Tag: Santa Barbara

Bilingual report — Third Space Sauna is coming to Rincon County Beach starting May 8

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Third Space Sauna, Santa Barbara’s first community sauna and cold plunge, is bringing its custom Finnish cedar barrel sauna to Rincon Beach for the first time this weekend.

On May 8th and 9th, the public is invited to drop in Friday and Saturday to meet founders Joey Mcguinness and Eli Pearlman, sweat it out in a 12-foot cedar sauna, take a plunge in the cold Pacific, and hang out on one of the most iconic stretches of coastline in California.

Third Space partnered with Santa Barbara County Parks with a goal to bring community wellness to public land as a service for everyone, not just those who can afford a resort day.

“We started Third Space to create a place where people can gather and connect,” said co-founder Joey McGuinness.

Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara unveils ‘The Muse’

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA—The Music Academy of the West has revealed updated details behind The Muse, its forthcoming Music Education Center in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara — an architecturally ambitious project designed not just to house music, but to make inspiration visible, tangible, and shared across the city. On May 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., the public is invited to step inside that vision during a special Sneak Peek at The Muse as part of Santa Barbara’s 1st Thursday Art Walk.

Cottage Health named Top Places to Work in Healthcare 2026

by Community Contributor • February 26, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health has been named to Becker’s 165 Top Places to Work in Healthcare List for 2026.

The recognition highlights organizations that make their people a priority and foster environments where caregivers feel supported, valued and empowered. Becker’s noted that these organizations invest deeply in their teams through competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, inclusive workplaces and resources that support work-life balance.

Santa Barbara corporate law firm Trusted Legal adds senior attorney

by Community Contributor • February 2, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Trusted Legal is proud to announce that Natasha Bhushan is joining the firm as a senior attorney.

Bhushan, an experienced corporate and transactional law attorney, has guided many clients and businesses through complex legal matters, transitions, real estate transactions and other issues like governance and compliance. She loves walking with her clients during their journeys from just starting out to seasoned entrepreneur.

Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara celebrates 15th year

by Community Contributor • January 30, 2026 • Comments Off

“Arlington Financial is immensely proud of our success. We are honored to have served our community and our clients all these years by providing trusted advice to help them achieve financial peace of mind,” said Dianne Duva, managing partner. “We look forward to continued growth as we help our clients achieve their financial goals.”

Community support urgently needed to protect access to medically necessary meals in Santa Barbara and Goleta

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA & GOLETA — Organic Soup Kitchen is asking the community to step in during a critical moment to help prevent nutrition gaps for low-income residents living with serious and chronic illness.

Over the past year, Organic Soup Kitchen partnered with a local health care provider to deliver medically tailored meals to individuals whose health depends on consistent, nourishing food. That partnership helped many people stabilize their health during periods of acute medical need.

Today, that same funding now typically supports meal access for about 12 weeks. While short-term nutrition intervention is an important part of medical care, many individuals living with cancer, autoimmune disease, and other chronic conditions need ongoing food support well beyond that window.

Through April 27 — Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara presenting SIDNEY GORDIN (1918-1996)

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

May 15-17 — 9th Annual American Riviera Classic Pickleball Tournament Brings Multi-State Competition to the Coast this May

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Through May 25 — Sullivan Goss Gallery presenting sixth solo exhibition by magical realist painter Susan McDonnell

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

May 29 through July 27 — Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara to present Meredith Brooks Abbott’s new solo show. Opening reception June 4

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2026 • Comments Off

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Channel Wealth surpasses $1 billion in client assets and expands State Street headquarters

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Channel Wealth, a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm, is proud to announce it has surpassed $1 billion in client assets as of November 2025. To support this growth and enhance client service, the firm has expanded to a new State Street office location and larger office space, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Santa Barbara community.

