The Santa Barbara Woman’s Club gave the first La Merienda since the pandemic. Merienda translates to “snack,” but it was much more than a snack. It was a full-on Mexican dinner with tacos, guacamole, chicken, beef, and salad. Event chair Sue Ziliotto told us, “This event has been going on for 92 years.” All the […]
Many folks don’t realize there is a group that looks after the preservation of our Santa Barbara Courthouse called the Courthouse Legacy Foundation. During Fiesta they gave their annual party in the Mural Room and adjoining balcony where guests could look over into the Sunken Garden to view the Noches de Ronda show going on […]
Over 27 years ago I walked into the Montecito Journal’s offices and told the founder of the new paper, Jim Buckley, that he didn’t have a society column. He replied, “Write one and if we like it, it’s yours.” Seen Around Town was born and my life changed forever! I always had liked to dress […]
The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts welcomed everyone to “Where Fiesta traditions began,” the El Paseo Restaurant for one final night of celebrating. John Profant was born in Santa Barbara on May 23, 1928. His parents, Dr. Henry and Mabel Profant, were very active in the cultural community, helping to found CAMA and […]
Lotusland had their 28th celebration and summer soirée titled Birdsong and recommended no feathers be worn. Cute! There was a flock of 500 guests who began the afternoon with epicurean hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and exceptional wines followed by dinner on the Grand Lawn. Co-chairs David M. Jones and Joseph Marek want us to know, “Birds […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum became a page out of a book about Sevilla with their La Fiesta del Museo Old Spanish Days party in the courtyard. We celebrated the culture, the dance, and the cuisine of one of my favorite places on Earth. My family was lucky enough to live there for seven years. […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum was the venue for another Fiesta party. This time a kickoff for the Montecito Bank & Trust and their loyal customers. They had outgrown their own bank as a party place. I always liked going up to the teller window and withdrawing a margarita instead of dollars. Their motto is […]
Across from the Bird Refuge there used to be a restaurant called Café del Sol. After it closed, Arlene and Milt Larsen bought it, transforming it into a unique private club called the Magic Castle Cabaret. They also own the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, which some of you may have gone to. It’s all […]
“Time and circumstance permitting, I hopefully dreamt that I might fulfill my work to develop Lotusland to its maximum capacity into the most outstanding center of horticultural significance and educational use.” – Ganna Walska, August 7, 1979 Montecito Bank & Trust’s MClub traveled for a Lunch and Learn day at Lotusland with MClub director Maria […]
The Art Foundation held an MClub Lunch and Learn at the Santa Barbara Club with a program about all things Borein. He was the famous cowboy artist who really lived the part and had a gallery in El Paseo. To enlighten us was Jeremy Tessmer, who is the curator of vintage American art at Sullivan […]
One of the biggest wine and food events of the year happened after a two-year hiatus, at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH). Over 1,000 folks gathered on the 17-acre campus to stroll along the shaded banks of Mission Creek sampling the Central Coast’s best food, wine, and spirits from 80-plus purveyors. This […]
This was the 9th annual “Fiscal New Year” fête hosted by Ernesto Paredes to get executive directors together for a sip and greet. He had help from a committee of Heidi Holly, Kim Olson, and Sophia Davis. It was held at the former Chuck’s Waterfront Grill near the Maritime Museum. There was even a sponsor […]
The Casa de la Guerra Adobe came to life the other Sunday when the Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126 Native daughters of the Golden West gave their annual Pre-Fiesta Tea. Master of Ceremonies Thea Palencia told us, “The Tea had been a part of every Old Spanish Days celebration since the 1920s except for […]
Larry J. Feinberg, Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director of the Board of Trustees of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, invited various folks to Going Global: Abstract Art at Mid-Century – the latest exhibition at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA). It features 35 works from the Museum’s permanent collection. It runs the gamut […]
There was recently a luxe event under the stars for the Music Academy’s (MA) 75th Anniversary Signature Benefit, complete with a red carpet. It’s always amazing how the committee magically transforms the parking lot into an elegant theater and dining room, along with a couple of grand pianos. The three people who headed up that […]
MClub (Montecito Bank & Trust) met at the Santa Barbara Club for a Lunch and Learn, featuring the executive director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) Roger Durling. MClub director Maria McCall introduced Roger, who also teaches film at SBCC. For over 30 years the SBIFF has grown to be one of the […]
The Santa Barbara School of Squash (SBSOS) recently gave its annual gala fundraiser in a unique venue – the courtyard at La Arcada Plaza around the turtle pond at Eleven14 restaurant. It was a beautiful setting for 100 folks seated at the round dinner tables and a fun place to mix and mingle. The theme […]
CommUnify (formerly CAC/Community Action Commission) just held its 55th Anniversary dinner at Alisal Ranch & Resort on the River Grill patio. CEO Pat Keelean welcomed the group and asked them to celebrate the local champions who do so much to improve the quality of life for all of Santa Barbara County’s residents. As Pat said, […]
It’s time for Hillside House to have its annual Sunset Soirée, “Rooted in Strength… Growing in Opportunities,” at the Rockwood Santa Barbara Woman’s Club. This was the 18th annual event; all for the 59 folks that need help because of their intellectual and developmental disabilities, and who live at Hillside House. The evening began on […]
The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center gave a very civilized Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. No ants allowed! It was in their courtyard at 865 Linden Avenue with mimosas and sandwiches. Besides good picnic fare, there was a book signing and talk by the author, Marilyn Chandler DeYoung (aka “Missy”) who was introduced by executive director Linda […]
