CALM'S ANTIQUE SHOW Oct. 16, 17 & 17

The CALM Antiques Vintage & Decorative Arts

Show & Sale

October 16, 17 & 18, 2009

Friday 11-7 pm, Saturday 11-6 pm, Sunday 11-5 pm

Admission: $6/Adults, $5 Seniors (62+) Child under 12 free

(includes return privileges and free parking)

Located at the Earl Warren Show Grounds, (Highway 101 at Las Positas)

This is one of the most beautiful Antique Shows available! Dealers come from all over the country, including some from Europe.

Available at this show:

"Montano's Glass Repair"; crystal & china repair

"Antique Rug Connection"; sales, repair & cleaning of Orientals

Below are some pictures of past shows

Next Show Date: January 29, 30 & 31, 2010

Information: April Thede, Show Mgr 805 898-9715

Note: All information, including photos from the calmantiqueshow.com website

$29.5MILLION! Wow!

Paradise on the Pacific

Beach Property in the Santa Barbara Area

"They Aren't Making Any More Of It!"

So, what does $29,500,000...that's MILLION DOLLARS look like? Well, you know what they say about beach front...they're not making any more of that! So here are some pictures of beach front property for sale in the Santa Barbara Area...and of course these are asking prices! Listed in the Santa Barbara MLS

Padaro Lane, Carpinteria

1.7 acres of lush tropical landscape, pool, 2 bedroom guest house, 4 bedroom main house and walls of glass. Spectacular private compound.

Padaro Lane, Carpinteria $29,000,000

Totally remodeled in 2008, this 5 bedroom, 7.5 bath gated home is right on the beach in the Padaro Lane enclave. Includes a guest house, tennis court and wall of glass. Originally listed at $37,500,000, it is a bargain!

Fernald Point Lane, Montecito, California

7 bedroom, 9 bath main residence, separate guest house, gated beach with fully equipped cabana. $24,750,000. Additional adjacent parcel available separately.

There are currently 15 properties Listed in MLS from $15million to $29.6million from Carpinteria's private enclave of the Sand Point Cove to the Fernald Point Lane area of Montecito.

Question???
Are there any properties listed in the lower prices which are on the beach? None ON the beach, however there are numerous properties listed which are across from the beach or just a hop skip and a jump from the beach....starting at the attainable price of $605,000 located in the El Escorial Complex right across from the beautiful East Beach area on Cabrillo Boulevard!

There are currently several properties listed at the El Escorial Condominium Complex across from $605,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath unit to $890,000 and up to$890,000 for 2 bedroom, 2 bath units, and higher for the few 3 bedroom condos in this complex. This wonderful complex is located right across the street from East Beach, a bike ride away from Montecito and close to all the Santa Barbara Lifestyle has to offer. This gated complex includes a gorgeous pool, spa, health club and tennis courts.

Villa Del Mar

2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths newer beautiful townhouse, with attached 2 car garage one block from the Beach priced at $815,000!

Ahhhhh! The Santa Barbara Lifestyle!

Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel & Spa

Four Seasons Resort Santa Barbara

1260 Channel Drive, Montecito, California

A Spanish Colonial treasure with red tile roofs, graceful archways, and stunning gardens across from popular Butterfly Beach and the iconic Coral Casino Beach & Swim Club; close to all the cultural and scenic Santa Barbara amenities.

across from Butterfly Beach on the Blue Pacific

Dining Patio &
Entry Hall to Lobby

one of the many outdoor patios

Designed in the style of Spanish Colonial Revivial Architecture favored in the post earthquake conversion from Anglo to Hispanic pueblo by renowned California Architect Reginald Johnson after the 1925 Earthquake, the exquisite Biltmore is one of Santa Barbara's treasures

View towards Santa Barbara Harbor



Magnificent Design and Stunning Gardens


















http://www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara/

High Esteem Tea & The Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel

Off to High Tea at the beautiful Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel today!

a benefit for Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County, "which works to end the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence by providing prevention and intervention services and by challenging society's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to effect social change."

fotos of the event and the Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel

in my next post!

Epicurean Month

Alright, we admit it...Santa Barbara is a party town!

