Kool & The Humane Gang

Santa Barbara Humane went to Studio 54 for its annual gala themed Glitter Paw Disco at the Cabrillo Pavilion with a sold-out 160 guests raising around $200,000 for the charity’s new $64 million development in Goleta, its first since the 1960s.

The organization, founded in 1897, has looked after more than one million animals in that time, says CEO Kerri Burns, decked out in a voluminous wig and Elton John specs.

Disco balls decorated the venue as guests sparkled in Gucci, Pucci, and Fiorucci as ubiquitous DJ Darla Bea spun the disco hits at the fun fête co-chaired by Ruth Ann Bowe and Denise Sanford.

Other disco fans included Amanda Allen, John Corby, Joye Dellheim, Liv Gonzalez, Denyce Gardner, Caitlin Hensel, Jessica Hines, Olivia Lutz, Anais Pellegrini, Michelle Russell, Marissa Miller, Susan Rodriguez, Heidi Stilwell, J.V. Vallejos, Paige Van Tuyl, Amber Weir, Nicole Wichowski, and Olivia Young.

A truly sparkling evening….

Home Sweet Home

Prince Harry is back home at his Riven Rock estate after a successful four-day visit to the U.K. during which he had a 55-minute audience with King Charles at London’s Clarence House after he flew back from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, their first face-to-face in more than 19 months.

The Duke of Sussex attended the WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and was at a number of other charity events, including one at which he donated $1.5 million to the BBC’s Children in Need. He also made a visit to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, to see the grave of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who died three years ago.

Harry also made a side trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, flying to Poland and then traveling by train after Russia pounded the city with its largest air strike since the war started in February 2022.

He also visited the country in April when he traveled to Lviv to meet war victims. He served in the British Army for 10 years.

Who’s on the List?

The battle is on to be the world’s richest man with the annual publication of the Forbes richest billionaires list.

Tesla tycoon Elon Musk, 54, with $428 billion is ranked No. 1, but Oracle software magnate Larry Ellison, 81, who has homes in Santa Barbara, is biting at his heels with $387.6 billion.

The total worth of those on the list is $6.6 trillion and, of course, our rarefied enclave is well represented.

Google tycoon Eric Schmidt, 70, who lives on Eucalyptus Hill, is No. 36 with $26.8 billion, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, 82, whose NFL team does summer training in Oxnard, is ranked No. 50 with $19.6 billion.

Herb Simon, 90, is placed at No. 224 with $6.5 billion on par with Ty Warner, 81, owner of the San Ysidro Ranch and the Four Seasons Biltmore.

Fellow hotelier and real estate developer Rick Caruso, 66, owner of the Rosewood Miramar, is No. 255 with $5.9 billion and Star Wars dynamo George Lucas, 81, is ranked No. 280 with $5.4 billion.

An Inter-National

Ensemble 

Ensemble Theatre Company has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the U.K.’s National Theatre to bring National Theatre Live productions to our Eden by the Beach beginning in the 2025-2026 season.

This exciting collaboration will offer local theatregoers the opportunity to experience productions from one of Britain’s most prestigious theaters without leaving the Central Coast.

The partnership launches with screenings of three exceptional National Theatre productions, beginning with Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike leading the cast in the new play Inter Alia on October 21. This will be followed by a new production of Oscar Wilde’s timeless comedy The Importance of Being Earnest with Tony nominated actress Sharon D. Clarke in the role of Lady Bracknell on December 8.

The series will close with the multi-Tony Award-winning production War Horse on February 23.

The Apple Doesn’t

Fall Far From the Tree

Gwyneth Paltrow’s mini-me daughter Apple Martin has landed her first major fashion deal at the age of 21.

She is working with London-based fashion house Self-Portrait.

“It captures the effortless, confident, and self-expression spirit of a generation of young customers that continues to inspire the fashion house and its designer,” says a press release.

The collaboration between Apple and Self-Portrait will evolve and unfold in the coming months through a series of fashion portraits, films, and activities.

New Roles at A&L

UCSB Arts & Lectures is building the next generation of cultural leadership with two key appointments in its development team.

Heather Silva has been named managing director of development and Elise Erb has been promoted to senior director of development.

In her new role, Silva will oversee the A&L development team providing strategic leadership and direction in close partnership with Meghan Bush, the new Miller McCune executive director.

Erb will continue her valued contributions as senior director bringing proven experience and continuity to the team.

Sightings

Oscar winner Kevin Costner at Lucky’s… Conan O’Brien checking out Pierre Lafond… Weakest Link host Jane Lynch at Montecito Country Mart.

Pip! Pip!