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Santa BarbaraRosel Elly Elma (Labahn) Jaszke of Santa Barbara, 1933-2026
Santa Barbara lost a quiet piece of living history this month with the passing of Rosel Jaszke, who died Oct. 1 at age 93. Born in 1933 in the seaside resort town of Misdroy on the Baltic Sea, Rosel was raised by her mother alongside her brother Lothar after her father died when she was an infant — a childhood spent roaming the beach that shaped a resilient spirit she carried with her across an ocean and into our community. Stories like Rosel's remind us that the people who fill our neighborhoods often carry whole worlds with them. She was part of the generation that rebuilt after war, crossed oceans, and quietly planted roots here on the Central Coast. Noozhawk shared her obituary this week, and it's worth pausing to read it — not just as a notice, but as a reminder to ask our elders about the beaches they roamed before they found ours. Our thoughts are with her family and friends in Santa Barbara.
Santa BarbaraRicardo Valencia for 5th District County Supervisor
If you live in the 5th District, you've got a real choice on your ballot this fall. The Santa Barbara Independent has endorsed Ricardo Valencia for County Supervisor, framing the race as a referendum on standing up to Trump-era corruption and oil industry money creeping into our local politics. Whether you're in Santa Maria, Lompoc, or the rural stretches in between, this is the kind of down-ballot decision that shapes everything from land use to public health. Valencia's pitch is simple: keep outside interests from buying influence in a district that's too often overlooked. For a region that's fought hard to protect its coastline and ag lands, that message lands. The Independent's endorsement is a signal to voters who trust local voices over big-money campaigns. Take a minute to read up on the candidates before you vote — the 5th District deserves a supervisor who answers to neighbors, not oil lobbyists.
Santa Barbara‘New Year’s Grieve:’ Grandad Found Dead in the Dead of Winter
Book lovers, mark your calendars: Chaucer's Books on State Street is hosting Santa Barbara author Elizabeth Foscue on Monday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. to talk about her new novel, "New Year's Grieve." It's a country house mystery with a wintery twist — Jojo's grandad turns up dead at a family gathering — pitched for fans of "Truly Devious" and "Knives Out." There's something special about a hometown writer getting a spotlight at one of our independent bookshops. Chaucer's has been a State Street staple for decades, and author talks like this are exactly the kind of low-key, community-minded evenings that make Santa Barbara feel like a small town in the best way. Bring a friend, grab a copy, and support local lit. Details come via Noozhawk, so give their listing a look for the full scoop. See you there.
Santa BarbaraWardlow Most Qualified Candidate
Santa Barbara voters, the Independent has weighed in on the District 4 supervisor race, and its endorsement goes to Wardlow — a nod the paper frames around backing from the organizations our community trusts most. Endorsements don't cast ballots for us, but they do help cut through the noise when the mailers pile up and every candidate claims to be the reasonable one. Local endorsements matter here because Santa Barbara's decisions — housing, water, land use — get made close to home, and the groups weighing in are our neighbors, not outsiders. If you're still undecided, this is one more data point worth reading before your ballot goes in. The Independent has the full endorsement; give it a look and see if it lines up with what you care about.
Santa BarbaraBest Of
The Santa Barbara Independent just dropped its annual Best Of issue, and if you've lived here long enough, you know the drill — you scan the winners, nod at a few favorites, and then raise an eyebrow at a couple of head-scratchers. The Indy itself seems to acknowledge that the voting can sometimes feel like it's being gamed, which honestly just makes it more fun to debate over coffee on State Street. Here's the thing: Best Of isn't really about the results. It's about the conversation. It's a yearly excuse to argue about who pours the best margarita, which trail has the best sunset, and whether your neighborhood taqueria got robbed. Locally owned spots get a boost, newcomers discover hidden gems, and we all get reminded why this stretch of coastline is worth bragging about. So go ahead and cast your skeptical glance at the ballot box, Santa Barbara. Then go support the winners anyway — especially the small businesses that make the 805 feel like home.
Santa BarbaraSunrise from the Santa Barbara Riviera
There's nothing quite like catching the sun coming up over our coastline from the Riviera, and Noozhawk shared a beautiful reminder of that this week. If you've ever been up on that hillside before the city wakes, you know the view — the harbor catching first light, the Channel Islands fading in, the whole town still quiet below. It's one of those simple Santa Barbara moments that makes living here feel like a privilege. Whether you're a longtime local or new to the 805, it's worth setting an alarm sometime soon and heading up to see it yourself. Grab a coffee, find a spot along the Riviera, and watch the day begin. Thanks to Noozhawk for the nudge to look up and appreciate what's right in our backyard.
