“The Queen of the Coast”is an art exhibit held in conjunction with the Rincon Classic surf event. The surfing show has been around for 44 years. The art show, not so long. The Rincon Classic is over, but the art will be around until Sunday, February 20. The show features artists from Carpinteria, Rincon area, […]
“Whales are Superheroes” according to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM). The museum invited all artists in grades K-6 to submit ocean-related art for a unique exhibit. The artists gave their interpretation of a whale, a whale’s activities, or anything ocean related like kelp, starfish, dolphins, or other sea creatures. Crayons, colored pencils, or markers […]
I’ve known Hillary Hauser for years as the executive director of Heal The Ocean (HTO), but I never knew she was so many other things, including an artist. An invitation arrived announcing an HTO Holiday Open House at Lobster Town U.S.A. Gallery on Santa Claus Lane. The feature would be Hillary and her “Fantastic Fishes” […]
UCSB Arts & Lectures invited its Producer Circle members to a holiday party in the Arlington Courtyard. There were cozy firepots and signature holiday cocktails along with DJ Darla Bea. United Way of Santa Barbara was also there to promote their seasonal toy drive for kids. After the reception there was a line outside the […]
The Glen Annie Golf Club was the venue for the Santa Barbara Courthouse docents’ annual holiday luncheon. This was one of the first times they have met together since the pandemic when all the courthouse doors were locked. I had just completed a docent training course and passed the final when eight other students and […]
This was an all-things Irish Christmas party in a lovely downtown venue. You don’t have to be Irish to belong, but most members have some connection. It began with an Irish Christmas toast by Frank McGinity of the American Irish Historical Society. “May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your […]
The Lobero Associates, led by President Mindy Denson, held their annual Christmas Tea during holiday time, but instead of the usual Biltmore it was at an unusual place – the stage of the Lobero Theatre. The theatre looked stunning with giant snowflakes projected over the auditorium walls. The grand piano, which was a gift from […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) held a member appreciation soiree over the holidays. The courtyard looked so festive with all the tables decked out in sparkly gold tablecloths. The tapa table people were busy making tacos and pizza and we were busy eating them. There was a band playing and no COVID worries since […]
Once upon a time, Carrie and George Steedman journeyed from their town of St. Louis with his diabetic brother to Santa Barbara. They brought him to see Dr. Sansum because in the early 1920s, he was the only doctor who had insulin in the whole United States. Carrie and George fell in love with Santa […]
The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara (AIA) hosted their Design Awards Gala for 2021 in December. It honored the achievements of local architects and architecture. The annual event provides a showcase of the members’ contribution to the architectural legacy of Santa Barbara and the value of well-designed work. The group recognizes design excellence in […]
“A library outranks any other thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never-failing spring in the desert.” – Andrew Carnegie In case you think libraries are not exciting or boring, wrong. A group of donors and patrons recently gathered in the Faulkner Gallery for cocktails, moving on to the Santa […]
Ganna Walska Lotusland recently collaborated with the Lutah Maria Riggs Society for a screening at the Lobero of the award-winning documentary film, Lutah—A Passion for Architecture: A Life in Design. There was a patrons’ reception in the tent prior to the filming. As Lotusland executive director Rebecca Anderson said, “When we dig into the Lotusland […]
The Santa Barbara Woman’s Club (SBWC) recently held its annual fall fashion show with styles from Mandana in the Upper Village of Montecito. Seven, mostly member models, strutted the stage and the dining tables. Those twirling were Janet Patton, Kris Proksch, Jama Scarlett-Lancaster, Mandana Mir, Simar Gulati, Salli Peterson, Kohanya Groff, and yours truly, while […]
Waterhouse Gallery is celebrating its 37th year of fine art for us to buy and enjoy in La Arcada Court. To celebrate, Ralph and Diane Waterhouse invited four artists to set up easels in the courtyard and paint so we all could watch. They were Thomas Van Stein, Derek Harrison, Craig Nelson, and Wyllis Heaton. […]
Philanthropist Pierre Claeyssens (1908-2003) believed that “to be killed in wars is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen. To be forgotten is the worst.” In order to pay tribute to all the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, he […]
One of our local luminaries, Mary Tonetti Dorra, has just published another book. I first met Mary on a Santa Barbara Museum of Art trip to New Zealand where she had entrée to the American Ambassador’s home and particularly the gardens. The Santa Barbara gang got to come along. Since then, she’s been a busy […]
Father Larry Gosselin O.F.M. is not only a priest at the Santa Barbara Mission, but also a troubadour with his guitar and now an author. His latest tome is titled Landscapes, Ballad of a Franciscan Troubadour. This book chronicles his life through the world travels he has taken. As his longtime friend Brother Bill Short […]
Violinist Vijay Gupta has been all about music since the early age of eight when he started performing. At 11, he made his solo debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta. He then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and his master’s in music at Yale. When Gupta joined […]
Allison Marcillac, the executive director of Center for Successful Aging, opened her home to the group for a wine and bites gathering. This nonprofit is a busy place dedicated to helping Santa Barbara seniors in need. They provide services to homeless seniors, and are there for seniors with mental health needs. They deliver hot meals […]
The Montecito Club was the venue for the 13th annual luncheon of Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS). The guests gathered around scattered tables and sofas on the lawn overlooking Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. As we sat sipping mimosas, it was hard to imagine the other lives we were here to honor. Tucked in the […]
