Disco Fever with Cause

By Gail Kvistad

It was hot, hot, hot at the Bella Vista Estate on Sunday night as the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation (SBSCFF) hosted its annual “Disco Inferno” fundraiser. The Summerland estate of Ursula and Patrick Nesbitt was transformed into a scene of social gridlock and high-energy philanthropy, proving once again that the South Coast community knows how to kick up its heels for a vital cause.

The festivities ignited with an elegant outdoor cocktail hour, where guests mingled amidst a high-stakes silent auction featuring luxury items from local icons like El Encanto, Hotel Californian, and Jenavi Wines. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the energy shifted to “The Hangar,” which had been masterfully decked out in “Studio 54” style. Complete with plush white couches, red light “flames,” and fabulous foliage from Por La Mar Nursery, the atmosphere was a perfect 360-degree backdrop for the night’s celebrations.

The evening served as the perfect community welcome for the newly appointed Fire Chief of the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, Dan Stefano, and his wife, Michelle. As DJ Gavin Roy spun non-stop dance hits, professional dancers Alexandr Ivanov and Tammy Valladares led the charge, keeping the electronic light-up dance floor packed until the final song.

Thanks to the Firefighters and Founding board members Arlene Montesano, Ursula Nesbitt and Gail Kvistad and committee member Greg Hons, as well as attendees like Teran Davis and brother Tom, Nina Terzian, Sheila Herman, Lisa Scibird, and Mitch Morehart, the sold-out crowd ensured the event was a resounding success. By the time the last disco ball stopped spinning, it was clear that the “Disco Inferno” had successfully fueled the foundation’s mission to protect and serve the South Coast.