Author: KEYT

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Thousands of film fans are able to get the closest look at movie stars they could have ever imagined when they come to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Upon arrival prior to their special tributes at the Arlington Theatre, many celebrities exit a special vehicle that takes them into a protected area surrounded by metal railings, and with that loud cheers erupt.

It’s the kind of scream that comes from excited die hard fans who are within reach of their favorite actors for the first and maybe the only time.

These fans patiently wait along the railings with cell phones loaded on the camera mode or with movie memorabilia hoping they will get a signature.

The lucky ones get a picture or an autograph and often turn around with a gushing reaction of enthusiasm. Some are smiling broadly. Some are jumping up and down. Some are in tears.

“I was just screaming as hard as I could,” said Santa Cruz resident Makenzie Bennett who came face to face with Adam Sandler. “I got my Happy Gillmore sign signed. I watched all 50 seasons of SNL.   It means a lot to me.”

Siena Pastoria held up an orange jersey. “He signed the jersey from the Waterboy, Bobby Boucher yeah!”

Actor Ethan Hawke also spent time with the fans. “I said Ethan I came from really far away,  please take a photo with me and he did .  He is amazing.  He is a really sweet guy,” said Emily Rodriguez who said she was in Mexico six months ago.

An interaction is never guaranteed. There are “regulars” who stake out their spots up to three hours in advance and hold the location even as the crowds gather on several sides.

“I started way up front where the barricades were so I was able to get Leo. I thought Benicio would sign but he went the other way. It’s no big deal. I’m glad I got Mr. Di Caprio instead that’s who I really wanted,” said longtime fan Gabe Donovan. “Watching at three years old  I didn’t know who he was or Kate but as  I got older, I knew Leo was from Titanic.  There it is, he said pointing to the autograph on a Titanic script. “I am so thankful.”

The festival has a variety of ways to enjoy movies, seminars, educational sessions and just the glimpse of some of the top actors of the year. The gatherings around the Arlington are one of the closest opportunities. Sometimes the honoree is right in front of you, and sometimes a longer stretch between the rail and the red carpet which is about 50 feet away.

“The people who work at SBIFF they have done an   amazing job facilitating this. I can’t thank them enough,” said a film fan named Will from New Hampshire was on the railing and thrilled with the access he had.

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Tracy Lehr

SUMMERLAND, Calif. (KEYT) – Leave it to firefighters to name a fundraiser “Disco Inferno.”

The Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation is hosting its Second Annual Disco Inferno on Sunday, Feb. 22nd.

It will take place at The Hanger at Bella Vista Ranch in Summerland.

Foundation President Brian Lombardi said it will fund all sorts of things firefighters are involved with in the community.

They include the Junior Lifeguard Program, swim lessons, helmet and pads for sports, and other community needs.

Gail Kvistad is a founding board member.

She did a little dance describing it.

“We are in a unique position that we get to  sponsor this party to gain support for our infrastructure, so, come on down Feb. 22nd and join us at the Disco Inferno at the Bella Vista Hanger and get out your discos and let’s do some Staying Alive.”

Tickets are on sale now.

For more information visit https://sbsouthcoastff.com

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – If you have a new event you would like to bring to downtown Santa Barbara, there’s some grant money available that could help you.

The Santa Barbara Downtown Improvement Association is looking for proposals that could bring more people into downtown and activate the area.

The grants range from $250 to $1,000s. They are available for individuals, organizations and businesses.

Executive Director Robin Elander says if your idea is chosen they will collaborate on the permit process and getting the word out.

“It’s a very short small proposal. Just a one page. What you are trying to do, generally where you would like to do it, what time you want to do it. Then we will talk it through,” said Elander.

Some of the ideas could include music, dance, art, wellness, and family friendly activities.

The submission deadline is February 9th.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Three of the most notable names in Hollywood received a special honor tonight at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Loyal fans were lined up early, eager to meet these three stars.

On the sixth night of the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival, The Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award was be presented to Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Leonardo Dicaprio for their performances in “One Battle After Another,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

“The most notable thing is that we were all making the same picture, and that’s sometimes rare,” says Benicio Del Toro. “The director, the actors, the, the extras. It was everybody. Everybody was like, on point.”

Reflecting and even satirizing some of today’s chaotic current events, mixing in a lighthearted flare of comedy in surprising moments, the film is a wild ride through a gritty and realistic underworld.

“Very good,” says Maria Cveljo, lives in Germany. “Funny. Action. Suspense. Very cool. Yeah I liked it a lot. Great acting on everybody’s parts. And thank Leo also for all he does for the rainforest and, nature, so that’s great.”

Three Hollywood giants indeed, Benicio Del Toro is reported to have appeared in at least 48 films throughout his career.

Sean Penn has appeared in approximately 65 films, and Leonardo Dicaprio has acted in around 40 films through the years.

I grew up being a fan of Sean,” says Del Toro. “I grew up with Leo, in a way. And, in Hollywood. And, so it’s really an honor. It’s quite cool. You know, it’s better than doing it alone. We love nice to be sandwiched between Penn and DiCaprio. That’s for sure.”

The Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award celebrates the performances of all three stars in “One Battle After Another,” and all of the daring, complex and bold characters they’ve brought to the silver screen.

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John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new cell tower site in the heart of downtown Carpinteria has been met with a pushback from some business owners and citizens, but a new site could be the solution.

The proposal is for the location on the corner of Carpinteria Ave. and Linden Ave. where a famous clock tower stands.

