On Friday, November 8, I’m just off the phone with the Santa Barbara’s Botanic Garden about their new panoramic view Tipton Trail, to be officially launched for public use on November 17 in collaboration with National Take a Hike Day. In addition, it will be a free admission day at the SB Botanic Garden, but […]
The Montecito Association Land Use Committee [LUC] November meeting was held Thursday, November 7, in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom. The meeting was called to order by its Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the Land Use Committee members, MA Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, MA President Doug Black, and Montecito […]
In my 22nd year covering the Annual Ghost Village Road, the energy the community brought out this year was everything. Local schools represented – from Montecito Union School, Crane Country Day School, Laguna Blanca Lower and Upper schools, to Peabody School, Providence School, home school kids, La Colina School, and Santa Barbara Middle School. Parents […]
To celebrate National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, holds their annual awards soirée to honor those who have made a significant contribution in fundraising and philanthropy. Their 2024 ceremonies took place on Tuesday, October 29, at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The event opened with a meet and greet cocktail […]
Lt. Ugo Butch Arnoldi was officially awarded as the Montecito Citizen of the Year by the Montecito Association on Saturday, November 2. The ceremony was held at the Annual MA Beautification Day post clean-up BBQ lunch. Montecito businesses, residents, first responders from Montecito Fire Department, the SB County Sheriff’s Department, and local organizations attended the […]
Since his appointment in June, Bradley Cance, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, has been busily connecting with our town and redesigning signature luxury experiences at the resort; a project that includes the appointment of a new Executive Chef, Rebecca Tillman. Clearly one of the elites in hospitality management, Cance comes to us most affably […]
It’s not you, it’s them. You know, the construction on Highway 101. The once beautiful peaceful drive now best described by locals as, “Sorry-not-sorry I’m late [again], I took the 101, tried the side streets and well, it’s complicated. And yes, my car needs a daily bath.” That along with the recent logical rant, “We […]
The 50th Anniversary of SEE International was celebrated with a Golden Gala at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Thursday, October 24. Guests arrived in formal attire, with many traveling here from 36 countries and across the U.S. The gala commenced on the third-floor rotunda area with a photo op, cocktail hour, catching up […]
SEE International announced its Humanitarian Award recipients at a private event hosted by SEE International Board Chair Scott Groff and his wife Kohanya, at their Montecito estate, formerly owned by Michael Towbes, on Wednesday, October 23. The evening soirée was limited to awardees, their significant others, SEE International staff and Board, and your Society reporter. […]
The Montecito Association October meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom from 4 pm to 6:45 pm. The meeting was led by its MA President Doug Black with Executive Director Houghton Hyatt. The most pertinent agenda reports were: Congressman Salud Carbajal via Zoom from Sacramento provided his legislative […]
In a major collaborative effort to bring its work in marine conservation to our town, Project Zero has appointed MICHELIN Chef Massimo Falsini as an Ambassador. Massimo is the Chef-Partner of Caruso’s Restaurant at the Rosewood Miramar Beach. He has proven to be a dedicated environmentalist, taking that commitment into his kitchens with sustainable sourcing […]
Cecily MacDougall, Executive Director of the State Street Ballet, has formally announced its 30th Anniversary Year, commencing with the season opening performance on October 26 and 27, at the Granada Theatre. This year proves to be its finest and the one for which you should purchase your season pas de deux tix early. The SSB […]
Monday, October 7, saw the 23rd Annual St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara Golf Classic at the Montecito Club. This charity tournament supports single mothers and their young children in the Family Strengthening Program. Bill Cordero Sr. is one of its founders, and Event Chair for the past 12 years. His dedication to St. Vincent’s began with […]
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Golden Gala 2024 was held on Saturday, October 5, at the Montecito Les Belles Fontaines Estate of Alastair and Ann Winn, co-hosted with their daughter Amanda and her husband Travis Twining. The TBCF team asked the more than 300 attendees to wear gold – the internationally acknowledged color of pediatric cancer […]
Our Town news correspondent is happy to report on the recent interview I did with our new Chief of Police Services, City of Carpinteria, Lieutenant Rich Brittingham, South County Operations Division-Coastal. Brittingham and his team of officers provide law enforcement to the unincorporated county areas of Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria Valley, and to the City of […]
The annual Night at MOXI, was held on Saturday, October 5, at the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. The event this year, titled Wonder and Whimsy, was celebrated on all three floors of the museum. Attendees were dressed to impress, many of whom purchased full tables for their organizations and friends. Entering […]
The Dream Foundation’s CEO Kisa Heyer has announced their annual fundraising event titled, “No Gala Gala 2024,” which is an online internet fundraising event from October 13 through 20. The online event features two ways to donate to the mission of the Dream Foundation: item bidding and direct sponsorship. There are 19 auction items, including […]
Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center’s Executive Director Lindsey Black is inviting the town to attend their 3rd Annual Cocktail Reception on October 23 at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. The event is titled, “An Evening to Explore Jodi House at MOXI,” and will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm. This is a […]
Society Invites says it’s time to make Montecito more beautiful at the November 2 Montecito Beautification Day event – held annually by the Montecito Association, the Montecito Fire Department, and members of this well-known village. Fashionistas unite! Don your rhinestone sneakers with pride, and guys, think how chic David Beckham is whilst cleaning up his […]
The Montecito Association Land Use September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room, and on Zoom. The meeting was led by its Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the Land Use Committee members, Montecito Association Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, MA President Doug Black, Supervisor Williams’ Chief of Staff Darcel Elliott, and […]
