music Festival & School will run June 14th to August 9th, 2026.
For more information about supporting the project, please contact Nicholas Walls, Chief Advancement Officer (nwalls@musicacademy.org). Learn more at musicacademy.org
Performance spaces
Thoughtful Design
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Cinema Society:
Alternative Reality: Hikari’s Rental Family
By Robert F. Adams, Special to VOICE
ONE OF THE MOST EMPATHETIC AND WATCHABLE FILMS OF THE YEAR, Japanese filmmaker Hikari’s new film Rental Family is a delightful, positive blast. With a multi-hued plot involving an isolated U.S. ex-pat/out-of-work actor, the film is structured in three acts with moments of humor, drama, and striking locations within the Japanese islands. Rental Family was screened at SBIFF’s Cinema Society recently with Hikari in attendance.
Played by Brendan Fraser, Phillip finds himself in an extended casting dry spell. He is hired by a Tokyo firm that provides temporary family members for various ceremonies and important moments. Impersonation agencies, such as this, are a real thing in Japan. In Hikari’s screenplay, the main character reluctantly enmeshes himself into family situations to make a living. As his involvement deepens, he finds his renegade conscience. At the plot evolves, characters step in and bring him back from the brink of self-destruction, offering an appealing trail of discovery of the beauty of Japan, both geographically and spiritually.
Hikari makes films that are set in Japan. Her background includes theatre, and she became a backup dancer in Los Angeles before attending USC Film School, where she found her footing. She writes, produces, and directs her own material. Her previous project was 2019’s 37 Seconds which was noteworthy for featuring a disabled heroine who was also a manga comic book artist. In that film Hikari demonstrated an affinity for urban locations and her bright, fantastical visual flair, all elements she brings to Rental Family.
Hikari is a rising star. Rental Family premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has inspired enthused audience responses. According to Hikari, “Tokyo feels so isolated, you can hire people hourly, girlfriend or boyfriend, there is interesting chemistry. Playing roles, Phillip finds out what’s missing in his life.”
AN AMERICAN HOLIDAY CONCERT
Fraser, as Phillip, shows us a multi-dimensional character. He can play loneliness so well, but in Rental Family his character is much more adept than his role in The Whale, for which he won a Best Actor Academy Award several years ago. Fraser was one of the producers on this film, and the dramatic arc he finds is uplifting and rewarding. As played by Fraser, this protagonist becomes an antagonist and he has intriguing fault lines. Fraser is surrounded by some wonderful character actors including Takehiro Hira, the owner of the rental agency. Hira is a renowned stage actor in Japan and was a key part of the cast in the recent awardwinning Japanese-produced series Shōgun. In this movie he is sharply effective as a figure grounded in reality that lacks any measures of self-reflection. Mari Yamamoto plays a fellow staffer who is initially repulsed by Fraser’s character but she eventually rescues Phillip from his own misdeeds. Ikra Emoto plays an eccentric elder searching for the lost loves of his youth on a road trip to northern coastal Japan. And newcomer Shannon Mahina Gormam is mesmerizing, playing a little girl who lacks a father, at least, until she encounters Brendan Fraser’s warm gaze. The story follows a path not unlike Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life and The Shawshank Redemption. In some ways the film is an outlier and very different from the harsh glare of the world that most other contemporary film stories share. Currently in release at local and regional movie theatres, this comedy-drama should be streaming in the early part of 2026.
Photo courtesy of SBIFF
Writer, Director Hikari
Courtesy Film Still from Rental Family
Courtesy Film Still from Rental Family
On the Street with John Palminteri
City of SB Seeks Street Safety Input
SANTA BARBARA WANTS YOUR INPUT FOR SAFER STREETS. The City has identified ten streets to prioritize analyzing and designing for community safety based on collision data history as well as community input received through the Citywide Traffic Safety Survey. Local residents are encouraged to provide feedback on whether you support the City moving forward with the identified streets at this time. To access the survey visit santabarbaraca.gov/news
UCSB Men & Women’s Basketball Win
UC SANTA BARBARA MEN’S TEAM won its fifth game of the year in the first round of The Resorts World Las Vegas Classic with a 72-70 win over Lehigh, on Friday, November 28th. The Gauchos women’s team in Riverside won, 74-49 over California Baptist Lancers in the CBU Classic in Riverside, also for a fifth win.
First Responders Updates
A BREAK IN AND VANDALISM has been reported at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, December 3rd. More details to come.
A CRASH ON HWY 217 at Sandspit Road near UC Santa Barbara and the airport exit took place on Monday night. The area is also a construction site. CHP, Santa Barbara Co. Fire, and Smitty’s towing were on it.
ANOTHER CRASH was reported on Monday on Salinas St. in Santa Barbara near the roundabout where numerous collisions have damaged parked vehicles in the past. Most of those were at night. This was daytime. There was also a hit and run reported a few blocks away on Canada St.
A PRE-DAWN CALL on Monday, December 1st brought out police to investigate a vehicle into a tree at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara. It was near the playground.
A STRUCTURE FIRE IN GOLETA on Saint George Place on Friday night displaced residents. The American Red Cross responded with assistance. It took about a half hour to control the fire and the roof had to be cut open. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Milpas Holiday Parade Canceled Over Immigration Enforcement Concerns
ORGANIZERS CALLED OFF THE 71ST MILPAS STREET HOLIDAY PARADE leaving thousands disappointed. Their announcement stated:
“With heavy hearts and profound respect for our neighbors, we, the Santa Barbara Eastside Society, must share a difficult decision: The 2025 Milpas Street Holiday Parade will not take place this year.
This choice follows many weeks of listening, truly listening, to families, parade participants, parade volunteers, local leaders, and immigrant-rights partners who help us understand the lived experiences of our community. Many have reminded us that although ICE raids may no longer dominate daily headlines, the threat to our Latino families documented or undocumented remains very real. The presence of immigration enforcement in our region, the fear it generates, and the uncertainty families continue to face are real, immediate, and deeply felt.
For generations, the Milpas Street Holiday Parade has been a space of joy, unity, and cultural pride, an event where every family, regardless of status, could gather safely and celebrate the rich spirit of Santa Barbara’s Eastside. Yet this year, many longtime participants have shared that the level of fear and vulnerability they are experiencing makes joining
a large public event feel unsafe. To move forward without honoring those concerns would contradict the very values that this parade was built upon.
After thoughtful deliberation, we believe that pausing the parade is the most compassionate and responsible path. Our priority is, and has always been, the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of our community. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to rebuilding this celebration in a way that reflects the strength and resilience of our neighborhood. Our hope is that next year the 2026 Milpas Street Holiday Parade will return as an even more inclusive and empowering gathering for all who live in our community. This decision is not easy. But it is rooted in care, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to stand with our community during uncertain times.”
With respect and gratitude, Santa Barbara Eastside Society
Paseo Nuevo Tree Lighting Welcomes Holiday Season
IT LOOKED LIKE REAL SNOWFALL at The Paseo Nuevo Mall on Sunday evening in Santa Barbara for the annual tree lighting to kick off the holiday season. Mayor Randy Rowse and DJ Darla Bea led the grand finale for the event. They were joined by Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Oscar Gutierrez and Wendy Santamaria, Paseo Nuevo management, Make A Wish Foundation, and the Boys Scouts Troop 4. The Paseo Nuevo snowfall will happen every Friday through Sunday in December at 6pm and 7pm.
Isla Vista Opposes Proposed Amplified Music Ban
THE ISLA VISTA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT has voted to oppose a 72-hour ban on amplified music during the unpermitted Deltopia weekend in spring. County Supervisors will vote in January. The event has a surge in medical calls and thousands of dollars in extra costs to first responders. A call for alternative and permitted events has been suggested.
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John Palminteri is a veteran news reporter and anchor for Newschannel 3-12 TV and both KJEE and
Photos and Stories by John Palminteri, Special to VOICE
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What is Worrying Consumers?
"Consumer confidence tumbled in November to its second lowest level since April after moving sideways for several months,” said Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board. “All five components of the overall index flagged or remained weak.”
By Harlan
Green, Special to VOICE
WHY ARE CONSUMERS WORRYING so much?
Maybe they don’t like government shutdowns?
Or, maybe it’s because higher prices and the tariffs are hurting small businesses that depend on imported goods? Or, there are fewer available jobs? Actually, it’s all of the above per the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Survey.
“Consumers’ write-in responses pertaining to factors affecting the economy continued to be led by references to prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics, with increased mentions of the federal government shutdown,” the Conference Board wrote.
It’s also becoming obvious that
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consumers don’t like bully behavior, such as Republicans ramming through the continuing budget resolution without Democrats’ input.
Republicans were in fact attempting to take down Obamacare (ACA) once again by not including the subsidies in the continuing resolution that made it available for middle and low-income folk, I said last week.
Retail sales data finally released for September showed consumers were still shopping and dining out, but not as much.
So what will happen now? This was all before the shutdown. My guesstimate with anecdotal evidence from the likes of Walmart, Target, et. al., is that the more affluent consumers that own homes and stocks will come storming out of the gates after the shutdown and maybe party through the holidays. Government workers will be receiving extra paydays, for instance—i.e., weeks of back pay.
Doug McMillon, Walmart’s
sgolis@radiusgroup.com www.radiusgroup.com 805-879-9606
CA Lic. 00772218
outgoing chief executive, cited by MarketWatch, said on the chain’s earnings call that middle-and-upperincome households drove growth in the U.S. during the third quarter. He also said that “lower-income families have been under additional pressure of late.”
shrinking job market. ADP payrolls reports that just +42,000 private payrolls were added in October. Trade, Transportation, Education and Healthcare added the most jobs. But -51,000 jobs were lost in other sectors such as Information and Professional and business services.
Memberships:
And the financial markets have been rallying as it looks like the Fed will cut rates once again in December. Consumers will rally as well as they race to borrow and purchase during the holidays. That’s because polls say they expect inflation to surge over the next year when things will become more expensive.
