Community Calendar

Join pioneering vegan chef and dairy industry disruptor Miyoko Schinner—widely known as the Matriarch of Vegan Cheese—who single-handedly redefined the dairy industry with her visionary approach. Miyoko will share stories and insights from her journey in the plant-based food movement at Freedom Farms Animal Sanctuary, now home to In Defense of Animals President Marilyn Kroplick, M.D. The sanctuary is located on the historic Hollywood estate where today dozens of rescued animals—including cows, equines, deer, ducks, and peacocks—are cared for and loved where they can roam free.
Event includes:
—Miyoko’s inspirational talk and storytelling
—Signed copy of The Vegan Creamery
—Curated vegan cheeses to take home from The Vreamery Artisan Vegan Cheese Company
—Guided tour of the sanctuary and historic estate grounds

Proceeds benefit Freedom Farms Animal Sanctuary in Creston, CA—an official sanctuary of In Defense of Animals (IDAUSA.org).

Creative Quills provides a supportive and inclusive environment for local poets to share their creative works. Young and old, amateur or published poets, ALL are welcome to come share their poetry.

Meets every third Sunday of each month.

The 41st Annual Central Coast Writers’ Conference is back—and with 40+ presenters, hands-on workshops, and exciting add-ons like Master Classes, there’s something for writers of all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or polishing your latest manuscript, CCWC 2025 offers immersive breakout sessions, a buzzing bookstore & vendor hall, and a vibrant community of fellow wordsmiths.

Join us September 26 and 27 for two days of inspiration, creativity, and connection at Cuesta College.

Cal Poly Lecturer Becca Lucas Thomas to speak at
Friends of El Moro Elfin Forest Annual Celebration. She will discuss the native people’s practice of controlled cultural burning as a land management tool.

Following the presentation will be a short business meeting. To RSVP for the event, go to the Friend’s website at: www.elfin-forest.org. Please try to carpool as parking is limited.

UCSB Library is pleased to present Andy Merolla (Communication) in the Pacific Views: Library Speaker Series for Fall 2025. In his talk “What Hope Do We Have? Searching in the Small Moments of Everyday Communication,” Merolla will examine how hope—as well as the social connection underlying it—is constructed through social interaction. This includes interaction with loved ones, acquaintances, and complete strangers. In many ways, this perspective is heartening, guiding us toward better treatment of others. Yet, it is also troubling given the numerous personal and structural factors that undermine and constrain social connection. Framing hope as an interpersonal phenomenon highlights the opportunities and inherent complexities within our everyday communication experiences.

Andy Merolla is a Professor of Communication at UCSB. His research focuses on interpersonal processes, such as social connection, conflict management, and forgiveness. .

Merolla’s approximately 45-minute presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Join us for a lecture by Nicholas van Hoogstraten, author of Broadway Poster Art: 1945–1969 (Schiffer Publishing, 2024). Van Hoogstraten will explore the vibrant advertising art of Broadway’s golden age, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of designers, illustrators, and photographers, along with rare and alternate poster designs and artist progressions.

The lecture complements the exhibition Broadway Posters from the Golden Age: Selections from the Richard C. Norton Musical Theater Poster Collection, on view at UCSB Library from October 7 to December 5.

About the Speaker:
Nicholas van Hoogstraten is an author, playwright, television producer, and lecturer, and he is the owner of New York City’s Triton Gallery, which showcases vintage and current Broadway posters. He lives in New York City.

About the Richard C. Norton Musical Theater History Collection:
The Richard C. Norton Musical Theater History Collection consists of materials documenting musical theater including 25,000 playbills, 800 typescripts, and 1,500 published libretti, as well as sheet music and 78rpm records. Norton is the author of A Chronology of American Musical Theater (Oxford UP, 2002) a landmark work with details on thousands of Broadway productions. The collection was assembled to support the research for his book.

Dr. Annika Keeley will speak about “Local Connectivity on the Central Coast". Dr. Keeley leads the science program at the Center for Large Landscape Conservation which has its headquarters in Bozeman, Montana. The Center focuses on advancing ecological connectivity for climate resilience worldwide through science, policy, practice, and collaboration. She also helped to write the IUCN ‘Guidelines for Conserving Connectivity through Ecological Networks and Corridors’, and co-authored ‘Corridor Ecology –Linking landscapes for biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation’.