Santa Barbara Goes Greek!

38th Annual Greek Festival

This wonderful annual event

is free to the public



Oak Park

http://www.santabarbaragreekfestival.com/

Concerts at La Patera Ranch

Music at the Ranch

Rancho La Patera

304 North Los Carneros Road

Goleta

Free

Tuesday Evenings

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Presented by

Goleta Valley Historical Society

bring a picnic and enjoy dinner alfresco in

the beautiful gardens of theRanch

July 26th

Somos Son

"Sensational Sounds of Cuban Salsa"

August 2nd

Donna Greene & The Roadhouse Daddies

August 16th

Spencer The Gardener

info:  805 6981-7216

http://www.goletahistory.org/

 

Preserving Santa Barbara's Bounty

Home Grown turns into Home Made!

The Santa Barbara South Coast Area

 is referred to as "Paradise"

with good reason... 

 Almost anything grows in our temperate climate..

 especially good things to eat, which makes

living sustainably fun and easy.

and sometimes nature brings us such amazing bounty...

that even when sharing with everyone we know...

there's still so much left...

that I have taken up the age old art of preserving,

canning and 'putting up' nature's bounty!

my friends and family now look forward to receiving

preserved gifts from my kitchen

The Santa Barbara Newspress' Food Section

this past Thursday featured a fabulous

 article on locals who preserve, pickle and

can... some for profit and some for fun.

Check into Cindy Shipp's fabulous blog: 

http://sbcanning.com/

I  attended her demonstration at

Whole Foods today

Cindy also teaches classes on this fun and

practical hobby....check out her website

Santa Barbara is Butterfly Country!

Butterflies Alive!

Summer is in full swing....

Our butterfly garden is alive and well...

creating lots and lots of new Monarch Butterflies!

Here is a Pupea...a Butterfly Cocoon

waiting for the Crysalis to complete

and turn the caterpillar into a gorgeous

Monarch Butterfly!

 Several years ago we discovered how to

cultivate a "butterfly garden"...

not only to attract the adult Monarchs to lay their eggs,

but to have the food for the caterpillars!

Milk Weed is a pretty little plant which

propogates itself very easily

and attracts Monarch caterpillars by the droves!

It is fascinating to observe them devour an entire plant..

and then go to their "resting place" to create their

little house which allows them to transform themselves

into gorgeous, stunning and amazing Monarch Butterflies!

The work of the caterpillar to create their

'pupeas' is heartwrenchingly difficult!!

However, the 'Crysalis Event'  is like a miracle!

Observing the "butterfly" leave the pupea

unfold her wings...dry her wings

and take flight is a miraculous event!

We are sooo blessed that the Monarch

Butterflies have made our gardens

home!



Favorite Santa Barbara Restaurant

Jane's

located just steps down from the
historical Arlington Theater
1311 State Street

Jane's has just celebrated a second year anniversary!

A younger sister of The Montecito Cafe...

Jane's is a new face with an experienced

history!

Jane is a family owned and operated business. The restaurant is named after my grandmother, Jane. She encouraged my parents, Mark & Margaret Huston to open their first restaurant, the Montecito Café and so we thought it suiting to pay tribute to our beloved matriarch by naming this restaurant after her. Photos of Jane adorn the restaurant and depict her years living abroad as well as many of her other adventures. For anyone that knew her she was one of a kind. Jane loved all people and welcomed everyone into her home. We hope that this restaurant will live up to her warm persona and that you will be able to enjoy our family recipes and friendly service. I look forward to seeing you soon,
Jane Chapman
http://www.janerestaurantsb.com/
4.5 rating on yelp
Charming atmosphere in a historical part of
upper downtown Santa Barbara
(you can ride the trolley to this location)
Jane's is a great place for lunch or dinner
Serving Santa Barbara cuisine, much of it local and
seasonal fare.  Bring your pickiest eaters..
I'm adventurous, my husband is meat and potatoes
We both love the food, service and atmosphere
The coconut cake is devine!
Oh, and if you love the decor and atmosphere
my talented husband, Architect Doug Reeves designed
this restaurant!

Music Academy's Summer Festival

Summer 2011

Magic, Music and Masterclasses

The Music Academy of the West and her gifted young 

musicians who participate in the Academy's Program

bring magic to our community every summer. 

Her historic and beautiful Campus, Mira Flores is

located in Montecito, just stept from Butterfly Beach and

the historic Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel.

Truly a Santa Barbara Lifestyle Perk, here are some of

the Summer Festival Programs:

Academy Open House

Thursday, July 14, Miraflores Campus

Masterclasses, a tribute to Marilyn Horne, a garden tour,

and an introduction to the Luria Education center.

ALL events are FREE

(supported by Montecito Bank and Trust)

Note: The Miraflores Campus and grounds have recently

undergone a major restoration,

including the addition of up to date technology.

This stunning site and her historic buildings are

truly worth visit!

