The fences were down and spirits were up as hundreds of people gathered on Sunday, November 3, to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Michael Towbes Library Plaza. With free entertainment from Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, CAMA, Franklin Academy of Folklórico, and Flamenco Santa Barbara; kids’ activities; and 60 local nonprofits there with information tables, the Plaza is already well on its way to serving as a bridge to connect the Santa Barbara community with the Santa Barbara Arts District, downtown merchants, and the myriad of free services provided by the public library. Keep an eye out for a Society Matters report on Plaza Palooza later this week.