Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Creek Week 2026 runs from Saturday, Sept.

19 through Saturday, Sept. 26 in Goleta — featuring coastal cleanups, bulky item drop-offs, a creek tour, and an art contest reception to celebrate local waterways. Residents can join these events to care for their environment.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to support local educator and artist Michael Long after a ladder fall left him with severe injuries.

As of Sept. 4, the campaign reached 94% of its $20,000 goal, and Long is beginning to walk with assistance.

Officials and former tenants celebrated the opening of Patterson Point, a 23-unit supportive housing project in Goleta, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Friday.

Managed by Andres Diaz, the project was built in two days using modular components (costing $23.7 million) and offers services that help residents thrive.

Last weekend, local children witnessed a rare white-handed gibbon birth at the Santa Barbara Zoo when Chanee gave birth on a habitat bridge; the baby, about a week old, is the first gibbon birth in 20 years (children received goodie bags to mark the event).

CALM welcomed Sandy Lood — Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Cottage Health — to its Board of Trustees today; her 20 years of healthcare experience will help the organization strengthen its mission to prevent childhood trauma and support local families.

Santa Barbara resident and Disney Legend Joe Rohde releases his debut book FLOATING MOUNTAINS, The Art of Imagining the Impossible on September 8 from National Geographic.

He will speak and sign the book at the Community Arts Workshop (631 Garden Street) on Friday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 PM.

FestForums® returns to the beachfront Mar Monte Hotel for its 10th anniversary event from Feb.

3 to 5, 2027—featuring panels, a new risk course, and an Awards Ceremony with a Benefit Concert at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club on Feb. 3. Organizers will honor past achievements and future innovations.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden celebrates its Centennial with free admission every Sunday in October (Oct.

4, 11, 18, and 25) and a series of events spanning music, art, wellness, and pet activities. Advance reservations are required due to parking limits as the Garden marks 100 years of native plant conservation.

Community Friends of Santa Barbara announced the return of School Clothing Connection (formerly Operation School Bell), a program that gives students new school clothes and supplies through local school liaisons to help them begin the school year with confidence.

Santa Barbara County celebrates National Preparedness Month by urging residents to learn about local hazards and prepare emergency plans and kits — measures designed to boost community resilience against wildfires, storms, and earthquakes.

The Office of Emergency Management will share weekly themes in September to guide these efforts.

Rob Fredericks announced he will retire from the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara at the end of December 2027 after more than 30 years of service.

The Housing Authority Commission will soon start recruiting a new leader to ensure a smooth transition for affordable housing support.

The 18th Annual Taste of the Vine fundraiser raised over $500K for Sansum Diabetes Research Institute last Saturday at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

Attendees enjoyed wine tastings, a family-style dinner + an auction that supported research, education and clinical care for diabetes.

The No. 1 Santa Barbara City College women’s water polo team went 4-0 at Cuesta’s Central Coast Classic this weekend, with Olivia Spieth scoring five goals in a 20-7 win over Cuesta (3C2A rankings) and the Vaqueros now facing tough matchups next weekend.