Good Samaritan Shelter’s Benefit Event, and More News Bytes
Good Samaritan Shelter joins with philanthropic partners and public officials to launch the Santa Barbara Salon Series, four public-policy panels to highlight critical issues facing our county, including homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, and human and labor trafficking. The Salon Series will include the participation of Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch and County Supervisor Laura Capps.
The series’ first event, Curing Food Insecurities, will take place on August 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Speakers include Good Samaritan Shelter CEO Sylvia Barnard, Foodbank of Santa Barbara CEO Erik Talkin, and Veggie Rescue ED Eryn Shugart. Entrepreneur and investor Brian Coryat will serve as moderator.
All events of the Salon Series will take place at a private home in Montecito; the address of which will be provided upon RSVP. There is no charge for the salons, although the participation of sponsors and underwriters would be most welcome.
411: www.goodsamaritanshelter.org
https://tinyurl.com/GoodSamaritan-Tickets-Aug27
Los Padres National Forest Updates
A-Zone South general deer season is impacted by the Timber Fire, as a large portion of the northern Los Padres is included within the closures. This could push some additional hunters into the Central and Southern Los Padres. Be careful out there everyone, good luck and remember our current fire restrictions. A-Zone lasts through September 20.
Highway 33 will be closed to thru-traffic the weekend of August 28 to August 31 for road repairs. The hard closure will be at the tunnels downstream from Wheeler Gorge. Highway 33 will remain open (but not to thru-traffic) from the Cuyama side in case folks want to access Rose Valley, upper Sespe or the Pine Mountain areas.
New ranger office hours in effect across the board. Santa Barbara District (3505 Paradise Road), open Monday through Friday from 10 am to noon, and 1 pm to 3 pm. Check website for SB County and Ventura County Ranger Station updates.
411: https://lpforest.org
Tools for School Helps Local Students Shine
More than 200 local junior high and high school students received solar-powered reading lights and phone chargers through a renewed partnership between Unite to Light, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, and Deckers Brands. The resources were distributed through the Housing Authority’s annual Tools for School program and its college readiness program, PBC.
Unite to Light provided 200 Luke Lights and 20 solar power banks, helping students study in shared or dimly lit spaces and stay connected as they prepare for school, college, and work.
Tools for School also provided hundreds of K–12 students with backpacks, school supplies, and connections to community organizations supporting local youth and families.
Santa Barbara Fifth Grader Launches Orca Podcast
Ten-year-old Santa Barbara fifth grader Malia Westheimer is making her audio debut as Kiko, a curious young orca in SuperPod, a new six-episode children’s podcast launching September 1. Malia co-created the series with her father, Santa Barbara composer, and filmmaker Cody Westheimer, inspired partly by the family’s real-life encounters with wild orcas.
Designed for children ages 2–8, SuperPod combines ocean adventures, original music, and immersive sound with stories exploring courage, friendship, empathy, belonging, and confidence. The project also includes a free activity book, parent and teacher guides, soundtrack, and sleep story. Episodes will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major platforms.
Bees with Krystle Hickman
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will present National Geographic Explorer Krystle Hickman on bees and photography on Wednesday, September 9, from 6-7 pm. Hickman will present a stunningly illustrated visual journey demonstrating what it’s like to spend a whole day tracking and photographing native bees in the field. Her book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees, is also featured. Hickman’s work has taken her across the globe, documenting behaviors new to science and capturing some of the first images of living representatives of many species. Her work has been featured across television, digital platforms, and podcasts, including Ologies. She has presented at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia and lectured at Harvard University and UCLA. Tickets required.
411: www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/9221/a-day-of-beeing
Flamenco Under the Stars
An international cast of flamenco artists will gather at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum on Thursday, September 10, for Convivencias at Tablao Museo, presented by Artistic Director María Bermúdez. The courtyard performance celebrates flamenco as a living art built around community and connection, bringing together musicians, singers, and dancers from Spain and the United States.
