The Art Foundation of Santa Barbara (AFSB) has announced its annual art exhibition and sale titled, An Artful Affair at Riven Rock, on Sunday, October 8, from 3 to 5 pm, at the historic Riven Rock estate of Frank McGinity. Tickets are limited to 150 lucky guests and selling fast. I met with McGinity and […]
The 34th season for Camerata Pacifica was celebrated with a Director’s Cut event at a private club in Goleta on Monday, September 11. The focus was the formal introduction of its new Executive Director Ana Papakhian by its founder and Artistic Director Adrian Spence. There was also a lovely meet and greet with four of […]
Casa del Herrero’s newest outreach, Cocktails at the Casa, officially launched its opening soirée on Thursday, September 14, at its house and gardens. Casa del Herrero Board Secretary Mari McAlister with her fellow board members and staff created the event as an introduction to their new club for locals. “We are all thrilled to welcome […]
The Friendship Center held its 11th Annual Wine Down fundraiser at its Montecito location on Thursday, September 14 from 4 to 7 pm. The support for this homespun event was large, with over 200 guests and volunteers stopping by to sip and mingle with friends, and enjoy the charcuterie table, especially the freshly baked sweets […]
The Channel Islands Youth and Family Services organization held a Donor Appreciation Event to thank the donors of Reaching for Stars 2023. The wine and cheese celebration on Wednesday, September 6, was at the Hope Ranch estate of Board member Marsha Roberson with husband, Al. Event Chair Carolyn Williams shared: “The generous funds raised in […]
The Santa Barbara Yacht Club’s 19th Annual Regatta Fundraiser for VNA Health took place on Saturday, September 9, from 11 am to 7 pm. The upbeat event was sold out to 350 lucky attendees supporting the cause. Guests were greeted with sunglasses, baseball caps with both organizations’ logos, and a goodie bag with chocolates and […]
Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, president and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI), has announced PGI’s newest weekend workshop with an open invitation to the public titled, Journeys of the Soul Immersive, scheduled for September 27 through October 1, at their 801 Ladera Lane, Carpinteria location. The event includes a wine and cheese reception, films, panel […]
Over the Labor Day weekend, the 3D Studio Gallery at 529 State St. was packed with fans and newbies to the art of Charles Fazzino, as he had arrived from New York City to make his annual Santa Barbara visit. Art was flying off the wall into the hands of new lucky owners and collectors […]
On Thursday, August 31, the latest development in resolving Santa Barbara’s housing crisis for the underserved and homeless was celebrated with the grand opening of the Vera Cruz Village apartment complex on East Cota Street. The ceremonies took place in the building’s garage with many attendees being project partners with project lead, the Housing Authority […]
A presentation of the status and action plan regarding the oil wells and seepage issues at Summerland Beach was done by Petroleum Production Engineer at the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) Walter Scott with Harry Rabin and Hillary Hauser of Heal the Ocean (HTO) at a public meeting held by the Summerland Citizens Association on […]
The Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) celebrated its one-year anniversary of “Astronomy on Tap” at the M. Special Brewing Company State Street taproom, on August 24. The back patio bar was packed with scientists, astronomers, students, and budding Jedi Knights in training, some with their pets, gathered to hear the presentations by Senior Astro-data Scientist Curtis […]
What is Art if not Pivotal? This week, I talked with the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA), Larry J. Feinberg PhD, at his office about the legacy of his brilliant leadership since being appointed in 2008. Under his progressive vision, we find his […]
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara held a grand opening of its Cohiba cigar lounge called “Cohiba Experience at Bacara,” on Friday, August 11. The two brands joined three years ago in planning the best options for a cigar lounge as the next level in hospitality engagement. The lounge is said to be a first of its kind […]
Casa del Herrero [CDH] appointed Nicole C. Caldwell M.A., as their new Director of Collections, Conservation and Exhibitions, a role created specifically for her by Board Treasurer Gary Bradhering, which calls in her educational and field work expertise. She is responsible for the care, conservation, and interpretation of Casa del Herrero’s Steedman Family Collection of 15th […]
The continued efforts to contain the abandoned oil wells in the Pacific Ocean offshore to Summerland Beach took a new stride on Monday, August 14, at 10 am with the arrival of new capping methodology and the start of a 3D geological study titled, “Summerland Oil Mitigation Study” (SOMS), to fully map the oil reservoirs, […]
The mid-week downpour of rain and clouds did not stop Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian, CEO of the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, from moving forward, literally, with the official launch of the center’s Mobile Health Unit on Thursday, August 10. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Santa Barbara City College parking lot. Joining were former clinic […]
The Santa Barbara Woman’s Club held its annual gala celebrating Fiesta, called La Merienda, on Wednesday, August 2, at their Mission Canyon Rockwood club. This soirée was established in 1928, and its event chair is Sue Ziliotto. The event was seriously double sold-out with ladies arriving in brightly colored flamenco dresses, and men in their […]
In announcing its 2023-24 and 34th season programming, Camerata Pacifica’s founder and Artistic Director Adrian Spence delightedly shared the appointment of Ana Papakhian as its new executive director. Papakhian is well-known in the classical music world here, and I would add nationally as well, with 27 years of experience in the field, most recently as […]
It has long been part of the Renaissance salons and Waldorf art schools to pair art and music as a cultural learning experience. On Sunday, July 23, the galleries at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) were abuzz with guests set to do just that, to meet multidisciplinary artist Awol Erizku (Ethopian, b. 1988), […]
After 31 years of loving what she did, the Montecito YMCA Preschool Director Annie Fischer retired at the end of the school year. She was lauded for her steadfast teaching legacy of children and helping their parents at her retirement party on Wednesday, July 26, held at the outdoor playground area of the Y. The […]
