🌱 Patch AM: How City Hall’s holiday fumigation could affect your visit plans

Cheers Santa Barbara! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How City Hall’s holiday fumigation could affect your visit plans
• What does the federal green light mean for Gaviota Coast oil?
• How dangerous is the sewage spill at East Beach today?

Also on today's calendar: Live DJ every Saturday 3PM-6PM and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Rain, becoming heavy, with a high of 64 and low of 57 degrees.
• Friday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 63, low: 44.
• Saturday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 64 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Barbara City Hall Off Limits During Holiday Fumigation (keyt.com) — Santa Barbara City Hall is fully tented and fenced off for fumigation during the holiday break, leaving the mayor and council temporarily without office access and working from alternate locations. City workers return Jan. 2, and essential services like police, fire, and key water operations remain on duty across Santa Barbara.
   

2. Federal regulator approves Sable Offshore's plans to restart oil production in Santa Barbara County (keyt.com) — Federal regulators have approved Sable Offshore’s plan to restart oil production from the Santa Ynez Unit off the Santa Barbara County coast, shifting oversight from state to federal authorities. This comes just after Santa Barbara County supervisors refused to transfer key permits, leaving a tense split between local opposition and federal approval with major implications for coastal safety and the local economy.
   

3. East Beach closed around Mission Creek outfall due to storm-related sewage spill (keyt.com) — Parts of East Beach near the Mission Creek outfall in Santa Barbara are temporarily closed after about 2,200 gallons of sewage reached the creek during heavy rains. County health officials have posted warning signs and urge residents to avoid ocean and creek water for several days after storms because of elevated risks of rashes, fever, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.
   

4. Matt Kettmann's 2025 in Review (independent.com) — Santa Barbara food and wine writer Matt Kettmann looks back on a packed 2025, from deep dives into the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake and the region’s agave movement to standout new restaurants, wineries, and local makers. He also highlights personal newsletter favorites, travel tied to his wine beat, and heartfelt farewells to figures who shaped the Central Coast community.
   

5. Holiday Happenings 100 Years Ago (independent.com) — A century ago, Santa Barbara residents rallied after the 1925 earthquake to revive community Christmas traditions at the Recreation Center, courthouse, and Mission. This piece recalls Pearl Chase’s inclusive celebrations, children’s parties, and carol-filled tableaux that shaped today’s Unity Shoppe and the city’s enduring holiday spirit.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 27

• Explore Together
  Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara
  10:15 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 27

• Live DJ every Saturday 3PM-6PM
  Paradise Springs Winery , 210 State St , Santa Barbara
  3:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• Museum Closed Thursday, January 1, 2026
  Santa Barbara Maritime Museum , 113 Harbor Way, Ste 190 , Santa Barbara

Saturday January 3

• Crafternoons for Kids
  EE Makerspace , 302 East Cota St , Santa Barbara
  10:00 am

📣 Santa Barbara Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Thirsty Thursday ~ $5 Glasses on Tap
  Carr Winery , 414 N Salsipuedes St , Santa Barbara
  5:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Mini Groms Winter Surf Camp AGES 4-6
  Surf Happens , 3825 Santa Claus Ln , Carpinteria
  9:00 am
• Winter Travel Camp
  Surf Happens , 3825 Santa Claus Ln , Carpinteria
  9:00 am
• Barrel Room Sessions at Carr Winery ~ David Segall 12.26.25
  Carr Winery , 414 N Salsipuedes St , Santa Barbara
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Nombres — Draughtsmen Aleworks
  Draughtsmen Aleworks , 53 Santa Felicia Dr , Goleta
  6:00 pm
• South Coast Stand-Up Comedy
  The Alcazar Theatre , 4916 Carpinteria Ave , Carpinteria
  7:00 pm
• Jim Brickman
  Lobero Theatre · Santa Barbara , CA , Montecito
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show
  Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show , 236 E Cabrillo Blvd , Santa Barbara
  10:00 am

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Santa Barbara PatchAM possible:

• Better Business Bureau of the Tricounties — (805) 963-8657
  Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker: More than 3,600
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Thank you to everyone who advocates for the dogs that can’t speak up for themselves.
  Thank you to those who work tirelessly to find them homes and save them from euthanasia. Thank you to those who open their homes and hearts. Thank… (Nextdoor West Downtown)
• If you’re out driving today, just be nice.
  Let someone over. Let someone pull out of the parking lot. There’s no reason to honk your horn or gesture. Merry Christmas! (Nextdoor San Roque)

• Target posted a job opening for On-Demand: Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Fulfillment (T3298) in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
• Spar Group Inc posted a job opening for Furniture Assembly Tech CA 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: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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