The sides would be widened out and the towers would be concealed. Verizon and Centerline Communications believe this is the best spot to improve the signal strength they need. They were represented by Celeste Magennis from Centerline at a recent meeting.

The city’s Planning Commission has been evaluating the site after it went through other headings, including the Architectural Review Board.

Verizon has said other sites were looked at or the owners were not interested, but it reported no response from the county.

The owners of Pacific Health Foods near the proposed site said the tower would have a negative impact on the store’s customer base. There was also a concern about the strength of the buildings structure to handle new cell towers.

“We definitely had some customers who were concerned about having the 5G towers on the roof and whether you believe one way or another   customer perception is such a big thing,” said Nathan Noll Pacific Health Foods store owner.

In a late move at the hearing, County Supervisor Roy Lee said his office did not get messages about the project, and when he learned about the issue, he stepped up with a solution.

“My office never received those notices, not anybody’s fault. Maybe they were lost in the mail but something was amiss,” he said.

Lee said he would facilitate a review of a site on Walnut Ave. at the Veteran’s building as a possible answer to the location controversy. “The county is open to having those cell towers at our facility on Walnut and we will be more than happy work with Verizon to bring forth the best project possible.”

The project plan will be back in front of the commission in April.

Noll is hoping the solution is reached and wants to stay in the store’s current location without the towers. “It has worked out  really fine.  Great location. It is downtown on the main strip we have put a lot of money into this building over the years as well too so, it would be nice if we didn’t have to move.”

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Local musical treasure Gil Rosas has an encore performance coming up on Sunday.

When Gil Rosas isn’t performing  you can usually find him playing his Baldwin grand at his Santa Barbara home.

“This piano has part of my heart and sole in it i’ll never part with it,” said Rosas.

Rosas started at age 11 and by his teens he was playing live on KEYT.

“I was playing live at KEYT and I was playing the roller skating rink at the same time and I was going to Santa Barbara High School at the same time,” said Rosas.

A collection of black and white photos show him sitting with the stars on set.

“Tab Hunter was up here for one of the horse shows here, later on they added a rock and roll show like the Dick Clark show,” said Rosas,  “They had the dancers on the terrace, several of the big rock people came up Bobby Darin came up, they were on the way up, they weren’t real famous yet.”

He has made a living playing the piano ever since.

A successful show at the Marjorie Luke Theatre called for an encore that will benefit the Center for Successful Aging.

“As I approach the age of 90 what am I waiting for; next year,” joked Rosas.

Since the 3pm show is the the day after Valentine’s Day, Rosas and his producer Rod Lathim are calling it “Everything’s Coming Up Rosas!”

He’ll play vintage love songs and more that the love of his life, his late wife Susan would have enjoyed.

Rosas turns 90 on Feb. 24.

The show is a gift he his giving the community.

The show takes place at the Marjorie Luke Theater on Sunday , Feb 15, 2026 at 3 p.m.

Tickets range from $28-$45.

They are available at the door and online at https://csasb.org/Concerts

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – There’s a new location for this year’s Santa Barbara International Film festival, where film fans can enjoy free seminars.

Recently the Music Academy of the West expanded its reach from its well established Montecito performance and teaching studios and it now has a building in downtown.It’s at 901 State Street on the corner of Canon Perdido Street.Renovations will begin soon, but for this year’s film festival it is open for filmmaker discussions.One of those attending Summerland resident Teri Guillies said it helps her learn how the movies were made and even go deeper into some topics. It is similar to her book reading clubs, with talks afterwards.

“You know, this person brings different people, brings different things to the story. So just like during this, it brought so many different, things to their story,” she said after one of the session. During that hour-long event she also asked a question to the panel.

The filmmaker seminars are free.They take place every day at 11 a.m.Some of the topics include sound as the main character, documentary activism, crafting the screenplay and Chicano movement in the arts.

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Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Even with point guard Miro Little sidelined with an injury, UCSB pulled off its best win of the season beating Big West leader UC Irvine 84-79 in a home game broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

UConn transfer Aidan Mahaney scored a game-high 21 points while Colin Smith added 17 as UCSB improved to 9-4 in league.

All five Gauchos starters scored in double-figures.

Freshman CJ Shaw scored 15 points and Hosana Kitenge finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds.

The Gauchos outrebounded the Anteaters 37-27 with sophomore Zion Sensley recording a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 boards.

The Anteaters dropped to 9-3 in league.

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) Motorcycle riders rolled into Ventura for the Chopper Fest.

The 22nd Annual David Mann Chopper Fest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The work of late California graphic artist celebrated bike culture.

That is why the chopper fest includes an art show alongside custom motorcycles.

“One of kind year after year after year, there are some here that are 40 years old, there we go and they are works of art,” said Theresa Hanson of Ventura.

Chopper Fest also had live music and lots of businesses on hand selling motorcycle gear, t-shirts and more.

The Chopper Fest is a one day event so mark your calendars for next year.

For more information visit, https://chopperfest.com

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Mike Klan

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KEYT) – San Marcos girls water polo lost at Mater Dei 16-8 as pool play continued in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs.

Charlotte Raisin scored a team-high 3 goals for San Marcos while Shea Estabrook and Ella Grube each added two goals.

Bethany King made 8 blocks in goal for the Royals.

The top seed Monarchs are now 2-0 in pool play while #5 San Marcos is 1-1.

The Royals will host #8 Long Beach Wilson on Wednesday, February 11th at 5 p.m. to finish up pool play.

A San Marcos win will guarantee them of advancing to the next round.

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