Since March of 2020, we have been challenged and reshaped -- as a community and individuals -- by our experiences living through the COVID-19 pandemic and renewal of abolitionist and anti-racist activist movements. Amidst the shift to remote learning and working, UCSB Library’s Special Research Collections initiated two ongoing projects: the Santa Barbara Black Lives Matter Community Archives and the COVID-19 Community Archives.

Braille Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. We offer a broad range of free programs, classes and services serving thousands of students of all ages helping to demonstrate that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end.

We serve the community from seven centers, and hundreds of community outreach locations throughout Southern California, and lead popular national programs like Braille Challenge and Cane Quest. Our staff and volunteers understand losing your vision can be scary, but we believe it is not the end of independence, but a new way of living.

A variety of free classes, workshops and support groups are available to help you or a loved one stay active, remain independent and enjoy connections with others.

Sign up for individual events, workshops and seminars – free and open to everyone. Register online or call our Educational Programs Manager, Tracy Alfino, at (805) 898-8312 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the long-awaited re-opening of the exhibit, Mermaids: Visualizing the Myths and Legends through Photography, 16 images printed on canvas by Ralph Clevenger and friends. Originally scheduled to open on April 22, 2020, the exhibit was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Now, thanks to the generous support of Mimi Michaelis, the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation the exhibit will be open to the public from November 11, 2021, through April 30, 2022. There will also be mermaid photo opportunities at the museum by appointment on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 11:30am-12:30pm and 1-2pm, $10 for museum members and $30 for non-members.