Street smarts: 8th annual NatureTrack Film Festival coming soon
The eighth annual NatureTrack Film Festival is approaching, and the nonprofit is calling on the community to secure tickets.
NatureTrack is a Santa Barbara nonprofit founded in 2011 by Sue Eisaguirre. Its mission is to inspire respect for nature by providing cost-free outdoor educational field trips for K-12 students and expanding outdoor access for wheelchair users.
The film festival, which takes place Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, supports NatureTrack Foundation’s mission of fostering a lifelong fascination with nature through cost-free outdoor field trips for K-12 students and the Freedom Trax program for wheelchair users of all ages.
More than 5,000 students and wheelchair users get outside with NatureTrack each year across over 100 field trips and events.
Opening night, Nov. 5, will take place at the Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria and will run from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The next night’s festivities will take place at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall and will run from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The program will include special recognition of 2026 Honored Artist Tom Henderson and the NatureTrack Outdoor Icon Award to filmmaker Michael Love, as well as a special compilation of Michael Love’s work and a conversation moderated by Chris Jenkins, followed by the featured film.
To learn more and secure tickets, visit naturetrackfilmfestival.org/8th-annual-naturetrack-film-festival/.
FREE TRASH DAY
The Santa Maria Utilities Department is hosting a free Recycle Bundle Distribution Event on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate America Recycles Day. Pick up your free bundle at the Recycling Park at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill, 2065 E. Main St.
FREE LECTURE
Clinical psychologist Andrea Gurney will be leading a Westmont Downtown Lecture, “Invisible in Plain Sight: Reclaiming Love and Connection in an Age of AI,” on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Westmont Downtown at the Keith Center, 29 W. Anapamu St. The free lecture addresses how modern technology affects human relationships in an era defined by constant digital access.
WOMEN IN AG
The Farm Bureau of Ventura County and the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum are hosting a Women in Agriculture event at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, with a special mother-daughter panel on Nov. 16. Learn more at luma.com/3sc6bbta.
FESTIVAL OF TRAINS: All aboard for a beloved holiday tradition! The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will welcome the Holiday Festival of Trains for a special two-day celebration on Dec. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free when you mention “Trains” at the front kiosk.
TOP MARKS
The city of Goleta announced it is the recipient of a 1st place 2026 California Association of Public Information Officials STAR Award in the category of Community Event Coverage for its 2026 Fourth of July Goleta Drone Light Show Highlight Video. The STAR Awards recognize excellence in government video programming in California and Nevada. Congrats!
VOCAL GROUP
Cuesta College invites the Central Coast community to enjoy The Sistering, a vocal jazz group featuring Lois Deloatch, Nnenna Freelon, Kate McGarry and Lenora Zenzalai Helm. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center on the San Luis Obispo Campus. For tickets and more event details, visit tickets.cuesta.edu.
ADDING TO THE BOARD
Veggie Rescue has added two Santa Barbara County residents to its board of directors. Esther Kim Varet founded the contemporary art gallery Various Small Fires and sits on the board of Food Access LA, which connects small farmers with SNAP shoppers across Southern California. Terry Thoren is CEO of Wonder Media and the former CEO of Klasky Csupo, the studio behind Rugrats and the first 65 episodes of The Simpsons. His child-safety series, The Protect Yourself Rules, has been viewed more than one billion times.
FINAL SCENES
YOU LIKE JAZZ?: Cuesta College invites the community to celebrate the talent of its jazz students and faculty at the Jazz Department’s CD Release Concert on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be on the Mainstage at the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center on the San Luis Obispo Campus. For tickets and more event information, visit tickets.cuesta.edu.
BIG WIN: The Ventura County Office of Education is being honored with the prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association for its Alternative Education program, which serves students who have been expelled, are involved with the justice system, or face serious obstacles in school. Congrats!
SECURING FUNDING: California state Sen. John Laird recently secured state funding for the San Luis Obispo Beaver Brigade’s work in the Salinas River. This support is one of five projects across San Luis Obispo County that will bolster community investment and environmental stewardship. To learn more, visit slobeaverbrigade.com.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Hammond organ master Vel Lewis and his new single “Smoovee,” featuring acclaimed saxophonist Marion Meadows, which debuted as the No. 1 Most Added recording at smooth jazz radio, will be playing a show at SoHo Restaurant & Music Club in Santa Barbara, California, on Nov. 28.