.....And why not? We have the geographical beauty and the climate to have a party any time of year, in any part of our community including numerous public beaches and dozens of parks.
It has been said that a person could eat at a different restaurant every day of the week in our town, and not have visited all of our restaurants. A farmer's market can be found every day of the week in a different part of our communities. A visit to our numerous galleries, (not including the Sabado Domingo Art show held on Cabrillo Boulevard each Sunday), wine-tasting venues, Santa Ynez Vinyards, spectacular landmark buildings and sites, Stearn's Wharf, East Beach (volleyball), Ledbetter Beach(surfing), Butterfly Beach (across from the Biltmore), Arroyo Burro Beach aka Hendry's Beach (body surfing, no parking fees, Boathouse Restaurant), Goleta Beach and Pier, Campus Point (real surfing), and don't forget Carpinteria's Beach Park...called the safest beach on the Pacific and many more activities would keep you quite busy for weeks on end.

And then...then there are the festivals...almost every weekend there are several competing with each other. After living here over 30 years I have still not attended all of the festivals...and goodness knows...I've tried!

Santa Barbara seems to be an amalgamation of every part of the world in food, cultures, styles, music, dancing and venues. One of the most multi-cultural corners of Paradise and it shows in our very eclectic lifestyle called Santa Barbara style!

Epicure.sb - entire month of October

The entire month of October has been designated EpicureSB! This soiree is co-presented by the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization, Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission and sponsored by the Santa Barbara Independent Newspaper; featuring Santa Barbara galleries and cultural outlets offering free access to visual and performance art with a gastronomic twist. More than 30 downtown businesses and restaurants will participate. The big kick off party was October 1, with First Thursday. For a complete schedule:

http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/ and/or http://www.epicuresb.com/

Eat Local Challenge: All Farmers' market locations and Edible Santa Barbara Magazine are challenging participants to pledge to eat local all month long. No arm-twisting required here...a visit to any one of our fabulous farmer's markets will confirm that!

23rd Annual Avocado Festival: October 2 - 4. Free

Downtown Carpinteria on Linden Avenue, Oct 2-4. More than 30 booths featuring everything green from guacamole to avocado ice cream, with arts and crafts vendors and live entertainment. http://www.avofest.com/

October Wine Dinner Series - every Tuesday in October

Four downtown restaurants will each take one Tuesday night in October to feature a menu highlighting local produce and ingredients paired with local wines at 5:30 pm for $65/person.

Dinners are limited to 50 guests and reservations must be made with the hotels/restaurants directly.

Julienne Restaurant will partner with Palmina Winery for their dinner on October 27th; Coast Restaurant at the Canary downtown hotel; Seagrass and Bouchon Restaurants are also participating.

Harbor and Seafood Festival, Santa Barbara Harbor - October 10, 10am - 5pm. Free

This annual festival coincides with the opening of lobster season. Highlighted will be local seafood specialties and maritime education. Buy straight from the fishermen's boats. Chuck's Waterfront Grill and the Endless Summer Cafe will be featuring demos by seared ahi master John Pollock on how to sear, slice and serve ahi tuna.

Boat rides and live music are geared to making this a family friendly event. 897-1962 for more information.

Conversations with Cat Cora, October 12th at 6 pm;

The first and only Iron Chef from the hit Food Network series comes to the Founders Room inside the beautifully restored Granada Theater located at 1216 State Street for an evening of culinary conversation and book signing. Local chefs will serve a variety of Cora recipes at an Food and Wine receiption. Call the Downtown Organization at 962-2098 for more information.

18th Annual Lemon Festival - October 16-18; Free

Held at Girsh Park, 7050 Phelps Road, Goleta. This family friendly day is filled with food featuring lemons, carnival rides and live entertainment. The Goleta Fall Classic Car and Street Rod Show will be present along with the Green Business Trade Show all sponsored by the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. More information: http://www.lemonfestival.com/

Santa Barbara Beer Festival - October 17, 12-4pm. $40/pre-paid or $50 at the gate

Ehlings Park, 1298 Las Positas Road will host dozens of local microbreweries, including some of Santa Barbara's finest like the Telegraph Brewing Co, Walker-Firestone Brewing Co and the Hollister Brewing Company. Live muusic, food and a costume contest. Must be 21 years or older to attend. http://www.sbbeerfestival.com/

Urban Wine Trail Weekend - October 24-25th

2 for 1 wine tasting will be featured all weekend by Wineries in Santa Barbara and Summerland. Featuring to highlight the handful of producers making world-class wine in the City's urban, downtown setting. Call 962-7003

What a party!

