Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Every Sunday for over 20 years, Susan & Rod Caughell have volunteered at the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program, donating thousands of hours.

They will be honored during the Champions of the Valley on Oct. 11 at Rancho Carmina in Los Olivos, where each honoree receives a $1,000 grant.

The California Avocado Festival returns in Carpinteria from Friday, Oct.

2 to Sunday, Oct. 4. The nonprofit event celebrates 40 years with a local block party, live music from over 60 bands, food contests, and family activities (held along Linden Ave between Carpinteria Ave and 6th St).

Kevin Costner’s Carpinteria property hosted a two-night One805LIVE benefit event on Friday and Saturday, drawing nearly 4,000 guests and notable celebrity appearances in support of first responders’ mental health.

Performances by The Temptations and Pat Benatar helped bring the community together.

Downtown Gino's Sicilian Express celebrates 30 years by offering 99-cent cheese and pepperoni slices on October 1 — later this month, owner Loren Manser will welcome Gino to thank loyal customers while the shop prepares for a January remodel after signing a five-year lease.

John Malkovich will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 42nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his acclaimed role in Wild Horse Nine (Feb.

3–Feb. 13, 2027).

SBCC’s Theatre Group will present Clue at the Garvin Theatre from Oct.

7-24, with preview shows at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 7-8, main performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and a live-captioned 2 p.m. performance on Oct. 11.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art launched a $1M Impressionist exhibition that attracted nearly 40,000 visitors over 16 weeks, sparking praise from local business leaders and officials.

The museum also runs community outreach programs—sending over 3,000 students on school bus trips—that boost the local creative economy.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden will mark 100 years in October with Garden to Glass at 11 local bars and free Sundays with Music and Art, Health and Wellness, Youth and Family, and Bring Your Dog themes.

Guests will sample cocktails made with garden ingredients to boost conservation * community ties.

The Oak Group marks 40 years with Abiding Legacy, a plein-air art exhibition for the California Rangeland Trust opening this October at the Santa Barbara Central Library's Faulkner Gallery (40 East Anapamu Street).

Artists welcome visitors on Oct. 1 (5:00 to 7:00 p.m.) and Oct. 2 (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).

San Marcos High School has disciplined four female students for a TikTok that recreated blackface imagery, and school officials are engaging with affected students (including counseling options) while urging families to discuss the impact of racist behavior.

Cold Spring School in Montecito was named a Common Sense Media Recognized School for its strong program on digital literacy + digital well-being initiatives that help students learn safe technology use.

The honor reflects the school’s ongoing community effort to promote responsible media skills among students.

More than 350 guests gathered at Hospice of Santa Barbara’s 14th Annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon on Sept.

27 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to honor Dr. Fred Kass, Partners for Kids, and Voice Magazine for their service. Author Cheryl Strayed delivered the keynote address, highlighting community compassion.

Olympic speed skater Viktor Thorup visited Ice in Paradise in Goleta Tuesday for an afternoon of on-ice training — he explained how breathing techniques boost recovery from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Santa Felicia Drive.

The Santa Barbara City College Women's Golf team placed eighth with a +127 score among 13 teams at the 3C2A State Preview held Sunday and Monday at Pacific Grove Golf Links on Monterey Peninsula.

Aidie Smith led the Vaqueros with steady play by posting rounds of 79 and 80.