Ice Cream Is the Key

Montecito philanthropist Anne Smith Towbes hosted a decidedly chilly reception at her Birnam Wood home when she organized an ice cream social for John Daly’s Key Class which helps to support and educate at-risk youth with basic life skills, including social etiquette, resume building, and the basics of dining.

The curriculum is taught from eighth grade through college and entered local high schools in 2012, one year after Key Class’ founding, to become an immediate success.

More than 9,000 students to date have completed the program, which has an annual budget of $120,000.

Among the 53 supporters turning out for the boffo bash, emceed by KLITE radio host Catherine Remak – to gobble the McConnell’s ice cream and cookies and drink the iced tea and lemonade – were Judi Weisbart, Hiroko Benko, Jesus Terrazas, Marcia Constance, Daniel and Mandy Hochman, Judy Foreman, and Rod Lathim.

Ignacio Lopez entertained on a Mexican harp.