Tag archives: philanthropy

She Was a Lady Like No Other
By James Buckley   |   October 11, 2022

Just before 8 am Monday morning the third of October 2022, ninety-eight-year-old Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree breathed her last at her home in Birnam Wood, with her daughter Suzette at her side. Leslie was a Lady in every sense of the word. Her late husband, Paul, was indeed the son of a Lord and he always […]

Honoring Ridley-Tree, Her Generosity
By Scott Craig   |   October 11, 2022

The Westmont community mourns the passing of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, whose generosity made a profound impact on the college and touched the lives of many people and organizations in the Santa Barbara community. She personified what it means to be a true philanthropist. “She’s one of the most remarkable human beings to walk the face […]

A Heartfelt Luncheon
By Richard Mineards   |   October 11, 2022

Gordon Guy, the late Executive Director of New House, a 67-year-old charity which has helped more than 25,000 men suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, was honored at the sixth annual Heart of New House lunch at the Hilton with 200 guests raising around $75,000 for the organization. Gordon died earlier this year after a […]

An Open Letter to the Santa Barbara Community from the Family of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree
By Montecito Journal   |   October 6, 2022

We knew Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree as the “Philanthropist of Santa Barbara.” As we lay her to rest, her presence in our city will continue as we pass by the many buildings and plaques that carry her name: The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center at Sansum Clinic, the Ridley-Tree Education Center at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, […]

McEnroe Reading and Language Arts Clinic
By Steven Libowitz   |   October 4, 2022

There are a number of reading programs for students in Santa Barbara, including several administered by nonprofits. Tina Hansen McEnroe is absolutely clear about what makes the McEnroe Reading and Language Arts Clinic at the Gevirtz School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, stand out from all the rest.  “How are we different? It’s […]

Persons of the Year 2022
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 4, 2022

Ginger Salazar and Katina Zaninovich were honored as the Santa Barbara Foundation Persons of the Year 2022 at a luncheon on Wednesday, September 21, at the Santa Barbara Hilton. Both women were enthusiastically welcomed and congratulated by the attendees as they each spoke about their work in the community via a video presentation, and again […]

The Heroes of Hospice
By Richard Mineards   |   October 4, 2022

Given the intense sunshine, there were so many umbrellas out at the Hilton’s Plaza del Sol for the 10th annual Heroes of Hospice of Santa Barbara lunch that it looked like a Mary Poppins convention! The bountiful bash for 260 guests, co-hosted by KEYT-TV anchors Beth Farnsworth and C.J. Ward, also featured local lifestyle strategist […]

White Buffalo Land Trust
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 27, 2022

Regenerative agriculture has the potential to provide meaningful work and living wages to farmers while feeding millions of people, sequestering large amounts of atmospheric carbon into the soil, building our freshwater resources, and improving wildlife habitat. Despite launching its tiny, 12-acre farm as a proving ground and site for community demonstration, learning, and teaching about […]

Yacht Club and VNA Take Sail in 18th Annual Regatta
By Sigrid Toye   |   September 27, 2022

After a week of sizzling hot weather followed by the remains of tropical storm Kay complete with Florida-style humidity, the Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) community gathered to raise funds in support of VNA Health’s mission of caring with compassion. The 18th Annual Charity Regatta took place on Saturday, September 10, 2022, celebrating both VNA’s […]

Fired Up for Special Olympics
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 20, 2022

Not surprisingly, Special Olympics of Southern California (SOSC) took a little longer than most organizations to return to in-person activities, as it only ushered in Phase 3 of its sports and programs, a small single step shy of no restrictions, in June. That’s because individuals with intellectual disabilities – the population Special Olympics has served […]

Santa Barbara Beautiful
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 13, 2022

Santa Barbara Beautiful plants trees. A lot of trees. Thirteen thousand of them in its 57-year history, so far. They even name a Tree of the Month, with a photo and profile of the individual palm, evergreen, jacaranda, or other species, a series that is quite popular with locals and visitors alike.  To be precise, […]

State Street Ballet
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 6, 2022

It’s no accident that Rodney Gustafson landed in Santa Barbara to launch his State Street Ballet dance company almost three decades ago. The company’s executive and artistic director had targeted returning to town ever since he’d performed as a dancer with the famed American Ballet Theatre (ABT) at the Arlington Theatre many years before. “I […]

Annual Gala Returns to the Granada Stage
By Steven Libowitz   |   September 6, 2022

The annual Granada Theatre Legends Gala has become one of the most cherished events ever since its debut in 2015, and it’s easy to see why. The evening pays tribute to the trio of pillars that represent foundational aspects of the performing arts in town, an approach that has made the Granada such a smashing […]

New Board Members
By Richard Mineards   |   September 6, 2022

Local businesswomen and philanthropists Eva Rhodes and Elizabeth Farnan Rodrigues have joined the Dream Foundation’s national board of directors, helping raise awareness about the organization’s mission of fulfilling final dreams for terminally-ill adults. Rhodes is currently Vice President and banker for the Santa Barbara office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where she works closely with […]

Santa Barbara Library Foundation
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 30, 2022

The Santa Barbara Library Foundation’s director Lauren Trujillo is in a celebratory mood.  The foundation’s $5.4 million capital campaign to revitalize the historic plaza at the Santa Barbara Library, a once bustling pedestrian thoroughfare that had fallen into disrepair, has been fully funded. The organization raised nearly 60 percent of the dollars from private contributions […]

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 23, 2022

Everything seems to move quickly these days, but the speed of growth and expansion of the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) is fast enough to turn heads.  It was just six years ago that the Community Environmental Council and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County created the Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan […]

Environmental Defense Center
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 16, 2022

Exactly one month from this issue’s publication, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) will be having a 45th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in downtown Santa Barbara, a special community gathering that marks the first public event in the space in three years.  Think of it as a one-shot revival of TGIF!, the environmental organization’s much-beloved […]

Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara
By Steven Libowitz   |   July 26, 2022

Sanctuary Centers has been around for 46 years, and while the nonprofit’s array of services and team of experienced clinical providers has grown to encompass both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as an integrated approach and supportive housing to form a comprehensive system of care, the organization hasn’t wavered from its mission. Their range […]

The Key Class
By Steven A. Blum   |   July 19, 2022

John Daly was in his mid-60s and had already enjoyed a highly successful career as an international event producer who advised his Fortune 100 corporate clients on proper protocols at the Olympics and World Cup and other such events around the world. But his awareness that the overwhelming need for more civility and social skills […]

Fiesta Finale: A Courthouse Romance Felt for Generations
By Profant Family   |   July 19, 2022

It is a warm summer afternoon in 1950, and you are resting in the shadow of the Courthouse Clock Tower. Your gaze lights upon two well-dressed young ladies as they follow a docent into the cool entry of the Grand Archway. Intrigued by the history lesson unfolding, you mount the staircase and join the group […]