Citizen of the Year Announced

Save the date for Saturday, November 4, for the 38th annual Montecito Association Beautification Day. Themed “It Takes a Village,” this year’s event is shaping up to be a super successful event, after several years of COVID-induced, pared-down versions of the popular volunteer event. “We’re back! And we are thrilled that so many people and businesses have come together to support us,” said event chair Mindy Denson. 

Hundreds of volunteers are expected to participate in picking up litter along Montecito’s trails, roads, and beaches, donning special safety vests and pick-up sticks. The family-friendly day will begin in the village green at 9:30 am in front of Tecolote Book Shop with a continental breakfast provided by the Rosewood Miramar. Participants will then head out to their designated litter site, filling bins provided by MarBorg. Volunteers will return to the Upper Village green around 11:30 am, when there will be a short awards ceremony before lunch – provided by Montecito Village Grocery and San Ysidro Ranch – is prepared and served by Montecito Firefighters. 

This year’s Citizen of the Year has been announced: Sharon Byrne, the Montecito Association’s executive director from September 2018 until her departure in July of this year, is being honored for her dedication to Montecito during her tenure. Byrne took the role of MA executive director in the early aftermath of the 1/9 Debris Flow, coming from the Coast Village Association, where she was also the executive director. She helped the community navigate the rebuilding process, serving as a liaison to County reps and insurance personnel, and played a key role in the messaging of subsequent evacuations during winter weather. Next came the COVID-19 pandemic, where she helped the Association navigate a new normal with remote meetings, sourcing masks and sanitizer, and supporting vulnerable community members including helping them to obtain vaccinations. In addition to keeping residents informed about important housing legislation, insurance issues, local building projects, and more, Byrne says one of her proudest accomplishments at the MA was launching the Hands Across Montecito Project, which has helped those affected by homelessness find resources. She was also instrumental in helping Hospice of Santa Barbara expand their Light up a Life ceremony into Montecito, of which she is also very proud. “The amazing thing about this community, which is unlike any other community I’ve worked with, is that there is such a high caliber of talent here that when you need to get something done, it’s lightning fast. There is always an incredible community response no matter what the issue is,” Byrne said earlier this week. 

“I left Montecito to follow an unexpected life-calling to fight for the rights of women and girls, in the USA and world. Nothing less could have pulled me away. I needed the experiences here to ready me, as the hurdles and hate I face are enormous. I now must create a new global community, one of love and care for women and girls, because Montecito showed me that love is the force by which things will change for the better,” Byrne added. 

Byrne will be honored at Beautification Day while participants enjoy lunch, live music, and peruse the community tables which will be hosted by Montecito Community Foundation, MA, MERRAG, MFPD, Montecito Sanitary District, Montecito Water District, Lotusland, Casa Del Herrero, Friends of the Montecito Library, Montecito Journal, Santa Barbara Zoo, Montecito YMCA, Search & Rescue, Coast Village Road Association, and Adam’s Angels. 

Local school kids have been busy creating their “It Takes a Village” artwork, which will be displayed throughout the community at Tecolote, the hardware store, and Rori’s and Toy Crazy in Montecito Country Mart. 

This year’s Beautification Day is chaired by Denson and the committee includes Conner Rehage, Michael Edwards, Dana Hansen, Nina Terzian, Jacqueline Duran, Andrea and Dana Newquist, Patty Zucherman, Trish Davis, Cindy Feinberg, Berna Kieler, Lisa Waldinger, Jean von Wittenburg, Houghton Hyatt, Eileen White Read, Kat and Ed Wetzel, and Beth Sullivan. Sponsors include Valley Improvement Company, Jim and Alicia MacFarlane, Robert Pavloff, Westmont, MERRAG, and Eyeglass Factory, among many others. 

The event beings at 9 am in the Upper Village green. 

For more information, visit www.montecitoassociation.org.