Montecito Firefighters on Duty Across Western U.S., and More News Bytes

Montecito Fire Department Chief Brian Fallon announced that MFD firefighters are assisting with wildfire operations across the Western United States, supporting communities and fire crews on the front lines in Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico. 

MFD Teams are currently assigned to:

• Old Trails Fire — Spokane, WA

• Timber Fire — Big Sur, CA

• MP 18 — Humboldt County, CA

• Frijoles Fire — New Mexico

Fallon, “We’re proud of our firefighters for stepping up to help protect lives, property, and communities beyond our own backyard.”

MCM Last Lemonade Stand

August 22 and 23: Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

411: www.montecitocountrymart.com

Tickets on Sale for SBMA 3rd Annual Gala

The SB Museum of Art 3rd Annual Gala, formerly titled, “Gilded Gala,” will take place February 20, 2027, at the Rosewood Miramar Beach. To attend, the event only features table sponsorships, which are available for purchase now. In Spring 2026, the event raised over $800,000 to support the SBMA’s programming and exhibitions.

The 2027 Art Gala co-chairs are the event’s Founder Lynn Cunningham Brown and new to being Co-chair, Briana H. Moncrief. The 2027 Art Gala Event Committee members are Christian McGrath, Nicholas Mutton, Stephen Schaible, and Courtney Treut. The 2027 Host Committee members are Susan Drymalski Bowey, Judith Little, Merrill W. Sherman, Pamela and Gregory Breedlove, Deborah and Thomas F. Loeb, Leslie Thomas, Marcy Carsey, Siri and Bob Marshall, Beth Wood, Mitchell and Lisa Green, Briana and R. W. Moncrief Jr., Geof and Laura Wyatt, Carol and Michael Linn, Stephen Schaible and Daron Builta, and the Zegar Family Fund. 

411: www.galasbma.net

Cortex and Canvas

Stewart Fine Art will host The Cortex and the Canvas on Sunday, August 23, bringing neuroaesthetics and Indian philosophy together for an intimate exploration of how sustained attention to art can influence the brain, nervous system, and decision-making. The gathering is part of Founders Circle, a five-part series created for founders and executives navigating periods of reflection or transition.

Each session pairs a philosophical framework with a curated artwork from Stewart Fine Art’s collection, exploring themes ranging from purpose and desire to selfless action, meditative focus, and trusting one’s own judgment.

The small-group event takes place at 539 San Ysidro Road in Montecito’s Upper Village, beginning at 9:30 am. The August 23 date replaces the originally scheduled August 9 session.

411: https://tinyurl.com/Montecito-Stewart-Cortex

Team Hope Walk

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) will bring its 2026 Team Hope Walk to Santa Barbara on Saturday, September 12, at Leadbetter Park, 801 Shoreline Drive. Registration begins at 9 am, with the walk stepping off at 9:30 am. Proceeds support HDSA programs assisting individuals and families affected by Huntington’s disease.

Team Hope is HDSA’s largest grassroots fundraising initiative, with walks held in more than 100 cities nationwide. Since launching in 2007, the program has raised more than $28 million for the cause. Huntington’s disease is a hereditary neurological disorder affecting approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans, with more than 200,000 additional people at risk of inheriting it.

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

Sept 29, 10 am – 1 pm: Meet PBS Kids character Budson “Buddy” Rexander, an orphaned young Tyrannosaurus rex who was separated from his own kind. He is the main protagonist of the PBS Kids animated TV series Dinosaur Train. 

411: www.sbnature.org

Cottage Health Honored by ‘PEOPLE’ Magazine

Cottage Health is awarded by Great Place to Work® and PEOPLE as one of the 2026 PEOPLE® Companies that Care. Cottage Health’s press release explains, “The national recognition honors organizations for their workplace culture and commitment to employees, families, and the communities they serve. The list is based largely on employee feedback about their workplace experience.” Cara Williams, chief human resources officer at Cottage Health added, “This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the experiences of those who make Cottage Health such a special place to work. We are proud of the culture our teams help shape at Cottage Health, and learning from employee feedback is an important part of how we continue to strengthen it.” 

Better Connections on the Chumash Reservation 

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is marking a major step forward in digital access with the first successful broadband fiber connections to homes on the Chumash Reservation. Tribal leadership and project partners gathered on Wednesday, August 19, to celebrate the milestone and highlight continued efforts to expand reliable, high-speed internet access throughout the Reservation and supporting infrastructure at Camp 4.

The achievement is part of a multi-year, grant-funded effort carried out in partnership with Cal.net and other stakeholders. The project aims to improve connectivity for residents while underscoring the growing importance of dependable broadband access in everyday life.