Music Academy of the West — A first look at our downtown music education center and its impact

by Community Contributor • December 4, 2025 • Comments Off

As we imagine the future of music, community, and creative belonging in Santa Barbara, I’m thrilled to share an exciting update on the Academy’s Music Education Center. This visionary new hub at 901 State Street—made possible by a landmark $20 million commitment from Academy Board Member and Music Education Center Founding Contributor Cheryl Goldberg—reflects the Music Academy’s belief in music as a powerful force for connection, inspiration, and the cultural vitality of our city.

Friendship Adult Day Services — The Friendly Finch: December

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2025 • Comments Off

How is it December… who did this?!? Between the holiday closures and the quick pace of this past month, it felt like we blinked and it was over. With three program closure days in November, and three again in December, I know how challenging that change in schedule can be for caregivers juggling a hundred things at once. That’s why I’m especially proud that this month, we’re once again offering three free Saturday respite days as a holiday gift to caregivers: a gift of time.

Bilingual report — Adelante Charter School, a 2025 California Distinguished School, celebrates 25 years of Dual-Language Program

by Community Contributor • October 20, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — This fall, Adelante Charter School, a 2025 California Distinguished School and a Spanish dual-language immersion program, will celebrate its 25th anniversary by honoring individuals who have been instrumental to its success and growth. The honorees include the school’s inaugural board members, whose vision and dedication made history in Santa Barbara County, along with local philanthropist Jim Kearns.

Adelante Charter School in Santa Barbara achieves unprecedented test score gains

by Community Contributor • October 15, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Adelante Charter School, Santa Barbara’s dual-language immersion K–6 program, has achieved one of the most remarkable academic turnarounds in California this year — earning double-digit gains in both English and math proficiency and recognition as a 2025 California Distinguished School.

In the 2025 state assessments, Adelante students boosted English Language Arts proficiency by 13 points and Math proficiency by more than 16 points in a single year — far exceeding statewide averages, where annual growth typically ranges from two to four percentage points.

Partners sought for ‘Hope Grows Wild’ mural unveiling on Oct. 25 at LoDo Studios in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • October 15, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Join us at LoDo Studios for the “Hope Grows Wild” Mural Unveiling, where we celebrate growth, resilience, and the beauty of community art from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara.

Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara announcing new Summer Festival Structure launching in 2026

by Community Contributor • October 3, 2025 • Comments Off

The Festival will open with a new two-week High School Intensive (June 14–25) for accomplished musicians ages 14–18, followed by the celebrated six-weekFellowship Institute (June 27–August 8) for pre-professional musicians ages 18–34. Together, the High School Intensive and Fellowship Institute create a dynamic eight-week Festival filled with concerts, recitals, special events, and educational offerings that position the Music Academy as a leader in training the next generation of classical musicians.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — The Friendly Finch: October

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2025 • Comments Off

I recently sat down with my dear friend and former Friendship Center colleague, Hope Saxon (who many of you may know has gone on to become a geriatric nurse practitioner!). Our conversation turned into a walk down memory lane, reflecting on how much Friendship Center has changed and grown over the past few years. Of course, I know these changes are happening. I’m living them every day. However, it wasn’t until talking with Hope, who is one of the dear members of our community that has been so close to our organization for so many years (like many of you), that I truly appreciated the magnitude of what’s unfolding.

Santa Barbara attorneys Ron S. Bamieh and Danielle De Smeth achieve ‘Super Lawyer’ status

by Community Contributor • September 11, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Ron S. Bamieh and Danielle De Smeth, partners at the law firm Bamieh & De Smeth, have made the ‘Super Lawyers’ list for 2026, a prestigious recognition that places them among the top five percent of attorneys in the country.

Super Lawyers is a rating service that evaluates lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Candidates are selected by independent researchers and professional peers and cannot nominate themselves.

City of Santa Barbara — Use Your Voice for Safer Streets! Join Us for Meetings Oct. 8 (Online) & Oct. 15 (In Person)

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Use Your Voice for Safer Streets! Join Us for Meetings October 8 (Online) & October 15 (In Person) Join the City to create safe and more accessible streets! Whether you walk, bike, or drive, your experiences matter—especially…

Labor Day Protest: Santa Barbara joins nationwide resistance against billionaire exploitation

by Community Contributor • August 29, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — On Labor Day, Monday, September 1, at 11:00 a.m., community members will gather at De La Guerra Plaza in Santa Barbara as part of a nationwide day of protest to honor working people and stand strong against billionaire exploitation and corporate domination.