By Harlan Green
“Private employers added jobs in October for the first time since July, but hiring was modest relative to what we reported earlier this year. Meanwhile, pay growth has been largely flat for more than a year, indicating that shifts in supply and demand are balanced,” said Dr. Nela Richardson, Chief Economist.
And Trump has grown wilier with his tariff pronouncements, not touting their benefits so loudly, for instance, which was alarming consumers, while finally admitting that tariffs have been raising prices. His MAGA followers are suffering the most. He must have finally looked at his poor poll numbers that are even lower than during his first term.
The other unspoken shoe to drop that affects consumers is the
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It’s pretty obvious that we are living in uncertain times, and the old Republican playbook of tax cuts combined with DOGE and Project 25 slashing of government benefits isn’t yet hurting the ten percent of consumers that have assets, but that leaves 90 percent of Americans still living paycheck to paycheck.
What will happen to them?
Harlan Green © 2025 Follow Harlan Green on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarlanGreen
Harlan Green has been the 18-year Editor-Publisher of PopularEconomics.com, a weekly syndicated financial wire service. He writes a Popular Economics Weekly Blog. He is an economic forecaster and teacher of real estate finance with 30-years experience as a banker and mortgage broker. To reach Harlan call 805-452-7696 or email editor@populareconomics.com.
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NOTICE OF PUBLICATIONS ON APPLICATIONS REGARDING PROVISIONS OF TITLE 28 AND/OR 30 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA (SBMC)
The Secretary of the Planning Commission has set a public hearing for Thursday, December 18, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street.
On Thursday, December 11, 2025, an Agenda with all items to be heard on Thursday, December 18, 2025 will be posted on the outdoor bulletin board at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Agendas, Minutes, and Staff Reports are also accessible online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC.
TELEVISION COVERAGE: This meeting will be broadcast live on City TV-Channel 18 and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV. See SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTVProgramGuide for a rebroadcast schedule. An archived video of this meeting will be available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PCVideos.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may be submitted via email to PCSecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.gov before the beginning of the Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the Commission and will become part of the public record. You may also submit written correspondence via US Postal Service (USPS) addressed to PC Secretary, PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990. However, please be advised, correspondence sent via USPS may not be received in time to process prior to the meeting and email submissions are highly encouraged. Please note that the Commission may not have time to review written comments received after 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting.
All public comment that is received before 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting will be published on the City’s website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Comments provided via USPS or e-mail will be converted to a PDF before being posted on the City’s website. Note: comments will be published online the way they are received and without redaction of personal identifying information; including but not limited to phone number, home address, and email address. Only submit information that you wish to make available publicly.
APPEALS: Decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. For further information and guidelines on how to appeal a decision to City Council, please contact the City Clerk’s office at Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov as soon as possible. Appeals may be filed in person at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or in writing via email to Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov and by first class mail postage prepaid within 10 calendar days of the meeting at which the Commission took action or rendered its decision. Appeals and associated fee postmarked after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted.
NOTE TO INTERESTED PARTIES: Only those persons who participate through public comment either orally or in writing on an item on this Agenda have standing to appeal the decision. Grounds for appeal are limited to those issues raised either orally or in written correspondence delivered to the review body at, or prior to, the public hearing.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you need services or staff assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator’s Office at (805) 5645305. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will usually enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. Specialized services, such as sign language interpretation or documents in Braille, may require additional lead time to arrange.
• 3139 Sea Cliff
Assessor’s Parcel Number: 047-091-014
Zoning Designation: A-1/S-D-3 (One-Family Residence/Coastal Overlay)
Application Number: PLN2024-00398 Filing Date: 10/15/2024
Applicant / Owner: Linda Blackbern, RRM Design Group / Jason Sunukjian, 3139 Sea Cliff, LLC
Project Description: Hearing for the appeal of the Staff Hearing Officer’s approval of the soil remediation project.
• 3139 Sea Cliff
Assessor’s Parcel Number: 047-091-014
Zoning Designation: A-1/S-D-3 (One-Family Residence/Coastal Overlay)
Application Number: PLN2024-00398 Filing Date: 10/15/2024
Applicant / Owner: Linda Blackbern, RRM Design Group / Jason Sunukjian, 3139 Sea Cliff, LLC
Project Description: Hearing for the appeal of the Single Family Design Board’s denial of the soil remediation project.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME, CASE NUMBER: 25CV06952
Petitioner: Jose Elias Garcia filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Jose Elias Garcia to PROPOSED NAME: Eliaz Garcia. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: January 12, 2026; Time: 10:00 am; Dept.: 5; ROOM: [ ] other (specify): at the: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the courts website. To find your courts website, go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.) 3 a. [X] A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation: [x] (for resident of this county) printed in this county: VOICE MAGAZINE. Date: 11/14/2025 /s/: Colleen K. Sterne , Judge of the Superior Court. Legal #25CV06952 Pub Dates: November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT: The following Corporation is doing business as WAKEFIELD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION at 5142
Hollister Ave, #296, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. THE WAKEFIELD BELIEVE BIG CHARITABLE FOUNDATION at 5142
Hollister Ave, #296, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on November 6, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250002570. Published November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT:
The following Limited Liability Company is doing business as FLOWER GIRL at 15 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. FLOWER GIRL, LLC at 15 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on November 20, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0002663. Published December 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT: The following Individual is doing business as THE AMEZCUA AGENCY at 5266 Hollister Ave, Suite 225, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. JORGE AMEZCUA, JR at 5266 Hollister Ave, Suite 225, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on November 13, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250002605. Published November 21, 28, December 5, 12, 2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following Individual is doing business as TOUCH4HEALTH at 1615 Castillo Street, 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. VESELINA STOEVA at 1615 Castillo Street, 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on November 20, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250002657. Published December 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT: The following Limited Liability Company is doing business as POSSIBILITY INVESTOR at 835 E Canon Perdido St, Apt 207, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. CASSANDRA SHEA CONSULTING LLC at 835 E Canon Perdido St A, Apt 207, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on October 31, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0002527. Published November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2025.
A two-minute fix for procrastination
UCSB study on the science of starting inspires Dawdle AI — transforming the hardest part of any task into the easiest step forward
By Debra Herrick / The Current 11.17.2025
YOU KNOW THAT ASSIGNMENT, MESSAGE OR EMAIL YOU KEEP AVOIDING
— the one that lingers in the back of your mind even as you scroll, tidy or “just check one more thing”? New research from UC Santa Barbara offers a sciencebacked way to break that cycle — and it’s already being put into practice through a new mobile app, Dawdle AI. In a new large-scale study, researchers found that a brief two-minute reflection exercise can reduce emotional resistance and help people take the crucial first step toward action.
“The goal wasn’t to eliminate procrastination overnight,” Garg said, “It was to make starting feel a little lighter — to give people traction in the exact moment they’re stuck.”
- Anusha Garg, UCSB Doctoral Researcher
“Most interventions aim to change who we are in the long run — our personality, habits or traits, but procrastination happens in the moment,” said doctoral researcher Anusha Garg, who co-authored the study with Shivang Shelat, a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow, and Professor Jonathan Schooler in UCSB’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Focusing on “the starting line problem,” the study, published in BMC Psychology, tackled that tiny psychological pause between intention and action. “If we can design tools that make it easier to step over that line, we can help people change behavior right when it matters,” Garg said.
Building on those findings, Garg collaborated with UCSB computer science students to develop Dawdle AI, a free app that brings this research into daily life — turning the science of starting into a practical tool anyone can use to turn hesitation into progress.
The app builds directly on a simple but powerful finding from the study. The activity took under two minutes — but its impact was striking. Compared with control groups, those who completed the guided exercise reported a better mood, less emotional resistance and a higher likelihood of acting on their task within the next day. “The goal wasn’t to eliminate procrastination overnight,” Garg said, “It was to make starting feel a little lighter — to give people traction in the exact moment they’re stuck.”
The approach draws on the temporal decision model of procrastination, which frames the behavior as a cost-benefit calculation between task aversion (how unpleasant starting feels) and outcome utility (how good finishing will feel). When the emotional cost outweighs the expected reward, people delay. The intervention flips that equation — lowering aversion through affect labeling (naming emotions) and raising utility by pairing the task with a quick win: a smaller subgoal and a self-chosen reward.
In a follow-up, still-unpublished study, Garg’s team explored whether breaking tasks down alone was enough to drive the effect, or whether the reward played a key role. Early data point to the combination. “When participants only broke the task down, they felt a little more motivated,” Garg said. “But when they also paired that step with a small reward — like a walk, a snack or texting a friend — the motivation boost was significantly stronger. The reward makes the effort itself feel worthwhile.” This finding echoes the theory of learned industriousness: when effort is paired with reinforcement,
effort itself becomes rewarding. Over time, that can transform the act of starting from a chore into a small, satisfying success.
Rather than leave those findings in the lab, Garg brought them to life through Dawdle AI. “We realized that the problem we’re studying — getting started — happens right where people are, on their phones,” she said. “So we built something that can meet them there.”
Dawdle AI combines psychology and technology in a friendly, research-based interface. Its animated guide, Pebbles, invites users to talk through what they’re avoiding, helps them generate subtasks, and encourages them to pick rewards for each completed step. The app includes timers, streak tracking and positive feedback animations that reinforce momentum. “It’s essentially the study turned into a tool,” Garg said. “When someone feels stuck, they can open Dawdle AI, reflect for a few minutes, and feel that same shift we saw in the data.”
Now available on the App Store, Dawdle AI officially launched on UCSB’s campus in November 2025 with ambassador programs, events and collaborations designed to help students put the research into practice. For Garg, the launch marks more than a tech milestone — it’s a model for translating science into tools people can use. “So much psychological research ends up locked in journals,” she said. “We wanted this to live in people’s hands.”
