Author spotlight: Joanne A Calitri

Joanne A Calitri MPA is a professional international photographer & journalist, and News Correspondent for the Montecito Journal Media Group LLC since 2002. Email: artraks@yahoo.com

CADA’s 13th Annual Gratitude Luncheon
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 19, 2024

The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction held its 13th Annual Gratitude Luncheon Honoring its Mentorship Program, Wednesday, March 8 at the El Encanto Santa Barbara. The luncheon was founded by Anne Smith Towbes to celebrate the mentor program, which is 28 years strong. This year, the CADA honoree mentor is Kenny Slaught. He was […]

Montessori Center School “Rocks” Annual Gala
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 19, 2024

The Montessori Center School held its annual soirée fundraiser on March 9 at the Santa Barbara Women’s Club. This year’s theme was ‘90s Rock ’n’ Roll, and they rocked that ballroom! The top costume was sported by Primary teacher Kacy Cristofani and her husband Chris Burke as Wayne & Garth of Wayne’s World.  The cocktail […]

MA’s Land Use March Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 19, 2024

Montecito Association held its Land Use monthly meeting March 5 via Zoom. Key issues on the table were the updates from the Rosewood Miramar Beach and the pedestrian paths in Montecito. The meeting was led by MA Land Use Chair Bill Babbitt. First up was Executive VP, Development & Acquisitions Bryce Ross for Caruso, Inc. […]

Chumash Exhibit and NAGPRA Compliance
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 19, 2024

Administered by the National Park Service, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was updated effective January 12, 2024. The act was first established in 1990.  The NAGPRA requires all Federal agencies and all museums, institutions, universities, colleges, state agencies, and local agencies that receive Federal funds, to identify all Native American human […]

Chabad of Montecito in Conversation with Gavriel Friedson
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 12, 2024

The Chabad of Montecito led by Rabbi Chaim presented a talk with disaster management specialist Gavriel “Gavy” Friedson on Sunday, February 25 at the private home of Ben and Cheryl Trosky. The event program commenced with a welcome by Rabbi Chaim. He shared, “One of the most famous words in Hebrew is l’chaim – which […]

Assemblymember Gregg Hart Awarded Legislator of the Year
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 12, 2024

The California Special District Association (CSDA) awarded Assemblymember Gregg Hart, California State Assembly, District 37, as the Legislator of the Year.  The award ceremony took place at the Montecito Fire Department on Friday, March 1st. Hart was honored for his support of local service specialists responsible for providing water, sanitation, healthcare, fire protection, parks, open […]

The First Leap Year Baby at SB Cottage Hospital
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 12, 2024

Santa Barbara Cottage Health announced its first Leap Year Baby birth!  Our town’s newest resident is Ezra Kai Avila, born on February 29, 2024, at 2:19 am, weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and measuring 19.5 inches in length.  Ezra’s birth is unique as this date only occurs every four years. Proud parents, Veronica Ortega and […]

Southern California Museums’ 19th Annual Free-for-All Day Event
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 12, 2024

The SoCal Museums organization is holding its 19th Annual Museums Free All Day event on Saturday, March 23.  This free ticket covers all ages for general admission at over 30 museums from Santa Barbara County through Los Angeles County. The museums participating cover the arts, cultural heritage, natural history, and science. And the free day […]

Midwinter Night’s Dream: Artful Affairs at the SB Museum of Art
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 5, 2024

Santa Barbara Museum of Art held its annual fundraiser titled, “Artful Affairs: Seasons of Change, Midwinter Night’s Dream,” on Saturday, February 24, at the museum galleries. The coveted upscale attire event saw the mix of art and music, as the SBMA joined with the Music Academy for a collaborative affair, accented with art themed hors […]

Black History Month 2024: Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 5, 2024

We are celebrating Black History Month with Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu, PhD.She is the Provost and dean of faculty at Westmont College, Montecito. Denu is an ordained minister, author, speaker, and teacher. Prior to Westmont she was the vice president for educational programs for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C.  Denu is […]

Robey Theatre’s ‘The Talented Tenth’
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 5, 2024

Santa Barbara Black Culture House’s Founders Darrell McNeill and Sally Foxen-McNeill presented their two final cultural events of the month over February 24 and 25, at Soul Bites Restaurant.  First was a music performance by Los Angeles band The Funky Neighborson Saturday. The band members are Damon “Super Day” Wilson (keyboards), Terrence “Smoke” Huggins (drums), […]

Janna Ireland Exhibits at SBMA and MCASB
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 5, 2024

To round out Black History Month, the exhibit by Janna Ireland, titled Janna Ireland: True Story Index, is up through June 2 at both the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art SB. The exhibit was co-curated by SBMA Curator of Photography and New Work Charles Wylie and MCASB President Frederick […]

Coral Casino Opens: Esteemed Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club is Renovated and Ready
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 27, 2024

The Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Montecito has officially opened following extensive upgrades to its amenities and interior architecture, meticulously designed by owner Ty Warner. Well-known for his astute sense of creating the best in the hospitality industry, Warner ensured every step of the process personally.  To oversee the club is its new General […]