Santa BarbaraLola Heckman Takes Charge, Leads Santa Barbara Past Hemet for Berth in CIF Div. 4 Semifinals
Our Santa Barbara Dons are heading to the CIF Division 4 semifinals, and they got there behind a monster night from Lola Heckman. The middle attacker racked up 19 kills in a clean 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 sweep of Hemet at J.R. Richards Gym on Tuesday, and setter Jules Horton kept feeding her all night long. That connection was something to watch. The Dons are now 28-9 on the season, and this team is peaking at exactly the right time. Playoff volleyball in Santa Barbara is a special thing — the gym gets loud, the community shows up, and these athletes leave it all on the floor. If you haven't caught a match yet, the semifinal is your chance. Props to Noozhawk for keeping us posted on the run. Let's pack the gym and show these Dons some 805 love as they chase a title. Go Dons!
Santa BarbaraRicardo Valencia Focuses on Housing, Immigrants in Fifth District Supervisor Race
Word around the Fifth District is that Ricardo Valencia wasn't looking for this race — the community came to him. The educator and son of working-class Mexican immigrants reportedly hesitated before considering the supervisor seat, and honestly, that hesitation says something good about him. Taking on county-level housing and immigrant issues isn't a small ask, and it's refreshing to see someone weigh the responsibility seriously rather than jump at the title. Housing and immigrant support are two of the most pressing conversations happening across the 805 right now, from Goleta to Santa Maria, and having a Fifth District voice shaped by both an educator's perspective and a working-class immigrant family's experience could matter for a lot of local families. Noozhawk has the full story on Valencia's decision and what pushed him toward running. Keep an eye on this one — supervisor races shape the zoning, budgets, and services that hit closest to home.
Santa BarbaraSalon Owner Sues the City Over Eminent Domain and Relocation Costs
If you've driven down De La Vina lately, you've seen the bridge project taking shape. But for Andrea Ridgell, owner of Mishay Hair Salon & Spa, that progress came at a personal cost. Her business was one of several acquired by the city in 2021 through eminent domain to make way for the replacement project, and now she's suing over relocation costs. It's a reminder that behind every infrastructure upgrade are real people and small businesses navigating the fallout. Eminent domain is never easy—especially for local owners who've built their livelihoods in a neighborhood. The city has a responsibility to make sure relocation is fair and transparent. As Santa Barbara continues to invest in its infrastructure, stories like this one deserve our attention. We'll be following the case and what it means for other businesses along the corridor. Thanks to KEYT News Channel 3-12 for keeping us informed.
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Considers Changes to Residential Eviction Protections
Santa Barbara renters and landlords are both watching City Hall right now. KEYT News Channel 3-12 reports that city leaders are weighing changes to residential eviction protections — specifically, expanding which rental properties fall under the city's just-cause rules and adding new requirements for landlords who want to move into their own units. This matters up and down the 805, where rental stock is tight and every policy tweak ripples through the market. For tenants, broader just-cause coverage could mean more stability; for small property owners, new move-in requirements add another layer of process. It's a classic Santa Barbara balancing act, and the conversation is just getting started. If you rent or own in the city, this is one to follow. We'll keep an eye on the ordinance as it moves through the process — because in a place where housing is already the big story, the fine print matters.
Santa BarbaraDevon Wardlow for District 4
If you live in Santa Barbara's District 4, you'll want to pay attention to this one. The Santa Barbara Independent reports that a local voice is throwing support behind Devon Wardlow for City Council, and it's the kind of endorsement that gets neighbors talking. District 4 covers a lot of ground—from the Mesa to parts of downtown—and the issues on the table, like housing, safety, and small-business vitality, hit close to home for all of us. Local endorsements matter because they reflect the conversations happening at kitchen tables and coffee shops across the 805. Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the neighborhood, getting to know the candidates and their stances is part of showing up for our community. The Independent's coverage is a good starting point to learn more. Election season is a chance to make your voice heard on the issues that shape our daily lives. Take a moment to read up, ask questions, and engage with your neighbors—because local government is where your vote goes the furthest.
Santa BarbaraProposition 40
Have you been following the conversation about Proposition 40? The Santa Barbara Independent recently posed a provocative question: have massive tax cuts for the wealthy helped bring the U.S. into financial disrepair? It's a debate that hits close to home here on the Central Coast, where the gap between haves and have-nots is visible from Montecito to Goleta. While this is a national issue, it matters locally. Our community relies on public services—schools, roads, fire protection—that depend on state and federal funding. When tax policy shifts, the ripple effects reach our neighborhoods. It's worth paying attention, whether you're in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, or Santa Maria. As we head toward the 2026 elections, propositions like this one will shape the conversation. The Independent's coverage is a good starting point for understanding the stakes. Let's keep talking, neighbors.
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