65th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show

March 12-14, 2010
9 am to 5 pm

Earl Warren Showground

hwy 101 and Las Positas Road,Santa Barbara

Adults $12, Seniors and Students $10

http://www.sborchidshow.com/

This is the 65th anniversary of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show held annually in March.  The show started in 1945 by the Santa Barbara Horticultural Society at Montecito Grange Hall. The show has moved several times as it grew larger and drew more and more interest from collectors, spectators and hobbyists eventually to its current location at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. The display of thousands of orchids takes up the large exhibit hall; and the small building called Warren Hall houses the vendors.  Growers come from far and near to display their prized exotic plants.  Many are also offered for sale. At its peak in 1999, the orchid show drew 14,000 people.

Orchids are at their peak several weeks before Easter and that's when growers start harvesting their crops.

John Rowe, an active member of the Santa Barbara Orchid community for more than 40years, is a member of the board of directors of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.  Although retired as a commercial grower, Mr. Rowe keeps a "small hobby collection of orchids" on his property.

Santa Barbara's semi-tropical climate is almost perfect for growing cymbidiums and orchids. Several of my many Cymbidiums have already finished blooming and there are many more to go.  My garden and home are always filled with orchids. 

England is the pioneer in the orchid world, Mr. Rowe stated during his interview with the Santa Barbara Newspress.  Even today orchids have to be registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in London.  During the WWII English Horticulturalists were afraid that most of the orchids would be destroyed so many were sent to the United States for safekeeping.

The Santa Barbara Show, one of the oldest in the nation, is considered the premier orchid show in the country. The Showgrounds becomes a magical paradise of exotic flowers.  Commercial growers create their dsiplays around a theme.  This year's theme is Nature in Harmony.

The above information was extrapolated from an article in the SB Newspress, the Facebook Page of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show,and the Santa Barbara Independent.

For the full story about the history of the show,  interviews and information go to:  http://www.newspress.com/, and http://www.independent.com/
photographs by Charles Rowden and Dick Clark  from the SBOrchidShow facebook page

Gems, Baubles & Bling

The GEM Faire is HERE!

Friday noon-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm

February 19, 20, 21

World-Renowned Dealers &  Exhibitors

Earl Warren Show Grounds

http://www.gemfaire.com/  

First you go to the GEM Show and spend all weekend deciding....

Then you get your tools out and start designing....

and designing, and......

it's like magic....

and magical....

and you wind up with all these beautiful baubles....

So then you have a BIG sale of all your wonderful creations

and you get your bestest friend to help you!

Busy, busy, busy!

Then you have to go back to the GEM FAIRE and start all over again!

we all have 'secret lives'; and this is mine!

Gold, Silver, Fine Jewelry, Beads, Gems, Crystals, Rocks and  Minerals

Classes and Demonstrations available.  Sign up on line.

http://www.gemfaire.com/

for more information see my post Carla's Baubles; SB Adult Education

See you at the Gem Fair!

The Santa Barbara Film Festival and the Canary

The 25th Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicked off Thursday evening with the arrival of the Montecito Honor Recipient, Julianne Moore.  Sandra Bullock received the American Riviera Award on Friday evening.  Both Awards were presented at the Arlington Theater.  The actresses spent time on the Red Carpet greeting fans who came out in large numbers in the rain to greet these beloved actresses.
Tonight, Saturday, James Cameron of Titanic and recently Avatar fame will be presented the Modern Masters Award.  James Cameron is a local resident.

Sandra Bulllock, America's "Miss Congeniality" in The Blind Side

The film festival runs for 10 Amazing Days and 11 Starry Nights with venues at numerous Santa Barbara Theaters.

I was on duty today in the Village Properties Real Estate Concierge Office at the Canary Hotel http://www.canarysantabarbara.com/, which was booked solid with Film attendees.  The restaurant said they were busy from dawn to dusk with Hotel Guests and locals.  The Canary is a fabulous newer hotel in the heart of down-town Santa Barbara.  Below is a view of the Pool deck.

http://www.canarysantabarbara.com/

Congratulations to the SBIFF 2010 for another successful run.

For more information on Festival Events and tickets, go to:  http://www.sbfilmfestival.org/ 

Visiting Los Olivos

My last post described the drive from Santa Barbara over Higway 154 (also referred to as the San Marcos Pass.  This map shows the route we travelled.

We drove first straight to Los Olivos as we planned to back-track to Solvang for a lunch of Bratwurst and Sour Kraut at the Heidelberg Inn's cafe.

