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Join Ocean Conservancy for an impactful evening as we dive deep into California’s plastic pollution crisis and explore effective policy solutions to tackle this urgent and growing threat.

During this event, you’ll hear from advocacy, science and policy experts who will discuss California’s pressing plastic pollution issues and the harmful impacts on our environment. We’ll dive into Ocean Conservancy’s strategic and effective policy initiatives aimed at reducing plastic production, promoting recycling and combating pollution for a sustainable future. After the presentation, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a lively Q&A with our experts to gain valuable insights. Then we’ll cap off the night with a networking reception where you can connect with like-minded individuals, fellow ocean advocates and speakers while enjoying light refreshments. This event will enable you to feel empowered and equipped to take meaningful steps toward a plastic-free future, armed with tangible actions for your Santa Barbara community.

Event Timeline:
5:00 p.m. – Doors open
5:15 p.m. – Presentation followed by a Q&A session
6:30 p.m. – Networking with light refreshments
7:30 p.m. – Event concludes

Support the New West Symphony while feasting on a sumptuous gourmet buffet under the evening stars.

Rock out to iconic hits from the incredible Jason Scheff, long-time lead vocalist of the iconic band Chicago, and his all-star bandmates including Steve Porcaro (Original TOTO member, prolific songwriter/keyboardist), Rick Cowling (guitarist/vocalist for Kenny Loggins, Ambrosia), Phil X (lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper), and Sherry Hursey (film, television, award-winning theater actress/vocalist). Devon Geyer’s country music band and New West Symphony orchestra members performing classical delights will complete your dazzling entertainment extravaganza.

Music will include your favorite hits like “25 or 6 to 4,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Africa,” “Biggest Part of Me,” “Baba O’Riley” and more.

Whimsical sculptures by world-renowned artist Ann Krasner will be on display. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of music, good food and great company in beautiful surroundings.

Proceeds benefit the New West Symphony’s artistic and educational programs. Tickets are $300 for both the dinner & concert. A limited number of tickets for the concert only are available for $125.

Have you ever wondered how avocados made their way to America? Rob Crisell, author of California Avocados: A Delicious History, will explore key events in the rise of California’s avocado industry including how avocados became popular in California. As part of the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History’s Talk & Talkback Speaker Series, Crisell will discuss how avocados won the “war on fat” in food, why Haas avocados are so popular, and the most important avocado recipes in history.

The 2025 Talk & Talkback Speaker Series is hosted by the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History. Avocado Land: The History of California’s Avocado Industry will be held on Friday, Aug. 8 from 5 p. m. to 6 p.m. at the museum, 956 Maple Ave. in downtown Carpinteria. The talk is free for members of the museum and $10 per person for visitors.

"Rob Crisell is an avocado historian and enthusiast," said Jayme Yahr, the museum's director. "The museum looks forward to a fun, informative, and locally important talk on all things avocado.” For more information on the Talk & Talkback Speaker Series, volunteering at the museum, or other questions, call (805) 684-3112, email info@carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org, or visit carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Central Coast at SCAPE’s (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) annual juried Fall Show, Nature’s Palette. Held at the prestigious Music Academy of the West in Lehmann Hall, this two-day event celebrates stunning local art, while supporting environmental education nonprofit Explore Ecology.

The show opens on Friday, September 12th at 2:00 pm, with a reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The exhibition will also be open on Saturday, September 13th from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The juror for the exhibit is Michael Drury, renowned local artist and Oak Group member. Some of Michael’s work will be on display.

Explore and purchase artwork inspired by the natural splendor of the Central Coast, knowing that your participation supports Explore Ecology’s innovative programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local art, artists, and environmental education!

SCAPE fosters camaraderie and artistic growth among its members while organizing art events that benefit non-profit environmental organizations. Learn more at https://scape.wildapricot.org

Proceeds benefit Explore Ecology’s environmental education programs for Santa Barbara County youth.

Admission: Free. All ages welcome.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Central Coast at SCAPE’s (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) annual juried Fall Show, Nature’s Palette. Held at the prestigious Music Academy of the West in Lehmann Hall, this two-day event celebrates stunning local art, while supporting environmental education nonprofit Explore Ecology.

The show opens on Friday, September 12th at 2:00 pm, with a reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The exhibition will also be open on Saturday, September 13th from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The juror for the exhibit is Michael Drury, renowned local artist and Oak Group member. Some of Michael’s work will be on display.

Explore and purchase artwork inspired by the natural splendor of the Central Coast, knowing that your participation supports Explore Ecology’s innovative programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local art, artists, and environmental education!

SCAPE fosters camaraderie and artistic growth among its members while organizing art events that benefit non-profit environmental organizations.

Proceeds benefit Explore Ecology’s environmental education programs for Santa Barbara County youth.

Admission: Free. All ages welcome.