By reframing procrastination as a momentary emotional hurdle rather than a fixed trait, Garg hopes to replace shame with strategy. “We procrastinate because we’re human,” she said. “But if we can learn to navigate that starting-line moment — to notice it, label it and tip the scales toward reward — we can start almost anything.
“The hardest part isn’t the work itself. It’s just starting. And that’s exactly where science can help.”
Printed with permission of UCSB Office of Public Affairs and Communications.
To download a PDF guide with a map, Just scan the QR code and click on the “Murals” icon (shown above).
Anusha Garg
Photo courtesy of UCSB
Bag* (R): Thur: 7:55.
Fackham Hall (R): Fri, Mon-Thur: 7:45. Sat/Sun: 12:05, 7:45.
Predator: Badlands (PG13): Fri, Mon-Thur: 5:10. Sat/Sun: 2:30, 5:10.
Wicked For Good: (PG): Fri: 1:05, 2:40, 4:20, 5:45, 7:30, 9:00. Sat/Sun: 11:30, 1:05, 2:40, 4:20, 5:45, 7:30, 9:00. Mon-Thur: 2:40, 4:20, 5:45, 7:30. : Fri, Mon-Thur:
2:30, 5:10, 7:55. Sat/Sun: 11:50, 2:30, 5:10, 7:55.
: Fri-Wed: 2:40, 5:20, 8:00. Thur: 2:40, 8:00. Ella McCay* (PG13): Thur: 5:20, 7:50. Fackam Hall (R): Fri, Sun-Wed: 2:30, 8:15. Sat: 12:00, 8:15. Thur: 2:30. Wicked For Good: (PG): Fri-Sun: 1:30, 4:40, 7:45. Mon-Thur: 2:10, 4:40. Nuremberg (PG13): Fri-Wed: 5:00. Silent Night, Deadly Night (R): Thur: 5:45, 8:15.
(PG13): Fri, Mon-Thur: 4:35, 7:30. Sat/Sun: 1:40, 4:35, 7:30.
CINEMA
CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY of a modern holiday classic when the Granada Theatre hosts a special screening of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, at 6pm on Friday, December 12th. Arrive early at 5pm for a party with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch himself before the show. All visitors are encouraged to wear cozy pajamas or festive sweaters to add to the fun!
For tickets ($5) visit granadasb.org
CINEMA LISTINGS
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas • Anniversary screening with Mr. & Mrs. Claus and the Grinch himself! • Granada Theatre • $5 • granadasb.org • Festivities 5pm, film 6pm Fr, 12/12.
Die Hard • 4K restoration of this action-packed holiday adventure • SBIFF Riviera Theatre • $8-12.50 • sbifftheatres.com • 9pm Fr & Sa, 12/12 & 12/13.
For Good*: (PG): Sat, Mon, Thur: 3:15, 6:30.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Sing! All Through the Night
GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH THE YOUNG VOICES of Sing!, the Music Academy of the West’s youth choir program, when they perform Sing! All Through the Night across two concerts of carols, folk songs, and more. Hear the entire Sing! ensemble at 6pm on Tuesday, December 9th at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, while select singers from the Miraflores and Rivera choirs will present a special winter concert at 6pm on Friday, December 12th at Hahn Hall.
For tickets ($10 adults, ages 17 and under free) visit musicacademy.org
Friday 12/5
DANCE
Swan Lake • Performed by international ballet stars, presented by Classical Arts Entertainment
• Arlington Theatre • $40-111 • arlingtontheatresb.com • 7pm Fr, 12/5.
Fall Dance Concert: Intra- • Performance by UCSB students • UCSB Hatlen Theater • $13-19 • theaterdance.ucsb.edu • 7:30pm Fr, 12/5.
LECTURES/MEETINGS
Two Cosmic Talks • Sights & Sounds of Space, by SB Astronomical Unit experts • SB Museum of Natural History, Farrand Aud. • Free • sbnature.org • 7:30pm Fr, 12/5.
MUSIC
Music & Meditation • Pianist Antonio Artese and guided meditation with Jessica Kolbe • Weinman Hall, Music Academy • $25 • musicandmeditationsb.com • 2pm Fr, 12/2.
George Chelini Alumni Concert
• Blues artist Kim Wilson plays for United Boys & Girls Clubs • Carriage and Western Art Museum • $50 • unitedbg.org/events 5pm Fr, 12/5. UCSB Gospel Choir • Traditional
Saturday 12/6
CHILDREN
Winter Gift-Making Workshop Ceramics & Weaving • For ages 6-12 • SB Museum of Art • $170-200 • sbma.net • 9am-3pm Sa, 12/6.
Pathfinders: Finding Feathered Friends • Ages 8-13 learn about birds • SB Botanic Garden • Free with admission, register: sbbotanicgarden.org • 11am-12:15pm Sa, 12/6.
Crafternoon • Fun crafts, ages 5+
• Explore Ecology Makerspace • $8 • exploreecology.org • 10am-12pm, Sat. Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org
• 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.
DANCE
Goleta School of Ballet
Presents: The Nutcracker • Young dancers production • Marjorie Luke Theater • $15-20 • luketheatre. org • 3pm Sa, 12/6 & 12/7.
OUTDOORS
Winter Pruning and Tool
Sharpening Workshop • Taught by UC Master Gardeners • Mesa
Harmony Gardens • Free, register: • ucanr.edu/county/santa-barbara-county • 9:30am-12pm Sa, 12/6.
Architectural Walking Tour
• History of buildings in SB • 229 E. Victoria St • $20 • afsb.org • 10am, Sat.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Holiday at the Ranch • Santa, music, open house, and fun! • Rancho La Patera and Stow House • Free • 10am-4pm Sa, 12/6.
Disability Awareness and Cultural Market • Short film by Grace Fisher, youth makers market, and learning • Library Plaza • Free • 10am-2pm Sa, 12/6.
Local Holiday Markets
Mujeres Makers Market
• Women of color artisans and vendors • El Presidio • Free • 10am-4pm Sa, 12/6 & 12/7.
Homespun Makers Market • 50+ vendors • Community Arts Workshop • Free • 10am-6pm Sa, 12/6. SBCC School of Extended Learning 2025 Arts & Crafts Fair • Shop handmade gifts • SBCC’s Wake Campus • Free • 10am-2pm Sa, 12/6.
Indigenous Market • Handmade wares, music, food • American Indian Health & Services • 3227 State St • 11am3pm Sa, 12/6.
and contemporary music • UCSB, Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall • Free-$13.25 • music.ucsb.edu • 7:30pm Fr, 12/5.
OUTDOORS
Tai Chi at the Garden • Hosted by Master Yun • SB Botanic Garden • $10-15 • sbbotanicgarden.org • 9-10am Fr, 12/5.
SBC Courthouse Docent Tours
• Free • www.sbcourthouse.org • 10:30am Mon-Fri & 2pm daily.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Goleta’s Finest 2025 • Honoring local individuals and orgs making a difference • SB South Coast Chamber
• The Ritz-Carlton Bacara • $175 • sbscchamber.com • 5:30pm Fr, 12/5.
Annual Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting • Welcome the season with music, dance, and Santa • Arlington Theatre • 6pm Fr, 12/5.
Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Lights Festival • Explore bright artistic displays • Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden • $15-30 • syvholidaylights. com • 5:30-8:30pm Fr-Su, 12/5-12/7; 12/12-12/14; 12/19-12/21.
Rudolph • Classic story by students of State Street Ballet Academy, Cold Spring School Choir, Laudate Choir • Lobero Theatre • $19-32 • lobero.org • 6:30pm Sa, 12/6 & 2pm Su, 12/7.
Winter Suite • Presented by artists of Selah Dance Collective
• Center Stage Theater • $20-50 • centerstagetheater.org • 7:30pm Sa, 12/6.
LECTURES/MEETINGS
Noncooperation Training
• Learn how to participate in coordinated resistance/protests • The Fund for SB • Corwin Pavilion, UCSB
• Free • https://tinyurl.com/3ssetjvv • 10am-5pm Sa, 12/6.
In Conversation with Paul Hayes Tucker • Art historian discusses Impressionist movement • SB Museum of Art, Mary Craig Aud. • $10-15 • sbma.net • 12-1:30pm & 3-4:30pm Sa, 12/6.
MUSIC
Westmont Christmas Festival
• Westmont College orchestra and singers • Granada Theatre • $30 • granadasb.org • 7pm Sa, 12/6 & 3pm Su, 12/7.
Light Up A Life 2025 • Honor departed loved ones with a ceremony and tree lighting • Hospice SB • Montecito Upper Village Green • $15 suggested donation • hospiceofsb.org/lual • 5pm Sa, 12/6.
Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade • Welcome the holiday season with floats and fun • On Hollister Ave. from Orange to Kinman Ave. • Free • 6pm Sa, 12/6.
Sunday 12/7
CHILDREN
Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org • 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.
Sundays at the Ranch • Fun for the family. Enjoy barn animals and tractor rides • Stow House, 304 N Los Carneros Rd • Free • goletahistory.org • 11am-2pm Sun.
Holiday Market • Pottery lessons, cup show, and shopping • Clay Studio, 1351 Holiday Hill Rd. • Free, lessons $20 • makerhouse.org • 11am-4pm Sa, 12/6.
Presidio Neighborhood Holiday Stroll • A walking tour with special shopping deals/ treats • $60 • sbthp.org/events • 2-5pm Sa, 12/6.
Holiday Market at the CAW • Local artists • Community Arts Workshop • Free • 11am5pm Sa, 12/13.
Crimson Holiday • Seasonal pop-up with dozens of local artisans’ handmade works • La Cumbre Plaza • 10am-7pm MoSat; 11am-6pm Su, through 12/31. Under the Oak and Olive: Artisans and Allies • Indigenous artisans/allies market • El Presidio • Free • 11am-5pm Su, 12/14.
