Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has opened its new exhibition Cassatt & Friends, which runs through Jan.

3. The show spotlights works by Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Cézanne & James McNeill Whistler and explores creative connections in drawing & printmaking.

Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society kicks off Family History Month with a free open house at Sahyun Genealogical Library, 316 Castillo St., on Sunday, Oct.

4 from 1–4 p.m.—visitors can tour the library, explore genealogical collections, view heritage quilts, and receive one-on-one research help.

Earlier this week, the Santa Barbara Symphony held a free preview at Lobero Theatre (featuring interactive Music Van demos led by Maestro Nir Kabaretti) that previewed its 2026-27 season, opening Oct.

24-25 at Granada Theatre.

Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum, partnering with Buellton, secured a $2 million state grant for its outdoor STEAM Discovery Campus.

The project will move to construction after city and county approvals (plans have been submitted) to offer a creative learning space for children and families.

Mission Scholars has named longtime nonprofit and higher education leader Rachel Johnson as its new executive director, effective Oct.

26—succeeding co-founder Cassie Lancaster after seven and a half years. Johnson, chosen after a five-month search and after nine years at SBCC Foundation, will lead the organization in supporting first-generation students.

UCSB will soon begin work on the La Kretz Environmental Crossroads hub after alumna Linda Duttenhaver donated funds to transform three aging West Campus structures into a space where scientists, scholars, and industry experts develop sustainable climate solutions near the ocean.

Santa Barbara County supervisors halted oil production and backed clean energy projects by forming a new Department of Energy Solutions.

They also approved an ordinance for utility-scale solar and battery storage and 3CE will open its first EV charging station in front of Santa Maria Library later this year.

Santa Barbara County has moved its El Niño webinar to a YouTube livestream set for Wednesday, Oct.

1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The program will include National Weather Service meteorologists and county officials sharing storm preparation updates, with questions due by 3 p.m. today.

Southern California Edison is considering Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for nearly 22,504 customers along the South Coast due to high temperatures and fire risk.

Some residents are already without power between Tajiguas and Refugio, and measures may remain in effect until 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Lynne Gibbs has attended county mental health hearings for years to push for treatment over jailing & better support for families.

The longtime advocate works with local groups to keep pressure on officials as budget decisions loom.

Dr. Ayesha Shaikh, a pioneering OB/GYN at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital who cared for thousands, passed away on Aug.

1. She led community health initiatives and her memory is honored with donations to Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, Direct Relief International, and the hospital.

Former Santa Barbara High boys soccer champions gathered recently at coach Lito Garcia’s home to celebrate their winning legacy, recalling championship seasons in 1975-77 and awarding him a commemorative plaque (honoring his lifetime dedication) as the reunion rekindled friendships among players and families.

SBART released its Athletes of the Week feature on September 28 (compiled by Sports Editor Diego Sandoval) to recognize local sports stars for their standout performances.