Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Want to perform in Santa Barbara’s Winter Solstice show this December?

And check out Powerhouse Ladies Play Peake Ranch Winery! on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 9th Patch AM
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What's up Santa Barbara! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Want to perform in Santa Barbara's Winter Solstice show this December?
  • How new psychiatry services could change youth mental health care locally
  • What Rob Fredericks' retirement means for Santa Barbara's affordable housing future

Also on today's calendar: Powerhouse Ladies Play Peake Ranch Winery! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 91 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Sunny and very warm, temps: high: 87, low: 67.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 80 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Barbara Revels receives Hutton Parker Foundation grant, marking new chapter for organization - Santa Barbara News-Press (newspress.com) — A Santa Barbara performing arts nonprofit just secured a $15,000 Hutton Parker Foundation grant to support its operations and leadership transition, helping keep local Revels programming strong. Residents can even audition by September 15 for the Winter Solstice show at the Lobero Theatre, part of a year-long series of community celebrations marking the group's 20th anniversary.
   

2. OpenMinds Grows Its Psychiatry Services in Santa Barbara (keyt.com) — Families in Santa Barbara now have expanded access to youth-focused psychiatry at OpenMinds, which is adding psychiatric evaluations and medication management alongside its existing therapy services. The clinic aims to coordinate care under one roof, support entire households coping with mental health challenges, accept varied insurance plans, and collaborate with Cottage Health's Mind Thrive initiative to improve access across Santa Barbara County.
   

3. Santa Barbara Housing Authority Head Rob Fredericks Retiring (independent.com) — Santa Barbara residents who rely on affordable housing will see leadership change as longtime Housing Authority CEO Rob Fredericks plans to retire at the end of 2027. During more than 30 years with the agency, he helped add and preserve hundreds of affordable units, navigated funding cuts and soaring costs, and launched programs supporting families' stability, with several major projects still slated to open before he departs.
   

4. Santa Barbara Planning Commission Gives Thumbs Up to Lobero Theatre Project (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara's Planning Commission has approved a major expansion of the historic Lobero Theatre, adding new backstage facilities, event spaces, and a rooftop terrace while leaving the front façade intact. The project will temporarily displace many local arts groups and remove an existing paseo, shifting responsibility to the city to maintain pedestrian access near the adjacent parking lot.
   

5. Flu and COVID vaccines now available (keyt.com) — Santa Barbara County's public health director is urging residents to get both the updated COVID and new mRNA-based flu vaccines, which can be given in a single visit. He emphasizes strong protection for seniors, pregnant people, and those with weaker immune systems, notes that most shots are insurance-covered with no copay, and encourages residents to rely on science rather than rumors.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Santa Barbara Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for Quality Control, Training, and Field Manager in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • Rosewood Hotels & Resorts posted a job opening for Bar Production Associate in Santa Barbara. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Barbara here.

Ok Santa Barbara! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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