Tag archives: Rob Lowe

Staying in the ‘Hood
By Richard Mineards   |   November 19, 2020

Former U.S. ambassador to Austria Susan McCaw, ex-wife of cell phone billionaire Craig McCaw, has paid $9.5 million, a hefty $2 million over the asking price, for the Erdman House, designed in 1959 by noted architect Lutah Maria Riggs. Nearly 9,000 square feet, on four eucalyptus and pine tree studded acres, the sublimely preserved midcentury […]

Hope is Here
By Richard Mineards   |   April 30, 2020

Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner has launched a new plush toy version to raise money for coronavirus relief. Ty, owner of the Biltmore and the San Ysidro Ranch, has been putting up New York medical workers free of charge at his five-star Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan, as I have chronicled in this illustrious organ. […]

Rob “Exotic”
By Richard Mineards   |   April 16, 2020

Six-time Golden Globe nominee Rob Lowe is re-teaming with his 911: Lone Star creator Ryan Murphy to develop a project inspired by Netflix’s hit docu-series Tiger King. Longtime Montecito resident Rob, 56, has revealed they will be developing “our version of this insane story” to his 3.2 million social media followers. Rob is clearly vying […]

Showing Gratitude
By Richard Mineards   |   April 9, 2020

It was the perfect blend when global medical device manufacturer Karl Storz Imaging president Miles Hartfeld expressed his gratitude to employees when they left work the other day at the Goleta offices. The company makes critically needed endoscopic medical equipment, including bronchoscopes used on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19. Although Governor Gavin […]

Fintastic Feast
By Richard Mineards   |   August 22, 2019

To the Bluewater Grill with my snapperazzi Priscilla where, on the second Tuesday of each month, the popular eatery offers a new seafood tasting menu. The all-inclusive dinner included chipotle blackened swordfish with rice, corn and avocado relish with clam chowder – Manhattan or New England – and a glass of Cuvee Rouge. Scrumptious… Moving […]

BoHo Manifesto
By Richard Mineards   |   July 4, 2019

Social gridlock reigned at fashion designer Kendall Conrad‘s Montecito Country Mart store when she hosted a book launch bash for writer Julia Chaplin‘s 191-page The BoHo Manifesto, An Insider’s Guide to Postconventional Living. Brooklyn, New York-based Julia has already written and produced three books – Gypset Style, Gypset Travel, and Gypset Living, and has founded […]

Real Estate
By Richard Mineards   |   June 27, 2019

A ten-acre Montecito estate, with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, has just come on the market for $17 million. The 13,932 sq. ft. property is just a tiara’s toss or two from the homes of TV talk show titans Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. The expansive grounds include terraced gardens, a pool, spa with a […]

Introducing Anda
By Richard Mineards   |   June 20, 2019

It was pores for thought when the Sense Spa at the Rosewood Miramar hosted a sunshine-drenched rooftop soirée when it introduced Anda, a new line of organic vegan products developed by Swedish Los Angeles-based cosmetologist Kerstin Florian and named after her late daughter. “We are the first ones to have it, which is quite a […]

Gala for Gaviota
By Richard Mineards   |   June 6, 2019

The 23-year-old Gaviota Coast Conservancy went paddling at the El Encanto with its third annual premier benefactors’ reception for 60 supporters of the organization dedicated to preserving the 76 miles of pristine coastline, the longest stretch of undeveloped coastal land remaining in Southern California. The sunset soirée, co-chaired by Joyce Macias and Donna Senaur, also […]

Book Bash
By Richard Mineards   |   April 11, 2019

Tony twosome Jerry Jacobs and Angela Perko celebrated the opening of Montecito’s latest lively literary lair, Lost Horizon, in the upper village with a bijou bash. Dozens turned out for the fun fête at the San Ysidro Road store, which shares space with Diane Stewart‘s fine art emporium. Among the bibliophile bunch were Mahri Kerley, […]

Back to Bach
By Richard Mineards   |   April 4, 2019

Johann Sebastian Bach was certainly ready for his closeup when the Music Academy of the West hosted a Council of Contributors alumnus recital at its cavernous Lehmann Hall with 32-year-old pianist Evan Shinners, who gained considerably notoriety last year when he performed works of the German composer for five hours daily for 37 consecutive days […]

Golden Mike Winners
By Richard Mineards   |   February 21, 2019

It wasn’t quite the Olympics, but KEYT-TV reporters Mike Klan, Kelsey Gerckens, Joe Buttitta, Kacey Drescher, and Tracy Lehr were definitely going for gold at the 69th annual Golden Mike awards in Los Angeles. The ABC affiliate broadcaster won the coveted trophies at a glittering Radio and Television News Association of Southern California gala at […]

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 […]

New MAW Directors
By Richard Mineards   |   February 7, 2019

Terry Valeski and Pamela Strobel are new board directors at the Music Academy of the West. Terry will also serve as co-chair of the academy’s marketing committee, with Pamela serving on the education and outreach committee. He served as president and managing director of Pacific Bell, while she is the director of Domtar Corporation, Illinois […]

Remembering Gene
By Richard Mineards   |   January 24, 2019

To Solvang for the memorial service for the late Gene Sinser, former board member of the Santa Barbara Symphony and ex director of the Montecito Fire District, who left us last month at the age of 85. The German Holocaust survivor, whose birth name was Gunther Zinser, was a longtime member of our rarefied enclave […]

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 […]

Bella Vista Bash
By Richard Mineards   |   January 10, 2019

Social gridlock reigned when tony twosome, Pat and Ursula Nesbitt, threw a heaving holiday bash at Bella Vista, their sprawling Summerland polo ranch. More than 150 guests were welcomed to the bustling beano, catered by the Biltmore, by ballerinas from the Luminario company in Los Angeles, while the Lois Mahalia Choir entertained with gospel and […]

That’s the Spirit, by Design
By Richard Mineards   |   October 4, 2018

It was quite a crowd when the glossy California Homes held its inaugural Distinguished Design and Spirit Awards at Villa Della Costa, a Gaviota Coast 106-acre aerie being sold by Montecito uber-realtor Randy Solakian. Susan McFadden, the magazine’s editor, handed out the coveted trophies to local interior designers Steve and Caroline Thompson of Cabana Home, […]

Baker’s Glide and Joy
By Richard Mineards   |   June 28, 2018

Santa Barbara Polo Club player Judith Baker has been flying high! To celebrate her 75th birthday the bubbly Brit, who I have known for more than a decade, took a 3,000-feet, 30-minute paragliding flight above the exquisitely manicured oceanside Carpinteria club after participating in a tournament playing for the World Gym team. “The idea originally […]

Living the Dream
By Richard Mineards   |   May 31, 2018

Los Angeles entrepreneur Michael Rosenfeld, owner of the Hotel Californian, has donated part of the tony hostelry’s extensive grounds fronting State and Mason streets, to the popular charity, the Dream Foundation. The area, to be known as the Dream Plaza, will feature 1,140 stones, measuring 3×2 to 1×1 in size, which can be engraved with […]