Marcia Heller

Associate Editor at Noozhawk

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Santa Barbara Blues Society Hosts Harmonica Player Mitch Kashmar

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

The Santa Barbara Blues Society (SBBS) will present Mitch Kashmar in his first appearance for the SBBS in his hometown in six years, Saturday, May 31. The event is at Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara. In 1980 Kashmar co-founded The Pontiax, which became one of the most popular West Coast blues bands, touring widely and backing legends like Willie Dixon, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Turner, and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, SBBS said.
2025 Wild West Fest Shows Love for Animals in Santa Maria

4 weeks ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

Santa Barbara Humane’s 2025 Wild West Fest raised some $100,000 — more than 40% above last year’s total — in support of the organization’s Santa Maria CampusNow in its second year, the event drew a record 249 guests, a 35% increase over 2024; and sponsorships more than doubled.
Ralph G. ‘Jerry’ Fisher of Santa Barbara, 1934-2025

1 month ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller |Karen Fisher-Vanden

Ralph “Jerry” Fisher, attorney and retired presiding judge of the Santa Barbara Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, with his devoted wife Barbara by his side. Born on Jan. 9, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, Jerry was the youngest of three children and the only son of Robert Earl Fisher and Mary Cramer Fisher.
Fair & Expo Flashback Theme Takes Visitors Back to the ’80s

1 month ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds for two weekends of entertainment, and carnival thrills, April 24-27 and May 2-4. This year’s ’80s Flashback theme is designed to transport fairgoers back in time with nostalgic experiences, alongside popular fair traditions. Early bird tickets are now on sale, click here for details.
Cecilia S. Medrano of Santa Barbara, 1927-2025

1 month ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

Cecilia Medrano passed away on March 15, 2025 at the age of 97. She was born in Los Angeles on Nov. 22, 1927 to Elena Rojas Beltran and Santiago Garcia Ornelas. From the age of 4 until her passing, she called Santa Barbara home. Cecilia (Cis) was introduced to her husband Jenaro (Naro) by his three match-making sisters-in-law with whom she forged strong bonds. Cis and Naro raised four children always promoting the importance of family.
Learn About New County Plan to Address Homelessness

2 months ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

SB ACT, along with the cities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, and local agencies, is initiating a new three-year strategic plan to address homelessness in South Santa Barbara County. Community members are invited to attend the opening of the County Homelessness Strategic Plan, noon-1:30 p.m. Monday, March 10 at the Santa Barbara Public Library Faulkner Gallery, 40 E. Anapamu St.Those attending will hear about the plan’s goals, ongoing efforts, and ways to get involved.
Marcia Heller, Noozhawk Copy Editor

2 months ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller |Bruna Byrne

Posted inLocal News SB ACT, along with the cities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, and local agencies, is initiating a new three-year strategic plan to address homelessness in South Santa […] Posted inLocal News Posted inObituaries Posted inUCSB Posted inObituaries Posted inUCSB Posted inLocal News Posted inLocal News Posted inObituaries Posted inObituaries Posted inObituaries...
Scholarship Foundation Receives More Than 3,000 Applications | School Zone | Noozhawk

2 months ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller |Tim Dougherty

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has received 3,299 applications for financial assistance during the 2025-26 academic year. The applications are under review, and awardees will be announced in April and May. Last year the Scholarship Foundation awarded more than $7.1 million to 1,787 students throughout Santa Barbara County.
Marcia Heller: Toba Sister Cities Exchange Creates Sisterly Love

2 months ago | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

When a news release came to my email recently from Sally Hamilton, who organizes Santa Barbara’s Toba (Japan) Sister Cities exchange program, the memories came flooding back to the summer of 1994, when my daughter Elizabeth participated in the travel-abroad opportunity. Elizabeth, just 14 at the time and getting ready for her freshman year at San Marcos High School, was one of eight students, four from Santa Barbara and four from Japan, who were part of the Toba Sister Cities exchange.
Annie Cleo Melendez of Goleta, 1925-2024

Dec 30, 2024 | noozhawk.com | Marcia Heller

Annie Cleo Melendez was born March 29, 1925 in Portales New Mexico, Roosevelt County. She died on Dec. 21, 2024. Cleo grew up primarily in Southeast New Mexico with a few years in northwest Texas. Her father and mother were farmers; the majority of their crops were various types of grain. Cleo had three sisters Leila, Fern and Lynda, and a brother John Robert who passed early in his teens.