Executive Director of Explore Ecology Lindsay Johnson announced the retirement of Melissa Brooks as Development Director of Explore Ecology. Incoming for the position is Morgan Coffey. Coffey majored in cultural anthropology at UCSB and interned as a Waves on Wheels Marine Biology Educator for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. She volunteers as a […]
The Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee (SBWPC) held its annual January Endorsement meeting to review and qualify the candidates for the 2024 election season they are endorsing. For Santa Barbara County District 1 Supervisor, the vote yielded a “no endorsement” of any candidate. This is an important clarification for voters, as written campaign materials for […]
A new Cinema Series has made its debut in Montecito at Casa del Herrero on Thursday evening, January 18. The film series is officially titled “Cinema at the Casa” and is focused on launching the organization as a center for creative and worldly discussions for the community. It follows suit with the Casa’s Book Club. […]
On Thursday January 17, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art [SBMA] Women’s Board held its annual New Members luncheon at The University Club downtown. The event was chaired by Board Vice-President Christine Nachman with her team Emiko Kirshman, Floral Design, and Linda Wortham, Floral Presentation. The luncheon began with formal photo ops of the Executive […]
The Women’s Fund SB (WFSB) is celebrating its 20th year anniversary and has announced its 2024 Board of Directors. The board is an all-volunteer member group that is voted to office by the organization’s 1,300 members. The 2024 Board Officers are: Board Chair Jamie Dufek, Vice Chair Carolyn Jabs, Treasurer Kathy Dunlap, and Corporate Secretary […]
Palmer Jackson Jr.’s band, the Doublewide Kings, is doing a benefit show to raise funding for the Alcazar Theatre’s 2024 renovations on February 2 and February 3. The band has a huge following and announced that early sponsorship VIPs include Montecito’s Scott Brittingham of Brittingham Family Foundation, Bill and Katie Garland,Board Treasurer of Casa del […]
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara announced its first Artist-in-Residence, Benjamin Anderson, who had overseen the photography exhibit of Jean-Michel Cousteau at the Bacara in November 2023. Impressed with his work, they offered him this new position. He will be curating new art shows monthly in the hotel’s main lobby area. Anderson has been a Santa […]
John Densmore, the renowned drummer and founding member of the legendary rock band The Doors will be talking about his book, The Doors Unhinged (Rev. November 2023) with Andrew Winer at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, on Sunday, January 28, as part of his national book tour. If we are lucky, he may perform […]
Following the huge funding of $500,000 to Heal the Ocean (HTO) by State Assemblymember Monique Límon, and an additional $105,000 donated from the Mericos Foundation, work has started on the Summerland Oil Mitigation Study (SOMS). The lead project managers are Ira Leifer of Bubbleology Research International in Goleta, and HTO’s Harry Rabin. Their first foray […]
The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), an event beloved by birders – and a crucially needed data set needed to assess our environmental status – is done here in Santa Barbara County by an all-volunteer team consisting of SBC Audubon Society members, and many who come to volunteer just for this important event. The 2024 […]
Let’s head outdoors this second week of January for a healthy start, and to reconnect with the nature in our backyard – balancing the indoor parties and holiday festivities that just ensued. One way to do that (and be of service) is to volunteer with the Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA) on any of the […]
CAL FIRE has announced an open call for research projects for its Forest Health Research Program, applications are due January 31. They have set aside $4.5 million in grants for these projects. CAL FIRE stated: “Funded by California Climate Investments, these grants will support research in crucial forest health and wildland fire science in California […]
City of Carpinteria Architectural Review Board Hearing for the Bluffs Resort Project, titled “The Carpinteria Farm, Hospitality and Residential Project,” is scheduled for Thursday, January 25 at 5:30 pm at Carpinteria City Hall. This meeting will be attended by the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, which is seeking an all-out community support effort to stop […]