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Legacy Awards 2024
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 27, 2024

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History announced its 15th Annual Legacy Awards honorees Kathy and Bob Harbaugh, Toni and Terry McQueen, Don Morris, and Ken Tatro, at a private dinner event on January 18 in the Fleischmann Auditorium. The Museum’s Legacy Awards acknowledge extraordinary contributions to the Museum and the natural world by community supporters, […]

Black History Month 2024: Jordan Killebrew
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 27, 2024

Celebrating week three of Black History Month I met with Jordan Killebrew at his Santa Barbara City College office. He is the Executive Director (VP), Public Affairs & Communications for SBCC and has his own Graphics company, JK Graphic Solutions. His current volunteer work includes Founder of Project IV Love and Co-Founder & Executive Director […]

Hannah Bond, America’s First Black Woman Novelist
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 27, 2024

In celebrating Black History Month, this week we honor America’s First Black Woman novelist, Hannah Bond, whose self-styled pen name was Hannah Crafts. Her novel, written in the 1850s, is titled The Bondwoman’s Narrative. It remained an unpublished manuscript until 2001, when it was purchased at an auction by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. from the […]

Black History Month 2024: The Obsidian Scholars Poetry Jam
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 20, 2024

Black History Month is dedicated to African Americans and the Arts. In Week Two we give it up for the young Obsidian Scholars at the Gateway Educational Services Goleta, who presented their original poetry in fond memory of Santa Barbara poet laureate, activist, and local institution Sojourner Kincaid Rolle. The event was held at Soul […]

Women’s Fund of SB Passes $1 million Funding Goal for 2024
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 20, 2024

Last year, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara (WFSB) posed a lofty goal to its members; to raise $1 million in funding for 2024 in honor of its 20th anniversary. The team at the WFSB has just announced it met and exceeded that goal, with an estimated record-breaking grants pool of $1.125 million. Indeed, happy […]

Funk Zone Live Logo Contest!
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 20, 2024

Attention all local high school students! Time to pick up your drawing penzils and pads, digital or analog, and create a logo for the Funk Zone Live Logo Contest, entries due by March 1, 2024.  The winning logo is set to be featured on all merch and posters for SB Funk Zone Live events – […]

Montecito Association Board Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 20, 2024

The Montecito Association (MA) held its monthly Board meeting February 13 in person at the Rosewood Miramar Beach. Executive Director Houghton Hyatt acknowledged the donation of the board room by the hotel to the MA. There was one public comment from a representative of the Neighborhood Group living next to the Rosewood Miramar Beach. His […]

25th Annual Festival of Hearts Fundraiser
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 13, 2024

The Friendship Center (FC) of Montecito celebrated the silver anniversary of its beloved “Festival of Hearts” fundraiser on Saturday, February 3, at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito ballroom and outdoor patio. Nods to the event co-chairs FC Board member Kathy Marden andFC Board VP Sue Adams, with their committee Nathan Bero, Marianne M. Cherkas, Erica […]

ARB Public Meeting on Carpinteria Bluffs Resort
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 13, 2024

Over 500 people showed up #CarpStrong at the first public Architectural Review Board (ARB) meeting on the resort proposal for the Carp Bluffs, held at the Carpinteria City Council Chambers on January 25. The chambers overflowed to the hallways, lobby, and outdoor tent with a live feed. Others watched it remotely. The attendees stayed the […]

Black History Month: Art Matters Lecture with Joan Kee
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 13, 2024

Starting off Black History Month I attended the lecture by Joan Kee PhD, JD on “The Geometries of Afro Asia: Art beyond Solidarity,” on Friday, February 2, the Art Matters series at SB Museum of Art. Kee is a Professor of Art History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The lecture title, the same as her […]

NAMM 2024 Part II: Top Four Education Tracks
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 13, 2024

Here are some highlighted talks from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show that recently took place. In Conversation with The Immediate Family The Immediate Family is a super group of famed session musicians Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar,and Steve Postell. Their work includes James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Keith […]

Montecito Association Land Use February 6 Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 13, 2024

The Montecito Association (MA) held its Land Use monthly meeting February 6 via Zoom. Key issues on the table were pedestrian paths, YMCA Update, the Debris Nets and a Montecito resident’s creek issues with neighbor. MA Chair Bill Babbitt called the meeting to order. Present were Pat McElroy, Executive Director for The Project for Resilient […]

12th Annual She Rocks Awards at NAMM 2024
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 6, 2024

On January 25th the Anaheim Convention Center ballroom was rocked by the Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) She Rocks Awards. The group was founded in 2012 by Laura B. Whitmore to create a support system for women in the Music Industry and honor them via the annual awards presented with support by the NAMM Foundation. […]

The NAMM Show 2024 Part 1 of 2: Gear, Artists & Awards
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 6, 2024

