26 May 2026
Memorial Day Means Colorful Displays
The annual I Madonnari Street Painting Festival returns to the historic Santa Barbara Mission this weekend for its 40th event. Some 40,000 people are expected to drop by not only to witness professional chalk artists labor for three days to create (under our watchful eyes) spectacular drawings on the blacktop plaza. The festival is also […]
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Great Scott! Legendary Jazz Artists Grace the Grand
Tom Scott may not be a household name, but it would be safe to bet the farm that someone in your house has heard lots of Scott’s music. That’s his sax solo in the middle of Paul McCartney’s “Listen to What the Man Said,” Toto’s “Rosanna,” Carole King’s “Jazzman”, Blondie’s “Rapture,” and Steely Dan’s “Black […]
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Bridge: the Gathering
“The best characteristic in a partner is a good sense of humor,” declares Liz Heron. “Why? Because sometimes you do absolutely idiotic things and you make idiotic bids. You don’t want a partner who’s going to scream and yell at you. You want the partner that’s going to be supportive and helpful and constructive.” Yes…nicely […]
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Abatement, Emergency Access, and New Requirements
The old adage, “April showers bring May flowers,” is not a complete bed of roses given high fire season predictions on the Santa Barbara County South Coast. Maeve Juarez is a wildland fire specialist with Montecito Fire Department and has been responding to wildfires across the Western United States for the better part of the […]
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May Meeting and Community Gathering
At its recent monthly meeting, the Montecito Association welcomed community members and partners for a wide-ranging discussion focused on wildfire preparedness, public safety, advocacy efforts, and upcoming community events. A major focus of the meeting was wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness. Representatives from the Montecito Fire Protection District and the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe […]
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Meet Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging Technician Winifred “Winnie” Leung, MD
Dr. Leung is a fellowship-trained breast radiologist who has been practicing in Santa Barbara for the past 15 years. She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, completed her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Wisconsin, and pursued a fellowship in Breast Imaging at the same institution. She is board […]
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Bringing Early Education into the Great Outdoors
First 5 Santa Barbara County was established in 1999 after California voters passed Proposition 10, a state constitutional amendment that imposed a 50-cent sales tax on tobacco products and directed those revenues to support early childhood development. Governed by the First 5 Santa Barbara County Children and Families Commission appointed by the Board of Supervisors […]
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Vote Greene and Other Letters to the Editor
Most people don’t know how important the office of Clerk-Recorder-Assessor is. We vote for that person because they oversee our records, property taxes, and perhaps most importantly, our elections. That’s why we need someone who shows up and knows the work. That person is Melinda Greene. Melinda has been the Chief Deputy Clerk-Recorder-Assessor for 12 […]
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AI, Yi Yi: Summit Sheds Light on the Phenomenon, and More Spoken Word Matters
The annual Santa Barbara County Economic Summit steps into the ultra-contemporary with its 2026 event, featuring a focus on Artificial Intelligence. AI is reshaping industries, workforces and local economies around the world, and the Economic Summit is bringing together three of the region’s leading voices to explore what it means for Santa Barbara County and […]
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The Mother of All Days
“How was your Mother’s Day?” I asked a dear friend. “My kids slept until noon. Then woke up and TEXTED me if I could make them breakfast.” “How was your Mother’s Day?” I asked a client. “My daughter texted me a picture of her dirty laundry pile and asked if I could do it before […]
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Nursing Pinning Honors 22 Graduates
Twenty-two members of the seventh cohort of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program were pinned at a special ceremony to honor their accomplishments on May 7 at Montecito Covenant Church. The group included the college’s first nursing fast track graduate, who earned two bachelor’s degrees in just four and a half years. “I am […]
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Grant Offers $2.4M for Future Teachers
The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) and Westmont College excitedly announce a $2.4 million award to launch a new residency program providing tuition funds for students seeking a teaching credential and position in California public schools. Each student will receive a $33,000 stipend for tuition at Westmont and other living expenses, providing a yearlong, […]
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Local Artists Featured in ‘Altered Realities’
Westmont highlights the talent of regional artists in the 2026 Tri-County Juried Exhibition, Altered Realities, from May 21-June 20 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Los Angeles-based curator, author and film producer Andi Campognone served as this year’s juror, facing the challenging task of narrowing down 468 entries from 222 regional artists. Ultimately, she […]
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Sheriff’s Blotter – 93108
Meth / 1000 block Coast Village Road — Monday, April 27, at 00:37 hours Subject was stopped for several traffic violations observed on HWY 101 northbound. On contact with suspect it was determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance and he was arrested. The passenger was also determined to be H&S 11550 […]
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Border Line Disorder
So much talk these days about our southern border. Not to mention Mexico has challenges with its own southern border. At least in our all new Riv mag you can see some positive interventions to the border space. Ronald Rael’s pink seesaws through the border wall may have created the perfect metaphor. What happens here […]
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June 2nd California Election Important Information
In December 2024, the USPS changed the rules about how mail-in ballots will get collected, postmarked, and eventually counted. This had a profound effect on the number of ballots that can be rejected. Statewide, the number of mail-in ballots disqualified due to these changes increased by 400% between 2024 and the 2025 special election (Prop […]
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MOXI Brunch, and Other News Bytes
More than 140 supporters gathered at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, for the annual Power of MOXI Brunch, raising $55,000 to support the museum’s educational outreach programs. Funds from the April 28 event will help provide free field-trip admissions for Title I schools, afterschool programs, summer camp scholarships, and expanded community partnerships. […]
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Summer Solstice Soirée
The Summer Solstice Celebration will bring its signature spirit of creativity and community to Montecito on Friday, May 23, with the return of the Summer Solstice Soirée, an elegant afternoon fundraiser supporting Santa Barbara’s iconic arts festival. Held at a private Montecito estate, the event will combine art, music, performances, and philanthropy in a festive […]
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Ty Warner’s Four Seasons Biltmore Opening Still Pending
From here to the San Francisco Gate news and high-profile global travel magazines, updates on the proposed 2026 reopening of Ty Warner’s Four Season’s Biltmore remain a mystery with many speculating. Just take a drive past the resort and one clearly notes that construction continues, although many are hoping it will be open for the […]
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Teen Stars in the SB Skies
Teen Star Santa Barbara, the local youth performing arts program originally based on the singing competitions American Idol, is set to produce its 17th showcase finals on Saturday, May 23, at historic Lobero Theatre. Which means the competitive event that eschews the nasty criticism in favor of encouraging words is now almost older than any […]
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