Gabriela Radu, CMT
Therapeutic Massage
Specializing in injuries, Sports massage, Swedish, Lymphatic, Somatic massage & Life Coaching v.gabriela@yahoo.com 805-453-1139 www.comefromyourheart.com
Photo courtesy by Music Academy of the West
Free Senior Day
SOAK UP THE WINTER SUN and explore native plants, wildlife, and hiking trails at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden when it hosts its next Free Senior Day for visitors ages 60 and better on Wednesday, December 10th from 10am to 5pm. To make a free ticket reservation visit sbbotanicgarden.org
LECTURES/MEETINGS
Local Author Talk • Author Macduff Everton and artist Mary Heebner discuss The Book of Santa Barbara • Chaucer’s Books • Free • 4pm Su, 12/7.
Empathy Cafe • Practice communication, listening, and speaking skills • Riviera Theatre, upstairs • Free • 11am-1pm Su.
MUSIC
Molly Tuttle • Bluegrass concert with guests Kaitlin Butts and Meels • UCSB Arts & Lectures • Arlington Theatre • $25-133 • artsandlectures. ucsb.edu • 7pm Su, 12/7.
The Heeters • Soul, R&B • SOhO • $18 • sohosb.com • 8pm Su, 12/7.
Monday 12/8
LECTURES/MEETINGS
Tariff Nation • Talk Examines The Rise, Fall, and Return of America’s Most Contentious Tax, Westmont professor Alastair Su • Community Arts Workshop • Free • 5:30pm Mo, 12/8.
PFLAG December Zoom
Meeting • “We are Stronger Together: An Extra Helping of Connection and Support” • Preregister at pflagsantabarbara@gmail. com • Free • 7-8:30pm Mo, 12/8.
Scrabble Club • Louise Lowry Davis Center • All levels/ English/ Spanish • Free • 1-4pm Mon.
Parliamo • Italian conversation, all levels • Natural Cafe, 361 Hitchcock Way • Free • parliamo.yolasite.com • 5-6:30pm Mon.
MUSIC
M.O.B. Quintet • Euro-Brazil progressive jazz • SOhO • $15 • sohosb.com • 7pm Mo, 12/8.
OUTDOORS
Sunday Architecture Tour
• Guided stroll through SB’s Architectural charm • Begins at SB Downtown Library • Architectural Foundation of SB • $20 • afsb.org • 10am Sun.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Buellton Winter Fest • Santa breakfast, shopping, and concluding tree lighting • Buellton Rec Center and River View Park • Free, breakfast ticketed: discoverbuellton.com • 9am5:30pm (tree lighting), Su, 12/7.
Light Up A Life 2025 • Honor departed loved ones with a ceremony and tree lighting • Hospice SB • Lobero Theatre • $15 suggested donation • hospiceofsb.org/lual • 5:30pm Su, 12/7.
Elverhøj Members & Friends
Christmas Party • Danish treats, carolers, and more • Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, Solvang • $10-40 • elverhoj.org • 5:30-8pm Su, 12/7.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Science Pub • Building Wildfire
Resilience • Grab a drink and learn from NCEAS Research Associate Cat Fong • Dargan’s Irish Pub • Free • 6:30pm Mo, 12/8.
Tuesday 12/9
COMEDY
Carpinteria Improv Drop-
In Class • Learn or practice foundational skills • Alcazar Theatre • $10 • 7pm Tu.
LECTURES/MEETINGS
Storytelling is the Revolution
• Free poetry workshops 18+ • Community Arts Workshop • Free, register: sbcaw.org • 5-7pm Tu & Th, starting 12/2. Through March.
Chess Club • Louise Lowry Davis Center • All levels/ English/Spanish • Free • 1-4pm Tue.
Una Noche de las Posadas
JOIN IN A FESTIVE REENACTMENT of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging, a beloved tradition observed throughout Latin American, when the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation hosts its annual “Una Noche de Las Posadas” on Friday, December 12th. The procession will begin at 7pm, with participants marching from the Chapel at El Presidio to Casa de la Guerra while singing holiday songs in Spanish. Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant and Los Tarascos will serve traditional Posadas food, and the Mujeres Makers Market will sell handmade and vintage items from local artisans from 5 to 9pm at Casa de la Guerra. Participation is free. sbthp.org
MUSIC
Sing! All Through The Night
• Festive songs performed by Music Academy’s Sing! Students • Marjorie Luke Theater • $10, ages 17 and under free • luketheatre.org • 6pm Tu, 12/9.
No Place Like Home: Boots the House Down! • SB Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concert • Lobero Theatre • $31-86 • lobero.org • 7pm Tu, 12/9.
OUTDOORS
Morning Bird Walk • With birding expert Rebecca Coulter • SB Botanic Garden • $25-35 • sbbotanicgarden. org • 8:30-10am Tu, 12/9.
Student Tea Session • Observe a Japanese tea ceremony • SB Botanic Garden • Included with admission • 10am-12:30pm Tu, 12/9.
Free Senior Day • Free admission for those 60+ • SB Botanic Garden • 10am-5pm We, 12/10.
Wednesday 12/10
We are here to help you find
LECTURES/MEETINGS
Gabriela Mistral Nobel Prize • 80th Anniversary Celebration • Talks and poetry readings honoring Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral • Faulkner Galleries, Central Library • Free • 6-7:30pm We, 12/10.
Knitting & Crochet Club • Louise Lowry Davis Ctr • All levels/English/ Spanish • Free • 9-11:30am Wed. Le Cercle Français • French conversation, all levels • The Natural Cafe • https://tinyurl.com/5ejbd9ye • Free • 5-6:30pm Wed.
MUSIC
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai’i • Ukulele star plays holiday favorites • UCSB Arts & Lectures • Arlington Theatre • $16-73 • artsandlectures.ucsb.edu • 7:30pm We, 12/10.
Open Jam • At Revolver Pizza. Bring an instrument. Jam with other musicians • 1429 San Andres St • Free • revolversb.com • 6-9pm Wed.
SPECIAL EVENTS
AWC-SB Holiday Party • Celebrate with local professionals • Villa Wine Bar • $45-65 • awcsb.org • 5:30-8pm We, 12/10.
SEAson’s Greetings Open House • Learn all about sharks • Cabrillo High School Aquarium • Free • 6-8pm We, 12/10.
Sewing and Mending Club • Learn how to sew or mend clothing and more • EE Makerspace • $15 • exploreecology.org • 6-8pm We, 12/10.
Photo courtesy of SB Botanic Garden
Photo
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Christmas Mariachi Festival
CELEBRATE A CONCERT OF CHRISTMAS POSADA, CAROLS, AND FOLKLORIC BALLET when the Christmas Mariachi Festival arrives to the Lobero Theatre at 7pm on Saturday, December 13th. The evening will star Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University, who have toured across the United States and Mexico. For tickets ($57-87) visit lobero.org
Fr, 12/12.
Annual Holiday Sweater Party
• Music and good times to benefit Unity Shoppe, ages 21+ • SOhO • $30 • sohosb.com • 7pm Fr, 12/12.
The Light So Shines • SB Master Chorale concert • Lobero Theatre • $30-60 • lobero.org • 7pm Fr, 12/12. Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw • Gentle pop and rock concert • Chumash Casino • $59-89 • chumashcasino.com/entertainment • 8pm Fr, 12/12.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Gem Faire • Shop beads, gems, and crystals • Earl Warren Showgrounds • $7 • 12-6pm Fr, 12/12; 10am-6pm Sa, 12/13; 10am-5pm Su, 12/14.
Howls & Owls: The Case of the Missing Morsels • Familyfriendly mystery hunt to learn about nocturnal life • SB Museum of Natural History • $6-11 • sbnature.org • 4:306:30pm Fr, 12/12.
Mystery Book Sale Preview
Night • Exclusive first pick of book sale with wine and bites • Central Library • $25 • friends-sblibrary.org • 5:30-7:30pm Fr, 12/12.
Downtown Holiday SingAlong with the Prime Time Band • Festive outdoor free concert • Steps of SB Museum of Art • 6-8pm Fr, 12/12.
Grace Fisher Winter Music Showcase
RAISING AWARENESS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT for local effors to improve disability inclusion in the arts, the Grace Fisher Foundation will host its 8th annual Winter Music Showcase at 6pm on Sunday, December 14th at the Granada Theatre. Grammy awardwinning artist Michael McDonald will play as a special guest for this year’s show, with additional performers including Santa Barbara Chamber Players, Jackson Gillies, Will Breman, the Waymarkers, Timo Nuñez’s Arte Flamenco Dance Studio, Chris Fossek and more. For tickets ($30-88) visit granadasb.org
Clara in the Land of Sweets!
• Performance by Inspire Dance SB students and Rosal Ortega Flamenco Dance Company • Center Stage Theater • $30 • centerstagetheater.org
Thursday 12/11
CHILDREN
Nightmare Before Christmas Maker Fair • Make holiday crafts • Faulkner Gallery, Central Library • Free • 4-5:30pm Th, 12/11.
LECTURES/MEETINGS
B2B Networking Breakfast • Network with local business people
• SBSC Chamber of Commerce • SB Zoo • $50-75 • sbscchamber.com • 9am Th, 12/11.
SB Housing Conference • Day of community talks and updates
• 100 E. Carrillo St. • $85-135 • brownpapertickets.com/event/6725235 • 9am-12:30pm Th, 12/11.
Weekly Protest • Protesting current gov. and calling for human rights • Women’s March SB • SB County Courthouse • 4-6pm Thu.
MUSIC
Tina Schlieske & Friends • Rock concert • Lobero Theatre • $35-75 • lobero.org • 7:30pm Th, 12/11.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Free Flu Vaccine Clinic • For ages 18+ • Goleta Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave • 1-3pm & 6-8pm We, 12/11.
Trolley of Lights • 90-minute tour to see festive light displays, benefits Planned Parenthood • Ages 21+ • Pick-up at Third Window Brewing • $35 • Sold out • 5:30pm Th, 12/11. Astronomy on Tap • Natasha Abrams presents “Black Holes: Discovering the Invisible” • M Special, State St. • Free • 7:30-9:30pm Th, 12/11.
