Tag archives: Rockwood Womans Club

Empowering the Dream
By Richard Mineards   |   June 6, 2023

Petal power reigned supreme when the Dream Foundation hosted its 12th annual Flower Empower lunch at the Rockwood Woman’s Club, with a record 225 guests raising around $250,000 for the popular charity. Last year the scheme handed out 8,400 bouquets of flowers with volunteers putting in more than 4,900 hours, says Valerie Banks, coordinator. Since […]

Profant Foundation Fashion Show at SB Woman’s Club Luncheon
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 2, 2023

The SB Woman’s Club at Rockwood hosted a Fiesta fashion show-luncheon on April 19th. The Profant Foundation for the Arts donated their Vintage Fiesta Costume Collection and the models were members of the SB Woman’s Club.  During the luncheon and reception, a slide show depicting the history of the Profant family and their involvement in […]

Words from Former Beefeater
By Richard Mineards   |   July 12, 2022

To the Rockwood Woman’s Club to hear former British Beefeater Steve McMenamy talk about his life in the notorious fortress The Tower of London built by William the Conqueror. McMenamy served 23 years in the Royal Armored Corps before becoming a Yeoman of the Guard, founded in 1485 by King Henry VII, in 2010. They […]

A Groovy Cause
By Richard Mineards   |   May 3, 2022

Baubles, bangles, beads, and bandanas were de rigueur when Santa Barbara Choral Society hosted a Groovy Gala at the Rockwood Woman’s Club, with 100 Woodstock-garbed guests raising around $50,000. Co-chairs Margo Callis and Debra Stewart gushed: “It’s so wonderful to be back. Music pulls everyone’s soul like nothing else!” Veteran music director JoAnne Wasserman, with […]

A Lunch with Barrett
By Richard Mineards   |   March 29, 2022

Santa Barbara Woman’s Club had a record turnout of nearly 100 guests when it hosted its first post-pandemic lunch at the Rockwood Woman’s Club with celebrity gossipeuse Rona Barrett as principal guest. Rona, 85, formerly a regular on ABC’s Good Morning America covering the Hollywood scene, is now an advocate for seniors, having opened the […]

A Royals Record
By Richard Mineards   |   June 17, 2021

I went to the historic Rockwood Woman’s Club to speak to a record turnout of 80 guests for a Royal Tea. After British-born Janet Bullock, who served finger sandwiches and clotted cream scones on her Royal Crown Derby china, alongside dainty cups of Earl Grey tea, I regaled the club members — many wearing colorful […]

All That Jazz
By Richard Mineards   |   February 20, 2020

The World War II years of the ‘40s was wonderfully evoked when Montecito resident Christie Jenkins organized the Mercury Ballroom Supper Club for a six-day run at the Rockwood Woman’s Club to “bring happiness to the community.” Elegantly garbed guests were welcomed with Bees Knee’s cocktails, a heady mix of gin and honey, and other […]

Sizzling Season
By Richard Mineards   |   June 20, 2019

UCSB Arts & Lectures 61st season promises to be a cracker! With 60 world class events, including 11 Santa Barbara debuts, two world premieres of new works commissioned by the popular program, a U.S. premiere, and a West Coast debut, Miller McCune executive director Celesta Billeci described it as events for the “intellectually curious, the […]

Paris is Always a Good Idea
By Richard Mineards   |   May 30, 2019

Berets abounded and everyone was getting an Ei-ffel when Santa Barbara Choral Society hosted its annual gala Springtime in Paris at the Rockwood Woman’s Club. The fun French-themed fête, co-chaired by president Karen Williams and Debra Stewart, attracted 120 guests and raised $60,000 for the popular group. Before dinner, catered by Via Maestra 42, veteran […]

Music for Money
By Richard Mineards   |   May 24, 2018

Santa Barbara Choral Society marked its 70th anniversary with a Sentimental Journey-themed gala at the Rockwood Woman’s Club, with 125 guests raising more than $60,000. The boffo bash, co-chaired by Marylove Thralls and Mary Dan Eades, revisited the post-war era with the Broadway musical and the Big Band sound. JoAnne Wasserman, who is celebrating her […]