Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Goleta’s new Heritage Ridge project reshape local housing options?

Happening soon: Longest NIght Memorial on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Saturday December 20th Patch AM
Saturday December 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

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 will Goleta’s new Heritage Ridge project reshape local housing options?
  • When and where Laguna Blanca’s new comedy hits the Santa Barbara stage
  • What does a 55-year covenant mean for Goleta Valley renters?

Also on today's calendar: Longest NIght Memorial and 3 more events.

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

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Cynthia M.!

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Sunday: Sun through high clouds, temps: high: 66, low: 53.
  • Monday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 65 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New affordable housing project breaks ground in Goleta (ksby.com) — Santa Barbara County officials have broken ground on Heritage Ridge, a 102‑unit affordable housing complex in Goleta designed for seniors, families, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness. Located on Camino Vista, the project aims to cut long commutes, keep spending local, and help South Coast workers stay rooted in their communities, with move‑ins expected around late spring to early summer 2027.
   

2. Laguna Blanca's Theatre Department Proudly Presents 'Laughing Stock' (independent.com) — Laguna Blanca’s theatre department is inviting Santa Barbara residents to three January performances of the backstage comedy “Laughing Stock” at Spaulding Theatre on Paloma Drive. The show, directed by Dana Caldwell, follows a struggling New England summer stock company through chaotic auditions, rehearsals, and opening nights, promising a warm, funny tribute to live theater for local audiences.
   

3. Supervisors Approve Affordability Covenant for 236-Unit San Marcos Ranch Project (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara County supervisors have locked in a 55‑year affordability covenant for 236 low‑income apartments in the San Marcos Ranch project in Goleta Valley, the largest single affordable complex in county history. The development will total 956 units across two parcels, with the affordable buildings already under construction and projected to welcome tenants by late 2027.
   

4. New fully digital design paves the way for scalable probabilistic computing (scientificinquirer.com) — Researchers at UC Santa Barbara helped create a new fully digital “p‑bit” computer component that could make future AI and machine‑learning systems far more efficient. By eliminating bulky analog parts, their design uses less power and space while remaining compatible with modern chip manufacturing, potentially benefiting everything from logistics to scientific discovery.
   

5. 10 Quiet Train Routes In California That Locals Use For Scenic Journeys (takingthekids.com) — Several of California’s quietest, most scenic train routes roll right through Santa Barbara, giving locals an easy way to trade Highway 101 traffic for oceanfront window views. The guide highlights coastal rides between Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area, plus inland mountain and wine-country routes, all designed for relaxed getaways where the journey itself becomes the main attraction.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

Feedback image
📸 one of the last roses of the season at Lotusland this past weekend. —Cynthia M. Like

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

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

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 21
  • Longest NIght Memorial
    Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara, 1100 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara
    5:15 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

🗓 Events Nearby

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:

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

  • Big shout out to Santa Barbara humane.
    Found a stray cat a while back and decided to keep her. Took her to the vet to get her shots and a checkup. Was quoted $775 to have her spayed… (Nextdoor Butterfly Ln)
  • I received this unfortunate message from AVS veterinary hospital today via email and wanted to share with the community.
    "Hello! We want to keep our community informed about a temporary change to our surgical services. At this time, AVS will not be offering routine or… (Nextdoor Alta Mesa Neighborhoods)
  • The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC posted a job opening for Public Area Attendant in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Custodian Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$47/Hr 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Santa Barbara