🌱 Halkirk St. House Fire + $2 Sq. Ft. Parklet Fee + See Sheep At Work

Good morning, everybody! Today’s National Teacher Appreciation Day; did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt initially got Congress to declare a day in 1953, but the National PTA turned it into a full week of appreciation in 1985? Sylvia here with my first edition of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter. Follow along for news on...

• 🤔 5-1-1 Vote decides parklet fee.
• ⚠️ Parklet crash.
• 💰 Park & Rec wants more money.

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🌧️ But first, today's weather: A passing shower or two. High: 59 Low: 47.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Santa Barbara

• Fuel Depot at 3898 State St., $4.41
• Summit at 8 S Milpas St., $4.47
• Fuel Depot at 250 N Turnpike Road, $4.51

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up?

📰 Here are the top stories in Santa Barbara today:

1. A house fire in the 500 block of Halkirk Street sent one man to the hospital. Firefighters responded Monday morning around 3:40 a.m. They contained the fire to just one room and extinguished the flames by 4:07 a.m. The man was found inside, while two women had escaped. (KEYT)
2. Outdoor parklets now cost downtown business owners $2 per square foot. The fee began May 1, ending the back and forth that alternatively would have cost business owners $3 or $10 for the privilege of having guests take up the popular outdoor spaces. Mayor Randy Rowse demanded action from the City Council, not discussion related to “the pros or cons of parklets, not the status of State Street’s closure.” Thank Councilmember Meagan Harmon for suggesting $2. The approval came “by a 5-1-1 vote, with Mayor Rowse opposed and Councilmember Eric Friedman abstaining.” (Santa Barbara Independent)
3. Speaking of parklets, a driver crashed into the Press Room bar on Ortega Street on Saturday morning. Since the accident happened around 1:30 a.m., nobody was sitting there. The driver tried to make a run for it but was reportedly caught just a block over. (edhat)
4. And while we're on the topic of money, it may soon cost you more to play pickleball and tennis. The City’s Park & Recreation Department is floating the idea of 2024 fee increases from $75 per year to $139. What are the reasons for the increases? Custodial services! “That is one of the highest costs we have. We have to contract out for that,” the program director explained. Summer camp costs will go up, too to meet personnel costs. (Noozhawk)
5. Is that — a sheep? Why, yes! Some 350 Merino sheep are munching on weeds at Elings Park. They, along with Great Pyrenees sheepdogs Yoreh and Sierra, will continue their work until June 1. If you’d like to see the eco-friendly grazers in action, you can hike up during daylight hours to visit. “The trailhead is off Jerry Harwin Parkway behind the Administration Building’s parking lot.” (KSBY)

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📆 Today in Santa Barbara:

• Bring toddlers and tots to Stay & Play at the Eastside Public Library (9 AM)
• Join the Tuesday Morning Walkers for a Walk At Hendry's Beach (10 AM)
• Participate in a Docent-Led Tour of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse (10:30 AM)
• Head to The Blue Owl for Open Mic Comedy (7 PM)
• See "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" at The Pollock Theater with subsequent discussion (7 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Santa Barbara to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Men in Pink: Eighteenth-Century French Portraiture" will be the topic when Dr. Melissa Hyde speaks at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Mary Craig Auditorium at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St." (News-Press)
• "Santa Barbara Public Library Construction Update: Central Library Closed May 8-11 and Anapamu entrance closed beginning May 5 for 4–6 weeks." (Santa Barbara Public Library)
• "Actress, activist and environmentalist Jane Fonda appeared at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival to give out the Environmental Hero Award. She says a battle against 'big oil' is underway and environmental issues will be prominent in the 2024 elections." (John Palminteri)
• "Congratulations to Iram Alvarez and Eva Camarena from the Community Services Department for being named the May 2023 Santa Barbara County Employees of the Month!" (Santa Barbara County)
• "The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office congratulated three new sergeants on their recent promotions. In a ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office Training Bureau, Sheriff’s Sergeant Matthew West, Custody Sergeant Shaun Crouse, and Custody Sergeant Tariq Falfal were joined by a room full of their family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate their achievement." (Sheriff's Office)

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Featured events:

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox Thursday with a new update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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