Submit Your Opinions

Love or hate one of our articles? Have a critical issue that needs more attention from the community? Got something on your mind that you need to tell the world? Or just offering a simple observation on everyday life in Santa Barbara? For more than a quarter-century, The Santa Barbara Independent has proudly provided an open forum for all ideas, from the ones that praise our reporting to those that hammer us for failing to do our job. Because we believe that only the best ideas emerge from considering all viewpoints, we also welcome and regularly publish opinions that run counter to our own. So join in the conversation today by submitting your own opinions in one of the following ways:

Send Us a Letter

Each week, The Santa Barbara Independent publishes a handful of letters in our print edition as well as many more letters online at Independent.com. Topics: Anything and everything. Word Count: 50-300 words Send to: letters@independent.com or The Santa Barbara Independent Attn: Opinion Editor 122 West Figueroa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Submit an Independent Voice

Independent Voices are longer, more thought-out, compelling opinion pieces written by individuals who have strong feelings on issues of critical importance to the Santa Barbara community. They are published occasionally in print but regularly online. Topics: Variable, but must be about issues that affect a wide cross-section of the community. Also, submissions that are tied to upcoming decisions or events have a greater chance of being published in print as well as online. Word Count: 500-800 words Send to: opinions@independent.com or The Santa Barbara Independent Attn: Opinion Editor 122 West Figueroa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Suggest or Write an In Memoriam

In Memoriams eulogize members of the Santa Barbara community. Unlike obituaries, In Memoriams are seldom timely as we publish no more than one per week in print. Guidelines: Anyone who has recently passed might make a perfect In Memoriam, from celebrities to someone who just touched one life, but the writer must deliver an evocative, well written tribute to qualify. Word Count: 500-800 words Send to: opinions@independent.com or The Santa Barbara Independent Attn: Opinion Editor 122 West Figueroa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Submit Citizen Journalism

On the scene of a news event and want to contribute your reporting, writing, and/or photography to The Santa Barbara Independent? We just might be able to use your work, so send directly to news@independent.com today!

Send a Tip

Got a hot news story but want to keep your information on the down-low for now? Send us a tip at tips@independent.com.

Propose a Column

Every week, Independent.com publishes columns from different facets of the community that put important ideas in front of more than 50,000 people each week. If you believe you have what it takes to become an Independent.com columnist, send an email to opinions@independent.com that explains: 1) The topic of your proposed column. There is some flexibility with each individual column entry, but the column as a whole must focus on one particular neighborhood, demographic, or other aspect of the community that's worthy of weekly or biweekly attention. Please suggest a title for the column too. 2) A description of who you are and why you should write this column. You must also be able to submit on a regular basis. 3) Proposed schedule for column. 4) Two sample columns at 400-800 words a piece.

26th Annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival

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