Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara County is inviting community members to join the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct.

15 — the event helps residents practice lifesaving steps like Drop, Cover, and Hold On to boost safety readiness.

Esther Jacobsen Bates will be honored with the 2026 Leadership in the Arts Award on Oct.

6 at 9 a.m. during the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting (County Administration Building at 105 E. Anapamu St.). She is recognized for decades of service to local arts and education.

The Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association is hosting free Kickin’ Country Line Dancing Nights every Wednesday in October on State Street in front of Best BBQ & Apna Indian Kitchen.

The event starts with beginner-friendly instruction from 6–7 p.m. and open dancing from 7–8 p.m.

The California Avocado Festival returns to downtown Carpinteria this weekend to mark its 40th year with live music, food, and competitions, benefiting local nonprofits.

Local growers stress the event also highlights challenges such as steep terrain and rising water costs.

Formerly the Tamsen Gallery, the space is transforming into a multi-purpose center — a gallery, cultural center and creative club — run by the Bridges family.

The existing team will continue managing exhibits and live performances starting in December.

Santa Barbara NAACP condemned a blackface incident at San Marcos High School that occurred yesterday, criticizing district officials for their inadequate response (raising concerns among students and parents over racial bias protocols).

Community leaders urge school officials to implement clear disciplinary guidelines to better protect Black students.

Santa Barbara Public Library now offers three new library card designs made by local contest winners with help from the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Patrons can pick a new or replacement card at any branch or join the card event at State Street Farmers Market (4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20) near the Canon Perdido intersection.

Santa Barbara High School celebrated the opening of its expanded Wellness Center on Tuesday, Sept.

29 as 600 student visits showed the center's early impact. The new space offers check-ins, a Wellness Pantry, and community partnerships (Grace Fisher Foundation Hidden Haven and State of Mind Café) to support student well-being.

Santa Barbara City College held its first resource fair at St. Vincent's on Thursday to help low-income residents and working mothers access enrollment and community programs.

Many signed up for GED and art classes at the convenient Goleta Calle Real campus + local support services.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden announced a $30M Centennial Campaign on Oct.

1 — marking its 100th anniversary — to boost community programs, facility upgrades, and a research endowment for native plant conservation. The Garden invites local residents, businesses, and donors to help advance conservation across the county.

The La Kretz Environmental Crossroads climate hub will be built on West Campus after a major gift from alumna Linda Duttenhaver and her late father, Morton La Kretz — transforming three unused buildings into a space for environmental research and community partners.

Family Service Agency has been named the regional Area Agency on Aging for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties effective immediately.

It will manage older adult and caregiver services (including nutrition support, Medicare counseling, and more) while partnering with state and local groups.

Santa Barbara MTD launched The Wave in Carpinteria on Sept.

16, offering free on-demand van rides through October for trips between Downtown Carpinteria and nearby areas. The service (runs Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) allows reservations via the TransLoc app or by calling MTD.