Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Santa Barbara paddle-out is inspiring a new safety mission

Also check out Vocal Arts Ensemble: Ring in the Season - First Presbyterian on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

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Hey there, Santa Barbara! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Santa Barbara paddle-out is inspiring a new safety mission
  • How a GPS-tagged bike led officers to a Santa Barbara hotel room
  • How UCSB scientists uncovered Africa’s hidden snaring crisis.

Also on today's calendar: Vocal Arts Ensemble: Ring in the Season - First Presbyterian and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Santa Barbarafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Santa Barbarafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Clouds giving way to sun, with a high of 70 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Monday: Pleasant with sunshine, temps: high: 72, low: 45.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and comfortable, with a high of 73 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Hundreds gather for paddle-out honoring San Marcos High teen killed in skateboarding accident (ksby.com) — Santa Barbara students and families gathered for a powerful paddle-out to honor 17-year-old San Marcos High School student Tayden Tomblin, who died in a Thanksgiving skateboarding accident. Nearly 200 people formed a circle in the ocean, shared memories, and heard Tayden’s father describe the community’s support and his plans to start a helmet-safety nonprofit for skateboarders.
   

2. GPS Tracker on Bicycle Leads to Arrest of 2 People at Santa Barbara Hotel (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara police used a GPS tracker on a stolen bicycle to locate two suspects at the Agave Inn on State Street, leading to their arrest after a brief standoff. The pair, who allegedly had stolen property and outstanding warrants, were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of theft, narcotics offenses, and resisting arrest.
   

3. Researchers map Africa's snaring crisis, calling for sustainable solutions (eurekalert.org) — From Santa Barbara, UC Santa Barbara researchers are spotlighting how widespread and wasteful snare hunting has become across Africa, threatening wildlife and wasting huge amounts of meat. Their new BioScience study compiles continent-wide data, estimates tens of millions of snares set annually, and suggests community-based governance and better enforcement to make hunting more sustainable while reducing needless animal deaths.
   

4. Santa Barbara & Ventura Make GoFundMe's 'Most Generous Places' List (keyt.com) — Santa Barbara has been named one of GoFundMe’s “Most Generous Places” of 2025, ranking 10th nationwide and just behind neighboring Ventura. The report highlights California as the most generous state and notes that millions of donations, including major wildfire relief efforts, flowed through the platform this year, underscoring the Central Coast’s strong culture of giving.
   

5. Families can find food assistance during winter school break in Santa Maria Valley (ksby.com) — Families in Santa Barbara County who lose access to school meals over winter break can turn to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, 2-1-1, and Santa Maria–Bonita School District programs for help. Local officials say winter brings higher need, especially for agricultural and service workers, and stress that even families who don’t qualify for CalFresh can still receive free food distributions.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • **CALI-Unfortunately she has received a deadline of December 21, 2025 & we are urgently seeking a Rescue, Adopter, or Foster placement for Cali.
    ** Cali has been waiting over a year for her forever home and should not spend her golden years in a shelter (she is the SB shelter, 5473 Overpass… (Nextdoor San Roque)
  • Owner found :)
    I happen to know him so he’s legit. FOUND DOG Cota St by DMV - there is a sweet lil French bulldog (I think) INSIDE our fenced front yard! No tags… (Nextdoor West Downtown)
  • University of California Santa Barbara posted a job opening for Payroll and Finance Assistant in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • Hope Elementary School District posted a job opening for K-6 Substitute Teacher 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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