The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) voted to approve accreditation for Westmont’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Westmont had to clearly demonstrate that its nursing program, which launched in January 2022, met all four of the CCNE standards: mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum and teaching-learning practices, and assessment […]

Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded Westmont College a $1.25 million grant to create a unique program exploring the meaning and value of in-person Christian preaching. At a time when much communication takes place online, remotely and impersonally, the Incarnational Preaching Project will invite active and aspiring preachers to investigate the value of preaching live to […]

The Annual Meeting for the Coast Village Improvement Association met last week at the Montecito Inn. The meeting’s purpose was the presentation of the 2024 slate to vote in the Board of Directors and to update the accomplishments and goals of the Interim Board and Executive Director.  The Interim Board of Directors voted unanimously to […]

An ecological restoration project near the Westmont campus has begun with students, faculty, and staff planting about 45 native coast live oaks. This first phase focuses on an area where Montecito Fire removed many dead and dying eucalyptus trees last summer along the Westmont Creek between the Las Barrancas faculty homes and Carr Field. The […]

Westmont celebrates Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, with “Let There be Light!” a festive gathering, tree lighting, hot cocoa, and opportunity to take photos with Santa on Wednesday, November 29, from 5-7 pm on Kerrwood Lawn. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.  Children’s photos with Santa begin at 4:30 […]

At this month’s Montecito Association Board Meeting, Montecito Fire Chief David Neels, along with reps from the Sheriff’s Department, Flood Control, and Office of Emergency Management, gave a presentation on the upcoming winter, which is expected to be a heavy rainy season.  Chief Neels presented a recap of last winter, in which there was historical […]

Last week marked the completion and ribbon cutting of the Santa Claus Lane Bikeway at a ceremony with bicyclists, pedestrians, and local business owners.  The new 0.6-mile, Class I bikeway and multipurpose path connects Santa Claus Lane to Carpinteria Avenue and is located on the beachside of Highway 101 between the freeway and the railroad […]

This Saturday, November 18, over a dozen businesses on Coast Village Road will take part in the last day – aka the finale – of the first annual Coast Village Week.  Here is a list of the offerings taking place: Marcus will host a Catherine Gee Trunk Show with local designer Catherine Gee, who presents […]

The Ritz-Carlton brand presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to ocean-diving explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau at a formal affair held on Saturday, November 11, at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The brand celebrated all things Cousteau, from his Ocean Futures Society to the Ambassadors of the Environment, along with the brand’s programming in environmental concerns. VIP brand […]

Santa Barbara Public Library (SBPL) will be hosting local authors, particularly independent authors, to participate in this year’s Local Author Book Fair, taking place in the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Central Library on Saturday, December 2 from 2-4 pm. The public is cordially invited to come, meet the authors, browse a selection of […]