Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will Goleta’s $1.55M spill settlement really protect Santa Barbara’s water?

And on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar - Parkour Grades 1-6

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Hi there, Santa Barbara! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Goleta’s $1.55M spill settlement really protect Santa Barbara’s water?
  • How Hilton’s big expansion will reshape Santa Barbara’s waterfront resort
  • Why Opera Santa Barbara’s principal pianist just walked away

Also on today's calendar: Soul Star Chakra Sound Journey / Los Osos and 8 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, Maureen E.!

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Santa Barbara? Post it to Santa Barbara photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

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

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 69 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 52.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Proposed Settlement for Goleta Sewage Spill Draws Concerns From Environmental Watchdog (noozhawk.com) — A proposed $1.55 million settlement over Goleta’s 2024 sewage spill would fund well testing and safer drinking water projects in Santa Barbara County, but local watchdog Santa Barbara Channelkeeper says the penalty is too low and poorly explained. Regulators will consider the deal, and take public comments, at a February Water Board meeting, while Goleta West cites operational and communication improvements since the spill.
   

2. Hilton Santa Barbara Hotel Gains Approval to Move Ahead with Expansion (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara’s beachfront Hilton has secured final city approval to add 73 rooms and significantly expand its resort footprint on Cabrillo Boulevard, despite earlier union opposition. The project will enlarge existing buildings, remove tennis courts, slightly reduce parking, and boost bike spaces, following sign-offs from the Historic Landmarks Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council.
   

3. Opera Santa Barbara Pianist Moves On (independent.com) — Opera Santa Barbara’s longtime principal pianist and chorus master, Tim Accurso, has resigned after raising concerns about internal communication and management practices. The board says it has begun addressing those issues while praising his artistic impact, as the company looks ahead to its February production of Handel’s Caesar and Cleopatra.
   

4. Community Leaders, Locals, and Fans Remember Rob Reiner (keyt.com) — Santa Barbara County residents and leaders are reflecting on the legacy of filmmaker and early-childhood advocate Rob Reiner, who was honored by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and supported local First 5 efforts. Community advocates recall his hands-on visits, including an appearance at Goleta Valley Community Center, and are now considering how best to honor him and his wife following their tragic deaths.
   

📸 Around Santa Barbara

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📸 December Sunrise from my window! —Maureen E. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Wednesday December 17
  • Parkour Grades 1-6
    Santa Barbara Trapeze Co, Plaza Vera Cruz, 131 E Haley St, Santa Barbara
    2:55 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:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Heads up: Cruise ship with reported Norovirus outbreak scheduled to anchor in SB Thursday.
    Be careful to wash your hands after shopping, etc! 12/18 https://www.edhat.com/news/cdc-reports-norovirus-outbreak-on-a-cruise-ship-scheduled-to… (Nextdoor Hope Ranch Annex)
  • FOUND!
    Missing cat: brown, small, skinny, skittish Please contact us with any information/sightings: Mercy - 434-996-7470, Ben - 925-451-2584 Finch is… (Nextdoor San Roque)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Grocery Team Member (Stocker, Inventory, Floor Service, Customer Service) - Part Time 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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