Tag archives: Kirk Douglas

A CAMA Quintet
By Richard Mineards   |   March 15, 2022

CAMA – Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara – hosted the first concert of its Masterseries at the Lobero with international Grammy winning string player Jordi Savall and Le Concert des Nations. For Spaniard Savall it was his fourth appearance in our Eden by the Beach having performed in 2008, 2010, and 2016. Playing […]

A Beautiful Night
By Richard Mineards   |   December 21, 2021

Santa Barbara Beautiful celebrated Christmas with a boffo beano for 90 guests at the Mesa estate of new board member Santa Barbara County architect Robert Ooley. The 56-year-old organization gives out grants between $50,000 and $100,000 annually to help beautify our Eden by the Beach. “We are thrilled to be doing this,” gushed president Deborah […]

Extraordinary Moment: SB Polo & Racquet Club Makes Welcomed Return
By Richard Mineards   |   May 13, 2021

Crowds of members packed the clubhouse and tiered seating at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club when the Carpinteria equestrian facility opened its doors for the first time in more than a year after the pandemic restrictions were eased. “This really is an extraordinary moment,” said club manager David Sigman. “It couldn’t have been […]

Fiesta Season is Here
By Richard Mineards   |   January 8, 2021

Montecito Bank & Trust’s main State Street branch suffered major social gridlock when it hosted its third annual Fiesta party for more than 300 traditionally garbed guests. Quaffing magnificent margaritas and noshing on traditional fare from Los Arroyos, partygoers were entertained by Chris Fossek playing classical guitar, with flamenco dancing from Junior Spirit of Fiesta […]

Silver Linings Play
By Steven Libowitz   |   November 18, 2020

UCSB Theater’s new show is generating historical perspective for the challenges of the pandemic UCSB Theater’s Generations, a new piece devised for Zoom and directed by Anne Torsiglieri, aims to make the best of the bad situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps finding the silver lining in the seemingly endless sequestering. Fashioned as an […]

Stepping Down
By Richard Mineards   |   May 21, 2020

After nearly 40 years of service, Peter Jordano, 85, has retired from the board of directors of Montecito Bank & Trust. Peter is chairman and CEO of Jordano’s, the 105-year-old Santa Barbara grocery distributorship. “He has been an integral part of our growth to today’s nearly $1.8 billion in assets,” says Janet Garufis, the bank’s […]

Final Gift
By Richard Mineards   |   February 27, 2020

The late Montecito actor Kirk Douglas, who died earlier this month aged 103, has left his entire $60 million fortune to charity. Kirk, who was known for his charitable contributions throughout his life, has reportedly left the money to several major beneficiaries, including $50 million distributed by the Douglas Foundation, founded by the actor and […]

Remembering Chip
By Richard Mineards   |   February 20, 2020

On a personal note, I remember Santa Barbara realtor Chip Lawson, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the all too early age of 62. A jovial soul, we first met at Cafe Del Sol, the former popular local bar hangout by the Andree Clark Bird Refuge, now the Magic Castle. Chip, a former […]

Rest in Peace
By Richard Mineards   |   February 13, 2020

On a personal note, I remember two very different local icons who have moved to more heavenly pastures. Kirk Douglas, who shuttled between his home in Montecito and Beverly Hills, was one of the last actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age, starring in more than 90 movies and garnering two Oscar nominations. He was also a […]

Surfin’ USA
By Richard Mineards   |   November 26, 2019

Beach Boy Mike Love‘s former Santa Barbara estate is up for sale for $6,407,000. The spectacular 2.5-acre oceanfront property boasts five dwellings totaling 5,096 sq. ft. with six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms on 200ft. of private bluff. Built in 1920, it is set on one of the single largest oceanfront parcels in […]

Honoring a Visionary
By Richard Mineards   |   May 9, 2019

John Fowler really made a spectacle of himself when he was presented with the Jim Stanley Memorial Award as Volunteer of the Year at a 14th recognition lunch for the Lions Sight and Hearing Center at Mulligan’s Cafe at the Santa Barbara municipal golf club. John, who was presented with the coveted trophy by former […]

Feast on Easter
By Richard Mineards   |   April 25, 2019

Our tony town’s Rescue Mission hosted its annual Easter Feast for our community’s more impoverished residents and for the 12th year I volunteered as a waiter. Kitchen director Wesley James served 320 pounds of ham, 200 pounds of mashed potatoes, 360 pounds of carrots, mountains of macaroni and cheese, and 75 pounds of peas to […]

Awards at the Presidio Chapel
By Richard Mineards   |   February 14, 2019

Community awards were the highlight of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation’s 56th annual meeting in the Presidio Chapel. The Sue Higman Volunteer of the Year award went to Kyle Slattery, with the Life Honorary Director Award to John Poucher, the Pearl Chase Historic Preservation and Conservation Award received by Judith Dodge Orias, and […]

Walk to Remember
By Richard Mineards   |   January 17, 2019

Montecito TV titan Oprah Winfrey, Kenny Loggins, and actor Rob Lowe paid tribute to the 23 people who lost their lives and many who lost everything a year ago, as our tony enclave was ravaged by catastrophic mudslides. Oprah, 64, was among hundreds of local residents taking part in the first anniversary vigil, walking from […]

It’s a Glamourous Life
By Richard Mineards   |   January 9, 2019

An old New York friend, international interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield, sends me his latest hefty 288-page tome Stage Set, which chronicles in lavish detail the past 50 years of his glamorous life. Geoffrey details his unlikely ascendance from a farm in a remote South African province to a glittering career that has earned him worldwide […]

On the Catwalk
By Richard Mineards   |   December 20, 2018

The Breast Cancer Resource Center jammed the Loggia Ballroom at the Biltmore when 165 guests turned out for the 11th annual tea and fashion show, which raised around $30,000. Board president Rose Hodge and executive director Silvana Kelly welcomed the supporters as they watched a runway show staged by Lisa Stern, owner of the Montecito […]

Sip-Top Condition
By Richard Mineards   |   August 16, 2018

Santa Barbara Polo Club hosted its first Sip and Shop event for 250 guests next to the hallowed Holden Field. With seven vendors and a stall providing Moet & Chandon’s new champagne – with a slightly higher sugar content that can be served over ice – the fun fest was the brainchild of Kathryn Lenihan, […]

Helping Hands
By Richard Mineards   |   July 26, 2018

Social gridlock reigned when the Arthritis Foundation hosted a reception at the sleek BMW Hope Avenue showroom to publicize the 37th annual Taste of the Town at Riviera Park on September 9. The popular 800-guest event is expected to raise more than $200,000, which helps 200,000 sufferers in the tri-counties, according to executive director Michael […]

Holiday Re-Do
By Montecito Journal   |   January 4, 2018

I have a couple ideas to help our local economy in regards to the recent tragic Thomas Fire. My suggestion is to have a Holiday Re-Do on February 25. This gives all the businesses, companies, nonprofits, clubs, and individuals an opportunity to re-do their parties and events that were canceled due to the Thomas Fire. This […]