Marge Simpson Got Barbara Bush to Apologize in 1990
When First Lady Barbara Bush called The Simpsons "the dumbest thing" she'd ever seen, Marge Simpson wrote her a heartfelt letter. Bush's gracious apology proved that kindness can bridge any divide.
Search
Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
481 results for "barbara bush"
20 Santa Barbara Students Win Art Scholarships
Twenty talented high school seniors in Santa Barbara County just earned college scholarships by doing what they love: creating art. The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara awarded up to $4,500 each to young artists whose work impressed judges in the program's 47th year.
Santa Barbara Awards $8.4M to 2,300 Students
Nearly 2,300 students across Santa Barbara County just received life-changing news: they're getting college scholarships totaling $8.4 million. The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara celebrated these future graduates at two packed ceremonies that brought entire communities together.
Santa Barbara Unveils Some of California's Fastest EV Chargers
A public library in Santa Barbara just got four ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers that rank among the speediest on California's Central Coast. Powered entirely by clean energy, the new charging station makes going electric easier for the whole community.
20 Santa Barbara Artists Win $66K in Scholarships
Twenty high school seniors from Santa Barbara County just scored college scholarships totaling over $66,000 for their artistic talent. The awards mark 47 years of the Scholarship Foundation celebrating young artists and investing in their creative futures.
Santa Barbara Offers Up to $7,500 in EV Rebates
Santa Barbara residents can now access up to $7,500 in rebates for electric vehicles and home chargers, making clean transportation more affordable. The city approved 177 rebates last year and opens its next application window July 7.
Bush Dogs Bring Playful Energy to Wildlife Park
A wildlife park just welcomed one of South America's rarest canines, and these pint-sized predators are already stealing hearts with their otter-like antics. The playful bush dogs are helping educate visitors about a species few people even know exists.
37,000 Volunteers Clean Santa Barbara Coast This Saturday
Santa Barbara County is preparing for its biggest cleanup ever, with 37 sites ready to welcome thousands of volunteers on September 19. What started with 2,500 California volunteers in 1985 has grown into a global movement spanning over 100 countries.
Santa Barbara Adds 15-Minute EV Chargers for Renters
Santa Barbara just installed four ultra-fast EV chargers that can power up a car in 15 minutes, giving the city's 60% renter population a real shot at going electric. At 37 cents per kilowatt-hour during peak solar hours, these are among the cheapest public chargers around.
Santa Barbara Renters Get Free EV Charging Help
A new program in Santa Barbara is making electric vehicle ownership accessible to apartment dwellers by covering most of the cost to install chargers at multifamily buildings. Renters have long been locked out of EV adoption due to charging barriers.
Santa Barbara Students Seek $7.7M in College Scholarships
More than 3,400 Santa Barbara County students applied for college scholarships this year, a 5% jump that signals growing ambition among local youth. The foundation awarded over $7.7 million to 2,125 students last year and expects to announce this year's recipients in spring.
Students Win $10K to Lead Campus Change in Santa Barbara
High schoolers in Santa Barbara just proved they know exactly what their schools need. Nearly $10,000 in grants helped them turn their ideas into real projects that make campuses better for everyone.
Santa Barbara Awards $220K in Childcare Scholarships
United Way of Santa Barbara County has awarded over $220,000 to help 40 families afford quality childcare through their Brighter Futures program. The scholarships target working families caught in the middle, earning too much for public assistance but struggling with costs that eat up to 30% of their budgets.
Santa Barbara's Repair Café Fixes 100+ Items for Free
Volunteers in Santa Barbara are keeping household items out of landfills by teaching neighbors how to repair broken blenders, torn clothes, and stuck bike gears. The free bimonthly workshop has grown into a movement where community meets climate action.
Volunteers Return $2.4M to 1,700 Families in Santa Barbara
Over 100 trained volunteers just helped 1,700 Santa Barbara County families claim $2.4 million in tax refunds they might have otherwise missed. For many households earning under $67,000, these refunds aren't bonuses—they're financial lifelines that last the entire year.
Santa Barbara Gives Away Free Trees to Fight Climate Change
Santa Barbara Clean Energy is handing out free drought-resistant native trees to residents who want to cool their neighborhoods and capture carbon. The program returns with six species to choose from, turning backyards into climate solutions one tree at a time.
Four Santa Barbara Schools Win State Honor for Achievement
Four Santa Barbara County schools just earned California's Distinguished Schools honor, proving that dedicated educators can close achievement gaps while lifting all students. Out of 2,500 schools statewide, only 408 made the cut.
955 Volunteers Clear 73 Miles of Santa Barbara Coast
Nearly a thousand volunteers came together on Coastal Cleanup Day to remove over 5,000 pounds of trash from Santa Barbara County beaches and watersheds. From cigarette butts to a machete, the community hauled away years of debris in a single Saturday.
Hundreds Dance in Red for Kate Bush Global Celebration
Hundreds of people dressed in flowing red outfits gathered at Folkestone Harbour to recreate Kate Bush's iconic "Wuthering Heights" dance. The joyful gathering was part of a worldwide event that started in 2013 and now brings communities together across the globe.
Santa Barbara Students Win $10K for Campus Innovation
High school students across Santa Barbara designed and led projects that made their schools more welcoming, from beautifying trash cans with art to providing free sports equipment for teammates in need. Nearly $10,000 in grants helped turn their ideas into reality.
Showing 20 of 481