Plans are being laid out for Old Spanish Days to have a full and safe Fiesta in 2022. La Presidenta Maria Cabrera will lead the organization into its 98th year. She has been a community volunteer for many years. “As we come out of restrictions and a new changing community, we look forward to meeting […]
Instead of polo ponies, the polo fields in Carpinteria were recently covered with classic cars — more than 200 worth in excess of $400 million. Founder Dolores Johnson was expecting 4,000 car lovers to attend the ninth annual Montecito Motor Classic (MMC) and I think they did. It began 10 years ago on Coast Village […]
Birnam Wood Country Club was the gorgeous venue for Social on the Green, the annual gala — this year celebrating the merger of the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County and the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara. It took many years of negotiating, but at last the county is united. […]
Small Town Big Art Book, 100 Artists of Carpinteria was showcased at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, with it reminiscent of “The Little Engine That Could.” I have a friend who was involved with the Art Center in its early days back in 2006. They really had nothing except the will to succeed and […]
Janet Dowling Sands is “On a Mission” with her new book of the same name. The Lunch & Learn gang led by Maria McCall from the Montecito Bank & Trust met at the Santa Barbara Club to do just that — Lunch & Learn. Janet has developed a unique perspective to the story of the […]
The “dinosaurs” had been put to bed and it was grown up time at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH). The soirée kicked off an art show in Fleischmann Auditorium with fine wines and a signature cocktail. Outside was an array of tables set beautifully with a small painting at each place done […]
We headed north of town to Rancho Dos Pueblos for our annual Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (SBRM) fundraiser. There is always a Bayou in the theme, this year’s being “Camp Out on the Bayou.” Greeting us was a genuine camper ready for inspection, while further down the path was a very large silent auction and […]
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley was the destination of our bus filled with members of the Channel City Club. In between visits I always forget how spectacular it is – especially Air Force One. This flying White House is dramatically displayed in the 90,000-square-foot pavilion, along with a Marine One […]
For all you Irishmen and women out there, the American Irish Historical Society would be of interest. They recently held their first get together since the pandemic and are right now the only working chapter in the United States. But it is an international society. The meeting was held at President Frank McGinity’s unique home. […]
“Channing Peake – To Mexico and Beyond” is the latest event going on at Casa del Herrero. The Casa is that National Historic Landmark house in Montecito built by George Steedman in the1920s. It’s open to the public by reservation, but right now there is an extra treat. It’s an exhibit of the internationally celebrated […]
The Art Foundation of Santa Barbara presented its fall cocktail reception at the Santa Barbara Club with drinks and dinner on the lawn and a most interesting lecture indoors. The keynote speaker was Jean (pronounced Jon) Stern. He joked about being taken for a girl many times because of his name. He was born in […]
The 1920s came roaring into Carpinteria to the Girls Inc. facility recently for their annual “An Evening in Bloom” fundraiser. Two-hundred folks dug into their closets and found furs and feathers, ropes of pearls, glitter and glam, even a gentleman in a real raccoon coat that his family owned. There was a gambling casino (proceeds […]
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) is a happening place these days with all sorts of events going on. Remember admission is free if you want to come and check it out instead of coming to a special gathering. There is a new exhibition, “Borein and His Circle of Friends,” curated by Marlene R. Miller, […]
Have you ever wondered who lived in the mysterious house on the hill above East Beach behind the wrought iron gate? A group of curious members of the Distinguished Speaker Group from the Santa Barbara Club came for lunch and to listen to Barbara (Barbie) Doran talk about her enchanted childhood behind the gates of […]
Lions and tigers and zebras, oh my! Yes, the Santa Barbara Zoo was back, wilder than ever for the XXXV Zoofari ball. This year’s theme was “Return to Basecamp” and all the safari clothes and animal prints came out of the closet. Rincon Events was back serving up a spread at “camp” along with sunset […]
The University Club was the venue for a recent summer reception for Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC). The club’s lovely terrace was perfect for this outdoor event and Santa Barbara’s perfect weather topped it off. BCRC was honoring their board president Frank Tabar and plastic surgeon Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS. There was wine and bites […]
I met local artist Mara Abboud many moons ago and have always been envious of her talent. What better way to spend a day than enjoying her outdoor art display and eating a three-course lunch at the Santa Barbara Club. Mara’s paintings have received the attention of the art world because of her unique technique. […]
Keith Moore could probably write a family saga, but instead he gave a celebration soirée in honor of his long lineage in California since 1840. The Santa Barbara Club was all decked out in Fiesta fashion when about 50 of his close friends gathered for margaritas and dinner on the lawn. It all began with […]
Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) director Jonathan Fox spoke to the audience at the Santa Barbara Club, saying, “I dreamt over and over while we were building the new theater, ‘If we build it, will they come?’” No problem they came but will they come back? The answer is yes. The new season has been announced. […]
You can be sure when the Music Academy of the West (MAW) has an affair it will be elegant. Their opening night gala, “The Return of Miraflores,” was no exception. There were more than 300 guests in attendance dressed in festive attire and excited to see their old friends once again. The whole event was […]