Tag archives: The Giving List

‘We See a Lot of Hope Every Day’: SB Wildlife Care Network Growing as Need Expands
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 13, 2021

The pandemic might have produced a reduced need for services at many businesses and nonprofits. But that’s not the case at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network. In fact, the coronavirus crises created a contrary result, even if only indirectly. “We saw a dramatic increase in animals coming here in 2020, and we’re certainly on […]

Showing its MOXI: Innovative Spirit Helps Organization Continue to Support Children’s Quest for Knowledge
By Steven Libowitz   |   May 6, 2021

Every organization had to pivot to produce programs during the pandemic. But for the MOXI museum, innovation comes with the territory. Indeed, that’s what the “I” in the nonprofit’s name (Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation) stands for.  “What the pandemic forced us to do is to take what we do best — which is […]

A Resting Place: Sarah House Withstood COVID in Order to Provide Respite
By Steven Libowitz   |   April 29, 2021

Sarah House executive director Kate Grove didn’t want to talk much about the financial burdens the COVID pandemic has placed on the eight-bedroom home that mainly provides end-of-life care for the financially disadvantaged, as well as support services for HIV/AIDS sufferers and short-term stays to alleviate stay-at-home caregivers. “Everyone’s told the COVID story. It’s super […]

Feeding Our Community: The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Adjusts to Meet Our COVID Needs
By Steven Libowitz   |   March 25, 2021

To say that the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has been busy is an understatement – the nonprofit distributed 9,708,944 pounds of food over the course of a year, including some four million-plus pounds of fresh vegetables and fruits. Sounds like a lot, right?  Sure, but that’s the year preceding the COVID crisis in California. […]

Latest on School Reopening
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   March 18, 2021

In addition to the majority of the business sector permitted to reopen indoors with modifications earlier this week, most county public schools – bolstered by happy and tired parents and caregivers – reopened in early March. Montecito public schools, Montecito Union School and Cold Spring School, have been open for in-person learning since late September, […]

Search Dog Foundation: Finding Diamonds in the Ruff
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 18, 2021

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation has had tremendous success in rescuing rambunctious shelter dogs and turning them into highly-trained rescue canine workers who, teamed with human partners, help find survivors buried in disaster wreckage while they’re still alive. It’s a story that’s both heartwarming on every level and awe-inspiring in its purpose and efficiency. But, […]

Easy Lift
By Steven Libowitz   |   January 7, 2021

Several years ago, my elderly neighbor gave up driving due to recurring hip injuries and a debilitating autoimmune disease. Sometimes I’d look across our cottage complex and notice a taxi waiting to take her to doctor appointments or grocery shopping – she was old-fashioned enough to not even own a smartphone, so Lyft and Uber […]

In Other News
By James Buckley   |   December 17, 2020

I’ve often extolled Mollie Ahlstrand’s food. She’s the owner/chef of Mollie’s on State, formerly Mollie’s Ristorante on Coast Village Road. In recent months, she has had her challenges. Upon closing her Coast Village Road eatery (after a 25-year run), for example, she and her son, Ali Ahlstrand, opened Mollie’s on State. Then, of course, the […]

The Giving List
By Gwyn Lurie   |   December 10, 2020

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, even if it wasn’t the raucous family-packed affair we’re all used to. Hopefully by next year it will be safe for all of us to return to that long-cherished tradition of gathering with loved-ones even if we dread being seated next to that one random cousin with whom […]

Giving Thanks for Giving
By Gwyn Lurie   |   December 3, 2020

There are certain holidays I appreciate less for their historical importance, than for the opportunity they afford us to stop and reflect upon our lives, and to feel gratitude for all we have been given. As well as all we are able to give back. At the risk of retreading well-travelled terrain, I won’t go […]