Friday 12/12
CHILDREN
Stuffed Animal Sleepover: All Aboard the Library Express! • Holiday storytime and toy sleepover at the library • Eastside Library • Free • 5-6pm Fr, 12/12.
MUSIC
Sing! Miraflores and Rivera Concert • Wintry homage by Miraflores and Rivera choir Sing! students • Music Academy of the West, Hahn Hall • $10, ages 17 and under free • musicacademy.org • 6pm
Mini Wreaths and Snow Globes • Festive craft workshop, ages 13+ • EE Makerspace • $30-35 • exploreecology.org • 6-8pm Fr, 12/12.
Una Noche de las Posadas • Reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging with food, a market, and music • El Presidio & Casa de la Guerra • Free • sbthp.org • 5-9pm, procession 7pm, Fr, 12/12.
Saturday 12/13
CHILDREN
Winter Gift-Making Workshop
- Multimedia • For ages 5-12 • SB Museum of Art • $120-150 • sbma.net
• 9am-3pm Sa, 12/13.
Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org
• 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.
Crafternoon • Fun crafts, ages 5+
• Explore Ecology Makerspace • $8 • exploreecology.org • 10am-12pm, Sat.
DANCE
Westside Dance Presents: The Nutcracker Sweet • Student production • Marjorie Luke Theatre
• $15-20 • luketheatre.org • 11am & 4pm Sa, 12/13; 4pm Su, 12/14.
• 3pm Sa, 12/13.
The Nutcracker • Holiday classic performed by the State Street Festival Ballet • Arlington Theatre • $50-180 • arlingtontheatresb.com • 2:30pm & 7pm Sa, 12/13; 2:30pm Su, 12/14.
MUSIC
Big Brass Holiday Concert • Free concert by SBCC brass band • Storke Placita • 12-2pm Sa, 12/13.
Mysteries of Christmas • Quire of Voyces concert • St. Anthony’s Chapel • Tickets at The Garvin Box Office and Chaucer’s Books • quireofvoyces.org • 3pm Sa, 12/13 & 3pm Su, 12/14.
Holiday Concert & Reception
• SB Music Club presents pianists Erin Bonski and Eric Valinsky • First United Methodist Church • Free 8 3pm Sa, 12/13.
Winter Concert • By SB Strings students • Music Academy of the
To have your events included in VOICE Magazine's calendar or arts listings, please email information to Calendar@ VoiceSB.com by noon the Monday before publication.
West • $30 adults, children free • santabarbarastrings.org • 4pm Sa, 12/13.
Christmas Mariachi Festival • Featuring Mariachi Plata de WNMU • Lobero Theatre • $57-87 • lobero.org • 7pm Sa, 12/13.
OUTDOORS
Elings Park Nature Walk
• Discover birds on a SB Botanic Garden-led tour • Elings Park, meet in lot next to Administration Building • Free • 9-10:30am Sa, 12/13.
Elings Park Transformation Project • Help care for the land • Elings Park • Register:
Photo courtesy of Lobero Theatre
Photo courtesy of Grace Fisher Foundation
sbbotanicgarden.org • 9am-12pm Sa, 12/13.
Student Tea Session • Observe a Japanese tea ceremony • SB Botanic Garden • Included with admission • 10am-12:30pm Sa, 12/13.
Star Party • Explore the night sky • SB Museum of Natural History • Free • 7-10pm Sa, 12/13.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Giant Used Mystery Book Sale • Shop mystery novels to support Friends Of SBPL • Faulkner Gallery, Central Library • 10:30am5pm Sa, 12/13.
Holiday Festival • Celebrate at the Carpinteria Arts Center • Free • 12-5pm Sa, 12/13.
Carpinteria Holiday Spirit Parade • Cheer on neighbors and local organizations • Linden Ave, Carpinteria • Free • 3pm Sa, 12/13.
Holiday Show • Festive ice skating show • Ice in Paradise • $20-30 •iceinparadise.org • 12:30 & 3:30pm Sa, 12/13.
MCASB Holiday Party/Open House • Community, art making, tamales, and more • MCASB • Free • 4-8pm Sa, 12/13.
Light Up A Life 2025 • Honor departed loved ones with a ceremony and tree lighting • Hospice SB • Carpinteria, Linden Ave; Seal Fountain • Free; $15 suggested donation • hospiceofsb.org/lual • 5pm Sa, 12/13.
Sunday 12/14
CHILDREN
Bilingual Storytime • Includes free admission to museum • SB Museum of Art • Free • Partnership with SBPL • 11-11:40am Su, 12/14.
Storytime @ the Sea Center • All ages • Free w/ admission • SBNature.org • 10:30–10:45am Sat & Sun.
Sundays at the Ranch • Fun for the family. Enjoy barn animals and tractor rides • Stow House, 304 N Los Carneros Rd • Free • goletahistory.org • 11am-2pm Sun.
MUSIC
Holiday Jazz Jam • Woody DeMarco Trio, hosted by SB Jazz Society • SOhO • $10-25 • sohosb.com • 1-4pm Su, 12/14.
An American Holiday Concert • By the SB Choral Society • Trinity Lutheran Church • $10-30 • sbchoral.org • 3pm Su, 12/14.
Grace Fisher Winter Music Showcase • Bands, choirs, dancers, and more to support Grace Fisher Fdn • Granada Theatre • $30-88 • granadasb.org • 6pm Su, 12/14.
OUTDOORS
Beach Cleanup • Care for our shores • Explore Ecology, Arroyo Burro Beach • 10am12pm Su, 12/14.
Parade of Lights • Winter Wonderland play zone (3-5pm), decorated boat parade (5:30), and fireworks (7pm) • SB Harbor • Free • 3-7pm Su, 12/14.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Light Up A Life 2025 • Honor departed loved ones with a ceremony and tree lighting • Hospice SB • Camino Real Marketplace • Free; $15 suggested donation • hospiceofsb.org/lual • 5pm Su, 12/14.
Theatre
Miracle on 34th Street
A HEARTWARMING REMINDER that Christmas is not just a day, but a state of mind, Miracle on 34th Street will return for the fifth year to Carpinteria’s Alcazar Theatre. Performed by the Alcazar Ensemble, this classic tale follows Kris, a man who claims to be Santa Claus and teaches all who meet him the meaning of the Christmas season. The production will feature 30 performers between the ages of five to 77, all from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. For tickets ($15 students/senoirs, $20 general) visit thealcazar.org
SB Harbor Parade of Lights
CHEER ON AN AQUATIC HOLIDAY PARADE when about 30 decorated seacraft take to Santa Barbara Harbor for the annual Parade of Lights at 5:30pm on Sunday, December 14th, followed by a 7pm fireworks show! Leading up to the main parade, families can explore a Winter Wonderland from 3 to 5pm on the City Pier, featuring snow, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and goodies. A human-powered parade of costumed standup paddlers and kayakers will also take place at 2pm. santabarbaraca.gov
Disney’s Frozen • Broadway version of animated favorite • PCPA Marian Theatre, Santa Maria • $25+ • pcpa.org • Through 12/21.
Smiling Through It All: An Evening of One Act Plays • Seven one acts performed by Theatre Eclectic and SBCC School of Extended Learning • Free and open to all • Wake Campus Auditorium, (7pm, 12/9); Schott Campus Auditorium (7pm, 12/11); Friendship Manor Senior Community (2pm, 12/6).
Great Expectations • Dickens’ story presented by The Acting Company • Rubicon Theatre • $30-80 • rubicontheatre.org • Through 12/21.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream • Shakespeare’s comedy co-produced with the Acting Company of New York • Rubicon Theatre • $30-60 • rubicontheatre.org • Through 12/21.
The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged • Fast-paced comic presentation of Austen’s works • ETC • The New Vic Theatre • 12/3 pay what you can; $25-104 • etcsb.org • 8pm Sa, 12/6 opening night. Through 12/21.
Annie • Hit Broadway musical about an optimistic orphan • Ojai Art Center Theater • $10-30 • ojaiact. org • 7:30pm Fr, 12/5, through 12/21.
Miracle on 34th Street • Holiday favorite on stage with local actors • Alcazar Theatre • $15-20 • thealcazar.org • 7pm Fr, 12/5-12/7 & 12/12-12/14.
Better Angels • Benefit reading of Shakespeare and more by actors Rainn Wilson, Sylvie Davidson, Joe Spano, and others • Rubicon Theatre • $30-124.50 • rubicontheatre.org • 2pm Su, 12/7.
The Importance of Being Earnest • Screening of National Theatre of Great Britain production • The New Vic • $20-42 • etcsb.org • 6:30pm Mo, 12/8.
Kinky Boots • Hit musical about an unlikely partnership and acceptance • Granada Theatre • $58113 • granadasb.org • 7:30pm Tu, 12/9 & We, 12/10.
El Ermitaño (The Hermit) • Mexican traditional Christmas play in Spanish • PCPA, Severson Theatre, Santa Maria • $10-20 • pcpa.org • 7:30pm Fr, 12/12; 11am & 3pm Sa, 12/13.
Photos courtesy of City of Santa Barbara
Painting the Light
By Kerry Methner / VOICE
RAYS OF LIGHT, DAPPLED GLEAMS OF COLOR, and the lush shadows of foliage are layered onto the canvases of French artist Dora Vital. Her work is featured in a solo exhibition Jardin Nocturne at Seimandi & Leprieur Gallery curated by Jen Huang Bogan that opens on 1st Thursday, December 4th.
Gallery co-founder Fanny Seimandi shared during a preview gathering for the exhibit, “It’s really good to have a solo exhibition because you discover the universe of the artist.”
If that is true, Vital’s universe is bursting with color.
