Street smarts: Community Bank of Santa Maria announces donation
Janet Silveria, president and CEO of Community Bank of Santa Maria, announced the next winner of the bank’s pledge to donate $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations in honor of its 25th anniversary.
Oasis, a senior center in Orcutt, was selected through a random draw from the nominations received from bank customers and will receive a $2,500 donation.
The bank will continue drawing one nonprofit each month, from March through December, awarding a total of $25,000 to organizations serving the Santa Maria Valley. All nominations remain eligible for future drawings and will be accepted through Dec. 31, according to the press release.
“Our customers have supported us for twenty-five years, so we wanted them to have a special role in how we celebrate this milestone,” said Silveria. “By nominating organizations that are important to them, our customers are helping direct resources to nonprofits that help make the Santa Maria Valley such a special place to live and work. And by extension, we are also thanking the entire community for their support.”
TOP MARKS
Kalyan “Kal” Balaven, head of school at Dunn School in Los Olivos, has been named to the inaugural class of The 100, a national recognition honoring 100 educators advancing innovation across U.S. independent schools. The 100 recognizes educators whose work is creating meaningful impact in three areas: curriculum innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technology and leadership and systems change. Congrats!
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County will celebrate 15 years of community education at its annual fundraiser on Oct. 18 at the historic Dallidet Adobe & Gardens in San Luis Obispo. This year’s fundraiser is centered around the theme “Rooted in Community,” honoring 15 years of community education that has brought together people from many different backgrounds, experiences and areas of expertise to learn from one another and strengthen our community. Learn more at diversityslo.org.
FIRST GOLF CLASSIC
Veggie Rescue raised approximately $90,000 at its first annual Golf Classic, held Sept. 28 at Alisal Ranch in Solvang. Seventy-six golfers on 19 teams took part, along with sponsors and donors from across Santa Barbara County. Every dollar supports Veggie Rescue’s core work: picking up surplus fresh produce from farms and food businesses and delivering it free, within 24 hours, to more than 70 nonprofit partners that feed people across the county.
COMMUNITY WALK
The Santa Barbara Police Department invites community members to join Mothers Against Drunk Driving Tri-Counties for Move with MADD Santa Barbara, a 3K community walk bringing people together to raise awareness about impaired driving and to support safer roads for everyone. The event will take place on Oct. 18 at Chase Palm Park Field in Santa Barbara. Learn more at give.madd.org/event/2026-move-with-madd-santa-barbara/e760412.
FREE CONCERT
Award-winning pianists Alvise Pascucci and Jacopo Giacopuzzi join forces for “Note D’Italia,” an extraordinary afternoon of classical and cinematic masterpieces on Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Goleta, 6595 Covington Way. For more information, contact Christ Lutheran Church council president Scott Craig at [email protected] or (805) 252-3987.
MATCHING CAMPAIGN
On Oct. 10, the Grace Fisher Foundation will hold a ceremony at its Inclusive Arts Clubhouse in Santa Barbara to honor the life and legacy of poet Max Ritvo, in a year that marks 10 years since his passing. The foundation will dedicate a space within the Clubhouse as the “Max Ritvo Reading and Writing Corner,” featuring readings of Max’s own poetry and light refreshments. The ceremony also ties into the foundation’s current Matching Campaign, which is doubling the impact of every gift through Dec. 31, up to $150,000.
FILM FEST LINEUP
The Wild & Free Film Festival, presented by Santa Barbara Honda and Toyota of Santa Barbara, has announced its 2026 festival lineup, featuring almost 40 films from 11 countries across Nov. 6-8. Festival passes and individual tickets are on sale now at wildandfreefilm.org
NEW ROLE
The city of Goleta introduced Andrea Dransfield as the city’s new environmental services manager. In her new role, she will lead the Environmental Services Division, focusing on oversight of the Creek and Watershed Management Plan, full trash-capture requirements, the stormwater program, and the Rate Study for Solid Waste, Drainage, and Street Lighting. We wish her luck!
FINAL SCENES
CAR SHOW: The Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association, in collaboration with Nite Life Car Club Santa Barbara, invites the community to the Downtown Classic Car Show on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the 600-800 blocks of State Street. The event will bring classic and custom cars to the heart of downtown for a day celebrating cars, community and good times.
WORLD PREMIERE: Moorpark College and the Moorpark College Foundation will kick off a year of celebrations marking the college’s 60th anniversary with Moorpark College Serenades: The Premiere, a free outdoor concert on Oct. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Guests can reserve their spot at bit.ly/mc-serenades-premiere.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center will host the next installment of its free “Second Thursday at the Museum” lecture series from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8, featuring Serrano Natural Health founder Katya Adachi Serrano. Learn more at sychumashmuseum.org.
