Festival of Hearts

Friendship Center is hosting its 20th Annual Festival of Hearts on Saturday, February 9 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. This festive pre-Valentine’s Day event features a sit-down lunch and local wines, with live music by Montecito Jazz Project. 

Since the first Festival of Hearts, the centerpiece of the event has been the “heart art” created by local artists and celebrities, including Jeff Bridges and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and sold at silent auction. Provided with a blank papier-mâché heart, these “heartists” paint, sculpt, and decorate in any way imaginable to create these unique works of art. 

This year’s theme is The Emerald City, and live auction items include a trip to Seattle, nicknamed “The Emerald City,” and verdant Vancouver, a Jade Oasis getaway with a dinner of fresh local lobster and white seabass in an extraordinary private home, lunch with First District Supervisor Das Williams, and a stay at the newly rebuilt Rosewood Miramar Resort. For the first time ever, there will be professional auctioneer, Steve Sandoval, who is a producer on the set of Will & Grace; he is also donating a VIP taping/tour package to the auction. “We’re really excited about it!” said development coordinator Justine Sutton. 

“Emerald is the traditional gem for a twentieth anniversary,” said Heidi Holly, Friendship Center’s executive director. “There will be some fun surprises, and we anticipate our guests will have a good time dressing up as Oz characters, or you could just wear something green!” 

Major sponsors include Casa Dorinda, HUB International Insurance Services, MarBorg Industries, Union Bank Cal-Western & Pacific Tree, and Nancy Newquist-Nolan. A portion of proceeds from this event support Friendship Center’s HEART (Help Elders At Risk Today) Program, subsidizing the cost of adult day services for low-income aging and dependent adults and their families. 

For tickets, which cost $135 each, visit www.friendshipcentersb.org or call 969-0859 to purchase by phone with a credit card. Friendship Center is located at 89 Eucalyptus Lane in Montecito.