Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is set to award a record $1.25 million in grants to 11 local non-profits—funded by pooled donations from 1,426 local women—at an event at the Lobero Theatre later this week.

The grants will support programs addressing mental health care, nutritional assistance, and education for families and children.

On May 17, more than 300 people gathered at Ellwood Mesa to mark 20 years of the Sperling Preserve with a fun run, a tribute at Ellwood Elementary School, and various family activities—these events honored past efforts to save the open space and called for continued care in the future.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held a moment of silence Tuesday to honor three Dos Pueblos High School students who died in a multi-car crash on Highway 1 while returning from lifeguard training at Jalama Beach—Jake Curtis, 18; Michael Ochsner, 17; and Alexander Wood, 15—while another vehicle had two seriously injured passengers.

Santa Barbara will host the Pianos on State art event—an open call for entries that will run from June 1 to July 10 for artists to submit designs centered on the theme of Time.

Selected participants will get a $650 stipend to create a painted piano that will be displayed on State Street from September 30 to October 19.

The Theatre Group at SBCC will hold auditions for George Bernard Shaw’s 'Arms and The Man' on June 3 at 5:30 p.m. by appointment in the Jurkowitz Theatre—actors must email Christina Frank to book an appointment.

Callbacks will be on June 10, rehearsals will begin on Aug. 26, and performances will take place from Oct. 8 to Oct. 25 in the Garvin Theatre.

Central Coast Community Energy announced five open volunteer seats on its Community Advisory Council—three for Santa Barbara County—on May 20, with applications due by June 6 and selections voted on at the Policy Board meeting on September 18; council members will serve three-year terms and help shape energy policy and outreach.

Public Health Director Moushanad Hammami and Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg testified before the Board of Supervisors on May 20 that the department has scalable plans for threats like anthrax and hepatitis A amid a Grand Jury report stating that another epidemic is inevitable.

They plan to add the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (a real-time healthcare data tool) before year-end and said that risk communication could improve (to better inform the community).

The Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons hosted a junior tournament last weekend where 104 players competed in singles and doubles at Westmont College, Pershing Park, and the Santa Barbara High School courts.

The event ended the spring season—preparing players for high school competition—and the next tournament, the Santa Barbara Open offering $10,000 in prize money, will take place on June 14–15 and June 21–22.

Pilipino Cultural Night 34

5 PM — Campbell Hall — Tickets available — Experience a vibrant celebration of Pilipino culture and community.

2025 Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Registration fees apply — Experience swimming, running, and biathlon events against the stunning Santa Barbara coastline.

UCSB Wind Ensemble & UCSB Choirs Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall — General ($10), Senior/Military/Non-UCSB Students ($7), UCSB Students/Children under 12 (FREE) — Experience a vibrant collaboration of wind and choral music featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning compositions.

Mitch Kashmar Live Performance in Santa Barbara

7-10:30 p.m. — Carrillo Recreation Center — $35 general/$45 VIP — Experience the soulful sounds of blues legend Mitch Kashmar along with local favorites Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan.

UCSB Gamelan Ensemble

5-8 p.m. — Karl Geiringer Hall — Free entry — Experience the enchanting sounds of traditional Indonesian gamelan music performed by talented UCSB musicians.

2025 Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Entry fee applies — Experience a thrilling evening of swimming, running, and biathlon events in scenic Santa Barbara.

Home & Garden Lifestyle Expo

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Earl Warren Showgrounds — Various show discounts — Explore hundreds of sustainable home and garden products and services under one roof.

Art KIT: Grant Writing, Funding, and Residencies Workshop

1-3:30 p.m. — Paseo Nuevo Conference Room — Cost info not provided — Explore the essentials of securing grants and funding for creative projects.

HOWL: Strawberry Moon

5-10 p.m. — Hotel Californian — Free entry — Experience inventive cocktails and personalized readings under the full Strawberry Moon.

Ryan Bingham Live in Concert

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Santa Barbara Bowl — Ticket prices vary — Experience Grammy and Oscar-winning artist Ryan Bingham alongside The Texas Gentlemen for an unforgettable night of music.