Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How UCSB’s next ace could shape a powerhouse Gaucho pitching staff

And on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar - Venice Holiday Concert

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Monday December 15th Patch AM
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Good day Santa Barbara! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How UCSB’s next ace could shape a powerhouse Gaucho pitching staff
  • How a revived rural schools fund could ripple into Santa Barbara County
  • How Santa Barbara hosted Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld’s secret wedding

Also on today's calendar: Venice Holiday Concert and 1 more event.

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

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Pleasant with sunshine, with a high of 71 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 71, low: 53.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 75 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mark Patton: Jackson Flora Projects as Another Throwback to UCSB's Rich Pitching Tradition (noozhawk.com) — UC Santa Barbara baseball fans can look forward to a deep, veteran pitching staff led by junior ace and top MLB prospect Jackson Flora. Coach Andrew Checketts, already the winningest in UCSB history, is preparing for a season that includes an alumni weekend, unveiling of a new video board at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, and a marquee opener at Southern Mississippi.
   

2. Rural California Gets a Lifeline in School Funding as Congress Restores Money It Cut (independent.com) — Readers in Santa Barbara County could indirectly benefit as Congress restores the Secure Rural Schools program, sending millions back to rural districts statewide for classrooms, roads, and fire prevention. While no specific local allocation is cited, the revived funding eases pressure on rural California budgets and highlights looming federal debates over broader cuts to education and social services.
   

3. Josh Allen married Hailee Steinfeld after he met her strict relationship rule (themirror.com) — A-list couple Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld quietly tied the knot in Santa Barbara on May 21, 2025, before announcing they’re expecting their first child. Steinfeld recently shared the personal relationship standards that guided her dating life, while Allen prepares for a crucial late-season matchup with the New England Patriots.
   

4. ‘The People vs. the Golden State Killer' is an Inside Look at One of the Most Notorious Serial Killers in California History (independent.com) — Santa Barbara County is among the California communities scarred by the Golden State Killer, whose crimes and prosecution are explored in a new book by lead prosecutor Thien Ho. In an in-depth interview, Ho reflects on the decades-long case, the survivors’ resilience, and how advances in DNA finally led to Joseph DeAngelo’s conviction.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

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📣 Santa Barbara Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Can anyone foster this little nugget through the Christmas holidays?
    She is about 18 to 22 pounds, Mini Australian Shepherd. She’s four years old. Lives with lots of other dogs, but can be a little shy. We would love… (Nextdoor Toro Canyon)
  • We were on our way to the Jane Austen production at ETC (which was fabulous btw), and driving over to Chapala to park, we saw a large group of people gathered singing Christmas carols in front of the art museum.
    Such a blessing living in Santa Barbara! Was that a spontaneous or a scheduled Christmas sing-a-long? Are there more planned? It was absolutely… (Nextdoor Cielito)
  • Foley Entertainment Group LLC posted a job opening for Turndown - Housekeeping in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • Santa Barbara Unified School District posted a job opening for Substitute Teachers (Pre-School, TK-12, Afterschool) - Multiple Subject & Single Subject, 2020-2021 School Year- 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 don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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