(above information gained from the following sources: SB Newspress, The Independent, Downtown Organization)

Santa Barbara Landmarks

A small sampling of some of Santa Barbara's most gorgeous landmarks

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Often referred to as the most beautiful government building in America; this Spanish-Moorish style building was designed by William Mooser III and completed in 1929 after the 1925 earthquake ruined much of the city including the original Greek-Revival courthouse.

Civic events, performances and weddings are held often in the gorgeous Sunken Gardens surrounding the Courthouse where the 1872 original Courthouse once stood. Use of the Sunken Gardens for wedding ceremonies is on a first come, first served basis. Contact the Courthouse Docents at 805 962-6464. Free docent tours are conducted daily at 2pm, except Sundays. (information taken from the SB County Courthouse Legacy Foundation website: http://www.courthouseleagacyfoundation.org/ Marriage licenses are available in this magnificent building at the County Clerk Recorder's office in the same building: http://www.sbcourt.org/general_info/cthouse_info.htm

Queen of the Missions

Old Mission Santa Barbara founded on the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4th, 1786. Although she was the 10th of the Missions founded by Father Junipero Serra, she is considered the Queen of the Missions. Experience the Queen, her beautiful grounds, Museum, Church, Cemetary and vistas: tours offered daily except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, at very nominal prices ($5/adults, $4/seniors, $1/youth, under 6yrs free). information: http://santabarbaramission.org/

Bathhouse at Lotusland

"Lotusland is a unique 37-acre estate and botanic garden situated in the foothills of Montecito to the east of the city of Santa Barbara. The gardens now covering the estate were created by Madame Ganna Walska, who owned the property from 1941 until her death in 1984. Before her death, Madame Walska established the nonprofit Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation, which now preserves this unrivaled botanical treasure." (information from the Lotusland Website)

For more information on the gardens and tours of the gardens: http://www.lotusland.org/welcome.htm

View of SB Downtown Mission Tile District
"The most beautiful downtown in America"

For information on Shopping, Arts, Culture & Sightseeing; Dining & Restaurants; Entertainments & Nightlife, Accomodations & Reservations visit the Santa Barbara Downtown Organizations' website: http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/ The webiste also has a calendar of events, information on transportation, parking, maps and the popular 1st Thursday festivals.

Santa Barbara Coastline view from Shoreline Park

Sparkling Night Lights

of the

Santa Barbara Harbor

for information on Harbor activities: www.sbharbor.com/

Stay tuned for more of Santa Barbara's amazing landmarks and geographical beauty....

Santa Barbara The Party Place

A casual back yard engagement party for 80 close friends!

The Rockin Band, PIE

The most beautiful fall day

a photo of Couple Number One in each floral arrangement

We are still recovering from hosting an exuberant and sizable engagement party for our dear friends' son and his soon to be lovely bride. This wonderful couple is amazing! Both are power professionals yet the most loving and endearing people. Accomplished adults with outstanding educations and professions, first and only engagement and forthcoming marriage! They met through serendipitous circumstances and they are very much each other's soul mates! In this fast world of in-and-out relationships it is just wonderful to meet a couple like this. My husband and I just celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary and the groom to be's parent their fortieth! Whomever said that true love and romance are dead hasn't met us!

Towers of yummy mini cupcakes

Santa Barbara is a wonderful venue for weddings, large and small, extravagant or modest; all offering the romance of gorgeous scenery, wonderful predictable climate and locations from no cost to over the top!

Our back yard was the scene of this wonderful casual event! We planned to seat 80 people with complete sit-down service; although the dinner was buffet style. The Margarita Fountain served iced margaritas continuously, wine and beer bar; and a five-piece band offered music for lots of dancing late into a magical evening. The weather was so pleasant that the out-door fireplace was not put into service, nor were the portable heaters used.

Weddings/parties can be held at any one of our many parks, public gardens, the beaches, the sunken gardens at the Court House, the Rose Garden at the Mission and many many more locations for the fee of a Park permit! The beautiful Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens does require an entrance fee. Many a wedding, birthday parties and special events are held there.