The 38 businesses on Lillie Avenue in Summerland joined together for a block party and to invite the local adjoining towns to get to know them. The event took place Saturday, July 29, from 11 am to 5 pm, all along the avenue. Walking the approximated 7/10th of a mile route, you’ll find a variety […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) held its annual La Fiesta del Museo fundraiser on July 22, in the museum’s outside courtyard, which was elegantly decorated with wrought iron chandeliers, Arabic lanterns, velvet table linens, and fresh flowers. The event drew more than 300 guests in classic fiesta attire, with women in elaborate Spanish flamenco […]
The complexities of reviewing literature cannot be overstated, especially in the cosmic case of T.C. Boyle, an award-winning writer of 30-plus novels published in 24 languages, done on a cyclical exchange with books of short stories and other works. He writes continuously and is not here to people please anyone. Like it or love it, […]
At the 14th Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conferenceon June 18-23 held in Flagstaff, Arizona, astrophysics scientist Tim Lister PhD, who works at the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) in Goleta, was awarded for his life’s work in the field with the naming of an asteroid, also known as a minor planet, after him. The meeting, of which […]
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara (MLKSB) held a celebration on Friday, July 14 to honor its official documentary photographer of 16 years, Rod Rolle, along with the exhibit of commemorative banners displaying 36 key photographs spanning 2008 to the present. The event took place at Soul Bites restaurant on State Street. […]
Artist Colleen M. Kelly and Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Melinda Palacio are exhibiting a collaboration at the Silo Gallery in the Funk Zone from now through July 22. There will be an artist talk on July 15 at 4 pm to discuss the finer details behind the art and poems. Art and poetry are subjective […]
The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise held its 4th annual Dolphin Dive Fundraiser at Chase Palm Park on Sunday, July 9. The event funds local youth programs and supports the club’s international outreach missions. The event for all ages had kids racing their purchased dolphins for donation to the fund. The dolphins were neon […]
Society News is bringing you insider tips of the New York City arts and culture scene firsthand after spending five days there! A city brimming with things to do, here are some top go-to’s: Connoisseurs of jazz will find A-listers playing at the Blue Note on West 3rd Street in the Village and the historic […]
See the cars, colors, and smiling faces in this year’s July 4th celebration cruising the streets of Montecito! And make sure to scroll down and watch the video below!
The Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria is a center for performing arts and entertainment. It was founded 95 years ago, and on June 9 it held a celebration to commemorate the anniversary. Community members came to share in the birthday cake and performances by Cecilia James and BFD (Bob Montanes, John Finseth, and David Hekhouse). Emcees […]
Casa del Herrero has formally announced, by way of this news report, its first annual Estate Treasures Sale, to assist in funding the notable nonprofit organization. The event committee Chair Beth Esrey with Board of Trustees President Heather Biles and a team of volunteers are planning out all the details as we speak. Items for […]
At 8 am on Saturday, June 17, the sun came out with blue skies after six months of gray, cloudy, and rainy weather. I couldn’t help but wonder if the Sun God Re and Mother Nature were sending their blessings to the Summerland Beautiful organization and the Summerland Citizens Association (SCA) Beach Committee, who planned […]
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum hosted a fundraiser for the California State University at Long Beach (CSULB) Shark Lab titled, A Great Night of Great Whites, on Saturday, June 17. The twenty-dollar donation yielded a sold-out house of ocean enthusiasts from university researchers, students, surfers, photographers, museum members, and town luminaries like Hiroko Benko and […]
Santa Barbara’s New Beginnings Counseling Center (SBNBCC) held its grand opening with a ribbon cutting reception on Friday, June 9, at its new location, 530 East Montecito Street, Suite 101. The event was well attended, with noted state and local politicians – Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA24), Senator Monique Limón, First District Supervisor Das Williams, District […]
This graduation issue has, in order of occurrence: the YMCA Preschool, Cold Spring School, Laguna Blanca Lower School, Montecito Union School, the El Montecito Early School, and Crane Country Day School. The Montecito Journal wishes much success and congratulations to our graduates, school faculty, staff, and parents! YMCA Preschool 2023 Graduation The YMCA Preschool 2023 […]
The Hillside House held its annual Sunset Soirée By-the-Sea fundraiser at the Cabrillo Pavilion on Saturday June 3, a sold-out event. Funds raised are directly used for enrichment activities for the quality of life of Hillside House’s residents, including outings to parks, beaches, activities, socialization with the community, and the staff that makes it all […]
Our town’s schools are holding their graduations from May 21 through June 9th this year. The eight local school graduations are covered in order of occurrence. This issue has Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the YMCA Preschool. The Montecito Journal wishes much success and congratulations to our graduates, school faculty, staff and parents! Our […]
Tara Ling of Santa Barbara is announcing an in-person weekend retreat with H.E. Khondung Avikrita Vajra Sakya Rinpoche, the Head Lama of Phuntsok Phodrang, Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. The retreat is Saturday June 24 from 9 am to 4:30pm and Sunday June 25 from 9 am to 12 pm at the Embarcadero Municipal Improvement District […]
Our town’s schools are holding their graduations from May 21 through June 9th this year. The eight local school graduations are covered in order of occurrence. This issue has Cate School leading the charge with 71 graduates. The Montecito Journal wishes much success and offers congratulations to our graduates, school faculty, staff and parents! Cate […]
Casa del Herrero held a graduation ceremony on Thursday May 25 for the volunteers who completed the docent training program. This ceremony is the first graduation held for docents to formally induct them into the docent body, and will likely continue a new tradition for the organization. The Chair of the Docent Committee, Carolyn Williams, […]