Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara community leader Jackie Gilbert is being honored at a Peace Prize luncheon for her work supporting Indigenous and Afro-Colombian families in Colombia, helping to build economic opportunity and preserve cultural traditions.

On September 20, the County Animal Care Foundation hosted Tails of Hope at Rancho La Patera and Stow House, raising $250,000 to fund medical care for shelter animals at County Animal Services.

The event welcomed 300 guests with booths from local nonprofits to boost adoption and treatment programs.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services joins the Bissell Pet Foundation in the nationwide Empty the Shelters campaign from Sept.

18 to Sept. 30, waiving extra adoption fees at all three local centers — every pet is vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, and insured for 30 days.

Apples to Zucchini Cooking School is marking 10 years of hands-on cooking classes that have grown from kids’ programs to countywide education.

The nonprofit will host A Decade of Dishes at Black Sheep restaurant on Tuesday, Sept. 29 — inviting locals to celebrate.

At a Goleta fundraiser on Sunday, the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation hosted Tails of Hope to benefit shelter animals on the Central Coast.

The event featured food, drinks, and a silent auction while proceeds support three animal shelters serving over 600 dogs a year.

On Sept. 9, 14 flamenco artists performed at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum plaza during Convivencias.

Artistic Director María Bermúdez, who has long studied the art form, said she plans to bring similar concerts to the community.

Local seniors and families are invited to a free Smart Senior Living Seminar on Tuesday, Oct.

6 at 10:00 a.m. at La Cumbre Plaza (Grace Fisher Foundation’s Inclusive Arts Clubhouse) where Rick Olds will explain care options to support independent living decisions.

Westmont College climbed six spots to tie at No. 109 among national liberal arts colleges in the 2027 U.S. News rankings and remains California’s top Christian liberal arts college.

The college improved social mobility and Pell Grant rates with 93% of its class of 2025 finding work or entering grad school.

South Coast Montessori School uses Maria Montessori's method so children choose activities and learn at their own pace in organized classrooms.

With limited spots in Primary and Elementary programs, families can tour the campus to see its hands-on, child-led approach.

Today, local organizers lead a waterfront walk as part of Creek Week to show how stormwater, trash, and pollution travel from neighborhoods to the ocean ahead of winter storms.

UC Santa Barbara students return to Isla Vista for fall quarter as residents on Del Playa Drive face cliff erosion risk from strong El Niño rains - a threat that may damage balconies and patios.

County officials and property owners are monitoring conditions and improving safety measures.

Cottage Medical Group has opened its new Cottage Urology Clinic — located at 5333 Hollister Ave. in Goleta — to provide comprehensive urologic care for conditions including urinary incontinence, kidney stones, and cancers.

Laguna Blanca School named Daniel Boateng as head coach of its girls soccer program.

Boateng brings Division I experience and a U.S. Soccer Coaching National D License (earned May 2026) to empower student-athletes on and off the field.