This fall gala put on by the United Boys & Girls Clubs (UBGC) of Santa Barbara County for 35 years raises much needed funds for the ten clubs and their development programs for the 2,000 kids they serve annually. This is where Great Futures begin at this fundraiser at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel. Exxon […]
This event wasn’t about Halloween. According to the invitation the ghost light is a “luminescence in the pitch of night in theaters across the globe. The haunting bulb stands bare-bones and aglow, defying the inky darkness and beckoning spirits to come hither and play.” This was a party orchestrated by the Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) […]
Everyone Deserves a New Beginning… New Beginnings Counseling Center held its annual fundraiser in a new way with an evening of theatre at the New Vic. It was a stage reading production with award winning professional actors including a wonderful nine-year-old girl, Hope Dekkers, and Stephanie Edwards, who co-hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade with […]
There’s always something new to write about. I got a call from Holly Murphy. She and her husband, Bob, were co-hosting a cocktail party at the Biltmore with John Paul and Lina Belltran to start a new chapter of World of Children in Santa Barbara. The Murphys had been supporters in Los Angeles for five […]
When the founder of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) Wilma Melville was looking for a place and funding the banks all said, “You’re going to do what?” except Montecito Bank & Trust. It became a $30 million project and was open in 2010 for the business of training dogs to find live people […]
It was another successful Beautification Day on the books, as over 150 volunteers turned out last Saturday, November 2 to help beautify Montecito and gather for lunch in the upper village. The 34th annual Montecito Association Beautification Day was organized by co-chairs Mindy Denson, Houghton Hyatt, Kathi King, and Trish Davis, along with Montecito Association […]
The latest program at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) was a film called The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island. California 4th graders learn about her from a book called The Island of the Blue Dolphins. The story is true with a young woman and her son being left behind on San Nicolas Island […]
Heal the Ocean (HTO) goes annually to the El Paseo Restaurant for fun and to raise money to “Heal the Ocean.” It never looked better. The decorations were smashing, all done up in blue and white light reminding one of the ocean. At each guest’s place was a travel bag by Aloha that was also […]
A little known secret in Santa Barbara is the California Missions Foundation (CMF). I went to a lovely fall fundraiser luncheon at Tyde’s restaurant at the Coral Casino arranged by CMF executive director/CEO David Bolton and his staff. The sun was shining off the ocean, a slice of heaven with about 50 of us enjoying […]
United Way of Santa Barbara County presented its 23rd Red Feather Ball. Honorary Chair in perpetuity is Katherine Abercrombie (October 10, 1915 – September 15, 2012). In 1997 the Red Feather Ball was created by Katherine after hearing the story of the Red Feather and how it came to symbolize giving during the Depression Era […]
According to Professor Julie Ann Brown, Santa Barbara is the City of Friendly Ghosts. She takes people on walking tours (at night, of course). She’ll share with you, “Ghost stories that range from love stories to murders.” I invited five friends and we were told to meet on the Post Office steps. Down the street […]
I may be prejudice since Broadway is my favorite thing, but I think the best concert I’ve ever seen for UCSB Arts & Lectures was Kristin Chenoweth. She’s a teeny tiny thing (4’ 11”) with a mighty voice that reaches the rafters. And she thinks we Santa Barbarians are so lucky to have Hidden Valley […]
For the 18th time the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission held their annual event at the historic Rancho Dos Pueblos estate, this year with the theme “The Bayou 500.” They encouraged us to “Start Our Engines, stroll the Brickyard to see the silent auction and cruise over to the Pit Stop to savor tantalizing appetizers, while […]
The Lobero Theatre Associates had their latest event to benefit the Lobero Theatre with “An Evening with Steve Tyrell.” It began in the tent-covered courtyard with a reception featuring unique pizzas from Oppi’Z. There was an unusual cheesecake that was savory instead of sweet topped with smoked salmon as well as the usual sweet ones. […]
Autumn is here and it was time for the Montecito Trails Foundation (MTF) to have its fall 55th annual BBQ, this year at Crane Country Day School. Besides BBQ you could Hoof-it, Bike-it or Hike-it. Jane Murray got you on a horse or a bike and Ashlee Mayfield had you move it or lose it […]
Synergy: The bonus that is achieved, when things work together harmoniously.” – Mark Twain. Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) hosted a reception at the Montecito Club to celebrate a legacy of synergy and learn about important changes in our local healthcare community. Medical director and board member Dr. Michael Bordofsky surprised us all with […]
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara gave its 18th annual celebration luncheon at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Their theme was “The Path of Most Resistance: Effecting Change Through Perseverance.” The emcee for the event was Sofia, who has been a Girls Inc. gal since kindergarten and it shows with all her confidence at […]
The paddles never stopped going up during “the ask” for dollars for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF). In all the 25 years I’ve covered non-profit events, it was amazing. All the proceeds go to help children with cancer and their families in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. TBCF was founded in […]
The MClub (Montecito Bank & Trust’s travel club) gathered on the steps of the Santa Barbara Mission for another Lunch & Learn, this time about the Archive Library. Club director Maria McCall introduced Kathy Kalp, who works at the bank, but has connections at the Mission and was responsible for getting us there. Next came […]
The Gaviota Coast Conservancy (GCC) held its first annual fundraiser at the Music Academy of the West to celebrate the donation of $165 million to buy the Bixby Ranch and to preserve 32 acres (76 miles) of precious coastline forever. This was all due to the largess of Jack and Laura Dangermond. They wanted to […]
