Making the Zoo Shine

Our tony town’s party animals were out en masse for Santa Barbara Zoo’s sold-out 37th annual Zoofari “Sparkle & Shine” gala with more than 800 guests converging on the 30-acre hilltop menagerie housing more than 600 animal inhabitants and raising more than $400,000.

Like fireflies in the night, the creatively costumed guests unleashed their inner sparkle as they gathered for sequin saturated cocktails before dancing the night away to the Collective Music Group after noshing on the Rincon Events-catered salmon and braised short ribs, accompanied by wine donated by Santa Ynez vintner Fred Brander and Foxen Vineyards, which was chaired by Montecito Bank & Trust head honcho George Leis.

The beastly boffo bash, with event design by Tyler Speier and Megan Nuss, included a Peruvian Paradise raffle, a six-night vacation for two, including a three-night cruise on the Amazon. Only 300 tickets were sold, an absolute snip at $100 each.

“The gala helps us continue to advance the zoo’s mission and continue the essential work we do every day,” says President Rich Block, dashingly attired in a profusion of blue sequins which would have made the late pianist Liberace look rather drab.

Among the polished supporters shining brightly were Janet Garufis, Luke Swetland, former mayor Helene Schneider, Peter and Kathryn Martin, Chris and Mindy Denson, Jeremy Lindaman, Ginni Dreier, Chuck and Margarita Lande, sheriff Bill Brown, David Bolton, Thomas Rollerson, Adam McKaig, Bennett Barbakow, Simon and Cristina Bentley, David and Louise Borgatello, Jeff and Josie DeVine, Dan and Caroline Encel, Larry Gosselin, and Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey.