8 Oct 2024
Adventures in Japan: Sights from the Land of the Rising Sun
Here are some images capturing only a few of the highlights from my Japan travels earlier this year. Of note was a visit with Hiroshima bombing survivor Sadae Kasaoka, who spent over an hour with us, and seeing the “Atomic Bomb Dome,” a surviving building that was the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. There was […]
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Westmont Ranks Among Premier Colleges
For two decades, U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges list has ranked Westmont as the top Christian liberal arts college in California and the Western U.S. In the 2025 edition released today, Westmont appears at No. 108 (tied) among all national, not regional, liberal arts colleges. And, Westmont holds its rank as the top […]
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Poli-Sci Prof. Explores ‘Hopeful Realism’
Jesse Covington, whose research explores the interrelation of religion and government, takes a step away from the current electoral matchup to look at enduring challenges Christians face in a context like the United States. He discusses “Hopeful Realism: Faith-Based Principles for Pluralist Democracy” at a Westmont Downtown Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 pm […]
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Scheffler Putter Raffle
As part of the Westmont Classic Golf Tournament, the college will raffle off a TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter with the cover autographed by Scottie Scheffler. The golf tournament, which raises funds for student scholarships, will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, from noon to 6 pm at Glen Annie Golf Club. A barbecue dinner […]
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Students to Celebrate Summer Research
Nearly 40 students will present their summer research findings at the annual Celebration of Summer Research on Friday, Oct. 4, from 3:30-5 pm in the Winter Hall Atrium. The Celebration of Summer Research, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, is free and open to the public. Students will present 19 posters representing the natural […]
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This Gala Is En Pointe
State Street Ballet’s 30th anniversary gala at the Music Academy of the West was full of eastern promise! More than 200 balletomanes descended on the picturesque Miraflores oceanside campus for the boffo bash, co-chaired by Alex Nourse and Dr. Nicole Callahan, which featured music from the UCSB Middle East Ensemble and the ballet company’s professional […]
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Repose and Praise in Pink
The Breast Cancer Resource Center was thinking pink when it hosted its 26th annual Pink Lounge gala at the Rosewood Miramar that attracted 200 guests and raised $350,000 for the popular nonprofit. The fun fête, co-chaired by Dr. Priti Gagneja and Vince Caballero, featured a live auction conducted by Sotheby’s International realtor Dusty Baker, who […]
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The Woman Behind the Building
Victoria Kastner, historian at William Randolph Hearst’s San Simeon for 38 years, gave a captivating lecture at the Santa Barbara Club to Montecito Bank & Trust’s MClub, focusing on the publishing magnate’s trailblazing architect Julia Morgan who designed more than 700 buildings in California. Morgan, who died in 1957 at age 85, was the first […]
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Seasonal Revel-ry
Susan Keller’s Santa Barbara Revels threw a Revels Equinox concert in the Lobero Theatre Courtyard, celebrating the changing seasons. In December, the group – under new musical director Dauri Kennedy – will host its 9th annual equinox concert, The Ghosts of Haddon Hall, at the Lobero (which I last saw 11 years ago). Music to […]
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Bubbles and Bass
Santa Barbara Symphony, under maestro Nir Kabaretti, previewed its latest season with a champagne reception at the Lobero Theatre. One of the highlights is a two-day Mozart Marathon with eight masterworks, a two-concert performance by the legendary violinist Gil Shaham with Pink Martini singer Storm Large, and Brahms’ “Requiem.” “It’s a rich and culturally empowering […]
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On the Right Path
Social gridlock reigned at the Carriage and Western Museum for the 60th anniversary barbecue bash for the Montecito Trails Foundation – the first one in six years – having previously been held at the Coffin estate at the Montecito Valley Ranch. More than $100,000 was raised by the 175 guests, including the Montecito Community Foundation […]
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Accolades to Billeci
The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture has recognized UCSB Arts & Lectures Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta Billeci with a 2024 Leadership in Arts Individual Award. Celesta, a good friend, joined Arts & Lectures as executive director in 2000 from UCLA Live. She is the previous recipient of the Jerry Willis Leadership […]
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All at Once in the Big Apple
It must have been a most interesting encounter for Prince Harry when he attended a panel discussion called “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York last week. It was attended by former president Bill Clinton, his daughter Chelsea, and actor Matt Damon with former TV anchor Katie Couric, who […]
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Homecoming Honors Alumni
Westmont’s alums return to campus for Homecoming 2024 with an abundance of family-friendly events from October 4-6. Please visit westmont.edu/homecoming for the full schedule, prices and ticket information. The college will honor stellar individuals at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration Brunch on Saturday, October 5, from 9:45-11:30 am at the Global Leadership Center. Dr. Lauren […]
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Upcoming Holidays Hold Meaning for Us All
This is the time of year when the focus is on spiritual rituals, celebrations and reflections across all religions and beliefs. Starting in October with Rosh Hashana on October 2-4, we can look forward to Navratri on October 3, Yom Kippur on October 11-12, Sukkot on October 17-23, Samhain [All Hallows] on October 31, and […]
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1 Oct 2024
The Miramar Plan: Rosewood Expansion Plan Heads to County Commissioners
In October 2023, five years after re-opening under the ownership of Rick Caruso, the Rosewood Miramar officially declared its expansion plans, first presenting to the Montecito Association Land Use Committee and later the Montecito Board of Architectural Review. The proposed plans include new affordable housing units for staff, luxury apartments for long-term rent, and additional […]
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Penny Bianchi At Large – and in The Riv
Legendary Decorator, beloved villager, and Charlie Munger muse Penny Bianchi is herself a striking figure – a living, breathing design element in her own right. The indescribable Bianchi casually radiates charm, wit, joy – and the fauvist Je ne sais quoi one experiences when falling into a painting by Chagall. To madly understate it, there […]
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David Lawrence Raber: January 26, 1934 – September 18, 2024
Dave Raber died peacefully in his sleep on September 18, 2024, after living a full life and crossing the 90-year-old finish line. Dave never had to win an election to be proclaimed the Mayor of multiple jurisdictions – Starbucks in Montecito, Cody’s on Turnpike, and Harry’s Plaza Cafe. He will be remembered for his engaging […]
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Ted Baum: January 7, 1929 – September 9, 2024
Dr. Frederic Wells Baum (Ted) of Carpinteria, California passed away on September 9, 2024, at age 95. He died peacefully in his own home, surrounded by his family. Ted was a loving and supportive father to five children and four grandchildren, an enthusiastic golfer, an aggressive doubles tennis player, a dedicated choir singer, and a […]
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