🌱Million In Community Grants Awarded + Isla Vista Rental Evictions

Hello there, Santa Barbara. I'm here in your inbox this spring morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Increasingly windy. High: 64 Low: 41.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cool. High: 65 Low: 42.

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Here are the top three stories in and around Santa Barbara today:

1. The Santa Barbara City Council has awarded over $1.4 million in grants to community organizations. The funds come from the general fund and the federal Community Development Block Grant Program, with 41 proposals being approved out of 46 total requests. The first priority is to meet basic human needs, such as food, shelter, and medical needs, with the remaining funds being used for capital construction and economic development projects. (Noozhawk)
2. Local organizations in Isla Vista are mobilizing to protect tenants facing mass rental evictions. More than 240 tenants were given termination notices by the new owner of the CBC & The Sweeps apartment buildings. In response, the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors drafted a letter urging Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps to help stop the evictions, and proposed four possible solutions to ease the process for tenants. Capps’ office has been working with various organizations to spread awareness to tenants about their rights. (Noozhawk)
3. Dos Pueblos High School's student-run news program, DP News, has won five awards at the annual Student Television Network competition. The competition is nationwide and is the high school equivalent of the Emmys or Oscars. This year, the group's video "Disconnect to Reconnect," by Alex Gardiner and Seth Phillips, earned a fourth-place honorable mention for Public Service Announcement. (Santa Barbara Independent)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Santa Barbara:

Monday, April 3

• Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - 1 Garden St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (8:00 AM)
• Mind Games - Carpinteria Public Library (2:00 PM)
• World Dance Class - Schott Campus (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, April 4

• Stay and Play - Eastside Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Writing Through the Apocalypse - Chaucer's Bookstore (6:00 PM)
• Head Games Trivia Night - Fig Mountain Brewery (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees has reopened applications for the Superintendent/President position until Apr. 16, while maintaining the same screening committee and allowing current finalists to remain in consideration. Public forums for additional final candidates will be held before the end of the Spring 2023 term. (Santa Barbara Edhat)
• The Italian Pottery Outlet has been open for 40 years and is now celebrating its anniversary with a variety of new products in addition to their pottery, such as books, kitchenware, candles, jewelry, children's items, and unique gifts! (KEYT)
• Looking for a good laugh? Santa Barbara resident Maureen Sullivan has written a hilarious dark comedy sketch about the struggles of vanity and aging that's sure to make you giggle. (Santa Barbara Edhat)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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!