It’s that happy time of Rocktober when we get to hear the best live music at four stages for three days and nights while indulging in prized fresh avocados, fresh made guacamole and local food and beverages right here in Carpinteria, our neighbor! The California Avocado Festival Board of Directors invites everyone to join in […]
Jamie and Natalie Sanchez announced this week their decision to close their Helena Mason Art Gallery at 48 Helena Street in the SB Funk Zone on September 27, immediately after their final exhibition party the same evening. The event offered one last look and serious discounts for purchases of the works of current exhibiting artists […]
Lotusland Executive Director Rebecca Anderson with her Board of Trustees and team held a meeting at Ganna Walska Lotusland on Monday, September 30, to provide updates on their capital campaign titled “The Lotusland Forever Campaign.” Attendees included Elizabeth Anderson of Whittier Trust, and patrons of the organization. Anderson opened the program by introducing Board of […]
Suffolk University Trustee Christine Garvey, JD (’72), with Montecito Bank & Trust, Susan Cappiello, JD (’82), of Santa Barbara, and Matthew Howard, JD (’10), of Los Angeles hosted the Annual Suffolk University Alumni gathering at the Jonathan Club Penthouse Terrace in Santa Monica on Thursday, September 28. Garvey is well-known for her roles on the […]
This is the time of year when the focus is on spiritual rituals, celebrations and reflections across all religions and beliefs. Starting in October with Rosh Hashana on October 2-4, we can look forward to Navratri on October 3, Yom Kippur on October 11-12, Sukkot on October 17-23, Samhain [All Hallows] on October 31, and […]
The Nature Conservancy contacted me about a “re-discovery” of a rare and endangered lavender daisy on Santa Cruz Island, called Saints’ Daisy, last seen there 59 years ago. The discovery was by Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s [SBBG] Rare Plant Field Program Manager Sean Carson, who, with his colleague John Knapp, Senior Island Scientist for The […]
The 3rd Annual Unite to Light Fundraiser Gala is October 18 – 19, at the Community Arts Workshop on Garden Street. There are two Galas, an art x science x tech exhibit by 45 artists, performances by the State Street Ballet and the Selan Dance Collective, light painting, craft cocktails, DJs, and an after-hours party […]
The Montecito Association’s September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on zoom. The meeting was led by its President Doug Black and Executive Director Houghton Hyatt. First agenda item had Roy Lee, incoming 1st District SBC Supervisor, present a Certificate of Recognition from SB County 1st Supervisor Das Williams […]
Society Invites says, put your fashion sneakers on and jaunt over to the 60th Anniversary BBQ celebration for the Montecito Trails Foundation (MTF), Sunday, September 22, 5-9 pm, at the Carriage & Western Art Museum Santa Barbara. The all-out celebration is the first fundraiser back on the trails since 2019. Proving to be a time […]
The Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment, SCAPE, held the opening of their fall fundraiser exhibition – titled Central Coast Reflections – at the Music Academy’s Lehmann Hall on Friday, September 13. There were over sixty artists contributing approximately 150 works of art focused on the natural environment of the Central Coast. Artists worked […]
The Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center (MWC) launched its first gala fundraiser on Saturday, September 14, at the Dos Pueblos Ranch, Goleta. The event, titled One Shining Night, was sold out and drew a wide demographic from Carpinteria through Goleta to support the organization. Due to the location, the Garden Attire dress code brought in […]
Society Invites reports the upcoming 50th Anniversary of SEE International, an organization founded in our town by Dr. Harry Brown, and dedicated to sight-restoring surgeries and essential eyecare world-wide. To celebrate its Golden Anniversary, the organization is inviting the community to a formal black tie Golden Gala ball on October 24, at the Hilton Santa […]
In a press conference on Monday, September 9, David Bolton, Executive Director of The California Missions Foundation, presented a prestigious $750,000 matching grant award to Board of Trustees President Heather Biles and Executive Director of Casa del Herrero Rose Rafferty for preservation work at Casa del Herrero. The grant is awarded from the Department of […]
The Montecito Association Land Use September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom. The meeting was led by its Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the Land Use Committee members: Montecito Association Executive Director, Houghton Hyatt; Chief of Staff for Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams, […]
Soul Bites Restaurant, on lower State Street, is the community-based entertainment space during Black History Month and all year round. The food is served up homemade by owner and actor, Stirling Nix-Bradley and his partner Rose. Their mission: “To feed the soul of our community through the comfort of our kitchen.” Due to recent financial […]
Executive Chef and a 2024 California Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Ramon Velazquez has opened his restaurant Alma Fonda Fina in the Montecito Country Mart. To celebrate, Velázquez held a Labor Day weekend soft opening from Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2. Taking Tuesday and Wednesday off, Alma is officially open on Thursday, September 5. […]
It is full on for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 [LA28], as peeps are vying to reserve tickets for this epic event coming to our most loved metro-neighbor for all things culture, arts, and sports. Imagine, being only 90 normal traffic minutes away from this global masterpiece of athletics! With all the LA28 Hollywood drama […]
Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, Ed.D., MBA, president and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI), is inviting mental health organizations in Santa Barbara County to join a free event via Zoom on Sept. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PGI will provide a platform to connect and work together on the mental health issues in the […]
The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) has announced its annual major fundraiser, The Golden Gala,to take place Oct. 5 at a private Montecito estate. Tickets are selling fast and maxed at 300 attendees, and sponsorships are available on the TBCF website. The Gala marks their capstone event following National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. […]
The SB Eastside 9.5 acres Ortega Park located next to Santa Barbara Junior High School at 640 Salsipuedes Street, is awaiting funding to proceed with a revitalization plan. Current data shows funding from the City of SB at $1,390,000 and a Community Development Block Grant at $146,690. The amount for construction of the current site […]