Academy Festival Orchestra

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Peter Oundjian and the

Academy's talented Fellows commemorate the

100th anniversary of Mahler's death by

performing his celebrated Symphony No. 5

8 pm, Saturday, July 16, Granada Theatre

for an event schedule:  http://www.musicacademy.org/

The Royals Were Here!

The "Fascinator" has conquered Santa Barbara

Prince William and  Duchess Kate

 visiting Santa Barbara!

Santa Barbara is all a twitter...

Prince William played polo on Team Royal Salute

 at the Santa Barbara Polo Club

Saturday, July 9th

The Foundation Polo Challenge

For you "Fashionistas....
Kate was wearing a Jenny Packham 'deGournay'
hand painted silver & marble grey
 handpainted chinoiserie silk dress
LK Bennett Shoes and LK Bennett
Natalie clutch
(http://whatkatewore.com/)

A benefit for American Friends of the Foundation

of Prince William and Prince Harry

The event began at 10 am... included a

private drinks reception with the players

a hosted bar, and a 3-course catered lunch

by  Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis.
The festivities concluded with The Duches

presenting the winning trophy

and the winner is...

Team Royal Salute

Captained by Prince William who scored 3 times

to the delight of the Santa Barbara crowd

I have dear friends who attended (and invited me..just

couldn't justify the $400)

I think our very own Princess Diana (escorted by Prince

Kipley Von Lytel) won the

Fashionista Fascinator Hat Award!

International Orchid Fair

Earl Warren Show Grounds

Friday July 8, 9 and 10, 2011

10 am - 4 pm

Admission - Free

Parking $5

http://www.orchidfair.com/ or 967-1284

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate's International Orchid Fair has grown from a

small gathering on the estate's lawn to a grand, three-day affair that dominates

the sprawling Earl Warren Show Grounds.  Now in it's 31st year,

the Fair plays host to orchid professionals, hobbyists and collectors alike,

many whom travel from the far corners of the globe to attend.

The show will feature speakers, book signings, orchid care

demonstrations and an irresistible open-air market.

Over 35 Vendors hailing from such places as Japan, China,

Australia, and Central and South America.

Author Steve Manning, author of "Discovering New Orchids"

 will speak at 7:30 Friday at the

Louise Lowry Davis Center, 1232 De la Vina St.

Reservations for the 'no host' speaker's dinner held

prior to the meeting, contact Gene Baum at

gborchids@verizon.net

And the Winner of my Drawing is...

Winning is always fun!

Karen Clark, owner of the delightful Vintage/Antique

Store Whimsy in Carpinteria 

(http://www.whimsyantiques.blogspot.com/)

won the drawing of this gorgeous book,

 Friday Evening, written by local author and chef

Michele Carbone.  The book is available at Amazon.com

and Chaucers.

Movie Classics in the Sunken Gardens

UCSB Arts & Lectures Presents...

Friday Nights in the

Courthouse Sunken Gardens!!!

FREE

family friendly....bring your blankets, lawn chairs and popcorn

and get ready for Summer Nights and the Classics

Top Hat, Swing Time, Ziegfield Girl, The Gang's All Here,

The Ziegfield Follies, On the Town, Singing in the Rain,

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

beginning Friday July 8th

every Friday night at 7:30 until August 24th

(Every Wednesday at 7:30 at UCSB Campbell Hall)

beginning Wednesday July 6th

Happy Fourth of July!

The Declaration of Independence

In Congress, July 4th 1776

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that

they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these

are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit ofHappiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are

instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from consent of the governed. That

whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the

People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on

such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely

to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Wishing You a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Fourth of July Events in Santa Barbara

Celebrating America's Birthday

Santa Barbara Style

Monday July 4th

Mission Arts Collective

Annual Art & Crafts Show

2227 Garden Street

(corner of Pueblo and Garden)

Free admission

10 am - 5 pm, July 4th

Spirit of '76 Parade

Downtown Santa Barbara

1pm - free

Begins at Micheltorena and State Street

travels down State Street to Cota Street

Fourth of July Concert

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa Street

Presented by Spirit of '76 Association

Music Academy of the West

and local musicians

4:30  pm free

bring your blankets and beach chairs

Santa Barbara Sparkle

Cabrillo Boulevard

11 am - 7 pm

all events free

live entertainment, food and crafts,

musical entertainment

9 pm  fireworks at West Beach

Carpinteria Independence

Parade

6th Street and Linden Ave

5 pm - free

Rancho La Patera

and Stow House

Old fashioned 4th of July

304 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta

11 am - 4 pm children free, $6/adults

Hay rides, pony rides, live music

barbeque and beer

681-7216;  http://www.goletahistory.org/

Goleta Fireworks Festival

Girsh Park

7050 Phelps Rd, Goleta

4 - 9:30 pm; $6/general, $4/3-12

live entertainment, food booths,

face painting and games

Forester Baseball Game
Santa Barbara's
Championship Collegiate Baseball Team

UCSB - Caesar Uyesaka Stadium

3 pm on July 4th
$3/adults, $1.50 Senior, Kids FREE for the 4th
Celebrate America's Birthday
with America's National Pastime

Wishing you a safe and fun Fourth of July