Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Want a free, accessible film screening and Q&A downtown next weekend?
You won't want to miss NatureTrack Film Festival presents The Art of Trees - Free Film Screening on the Santa Barbara Patch calendar

Hello Santa Barbara! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Want a free, accessible film screening and Q&A downtown next weekend?
- How Santa Barbara locals can explore Japanese sacred architecture this month
- How Santa Barbara County plans to curb costly abandoned boats on beaches
Also on today's calendar: NatureTrack Film Festival presents The Art of Trees - Free Film Screening and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Penny C.!
Today's riddle: What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: A passing afternoon shower, with a high of 74 and low of 57 degrees.
- Monday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 66, low: 52.
- Tuesday: Sunshine and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Screening of 'Unseen' A Documentary and Q&A with Director Set Hernandez and Subject Pedro (independent.com) — Santa Barbara residents are invited to a free screening of the documentary "Unseen" at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, including a Q&A with the director and film subject. Hosted by State of Mind Cafe and Blind Fitness, the event honors White Cane Awareness Day and highlights disability, immigration, and accessibility, with accommodations like wheelchair access and audio loop technology available.
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2. Japanese Sacred Architecture: Shinto and Buddhism (independent.com) — A talk on Japanese sacred architecture is coming to Concord Hall on Chapala Street in Santa Barbara on October 24, with both in-person seating and a local livestream. Architect Kirk Gradin, a longtime Santa Barbara practitioner, will join Jonathan Taube to explore how Shinto and Buddhist traditions shape temples, shrines, and gardens, offering residents a deep dive into design, spirituality, and place.
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3. County to Address Increasing Numbers of Abandoned, Wrecked Boats (noozhawk.com) — Santa Barbara County supervisors are exploring tougher rules and funding options to tackle a growing problem of abandoned and wrecked boats along local beaches, especially near Montecito and Summerland. With cleanup costs often falling on taxpayers and nonprofits like Heal the Ocean, officials are weighing enforcement, cost recovery, and ideas such as mandatory insurance and inspections to prevent derelict vessels from becoming expensive, polluting hazards.
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4. Environmentalists celebrate Naples Property (keyt.com) — Local environmental groups in Santa Barbara are celebrating a major step toward preserving the historic Naples property along the Gaviota Coast, but they still need to raise at least $16 million to finalize the purchase. The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County now has a purchase agreement for about 1,000 acres once slated for luxury mansions, and residents are being urged to donate and stay involved in the long-running conservation effort.
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5. Gauchos Dominate Cal Poly 3-1 in Front of Massive Crowd at Harder Stadium (independent.com) — UC Santa Barbara men's soccer thrilled a packed Harder Stadium, drawing over 11,000 fans as the Gauchos beat rival Cal Poly 3–1 in one of the nation's biggest college crowds this season. With crisp teamwork and standout goals from Steinar Bjornnson, Zack Siebenlist, and Kaden Standish, UCSB now heads on the road before returning home to host California Baptist on Oct. 21.
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📸 Around Santa Barbara
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Barbara
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- NatureTrack Film Festival presents The Art of Trees - Free Film Screening →
2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos
6:30 pm - SLO Reptile Expo - Oct.17-18, 2026 →
Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo
10:00 am
Friday October 16
Saturday October 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 18th Annual Domestic Violence Solutions Brunch →
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, 633 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara
10:00 am - Member Monday →
CrossHatch Winery, 111 E Haley St, Santa Barbara
12:00 pm - SBCC Big Band Jazz →
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara
7:00 pm - Compassionate Companions: Understanding the Role of Death Doulas →
Mulligan's Cafe & Bar, 3500 McCaw Ave, Santa Barbara
10:30 am - Advance Care Planning Workshop - Santa Barbara →
540 W Pueblo St, Santa Barbara
4:30 pm - JACK JOHNSON - Double Feature: Thicker Than Water and SURFILMUSIC →
The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria
3:00 pm - Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics →
Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Rd, Santa Barbara
6:15 pm - South Coast Stand-Up Comedy →
The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria
7:00 pm - SB Symphony: Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto (OPENING WEEKEND) →
The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St, Santa Barbara
7:30 pm - SB Symphony: Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto (OPENING WEEKEND) →
The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St, Santa Barbara
3:00 pm
Sunday October 11
Monday October 12
Tuesday October 13
Sunday October 18
Thursday October 22
Saturday October 24
Sunday October 25
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- 1883 Mission with Majordomo on right.
Colorized with Photoshop and A.I. Original photo from Edson Smith collection at S.B. Public Library. Think of this view next time you're up there! (Nextdoor Samarkand) - Halloween's here, come on over!
We've pulled out all the stops with decorations, the display here is worth checking out, we're not forgetting the four-legged trick-or-treaters, and… (Nextdoor Eastside)
- Molly Maid posted a job opening for Quality Control, Training, and Field Manager in Santa Barbara. Apply here.
- Santa Barbara County, CA posted a job opening for Communications Dispatcher I/II - Fire & Sheriff in Santa Barbara. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Barbara here.
Ok Santa Barbara! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath?" — A dirty double crosser ! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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