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A Space to Slow Down, Connect and Be Here
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Join Damian Gallagher and CEC for an experiential evening of reflection, conversation, and presence.
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Life moves fast. The Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Embodied Arts Workshops — part of our A Year of Active Hope series — offer a dedicated time and place to slow down, be present, and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.
On Tuesday, September 29, join Damian Gallagher at CEC’s Environmental Hub for Being Here: An Authentic Relating Practice, an experiential workshop about presence, connection and curiosity. From 6:30–8 p.m., you’ll be guided through simple reflection practices, conversation, and exercises that invite you to notice what’s happening within you and around you.
Take this opportunity to intentionally recharge and care for your mind and spirit. There’s no prior experience needed. The practices are simple, participatory, and designed so that each person can engage in a way that feels right for them. You can keep the evening light, go deeper, or simply observe and listen.
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Damian is a personal development coach, relational facilitator, and host of the Relational Literacy Lab, a weekly gathering focused on becoming more skillful at being human together. His work draws from years of experience in relational practice, group facilitation, Circling, Authentic Relating, Hakomi, and other experiential approaches to personal growth.
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Repair Cafe Santa Barbara
Saturday, September 26, 2026
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
CEC’s Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
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Join us for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara, a free, community-powered event where volunteers help to fix your broken treasures. Bring up to two items — such as clothing, electronics, bikes, furniture, toys, small appliances, or knives for sharpening — and work alongside skilled fixers to bring them back to life. This is not a drop-off service; you’ll collaborate directly with an expert volunteer who will assess your item, guide you through the repair process, and share practical skills along the way. Open to the public and designed to empower you to repair your favorite items, this is a hands-on, educational experience rooted in sustainability and community connection. Interested in getting involved? Contact info@repaircafesb.org to volunteer your skills, attend future events, or simply help us spread the word! Learn more.
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Climate Fridays Santa Barbara: Regenerative Agriculture in Action
Friday, October 2
4–5:30 p.m.
CEC’s Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barara
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Join us for October’s Climate Fridays Santa Barbara as we explore how climate-smart agriculture can build healthier soil, strengthen local farms, and support a more resilient future. CEC Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Manager Brian Sweeney will talk with local farmers Austin Sharron of Pilgrim Terrace, Stefan Selbert of Las Cumbres Ranch, and Margo Redfern of Wanderment Farm, about their experiences with climate-smart agriculture and what it looks like on the ground here in Santa Barbara County. Bring your questions, curiosity, and friends interested in the topic — we’ll leave time at the end for networking and conversation. Climate Fridays Santa Barbara are hosted by CEC, the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Sierra Club on the first Friday of each month to create space for fellow climate activists, students, allies, community partners, and friends to take collective action and collaborate to protect our planet. Learn more and register.
UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference Comes to Santa Barbara
October 9–11
UC Santa Barbara’s Corwin Pavilion
6085 UCEN Rd, Isla Vista
Join the Community Environmental Council (CEC) as we welcome the UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference to Santa Barbara this fall. Bringing together climate changemakers from across California, the conference will feature keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, community conversations, and field trips exploring climate resilience, participatory science, and equity in conservation. CEC is proud to serve as the local partner for this gathering. CEC CEO Sigrid Wright will join Mia Lopez, Chumash Cultural Educator and Founding Director of Su’nan Protection, to welcome attendees on opening day. CEC Director of Education and Operations Kathi King will also lead a workshop highlighting how CEC’s Climate Stewards course empowers community members to take climate action. Learn more and register.
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Beat the Heat with Instant AC Savings
Ventura County residents who are Clean Power Alliance customers enrolled in CARE or FERA may qualify for $300 toward an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR®-certified room air conditioner through the Instant AC Savings Program. For eligible customers, that could mean getting an AC unit at little to no cost while staying more comfortable during extreme heat. See if you qualify and learn more about the program.
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Save on Your Next Home Heating or Cooling Upgrade
Goleta residents can save more than $200 on eligible home electrification projects through the City of Goleta’s Heat Pump Permit Fee Waiver Program. The pilot program waives permit fees for residential projects installing electric heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems at the time of replacement, including in single-family and multi-family homes. The fee waiver can be combined with other local electrification incentives for even greater savings, but funding is limited to $10,000 and available until exhausted. Learn more.
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New Incentives to Go Electric
California is making it more affordable to switch to a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), with new incentives for first-time buyers and rideshare drivers.
$3,500 for First-Time EV Buyers
Through California’s new MyFirstEV program, eligible Californians can receive $3,500 off a new ZEV or $1,750 off a qualifying used vehicle, applied directly at the dealership. The program is currently available through Hyundai and Lucid, with more automakers joining soon.
Up to $20,300 for Rideshare Drivers
The new Rideshare Incentives for Driving Electric (RIDE) program launches in September and offers eligible Uber, Lyft, and HopSkipDrive drivers up to $20,300 toward a new ZEV, up to $14,200 toward a used ZEV, plus up to $1,170 annually for charging costs.
For personalized assistance finding EV rebates and incentives you qualify for, visit cec.pub/electrify-yourlifeand fill out the EV Assistance sign-up form, or contact CEC Climate Projects Associate Sachi Shiroma at sshiroma@cecmail.org or (805) 730-0203.
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Where Santa Barbara’s Changemakers Gather
Planning a board meeting, strategic retreat, workshop, or community event this fall? The Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub offers flexible, sustainably designed meeting and event space for nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies.
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With competitive nonprofit pricing, professional AV, and versatile spaces for meetings, trainings, film screenings, and community gatherings, The Hub provides the perfect setting to bring people together. Every booking also supports CEC’s work to advance climate solutions across the Central Coast.
Explore the space and book your event.
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Support Critical Work Like This
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Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC is led by CEO Sigrid Wright, 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. See our most recent impact report to learn how we are serving California’s Central Coast by advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.
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Learn more about how you can invest in CEC’s work to accelerate regional climate solutions at cecsb.org/donate.
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