Reflecting on the 28 paintings selected for the exhibition, Seimandi added that when she was trying to describe the work, the artist told her for focus on the light. “She wants to paint the light in the daylight, in the night, and in the dark,” Seimandi continued.
Vital describes her own work as focusing “on the atmospheric qualities of light, explored through layered compositions in pastel, oil, and acrylic.”
Born in Paris, Vital lives and works in the French Caribbean island of Martinique, which is rich in French and Creole culture.
The artist’s bio continues, “Vital developed her visual language outside of traditional academic circuits, building a deeply personal and meditative practice. Drawing inspiration from the chiaroscuro and color harmonies of masters like William Turner and Claude Monet, she captures the subtle interplay of light and shadow, creating atmospheres both mysterious and luminous. Her work transcends traditional landscapes (there is no fixed horizon), inviting viewers into immersive worlds shaped by the ever-changing qualities of light throughout the day and night.”
Curator Jen Huang Bogan also discussed her process of curation, noting, “I thought this is, in every sense, what Santa Barbara means to me, and how the Santa Barbara winter speaks to me. That’s why we named this collection, Jardin Nocturne, which means “night garden.” What I love about these pieces is that [the work] really encourages you and invites you to give yourself permission to slow down and to be indoors and to really think about what that means in Santa Barbara. So I hope you feel a little bit of that peace while you’re looking at the art.”
Perhaps now’s the time to take a moment to wander through this garden.
Seimandi & Leprieur Gallery is located at33 West Anapamu St, in Santa Barbara. Find out more at seimandileprieur.com
Serie Automnale 1 by Dora Vital
Life and the Follies 2 by Dora Vital
Artist Dora Vital
Nocture Garden 1 to 3 by Dora Vital
ART VENUES
GALLERIES
RUTH ELLEN HOAG
www.ruthellenhoag.com @ruthellenhoag 805-689-0858 ~inquire for studio classes~
10 West Gallery • Festive Fall• Through Dec 7 • 10 W Anapamu • 11-5 We-Mo • 805-770-7711 • 10westgallery.com
Ann Foxworthy Gallery • Dreams & Revelations by Paulo Lima • through Dec 4 • Alan Hancock College, 800 South College Dr, Bldg L, Santa Maria.
Architectural Fdn Gallery • Kids Draw Architecture • through Jan 4 • 229 E Victoria • 805-965-6307 • 1–4 some Sa & By Appt • afsb.org
Art & Soul Gallery • Inside This Place: Marlyn Daggett • through Dec • 1323 State St • artandsoulsb.com
ART EVENTS
Brad Nack 100% Reindeer
Art Show • View festive reindeer paintings • Opening at at Roy, 6pm Fr, 12/5.
Holiday Ceramic Sale • Shop works by artists Francine Kirsch & Jessica Parsons with treats • 276 Valdez Ave, Goleta • 1-5pm Sa, 12/6.
Opening Reception: Deck the Walls • Cypress Gallery • 10am12pm Sa, 12/6.
Opening Reception: Wonter Celebration • Gallery Los Olivos • 2-5pm Sa, 12/6.
Open Studio • Meet Alexandra Yakutis and view her works • 100
Bella Rosa Galleries • 1103-A State St • 11-5 daily • 805-966-1707
The Carriage and Western Art Museum • Old Spanish Days Trophy Saddles; Victoria Stables Wagon
• Ongoing • Free • 129 Castillo St • 805-962-2353 • 9-3 Mo-Fr • carriagemuseum.org
California Nature Art Museum
• Lulu Hyggelig: California’s First Thomas Dambo Troll • ongoing • Wild in California • Through Feb 23 • 1511 B Mission Dr, Solvang • 11-4 Mo, Th, Fr; 11-5 Sa & Su • calnatureartmuseum.org
Casa de La Guerra • Santa Barbara 1925 – 2025: A Portrait in Maps; Once a Don, Always a Don • ongoing • $5/ Free • 15 East De la Guerra St • 12-4 Th-Su • sbthp.org/casadelaguerra
Michael Marzolla, Fine Artist Excogitation Services/Marzozart Paintings, drawings, prinits Commissions accepted www.marzozart.com
Cypress Gallery • Deck the Walls • Dec 6 through Dec • 119 E Cypress Av, Lompoc • 1-4 Sa & Su • 805-7371129 • lompocart.org
El Presidio De Santa Bárbara • Nihonmachi Revisited; Memorias y Facturas - ongoing • 123 E Canon Perdido St • 10:30-4:30 Daily • sbthp.org
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum • a million+ historical documents • 21-23 W Anapamu • 10-4 Tu-Su • 805-962-5322 • karpeles.com
Kathryne Designs • Local Artists • 1225 Coast Village Rd, A • 10-5 Mo-Sa; 11-5 Su • 805-565-4700 • kathrynedesigns.com
Art, Design & Architecture Museum, UCSB • Beyond the Object; Mexican Prints: The GarciaCorrea Collection; Environmental Communications: Big Bang Beat LA; Joan Mitchell 100 • through Dec 7 • 12-5 Wed-Sun • museum.ucsb.edu
Art From Scrap • Explore Ecology • exploreecology.org
ArtLabbé Gallery • Hidden Treasures • through Dec 5 • 111 Santa Barbara St, Suite H • artlabbe.org
Atkinson Gallery, SBCC • Fall 2025 Student Show • atkinsongallerysbcc.com
Casa del Herrero • Gardens & House • by reservation • 1387 East Valley Rd • tours 10 & 2 We & Sa • 805-565-5653 • casadelherrero.com
Channing Peake Gallery • Form and Frame: Abstraction, Community, and the Language of Art • 8-5 M-F • 105 E Anapamu St, 1st fl • 805-568-3994
Colette Cosentino Atelier + Gallery • 11 W Anapamu St • By Appt • colettecosentino.com
Community Arts Workshop • 631 Garden St • 10-6pm Fri & By Appt. • sbcaw.org
Corridan Gallery • Glorious California • 125 N Milpas • 11-5 We-Sa • 805-966-7939 • corridan-gallery.com
Los Padres Way Ste. 5, Bulletin • Free • 11am-4pm Sa, 12/6.
Drawing Human Anatomy Workshop • With Rich Wilkie and John Thiering • SB residential address given on registration • $70 • RichWilkie.com/ workshops-20251206 • 1-5pm Sa, 12/6.
Artist Talks & Reception • Hear from artists Wrona Gall and Hung Viet Nguyen (1pm), reception follows
• Rubenstein Chan Contemporary Art, 410 Palm Ave, Unit B3 • Free • 1pm, 2-5pm Sa, 12/6.
Sketching in the Galleries
• Draw inspired by art • SB Museum of Art • Free for members, students, and with
admission • sbma.net • 11:15am12:15pm Sa, 12/13.
Falling Into The Future: Kinetic Art at The Edge of the World • Exhibition planning symposium with artists, hosted by MCASB • Center Stage Theater • Free • 10am-3pm Sun, 12/14.
Reception for the Holiday Exhibition • Marcia Burtt Gallery • 11-2pm Sun, 12/14.
Carpinteria Creative Arts Market • Local pottery, beach art, cards, jewelry, and sewn articles • 8th St & Linden Av • Free • 2:30-6 Thur.
SB Arts & Crafts Show • Local artists & artisans • Free • 236 E Cabrillo Blvd • 10-5 Sun.
Elverhøj Museum • history & Danish culture of Solvang • 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang • 805-686-1211 • 11-5 Th-Mo • elverhoj.org
Faulkner Gallery • 40 E Anapamu St • 10-7 Mo-Th; 10-5 Fri, Sa; 12-5 Sun • 805-962-7653.
