Tag archives: society

CADA’s 36th Annual Amethyst Ball
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 10, 2023

The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) held its 36th Annual Amethyst Ball at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum on Friday, September 29. The Ball’s theme this year was “The Great Gatsby,” and guests were in full-on brilliant 1920s vintage frocks, with women in colorful sequined dresses, silks, matching cocktail gloves, feathered velvet headpieces, […]

New Season and Executive Director for Camerata Pacifica
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 26, 2023

The 34th season for Camerata Pacifica was celebrated with a Director’s Cut event at a private club in Goleta on Monday, September 11. The focus was the formal introduction of its new Executive Director Ana Papakhian by its founder and Artistic Director Adrian Spence. There was also a lovely meet and greet with four of […]

NYC Artist Charles Fazzino at his SB Gallery
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 12, 2023

Over the Labor Day weekend, the 3D Studio Gallery at 529 State St. was packed with fans and newbies to the art of Charles Fazzino, as he had arrived from New York City to make his annual Santa Barbara visit.  Art was flying off the wall into the hands of new lucky owners and collectors […]

SB Historical Museum’s Annual La Fiesta del Museo
By Joanne A Calitri   |   August 1, 2023

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM) held its annual La Fiesta del Museo fundraiser on July 22, in the museum’s outside courtyard, which was elegantly decorated with wrought iron chandeliers, Arabic lanterns, velvet table linens, and fresh flowers. The event drew more than 300 guests in classic fiesta attire, with women in elaborate Spanish flamenco […]

Mad Hatter Returns! 24th Annual Transition House Fundraiser
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 23, 2023

The 24th Annual Transition House Mad Hatter luncheon took place on May 11 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara SB grand ballrooms. The 230 guests wore all manner of millinery attire with designer matching outfits. The theme was Garden Party at the Ritz. Hats ranged from antique 1920s lace, feathered hats, Vegas fedoras with an Ace of […]

Return of the 21st Annual Blue Water Ball
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 16, 2023

After a four-year hiatus, the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper organization held its signature fundraiser, The Blue Water Ball, on May 7 at the Santa Barbara Cabrillo Pavilion Ballroom overlooking our beautiful ocean, coast, and view of the SB Channel Islands. The sold-out event of all things blue had guests in ocean-inspired attire. Dinner tables sported seafaring […]

23rd Youth and Family Services YMCA’s Reaching for Stars
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 9, 2023

The Channel Islands YMCA Youth & Family Service (YFS) held their 23rd annual fundraising event titled, Reaching for Stars, at the Cabrillo Pavilion on Wednesday, April 26. The event funds its five-tiered service programs for youth through age 24: Youth and Family Services, Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, St. George Youth Center, My Home, and […]

Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative Inspire Luncheon with Jane Seymour
By Joanne A Calitri   |   May 9, 2023

The return of the in-person Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative Inspire Luncheon was sold out – more than 400 guests filling all three SB Hilton ballrooms on Wednesday, April 26. There was a super up-buzz in the air at the reception as guests connected with friends. VIPs were seen at the step’n’repeat for media photographs. Next to […]

Montessori Center School Annual Benefit
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 14, 2023

The Montessori Center School held its annual soirée benefit at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club on March 4. The theme, “The Golden Age of Jazz,” brought more gold lurex to this side of the Nile that could rival the rate of inflation. Men in pinstriped, wool zoot suits to tuxedos with bowler hats escorted their […]

SB Museum of Art Women’s Board New Members’ Luncheon
By Joanne A Calitri   |   March 7, 2023

On Feb. 21, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) Women’s Board held its annual New Members luncheon at the Santa Barbara Club downtown. The event was chaired by board Vice President Karen Tenzer and the event committee was President Paula Farrington, Jean McCourt, and Linda Wortham. The private gala was artfully done with fresh […]

24th Annual Friendship Center Festival of Hearts
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 14, 2023

Feb. 4 saw the 24th annual Festival of Hearts Friendship Center fundraiser at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort Montecito. The theme this year was Kentucky Derby Style, with guests dressing in colorful hats and retro-outfits.  It was a fun (and fashionable) time for event co-chairs Kathy Marden and Sue Adams: “We have a particular fondness […]

The Annual Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Legacy Awards
By Joanne A Calitri   |   February 7, 2023

Society News is pleased to share the 2023 Legacy Award Winners of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH), which were announced at a private Leadership Circles of Giving soirée last week. The Legacy Awards went to philanthropists Elisabeth and Greg Fowler; Renee Grubb,owner of Village Properties; andornithology supporter, John O’Brien. In his speech […]

Society Takes Five in Boca
By Joanne A Calitri   |   December 6, 2022

Photos by Joanne A Calitri It’s not every Thanksgiving this society gal takes off, but with my hair newly colored by Montecito’s own French Hair Salon expert, Eliane Alexandre International, I was ready to take on the sun-bleached blondes of the Florida coast in true Parisian style. Saving the almost impossible details of getting to […]

Montecitans Host Suffolk University Alumni Reception
By Joanne A Calitri   |   November 1, 2022

Christine Garvey, Juris Doctor and Trustee of Suffolk University, and Susan Cappiello J.D. co-hosted the Southern California Suffolk University Alumni Reception with its president Marisa Kelly at the Jonathan Club Los Angeles on September 29. The elegant event brought out over 30 alumni, mainly from its Law School and the Sawyer Business School undergrad and […]

A Fond Farewell
By James Buckley   |   August 30, 2022

Lynda Millner has represented Montecito Journal at myriad nonprofit events all over the Santa Barbara area for almost as long as Montecito Journal has been around, which is 27 years and counting: the paper was launched in the summer of 1995 and Lynda joined us shortly thereafter. She announced her retirement from “Seen Around Town” […]

Goodbye
By Lynda Millner   |   August 23, 2022

Over 27 years ago I walked into the Montecito Journal’s offices and told the founder of the new paper, Jim Buckley, that he didn’t have a society column. He replied, “Write one and if we like it, it’s yours.” Seen Around Town was born and my life changed forever! I always had liked to dress […]

La Merienda
By Lynda Millner   |   August 23, 2022

The Santa Barbara Woman’s Club gave the first La Merienda since the pandemic. Merienda translates to “snack,” but it was much more than a snack. It was a full-on Mexican dinner with tacos, guacamole, chicken, beef, and salad. Event chair Sue Ziliotto told us, “This event has been going on for 92 years.” All the […]

Happy (Fiscal) New Year!
By Lynda Millner   |   July 26, 2022

This was the 9th annual “Fiscal New Year” fête hosted by Ernesto Paredes to get executive directors together for a sip and greet. He had help from a committee of Heidi Holly, Kim Olson, and Sophia Davis.  It was held at the former Chuck’s Waterfront Grill near the Maritime Museum. There was even a sponsor […]

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) “Mother” Hazel Henderson 
By Rinaldo Brutoco   |   May 24, 2022

Elon Musk is the world’s richest person and one of the most brilliant individuals in business. He is the P.T. Barnum of our age — only more effective by far. And yet no one has ever accused him of: 1) having an ego that is under control; 2) a desire to benefit his fellow citizens; […]

Clapping to the Sound of Four Hands
By Richard Mineards   |   May 3, 2022

It was certainly a hands-on performance when Berlin-based piano twosome Sivan Silver and Gil Garburg sharing the keyboard performed the world premiere of 62-year-old Austrian Richard Dunser’s composition derived from the work of Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms with the Santa Barbara Symphony for Romance in a New Key at the Granada. Dunser dedicated his […]