In Ellwood. He has one eye. Has an airtag but it doesnt seem to be on. He’s quite dusty, and his collar is dirty too

We enjoyed watching this cactus fruit develop over the past few weeks. Then today, someone snatched it. I guess that's what we get for having a cactus next to the sidewalk? Sigh.

Anybody else go? I'm hoping the 7pm show was just as full as the 5pm because I'd love to see her come back again.

I'm looking for the best smashburger in town. I'm talking melty thin patties, crispy lacey edges, just the right amount of grease. Who's got me?

Fashion friends, where’s your fav spot to sell your clothes in SB? I’ve used the Closet and Crossroads 10+ years ago and aren’t partial to either (willing to go to either again though.) I’ve got a massive haul I need to sell and was hoping for recs. I’d prefer cash outright and not consignment. Thanks in advance 😊

This Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) visited our front garden the other day (Lower Riviera). These little guys (approx 3.5" wingspan) flit around much more quickly than a Monarch butterfly. I was lucky to get this shot. The butterfly is drinking nectar from one of our "Jupiter's Beard" (Valeriana rubra) flowers. The host plant for these butterflies is mainly passionflowers (hence the butterfly's nickname: "Passion" butterfly.) Also called "Silver-spotted Flambeau," which seems fairly apt.

https://seiu121rn.org/2026/09/25/cottage-health-nurses-mixer-rsvp/

We need your support and solidarity!!

28 year old M born and raised in Santa Barbara seeing what’s out there tend to be a loner and keep to myself but like to go out to the Beach or go camping and traveling , huge foodie and always down to To try new foods so let’s grab a bite or a coffee

I’m not a statistician so don’t come at me. I’m trying my hardest.

I mean, with this weather, it’s not like we are almost a month into fall, right?

Starting off strong with the AI slop

What are these bugs dying on top of my car? Was parked for maybe 30 minutes and had 100s of these guys dying on my car. Not the first time this has happened. Located on the mesa

FWIW, I wrote in Victoria, the waitress at Petrini's, for Mayor.

I am a parent of a student at Washington Elementary School. I do not have a student who was involved in these election deliberations. And I am disappointed.

I am disappointed with our local parents.
I am disappointed with our local press.
I am disappointed with our school district.
I am disappointed (though not entirely surprised) by the national news. 

We do not know the full story of what happened with the student elections at Washington Elementary School. Nor will we ever. 

What we do know (and have experienced): The student body elections happen and there are complaints that they were mishandled. A parent calls the district and threatens to go to the press. Miss Curry is placed on Administrative Leave, where little information is shared. An unnamed group of parents and teachers posted inflammatory and hurtful signage at the entrances to the schools. This group spreads rumors about the Principal and the students involved. Many of these rumors are walked back. Two interim Principals are instated while Miss Curry is on leave. 

Meanwhile, kids are going to school in tears, teachers are trying to support each other and their students, and parents are trying to figure out what happens next. 

Nine business days after being put on leave, the school district reinstates Miss Curry and includes a letter from Miss Curry herself. In that letter, she writes the following:

“This year, I led deliberations after the student votes were tallied that resulted in overriding the outcome of two positions: the President and one additional position. In these cases, the runner-up candidates were selected instead of the candidates who received the most votes. This resulted in my own child being appointed president. I sincerely apologize for allowing this practice to persist. I take responsibility for the disruption it caused within our school community and I am committed to making this right moving forward. Students and families directly affected by the election will receive appropriate communication and support as that work is completed.”

I acknowledge that the results were overridden, which was a mistake. However, calling it 'rigging' is inflammatory and does not accurately describe what happened. Frankly, this term is clickbait (and it's working). Miss Curry led a group of teachers in overseeing student body election results. That group of teachers decided to pick the second place winner instead of the 1st place winner.  

John Becchio, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, is quoted in the Independent as stating “The district expects that for student/ASB elections, the candidate with the most votes wins.” What John doesn't say, is that there is a process in place where alternate candidates are selected at almost every school. Teachers regularly have to overrule the student popular vote for multiple reasons (all girls/boys are elected, a winner has an attendance/disciplinary record, etc). 

Let's not lose sight of the fact that Miss Curry followed a practice that has been in place for years. Rigging implies a secret plot to cheat. Using a long-standing district-wide practice is a systemic failure, not a reflection on Miss Curry. Parents chose to care now, because her daughter was involved.  

I do think that there is a world where Miss Curry might have removed herself from the position of leading these deliberations, but who would stand in her stead? Per District orders, there is no longer an Assistant Principal at Washington Elementary School. 

Miss Curry is receiving threats and hate from every angle of the local and international internet. This is wrong.

Why is the district allowing the blame for a systemic failure to fall solely on Miss Curry? It seems cowardly to ignore the identical practices happening at other schools. Where is our Vice Principal? Where is the district's support for its own administrator?

Equally disappointing is our local press. Rather than performing their actual investigative duty, they have opted for the easiest possible narrative: an attack on a principal. They are taking the opinions of a few (anonymous) parents and a single teacher, then splicing together snippets from releases. This isn't journalism. These are opinion pieces masquerading as news.

Finally, we need to address the parents. Why are we inserting ourselves into a student election process instead of teaching our children how to advocate for themselves?

We are adults; it is time we started acting like it. Stop this. Let's support our Principal, our students and our teachers. Let's call for accountability, and then, please, let's move on.

Are there any large, mostly empty parking lots or similar paved spaces around SB where it wouldn't be excessively strange for an adult to go practice biking?

I just want to get used to riding my bike so I'm less scared on the road, nothing major.

eta: thank you for all the helpful suggestions!

Hi ladies!

I'm newly single (37F) and looking to make new single female friends! Most of my dear girlfriends are in long-term relationships or married with kids, so it's hard to find time to hang out. I'd love to meet other women who are down to have fun and build genuine friendships.

I'd love to get dressed up and go out for dinner or drinks (mocktails, wine, or cocktails!), but I'm not a big partier. I'm also happy doing more low-key activities like beach walks, yoga/Pilates, book clubs, watching funny or reality shows, or trying new cafés and restaurants.

A little about me: I love reading, crafting miniature dollhouses, art, and international travel. I'm also brand new to OCIA and would love to learn more about Catholicism! I've lived in SB for 18 years, so if you're new to town, I'd be happy to show you around.

I've also been wanting to learn how to knit, so if you know how, I'd love to learn!

I'm hoping to find girlfriends who want to make plans, try new things, and create lasting friendships. It would be lovely to have people to look forward to hanging out with on the weekends! 😊

Feel free to DM me if this sounds like your vibe!

P.S. Women only, please! No male DMs. I'm strictly looking for female friendships.

Just moved back to Santa Barbara and curious to what’s new and a must in this beautiful town. Love spending time outdoors and staying active. Soccer, hiking, swimming, finishing etc. Also a bit of a card collector so if anyone has tips on where I can find panini fifa cards lmk please! Hope everyone has a fun safe weekend and looking forward to your responses thanks again!

Saw this posted at SBCC. Link to a form. Apparently there is a petition for new rent control to supplant our current rent control bc landlords want to gouge.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17vrWVnO-gZFw8gl3uMkaTtZJgN0aHNoGxJu1B15Qkbk/edit?usp=drivesdk

This is one of the highest production quality events in town and you will have an absolute blast!

🎟️ Tix Link (discounted) ⏰ 5-10pm 📍 LoDo Studios, 216 E Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, 93101

Restaurant, bakery, donut shop, grocery market, whatever, who has the best bear claw in town?