🌱 Patch AM: How will Santa Barbara’s purchase of the PATH shelter change local services?

Good morning Santa Barbara! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

• How will Santa Barbara’s purchase of the PATH shelter change local services?
• How will Santa Barbara’s courts change under new top administrator?
• How did an East Asian spider end up at a Santa Barbara business?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Live Oak UU Congregation and 6 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Ann D.!

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 65 and low of 57 degrees.
• Wednesday: Periods of rain, some heavy, temps: high: 64, low: 54.
• Thursday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 63 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City buys and vows to renovate PATH homeless shelter - Santa Barbara News Press (newspress.com) — Santa Barbara has purchased the 100-bed PATH homeless shelter on Cacique Street for $3.75 million and plans $300,000 in renovations plus a new interim operator, Mercy House. City officials say upgrades will improve safety, privacy, and security while keeping services running smoothly for unhoused residents and nearby neighbors.
   

2. Superior Court Executive Officer to Retire; Deputy Named as Replacement (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara County’s Superior Court is getting new leadership as longtime executive officer Darrel Parker retires in February and chief deputy Angela Braun steps into the top administrative role. Braun, who oversees court operations in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc, is credited with managing recent courthouse flooding responses and is backed unanimously by local judges to guide the court through future challenges.
   

3. Rare spider native to East Asia found in Santa Barbara (kclu.org) — A rare Joro spider, normally found in East Asia, was recently discovered in the landscaping of a Santa Barbara business and is now preserved at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Museum entomologist Alex Harman says the large, wasp-like spider is harmless and was likely brought in accidentally on imported plants, marking the first reported sighting west of the Great Plains.
   

4. Community Members Demand Santa Barbara City College Protect Students from ICE (independent.com) — Immigrant rights advocates are pressing Santa Barbara City College leaders to better protect undocumented and mixed-status students after several recent ICE and federal operations on or near campus. Speakers at the Board of Trustees meeting described students hiding in fear and urged stronger notification and safety policies, while trustees pledged to review immigration-related procedures and meet with 805 UndocuFund in early 2026.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 24

• Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Live Oak UU Congregation
  820 N Fairview Ave, Goleta
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 24

• Art From Scrap Closed for the Holidays
  Art From Scrap , 302 E Cota St. , Santa Barbara
• Bilingual Music & Movement
  Santa Barbara Public Library , 40 E Anapamu St , Santa Barbara
  10:15 am
• Bingo Night!
  Paradise Springs Winery , 210 State St , Santa Barbara
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day Buffet
  Finch & Fork , 31 W Carrillo St , Santa Barbara
  12:00 pm
• Thirsty Thursday ~ $5 Glasses on Tap
  Carr Winery , 414 N Salsipuedes St , Santa Barbara
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

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

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• IVCSD Community Center Bookvan Stop
  Isla Vista Community Services District , Isla Vista
  1:00 pm
• Carpinteria Songwriters Circle
  Carpinteria Community Library , 5141 Carpinteria Ave , Carpinteria
  4:00 pm
• Let's Talk Business at Santa Barbara Public Market
  Santa Barbara Public Market , 38 W Victoria St , Santa Barbara
  6:00 pm
• Vinyl Vices & All Day Happy Hour at Lion’s Tale
  Lion's Tale · Santa Barbara , CA , Montecito
  7:00 pm

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I am the current owner of Santa Barbara Lampshades.
  February will be 37 years since I opened my doors. For those of you who don’t know, I am retiring December 31st. Beginning in January, the new owners… (Nextdoor Modoc-Hollister)
• Update: Wow!
  The response has been more than I thought! And more than I could possibly host. I will post here again when I get something going and see who is… (Nextdoor Alta Mesa Neighborhoods)

• VF Corporation posted a job opening for Vans: Stockroom Supervisor - Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
• Bicycle Transit Systems posted a job opening for Station Technician - BCycle Santa Barbara 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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