Tag archives: fundraiser

Riveting Recital
By Richard Mineards   |   March 19, 2020

Ray Winn and Peter Kavoian opened the doors of their magnificent Birnam Wood home for a Musicale featuring Italian pianist Jacopo Giacopuzzi on the dynamic duo’s Bosendorfer grand piano, one of only seven of its type in the world. The Music Academy of the West fundraiser, catered by Elena Wagner, featured Verona native Jacopo, who studied […]

TCBF’s California Clam Bake
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   March 12, 2020

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s (TBCF) California Clam Bake will be held on Saturday, April 4 at 6 pm at the Montecito Club. The event will feature local KEYT news anchors Beth Farnsworth and CJ Ward, who will share Masters of Ceremony duties throughout the evening. “It’s going to be a beautiful event that will raise awareness and […]

Tiara Ball 2020
By Lynda Millner   |   March 12, 2020

The Cottage Health folks call it the “party of the year” and the Tiara Ball was certainly one of the most elegant. Tiaras and tuxes abounded. Formal is fun! It could have been a scene in a movie. There was no silent or live auction in sight thanks to the generous support of its patrons. […]

A Brave Life: Against All Odds
By Cecilia Rodriguez   |   March 12, 2020

When I think of my friend Miguel, the word “brave” is what comes to mind. One reason is because Miguel is Native American, a member of the Santa Barbara Chumash Band, and the word “brave” refers to a Native American warrior. Although Miguel has never, as least as far as I know, gone to battle […]

Party Animals
By Richard Mineards   |   March 5, 2020

South African jungle tracker Boyd Varty was the mane attraction when Bobby and Susan Shand opened the doors of their Montecito aerie for a sunset soiree for AHA!, the Santa Barbara non-profit that inspires youth to be safe, seen and celebrated. The bash, described as “a friend raiser,” also focused attention on the 21st anniversary […]

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
By Lynda Millner   |   March 5, 2020

It was amazing how many people got up so early to come to breakfast with the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) at 7:30 am at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. It was the 6th annual Little Heroes breakfast to raise funds for their programs helping families who have a child struck with cancer. After […]

Pre-Ball Bash
By Richard Mineards   |   February 5, 2020

CADA – The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – hosted a kickoff party for its 34th annual Amethyst Ball Motown at the Miramar on March 27. The bash in the ritzy Rosewood hostelry’s library was to find underwriters for the various components of the popular ball, including invitations, car parking, the band, and decor, so […]

Festival of Hearts
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   January 30, 2020

Friendship Center is hosting its 21st Annual Festival of Hearts on Saturday, February 8, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. This festive pre-Valentine’s Day event features an elegant sit-down lunch with local wines and live music by A la Carte, owned by Jan Ingram and Henry Garrett. The theme this year is the Roaring […]

New Beginnings
By Lynda Millner   |   November 21, 2019

Everyone Deserves a New Beginning… New Beginnings Counseling Center held its annual fundraiser in a new way with an evening of theatre at the New Vic. It was a stage reading production with award winning professional actors including a wonderful nine-year-old girl, Hope Dekkers, and Stephanie Edwards, who co-hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade with […]

Bowling for Soup
By Richard Mineards   |   November 21, 2019

The 22nd annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Ben Page Youth Center was so oversubscribed there had to be three seatings for the simple soup and bread meals, which allowed the 1,000 participants paying just $30 to choose a hand-crafted bowl and, after dining, take the colorful ceramic home. The bustling event, founded by the […]

Stepping Out
By Richard Mineards   |   November 14, 2019

Records were broken when CALM – Child Abuse Listening Mediation – welcomed 330 guests to its annual Stepping Stones lunch at the Coral Casino raising a hefty $230,000, $80,000 more than expected. Speakers for the non-profit, which is just turning 50, were president and chief executive Alana Walczak and Dr. Andria Ruth, a graduate of […]

OLMC Gala
By Richard Mineards   |   November 14, 2019

It was a record turnout when Montecito’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel School threw its 75th anniversary gala in the chandeliered ballroom at the Rosewood Miramar. The school, which started off with 30 students and now serves more than 200, raised around $200,000 for scholarships from the socially gridlocked fête for 350 guests co-chaired by […]

Heal the Ocean
By Lynda Millner   |   November 7, 2019

Heal the Ocean (HTO) goes annually to the El Paseo Restaurant for fun and to raise money to “Heal the Ocean.” It never looked better. The decorations were smashing, all done up in blue and white light reminding one of the ocean. At each guest’s place was a travel bag by Aloha that was also […]

California Missions Foundation
By Lynda Millner   |   October 31, 2019

A little known secret in Santa Barbara is the California Missions Foundation (CMF). I went to a lovely fall fundraiser luncheon at Tyde’s restaurant at the Coral Casino arranged by CMF executive director/CEO David Bolton and his staff. The sun was shining off the ocean, a slice of heaven with about 50 of us enjoying […]

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 […]

Ps and Qs
By Richard Mineards   |   October 31, 2019

Afternoon tea and champagne was on the menu when John and Marti Daly and the Key Class, a nine-year-old organization that teaches students the manners and etiquette they need to succeed, threw a fundraiser at the Ennisbrook Club House. Seasons Catering of Ventura donated their services for the 60 guests at the fun fete which […]

Sea Soirée
By Richard Mineards   |   October 24, 2019

A tidal wave of generosity swept over the historic El Paseo restaurant when Heal the Ocean, celebrating its 21st anniversary, hosted its annual sold-out gala, raising around $300,000 from 200 guests. The fun fete had Montecito actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, now recovered from breast cancer surgery, as honorary chair and Los Angeles auctioneer T.Wanna Kennedy selling […]

Hometown Healthcare Heroes
By Richard Mineards   |   October 24, 2019

Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief for 19 years, was lauded at a sold-out Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Healthcare Heroes lunch at the Montecito Club. During his time with the non profit, it has provided cash grants of more than $40 million and furnished more than $4 billion in essential medicines, equipment and […]

A Little Garden Music
By Richard Mineards   |   October 24, 2019

It was another high note when the Women’s Auxiliary of the Music Academy of the West hosted its second annual benefit Music in the Gardens on the Miraflores campus, with a record 400 guests raising around $80,000 to benefit the community access program, which provides subsidized and free tickets to MAW events. Themed American Rhythms, […]

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 […]