Saturday, June 30, 2012

Get Ready for High Season Polo!




a truly exciting sport to watch!



In the scene at Sunday Polo
3300 Via Real Carpinteria, CA 93013 

  • Sunday matches are held on all fields throughout the day with the main games being played at 1 and 3 pm on the field in front of the grandstands and the gates open at noon.
  • There is grandstand seating available for all general admission spectators.
  • NO PETS ALLOWED
  • Tickets are $10 per person for general admission on Sundays only
  • No outside alcohol allowed
  • Field-side cabanas are available to rent.  Contact the Polo Clubhouse Manager, Ellen Reid at805-684-6683 or ellen@sbpolo.com.
  • You may purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive.  During our High Goal it is suggested that you arrive 30 minutes early in order to get good seats.
  • Our Centennial cafe is open on Fridays and Sundays for your convenience and serves delicious and fresh weekly specials.  Salads, Sandwiches, Soups, Burgers and much more. No outside food or beverage is allowed.
  • The grandstands are not shaded so bring lots of sunscreen!
  • Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club has a wide variety of merchandise for purchase at our Polo Boutuique located on the ocean side of the grandstands.
  • If you would like to know when a specific team is playing, please check the Polo Schedule and Results page of the website
  • Dress code is casual; however, many people enjoy dressing up.
  • The Divot Stomp takes place at half time for both the 1 and 3 pm games on Sundays.  Meander out onto the field, help turn over the divots made by the galloping horses and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly.

Our High Goal Season begins this year, July 8th with the Mayor's Cup and goes through to September 2nd ending with the famous Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Finals.  

A Royals Sport, for locals and visitors to enjoy!
Last year, honored visitors were 
Prince William and Princess Kate

(photos and information from sbpolo website)

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Santa Barbara Wine Festival June 30th

Swirl, Sip, and Savor....
Saturday, June 30th
2:00-5:00 pm

at the
Santa Barbara 
Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol
(behind the Old Mission)
  


wines from 50 Central Coast wineries
complemented with savory
and sweet delectable delights

Members $60
Non-Members $85
(if purchased by Friday (June 29 at 5pm)
$95 at the door (if available)

Parking $10/per vehicle
(photos and information from the SB Museum of Natural History)







Monday, June 25, 2012

Birdhouses Everywhere in our Garden

In the Trees


 On the tables


On the Basket Stand


build it and they will come!


our "bird" grocery bill is up there!



We've even had visiting Mallard Ducks


 our favorites.....Quail.....
several coveys visit our garden feeders


uninvited guests include toooooo 
many squirrles!
Who visits your garden?
To search the many gorgeous gardens for sale in SB, click here

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Festival June 22, 23, 24th


Santa Barbara Parade and Festival

June 22, June 23, June 24

The Solstice Parade is this Saturday, June 23, beginning at noon 
at State and Cota.
The Festival begins Friday, June 22, in Alameda Park from 4 - 9 pm
The Festival continues Saturday in Alameda Park from noon - 8 pm, 
Sunday noon to 6 pm.
The Kid’s Festival is noon to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday
The Parade and Festival are Free

(photo Mitch Viquez)



Festival Main Stage - Alameda Park  
Schedule for Friday June 22nd, 2012

4:00Danza
4:15Dreamtime Continuum
4:50Suenos Cubanos
5:05Vientos Del Sur
5:40Panzumo
6:00Hip Brazil
6:10Ize
6:15Boom Box Orchestra
6:45Soulstice Sol The Midnight Band with very special guests and full horn section
8:45Finale

Solstice Inflatables are available for rent after the Parade

Other Festival Highlights
• Mouthwatering foods and thirst quenching beverages
from local restaurants.
• Arts and crafts boutique with more than 75 vendors.
• A large “drum circle” formed by parade participants and
anyone who cares to join in the beat on Saturday only.
• The wonderful floats from the parade parked along 
Micheltorena Street for close-up inspection on Saturday 
only until approximately 4:30 pm
• Beer and Wine Garden Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday
noon to 7 pm, Sunday Noon to 5 pm
(photos and copy from Solstice Website)


























Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Learning About Santa Barbara Architecture!





