Ty-High Gala of Gratitude

Montecito firefighters were out in force at the San Ysidro Ranch, but there were no flames to extinguish or new mudslides to clear up.

Just the opportunity for more than 100 blaze busters and other VIP guests to enjoy the bounteous hospitality of Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner, who hosted a dinner party in a beautifully decorated transparent marquee on the five-star resort’s upper lawn, for the firefighters and a number of the tony hostelry’s frequent guests.

The 500-acre ranch’s new manager, Maxine Rutledge, explained: “Ty was deeply appreciative of all the hard and extraordinary work done by the firefighters and first responders, and wanted to show his thanks in a tangible way.

“This was scheduled earlier after the Thomas Fire, but the flash flood and mudslides delayed matters.”

She is hopeful the ranch’s popular eateries, the Stonehouse and the Plow & Angel, will be open by June, but many of the cottages, particularly creekside, will not be available until year’s end.

Guests at the boffo bash were ferried in Mercedes Benz buses from the Montecito Union School to the resort, which looked surprisingly unscathed by the January disaster that destroyed or damaged 296 homes in our rarefied enclaves, as well as extinguishing the lives of 22 residents, a testament to the hard work put in by Ty’s employees and other agencies to deal with the massive cleanup.

Before the dinner, prepared by Stonehouse chef Matt Johnson, a moment of silence was held for victims of the carnage that brought our Eden by the Beach together like never before.

After a reception with free flowing Perrier-Jouet champagne, Margerum, Babcock, and Brewer-Clifton wine and cocktails, together with handsome canapés including oysters, the guests – many still in uniform – sat down for the very in-tents occasion, decorated beautifully in an orchid theme by Bella Vista Lighting and Design and Imagine, with flowers by Camellia Floral Design, with tables, arranged banquet style, boasting Limoges china and gold-colored cutlery, to feast on the pan-seared halibut and prime filet mignon, donated by Newport Meat, and dessert of violet mousse cake and fresh berries, donated by the Berry Man.

TV mogul and Montecito’s most famous resident, Oprah Winfrey, who moved here 17 years ago, paid homage to the Montecito battalion.

“There is a price to be paid for tranquility, peace and paradise,” said Oprah. “My home is called the Promised Land. Martin Luther King never reached it, but I got here.

“Every day is a gift. When I heard my five dogs had been evacuated, I dropped on my knees in prayer. Thank you for putting your lives on the line. It is the highest calling on Earth.”

Ty, who was on business in Chicago, was unable to attend his fab fete, but among the gaggle of guests were Bob and Marlene Veloz, Sandi Nicholson, Doug and Marni Margerum, Chuck and Joyce Reed, Tom and Linda Cole, Montecito Fire chief Chip Hickman, Leslie Muller – a fire despatcher who handled more than 100,000 calls during a three-month period – Kevin French, David Johnson, Greg Brewer, Jack and Vicki Kearns, who split their time between Santa Barbara and Oregon, Jordan Zeitsoff, Rod Walkup, Melitta Ramsey, Keith Powell, Travis Ederer, and Cat Pollon, dressed in summery Oscar de la Renta couture.

Guitarists David Patt and Chris Wooley provided entertainment.

Money Magnet

TV talk-show titan Oprah Winfrey‘s former vacation home, Fisher Island in Florida, has the wealthiest ZIP code in America.

The 216-acre, 722-residences island, a short 3-mile boat ride from Miami, had an average income of $2.5 million a year in 2015, with local residents including former tennis ace Boris Becker and comedian Mel Brooks.

Oprah, 63, sold her 6,170 sq.-ft. 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom penthouse condo in 2008 for $2,090,000, along with other apartments she owned in the ritzy enclave.

Atherton, California, a favorite of tech magnates, is runner-up, given its proximity to such behemoths as Facebook, Apple, and Google.

Palm Beach, Florida, ranks third with an annual income of $1.25 million and Palo Alto, California, the home of Stanford University, fourth with $1.175 million a year.