Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Fill the Closet back-to-school drive returns to Santa Maria until Aug.

15—Children's Resource & Referral has drop-off spots at 2861 Airport Dr. and 705 S. McClelland St. open 8-to-5 Monday through Friday, aiming to fill 300 bags for children 4 to 18.

Monty Roberts, known as the man who listens to horses and friend to royalty, died on July 31 at his Solvang home at 91.

His daughter said she will continue his work at the Monty Roberts International Learning Center.

Unity Shoppe has named Dr. Regina Ruiz as its new Director of Development to lead fundraising and key community events.

Dr. Ruiz (with 20 years' experience in nonprofits and media) will work with the organization to support local families.

Pet House in Goleta reopened on Aug.

2 after a Toyota Corolla crashed through its storefront on July 30, damaging the front counter and fixtures. Repairs are underway and customers are asked to call from the door at Calle Real Marketplace for pick-ups (no injuries were reported).

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, The Oak Group announced a Fall 2026 art show benefiting the California Rangeland Trust to be held from Oct.

1 to Oct. 30 at the Santa Barbara Central Library’s Faulkner Gallery (40 East Anapamu Street), with a reception on Oct. 2 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Free performances will occur tomorrow, Aug.

5 at Old Spanish Days Fiesta, with stops at Paseo Nuevo Amphitheatre, De La Guerra Plaza and Santa Barbara Historical Museum (10:15, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m.), followed by a reception featuring a talk from Neal Graffy honoring Erin Graffy.

Award-winning poet Carlos Andrés Gómez will launch his new chapbook Patrilineation on Wednesday, Aug.

19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Public Library (Faulkner Gallery), where the free event will also feature a reception and book signing.

El Presidente 2026 Colin Hayward (a tradition since the 1980s) and his wife launched Old Spanish Days Fiesta Week with music, dance and youth performances on the Santa Barbara Club garden patio, honoring community volunteers and local talent.

MÁS, a nonprofit founded by Grey Bear Erickson, held its inaugural concert at Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden — Joachim Cooder performed amid a Chumash blessing and community celebration.

The summer concert series will feature The Waymarkers on July 26, Masanga Marimba on August 30, and youth Mariachi Mestizo early October.

UCSB earned 4.5 stars on Money’s Best Colleges list for academic quality, affordability and student outcomes.

The report—released on July 31 and evaluating over 700 schools on 25 metrics—shows UCSB is among the top 25% of colleges.

Carpinteria Arts Center's nine-week summer camp offers local kids hands-on experiences in art, music, theater, and STEM.

Generous donor support and available financial aid have made the creative program accessible to families.

Residents can share input on the De La Vina Street Pilot Restriping Project for safety improvements ahead of City Council review with a virtual meeting on Aug.

12 at 5:30 p.m. and a meeting in person on Aug. 13 at Mission and De La Vina.

The Orchard, a proposed 65-acre master-planned community near Hollister Avenue and Highway 217 under environmental review, won Best on the Boards, Mixed-Use Project at the Gold Nugget Awards on July 31 and is planned to offer affordable housing, retail, childcare, a tech campus, and park space.

Siudy Flamenco - Flamenco Suite

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a captivating performance by the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company in the heart of Santa Barbara.