Every minute twenty people are forcibly displaced, driven by conflict to flee their homes.” There is an organization called ShelterBox located both here and Florida which since 2000 has sought to help. John McGovern opened his Summerland home and gardens to the group to promote and make local folks aware of their work. Tequila and […]
The Girls Inc. of Carpinteria gym became a Polynesian paradise for their “An Evening in Bloom” themed fundraiser. Orchids abounded including leis for the guests. All the ladies wore flowered prints and guys got out their Hawaiian shirts. Mai Tais were de rigueur during cocktail hour and the silent auction was busy. The evening was […]
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) gave its 7th annual Heroes of Santa Barbara fundraiser at the Biltmore’s Coral Casino titled “Jewels by the Sea.” Even the dolphins came out to play during wine time, putting on their own show. The silent auction was ecstatically beautiful – the long tables afloat with burlap for earth, driftwood […]
As the stars in the sky illuminate our lives, so with the Legends to be honored this autumn night” – Carol Wilburn. The Granada always shines a light on its entertainment, but the annual gala called Legends is one of the biggest illuminations of the year. The honorees who shone were Carol Burnett, Opera Santa […]
The Channel City Club and Committee on Foreign Relations members under the leadership of Judy Hill climbed on a sold-out bus and headed to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. The occasion was an appearance by Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch. Our bus wasn’t the only sold-out thing. There were no more tickets […]
For the 15th time the Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) has sponsored a Regatta for Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care (VNHC). They have both been around for over one hundred years. Scott Deardorff serves as SBYC Commodore and Francie Lufkin as Staff Commodore and Regatta co-chair along with co-chair Nick Sebastian. After mimosas and brunch, […]
Friendship Adult Day Care Center (FADCC) just held its ninth annual Wine Down and Big Heart Awards. It’s such a lovely facility anyway with its open courtyard, but it’s especially pretty when dressed up for this fête. Guests arrived and picked up a wine glass from which to savor wines, spirits, and coffee: Buttonwood Farm […]
Before the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care (VNHC) Charity Regatta given by the Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) in early September, they had a special thank you cocktail party for their Regatta sponsors. It’s interesting to note that each organization has been in Santa Barbara for over one hundred years. It was a perfect evening […]
It was time once again for Casa Dorinda to give its party of the year – their Summer Soirée. Residents and friends were all invited to come and see what this luxurious estate is like. They might like to live at this premiere life care community where private medical care meets a culturally rich environment […]
The Santa Barbara Zoo has been giving the wildest party in town for 34 years. The 500 or so animals don’t seem to mind when it’s time for the Zoofari Ball – this year’s theme was Summer Camp with the campsite being the hill at the Zoo. It was definitely glamping, not camping. Some […]
The Community Action Commission (CAC) wears many hats. Their latest venture is the rebranding of the Back Door Deli and partnering with the County for the sake of 2,000 seniors county wide. This is the County’s first café and catering social enterprise business. My friend Linda Rosso, director of development and communications for CAC, invited […]
Part two of Lynda’s journey to Orange County with MClub. Right now, there is even more to see at the Christ Cathedral campus –Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibit. This traveling exhibition is on display at the Christ Cathedral Cultural Center. When I was in Rome in the 1960s the ceiling was 47 feet above my head […]
Seventeen Montecito Bank & Trust’s MClub members climbed aboard a Santa Barbara Air Bus charter headed for Orange County for a jam-packed 36 hours of sightseeing, art appreciation, wining, and dining with our trusty leader and MClub director, Maria McCall. En route to the Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove we munched on scones from Jeannine’s […]
Youth and Family Services YMCA gave a thank you party to generous donors that support this branch of the Channel Islands YMCA. Hosting at their beautiful Hope Ranch abode were Al and Marsha Roberson. No one went away hungry with bountiful platters of hors d’oeuvres and plenty of wine. When I think of the YMCA, […]
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is the keeper of our maritime history, some of it unique in the world. Marine biologist, educator, and naturalist Holly S. Lohuis recently shared with us stories and images from around the world showing why it is critical we understand both the ocean’s influence on us and vice versa. Throughout […]
The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts just held their 20th Fiesta Finale in the historic El Paseo Restaurant. That was the epicenter of Fiesta in the olden days so it’s a perfect venue. John Edward Profant was born in Santa Barbara in 1928. His parents, Dr. Henry J and Mabel Profant were very […]
The Courthouse Legacy Foundation (CLF) gives one of my favorite Fiesta parties of the week. It’s held on the 2nd floor of the Santa Barbara Courthouse overlooking the Sunken Garden and Las Noches de Ronda. There were tables in the Mural Room for sitting and eating the taco buffet or you could be on the […]
Montecito Bank & Trust gave its annual Fiesta party in their historic building at 1010 State Street. According to Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis it was completed in 1921 for County National Bank and is an historic landmark. Its design is Italianate, popular at the time and related to the Medici family chapel, an extension […]
“Lotusland was created by Polish opera singer Madame Ganna Walska, and visitors should prepare themselves for the ultimate theatrical garden experience. Perhaps only in the climate and culture of Southern California could such a creation have been conceived and accepted, a fantasy of remarkable set-pieces of design and planting quite unlike any other garden.” The […]
Montecito Bank & Trust (MClub) Lunch & Learn gang traveled to Santa Ynez Valley to meet with the former and pioneer pop news pundit Rona Barrett at her Golden Inn & Village. Rona’s life changed when she left Hollywood and came to the Valley to have a lavender farm. Her father came too, and she […]