In the National Spotlight

Laura Flores, a Girls Inc. of Carpinteria member and high school senior, was one of 100 students across the U.S. invited to participate in a virtual graduation ceremony with Vice President Kamala Harris, a primetime special that aired on CNN.

Laura was one of three Girls Inc. seniors — all Teen Advocacy Council members — to participate and represent their fellow members who are graduating from high school this year.

Laura was recently selected as a finalist for Junior Carpinterian of the Year and was recognized as 2020 Girls Inc. National Scholar. Ranked in the top 10 percent of her class, she graduated Carpinteria High last month with a 4.5 GPA and 25 units completed at Santa Barbara City College.

Brava!

Even Simon Couldn’t Have Seen This Coming

American Idol winner turned TV talk show host Kelly Clarkson is to replace Montecito’s Ellen DeGeneres when she wraps up her long running Burbank-based TV show in fall 2022 after 19 years on air.

Clarkson’s show, currently in its second season, has become a ratings hit because of her winning personality, casual interview style, and high profile celebrity guests.

It was renewed last year through 2023.

RIP, John Warner

On a personal note, I mark the passing of Virginia senator John Warner at the age of 94.

The former Navy secretary, probably best known as the sixth husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor from 1976 until divorcing in 1982, was the father-in-law to an old friend, Shannon Hamm, daughter of the late Minnesota beer magnate Ted Hamm. The latter tied the knot in 2007 with John Warner IV, whose mother was Catherine Conover, daughter of art collecting philanthropist Paul Mellon, at the exclusive Florida enclave, the Jupiter Island Club, in Hobe Sound, where I used to be a frequent visitor, staying with Maldwin Drummond, the grandson of Chicago department store and newspaper tycoon Marshall Field.

Fond memories…

Sightings: Singer Neil Young at the Hotel Californian… Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi noshing at Lucky’s… Singer Miley Cyrus checking out the Rosewood Miramar

Pip! Pip! Be safe, wear a mask, and get vaccinated.