🌱 Patch AM: How a shuttered Goleta big-box store becomes a pickleball hub

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 a shuttered Goleta big-box store becomes a pickleball hub
• Which Santa Barbara moments topped Leslie Dinaberg’s 2025 favorites list?

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

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: A couple of showers, with a high of 64 and low of 46 degrees.
• Saturday: Variable cloudiness, temps: high: 64, low: 41.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 66 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• First indoor pickleball facility coming to the South Coast (ksby.com) — An indoor pickleball center is coming to the former Bed Bath & Beyond site in Goleta, giving Santa Barbara players a reliable place to play from early morning to midnight. Local couple Trish and Ted Guggenheim are converting more than 20,000 square feet into courts and youth training space, with opening planned for spring 2026.
   

• Leslie Dinaberg's Top Stories of 2025 (independent.com) — Santa Barbara readers get a curated look back at Leslie Dinaberg’s favorite 2025 stories, from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to standout concerts at the Bowl, Lobero, and Arlington. She also highlights memorable local arts coverage and indulgent food-and-drink adventures at spots like the Ritz-Carlton Bacara and Rosewood Miramar Beach.
   

📸 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

Friday December 26

• Winter Travel Camp
  Surf Happens , 3825 Santa Claus Ln , Carpinteria
  9:00 am
• Mini Groms Winter Surf Camp AGES 4-6
  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

• Camino Real Farmer’s Market — Camino Real Marketplace
  Camino Real Marketplace , 7004 Market Pl Dr , Goleta
  10:00 am
• 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:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Huge thanks to all the SB City workers who repaired the water main break at Fellowship and Red Rose Way.
  They worked carefully all day. Our water was back on at 4PM. Appreciate all of you! (Nextdoor West Mesa)
• Has anyone seen Mighty?
  Missing for 5 days, he’s 20 years old but acts like a kitten he’s super strong. Please let me know if you’ve seen him! (Nextdoor Lower Riviera)

• Target posted a job opening for Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Inbound (Stocking) (T3298) in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
• Ross Stores, Inc posted a job opening for Early Morning Stock Associate in Santa Barbara. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Barbara here.

🗞 Nearby News

Montecito

• Matt Kettmann's 2025 in Review (independent.com)
• Report: Despite Slight Decline, South Coast Fall Hotel Activity Helps Local Economy (noozhawk.com)
• SoCal Commercial Real Estate Leaders on What's in Store for 2026 (commercialobserver.com)

Goleta

• Goleta Library Bookvan Rolls Out New Schedule for New Year (noozhawk.com)

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 out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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