🌱 Education Foundation Receives Grant + Local Hike Parking Problem

Hey, everybody! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Mostly cloudy and cool. High: 62 Low: 49.
• Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High: 69 Low: 48

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Here are the top 3 stories in Santa Barbara today:

1. San Marcos High School conducted a program called "Un día a la vez" (One Day at a Time) for families with Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs), focusing on providing them with leadership and success tools as they navigate the U.S. educational system. The program, led by the San Marcos EML Support team, covered topics such as supporting student success, available programs and resources, future paths beyond high school, and next steps for student achievement. With approximately 35 attendees at each of the four sessions held from January through April, the success of the program has inspired plans for expansion in the coming year, as the school aims to continue supporting EML students and families to feel welcome and successful in the educational system. (Santa Barbara Edhat)
2. The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) has received a $50,000 grant from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, for its Teacher Grants program. The program provides funding to educators in the Santa Barbara Unified School District for innovative teaching and essential classroom supplies. The grant from Google.org will specifically support classroom projects and materials that enhance students' learning opportunities in STEM education, with the goal of sparking interest in science, technology, engineering, and math among the next generation of learners. (Noozhawk)
3. The popular day hiking and camping area off Paradise Road near Santa Barbara remains inaccessible due to damage caused by storms in January. Despite this, last Saturday, 600 cars attempted to find parking in the area, causing congestion and blocking driveways. Forest officials are concerned about the lack of access to emergency services in case of a fire or rescue operation due to the damaged road. To address the issue, the kiosk located near Lower Oso is being relocated to the Fremont Campground on Paradise Road, closer to the entrance of the state forest lands. Residents in Paradise Canyon are being requested to provide visitors' names to the rangers, both at the campground and at the front desk of the Santa Barbara Ranger Station. (Santa Barbara Independent)

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Today and Tomorrow in Santa Barbara:

Monday, April 17:

• Self-Care Group At Mental Wellness Center (2:30 PM)

Tuesday, April 18:

• State Street Farmers Market At Lower State (3:00 PM)
• Coffee With A Cop At Santa Barbara Police Department (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The highly anticipated Taste of Santa Barbara is back from May 15 to 21. Hosted by Santa Barbara Culinary Experience in honor of the legendary Julia Child, revel in insightful panel discussions, creative pop-ups, film screenings, farm tours, tasting events, and countless ways to connect and celebrate the best of Santa Barbara County’s culinary scene. (Visit Santa Barbara via Facebook)
• This is a reminder to join the Santa Barbara Police Department for Coffee with a Cop this coming Tuesday, Apr. 18, on the front steps of the Santa Barbara Police Department (215 East Figueroa Street) between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to support Autism Acceptance Month.
  Considered Curbside Coffee’s vintage VW mobile barista van will be there to serve some delicious coffee beverages. (Santa Barbara Police Department via Facebook)
• The annual defensible space chipping for the Lower Riviera chip area starts Monday, Apr. 24, for homeowners who are within the Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District. If you are a resident of this chip area please make sure to have your piles out by the date posted. Second passes will not be made. Please slow down and drive carefully while chipping crews are working in your area. (Santa Barbara Fire Department via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• 33rd Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show (April 20)
• In the Gardens of Splendor and Delight (April 20)
• Book Signing: Kim Cantin's Where Yellow Flowers Bloom (April 20)
• "Get Out of Town" this spring! (May 11)
• "Get Out of Town" this spring! (May 11)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!