🌱 Rattlesnake Bite + Royals Eat Sushi + Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Hello all! Today’s the International Day of Light; did you know it commemorates the first successful laser use in 1960? Sylvia here with your fresh copy of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter, filled with these stories and more...

• 💰 Successful Education Foundation fundraiser.
• 🤝 Dr. Erika Endrijonas to lead SBCC.
• 👑 How to eat like a non-working royal.

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🌥️ But first, today's weather: Patchy low clouds and fog. High: 70 Low: 55.

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📰 Here are the top stories today in Santa Barbara:

1. Snakes and bears, oh my! The rattlers are out in full force, and a hiker was bitten by a snake on the Romero Canyon Trail late last week. She was walking with her dog in the morning before the main heat of the day. She’s fine, and so is her doggie. By the way, when first responders were walking the snake bite victim’s dog down the trail, they saw a bear. If you’re headed out, be aware. (KEYT)
2. If you’d like to dine like a couple of non-working royals, head to the Sushi Bar Montecito in Santa Barbara. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, enjoyed some great food at the Michelin-star restaurant. If you’d like to follow in their footsteps, be prepared to pay $25 during the reservation process and $165 per head if ordering from the omakase menu. (The West Australian)
3. Travelers with hidden disabilities now have an opportunity to receive discreet assistance from Santa Barbara Airport personnel. The venue now participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. Travelers may request a sunflower lanyard from the airport or display another sunflower type of item; staff members are trained to make themselves available for providing additional assistance to travelers wearing it. (KSBY)
4. Dr. Erika Endrijonas is the new superintendent/president of the Santa Barbara City College. Previously, she held positions as a community college president for Pasadena City College and dean at SBCC. If all goes as planned, she’ll begin on Aug. 1. (SBCC)
5. The Santa Barbara Education Foundation held its big fundraiser and will be able to give in excess of $55,000 toward teacher grants benefiting the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Besides raising funds, the organization also honored elected officials and those working in the educational field for making significant differences. “Santa Barbara Education Foundation promotes private support of Santa Barbara’s public education system, serving over 12,500 students in 19 schools.” (Santa Barbara News-Press)

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📆 Today in Santa Barbara:

• World Dance For Humanity meets at Oak Park (9:15 AM)
• Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office Community Blood Drive (1:30 PM)
• Photography On The iPhone at Apple on State Street (4:30 PM)
• Exploring Divine Consciousness at Unity Santa Barbara (6:30 PM)
• Lobero Live presents Rodney Crowell (7:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The Library on the Go will be in front of the administration building at the Samarkand retirement community loaded with adult materials like large type, fiction, nonfiction, and Spanish language materials. Tuesday, May 16, 2-3 p.m." (Santa Barbara Library)
• "Come out and park on the grass with us at the inaugural Classics with the Cardinals, on Saturday, June 24 at Bishop Diego High School in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Guaranteed to be a fun-filled day with over 200 outstanding vehicles, great owners, good food, vendors, and more. Our team will judge all vehicles through 1988, but don’t worry, if you and your sweet ride are 1989 or newer, you can still show off in our display-only category since all years are welcome." (Santa Barbara Independent)
• "Please share this reminder: the Santa Barbara Police Department is holding a Gun Buyback this Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Santa Barbara City Yards, 300 East Cota St." (Santa Barbara Police Department)
• "The Santa Barbara Home Show event provides you the opportunity to SAVE TIME & MONEY on your next project as you'll see hundreds of the latest home products and services. You will meet with home improvement professionals, both large and small, who are eager to help you with your repairs, enhancements and upgrades to beautify your home... all under one roof!" (10 Times)
• "The 2023 Santa Barbara Wine and Food Festival will take place along the banks of Mission Creek at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Mingle with winemakers, bakers, and chefs in the sunshine, under the oak trees in this picturesque setting. Guests will enjoy over 100 of the Central Coast’s best wines and culinary delights, and even receive a commemorative wine glass to take home. Want a little extra time to sip and savor? Early entry receives 1-hour early access to the Museum Backyard with complimentary hors d’oeurves and entertainment." (Santa Barbara Wine & Food Festival)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Santa Barbara Patch newsletter? Contact me at santabarbara@patch.com