Tag archives: auction

Red Feather Ball
By Lynda Millner   |   October 31, 2019

United Way of Santa Barbara County presented its 23rd Red Feather Ball. Honorary Chair in perpetuity is Katherine Abercrombie (October 10, 1915 – September 15, 2012). In 1997 the Red Feather Ball was created by Katherine after hearing the story of the Red Feather and how it came to symbolize giving during the Depression Era […]

The Bayou 500
By Lynda Millner   |   October 24, 2019

For the 18th time the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission held their annual event at the historic Rancho Dos Pueblos estate, this year with the theme “The Bayou 500.” They encouraged us to “Start Our Engines, stroll the Brickyard to see the silent auction and cruise over to the Pit Stop to savor tantalizing appetizers, while […]

An Evening in Bloom
By Lynda Millner   |   October 3, 2019

The Girls Inc. of Carpinteria gym became a Polynesian paradise for their “An Evening in Bloom” themed fundraiser. Orchids abounded including leis for the guests. All the ladies wore flowered prints and guys got out their Hawaiian shirts. Mai Tais were de rigueur during cocktail hour and the silent auction was busy. The evening was […]

Together We Can
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2019

What a difference a year makes! Last year’s guests at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s annual Gold Ribbon lunch were sheltering from the pouring rain under a large tent erected on the main lawn at the Biltmore. This year the 378 supporters of the 7th annual event, who raised around $250,000 for the nonprofit, were […]

State Street Ballet Fundraiser
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2019

Montecito über philanthropist Sara Miller McCune was honored when the State Street Ballet hosted its 25th anniversary gala for 150 guests in the Biltmore’s Loggia Ballroom, raising around $125,000 for the popular local dance company, which has 20 dancers representing six countries. The room was decorated in myriad shades of blue, Sara’s favorite color, while […]

Heroes of Hospice
By Lynda Millner   |   September 26, 2019

Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) gave its 7th annual Heroes of Santa Barbara fundraiser at the Biltmore’s Coral Casino titled “Jewels by the Sea.” Even the dolphins came out to play during wine time, putting on their own show. The silent auction was ecstatically beautiful – the long tables afloat with burlap for earth, driftwood […]

Preservation Party
By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2019

The Gaviota Coast Conservancy hosted its first ever Coastal Legacy bash at the sun-soaked Music Academy of the West, attracting 230 guests and raising around $200,000 for the environmental non-profit. The event honored philanthropists Jack and Laura Dangermond who, two years ago, preserved in perpetuity the largest privately-owned ranch on the Gaviota Coast with the […]

ACS Bash
By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2019

After hosting annual evening events, the Santa Barbara branch of the American Cancer Society threw a lunch this year in the Hilton’s Reagan Room for nearly 100 guests, which raised around $100,000 for the popular organization, which helps more than 100,000 people in the western region annually. Chairwoman Denise Sanford emceed the fete which honored […]

Seeing Green
By Richard Mineards   |   September 26, 2019

It seemed appropriate that this year’s tenth annual sell-out Green Gala thrown by the 49-year-old Community Environmental Council, raising around $300,000 for the cause, coincided with Global Climate Week. The boffo bash at Sherry Villanueva‘s Funk Zone eatery, The Lark, lavishly decorated in green hues, was co-chaired by Elizabeth Wagner, Carolyn Fitzgerald, and Leanne Schlinger, […]

Wine and Dine
By Richard Mineards   |   September 12, 2019

The rotunda at the Hilton was jammed when the 38th Taste of the Town threw its 10th annual Connoisseurs’ Circle gala, co-chaired by Lori Farnsworth and John O’Neill, for 213 foodies and wine lovers 48 hours before its popular Riviera epicurean festival with a tidal wave of restaurateurs, caterers, winemakers, and breweries serving samples of […]

Friendship Center Updates
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   August 29, 2019

Friendship Center’s 9th Annual Wine Down & Big Heart Awards will be Thursday, September 5 from 4 to 7 pm. Featuring tastings of wine, beer, spirits, and coffee from 10+ local businesses, this is a fun and festive event to support the adult day care facility.  Participating beverage purveyors include Buttonwood Farm Winery, Draughtsmen Aleworks, […]

Rad Pad
By Richard Mineards   |   June 27, 2019

Tech entrepreneur Sean Rad is selling his Montecito home for $12.67 million. The former Tinder CEO and co-founder purchased the estate for $11 million from TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Rancho San Leandro boasts two main residences, totaling 6,764 sq. ft. Built in the 1800s, the main hacienda-style residence has […]

Totally Tubular
By Richard Mineards   |   May 2, 2019

It was a walk down memory lane when Marymount School, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, hosted an ‘80s Glam gala at the Hilton, where the TV show Miami Vice, which starred Montecito resident Don Johnson, was the hit of the night, with many men donning all-white outfits and sunglasses, while Madonna lookalikes abounded for […]

Nashville Nights
By Richard Mineards   |   April 18, 2019

The Council on Alcoholism and Drugs Abuse’s 33rd annual Amethyst Ball at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara was a real gem! The bold-faced name-filled bash attracted nearly 360 glamorously garbed guests, many in Western outfits, and raised around $650,000 for 70-year-old CADA, which has an annual budget of $5.6 million serving more than 8,600 people with 23 […]

Beyond the Sea
By Lynda Millner   |   March 14, 2019

Montessori Center School (MCS) held its annual gala with the theme of “Beyond The Sea.” It could have been called Under the Sea because of the aqua table coverings and sea shells all about. And of course cocktails were served on the terrace of the Biltmore Coral Casino right by the ocean. Some of the […]

An Evening of Gratitude
By Lynda Millner   |   December 6, 2018

“Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. Look forward to the future with confidence.” – St. John Paul II The family, friends, and alumni, 350 strong, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School gathered at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for its 35th annual auction and dinner, “An evening of Gratitude.” […]

A Community of Heroes
By Richard Mineards   |   November 29, 2018

The Coral Casino suffered major social gridlock when the Montecito Firefighter’s Charitable Foundation threw its 101st anniversary Thanksgiving celebration with the 250 guests raising more than $150,000. Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner, who owns the oceanside venue, was honored with a community hero award, as were Abe Powell of the Bucket Brigade, Taiana Giefer of […]

All Inn
By Richard Mineards   |   November 15, 2018

Montecito Inn owners Dewayne and Kathy Copus, fittingly celebrated the charming Coast Village Road hostelry’s founder, silent film star Charlie Chaplin, for a 90th anniversary bash in the  bijou ballroom, which was festooned with film posters, photos, and paintings of the Little Tramp for the At the Speakeasy beano. Guests were welcomed with a 1951 […]

Women’s Auxiliary Music in the Garden World Rhythms
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 11, 2018

The Music Academy of the West’s [MAW] esteemed Women’s Auxiliary [MAWWA] under the dynamic leadership of chair Evie Vesper, is launching a new direction for the first time in 47 years, with its first – and soon to be annual – Music in the Garden event on Sunday, October 21, at the academy. The occasion […]

In-Tents Situation
By Richard Mineards   |   October 11, 2018

A large tent had been erected to protect the 420 guests at the sold-out 16th Gold Ribbon lunch for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation at the Biltmore from the blazing sun, but it served an entirely different purpose when the heavens opened, deluging the tony beachside hostelry in a rare rainstorm. Silent auction items had […]