🌱 City College Graduates 1,500 + Hiring Students + Tiny Plant Found

Welcome back, Santa Barbara! Today’s National Taffy Day; did you know that salt water taffy’s invention was pinpointed to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1883? I'm here to tell you about what's going on in town. Because community information is power! In today's briefing, you'll find these stories and more:

• 🌿 A tiny plant is re-discovered.
• 🦟 Mosquitoes are out to get us.
• 🎶 The Santa Barbara County Fair musical lineup.

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🌥️ But first, today's weather: Low clouds, then some sun. High: 66 Low: 54.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Santa Barbara

• Conserv Fuel at 150 S. La Cumbre Road, $4.39
• Summit at 8 S. Milpas St., $4.43
• Fuel Depot at 250 N. Turnpike Road, $4.49

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have?

📰 Here are the top stories in Santa Barbara today:

1. Santa Barbara City College’s Class of 2023 walked across the stage at La Playa Stadium on Friday. The 74th annual festivity saw 1,500 graduates receive their diplomas. Congratulations! (Santa Barbara News-Press)
2. The University of California is looking for a way to hire “immigrant students without legal status and work permits.” UCSB argues that the law prohibiting hiring undocumented immigrants is federal. Therefore, it doesn’t apply to states. If the school succeeds, it would open the door for this student demographic to “access jobs, research positions, and career opportunities.” (KEYT)
3. The Santa Ynez groundstar is alive and well! Rumors of its extinction were premature. The tiny annual herb, which is smaller than a penny, “hasn’t been documented in decades.” However, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and California Native Plant Society rediscovered “180 remaining specimens.” Conservation efforts are now underway. (SF Gate)
4. The yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito want your blood. The county’s vector management district worries about the risks these insects pose to neighbors. Bites can transmit diseases including “dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever.” Adding insult to injury, hiding out inside won’t deter them. These insects bite “aggressively, in the daytime, and indoors.” So, dump any stagnant water — even the water pooled on the trashcan lid — and wear insect repellant. (Santa Barbara Independent)
5. Circle July 12 to 16 on your calendar because that’s when the Santa Barbara County Fair is coming to the Fairpark. We now know who’ll be doing the music at the event. You’ll hear an Eagles/Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, Ashley McBryde, Uncle Kracker, and Switchfoot. Presale tickets will be available beginning June 9. (KSBY)

From our sponsor:

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📆 Today in Santa Barbara:

• Stay & Play for infants and toddlers at the Eastside Public Library (9 AM)
• Meet at the Carrillo Commuter Lot for Homeless Outreach (10 AM)
• Personalizing Your Apple Watch Workshop at the Apple Store (11 AM)
• Art Gallery Exhibit & School Open House at the Bright Start Child Development Center (4 PM)
• Intro to SKY Breath & Meditation at Ashtanga Santa Barbara (6:30 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know a Santa Barbara dad whose texts make you smile? This Father’s Day, celebrate him with a shoutout on Patch. Just fill out this simple form and we’ll do the rest!

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "A small vegetation fire was put out on Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Solvang, according to Santa Barbara County Fire." (KEYT)
• "Hoopla Comedy & Validation Ale invites you to a night of premium free comedy complete with locally crafted drinks, delicious dining options and laughs all night. Each show will present a vast array of carefully curated comedians by veteran producer and comedian Uriah Wesman. He has produced hundreds of shows across Santa Barbara and is ready to take it to the next level at this new show." (Independent)
• "On May 9, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded an impressive $925,000 to 10 local nonprofits. As always with these annual awards, the grants targeted critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County." (Santa Barbara Independent)
• "The 3rd annual Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival is set to take place June 9 & 10 at the historic Lobero Theatre in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara. SBSFF2023 will celebrate Santa Barbara’s rich surf history and diverse storytelling styles of filmmakers, artists, shapers and surfers who started it all. Our festival will showcase captivating surf cinema from incredible film directors, creatives, and surfers to feature a fantastic lineup of classic and cutting-edge feature films." (Oriana Poindexter)
• "A recent food drive for the Santa Barbara County Foodbank, supported by the work of local members of the National Association of Letter Carriers and the donations of county residents, has netted more than 85,000 pounds of food." (Santa Ynez Valley News)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Santa Barbara Patch newsletter? Contact me at santabarbara@patch.com