Interactive Lost and Found Pet Map!
Sarah Aguilar, Animal Services Director for the Santa Barbara County Animal Services, has introduced a new community resource that helps reunite lost pets with their families quickly and easily; an Interactive Lost & Found Pet Map that is now live on their website. Aguilar, “Hosted by Petco Love Lost and integrated with the Nextdoor app, the map provides real-time updates and lets users zoom in on their neighborhoods to view reports in their area. Pet owners and finders can choose whether or not to display their contact information, making it easy to connect while still respecting privacy.”
411: www.countyofsb.org/1420/Lost-Found
Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara – Now A National Organization
Carey Bradshaw, Executive Director of Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara, announced their new name, “Therapy Dogs of America” with their expanded reach nationally. Newest locations include New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, with Massachusetts to follow. In California, they now also serve Ventura County. Currently there are 52 locations in Santa Barbara County serving over 17,000 people, including senior centers, schools, and community organizations. Bradshaw shared in her press release, “By launching new chapters across the country, we’re not just growing, we’re building a powerful, united network of volunteers, donors, and community partners who share our passion for spreading love, joy, and hope to people of all ages.”
411: www.therapydogsamerica.org
May Mental Health Awareness Month Events
CEO of the SB Mental Wellness Center Annmarie Cameron announced their events for Mental Health Awareness month. It is joining with the SB County Behavioral Wellness center in asking the community to illuminate its buildings with green lights (the official color of mental health awareness). Next, on Saturday, May 10, is their 29th Annual Artful Minds Art Faire, from 2-4 pm at its Fellowship Club, 617 Garden Street. The Faire has artworks for sale of varying media, the pieces created by over 50 local artists living with mental illness They are also having their 6th Annual Peace of Mind Walk, Saturday, May 17, at Alma Rosa Winery in Buellton. This is a 4.5-mile hike around the vineyard estate. Post-hike, there will be wine tasting and food for purchase, music provided by Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan in the winery tasting room. Registration required for the walk, and donations accepted.
411: https://mentalwellnesscenter.org/peace-of-mind-walk/
Cottage Health Hosts Annual Mental Health Fair
SB Cottage Health is hosting its annual Mental Health Fair at SB Cottage Hospital on Saturday, May 3, from 9am-1pm.
The fair will feature two expert-led talks:
Breaking the Screen, Strategies for Addressing Video Game and Social Media Addiction, 10 am with Alia Aizenstat Adlakha, LMFT; and Deep Resilience: When Self-Care is Not Enough, 11 am with Drs. Michael Kearney and Radhule Weininger.
More than 15 local nonprofit organizations will participate in the event, offering information and resources on mental health, substance use disorders, community services, wellness, and recovery. Free to the public.
411: http://cottagehealth.org/mentalhealth
SB Museum of Natural History Hosts Astro Fest
On May 4th, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host Astro Fest, a day of special activities to celebrate astronomy, included with general admission (Members are free). The Museum is offering space-themed fun for all ages, with support from partners UCSB Physics Circus, the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU), and the Central Coast’s Girl Scout Astronomy Club. The event includes shows in the Gladwin Planetarium, telescope viewings in the Palmer Observatory, and the Fleischmann Auditorium will have astronomy and physics-themed craft and demonstration opportunities. The event is family friendly all-ages.
The Museum looks forward to expanding its capacity to interpret astronomy even further this summer, with the public reopening of its entirely updated Space Sciences exhibits on July 12. Museum members will have the opportunity to preview the exhibit during the Members’ Party July 11.
411: https://www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/8629/astro-fest
LPNF 20th Annual Welcome House
The Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA) is hosting its annual Spring Open House at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center, near Ojai, CA. This is a family friendly event where the community can explore the Visitor Center and get an opportunity to learn about the Los Padres National Forest. Local organizations, agencies, and forest-friends participate in the Open House by setting up booths to share their achievements and knowledge of the forest. Attending are Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, Gossamer Gear ambassadors, herb walk leader Lanny Kaufer, Luzonica Birds of the World, Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours, Smokey the Bear and ranger staff.
It’s a great chance to learn about the trails, camps, critters, plants, and creeks of the Los Padres. There will be games, raffles with REI, Patagonia and LPFA gear, a BBQ and more.
411: https://lpforest.org
CADA Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction is hosting a grand opening celebration of its new Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center located in Santa Maria, on May 13, from 3-4 pm. The event is free to the public.
411: Ishalabi@cadasb.org
Organic Soup Kitchen Launches Solar Campaign
The Organic Soup Kitchen sent out press releases to call for donations to expand its solar energy system. The expansion will provide energy to power more freezers they have installed that store the organic soup. This solar energy is the backup plan in case of a power outage. They estimate they need $100,000.
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