Reginald Johnson,George Washington Smith, 
Edwards and Plunket,  Lutah Riggs, William Mooser III
...and more...

These are the names of the great architects who influenced
Santa Barbara's Mediterranean Style Architecture, 
often under the guidance of Civic Leader, Pearl Chase. 
After the 1925 earthquake, Ms. Chase made
it her mission to see that Santa Barbara downtown was 
rebuild in the Spanish/Mediterranean style architecture of 
todaythrough her wide-ranging influence
 and tireless advocacy.
to learn more about Pearl Chase Society, click here

Prior to the 1925 earthquake, Santa Barbara's architecture
was typical of the time in Europe and the US,  Victorian style, some
fine examples of which still remain around town, in particular the
home of Pearl Chase on Anacapa Street, 
now a designated city landmark.

On a recent balmy evening

40 Village Property Agents were invited 
to a 
 Walking Tour of Downtown Santa Barbara
to learn more about the
Spanish Colonial Revival Style Architecture
which characterizes our beautiful City.


On the steps of the Court House Sunken Gardens
Architect Anthony Grumbine taught
us about "Cyma Recta",  "Fascias" and 
"Bed Moulds" which characterize
Spanish Colonial Architecture


We were all handed sample drawings
to trace so that we would "get the feel" for
these details and recognize
the classic Spanish Colonial Revival
design decorations when our eyes sought 
them out on the buildings we were going
to visit


photo of Anthony explaining Cyma Recta 



Our first example, often called the most
 handsome Public Building
in the U.S,
The Santa Barbara County Court House


located at 1100 Anacapa Street
occupying up a full block 




After our "hands-on education" tutorial, all forty
of us Villagers followed Anthony to the many wonderful 
examples he had chosen for our tour.



 here we are, our sample drawings in hand,
walking up Santa Barbara Street


As we passed by an Edwards and Plunket building,
Anthony explained how this later example showed
a less formal application of the style


On to the stately University Club
 at 1332 Santa Barbara Street which had been
 converted from a Victorian to a Spanish Colonial. 
The new solid construction of the rebuilt structure 
allowed it to survive the 1925 earthquake




here's a photo of the former University Club 
building known as "Calkin's Castle"




Currently the Club still features some of 
the exterior
and interior Victorian style decoration



including wonderful antique funiture. 

crossing the street towards the beautiful 
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
located at the corner of Anacapa and Sola Streets.
Built in 1928 after the original Church, located on 
the corner of State and Figueroa, was completely
demolished in the 1925 earthquake.


San Francisco Architect Edward Eames 
used heavy steel beam construction to meet 
future possible emergencies.

Anthony pointing to the entrance and beautiful window


walking past an example of the City of SB's
Commitment to creating beautiful
low-cost housing on Sola Street


Heading towards State Street and the
entrance of the charming Arlington Theater,
also an Edwards and  Plunket Design


A view of the side alleyway of the Arlington 
Theater under consideration for
 restoration to its former grandeur


Here we are looking down State Street


at the recently completely restored 
and gracious Granada Theater Building


The tallest building in Santa Barbara.  It 
will most likely remain a first and last.


Also of note is the beautiful Santa Museum of Art
Anthony informed us that this was 
originally built as a US Post Office






Victorian architecture still remains on Victoria Street


Back where we began at the Court House
where the Clock was recently restored.
for docent tour information of the Court House, click here


Thank you Anthony Grumbine for your 
enthusiastic and educational tour of our
beautiful City! 
We Villagers are now more able to share
the history of our gorgeous Santa Barbara!


Thank you Ed Edick and Renee Grubb
Village Properties Brokers
for your amazing leadership!


Thank you fellow Realtor, Louis Almaraz for
sharing your wonderful photos!


