Inaugural Santa Barbara Literary Festival

A new cultural event celebrating storytelling and the written word will debut in Santa Barbara with the inaugural Santa Barbara Literary Festival (SBLF) set for May 2-3, 2026. The citywide festival will feature keynote talks, panels, workshops, and pop-up events across downtown venues including the Lobero Theatre, La Arcada, the Canary Hotel, and the Santa Barbara Public Library Plaza. 

Headlining the event are acclaimed authors Walter Mosley, Kim Michele Richardson, Chris Whitaker, and Steven Rowley, joined by a diverse lineup of novelists, journalists, screenwriters, and cultural commentators. Programming will span genres from fiction and memoir to journalism and “romantasy,” while hands-on workshops and community discussions aim to bring writers and readers together in meaningful ways.

Founded by local authors (and MJ Contributor) Leslie Zemeckis and Lorissa Rinehart, the festival seeks to transform the city into an immersive literary hub where stories come alive through conversation, collaboration, and public engagement.

Long COVID Clinical Forum

Leading physicians, researchers, and public health officials will gather in Santa Barbara for the California Long COVID + Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions & Illnesses (IACCI) Clinical Implementation Forum on Saturday, March 21, at the Mar Monte Hotel. The afternoon program will focus on improving diagnosis, treatment, and clinical care for patients experiencing long COVID and related chronic conditions. 

Keynote speaker Dr. David Putrino, director of the Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness at Mount Sinai, will present emerging clinical frameworks and new diagnostic guidelines developed to help physicians better assess and treat long COVID and similar conditions. 

The forum will also feature panels of medical experts from institutions including Stanford, UCLA Health, and USC, alongside a patient panel sharing firsthand experiences navigating post-viral illness. Organized by The Chesley Initiative and offering continuing medical education credit for physicians, the event aims to foster collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and the broader community while advancing practical approaches to care. Free to attend in-person or virtually. 

Visit www.chesleyinitiative.org

Chabad of Montecito Events Register Early

– March 18: An Evening Together of Jewish comfort food, conversation, and connection, hosted by Doug and Abby Brown.

– April 1: Passover Seder, 7 pm; Registration and Info: www.jewishmontecito.org

New Board for SCA

The Summerland Citizens Association (SCA) has introduced its new Board of Directors for 2026, outlining a renewed focus on strengthening communication, transparency, and community engagement throughout the coastal town. In a message to residents, the board emphasized its commitment to keeping neighbors informed about local initiatives and projects affecting the community while encouraging meaningful participation from residents and local businesses. 

Jack Azar, a third-generation Summerland native and founder of GlideView Collective, will serve as Board President, bringing a background in community-focused work and nonprofit grant administration. Peter Stockmann, a retired Ford Motor Company executive with extensive experience in strategic planning and education, joins as Vice President.

Jed Hirsch, founder of Jed Hirsch General Building Contractor, Inc., will serve as Secretary, contributing decades of experience navigating local building, zoning, and permitting processes while advocating for thoughtful development. Eric Panofsky, founder and CEO of SLTWTR and a longtime community volunteer, steps into the role of Treasurer, with a focus on ensuring Summerland maintains a strong voice in county decisions that affect the town.

Completing the board is Director-at-Large Doretta Bonner, whose background in media production and nonprofit fundraising includes work supporting clean water initiatives in Kenya.

Together, the new board members represent a diverse range of professional expertise and shared dedication to preserving Summerland’s character, natural beauty, and strong sense of community as the town continues to navigate growth and development.

Carp and Rincon Bluffs Preserve to Receive $800K

First district Supervisor Roy Lee’s recommendation for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to fund necessary maintenance and improvements to the Carpinteria Bluffs and the Rincon Nature Preserve areas was approved unanimously. The funding amount is $800,000 to be given in four installments of $200,000. The City of Carpinteria needs to request each installment and provide a progress report of the expenditures for the project’s goals. Speaking for Lee, Wade Cowper his Chief of Staff said, “…the funding will assist with restoration of degraded trails, removal of invasive species, expansion of ADA-accessible pathways, improvements to parking and public amenities, development of interpretive educational features, and planning, permitting and stewardship strategies. The money was originally a starter fund to acquire an adjacent parcel, but escalating property costs and lack of availability made acquisition impractical. Instead, Supervisor Lee’s office determined the funds would be better used to enhance and protect land that has already been preserved.”

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ 6th Annual Give Kids A Smile Event

The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic recently served 35 children, ages 12 and under, with $7,567 in complimentary dental services at its sixth annual Give Kids A Smile event on Wednesday, February 25, at the clinic, located at 90 Via Juana Lane on the Santa Ynez Reservation. The free dental work also provided children with exams, cleanings and more. The clinic’s Dental Department provided dental care for any local child regardless of income or insurance status. Children received a comprehensive oral examination (including X-rays when appropriate), teeth cleaning, oral health education and dietary recommendations. Any treatment that was diagnosed during the exams will be completed at follow-up visits throughout 2026. The event was staffed by SYTHC dentists, registered dental assistants and dental hygienists. During last year’s event, over $7,300 in dental services were provided to 28 children at no cost to their families.