Author spotlight: Joanne A Calitri

Joanne A Calitri MPA is a professional international photographer & journalist, and News Correspondent for the Montecito Journal Media Group LLC since 2002. Email: artraks@yahoo.com

Casa del Herrero Holiday Soirée with a Capital Announcement
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 26, 2023

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 […]

Santa Barbara Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary Annual Holiday Tea for Bethel House
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 26, 2023

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 […]

Helena Mason Art Gallery Holiday Party
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 26, 2023

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 […]

The December Astro on Tap by Las Cumbres Observatory
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 26, 2023

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 […]

CVIA and Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort First Annual CVR Holiday
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 19, 2023

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 […]

Montecito Association Third Annual Holiday Car Parade of Lights
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 19, 2023

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 […]

First Annual Montecito Chanukah Celebration 
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 19, 2023

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 […]

37th Annual Boat Parade of Lights
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 19, 2023

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 […]

Summerland Beautiful Second Annual Holiday Event
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 12, 2023

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 […]

New Board Members at SB Museum of Natural History
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 12, 2023

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 […]

Second Meeting for Montecito Flood Control Master Plan
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 12, 2023

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 – […]

Richie’s Barber Shop 12th Annual Holiday Donation Collection
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 12, 2023

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 […]

Organization Receives $500,000 to Continue Work on Oil Seepage Research
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 5, 2023

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 […]

15th Annual St. Vincent’s Fashion Show Luncheon
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 5, 2023

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 […]

Friendship Center Thanksgiving Luncheon
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 5, 2023

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 […]

New Nonprofit: The Milpas Eastside Business Association
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 5, 2023

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 […]

Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Artful Affairs Autumn Dinner
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 28, 2023

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 14th Annual Holiday Fashion Show
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 28, 2023

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/. […]

Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter 2023 Honorees
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 28, 2023

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 […]

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District Santa Run and Job Openings
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 28, 2023

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 […]

Music Academy Auxiliary 2nd Annual Sip and Swap Fundraiser
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 21, 2023

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 […]

Rose Story Farm Benefit for Casa del Herrero
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 21, 2023

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 […]

‘Faces of Leica L.A.’ Exhibition
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 21, 2023

Paris Chong, Gallery Manager and Curator of the prestigious Leica Gallery Los Angeles since 2013, curated an exhibition dedicated to a select group of accomplished and diverse Leica photographers, titled, Faces of Leica L.A. on view at the Ren Gallery [the Leica Annex] in the L.A. Arts District through November 30. I was invited and […]

Ritz-Carlton Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Jean-Michel Cousteau
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 21, 2023

The Ritz-Carlton brand presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to ocean-diving explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau at a formal affair held on Saturday, November 11, at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The brand celebrated all things Cousteau, from his Ocean Futures Society to the Ambassadors of the Environment, along with the brand’s programming in environmental concerns. VIP brand […]

Linda Ross Beverly Hills at The El Encanto
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 14, 2023

After 30 years in the skin-care industry, Linda Ross Beverly Hills continues to hold court for her in-person treatments and skin care line, available by referral only. Her client list matches the red carpet, and she has appeared in Glamour, Who What Wear, New Beauty, Women’s Health, InStyle, and Lucky Magazine and on the Style […]

The Alcazar Theatre New Board President and VP
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 14, 2023

Mike Lazaro is appointed the Board President of the Alcazar Theatre Carpinteria as of Oct. 28. We talked via phone Nov. 5, and he shared: “Right now, these are exciting days for the Alcazar Theatre. We are blessed with so many opportunities to show the diversity of what the theater can provide, from live performances, […]

Jean-Michel Cousteau to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 14, 2023

Renowned ocean explorer and diver Jean-Michel Cousteau will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara on November 11 as part of a weekend of festivities that benefit Cousteau’s nonprofit organization Ocean Futures Society (OFS). The event, titled the 78 Years of Diving & Discovery Gala, starts Friday, November 10 and goes through Sunday, […]

New Landscapes Part I: Group Exhibit at the Atkinson Gallery
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 14, 2023

I attended the opening of an exhibition at the Atkinson Gallery at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) titled New Landscapes Part I, which is on view through December 8. The artists exhibiting are Whitney Bedford, Diedrick Brackens, Manuel López, Cruz Ortiz, Jonathan Ryan,and Jonas Wood. The exhibition was conceived and curated by Atkinson Gallery Director […]

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District Announcements
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 7, 2023

