A Legendary Night
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2022

The cavernous stage at the venerable Granada Theatre was socially gridlocked with more than 200 guests for the sixth annual Legends gala emceed by the ubiquitous Andrew Firestone. The recipients, who have illuminated and advanced the performing arts in a significant way, were philanthropists Palmer and Joan Jackson, who have contributed to hundreds of nonprofits […]

One 805: Feeling Stronger Every Day
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 13, 2022

The Thomas Fire and debris flows that plagued Montecito and the area in over a month spanning 2017-18 was an unprecedented tragedy that caused great devastation to the community.  But out of the ashes and mud rose a brand-new nonprofit called One805, which has not only raised funds to support the First Responders who worked […]

 

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State Street Ballet
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 6, 2022

It’s no accident that Rodney Gustafson landed in Santa Barbara to launch his State Street Ballet dance company almost three decades ago. The company’s executive and artistic director had targeted returning to town ever since he’d performed as a dancer with the famed American Ballet Theatre (ABT) at the Arlington Theatre many years before. “I […]

New Board Members
By Richard Mineards   |   September 6, 2022

Local businesswomen and philanthropists Eva Rhodes and Elizabeth Farnan Rodrigues have joined the Dream Foundation’s national board of directors, helping raise awareness about the organization’s mission of fulfilling final dreams for terminally-ill adults. Rhodes is currently Vice President and banker for the Santa Barbara office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where she works closely with […]

Santa Barbara Library Foundation
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 30, 2022

The Santa Barbara Library Foundation’s director Lauren Trujillo is in a celebratory mood.  The foundation’s $5.4 million capital campaign to revitalize the historic plaza at the Santa Barbara Library, a once bustling pedestrian thoroughfare that had fallen into disrepair, has been fully funded. The organization raised nearly 60 percent of the dollars from private contributions […]

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 23, 2022

Everything seems to move quickly these days, but the speed of growth and expansion of the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) is fast enough to turn heads.  It was just six years ago that the Community Environmental Council and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County created the Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan […]

Environmental Defense Center
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 16, 2022

Exactly one month from this issue’s publication, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) will be having a 45th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in downtown Santa Barbara, a special community gathering that marks the first public event in the space in three years.  Think of it as a one-shot revival of TGIF!, the environmental organization’s much-beloved […]

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  • One805 Live! The Bash is Back
    By Steven Libowitz   |   August 9, 2022

    One805’s original Kick Ash Bash was a legendary gathering that will forever be etched in the community’s consciousness. This huge star-studded event and concert in early 2018 was held at Bella Vista Ranch and Polo Club in Summerland to celebrate our community’s first responders after the Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flows. But the event’s […]

    Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
    By Steven Libowitz   |   July 12, 2022

    Anyone who has ever watched a police drama on television in the last 50 years is familiar with the fact that everyone who has been accused of a crime has a right to free legal counsel if they can’t afford their own attorney. But that bright line ends when it turns to civil matters, even […]

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    The Fund for Santa Barbara
    By Steven Libowitz   |   July 5, 2022

    The Supreme Court ruling that reversed the half-century old landmark Roe v. Wade decision had been handed down only hours before, but The Fund for Santa Barbara was already scrambling to respond in the wake of the decision.  “It’s a national issue, but there’s actually so much that could be done at the local level […]

    Dancing on Rising Tides
    By Richard Mineards   |   July 5, 2022

    It was a double celebration for the popular nonprofit Heal The Ocean at the popular oceanside eatery, The FisHouse, when Alison Thompson, operations policy coordinator since 2018, was given a “Great Wave” goodbye as she leaves for New Haven, Connecticut, to join graduate school at Yale University. She is working her way towards a master’s […]

    The Elephant Project
    By Steven Libowitz   |   June 28, 2022

    Estimates say that there are nearly 2,000 nonprofits in Santa Barbara County, each with a mission of supporting the local or at-large community in some way. But as far as we know, only one organization – The Elephant Project – has exactly one full-time employee.  But don’t underestimate the impact of Kristina McKean, the founder […]

    Viva Las School of Squash
    By Lynda Millner   |   June 28, 2022

    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 […]

    Champions Dinner
    By Lynda Millner   |   June 28, 2022

    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, […]

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