Today’s newsletter is presented by Goodwin & Thyne Properties.
Sheila Lodge dies: An icon of Santa Barbara culture died on Wednesday. The former Santa Barbara mayor was 97. Lodge’s death marks the end of a golden era of Santa Barbara leaders. Lodge, and the late Hal Conklin and Harriet Miller, ruled Santa Barbara City Hall collectively as mayor from 1981 to 2010. Check out my news obituary on Lodge.
Costco gas: Soon your $5 rotisserie chicken might come with a full tank of gas. The Goleta Costco is one of the only that doesn’t have gas pumps. That could change, sort of. The store might open a gas station in Goleta a few miles down the road from the warehouse at the Camino Real Marketplace. Amanda Velasco might not have Costco membership, but she has the story.
Undeniably adorable: You might be a dog person. You might be a cat person. But everyone should be a red panda person. Red panda cubs were born at the Santa Barbara Zoo for the first time since 1993, marking a milestone in the zoo’s conservation efforts. Amanda Velasco once again has the scoop on the colorful creatures.
Come meet us: The Santa Barbara News-Press is opening its newsroom from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at 1219 State St. Meet our six paid interns and our three full-time news reporters. While we may not be as cool as the red pandas, General Manager Will Belfiore and I will also be hanging around ready to chat. The good news is we will have coffee and pastries. The bad news: it only lasts three hours! I guess that should be enough time to talk to all of us and hear about the amazing plans ahead for your nonprofit community newspaper. RSVPs aren’t required but will help us make sure we have enough coffee.
Weekend hike recommendation: Last weekend to celebrate my birthday I took the family to the Gaviota Wind Caves. I am still sore. It’s a 688-feet elevation hike. I told my son Jacob ahead of time that the distance didn’t seem so bad; he reminded me that it was equivalent to climbing 68 stories.
Anyway, I recommend you do it. Stunning views. Excellent workout. And a chance to unplug and get away from the World Cup and world politics. The hike is hard and steep, but worth it.
Do you have any cool hiking spots or recommendations? Let me know. And I will include them in a future newsletter. Email me at jmolina@newspress.com.
Joshua Molina
News-Press Editor
Top read of the day
Sheila Lodge, Santa Barbara’s first female mayor, icon of preservation and public service, dies at 97
By Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press
At a time when Santa Barbara’s social media scene is packed with personalities trying to make a name, Lodge was the city’s original and authentic influencer.
7 stories sparking buzz
Local voices
“I am grateful to have learned from her and to have had the opportunity to serve alongside her. Her legacy will continue to inspire all of us who care deeply about Santa Barbara.”
— Santa Barbara Planning Commissioner Devon Wardlow speaking about Sheila Lodge
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