Across the country, workers, students, parents, and neighbors are rising up to demand dignity, justice, and investment in people — not billionaire empires.

The Santa Barbara event will include protest songs, chants, stories from the community, and opportunities for students and others to share how economic injustice impacts their families and communities. Participants are encouraged to bring signs, water, and their voices. Limited seating and sign-making supplies will be available.

Unite to Light to deploy innovative solar powerpoles in eight Santa Barbara Community resilience projects

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — From powering tsunami warning systems to supporting 24/7 food pantries, Unite To Light is pleased to announce eight new PowerPole installations which are set to transform how Santa Barbara County communities access reliable, renewable energy. Through a unique partnership with the James S. Bower Foundation and local battery tech startup Dragon Q Energy, the PowerPole is a compact, solar-integrated, off-grid solution providing electricity, battery storage, and internet connectivity, even in the harshest conditions.

McCarthy Companies awarded preconstruction contract for a new affordable housing community for Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — McCarthy Companies has been selected by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) to provide preconstruction services for the development of Monteria Village in Santa Barbara. The recently signed contract will lay the groundwork for a transformative affordable housing project that will replace a 28-unit HUD-assisted public housing development built in 1973 and add 52 new affordable apartments on Santa Barbara’s Westside for a total of 80 affordable multifamily units. The development leverages HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, which enabled HACSB to successfully reposition its entire HUD-assisted public housing inventory to access equity funding for rehabilitation and improvements.

Cottage Children’s Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announce collaboration to expand access to pediatric care for Central Coast families

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2025 • Comments Off

“Our focus at CCMC is high quality care for our pediatric patients locally. This affiliation is a huge leap forward in reducing the burden placed on families to travel multiple times a year for a chronic condition that requires a large academic center like CHLA,” says Miriam Parsa, MD, MPH, Chief Pediatric Medical Officer of Cottage Children’s Medical Center.

40 Years Strong: Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp wraps up week of achievement and celebration

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Last week, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital celebrated the conclusion of the 40th annual Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, following a week of adapted sports, new friendships and unforgettable experiences. Campers, volunteers and staff reflected on the lasting impact of this one-of-a-kind program.

Hosted July 21–25 at the UCSB Recreation Center, the camp welcomed approximately 40 campers and more than 75 volunteers—all gathered to support and celebrate the power of inclusive recreation. The event marked a milestone year in the camp’s history, which spans four decades of empowering youth with physical disabilities through sport.

Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara releases report on impact of climate action

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) has released its most recent Impact Report, which shares key highlights of how CEC is converting a historically oil producing region to one that is regenerative and renewable. The report is accessible at cecsb.org/impact

At a time when the federal administration’s regressive climate policies threaten to unravel years of progress, California serves as a critical safeguard, and its stance will determine whether the United States advances or regresses by decades in climate protection. Central Coast communities play a vital role by providing courage, backbone, and proof of concept that strengthen and inform statewide policies.

Cottage Health nurse residency program earns PTAP accreditation

by Community Contributor • July 2, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health’s Nursing Residency Program at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital has earned national accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP).

This prestigious designation recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence in supporting newly licensed registered nurses and those entering careers in acute care, as they transition into clinical practice.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services — Caregivers are carrying so much – Can you help lighten the load?

by Community Contributor • June 25, 2025 • Comments Off

Although Friendship Center’s main mission is to provide compassionate care for seniors living with dementia, we don’t stop there. We know it takes a village to provide care for someone else, and it is often a spouse, adult child, or sibling who are key components of one’s support system. It is important to us that not only are our program attendees are cared for, but that their caregivers feel supported during their loved ones journey with dementia.

