Tag archives: community

Local Artists Rally to Support Storyteller Children’s Center’s Annual Gala
By Montecito Journal   |   September 17, 2024

Santa Barbara’s artist community is joining together for a cause that brings advocacy and support to local children facing adversity. Storyteller Children’s Center’s Annual Gala, themed “Color the World,” will be held on September 27, 2024, spotlighting the organization’s role in bringing vibrancy into the lives of those who are experiencing poverty and trauma. As […]

Hot Springs a Hot Topic at September’s Land Use Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 17, 2024

The Montecito Association Land Use September meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom. The meeting was led by its Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the Land Use Committee members: Montecito Association Executive Director, Houghton Hyatt; Chief of Staff for Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams, […]

One Up at One805 LIVE!: Kevin Costner Confirms He’s Playing
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 10, 2024

Kevin Costner, whose seaside Summerland estate will serve as host of the One805LIVE! benefit concert for the third straight year, will now also be singing for the first time at the star-studded fundraiser. Costner, who missed 2022’s show while away filming, spoke to the crowd at last year’s show but did not perform. The famed […]

SBMA’s Sunday: Sounds, Sheep and Stories
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 10, 2024

Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Free Community Day features a flurry of family activities both participatory and observational in celebration of its continuing exhibit “A Legacy of Giving: The Lady Leslie and Lord Paul Ridley-Tree Collection.” Music on the front terrace comes from the local ensembles Slideways Trombone Quartet, Bottom Line Brass Tuba Quartet, and […]

Oat Bakery Montecito Country Mart Run Club
By Montecito Journal   |   September 10, 2024

Time to lace up those running shoes and follow the Oat Bakery on Instagram for the next installment of their Run Club. The club was established in honor of owner Louise’s mom Else, who was a professional athlete and marathon runner. Post-run treats by the bakery are on hand. Run #2 in Montecito took place […]

Carpinteria Garden Park Accepting Applications for Food Garden Plots
By Montecito Journal   |   September 10, 2024

There are one hundred raised garden beds at 4855 5th St. in Carpinteria that are now available to grow your own food. The Garden Beds are also available at 27-inch heights for people with limited mobility. The plot rental is for Carpinteria residents aged 18 and older, one per family. The rental includes access to […]

SB Eastside News: Ortega Park Revitalization Project Updates
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 3, 2024

The SB Eastside 9.5 acres Ortega Park located next to Santa Barbara Junior High School at 640 Salsipuedes Street, is awaiting funding to proceed with a revitalization plan. Current data shows funding from the City of SB at $1,390,000 and a Community Development Block Grant at $146,690. The amount for construction of the current site […]

The Heart of Our Community Shines Again!
By Beth Sullivan   |   August 27, 2024

During Coast Village Week, the Heart of Our Community was visible in every way! The week-long celebration was filled with energy, joy, and a strong sense of togetherness, reflecting the vibrant spirit that defines Coast Village Road. Thanks to the incredible enthusiasm, support, and participation from our local community, Coast Village Week was a resounding […]

Exceptional Plants Auction: Lotusland’s Horticultural Hoedown
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 13, 2024

Crossing Encephalartos horridus with Encephalartos woodii might sound like the formula for developing the world’s next deadly disease. But horticulturalists will realize that it’s actually a unique cycad hybrid – one that results in super spiny and glossy green leaves. The Lotusland-created specimen will be among the hundreds of rare and specimen plants available at […]

Family Service Agency
By Steven Libowitz   |   July 30, 2024

It’s been a landmark year for major anniversaries in Santa Barbara. The Granada Theatre launched its year-long Granada 100 celebration in the spring. The Summer Solstice Parade held its 50th festival on the first day of summer. And Old Spanish Days Fiesta is in the midst of its centennial celebration as this issue hits newsstands.  […]

RiteCare Childhood Language Centers
By Steven Libowitz   |   July 23, 2024

There are 19 RiteCare Childhood Language Centers across California, a program of the California Scottish Rite Foundation that provides life-changing speech therapy, language skills, and literacy services to more than 2,300 children at no cost to the families. The highly effective centers in many ways more than fill the gaps between what the public schools […]

Village 4th Event Draws Over 2,000 Attendees
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 16, 2024

Photos by Joanne A. Calitri The gray skies cleared for the Village 4th parade celebrating Independence Day and drawing crowd estimates of over 2,000 people, plus dogs of all sizes wearing patriotic adornments.  Officially the 38 entrants were: Boy Scout Troup 33, the CHP, the Montecito Association, the Montecito Community Foundation, SBC 1st District Supervisor […]

The Fund for Santa Barbara
By Montecito Journal   |   July 9, 2024

The Fund for Santa Barbara was founded way back in 1980 as a means to support local organizations working for progressive social change. Nearly 45 years later, while the issues, its methods and organization might have grown, that purpose has not been altered at all: The Fund remains dedicated to helping to find solutions to […]

Girsh Park Turns 25
By Leslie A Lund   |   May 21, 2024

Bill Terry was seven years old on May 23, 1999, when Girsh Park opened to the public for the first time. He played baseball with the Dos Pueblos Little League and had been waiting anxiously for the construction of the park to be complete so he could play ball again. It was with excitement that […]

M.E.R.R.A.G.
By Steven Libowitz   |   April 30, 2024

When M.E.R.R.A.G. was formed in 1987 as Montecito Emergency Response and Recovery Action Group, the uber-local organization started serving a vital purpose as the Montecito Fire Protection District’s neighborhood eyes and ears through a cohort of trained, embedded local volunteers augmenting our first responders’ efforts to keep the community safe. Growing out of a newly […]

PATH
By Steven Libowitz   |   April 23, 2024

A significant number of nonprofits and other organizations have been working to end homelessness in Santa Barbara and across California. PATH has had a jump on nearly all of them, as its mission is built right into its name – which is an acronym for People Assisting the Homeless. PATH started small and simply with […]

The 65th Annual Carpinteria Community Awards
By Joanne A Calitri   |   April 23, 2024

The 65th Annual Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet took place on Saturday, April 6, at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s indoor gym.  Held annually since 1958, the event was led by the newly formed Carpinteria Community Association [CCA], whose Board of Directors are President Karen Graf, Neil Bartlett, Bob Berkenmeier, Mary Ann Colson, Beth Cox, Gary Dobbins, […]

Connecting Doctors to Underserved Communities and Career Fulfillment Across the Globe
By Steven Libowitz   |   April 23, 2024

World Telehealth Initiative had a very lofty goal when the nonprofit began in 2017: use modern medical robotics and engage volunteer physicians to make an impact in healthcare disparity across the globe. With half of the world’s population lacking access to essential health services, statistics show that nearly nine million people die every year from […]

Montecito Association April Board Meeting
By Joanne A Calitri   |   April 23, 2024

The Montecito Association held its monthly Board meeting April 9 in person at the Montecito Library.  Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda: Peter Daily presented his issues of private roads flooding following rain events. He asked the MA to get drainage and curbs installed with the Roads Department, and to resolve uninsured properties […]

Building Resilient Communities: The Power of Philanthropic Giving in Supporting Local Businesses
By Nicki Parr   |   April 16, 2024

In the heart of every thriving community lies a network of local businesses that can serve not only as its economic backbone but also as its social one. Yet, in the face of challenges such as economic downturns and natural disasters, these businesses often bear the brunt of adversity.  This was clearly evidenced in Montecito […]