Montecito Country Mart Lemonade Stand and More News Bytes

August 15: Montecito youth and her friends raising funds for the Dream Foundation 

August 22 and 23: Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

To sign up your organization: www.montecitocountrymart.com 

Summerland Citizens Town Hall 

Held in the Summerland Church on Lillie Ave. on August 18, at 5:30 pm. Regular town hall meetings for residents and business members in Summerland.

SBMNH and Sea Center News

August 29: Geology of SB Field Course with Sabrina Thomas PhD

Sept. 21 – Nov. 9: Birding classes with Rebecca Cloutier

Sept. 23 – Nov. 11: Birding Classes with Sophie Cameron

411: www.sbnature.org

Cottage Health Earn National Nursing Honor

The emergency departments at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital have received the 2026 Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award, a national recognition honoring excellence in emergency nursing. The two facilities are among just 126 emergency departments selected for the distinction this year.

The Lantern Award recognizes emergency departments for innovation, evidence-based practices, patient safety, staff engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Cottage Health credits much of its success to empowering frontline staff to identify opportunities, share ideas, and help shape changes that make emergency care more efficient while improving the patient experience.

Cottage Health provides 24/7 emergency care in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and the Santa Ynez Valley. All three emergency departments have also been reaccredited as Geriatric Emergency Departments, while Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital holds verification as a Level I adult and Level II pediatric Trauma Center.

Sutter Health Opens New Dermatology Center

Sutter Health has opened its new Hollister Care Center in Goleta, bringing all of its Greater Central Coast dermatologists together under one roof. Located at 5383 Hollister Avenue, the purpose-built facility spans more than 10,000 square feet and includes 21 exam rooms, three treatment rooms, dedicated Mohs surgery spaces and laboratory, plus phototherapy and laser treatment areas.

The eight-physician dermatology team offers care ranging from treatment of acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea to advanced skin cancer surveillance and surgery. A centerpiece is the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Program, which uses a specialized tissue-sparing technique to treat many skin cancers while preserving healthy tissue. The team also includes a fellowship-trained pediatric dermatologist, expanding specialized care for younger patients.

Sutter officials say consolidating the dermatology team will improve coordination and make specialty care more convenient for Central Coast patients, while connecting local physicians with Sutter Health’s broader network of more than 200 dermatologists.

Housing Authority Celebrates Graduates of Summer Youth Program

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara recently celebrated 14 local teens who completed its free, four-week Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura (PBC) summer program. Designed for HACSB residents entering grades 9 to 12, the program combines college and career preparation with social-emotional wellness and cultural awareness. Since launching four years ago, PBC has served 65 students.

Throughout the summer, participants took part in college tours, educational field trips, community service projects, and interactive workshops, while earning service hours and receiving backpacks filled with school supplies for the upcoming year. Students also explored social justice, civic engagement, social movements, and family and cultural traditions, encouraging a stronger sense of identity and community connection.

The program is supported by numerous community partners, including Cal-SOAP, Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation, AHA!, Santa Barbara Public Library, Mental Wellness Center, Pacific Pride Foundation, and The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, which provide mentorship, instruction, and resources to participating students.

Healing Justice at Dos Pueblos HS

Healing Justice SB is proud to announce that a new Ethnic Studies class will be coming to Dos Pueblos High School! Per the HJSB press release, “Black Student Alliance students advocated for this class and several other demands at Santa Barbara Unified School District’s June board meeting. Students specifically called out the district’s and high school administrations’ treatment of Black students and lack of transparency or follow-up when reports of anti-Black harassment and bias are reported. The students’ comments ranged from the description of discrimination in the classroom, antiblackness expressed by peers, and what one student called “the district’s systemic failure to protect Black students.” The students made specific demands to rectify the situation at each high school. These demands included a zero-tolerance policy on the N-word, an expansion of ethnic studies classes, and a celebration of Black History Month that is on par with other celebrations that the district endorses.”

Pacific Pride Foundation Annual Fest

This year’s theme is “Out. Proud. Unstoppable.” The fest will feature Pride Awards for Legacy, Community Pride Champion, and more. This is one you don’t want to miss! Headliners include the hosts Vivian Storm and Morgan McMichaels, RuPaul Drag Race All Stars, and Ada Vox (America’s Got Talent). There will be two festival stages, plus community partners exhibiting or having a table, including SB Museum of Art, Quilt Project Gold Coast, Healing Justic SB, Location: Chase Palm Park. FREE.

411: https://pacificpridefoundation.org/summer-of-pride/pacific-pride-festival

Maker House Showcases Local Ceramic Artists

Maker House is putting the creativity of its community front and center with a new exhibition featuring work by more than 30 studio members. On view through August 20, the show highlights the range and imagination of local ceramic artists working at the Goleta nonprofit arts center.

The public is invited to celebrate the artists at a free reception on Sunday, August 16, at 11 am, complete with live music and bites. The exhibition is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm at Maker House, 1351 Holiday Hill Road in Goleta.

Set on 10 acres in the Goleta foothills, Maker House features a 22,000-square-foot ceramics studio with kilns, potters wheels, glazing labs, and classroom space, serving as both a community hub and destination for ceramic artists.

Westerlay Orchids Gives Back to Carp Schools

Back-to-school shopping is blooming at Westerlay Orchids, which will donate 100% of retail showroom profits to the Carpinteria Unified School District from August 24-29. Now in its ninth year, the fundraiser raised more than $26,900 in 2025, with this year’s proceeds helping support enrichment activities and field trips for Carpinteria Middle School students.

Past funds have supported STEM programs at Aliso School, library upgrades at Canalino School, and engineering equipment at Carpinteria High School. Shoppers can choose from Westerlay’s signature orchids and arrangements at 3504 Via Real, making it an easy opportunity to brighten the house while giving local students a boost for the school year.

PASF Awards $56,000 for Music Education

The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation (PASF) has awarded $56,000 in grants to nine Santa Barbara County arts organizations, supporting music education opportunities for young instrumentalists and vocalists. Funding will help provide everything from introductory classroom experiences and summer camps to advanced, pre-professional training.

Recipients include the Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Strings, Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara Education Foundation, CAMA, Opera Santa Barbara, State Street Ballet, Santa Barbara Chamber Players, and Santa Barbara Choral Society. Programs supported range from youth symphony training and Keep the Beat to student opera matinees, conservatory scholarships, and in-school music appreciation.

Founded in 1982, PASF also holds an annual spring music competition awarding scholarships directly to promising young musicians for private instruction, summer programs, higher education, and instrument purchases.