Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will these 2025 county projects change Santa Barbara in 2026?

Also, don't miss Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Live Oak UU Congregation on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

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Good morning Santa Barbara! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will these 2025 county projects change Santa Barbara in 2026?
  • How Santa Barbara’s youngest senior rabbi plans to lead CBB now
  • How a 78-year-old SBCC student built the college’s astronomy program

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Live Oak UU Congregation and 4 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 63 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Thursday: Rain, becoming heavy, temps: high: 63, low: 53.
  • Friday: A couple of showers, with a high of 63 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. County of Santa Barbara Highlights Major Accomplishments in 2025 (independent.com) — County government is closing out 2025 by touting major achievements that affect daily life across Santa Barbara County, from new emergency communications and road work to expanded housing and health services. Highlights include progress on workforce housing in downtown Santa Barbara, a new South County probation building, and conservation of More Mesa, all as the county marks its 175th anniversary and prepares for more changes in 2026.
   

2. From Intern to Senior Rabbi: Q&A with Congregation B'nai B'rith's Daniel Brenner (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara’s Congregation B’nai B’rith has formally installed Rabbi Daniel Brenner as its new senior rabbi, deepening his nine-year connection to the local Jewish community. In a wide-ranging Q&A, he reflects on sharing his daughter’s cancer remission, CBB’s inclusive “no pay to pray” culture, and how he hopes to guide Santa Barbara Jews through a time of both pride and fear.
   

3. Seventeen College Degrees, and Still Learning (independent.com) — A 78-year-old Santa Barbara City College student, David Salvia, has earned 17 degrees and even helped create SBCC’s astronomy program, showing how far lifelong learning can go right here locally. His story weaves through Navy service, music, tai chi, Rubik’s Cube mastery, and decades of curiosity that still fuel his daily routines and mentoring on campus.
   

4. Santa Barbara Fumigates City Hall During Holiday Office Closures (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara City Hall is tented and being fumigated this week while most non-emergency city offices are already closed for the holidays, minimizing disruption for residents. Emergency services remain fully staffed, and regular city operations are scheduled to resume January 5, with details available on the city’s holiday closure and storm resource pages.
   

5. New Tactile Display Lets Users See and Physically Feel Digital Graphics (industrytap.com) — Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have built a shape-shifting “tactile display” that lets users both see and physically feel digital graphics as tiny pins rise and fall under their fingertips. Developed just up the road from city residents, the UCSB prototype could transform accessibility tools, virtual reality, surgical training, and STEM education by turning flat screens into touchable, dynamic surfaces.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Lost dog, smaller german shepherd.
    Female. She is kinda skiddish, not dangerous. Loves other dogs, very sweet. Seems she is trying to make her way to Alamar and Foothill where other… (Nextdoor Blue Skies)
  • Excited to capture two different ringtails on the same night.
    I recognize the one on the left because it has a kinked tail and the one on the right is a bit smaller. Ringtails are mostly solitary, but male… (Nextdoor Upper State)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaning Estimator in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • Cost Plus, Inc. - World Market posted a job opening for Seasonal Stock Associate 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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