Hooray for Hillside
Hillside House, now rebranded Hillside given the expansion plans for its 280-acre property which has 59 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, raised around $100,000 from its 16th annual Sunset Soirée, held for the first time at the Rockwood Woman’s Club, given the death of Tita Lanning, chatelaine of the historic El Mirador estate, where the gala has been held for nearly two decades.
The fun fête, co-chaired by Norris Goss and Lisa Wilcox, did not get off to the most auspicious start, given an errant driver had crashed into a power pole nearby, cutting electricity to the area, and just two hours before kick-off a generator was found as a replacement before power was restored before the main event, a four-course Omni catered dinner for 190 guests accompanied by wines from the Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, whose winemaker Neil Collins explained the pairings and shared his insight.
Jim Wolfe, a member of Hillside’s board of directors for 16 years and chairman from 2010 until 2018, was presented with the Person of Purpose Award, by Norris after welcomes from Brad Frohling, current chair, and Craig Olson, president.
Jim also conducted the auction, which included Michael McDonald and Chaka Khan concert tickets at the Hollywood Bowl, and a wine dinner at the Montecito estate of John and Laurie Tilson, which raised more than $10,000.
Mary VanderVeen, a parent of a daughter with cerebral palsy at Hillside, then spoke movingly about the pressures of dealing with such a health predicament and the enormous help given by the almost 80-year-old organization.
Among the supporters attending and dancing the night away to La Musique Unique, a jazz trio, were Gregg Hart, Palmer Jackson, Oscar Guitierrez, Graham and Mindy Lyons, Robert and Val Montgomery, Jim and Trish Drinkwater, Mo McFadden, Peter and Sarah de Tagyos, Richard and Ellen Brand, and Don and Alita Rhodes.
Bach to Bach
Santa Barbara First Congregational Church was a full house when the West Coast Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Westmont professor Michael Shasberger and founder Christopher Story, presented All In The Family, an evening of Bachs, a free concert.
The entertaining show with vocalists Becky Hoffman, soprano; Holly Finley, alto; Grey Brothers, tenor; and Michael singing bass, featured works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Bernhard Bach, Johann Christian Bach, and Johann Christoph Friederich Bach, wrapping with Air on the G String from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, and Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.
Bach with bite.
Johnny English
Former Montecito funnyman John Cleese has sparked an online row by suggesting London “is not really an English city.”
The star of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, who revealed last year he is moving the Caribbean island of Nevis, let his 5.6 million Twitter followers know his views on Britain’s historic capital.
His comment caused a decidedly heated debate with some mocking the 79-year-old, while others supported his views.
“I note that London was the U.K. city that voted most strongly to stay in the European Union,” he added.”…And Nevis is not the world center for Russian dirty money laundering!”
Goop for Gentlemen
Montecito actress Gwyneth Paltrow is taking on the “emotional health of men” with her new male-oriented podcast Goopfellas.
If the 46-year-old Oscar winner is correct, there’s a whole slew of modern men who are desperate for their own versions of bra-burning rituals and “sex bark” recipes that have been infamously touted on her website over the years.
Goop is now inviting men into the fold with Goopfellas, a podcast for men by men that will focus on personal health trends, whether they be physical, mental, or a combination of both.
In addition, the company plans on rolling out a newsletter, and G label clothing for men.
A Day at the Races
Keen equestrian Queen Elizabeth has won a hefty $10 million in winnings from her race horses over the last 31 years.
Britain’s longest reigning monarch has won 534 races over her career owning stables across both flat and jump races in England and Ireland.
Her Majesty’s best year came in 2016, a record 12 months in terms of winnings, across the flat and jump seasons, with Carlton House, her top earning horse, raking in nearly $1 million.
Averaging nine wins a year, the Queen has an impressive win ratio of 16.1 percent over the last three decades.
Having seen the glee she exhibits watching her horses race at events like Royal Ascot, which takes place later this month, and at the Epsom Derby, one major trophy that eludes her, HM is in fine form at 93.
Long may she rein…
Sightings: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Teddi Jo Mellancamp, daughter of rocker John Mellancamp, and husband Edwin Arroyave, noshing at Opal… Actor Tom Hanks and actress wife Rita Wilson posing for selfies at Papa John’s in Santa Maria… Oscar winner Michael Keaton getting his Java jolt at Pierre Lafond
Pip! Pip!
Readers with tips, sightings and amusing times for Richard’s column should email him at richardmineards@verizon.net or send invitations or other correspondence to the Journal.
To reach Priscilla, email her at priscilla@santabarbaraseen.com or call 969-3301
