Santa Barbara County is blessed with a diversity of vital nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health, well-being, growth, civic leadership and compassion of our community.
In the realm of California politics, these organizations often play a crucial role in shaping local policy and advocacy.
Charitable giving and philanthropy are part of our identity, which is why Noozhawk is proud to support the nonprofit community through sponsoring local community organizations and events.
To showcase our support of the event, Dan Walters talks California Politics, Past, Present & Future, Noozhawk spoke with Brian Goebel, Managing Member at Spotlight SB to learn more about their event.
Spotlight Santa Barbara
Question: What is the name and date of your event?
Answer: Dan Walters Talks California Politics, Past, Present & Future will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Lobero Theatre at 7 p.m.
Q: What is the mission, goal, and/or theme of this occasion?
A: Spotlight Santa Barbara is a speaker series which seeks to strengthen our community by provoking thought and inspiring change in what has, unfortunately, become a highly polarized Public Square.
We want to get people to talk with each other, not past each other. We want to foster community and maybe—just maybe—find common ground built on common sense.
Q: Have you held this event before?
A: This is the inaugural event in a four-part series.
Q: Tell us some more details about your celebration?
A: The most decorated and widely syndicated columnist in California history, Dan Walters will draw on his decades of political and social insights to discuss the hottest topics facing CA politics today. A provocative and engaging political centrist, Dan promises an enlightening and entertaining evening to kick off our election year.
Topics will include: the Trump-Newsom Wars; Newsom’s Oil “flip-flop,” Local Housing Mandates, the Governor’s Race, the Democratic Party’s “Generational Rift,” and more! This will be an interactive event hosted by Spotlight SB and moderated by Bill MacFadyen, the publisher of Noozhawk and Event Sponsor.
Q: How do people get involved with your event? (volunteer, attend, etc.) – If your event includes ticket sales, please note the price and include a link to purchase tickets.
A: Tickets to the Dan Walters event range from $35 to $73. To purchase tickets, please visit the Lobero Box Office HERE.
To learn more about Spotlight Santa Barbara and its mission to provoke thought and inspire change, please visit our website.
Q: Who is sponsoring your event, and why is their support important?
A: Noozhawk is the lead sponsor of the speaker series. Noozhawk’s support is critical to the success of the series because it demonstrates that Spotlight has identified an important gap in Santa Barbara’s cultural landscape.
We believe that Noozhawk’s readers — informed residents who care about civic life in our community — will form a core part of our audience for the four-part series.
Q: Does your organization have any other upcoming events this year?
A: Yes, we will have events in April, May, and October. We will be announcing future speakers, including some nationally recognized names, at our February 5th Event.
Q: What are you planning as a post-event follow up?
A: Beyond the three additional speakers we will bring to Santa Barbara in 2026, we will experiment with other approaches to reimagining the Public Square in our community. It promises to be an exciting year. Stay tuned!
To learn more about about the event, Dan Walters Talks California Politics, Past, Present & Future click here.
If you would like to apply for Noozhawk’s 50/50 Match Sponsorship Program for your upcoming nonprofit event please click HERE to view our sponsorship application. The deadline for consideration is 30-45 days prior to the event. You can also contact our sales team at sales@noozhawk.com.