After the holiday festivities and indulgences, it seems we head directly into healthy eating and activities in January. With that noted, the El Encanto – a Belmond Hotel in Santa Barbara – has their signature Botanica Afternoon Tea. What is intriguing about their afternoon tea service beyond the ritz, is that both the curated teas […]
The Montecito Journal is proud to present the first baby born in our town for 2024! Congratulations to this new human, Eric Yang, for making his journey on New Year’s Day, and to his parents Alyssa and Seng Yang, of Lompoc. The Yangs are first-time parents and were happy to share a photo of their […]
It was a beautiful 64-degree, sunny Californian day on January 1, as the 8th Annual Polar Dip, founded by our town’s Hugh Margerum, took its place in history with over 300 people from babies to seniors getting in the Pacific Ocean on cue at 11:30 am. The public beach on Cabrillo Boulevard across from the […]
The Prestige Hand Car Wash located at 524 N. Milpas Street in Santa Barbara has closed down unexpectedly, leaving employees and customers surprised. The car wash, opened in 1999 under previous ownership as Zipp Car Wash, was shut down just before Christmas on December 23rd. The 26 employees, including popular detailer “Woody,” were apparently not […]
In a most progressive move, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) has acquired the iconic artwork, Den Hvide Dør (The White Door), 1888, oil on canvas, by artist Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864–1916), and has dedicated it in honor of Larry J. Feinberg, the SBMA distinguished Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Executive Director and CEO, who was […]
The much looked forward to Casa del Herrero “Home for the Holidays”evening was held at the organization’s rare jewel outdoor area – its Spanish Patio and Blue and White Garden off the formal living room – on Saturday, December 9. The 150 guests were treated to the blissful Spanish guitar of Chris Fossek, while they […]
The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (SBRM) Women’s Auxiliary (WA) held its annual Bethel House Christmas Tea for its women in recovery program on Wednesday, December 13 at the home of Susan Hughes. Dianne Davis, Hospitality Chair, organized the event, and Kirsten Walters, Membership Chair, organized the activities for the event, including the prayers, singing Christmas […]
Natalie Olivas,owner-director of the Helena Mason Art Gallery, held an impromptu holiday party open house on Wednesday, December 13, to promote local event professionals, the gallery as an event space for rent, and the art on the walls by Pedro de la Cruz, Chris Gocong, Bob Hernandez, and Rod Lathim. The placement of the art […]
On Thursday, December 14, the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) team held its “Astronomy on Tap” meeting at M. Special on State Street. These events are an all ages and pet friendly info session on current astronomy science and news. The LCO team has raffle tickets that support the event with winners getting the coveted LCO […]
Making their first joint community celebration for the holidays, the Coast Village Improvement Association (CVIA),the Rosewood Miramar Beach, and the Montecito Community Foundation brought the holiday spirit to Coast Village Road on Thursday, December 7, with their event titled, “Shop, Sip, and Stroll,” from 3 to 6 pm. The center of the event was at […]
It was indeed a magical day for our 3rd Annual Montecito Holiday Car Parade of Lights (and music!), after being blessed with excellent warm weather. The Holiday Parade Committee was Houghton Hyatt, Megan Orloff, and Andrea Newquist. This was Hyatt’s first year doing the event and she shared: “With all the twinkling lights and every […]
Sunday, December 10 saw Montecito’s First Annual Chanukah celebration with open invitation to all to join for the lighting of the menorah, held at the park in front of Pierre Lafond on East Valley Road. The celebration was formed by Montecito’s Rabbi Chaim Loschak, Executive Director of Chabad of Montecito, and his wife Mushkie Loschak […]
The 37th Annual Boat Parade of Lights was held in the Santa Barbara beach and harbor area along Cabrillo Boulevard on Sunday, December 10. The Parade of Lights event committee is powered by newly appointed City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Administrative Analyst II and Public Information Officer Angela Rodriguez, with Parade of Lights Committee Chair […]
The 2nd Annual Summerland Beautiful Holiday event took place on Friday, December 1, at Farm to Paper on Lillie Avenue, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The event was spawned by Summerland Beautiful President D’Arcy Cornwall and her team: Secretary Penny Mathison, Treasurer Elizabeth A. Winterhalter, and members Sharon Curry and Leslie Person Ryan. Guests were […]
