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Hey Santa Barbara, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Bronze sculpture showcase, makeout point closure debate, and star party + fun things to do for free & local fundraisers worth checking out this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A playful artistic showcase: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum's Play Bronze Sculptures and Other Stuff by Susan Read Cronin will open August 13, with whimsical bronzes, lost wax casting, and a museum treasure hunt -- see what’s on display.
Council backlash escalates: Santa Barbara councilmembers condemned a guillotine sign and heckling at a meeting, Mayor Randy Rowse disapproved and Eric Friedman said he would ask the city attorney about sign limits -- see the council backlash.
Safety debate over closure: The city of Santa Barbara temporarily closed Makeout Point on Cliff Drive, frustrating locals. Officials are studying safety and traffic, with the south-side pullout expected to reopen in mid-August -- check the closure details.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Secret sip spot: Need a midweek lift? Santa Barbara Bubbly Lounge pours curated flights of California méthode champenoise in a relaxed, speakeasy-style lounge inside El Paseo, with food pairings that make the bubbles pop, cozy vibes, and the kind of effortless indulgence that turns Tuesday into a tiny celebration.
Go underground for calm: Slip into meditation while breathing halotherapy air in the largest underground crystal salt cave in North America, then make it a full reset with a massage, facial, or sound bath. Salt Cave Santa Barbara also handcrafts local salt-based goodies if you want the vibe to follow you home.
Find your sound: Riviera Music is a boutique shop, learning center, and legit studio where Santa Barbara locals can grab thoughtfully curated new and vintage instruments, get expert luthier repairs, and level up with private or group lessons. This week, work with their producers to record your songs, no experience required.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏊 Recreation Swim @ Ortega Park Pool ️ | Tuesday (8/4) at 12:00 PM – Ortega Park Pool’s summer rec swim is back, free for kids 13 and under, and perfect for burning off that post-camp wiggle. Expect cannonballs, giggles, and lifeguards doing the refereeing, while you claim a shady spot, reapply sunscreen, and perfect your serene nod.
♻ Sustainability Committee @ City of Santa Barbara City Hall | Thursday (8/6) at 9:30 AM – Santa Barbara's Sustainability Committee is huddling to steer the city's green game, from drought-ready water and cleaner transit to compost, energy, and shoreline resilience. Three councilmembers, plenty of acronyms, fewer bumper stickers. Not flashy, just the stuff that keeps paradise working.
🐴 August 2026 Long Form Pony Show @ Jefferson Hall | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 PM – Whether you still call it make-believe or you know your game moves by heart, this long form improv pony show pits green teams and seasoned pros in a crowd-judged trot for the blue ribbon. Expect sharp wit, occasional chaos, and bragging rights you cannot stable.
✨ Star Party @ Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | Saturday (8/8) at 8:30 PM – Palmer Observatory is popping the roof so we can ogle craters, nebulae, and galaxies through a state-of-the-art 20-inch scope. It is a free, monthly hang for all ages, and if the marine layer behaves, the final hour gets quiet once you outlast the bedtime crowd.
🏖 Beach Cleanup @ East Beach near Skater's Point and Palm Park | Sunday (8/16) at 10:00 AM – Feel like doing good without a committee meeting? Hit East Beach behind Skater’s Point for a Beach Cleanup, swap your workout for sand and sea breeze, and collect karma. Sea Center has gloves and bags, but bring your own, and teens can snag service hours. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🏝 Hula Anyone 2026 Silent Auction @ The House of Beau | Sunday (8/30) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats sipping real Santa Barbara wine while whisper-bidding for local treasures you’ll claim were a necessity. At House of Beau, meet the Hula Anyone performers, swap stories, and overspend happily, since every dollar supports The Bridge to Kaua'i, and living culture.
🚶 Santa Barbara Out of the Darkness Walk @ Goleta Beach Park | Saturday (10/3) at 9:00 AM – The Out of the Darkness Walk brings Santa Barbara together for remembrance, hope, and real support, not just steps on a fitness app. Bring comfortable shoes, open hearts, and that neighborly kindness we’re known for. We show up, we listen, we walk together.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Santa Barbara report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Later: Patchy fog after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. This house is wildThis 2,932-sq.-ft. Spanish Mediterranean home in peaceful Mission Canyon pairs Santa Barbara charm with tropical landscaping and swaying palms. Built in 2004, it showcases soaring cathedral ceilings, skylights, custom tile work, and two fireplaces. Four spacious bedrooms, three baths, a heated saltwater pool, and sweeping mountain views round out this relaxed, beautifully located retreat just 2 miles from downtown.
Take a peek inside → |
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