The Carp-Summerland Fire Protection District is doing their annual FREE chipping service for Carpinteria and Summerland area residents, starting October 30 for two weeks. The service is done to increase defensible space around properties and neighbors. Heading the work is Firefighter and Wildland Specialist Dan Fawcett, on board since 2020. Prior he worked 15 years […]

Explore Ecology Annual Sustainable Table Fundraiser
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 7, 2023

Explore Ecology’s (EE) Annual Sustainable Table Fundraiser was held for the first time since 2019 on Thursday, October 26, at the Cabrillo Pavilion. The lucky 120 guests were treated to an extraordinary dinner event that was warm and welcoming, with many longtime friends of the organization reuniting. Seen at the event were EE’s Art from […]

75th Anniversary of the Assistance League of Santa Barbara
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 7, 2023

The Assistance League (AL) of Santa Barbara celebrated its 75th Anniversary with an afternoon reception at its Veronica Springs Road offices on Thursday, October 26. The local chapter, the 10th of 120 chapters nationally, was founded post-WWII in 1948 by 15 society women who saw a need to help the community in ways beyond compare. […]

Hillside House Hosts 2nd Annual “Friend-raiser”
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 7, 2023

The Hillside House organization held its 2nd Annual “Friend-raiser” event to bring their work out to the community in an open program event on Sunday afternoon, October 29, at the Carousel House at Chase Palm Park.  There were mini-info tables all around the rotunda with staff members providing information on the various programs of the […]

Our Town’s 21st Annual Ghost Village Road
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 7, 2023

Photos by Joanne A Calitri The 21st Annual Ghost Village Road event took place with much enthusiasm, pomp, and costuming this year! The hallmark of the event is the amazing support of the Coast Village Road realtors, restaurants, shops, and banks in great Halloween costumes and spirits serving up treats and entertainment, especially the teams […]

Summerland Elementary School’s New Sports Court Opens
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 31, 2023

Summerland Elementary School and the Summerland community have a new sports court area thanks to the generosity and legacy building by Summerland residents Nora McNeely Hurley and husband Michael Hurley through Nora’s family Manitou Foundation, who donated the $1.3 million needed to make it happen. Superintendent of the Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) Diana Rigby […]

Barbara Rubin Receives PACT 2023 Freedom Award
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 31, 2023

Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) presented their 2023 Freedom Awards to five recipients for their work in advancing human rights globally. Santa Barbara resident Barbara Rubin is a recipient. Rubin’s work started in the 1990s when she initiated the protection of women and children from sexual exploitation. She volunteers with the Presbyterian Women USA […]

22nd Annual St. Vincent’s Golf Classic Fundraiser at the Montecito Country Club 
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 31, 2023

Monday, October 16, saw the 22nd Annual St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara Golf Classic at the Montecito Club, a charity tournament supporting single mothers and young children in the Family Strengthening Program. There were 20 teams with 80 players who competed for grand prizes in over five categories. The event commenced at 10 am with breakfast, […]

Medora’s Book Club  Opening at Casa del Herrero
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 31, 2023

Medora Steedman Bass is the daughter of Carrie and George Steedman, owners of Casa del Herrero. Earlier this year, various papers and journals of hers were discovered at the house, which document her love of books and reading, and spawned the creation of a book club in her honor called The Medora Book Club. Medora […]

Rona Barrett Opens Harry’s House for Seniors
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 24, 2023

On Friday, October 13, Rona Barrett saw her hard work pay off with the opening of Harry’s House (HH), a housing concept for seniors and especially those with dementia, at the same campus of her first housing for seniors, the Golden Inn & Village in Santa Ynez. Harry’s House is named after her dad, who […]

Suffolk University Annual Alumni Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 24, 2023

Suffolk University held its annual alumni gathering for the Southern California area on Wednesday, October 11, at the Jonathan Beach Club Santa Monica. The event was hosted by Trustee Christine Garvey, Juris Doctor (JD) of Montecito; Susan Cappiello,JD Santa Barbara; and Matthew Howard,JD at JP Morgan Chase & Co. Los Angeles, with special thanks to […]

Los Padres Forest Association Annual Gear Sale and Workcamps
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 24, 2023

The Los Padres Forest Association’s (LPFA) 7th Annual Used Outdoor Gear Sale is on October 22, at 11 am at Tucker’s Grove Site #2, Santa Barbara. Bargains abound on great outdoor gear, including Gossamer backpacks.  This year the sale is being held in honor of Robert Frederick “Rik” Christensen, Jr. of Summerland, who passed in […]