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History announced the newest members to its Board of Trustees: our town’s Hiroko Benko and Amanda Lee. Both women have long histories as professional businesswomen and philanthropists. Benko is renowned for her historic ocean exploring vessel, The Condor Express, founded by her late husband Fred, for which she is the […]
In its second of three scheduled meetings with the residents and business owners in Montecito, the Santa Barbara County Flood Control (SBCFC) Project Team for the Montecito Flood Control Master Plan laid out their various plans to control debris and for flood management at Cold Spring School auditorium on Wednesday, November 29 from 5:30 – […]
It was an animated holiday gathering of Richie and his Montecito barbers with this year’s selected nonprofit organizations for his annual holiday toys and funds drive. Richie’s Barber Shop is starting to collect the donations – feel free to drop off any time the shop is open or by appointment. The donations will be heading […]
In a momentous occasion on Tuesday, November 28, Heal the Ocean (HTO) was presented with a check for $500,000 from Senator Monique Limón representing California Senate District 19 and Assemblymember Gregg Hart representing the 37th California Assembly District, to support HTO’s Summerland Oil Mitigation Study (SOMS). The study was proposed and started by Heal the […]
The much-loved St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara annual fashion show luncheon took off with all the holiday flair of the season at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Ballroom on Saturday, November 25. This year was their 15th annual event, and saw 300 guests with a wait list, indicating the growth of the event over the years, since […]
The Friendship Center in Montecito held a Thanksgiving luncheon for its members and their families and friends on Wednesday, November 22 at the center. The festive feast was led by Executive Director Kathryn Westland and her team of Kim Larsen, cooks, and even her cousins – the MeekerFamily from San Diego! The cooks were busy […]
A new nonprofit called the Milpas Eastside Business Association (MEBA) was officially designated and granted active status by the Secretary of the State of California on July 14 of this year. The newly formed nonprofit was built by four key Eastside business owners and residents who quietly and humbly on their own decided over a […]
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) Board of Trustees held its sponsor supported Black Tie Autumn Dinner titled “Art’s Artful Affairs: Seasons of Change” at the museum on Wednesday, November 15, from 5:30 to 9 pm. The elegant event commenced with a champagne and wine reception in the museum’s Ludington Court Gallery amidst the […]
St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara CEO and President Rosa Paredes with Dr. Regina Ruiz, Vice President of Development and Marketing, are announcing their 14th Annual Fashion and Luncheon Show at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito on Saturday, November 25, 10 am to 1:30 pm. For tickets to be one of the lucky 300 attendees, visit www.stvincents-sb.org/events/fashion-show-luncheon/. […]
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter celebrated National Philanthropy Day with a Philanthropy Awards presentation on Tuesday, November 14, at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The event was led by their President Lauren Trujillo, her co-chairs Molly Kemper and Gerry Pantoja, and the event committee: Karen Y. Kawaguchi, Megan Nuss, Hannah Quiroz, Shannon […]
The Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District has two announcements for our town: their Annual Santa Run and a call for applications for Firefighter Paramedics and Firefighter EMTs. Pat Cockrum, President of the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation, in conjunction with the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, announces their 3rd Annual Santa Run on December 9. The […]
The beloved Music Academy’s (MA) Auxiliary held its 2nd Annual Sip and Swap Fundraiser at the MA’s Marilyn Horne Main House on Thursday, November 9. The event saw both its members and their friends joining for a lovely evening of libations and top tier swapping of one or more treasured items from one’s closet to […]
On Friday, November 10, the world-renowned Rose Story Farm (RSF) in Carpinteria opened its doors to the public for the first time in 25 years for a ticketed fundraiser event. RSF owner Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn was talking with fellow rose designers about staging parts of the house for fun on an off weekend, which soon […]