Fazzino 3-D Studio Gallery • 3-D original fine art • 1011 State St • 805730-9109 • Fazzino.com
Gallery 113 • Members of the SB Art Assn • 1114 State St, #8, La Arcada Ct • 805-965-6611 • 11-5 Mo-Sa; 1-4 Su • gallery113sb.com
Gallery Los Olivos • Winter Celebration through Dec • Daily 104pm • 2920 Grand Av • 805-688-7517 • gallerylosolivos.com
Ganna Walska Lotusland • Gardens • by reservation • 695 Ashley Rd • 805-969-9990 • lotusland.org
Grace Fisher Fdn • Inclusive Arts Clubhouse • Paintings by Grace Fisher • 121 S Hope, La Cumbre Plaza • WeSu 11-5pm • gracefisherfoundation.org
Indah Gallery • Kellen Meyer’s wild weavings: stories of wonder • through Dec 21 • 12-5 Fri-Sun • 2190 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez • maxgleason.com/indah-gallery
James Main Fine Art • 19th & 20th
Century Fine art & antiques • 27 E De La Guerra St • 12-5 Tu-Sa • Appt Suggested • 805-962-8347
Jewish Federation of Greater SB • Portraits of Survival interactive ~ Ongoing • 9-4pm Mo-Fr • 524 Chapala St • 805-957-1115 ext. 114
La Cumbre Center For Creative Arts • Celebrating 6 years! • Fine Line Gallery; Elevate Gallery; Illuminations Gallery • Multi-Artist Studio/Gallery Spaces • La Cumbre Plaza • 12-5 Tu-Su • lcccasb.com
Lompoc Library Grossman Gallery • 501 E North Av, Lompoc • 805-588-3459
Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center • 12-4 Th-Su • 865 Linden • 805-684-7789 • carpinteriaartscenter.org
Maker House • A Gesture Repeated • 1351 Holiday Hill Rd • 805-565-CLAY • 10-4 Daily • makerhouse.org
Maker House Annex • A gallery & retail space • through Dec • 913 State
St • 805-565-CLAY • Tues: 2-7pm; We, Thu, Sun 12-6pm; Fri/Sat: 12-7pm • makerhouse.org
Marcia Burtt Gallery • Holiday 2025 • through Dec 28 • Landscape paintings, prints, & books • 517 Laguna St • 1-5 Th-Su • 805-9625588 • artlacuna.com
Mate Gallery • beach images alongside vintage oils, gifts • 1014 Coast Village Rd • 805-895-6283 • mategallery.com
MOXI, The Wolf Museum• of Exploration + Innovation • 10-5 Daily • 125 State St • 805-770-5000 • moxi.org
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara • San Milano Drive: DJ Javier • 11-6pm Tu-Sun • 653 Paseo Nuevo • mcasantabarbara.org
MCASB Satellite @ the Riviera Beach House • Makahiya: I Wanted You to Feel the Same by Godofredo Astudillo • through Apr 12 • 9-9pm Daily • 121 State • mcasantabarbara.org
Museum of Tibetan Art & Legacy Arts
International • Wed-Sun 12-8pm • 310-8806671 • lamatashinorbu.org / legacyartsb.com
Palm Loft Gallery • A Fine Bunch of Cool Cats: Reflections of the Soul • Through Jan 25 • 410 Palm Av, Loft A1, Carpinteria • 1-6 Fr-Su & By Appt • 805-684-9700 • palmloft.com
Patricia Clarke Studio • An American Girl project; Primal Wild; Correspondences, Erasing Lines, and Facing Ourselves • 410 Palm Av, Carpinteria • By Appt • 805-452-7739 • patriciaclarkestudio.com
Peregrine Galleries • Early CA & American paintings; fine vintage jewelry • 1133 Coast Village Rd • 805-252-9659 • peregrine.shop
Peter Horjus Design • Studio • 11 W Figueroa St • peterhorjus.com
Portico Gallery • Jordan Pope & Gallery Artists • Open Daily • 1235 Coast Village Rd • 805-729-8454 • porticofinearts.com
Rubenstein Chan Contemporary Art • Earth that Remembers: Wrona Gall and Hung Viet Nguyen through Dec 24 • 410 Palm Av, Unit B3, Carpinteria • 805-576-6152: info/appt • RubensteinChan.com
Santa Barbara Art Works • Arts Education for All • 28 E Victoria St • 805-260-6705 • M-F 8:30-4:30 • sbartworks.org
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden • Join the Enlichenment through Dec 7 • 1212 Mission Canyon Rd • 10-5 daily • 805-682-4726 • sbbg.org
Santa Barbara Fine Art • SB landscapes & sculptor Bud Bottoms • 1321 State St • 12-6 Tu-Sa & By Appt • 805-845-4270 • santabarbarafineart.com
Santa Barbara Historical Museum • Ludmilla Pila Welch: Serene Santa Barbara through Mar 26; Edward Borein Gallery, and The Story of Santa Barbara ~ ongoing • 136 E De la Guerra • 12-5 We, Fri-Su; 12-7 Th • 805966-1601 • sbhistorical.org
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum • Redwoods of the Sea • through Jan 4 • The Chumash, Whaling,
Commercial Diving, Surfing, Shipwrecks, First Order Fresnel Lens, and SB Lighthouse Women Keepers ~ Ongoing • 113 Harbor Wy, Ste 190 • 10-5 Daily • 805-962-8404 • SBMM.org
Santa Barbara Museum Of Art • The Impressionist Revolution and Encore • Through Jan 25; By Achilles’ Tomb: Elliott Hundley and Antiquity @ SBMA through Feb 22 • 1130 State St • 11-5 Tu-Su; 5-8 1st Th free; 2nd Sun free TriCo residents • 805-963-4364 • sbma.net
Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History • The Living Print through May 30; Drawn from Nature through Mar 26 • 2559 Puesta del Sol • 10-5 We-Mo • sbnature.org
Santa Barbara Sea Center • Dive In: Our Changing Channel ~ Ongoing • 211 Stearns Wharf • 10-5 Daily • 805-682-4711 • sbnature.org
Santa Barbara Tennis Club - 2nd Fridays Art • Western Edge • through Dec 2 • 2375 Foothill Rd • 10-6 Daily • 805-682-4722 • 2ndfridaysart.com
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum • 3596 Sagunto St • 12-4pm Wed-Sun • santaynezmuseum.org.
Sahyun Genealogical Library • 1925
Santa Barbara Earthquake: Stories and Lives Remembered • 316 Castillo St • Tue/Thu 10-4; Sun & 3rd Sat 1-4 • https://SBGen.org
Seimandi & Leprieur • Jardin Nocturne by Dora Vital, curated by Jen Huang Bogan • 33 W Anapamu St. • Wed-Sat 11-6 • 805-610-1203 • seimandileprieur.com
Slice of Light Gallery • Fall 2025; Photography by JK Lovelace • 9 W Figueroa St • Mo-Fr 10-5 • 805-354-5552 • sliceoflight.com
Stewart Fine Art • Early CA Plein Air Paintings + European Fine Art + Antiques • 539 San Ysidro Rd • 11-5:30 Mo-Sa • 805-845-0255
Strange Family Vineyards Tasting room • Gallery Los Olivos artists: Cheers to Art- Framed Prints for the Holidays • Through Dec • 2933 Grand Ave, Los Olivos • StrangeFamilyVineyards.com 805 315-3662
Sullivan Goss • Irresistible: Flowers & Their Admirers through Dec 22; 100 Grand through Dec 28 • 11 E Anapamu St • 10-5:30 daily • 805730-1460 • sullivangoss.com
Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum • 122 W Canon Perdido • 11-4 Fr-Sa; Su-Th by appt • quinlanmuseum.com • 805-687-4623
SYV Historical Museum & Carriage House • Art of The Western Saddle • ongoing • 3596 Sagunto St, SY • 12-4 Sa, Su • 805-6887889 • santaynezmuseum.org
Tamsen Gallery • Inside Heaven’s Gate –Behind the Scenes with Susan Bridges through Dec 31 • 1309 State St • 12-5 We-Su • 805-7052208 • tamsengallery.com
UCSB Library Ocean Gallery • Art of Science through Mar 17; Unyielding Voices: Global Resistance and the Black Radical Tradition • through Jun 12 • library.ucsb.edu
Voice Gallery • Sunshine and the Blues • through Dec 27 • La Cumbre Plaza H-124 • 105:30 M-F; 1-5 Sa-Su • 805-965-6448
Waterhouse Gallery Montecito • Notable CA & National Artists • 1187 Coast Village Rd • 11-5 Mo-Su • 805-962-8885 • waterhousegallery.com
Marcia Burtt Gallery
Shining a Light on Nature During
the Holidays
REVEL IN A HOLIDAY EXHIBITION OF UNIQUE HANDMADE ART at the Marcia Burt Gallery this December. Gallery artists come together to share their art that is evidence of their years of exploration and observation of the natural world. Discover “real, tactile interpretations of our time that are timeless,” the release reads.
Featured artists include Beth Westen and Rebecca August.
Westen brings a deep knowledge of the botanical world to her pastels and monoprints. An avid gardener, her understanding of the needs and surprises of plant life from around the world manifests in her thoughtful works on paper.
August’s inspiration is the local landscape she has devoted years to conserving. Always exploring our open spaces and trails, her plein air oils bring you along on her adventures in the natural world she cherishes. A special reception will take place on Sunday, December 14th from 11am to 2pm.
Waterhouse Gallery SB • Notable CA & National Artists • La Arcada Ct, 1114 State St, #9 • 11-5 Mo-Sa • 805-962-8885 • waterhousegallery.com
Waterlight Studio • Handcrafted ceramics by Suzanne Schwager • 18 W Micheltoreana St #D • Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum Of Art
• Between Planes: Prints by Sculptors • through Dec 20 • Weekdays 10-4, Sat 11-5 • westmont.edu/museum
The Yes Store • Art by Local Artists • 1015 State St • M-F: 11am-6pm; Sa:10:30am-6pm; Su: 10:30am-5pm • theyesstore.com
Artists:
See your work here! Join Voice Magazine’s Print & Virtual Gallery! To find out more, email Publisher@VoiceSB.com
Soréze Sunset, pastel, by Beth Westen
Lagoon at Mikiw and Kuyamu, oil, by Rebecca August
Santa Barbara’s Cultural Night Out
ST THURSDAY is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara that takes place on the first Thursday of each
Galleries, Museums, & Art Venues
22. Rich Wilkie’s portraits, reflecting sports and the inner life, are on view at Amazon.
15. SB Art Association is hosting a Holiday Show at the Faulkner Gallery all December!
16. SB Art Association’s Gallery 113 will feature members and Artist of the month Lily Sanders.
12. French artist Dora Vital’s Jardin Nocturne will open at Seimandi & Leprieur Gallery
performance.
8. The Knit Shop • 1221 State Street STE 7 • Britain Polk is a selftaught sewer inspired by a “fabric first” approach to creating. All of her garments are created out of secondhand materials that have been given a new life. Britain is currently in her senior year of college, sewing from the comfort of her dorm room!
9. domecíl • 1223 State Street •
Enjoy the vibrant paintings of local artist Lisa Miller at domecíl. Lisa explores the inner spiritual journey through new paintings that use brilliant colors to express vibrant energy and clarity.
10. Community Environmental Council (CEC) • 1219 State Street • Celebrate the season sustainably and support Santa Barbara makers at CEC and Beachside Babe Markets’ Green Holiday Market! On December 4 from 4-8pm, drop by CEC’s Environmental Hub to explore eco-friendly vendors, make an upcycled charm necklace, or even get a flash tattoo. Gift wrapping and warm beverages available!
11. 10 West Gallery • 10 W. Anapamu St. • Our seasonal display of gift-sized ceramic pieces made by 18 artists from the artisan village of Mata Ortiz, Mexico, plus our usual display of ten contemporary artists from the Santa Barbara area. Abstract, impressionist and urban landscapes as well as sculpture. Image: Efren Ledezma, from Mata Ortiz, 5” x 5”.
