Making a Claim to Reclaim
By Richard Mineards   |   February 7, 2023

It’s a marriage made on Earth! Michael Smith, entrepreneurial son of Montecito philanthropist Anne Towbes, has partnered with Oscar superstar Leonardo DiCaprio in Regeneration.VC, an early-stage venture capital fund supercharging consumer-powered climate innovation driven by circular and regenerative principles, which he co-founded. The fund’s vision, according to its literature, is “to empower all consumers in […]

A Saint Remy Courtyard
By Richard Mineards   |   February 7, 2023

Social gridlock reigned when the ubiquitous Andrew Firestone and his partner Jess Parker threw an opening bash at their new 122-room State Street hostelry, Courtyard by Marriott, formerly a La Quinta Inn. After imbibing wine, beer, and specialty cocktails on the roof, guests headed downstairs to Saint Remy, the Cearnal Collective-designed hotel’s new poolside eatery […]

 

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Shining a Light on Photography
By Richard Mineards   |   February 7, 2023

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has just opened its latest illuminating exhibit, The Lure of Lighthouses & Dancing Waves, an impressive collection of more than 35 large-scale images and panoramic photographs of waves and lighthouses around the world taken by renowned Emmy Award-winning surfing photographer and videographer Dan Merkel. “I first met Dan when he joined […]

New Principal Flutist for the SBS
By Richard Mineards   |   February 7, 2023

Amy Tatum has been chosen out of 150 applicants to be the new principal flutist for the Santa Barbara Symphony. Tatum, who was one of 70 musicians traveling to our Eden by the Beach for the final auditions, made her debut at the Granada with the “Plains, Trains & Violins” concert last month (Jan). As […]

Dunbar Ranch Rental
By Richard Mineards   |   February 7, 2023

Carpinteria actor Kevin Costner, 68, is renting out his 160-acre Aspen, Colorado, home for a hefty $36,000 a night. The Oscar and recent Golden Globe winner’s property has 12 bedrooms and eight bathrooms, with it spread over nearly 6,000 square feet and accommodating up to 27 people. Known as the Dunbar Ranch, it is described […]

Playing with Planes and Trains
By Richard Mineards   |   January 31, 2023

Santa Barbara Symphony was clearly on the right track with its first 70th anniversary concert of the New Year! Plains, Trains, & Violins at the Granada under maestro Nir Kabaretti was a celebration of the influence of music of the Americas with local ties to our Eden by the Beach. The entertaining performance included Uruguayan-born […]

A Birthday Surprise
By Richard Mineards   |   January 31, 2023

It wasn’t quite James Bond, but certainly top secret when Montecito animal activist Gretchen Lieff celebrated her birthday at the La Lieff wine tasting room in the Funk Zone. Nearly 20 people gathered for the hush-hush fête with Gretchen taken totally off guard by the bash. “I had absolutely no idea!” she gushed. “What a […]

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  • Brems on Board
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 31, 2023

    Psychologist and yoga therapist Christiane Brems has joined the board of the Breast Cancer Resource Center. A breast cancer survivor herself, Brems brings a wealth of professional and personal expertise to her role. “I’m very impressed with the wholistic and integrated mission of the BCRC and I’m honored to be able to contribute to such […]

    Care for Wildlife Care Crew
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2023

    It was all too beastly for words when Gretchen Lieff, vice president of the board for the popular Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, hosted a boffo bash at her La Lieff tasting room in the Funk Zone for 200 volunteers. “It’s the least we could do to show our gratitude for the many hours they […]

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    More to Say
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2023

    As if one memoir Spare isn’t enough, Riven Rock resident Prince Harry has revealed he has enough material to publish a second autobiography having cut almost half the material that had been written in a first draft. The Duke of Sussex, 38, says he chose to leave out several “bombshells” because he was concerned his […]

    An Evening Apéritif 
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2023

    Santa Barbara Symphony hosted the third of its seven-part Concert Apéritifs series at the charming Montecito home of Mikki Andina as part of its 70th anniversary season-long fundraiser. The event The Arts of the String Quartet featured a Fab Four of musical talent including violinists Ji Young An, a graduate from the Conservatoire National Supérieur […]

    A Rug That Really Ties the Room Together
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2023

    Former Montecito fashion magnate Terry Pillow is fit to be tied! Terry, a former head honcho with Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Coach, and Tommy Bahama, who opened his new bijou bridle leather boutique on Coast Village Road, a tiara’s toss from Tre Lune last month, has a most unusual rug at the entrance to his […]

    Dunbar Joins SBEF
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2023

    After three years as Opera Santa Barbara’s Director of Development, Nina Dunbar is leaving to become Donor Advisement Officer at the Santa Barbara Education Foundation. In her new role, Dunbar will be overseeing the organization’s relationship with major donors involving supporting programs that enrich the academic, artistic, and personal development of Santa Barbara Unified School […]

    New Members on SB Beautiful Board
    By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2023

    Santa Barbara Beautiful, which focuses on the built, green, and cultural environment, has elected a new slate of officers for 2023 led by president Kerry Methner, editor and publisher of VOICE magazine for the last 20 years, and a gifted sculptor. She has been on the board since the early 2000s and was president in […]

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