Poetry Connection: Year in Review and Writing Goals

The author reviews 2025 poetry highlights in Santa Barbara and says their New Year's resolution is to publish two manuscripts.

At the end of 2025 the author looks back on the year's poetry highlights in Santa Barbara. February included Naomi Shihab Nye's seventh visit, which the author attended. April's National Poetry Month featured a new local poet laureate, George Yatchisin, and the author added flamenco to the Poetry in Parks presentation at the Alhecama Theatre in collaboration with California State Parks. The author received a Woman of Achievement award in May and was honored for work with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee; Enid Osborn's collection Pedregosa St was a noted publication that inspired the author to pursue publication of two manuscripts. Next year's Poetry in Parks is scheduled for April 18 in the Presidio Chapel. Key details: - Naomi Shihab Nye made a seventh visit to Santa Barbara in February and the author attended. - April's National Poetry Month included George Yatchisin as the new local poet laureate and a Poetry in Parks presentation that added flamenco at the Alhecama Theatre. - Poetry in Parks was produced in collaboration with Scott Green of California State Parks and used the Presidio stage; the Presidio is the only state park in Santa Barbara. - In May the author received a Woman of Achievement award from the Association of Women in Communications Santa Barbara and a plaque for work with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee. - Enid Osborn's poetry collection Pedregosa St (Sheila-Na-Gig Editions) was highlighted and helped renew the author's connection to Santa Barbara. - The author’s New Year's resolution is to publish two manuscripts, and Stephanie Barbé Hammer's six-week Poet-Try course is noted as an available generative workshop. Summary: The events, readings, and publications of 2025 reinforced the author's engagement with local poetry and inspired a renewed push to turn two manuscripts into books. Next year's Poetry in Parks is scheduled for April 18 in the Presidio Chapel, and the Poet-Try course by Stephanie Barbé Hammer is offered as a six-week generative option for writers.