Hey 805 Buzz fam! 🌴 Your fave newsletter pal is back, spilling the tea on Santa Barbara's week ahead like we're swapping stories over tacos at Lilly's. With Halloween vibes ramping up and that golden fall light hitting just right, we've scoured the web, X, and local spots for the best events, tunes, and those quirky tidbits you crave for Oct 20-26. From spooky zoo nights to bluesy jams, plus some offbeat local tales and biz drama—let's jump in and make your calendar pop!
Kick Off the Week with Live Music & Performances
Santa Barbara's got the grooves this week, blending rock legends with local flavors. Whether you're vibing at a theater or chilling in the hills, here's what's strumming:
Boz Scaggs
Pro tip: Keep an eye on SOHO or Lobero for pop-up sets—October's still buzzing with ARTOBER echoes!
Ray Jaurique Tri at The Red Piano (Oct 20, 7:30 PM): Kick things off with this bluesy trio—soulful vibes in an intimate spot. Free entry, but get there early for seats!
Boz Scaggs at Arlington Theatre (Oct 21, time TBA): The rock icon brings his silky hits like "Lido Shuffle"—a must for classic fans. Tix via arlingtontheatresb.com before they vanish!
Teresa Russell at Cold Spring Tavern (Oct 26, 1:30-4:30 PM): Folk and blues originals in this historic tavern—perfect Sunday unwind with mountain air. No cover, just good times!
Fun Events & Festivals to Fill Your Calendar
From Halloween haunts to crafty strolls, this week's all about community fun under those sunny skies. Grab the fam or squad and dive in!
Ongoing Event: Santa Barbara Vegan Chef Challenge wraps up this month—vote on plant-based eats at spots around town!
Boo at the Zoo at Santa Barbara Zoo (Oct 24-26, 5-8 PM): Dress up for trick-or-treating, animal encounters, and glowing lights—spooky but family-friendly! Tix at sbzoo.org; no refunds, but exchanges available.
Fields of Funk Halloween at Elings Park (Oct 25, all day): Utopian fest with two stages of live music, costumes, and vibes—fifth year strong! Deets at fieldsoffunk.com.
Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show along Cabrillo Blvd (Oct 26, 10 AM-6 PM): Browse handmade gems from local artists—year-round fave, but perfect for fall finds. Free entry, rain or shine!
Quirky Corner: Offbeat & Unusual Vibes
We dug deep for those "only in SB" moments—not headline stuff, but the heartwarming or wild tales that make you smile. Here's three real gems we scrubbed up from local chatter and services:
Rattlesnake Rescues in the 'Hood: Central Coast Snake Services snagged two rattlers from Santa Barbara neighborhoods just last week—safely relocated without a hitch. If you spot one, call 'em at (805) 401-0811 for free help! Wild reminder: Coexist with our scaly locals!
Lost Pup VIVA Reunited!: Shoutout to the folks at Motley Crew who found their missing dog VIVA and got her home safe—spotted via local posts and back with her pack. Heart-melter alert!
Reunion joy
Stray Pets Finding Their Way Home: Santa Barbara County Animal Services posted about several found furballs this month, like a tan and white Aussie cat and a black and white Siberian Husky—many getting scanned and reunited thanks to new microchip stations rolling out. If you've lost a pet, check their hotline at 833-422-8413!
These little wins keep our community buzzing—props to the rescuers!
Arts, Culture & Community Buzz
Keep the creative flow going with these spots, plus some local biz scoops we uncovered:
Ongoing Exhibits & More: Swing by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for Broadway posters or hit up volunteer gardening at Alice Keck Park if you're feeling green-thumbed.
Biz Drama Alert: Santa Barbara's Cut & Clean Landscape Services just scooped up another local outfit, expanding their green empire—growth mode activated! On the flip, Sable Offshore's in hot water with lawsuits from the AG, Water Board, and DA over pipeline and waste issues—they're counter-suing the state for $347M. Wild times in oil country! And national meal kit giant HelloFresh settled a $7.5M consumer protection suit involving SB County—watch those auto-renewals!
Quick Community News Bites
Wildlife Care Network's prepping for more rescues—donate if you can to support our feathered and furry friends!
Spark Rescue's eyeing a new property for dog saves by next year—community power!
No major quakes, but reminder: Great California ShakeOut was last week—stay prepped!
That's the buzz for Oct 20-26, 805 crew! If we missed your quirky find or event, hit reply or tag us on X—we're all ears. Stay spooky, support local, and soak up that SB sunshine. What's your top pick this week? 😎
Your 805 Buzz Editor