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Celebrate Summer, Skip the Plastic

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2025 • Comments Off

From ocean gyres to grocery aisles, plastic is all around us, and it puts our communities and planet at risk. This summer, we invite you to connect with local activists, explore bold solutions, and take action to reduce your plastic footprint. Join our June and July events at CEC’s Environmental Hub and kick off the season in plastic-free style!

Music Academy of the West acquires downtown Santa Barbara property to launch Music Education Center

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2025 • Comments Off

New downtown Music Education Center will expand access to music education, foster year-round artistic innovation, and serve as a cultural anchor in Santa Barbara—strengthening community connection and shaping the future of the performing arts.

Invest in the Friendship Center Family

by Community Contributor • May 29, 2025 • Comments Off

Friendship Center serves a diverse background of seniors. No matter their age, or the stage of their condition, we provide dignified, compassionate care catered specifically to each individual’s needs. This quality and compassion enables us to not only be a helpful service, but a family in which every senior, caregiver, and loved one is seen and heard.

Just like anything worthwhile, this dignified care comes at a cost. It costs us roughly $220 per member, per day to provide support for our seniors living with dementia.

Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons joins Cottage Health Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health has elected Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons to its Board of Directors. A respected physician leader with nearly two decades of clinical and administrative experience, Dr. Fitzgibbons brings deep expertise in infectious diseases, public health and medical education.

She serves as Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and holds multiple medical directorships within Cottage Health, including for Infection Prevention and Control and the Cottage Center for Population Health. Dr. Fitzgibbons is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. A proud alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), she is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UCSB. Throughout her career, Dr. Fitzgibbons has led local pandemic responses, directed quality initiatives and championed equitable, community-based care.

CI Fiduciary Group celebrates 10th anniversary

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Channel Islands Fiduciary Group, a company that offers private, professional fiduciary services for elders and dependent adults, is celebrating 10 years in business.

Founded by Courtney DeSoto, J.D., CLPF, NCG, TEP, Channel Islands Fiduciary Group offers a comprehensive range of fiduciary services to support populations that include at-risk seniors, people who wish to age in their own homes, individuals suffering from mental and/or emotional challenges, those suffering from substance use disorder, adults vulnerable to exploitation or abuse, and isolated adults. DeSoto provides services as a successor trustee, executor and agent on a power of attorney for finances and/or healthcare. She also serves by court appointment in conservatorships and probate administration proceedings.

Bilingual contribution— Post-Action Momentum Continues: April 19 Community Gatherings in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Isla Vista

by Community Contributor • April 18, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Following the powerful momentum of the recent Hands Off! action, local organizers are calling on residents to come together again—this time to deepen connections and organize at the community level.

On Saturday, April 19 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, simultaneous Community Gatherings will be held in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Isla Vista. These events are designed to create space for real conversations, grassroots strategy, and mutual support as we build a stronger, people-powered movement.

RSVP today at https://t.ly/apr19 to join one of the gatherings.

Santa Barbara Pickleball presents Kenny Loggins’ ‘Pickleball in the Danger Zone’ Tournament – A Star-Studded Benefit for The Unity Shoppe

by Community Contributor • April 15, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Pickleball is thrilled to announce the return of its signature annual event—now rebranded as Kenny Loggins’ “Pickleball in the Danger Zone” Tournament. Celebrating its eighth year, this highly anticipated tournament was formerly known as the American Riviera Classic Pickleball Tournament and has grown into what may be the largest amateur athletic event in the city.

Set to draw over 400 registered players, the tournament will feature men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles divisions, showcasing top-tier amateur competition in a vibrant community atmosphere.

805UndocuFund receives $32,000 in total grant support from the Fund for Santa Barbara to strengthen immigrant rights advocacy and Emergency Response

by Community Contributor • April 11, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — 805UndocuFund is proud to announce it has received a total of $32,000 in grant funding from The Fund for Santa Barbara to expand its immigrant rights advocacy and strengthen rapid response and disaster relief efforts across the Central Coast.