12. Seimandi & Leprieur Gallery • 33 W. Anapamu St. • Opening night of Jardin Nocturne by French artist Dora Vital, curated by Jen Huang Bogan. Her atmospheric paintings explore light and shadow through layered compositions, offering meditative visions where floral forms, shifting darkness, and poetic depth evoke renewal, introspection, and the quiet beauty that emerges from the night.
13. Sullivan Goss, an American Gallery • 11 E. Anapamu St. • Sullivan Goss celebrates its 17th annual 100 Grand exhibition. Featuring over 100 quality works of art for $1,000 or less. It is our most popular exhibition of the year, so get here early. Also on view: Irresistible: Flowers and Their Admirers, and our Winter Salon.
14. Santa Barbara Museum of Art • 1130 State Street • Join us for 1st Thursday at SBMA; our main galleries are free and open from 5 – 8 pm! Explore our diverse galleries, see new photography and collage exhibitions, and drop by the Art Learning Lab for a hands-on art activity related to our exhibitions! Our featured exhibitions The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse and Encore remain ticketed.
15. Santa Barbara Art Association • Faulkner Gallery, 40 E. Anapamu St • Santa Barbara Art Association’s Holiday Show at the Faulkner Gallery runs December 2–December 29. Reception on December 4 from 4–6:30 pm.
16. Gallery 113 • 1114 State Street #8 • Exhibit by members of the Santa Barbara Art Association. Artist of the Month is Lily Sanders. Also featuring Carol Dixon, Suemae Willhite, Robin Deshayes, Nagui Achamallah, Chris Morgenstern, and Carey Appel. There will also be a group exhibit featuring various artists.
17. Waterhouse Gallery • 1114 State Street #9 • The gallery features figurative works, interiors, and cityscapes, by some of today’s finest nationally known local and Oak Group artists. Enjoy works by Ray Hunter, Derek Harrison, Wyllis Heaton, Camille Dellar, Ann Sanders, Thomas Van Stein, Nancy Davidson, Rick Garcia, Ellie Freudenstein, and Ralph Waterhouse.
18. Ace Rivington • 1100 State St. • Join us for an evening celebrating Watermen and Waterwomen who love fishing and all that our local waters offer. Cito Wraps will be here showing off hand-wrapped fishing rods, we’ve got hand-tied fishing flies by a local celebrity fishing guide, High Seas Mead will be here serving up their sweet juice, and we’ll be jamming to Matterform’s groovy vibes. This is gonna be the banger not to miss.
19. Slice of Light • 9 W. Figueroa St. • Slice of Light Gallery’s Fall Exhibition is up now! We’re displaying
Entertainment
Santa Barbara Trombone Society • 800 Block of State Street, 5 - 6:25pm • The Santa Barbara Trombone Society is an alliance of trombone players from SBCC, UCSB, Westmont College, local high schools, and community members of all ages, whose goals are to entertain and to educate people about the trombone. The 20+ member ensemble plays formal concerts regularly at SBCC, as well as other local venues.
gorgeous photography and art from J.K. Lovelace, Ben Coffman, and Eric States. Stop by to enjoy fine wine and a beautiful array of art and photography.
20. The Yes Store • 1015 State Street • Come celebrate the Holiday Season! Enjoy local arts, music, drinks, and treats! Enter our lottery to win Yes Bucks! Looking for locally handmade gifts or something special for yourself? Look no further than The Yes Store local arts gallery. Gift cards available!
Entertainment
Santa Barbara Revels • 800 Block of State Street, 6:35 - 8pm • Santa Barbara Revels presents a preview of “The Christmas Revels: The Celestial Fools ~ A Magical Winter’s Tale.” Mystical visitors—the Sun, Moon, and Stars—arrive in a European village, sharing vibrant music and stories. Hearts and minds are opened to a new perspective and the light of a New Year is restored.
18. Join Ace Rivington for an evening celebrating Watermen and Waterwomen who love fishing and all that our local waters offer.
1. At VOICE Gallery see work by local artists including this painting by Libby Holland.
14. See photography and collage exhibitions, and enjoy the Art Learning Lab at SBMA!
11. Gift-sized ceramic pieces, such as this by Efren Ledezma, all from from Mata Ortiz, Mexico are on view at 10 West Gallery.
4. Paintings by John Comer like the above Prisoners Harbor at on view at Santa Barbara Fine Art
25. Find sculpture by Jim Martin, metal paintings by Misa Art, and photography by Brian Kuhlman at Arrediamo
17. From Oak Group landscapes to cityscapes and figurative work, visit Waterhouse Gallery.
2. Suzanne Schwager’s ceramics are featured at WaterLight Studio.
19. Find gorgeous photography by gallery artists at Slice of Light.
5. Susan Bridges’ photography will captivate at Tamsen Gallery.
13. A downtown favorite - stop by Sullivan Goss for 100 pieces at $1,000 or less in the 17th 100 Grand.
21. 3D Studio Gallery • 1011
State Street • Visit the privately owned art gallery by world-renowned 3D Pop Artist Charles Fazzino. Visit 3D Studio Gallery to experience the world of the Master of 3D Pop Art with a close-up look at his collection of intricate 3D masterpieces!
22. Amazon • 1001 State Street • Rich Wilkie paints portraits, he paints sports, and he paints about his inner life. In all of Rich’s work, his goal is to change the way the viewer feels and thinks—in the hopes the viewer learns something about themselves.
23. Finch & Fork | The Kimpton Canary Hotel • 31 W. Carrillo St. • $2 oysters, cocktails, and shop local, all under one roof! Every 1st Thursday the Canary Hotel lobby transforms into a haven for art and music lovers. Join from 5pm–8pm to shop jewelry, clothing, and art from local vendors. Take a seat at the bar and enjoy $2 oysters, cocktails, and bites while DJ Dansauce provides the beats.
24. Maker House Annex • 913
State Street • Maker House Annex brings festive ceramics downtown for its final month. Celebrate the season with art, wine, music, and live
demos. As part of Friends of State Street’s Vacant to Vibrant initiative, explore our holiday gallery and meet the artists that bring the space to life. Photo: Evokra Visuals.
25. Arrediamo – Fine Art & Traditional Rugs Gallery • 911 1/2 State Street • Join us for a curated evening of fine art and fine rugs at Arrediamo’s Gifts of Art & Sound. Experience sculptures by Jim Martin, metal paintings by Misa Art, and photography by Brian Kuhlman— beautifully paired with a soothing sound-bath experience sponsored by Breath & Bloom Yoga SB, along with wine and warm community.
26. Tyler x Lieu Dit • 23
E. Canon Perdido St. • Join us for Thursday burger night at Tyler x Lieu Dit! Starting at 4 PM, we will be serving French-bistro style burgers and opening large-format and library wines alongside local business owner and painter Sean Larkin’s portfolio.
27. Paint at Paseo • Peppermint Parlor, 651 Paseo Nuevo • Join us on Thursday, December 4th for Paint at Paseo with local artist DJ Javier. This is a free guided acrylic painting workshop for all skill levels and ages! Materials provided. RSVP required. DJ Javier is a Filipino American graphic designer and
muralist. His body of work is a vibrant testament to his cultural heritage and the counterculture landscapes of Southern California.
28. Idyll Mercantile • 703 Chapala St. • Time to dust off your holiday sweaters, and come celebrate the season with a sip n’ shop! Alamati will be pouring their local wines, and we will feature local artists in the shop. Can’t wait to see you!
29. Santa Barbara Historical Museum • 136 E. De La Guerra St. • Join the Museum for an evening of holiday fun—music, wine, shopping, and more! All ages welcome! Shop local and enjoy discounts on unique gifts—perfect for everyone on your list, especially the history lover in your family.
30. El Zapato x Santa Barbara Art Glass • 522 Garden Street, El Zapato Red Gate • We’re pleased to announce a special event at the whimsical, color-splashed creation of architect Jeff Shelton. Set amid its curving walls, colorful tile details, and playful architectural flourishes, this celebration will feature a sale of original art glass from Saul’s studio, showcased in the enchanting courtyard of El Zapato. Refreshments will be served, and visitors are encouraged to relax and enjoy the lively, artistic atmosphere that defines both the space and Saul’s work.
20. Enjoy local arts, music, drinks, and treats while perusing locally handmade gifts at The Yes Store!
21. Enter the world of 3D Pop Artist Charles Fazzino to see his collection of intricate 3D masterpieces!
27. Want to try your hand at painting? Stop by Paseo Nuevo!
30. Jeff Shelton’s El Zapato and Santa Barbara Art Glass come together to feature original art glass from Saul’s studio in the enchanting courtyard.
6. Ten artists share holiday landscapes and gifts at Santa Barbara Art Works.
3. Memory, imagination, and light intertwine in Marlyn Daggett’s Inside This Place exhibit at Art & Soul.
7. Step up for everything Jane Austenand a buy one get one deal at Ensemble Theatre Company.
23. Discover $2 oysters, cocktails, local shopping, and more at The Kimpton Canary Hotel’s Finch & Fork.
24. Find festive ceramics at the Maker House Downtown Annex!
26. Find French-bistro style burgers, wine, and art by Sean Larkin at Tyler x Lieu Dit!.
28. Celebrate the season with a sip n’ shop at Idyll Mercantile!
29. Get ready for an evening of holiday fun—music, wine, shopping, and more at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum!
8. The Knit Shop is featuring Britain Polk, a self-taught sewer inspired by a “fabric first” approach to creating.
10. Celebrate the season sustainably and support Santa Barbara makers at CEC and Beachside Babe Markets’ Green Holiday Market!
9. The vibrant paintings of local artist Lisa Miller will be featured at domecíl.
Stuart Malina, Guest Conductor
Madison Claire Parks, Vocalist
December 2nd to 27th, 2025
Sunshine & the Blues
1st Thursday Reception December 4th • 5-8pm
3rd Friday Reception December 19th • 5-8pm
By Ellen Yeomans
By Frank DiMarco
By Bruce Berlow
By Jane Mick
By Lauren Kearns