The lineup includes Juan Parrilla, Bernardo Parrilla, Carmen Grilo, Ismael Fernández, Andres Vadin, Nino de los Reyes, Timo Nuñez, Sabrina Ybarra, Talia Vestal, Ysabella Yturralde, and Bermúdez.
Presented by Flamenco! Santa Barbara and the museum, the evening begins at 6:30 pm at 136 East De la Guerra Street.
‘Western Edge’ Comes to SB Tennis Club
2nd Fridays Art at the Santa Barbara Tennis Club will present Western Edge, a group exhibition showcasing nine contemporary Santa Barbara artists from September 4 through November 4. The show brings together a range of media and perspectives reflecting the creativity and distinctive character of the Central Coast.
Featured artists include Nancy Gifford, Ruth Ellen Hoag, Cynthia James, RT Livingston, Cynthia Martin, Kerrie Smith, Marlene Struss, Susan Tibbles, and Veronica Walmsley.
An artists’ reception will be held Friday, September 11, from 4:30-6 pm. The exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm at the Santa Barbara Tennis Club, 2375 Foothill Road.
Tribal Health Clinic Hosts Community Health Fair
The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic will host a free Community Resource Health Fair on Friday, August 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tribal Hall on the Santa Ynez Reservation. The public event will bring together more than 40 organizations and community partners offering information on healthcare, family and senior services, insurance, caregiving, public safety, and community wellness.
Attendees can also participate in a free blood donation opportunity, meet SYTHC medical and dental teams, and enjoy family activities, food trucks, and raffle prizes. All activities are walk-in, with no appointments required.
The fair aims to connect Santa Barbara County residents directly with programs and services that support healthier individuals, families, and communities.
Global Coastal Cleanup Day
Veronica Lee, Explore Ecology Coastal Cleanup Day coordinator, invites the community to volunteer for Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday, September 19, from 9 am to 12 pm. Sign up online or show up ready to clean up the beaches and shorelines. What to expect:
– Volunteers can choose from a variety of inland and coastal sites at ExploreEcology.org/ccd
– Preregistration is not required, but everyone who signs up is automatically entered in a drawing to win prizes from local businesses.
– Cleanup supplies such as bags and gloves will be available, but people are encouraged to bring reusable supplies to reduce waste.
– On September 19, meet at 9:00 AM at your site, sign a waiver, and begin.
– Keep track of what you find.
– Report back to your Site Captain with your data and collected trash.
411: https://tinyurl.com/CoastalCleanup-SB-Sept19
SCA Steps Up Community Efforts
The Summerland Citizens Association (SCA) is taking a larger role in addressing issues affecting residents and businesses, with a full board, regular public Town Halls, monthly potlucks and weekly coffee gatherings. The organization has also been in contact with the Montecito Association as it develops a similar community-focused approach.
At its August 18 Town Hall, the SCA tackled several issues that could also have implications for neighboring Montecito. Cut-through traffic from Highway 101 remains a concern, with residents discussing unauthorized road blockages that have appeared in response. The board is investigating whether converting certain streets to one-way traffic could offer a legal traffic-management alternative.
On Wallace Avenue, construction and visual improvements are now complete. Temporary stop signs at the corner of the southbound Highway 101 exit and Evans Avenue will become permanent, while the SCA plans to work with Caltrans on lighting and landscaping maintenance.
Emergency preparedness is another priority. The association plans to work with the Fire Safe Council to explore having Summerland certified as a Firewise Community.
The board also reviewed $25,000 in Toro Canyon Creek settlement funds received in 2015 for coastal access projects. According to the SCA, $17,411 was later used for attorney fees related to appeals involving a Lillie Avenue gas station, while the remaining $8,345 was transferred to the association’s general fund. The SCA also clarified that the Summerland Community Foundation is a separate organization from the
citizen’s association.
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