Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Native Daughters of the Golden West have relaxed membership rules to allow any woman who resides in California, aiming to boost membership and expand the annual portrayal of Saint Barbara during Old Spanish Days.

Their local chapter celebrated 125 years at Casa De La Guerra (downtown) with a special resolution from Mayor Randy Rowse.

On Monday, Santa Barbara raised its first Pride Flag at De la Guerra Plaza outside City Hall to begin Pride Week.

Activities include a documentary screening at The Marjorie Luke Theater Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., a rooftop event, a Chorus performance Thursday, and a festival Saturday at Chase Palm Park.

Santa Barbara Independent celebrates 40 years of community journalism with Indy40Fest on Sat., Aug.

29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Presidio Neighborhood (featuring panels with veteran voices, music, booths, and interactive fun on the parade grounds).

The Music Academy of the West ended its festival with a calm finale as the Academy Festival Orchestra played Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 last Saturday at the Granada Theater—conductor David Danzmayr led the polished performance that rounded off a summer of concerts and masterclasses.

Santa Barbara Public Library will present Raíces y Sueños, a free series of events that celebrate Hispanic culture from Sept.

3-Oct. 14. The series features more than 15 family-friendly activities such as art exhibits, a celebration honoring grandparents, cooking workshops, musical performances and a mercado.

Santa Barbara teachers are preparing for the new school year by attending Explore Ecology workshops in partnership with UC Santa Barbara, where they learn to use recycled and eco-friendly materials in cross-curricular lessons — training that aims to inspire sustainability in the classroom.

Local sociologist Wayne Mellinger recalls how his Santa Barbara professors taught him to see community challenges and use careful research when acting against injustice (his story shows that local history and lived experiences can drive positive change in everyday life).

The Adderley School is offering after-school musical theatre classes that help kids explore their creativity and build stage skills—classes feature individualized mentorship and culminate in a performance.

Sessions are available for ages 5–16 and include both standard workshops and an audition-only Conservatory Prep program.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has named Kristina Fauss as its first fire scientist, who will lead a laboratory combustion testing program to guide firewise landscaping & conserve water and biodiversity.

Residents can join her Talk With a Fire Scientist event on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

The Goleta Police Department and California Highway Patrol will set a DUI checkpoint Friday, Aug.

21 from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location in Goleta (targeting areas with a history of DUI incidents).

California has been selling its generic insulin CalRx since January 1 for a five-pack priced at $55, with over 120,000 packs distributed to insured and uninsured patients.

The state initiative aims to lower drug costs + help Californians manage diabetes.

The Santa Barbara Zoo announced Monday that it euthanized capybara Poppy, age 8, after a CT scan revealed an inoperable throat mass, and that it is treating capybara Antonio, age 4, for multiple myeloma.

San Marcos football begins their season on Aug.

21 against Dana Hills under new head coach Isaiah Veal. He has recruited a young coaching staff — focused on a fast, offensive approach and aiming for 40 points per game — to help reverse the team’s playoff drought.