Happy Trails

Santa Barbara Beautiful hosted its 54th annual awards celebration Growing Resiliency at the Music Academy of the West for 200 guests.

The fab fete, co-chaired by Mark Whitehurst and Kerry Methner, and emceed by ubiquitous KEYT-TV reporter John Palminteri, donated half of the day’s proceeds to the Montecito Trails Foundation, one of the event’s honorees, in support of community members recovering from the catastrophic events in the New Year.

“Recognizing this pivotal moment, which not only changed the landscape in our community, but also changed our hearts and the way we relate to one another, we have moved to adapt the awards and yet hold on to recognizing our neighbors for their community building and beautifying work,” says Mark.

The awards, at the Marilyn Horne House and Kuehn Court, went to the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Chase Palm Park, Paseo Nuevo, the East Haley Street Sojourners Mural, the Hotel Californian, and the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.

Among the supporters noshing on comestibles by C’Est Cheese and quaffing the Fess Parker wines, were Jo Ann Mermis, Jacqueline Dyson, Mara Abboud, Kate Kurlas, Robert Adams, Jean Schuyler, Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp, Tim Downey, Nina Dunbar, David Jacoby, Deborah Schwartz, and Caroline Rutledge.