Thank you Architect husband, 
Doug Reeves AIA
for designing our home to be
our version of Mediterranean Architecture!

click here to search the entire SB MLS

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Santa Barbara Area Real Estate Closings - May 2012

Year to Date Closings 2007-2012
Legend
2007^ 
2008x
2009*
2010.
2011'
2010





Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update for end May



5180 Kara Drive, SB 93111
listed at $1,025,000
Single Family and PUD Homes








Total Active

2012 Year To Date Activity

New Listings
For the Greater Santa Barbara

Number Under Contract
Multiple Listing
System

Number Sold
District
Last Year
This Year
PCT
Last Year
This Year
PCT
Last Year
This Year
PCT
Last Year
This Year
PCT
05 - CARPINTERIA-SUMMERLAND
133
97
-27
80
54
-32
33
38
+15
36
39
+8
10 - MONTECITO
370
361
-2
203
204
+0
82
115
+40
64
102
+59
15 - SB/EAST OF STATE
337
291
-13
232
189
-18
114
156
+36
85
125
+47
20 - SB/WEST OF STATE
212
215
+1
139
145
+4
86
130
+51
75
88
+17
25 - HOPE RANCH
52
43
-17
33
25
-24
15
10
-33
10
8
-20
30 - SB/GOL SOUTH
109
96
-11
71
70
-1
32
68
+112
27
49
+81
35 - SB/GOL NORTH
209
182
-12
131
127
-3
69
115
+66
62
86
+38


Montecito Beach Property

Through May, compared to last year, sales are up
from 340 to about 475
 for approximately a 40% rise 
while the median sales price is down a little
 from $810,000 last year to about $795,000
 for a 2% drop.

Escrows are up from 405 to about 605
for a 50% upswing 
with the median list price on
 those escrows going 
down 10% from $879,000 to about $800,000.
                With all the activity in sales and escrows
 the overall inventory remains at around 400 
Home Estate/PUDs available for purchase 
from Carpinteria to Goleta.
 Because the concentration of sales are
 below $1 million, the median list price 
on those homes has risen to about
 $1.95 million with the average list price 
hovering around $3.65 million.

Stay tuned. This week we find out from
local Economist, Dr. Mark Schniepp 
what the indicators are
for the next six months of Santa Barbara Real Estate
may look like!

 
A big thanks to Gary Woods, member of the SB MLS Economic
Review Committee for keeping the troops informed on the stats!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Fairview Farm Summer Camp begins June 18

Summer Camp at Fairview Gardens!


Sign up Now, classes begin June18th
Each day on the farm is different as our highly trained mentors are aware of the passions and curiosities of the group. If your child signs up for more than one week, it is likely they will do some of the same activities however, the week will feel different because we do not have rigid activities for each day of the week. Rather, we see opportunity for a fun endeavor and create a teachable moment from pure joy of the moment.
Most weeks include include some combination of:
• Brushing and caring for the goats
• Harvesting, planting and tending our children garden
• Climbing avocado trees
• Storytelling
• Cleaning the chicken coop
• Cooking or canning with Fairview food crops
• Picking strawberries
• Cooperative adventures
• Nature Awareness activities
• Arts and Crafts
and so much more . . .

2012 SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE
Cost: Sliding scale $250-$350





2012 SUMMER CAMPS & DATES
TURNIP TOPSPUMPKIN PALSBROCCOLI BANDITS
AGES 3-5AGES 6 – 8AGES 9 – 11
Times: 9am – 2pmTimes: 9am – 3pmTimes: 9am – 3pm
Cost: $250 – $350Cost: $250 – $350Cost: $250 – $350
June 18 – 22
July 9 – 13
July 16 – 20
July 30 – Aug 3
August 6 – 10
August 13 – 17

June 18 – 22
June 25 – 29
July 16 – 20
July 23 – 27
July 30 – Aug 3
August 6 – 10
August 13 – 17
June 25 – 29
July 9 – 13
July 23 – 27




We have a maximum of 12 kids per camp with at least one
experienced staff mentor and 2 volunteers.
Information from Fairview Gardens' Website