The Santa Barbara Independent

Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens Nominated for National Register of Historic Places

History By Ryan P. Cruz

The historical building, including the Chung family home, was advanced for approval to the National Register.

Great American Cultural Heroism, Beyond Chicano Culture

SBIFF By Josef Woodard

‘American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez’ fills the void of tributes to an American hero, among the highlights of SBIFF on day nine.

California Sues as Trump Cuts $600M in Public Health Grants to Four States

Health By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters

The grants targeted help fund public health workforce and disease monitoring. Ending these grants could result in layoffs and worse health outcomes, according to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Travel the Wine World via The Factory’s Portfolio Tastings

Bottles & Barrels By Matt Kettmann

How to taste globally renowned brands in a casual setting on Santa Barbara’s East Haley Street.

João Pedro Oliveira Named 2025 Fromm Music Foundation Composer

Music By Seren Snow, UCSB’s ’The Current'

UC Santa Barbara professor is one of just 12 composers worldwide chosen for honor.

San Marcos High Girls’ Water Polo Punches Ticket to CIF-SS Open Division Semifinals

Sports By Victor Bryant

The Royals will now face top-ranked Mater Dei on Wednesday at the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine.

Book Review | ‘Railsong: A Novel’ by Rahul Bhattacharya

Arts & Entertainment By Brian Tanguay

The intimate journey of an independent, motherless girl.

Valentine’s Couples Massage + Wine in Los Olivos

Sat, Feb 14 10:30 AM

Los Olivos

Our Real America, A Peaceful Presidents’ Day Honoring Volunteer Resilience

Mon, Feb 16 2:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra at SOhO

Mon, Feb 16 8:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Café KITP: Physics of Intelligence

Tue, Feb 17 5:00 PM

Santa Barbara

The Courage of Birds with Pete Dunne

Tue, Feb 17 7:00 PM

Santa Barbara

CAMA Masterseries: Venice Baroque Orchestra

Tue, Feb 17 7:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Taj Mahal and Patty Griffin

Tue, Feb 17 7:30 PM

Santa Barbara

I.V. Unplugged with Jack Corliss

Wed, Feb 18 6:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Goleta Valley Library Film Club: Marty, 1955

Thu, Feb 19 1:30 PM

Goleta

Pocket Fox: The Farewell Show at SOhO

Thu, Feb 19 8:00 PM

Santa Barbara

multimedia Stories

Bill Brown Chides ICE for “Excesses” – But Says Sheriff Must Stay “Neutral” Amid Anti-Immigrant Crusade

In an exclusive interview, Santa Barbara County’s top lawman expresses “empathy” for communities under federal siege, but insists his deputies cannot serve as watchdogs to protect protesters.

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 6: The Cliff’s Edge

Audio

Property owners are cutting back parts of houses on Del Playa as the cliff erodes. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara County’s rental inspection program is underway. And folks talk about what could make I.V. a better place to live.

Outstanding Directors, Outstanding Conversationalists

Photo

Ryan Coogler, Josh Safdie, Joachim Trier, and Chloé Zhao each bring specific sparks to the Arlington Stage for SBIFF director of the year awards.

It’s One Love Fest After Another with DiCaprio, Penn, and Del Toro

Photo

SBIFF Cinema Vanguard Award pays tribute to powerhouse ‘One Battle After Another’ trio.

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 5: The Quieter Corner

Audio

How has I.V. changed from the eyes of long-timers? What mass eviction event forced families out of town? And what’s with that dome house?

Solvang Stands with Minnesota

Photo

Vignettes from a peaceful rally in front of the Veterans Hall on Sunday, February 1.

UCSB Arts & Lectures ‘Air Time’: Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three: Emily — No Prisoner Be

Audio

A conversation with Charles Donelan.

UCSB Arts & Lectures ‘Air Time’ | Davóne Tines and Clay Zeller-Townson: What Is Your Hand in This?

Audio

A conversation with Charles Donelan.

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 4: Political I.V.

Audio

Why does I.V. have such a vast network of parks? Why isn’t I.V. a city? And decades later, how did tragedy bolster support for the Community Services District, according to its founders?

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 3: The Near-Then and Now

What has I.V. become post-COVID for student residents? What do landlords say? And what, exactly, does a property management company do?

Arts & Entertainment

Great American Cultural Heroism, Beyond Chicano Culture

SBIFF By Josef Woodard

‘American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez’ fills the void of tributes to an American hero, among the highlights of SBIFF on day nine.

Patty Griffin and Taj Mahal Are in Town

Music By Madeline Slogoff

Brill Family Foundation Expands AI Art Endeavors into Collaborative Artist Accelerator

Visual Arts By Alice Dehghanzadeh

ON the Beat | All-American Early Music, Reconsidered

ON the Beat By Josef Woodard

Hope Was in the House

SBIFF By Leslie Dinaberg

More Arts & Entertainment

Food & Drink

Remembering the Ruskeys, California’s Most Adventurous Farmers

Full Belly Files By Matt Kettmann

Jay and Kristen Ruskey, pioneers of growing coffee, caviar limes, and more in California, died together last Sunday.

Drover’s Doughnuts Opens a New Location in Goleta

Food By Alice Dehghanzadeh

Will Santa Barbara County Vintners Benefit When ‘Michelin Guide’ Does Wine?

Bottles & Barrels By Matt Kettmann

Travel the Wine World via The Factory’s Portfolio Tastings

Bottles & Barrels By Matt Kettmann

More Food & Drink

Living

Facing ‘Extinction Vortex,’ California Grants New Protections To Some Mountain Lions

Environment By Rachel Becker, CalMatters

State fish and game officials declared mountain lions in the Central Coast and Southern California threatened under the state’s endangered species act.

Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens Nominated for National Register of Historic Places

History By Ryan P. Cruz

Branded Content

From SBCC to NASA

SBCC Alumni Spotlights By Tiana Molony

More Living