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) supports the whole family from initial cancer diagnosis, through treatment, and into recovery. “We are a community of dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors who all believe in the same principle: that no family should ever be alone in the fight against cancer. With generous community support, we helped 909 individuals […]
Women United is an integral part of United Way. Together they advocate, support, and expand the ongoing work of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s educational programs. The need for investment in literacy could not be more clear and guides Women United’s activities and projects each year. In Santa Barbara County, 78% of economically disadvantaged […]
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County invited everyone to their annual fundraising benefit, Denim and Diamonds, held at the Carriage House & Western Art Museum on Castillo Street. There was a passel of rhinestone cowgirls and cowboys everywhere. I’m not sure any of them could wrestle a steer but they looked good. We […]
VNA Health (formally known as Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care) just held its 21st Mother’s Day Luncheon, presented by Lady Leslie Ridley–Tree at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel. It began with mimosas alongside photos on the lawn and ended up in the luxe ballroom for lunch. One lady remarked, “This room makes me want to […]
Family Service Agency (FSA) gave its annual fundraiser at Rockwood Woman’s Club. It began under the oaks on the terrace with a variety of wine, trays of heavy hors d’oeuvres, and music by a great combo. Co-chairs of this fête were Marni Cooney and Sandy Nordahl helped by Katya Armistead, Halle Bedford–Dyer, and Kathy O’Leary. […]
The Santa Barbara Club and Art Foundation of Santa Barbara puts on a fun evening once a year. The walls of the Club are transformed with paintings of their members’ own art collections or personal work. In the program is a ballot for voting for Best Composition, Most Original, Most Creative, Best Use of Color, […]
The animals must have been wondering what was going on when the air filled with bubbles at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Not to worry! The Zoo had loaned part of their grounds to benefit Gwendolyn’s Playground. That is something to look forward to in the next year or two. It’s an all-inclusive playground built for […]
For the 22nd time, Youth and Family Services (YFS) YMCA (a branch of the Channel Islands YMCA) held its Reaching for Stars event. The funds raised make good things happen for youth. All 11 local chefs donned their chef’s hats to prepare the five-course dinner for a room full of guests at the Santa Barbara […]
Carpinteria is like the Little Engine that Could. They wanted an arts center, so they worked, and worked, and now there is a thriving one at 865 Linden Avenue. The annual fundraiser was just held that allows the group to present programs for all kinds of artistic ventures for all ages. Two hundred folks attended […]
The Rotunda at the Hilton Beachfront Resort was rocking when Planned Parenthood held its Birds and Bees Bash beginning with cocktails on the third level. The blowing wind led to some interesting photos. Then down to ground level for a sumptuous dinner at the tables. The three co-chairs who organized this fête were Mary Blair, […]
After several years, Mystery in Masterpieces returned to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA). The event sold out in two days. President of the SBMA Women’s Board Julie Blair said this: “Excitement is in the air as Mystery in Masterpieces returns, bringing us together to celebrate a stunning exhibit of art from the Museum’s […]
Old Spanish Days (OSD) is in its 98th year, and this year after the pandemic OSD is back in all its glory – flamenco, flowers, mercados, horses, and a parade with a new route. It will run the length of Cabrillo Boulevard from the traditional parade start at Castillo Street to the Hilton Hotel. Participants […]
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria celebrated empowering women and girls at its annual Women of Inspiration luncheon recently. And what could be a more powerful example than a NASA rocket scientist, Tracy Van Houten, to give the keynote speech? Tracy is a lead engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). She calls herself a STEMinist (Science, […]
There’s a group of folks who are changing the face of Montecito in a good way – their goal is to “Walk Montecito” safely. The Montecito Neighborhood Trail Network would allow pedestrians to feel safe to bike or walk to school, parks, beaches, and businesses. The movers and shakers are CEO and co-founder Abe Powell […]
It’s been three long years since Transition House Auxiliary has been able to have their Mad Hatter Luncheon. This year the theme was “Roaring ‘20s Revisited,” and indeed it was. The Rosewood Miramar ballroom was filled with fascinators, fringe, and feathers. Carolyn Sweet took home the most beautiful chapeau, Scott Seltzer went away with most […]
Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) Women’s Board held their annual new members meeting at the Santa Barbara Club – this year 12 new names will be added to the roster: Christine Nachman, Kathy Wenger, Jenn Kramer, Mimi Baer, Hsiu–Zu Ho, Janet Budreski, Debra Joseph, Martha Townsend, Debra Cochrane–Vercammen, and Kathy Hartz. The mission of […]
Paradise Revisited is what artist Sandy Ostrau feels for Santa Barbara. There is a show of her works at the Thomas Reynolds Gallery from now until the end of May. The gallery is celebrating its one-year anniversary and is located a few doors away from the Arlington Theatre ticket booth, in the artsy part of […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) is having a plethora of exhibits. They recently had an evening with curator Jeremy Tessmer (from Sullivan Goss gallery), who took a personal look at one of Santa Barbara’s most acclaimed artists, Lockwood de Forest. The Museum was lucky enough to have a grand collection of his works given […]
The Rape of Hippocrates is a book written by Dr. Roger Dunham, a local retired physician. Montecito Bank & Trust sponsored his appearance at their Lunch and Learn event in April, at the Santa Barbara Club. Maria McCall is the director of that active group of goers and doers. As we sat outside in the […]
As I drove up to the Santa Barbara Carriage and Western Art Museum, there was a trick roping expert twirling her rope and ready to entertain all the Montessori Center School parents, there to fundraise for their kids. That would be toddlers 18 months up through sixth grade. It had been two years since they […]