A Golden Eagle Gala
By Richard Mineards   |   December 20, 2022

The eagle has landed! After a major nine-month restoration that used 12 books of 22 karat gold leaf, equal to 312 individual sheets or 5.3 grams of gold, by local expert Chris Bailey, a most impressive golden eagle, which used to hang above the stage at the Lobero Theatre at the turn of the last […]

Mattei’s Exhibit
By Richard Mineards   |   December 20, 2022

It was a double header at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum when the august institution hosted its annual holiday party for 275 guests, as well as opening its latest exhibition, “Clarence Mattei – A Portrait of Our Community.” Mattei, whose parents owned the eponymous Mattei’s Tavern, was sponsored to attend the prestigious Mark Hopkins Art […]

 

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ADL Turns 21
By Richard Mineards   |   December 20, 2022

It was a case of going from top to bottom at the Canary Hotel when the Anti-Defamation League of Santa Barbara Tri-Counties hosted its 21st anniversary celebration for 110 people raising $110,000. The gala affair, co-chaired by Brook Ashley, Gayle Eidelson, Andee Gaines, and Sissy Taran, was originally scheduled to be on the hostelry’s rooftop, […]

60 Years of Scholarships
By Richard Mineards   |   December 20, 2022

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, hosted lunch at the Hilton for 250 guests to recognize donor and volunteers, after cancelling two previous lunch events in response to the pandemic. Featured speakers included Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons, an infectious disease physician and past foundation recipient, and Arturo “Cheech” Raygoza, a […]

Memories of Theaters Past
By Richard Mineards   |   December 13, 2022

What could be more festive for Yuletide than Charles Dickens’s classic ghost story A Christmas Carol? It is a show dear to my heart as it was the first-ever theater production I saw at the tender age of eight at the Northampton Repertory Theatre in England with a group of classmates from my local prep […]

A Westmont Yuletide
By Richard Mineards   |   December 13, 2022

The full arsenal of Westmont College’s musical talent was on display at the Granada for the 18th annual Christmas Festival. Always a great start to Yuletide, the concert “Prince of Peace” was the second year at the venerable State Street theater after years at the First Presbyterian Church. Ruth Lin, chair of the music department, […]

Celebratory Farewell to Reed
By Richard Mineards   |   December 13, 2022

After more than two decades as the public face of the Unity Shoppe Executive Director Tom Reed, 76, hosted a retirement bash at the Kenny Loggins Pavilion, where much of the 105-year-old charity’s work is based. “It’s time to enjoy some new activities with my wife and grandchildren,” says Tom, who joined the popular organization […]

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  • Design Awards 
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 13, 2022

    The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara hosted their annual Design Awards gala at the Cabrillo Pavilion honoring the achievements of local architects and architecture. The award program recognizes design excellence in architecture, residential architecture, restoration-renovation, and urban design. Among the honorees was the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Kupiec Architects, with the Cabrillo […]

    Twice the Yuletide Spirit
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

    It was a spectacular start to Yuletide when Montecito Bank & Trust held its 20th annual Community Dividends awards lunch, which normally divides $1 million among myriad local charities. But this year the Hilton event for 300 guests was one with a decided difference as the bank, founded by the late Michael Towbes, awarded a […]

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    ‘Butterfly Wood’ Bash
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

    Local award-winning architect Robert Ooley, who spent 30 years researching and writing his first book, Butterfly Wood, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie House West, hosted a boffo bash at the University Club for 70 guests to celebrate the occasion. The 4,500-square-foot property at Hot Springs and Summer Road, the home of writer T.C. Boyle, is the […]

    A Food-filled Mission
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

    David Fletcher, head food service specialist at the Rescue Mission, certainly had his hands full on Thanksgiving Day, not only preparing for more than 300 homeless guests, but three other local organizations, adding another 100 recipients. David, who started on the job last year, says it has gotten easier as time goes by, with 25 […]

    Turkey, Angels, and Pies… Oh My
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

    Just 24 hours later I was at the Santa Barbara Veterans Memorial Building where 500 homeless turned out for a third Thanksgiving dinner organized by Adam’s Angels, a nonprofit founded by local Douglas Elliman realtor Adam McKaig and fellow resident Crystal Iverson. As they tucked into 400 pounds of turkey and 100 pumpkin pies, they […]

    A Star Achievement
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

    Digital design and marketing professional Monica Kunz is the recipient of the 2022 AWC Chapter Star Award for lending her talents and expertise to the local chapter of the Association for Women in Communications. “Monica has a keen eye for design and branding,” says Lisa Osborn, president of AWC-SB. “For years she has generously shared […]

    Raising the Bar
    By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

    The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County has added two newcomers to its team. Camille Agnello has joined as an attorney for the Family Violence Prevention and Immigration Program. She attended law school at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, and was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 2019. Brianna Locatelli recently […]

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