The first award—a $10,000 Emergent Needs Grant from The Fund for Santa Barbara—will provide general operating support for the 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network, which monitors and responds to immigration enforcement actions across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

The second award—a $12,000 Donor Advised Grant, also from The Fund for Santa Barbara—provides additional general support for the Rapid Response Network, further sustaining the network’s capacity to verify ICE activity, deploy trained legal observers and community responders, and provide emergency assistance to impacted families.

Santa Barbara joins national “Hands Off!” Day of Action on April 5 to push back against rising authoritarianism and corporate greed

by Community Contributor • April 4, 2025 • Comments Off

The event, part of a nationwide protest movement, will take place at De La Guerra Plaza from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with pre-rally sign-making starting at 12:00 PM. It is co-sponsored by Indivisible Santa Barbara and Women’s March Santa Barbara, and is part of a coordinated response to what organizers call an “ongoing crisis of power and greed” from Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and other billionaire elites.

Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation in Santa Barbara selects 14 finalists for annual music competition

by Community Contributor • April 3, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Fourteen talented instrumentalists and vocalists will vie for thousands of dollars in scholarships at the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation’s (PASF) annual competition on April 27. The finalists were selected through auditions held March 28 and 29 at the Music Academy of the West’s Weinmann Hall in Montecito.

The PASF Audition Committee, comprised of Board President Deborah Bertling, Board Secretary Erin Bonski-Evans, and Directors Jill Felber, Dr. David McKee, and Kristine Pacheco-Bernt, carefully chose the finalists from a competitive field of adult and youth musicians. This year’s auditions featured several contenders for the newly introduced Junior Vocal Division, which is dedicated to vocalists under the age of 17.

REACH in Santa Barbara welcomes largest cohort to date

by Community Contributor • March 25, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — REACH, a leading organization dedicated to empowering first-generation, low- to mid-income students in Santa Barbara County, proudly announces its largest cohort to date. With 60 Fellows, their Cohort 2025 (Class of 2026) reflects REACH’s commitment to transforming lives through academic preparation, outdoor experiences, and personal development.

Three Local Leaders Honored at the 6th Annual LEAP Awards in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • March 17, 2025 • Comments Off

“We’re incredibly honored to celebrate these community champions today,” said Lori Goodman, Executive Director of LEAP. “Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons has been instrumental in advancing healthcare and medical education in our community. Ernesto Paredes has devoted his career to advocating for families and improving accessibility. Amir Abo-Shaeer, our first Distinguished Alumnus, continues to transform education through innovation. Each of these remarkable individuals embodies LEAP’s mission of supporting families and children across Santa Barbara County.”

International Women’s Day March, Dance Party to be held in Santa Barbara on March 8

by Community Contributor • March 6, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The International Women’s Day March, Dance Party will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at De La Guerra Plaza, Santa Barbara.

Celebrate your Power!
Protest for your Rights!
Dance up State Street!
Presented by World Dance for Humanity, Santa Barbara Women’s March, Indivisible Santa Barbara, UCSB Women’s Center and the SB Women’s Political Committee.

Santa Barbara Quakers join interfaith challenge to Department of Homeland Security’s rescission of sensitive locations policy

by Community Contributor • February 21, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Friends General Conference (FGC), a national Quaker organization, joined multiple religious organizations in challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) reversal of the sensitive locations policy, which previously limited immigration enforcement actions at places of worship. The Santa Barbara Friends Meeting (SBFM) as an affiliate of FGC, joined this legal challenge.

We are an unprogrammed meeting of Quakers and we reaffirm that our house of worship serves as a sanctuary for all. The belief that God is within every person has powerful ramifications.

Transgender Unity March to be held March 1 in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • February 21, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, the Santa Barbara community will stand in solidarity with a nationwide movement advocating for the rights and dignity of transgender people. The Transgender Unity March will take place at De La Guerra Plaza at noon, 20 East De la Guerra inviting transgender individuals, allies, and community members to join in support of equality and justice.