The National Association of Music Merchants held their annual NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center on January 24 – 28. It featured over 3,000 brands, 500 events, 200 performances, over 200 educational tracks, with members from 101 countries. It was indeed booth intensive, with brands stacked together on the floor.  Here is part 1of […]

Local News Updates
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 6, 2024

Executive Director of Explore Ecology Lindsay Johnson announced the retirement of Melissa Brooks as Development Director of Explore Ecology. Incoming for the position is Morgan Coffey.  Coffey majored in cultural anthropology at UCSB and interned as a Waves on Wheels Marine Biology Educator for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. She volunteers as a […]

Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee 2024 Endorsements
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 30, 2024

The Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee (SBWPC) held its annual January Endorsement meeting to review and qualify the candidates for the 2024 election season they are endorsing.  For Santa Barbara County District 1 Supervisor, the vote yielded a “no endorsement” of any candidate.  This is an important clarification for voters, as written campaign materials for […]

Ocean Farming Film Opens the Cinema Seriesat Casa del Herrero
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 30, 2024

A new Cinema Series has made its debut in Montecito at Casa del Herrero on Thursday evening, January 18. The film series is officially titled “Cinema at the Casa” and is focused on launching the organization as a center for creative and worldly discussions for the community. It follows suit with the Casa’s Book Club. […]

SB Museum of Art Women’s Board New Members’ Luncheon
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 30, 2024

On Thursday January 17, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art [SBMA] Women’s Board held its annual New Members luncheon at The University Club downtown. The event was chaired by Board Vice-President Christine Nachman with her team Emiko Kirshman, Floral Design, and Linda Wortham, Floral Presentation. The luncheon began with formal photo ops of the Executive […]

Women’s Fund Santa Barbara Announces 2024 Board of Directors
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 30, 2024

The Women’s Fund SB (WFSB) is celebrating its 20th year anniversary and has announced its 2024 Board of Directors. The board is an all-volunteer member group that is voted to office by the organization’s 1,300 members. The 2024 Board Officers are: Board Chair Jamie Dufek, Vice Chair Carolyn Jabs, Treasurer Kathy Dunlap, and Corporate Secretary […]

Alcazar Theatre Announces Renovation Fundraiser with the Doublewide Kings
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 23, 2024

Palmer Jackson Jr.’s band, the Doublewide Kings, is doing a benefit show to raise funding for the Alcazar Theatre’s 2024 renovations on February 2 and February 3. The band has a huge following and announced that early sponsorship VIPs include Montecito’s Scott Brittingham of Brittingham Family Foundation, Bill and Katie Garland,Board Treasurer of Casa del […]

Ritz-Carlton Bacara SB Announces First Artist-in-Residence
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 23, 2024

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara announced its first Artist-in-Residence, Benjamin Anderson, who had overseen the photography exhibit of Jean-Michel Cousteau at the Bacara in November 2023. Impressed with his work, they offered him this new position. He will be curating new art shows monthly in the hotel’s main lobby area. Anderson has been a Santa […]

Arts Preview: Interview with Drummer John Densmore
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 23, 2024

John Densmore, the renowned drummer and founding member of the legendary rock band The Doors will be talking about his book, The Doors Unhinged (Rev. November 2023) with Andrew Winer at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, on Sunday, January 28, as part of his national book tour. If we are lucky, he may perform […]

Summerland Oil Mitigation Study Updates
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 23, 2024

Following the huge funding of $500,000 to Heal the Ocean (HTO) by State Assemblymember Monique Límon, and an additional $105,000 donated from the Mericos Foundation, work has started on the Summerland Oil Mitigation Study (SOMS). The lead project managers are Ira Leifer of Bubbleology Research International in Goleta, and HTO’s Harry Rabin. Their first foray […]

124th Annual SB Audubon Christmas Bird Count Dedicated to Joan Lentz
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 16, 2024

The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), an event beloved by birders – and a crucially needed data set needed to assess our environmental status – is done here in Santa Barbara County by an all-volunteer team consisting of SBC Audubon Society members, and many who come to volunteer just for this important event. The 2024 […]

Work Outdoors for the Los Padres Forest!
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 16, 2024

Let’s head outdoors this second week of January for a healthy start, and to reconnect with the nature in our backyard – balancing the indoor parties and holiday festivities that just ensued. One way to do that (and be of service) is to volunteer with the Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA) on any of the […]

CAL FIRE Offering $4.5M in Research Grants
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 16, 2024

CAL FIRE has announced an open call for research projects for its Forest Health Research Program, applications are due January 31. They have set aside $4.5 million in grants for these projects.  CAL FIRE stated: “Funded by California Climate Investments, these grants will support research in crucial forest health and wildland fire science in California […]

Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs Announce ARB Hearing
By Joanne A Calitri   |   January 16, 2024

City of Carpinteria Architectural Review Board Hearing for the Bluffs Resort Project, titled “The Carpinteria Farm, Hospitality and Residential Project,” is scheduled for Thursday, January 25 at 5:30 pm at Carpinteria City Hall.  This meeting will be attended by the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, which is seeking an all-out community support effort to stop […]