Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Carpinteria marked 40 years of peace, love + guacamole at its annual California Avocado Festival during the first October weekend.

The event featured music, a Ferris wheel, avocado beer, and ice cream; it continues today with a guacamole contest and FFA auction at 11:30 a.m. on the Grotto Stage.

Santa Barbara Public Library and Zoo announced three winning contest card designs now available at all branches.

Patrons can pick a new card anytime and join the Library on the Go event Tuesday, Oct. 20 (4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) at State Street Farmers Market near Canon Perdido and State.

Santa Barbara County is urging residents, schools, and businesses to join the annual Great ShakeOut drill on Thursday, Oct.

15 at 10:15 a.m. The event will help participants practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On while refreshing their earthquake preparedness efforts.

Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation will host the Zombie 5K Glow Walk/Run on Saturday, Oct.

17 at Blast 825 Stockyard in Orcutt with a pre-party at 4 to 5:45 p.m. and a race at 6 p.m.—featuring guest appearances by Shorty Rossi and animal communicator Suzan Vaughn.

The Wild & Free Film Festival runs Nov.

6 to 8 with nearly 40 films from 11 countries. Opening night at Ritz Carlton Bacara at 6:30 p.m. will feature a reception and the Central Coast premiere of 'The Siege of Paradise,' with director Gar O’Rourke and influencer Grace Andrews.

Santa Barbara’s Vegan Chef Challenge is back this October with local restaurants serving new vegan dishes along the coast from Carpinteria to Isla Vista, and it will end with an online vote in November to pick the best dish.

Diners can join the 10 Weeks to Vegan program for plant-based tips & recipes.

On Thursday, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosted an evening of mezcal tasting featuring guided small pours that traced the spirit's roots from agave fields to glass.

Jorge Báez from Licores Perros explained the cultural and sustainable traditions behind the drink during the event.

The Grace Fisher Foundation will dedicate a new Max Ritvo Reading and Writing Corner at the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse at La Cumbre Plaza on Saturday, Oct.

10, hosting readings and typewriter-based writing with kid-friendly books while serving light refreshments at the free event.

Laguna Blanca School has added Tyler Duncan, Carter Thicke, and Henning Thorsen to its Board of Trustees to guide its mission and community partnerships.

The new board members bring expertise in business, technology, and nonprofit leadership — reinforcing the school’s commitment to education.

Five UCSB researchers will join three National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes to advance work in quantum computing, sensing, and hardware.

Supported by a $290 million funding package over five years, their projects will bring together academic, government, and industry experts — reinforcing the university’s role in cutting-edge research.

Santa Barbara High won 38-24 over Moorpark in the Channel League opener at Peabody Stadium Friday night, boosted by quarterback Griffin Arnold’s 423 passing yards and four touchdowns — the win improved the team’s record to 4-2 as they prepare to play in Ventura next week.

At the AVP Santa Barbara Open at East Beach, defending champions Gage Basey & Thomas Hurst battled back from five match points to win 24-22 in a set on Saturday.

They will compete in Sunday’s quarterfinals at 9 a.m., with local teams in both the men’s and women’s draws.

On Saturday, UCSB athletes secured wins in men's soccer 3-2 over Utah Valley led by Donovan Sessoms, women's volleyball 3-1 over Sacramento State, and men's water polo with an overtime win over San Jose State and a 14-8 win over Saint Mary’s, while women's soccer ended 0-0 with Cal Baptist.

AYSO marks 50 years of local youth soccer by collecting stories and photos from Santa Barbara residents.

The organization will host a celebration at Cody’s Cafe later in October for players, families, coaches, and volunteers.