Across the country, transgender people are facing increasing threats, including policies that restrict access to healthcare, limit mobility, and endanger lives. The Transgender Unity March is a direct response to this growing discrimination, offering a platform for voices to rise against these injustices and for the community to demand action.

Former Santa Barbara PASF winner Alexander Lipay takes home two Grammy Awards

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2025 • Comments Off

Lipay won the awards for Best Classical Compendium 2024 and Best Orchestral Performance 2024 at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles earlier this month alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The awards recognized the orchestra’s recording of Revolución Diamantina, a ballet score by renowned Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. Lipay engineered the recording alongside his father, Dmitriy Lipay.

Santa Barbara’s Music Academy of the West announces 2025 board officers, directors and honors retiring members

by Community Contributor • January 24, 2025 • Comments Off

This remarkable group will help grow the Academy’s mission to provide musicians and audiences alike with transformative music experiences through public performances and community programs. Newly elected Board officers and members began their terms on January 1, 2025.

Free, online “Fearless Femme Summit” from Feb 3 to 6 offers career-boosting advice for women in STEM

by Community Contributor • January 13, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — More women than ever are working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, but they’re still vastly outnumbered by men. For many women professionals that can lead to a feeling of isolation, as well as problems with discrimination, unconscious bias and a lack of role models and support.

Leadership coach Mary Jean Vignone, Ph.D., aims to change that. From Feb. 3 to 6 she will be hosting the second annual “Fearless Femme Summit: Propel Your Career in STEM” The free event, which will be held entirely online from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, is designed to help women in STEM reach new heights in their careers and become authentic leaders.

Registration is open to STEM professionals, students and the public at no cost by signing up at www.fearlessfemmesummit.com. Participants can also sign up for a paid group coaching program and individualized emotional intelligence assessments that include free access to Fearless Femme Summit speaker videos.

Community Environmental Council — 2025 is the year for climate leadership!

by Community Contributor • January 10, 2025 • Comments Off

CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program is designed to foster connection, confidence, and inspiration for grassroots climate action. Gain the tools and support to tackle climate impacts in your life, work, and community. Let’s work together for a sustainable future — the climate movement needs YOU!

Our Climate Stewards program empowers participants to play an active role in their community to advance rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Together, our community of 200-strong Climate Steward alumni are leading climate justice initiatives and pushing forward thousands of local solutions.

The next cohort starts January 28, 2025. Now is the perfect time to invest in your future, and the future of our planet!

Oct. 23 — Lila Downs to perform — Music and Dances of Mexico — Día de los Muertos — at the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2025 • Comments Off

Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning icon Lila Downs brings her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence to a vibrant celebration of Día de Muertos. Raised in Minnesota and Oaxaca, Downs blends traditional Mexican and Mesoamerican music with folk, jazz, blues and originals in a deeply personal interpretation of Día de Muertos. This festive evening will also feature mariachis and dancers, evoking the rich spirit and color of Day of the Dead on both sides of the border.

Bilingual report — Community Environmental Council announces get up to $2,000 for an E-Bike

by Community Contributor • December 18, 2024 • Comments Off

The California E-Bike Incentive Project is a statewide program making eco-friendly transportation more affordable and accessible. Eligible applicants can receive up to $2,000 toward the purchase of an e-bike. Applications open December 18, 2024 at 6 p.m.

Santa Barbara’s Community Environmental Council update — How We’re Building Resilience to Wildfires

by Community Contributor • November 20, 2024 • Comments Off

Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events are driving the severity and frequency of wildfires. So far this year, California has had more than 7,000 wildfires — including our region’s recent Lake and Mountain Fire — that have ravaged a million acres, destroying homes and communities, impacting air quality, and releasing massive amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. Every one of these fires represents a setback to carbon reduction efforts.

But we have the collective power to stop this climate chaos.

The Community Environmental Council recognized early on that the California Central Coast provides the perfect climate lab to test solutions that can protect our and other regions from future fires. The good news is our solutions are working.

Page 1 of 4

1 2 3 4 »