The Santa Barbara Independent’s associate editor, Jackson Friedman, shares some of his favorite reads of the year, which covered everything from fun looks at service-industry robots, Bob Ross–inspired drag queens, and eccentric energy healers to more serious, in-depth reporting, such as the Indy news team’s all-hands-on-deck coverage of July’s federal immigration raid in Carpinteria and the local fallout from Trump’s first 100 days in office.
Are These the Droids We’re Looking For?
A look at Santa Barbara’s robot scene, from Chinese restaurants to retirement homes.
By Matt Kettmann
The Queens of BARBARA
The monthly drag show at Eos Lounge is a silly, sexy good time.
By Christina McDermott