🌱 Santa Barbara's Next Storm Begins Tuesday + SB 2023 Polar Plunge

Hello again, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Rather cloudy. High: 64 Low: 53.
• Tuesday: Cool with rain at times. High: 58 Low: 49.

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Here are the top three stories today in Santa Barbara:

1. After a brief break in the rain on Sunday and today (Mar. 13), the next storm is expected to arrive in Santa Barbara County on Tuesday, Mar. 14. The National Weather Service predicts another atmospheric river event, and the fast-moving storm with heavy rains is estimated to have peak rainfall rates of a quarter- to a half-inch per hour. According to the Flood Control District's records, there were 2.14 inches of rain from the recent two-day storm in Santa Barbara, bringing the season total to 28.28 inches as of Saturday, Mar. 11. (Noozhawk.com)
2. The 2023 Santa Barbara Polar Plunge will take place on Saturday, Apr. 22, at Leadbetter Beach! Walk, run, or dance into the chilly waters with local law enforcement agencies, firefighters, and community members to help raise funds for Special Olympics Santa Barbara County programs. To get involved, participants can join a team to take the plunge with, take the plunge as an individual, or sponsor a "plunger." (Polar Plunge)
3. On Saturday night, Mar. 11, UC Santa Barbara won the Big West Conference championship game against Cal State Fullerton with a score of 72-62. For the second time in three years, the Gauchos, 27-7, have won the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Ajay Mitchell, the Big West Player of the Year, scored a team-high 20 points during the game, 12 of which were in a four-minute time span. (Los Angeles Times)

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Today and tomorrow in Santa Barbara:

Monday, March 13

• Yoga On The Wharf At 217 Stearns Wharf (8:30 AM)
• Legacy Arts Listening Room Music Series At 1230 State St. (5:00 PM)

Tuesday, March 14

• Wiggly Storytime At Central Library (10:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Carpinteria Middle School sixth grader Emiliano Jimenez won first place at the elementary school level and St. Raphael Catholic School eighth-grader Luke Johansen won first place in the junior high division at the Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee! Emiliano, Luke, and the two second-place winners of the divisions are invited to compete in the California State Spelling Bee on Saturday, May 13. (Edhat.com)
• On Mar. 3, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office applied for a grant from the State of California Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle program. The grant would be used to expand patrols and response to ATV riding in the Santa Ynez Valley, near the cities of Lompoc and Santa Maria. (Santa Maria Times)
• Looking for your dream home or just curious about the prices of homes in your area? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Santa Barbara area, including a one-bedroom on Highland Drive for $679,000! (Santa Barbara Patch)

That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with a new update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!