Santa Barbara Permaculture Network’s
2025 Annual Eco Hero Award
Honoring Bill & Athena Steen & Roxanne Swentzell
Natural Building Pioneers

Sunday, March 23, 6:30-9pm, 2025
TICKETS $10, $20, & Friends of Eco Hero $100 (students & kids free)

Location: Lobero Theatre
33 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Tickets on Sale Now: Lobero Ticket Office

Reception follows in the Lobero Courtyard for all ticket holders

Santa Barbara Permaculture Network celebrates its 5th Annual Eco Hero Award, continuing to honor those making significant and positive change, this time honoring Natural Building pioneers, Bill & Athena Steen & Roxanne Swentzell, joining us in person on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

All three hail from the American Southwest, they are natural builders, authors and acclaimed artists, each one devoted to the beauty of the land, with a commitment to building with care of the earth as a priority.

Up next in the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History’s Talk & Talkback Speaker Series will be Carpinterian Dale Olivas’ Urban Forestry & Native Habitats, a talk about trees—safety, maintenance, pruning, native and non-native trees, urban forestry, and defensible space—on June 3, 5 to 6 p.m. at the museum, 956 Maple Ave., in downtown Carpinteria.

Olivas is an arborist and tree expert who serves on the City of Carpinteria’s Tree Advisory Board. In addition to his tree-related work, Olivas volunteered with Hope805 after the Thomas Fire to bring mental health wellness to people in the region and worked on the rehabilitation of public lands after debris flow from flooding in the Montecito area as a FEMA-trained volunteer.

The 2025 Talk & Talkback Speaker Series is hosted by the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History. The Urban Forestry & Native Habitats talk is free for members of the museum and $10 per person for visitors.
For more information on the Talk & Talkback Speaker Series, volunteering at the museum, or other questions, call (805) 684-3112, email info@carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org, or visit carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org.

The Simi Valley Family YMCA is hosting an Alumni Reunion and Open House on Thursday, October 23, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 pm to celebrate the YMCA’s 40th anniversary. The community is invited to join the celebration.

Since first opening its doors a little over 40 years ago, the Simi Valley Family Y has been a second home for generations of families. From swim lessons and summer camps to teen leadership programs, after-school enrichment, youth sports and fitness classes, the Y has touched tens of thousands of lives over the past four decades.

Guests can enjoy a walk down memory lane with a display of photos from the YMCA’s early years, reconnect with alumni and staff and hear about Y’s upcoming expansion plans, with construction slated to begin next year.

Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. The Simi Valley Family YMCA is at 3200 Cochran St. Event registration is required. To register, go to https://www.sevymca.org/events/ymca-alumni-happy-hour-open-house.

2025/26 Joint Season Opener
Saturday, October 18 | 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19 | 3:00 PM

Attend "Conversations with KUSC" with on-air personality Jennifer Miller Hammel
Saturday Pre-Concert Chat | 6:30-7:00 PM
Sunday Pre-Concert Chat | 2:00-2:30 PM

A love forbidden. A love immortal. The greatest moments from Prokofiev’s greatest ballet—the ardent Romeo and Juliet performed with grace and passion by dancers from State Street Ballet on the Granada stage. These concerts—and the season—begin as Nir Kabaretti and the Santa Barbara Symphony perform Shostakovich’s spirited Festive Overture and Rachmaninoff’s Men’s Dance from the Opera Aleko.

The Artists
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
State Street Ballet
Santa Barbara City College Brass

Repertoire
SHOSTAKOVICH | Festive Overture
RACHMANINOFF | Men’s Dance from the Opera Aleko
PROKOFIEV | Romeo & Juliet, Acts 1 & 2 (with dancers from State Street Ballet)
Visit for more: https://thesymphony.org/concerts-events/orchestra-concerts/state-street-ballet/

Tickets start as low as $35 (does not include Granada fees).

Santa Barbara Symphony- Bella Italia

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 3:00 PM
The Granada Theatre

Attend "Conversations with KUSC" with on-air personality Jennifer Miller Hammel
Saturday Pre-Concert Chat | 6:30-7:00 PM
Sunday Pre-Concert Chat | 2:00-2:30 PM

A five-century survey of Italian classics. From Vivaldi’s perennial The Four Seasons, to Puccini’s youthful Capriccio Sinfonico (an early working of tunes to later appear in La Bohème!) to Respighi’s thunderous The Pines of Rome with brass blazing from the four corners of The Granada Theatre. And discover a recent, lively concerto by Christian Carrara inspired by the dazzling Red Ferrari Accordion.

The Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Hanzhi Wang, Accordion

Repertoire
VIVALDI | “Winter” from The Four Seasons
CRISTIAN CARRARA | Red Ferrari Accordion Concerto
(co-commissioned by Santa Barbara Symphony, Orchestra della Toscana, Musica Insieme – Bologna, Richmond Symphony Orchestra & FVG Orchestra)
PUCCINI | Capriccio Sinfonico
RESPIGHI | The Pines of Rome

For more info and tickets, visit: https://thesymphony.org/concerts-events/orchestra-concerts/bella-italia/