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Wine Country covers the Santa Ynez Valley, with wine tasting rooms in Solvang, Santa Ynez and Los Olivos.  My favorite tasting rooms happen to be in Los Olivos; although the best tasting venues are at the wineries themselves.  The most practical way to do wine tasting at the numeous wineries is to take one of the many tours available.  Leave the driving to them, enjoy the ride without worry and learn a lot about the wineries and the history of the area from the tour guides on the bus. It is truly a fun experience.

http://www.welovewines.com/

Los Olivos was founded in 1861 with the establishment of the Overland/Coast Line State Station at Ballards, just south of present Los Olivos.  The stage ran from San Francisco through Los Olivos, south to Los Angeles and then on to San  Diego.

In 1887, Felix Mattei , anticipating the arrival of the Pacific Coast Railway, opened a hotel and tavern to accomodate rail and stage passengers.  Mattei's Tavern is still located in it's original spot just down from the center of town at 2350 Railway Avenue.  A beloved landmark and outstanding restaurant it is still a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy a great meal.  Restored to stagecoach day glory, Mattei's Brother's Restaurant is a glimpse into the past.  Velvet wallpaper, old family photographs and crackling fires in the various fireplaces are complemented and contrasted by the innovative wine country cuisine of brothers Matt and Jeff Nichols. Plan to make this a leisurely stop to fully enjoy and appreciate the cuisine and hospitality of Mattei's Tavern.

(information from Los Olivos Business Organization www.losolivosca.com/)

Some major points of interest in Los Olivos are:

 Fess Parker's (Davy Crocket) Wine Country Inn and Spa.  A fabulous Inn in the heart of Los Olivos.  Featuring wonderful rooms, cottages, spa facilities and a fine dining facility called Petros Los Olivos featuring upscale California-Hellenic Cuisine.  Dress is casual nice.  You won't find many people wearing ripped and torn blue jeans, although jeans are in order...the designer kind.

My husband and I have stayed at the Inn several times and very much enjoyed ourselves.  The Inn offers several packages including wine tasting at Fess' own winery. 

 For more information:  http://www.fessparker.com/inn2.htm/
Bring your bikes and come for a couple of days to enjoy this gorgeous valley.

Patrick's Side Street Cafe, located at 2375 Alamo Pintado is our favorite lunch stop in Los Olivos.  Patrick is the Chef and Proprietor of this charming cafe and restaurant.  Wonderful California Cuisine with lots of fresh and local food with a Side Street twist.  My husband is a 'meat and potato' man...and I prefer light, fresh and interesting fare...we both love it. No reservations required, but it is a popular place so go early...or if you have to wait...walk over to Woeste's down the street...

J. Woeste, located at 2356 Alamo Pintado Ave is a destination in itself!

Home and Garden Treasures of the most unusual kind...

an endless source of inspiration....

orchids, violets, begonias oh my!

wonderful vignettes and displays

have you ever seen happier plants and flowers?

a room with books, toys, stuffed animals and furniture for children

lots of wonderful artwork..some of it already in our home!

these my kind of Ravens...friendlier than the ones in my neighborhood.

A garden and nursery filled with fountains, statues, and an amazing variety of plants

These cherubs would look soooo fabulous in my garden....

yes...these are real chickens!

Woeste's specializes in unusual succulents.....

come to a special place to nurture your soul...

laugh...rejuvenate and...

visualize a wealth of ideas....

whatever your taste...whatever your space....

J. Woeste is a must stop in Los Olivos

What are YOU doing for Valentine's Day???

I can't think of a  more wonderful day to spend your Valentine's Day

lunch at Patrick's and a walk in the J. Woeste Garden!

Over the Hill to the Santa Ynez Valley

Last Sunday the sun came out after six straight days of rain! Very unusual here in Camelot.

Santa Barbarians seem to hibernate when it rains, so I decided to take a day off from Open Houses. My husband and I took take a drive over to one of our favorite spots in our area. The Santa Ynez Valley which is gorgeous this time of year, as is the 30 minute drive to get there.

We decided to take the Old San Marcos Pass (hwy 154) route going, and return along the Ocean and hwy 101.

Amazing dusting of snow on the Santa Ynez Mountain Range

Our Lake Cachuma named after the native Chumash Indians

Lake Cachuma is the water reservoir for the greater Santa Barbara Area
currently at 73% of capacity! Boating and Fishing ok but NO Swimming.

Another peek at the snow dusted SY Mountain Range

framed by the area's beautiful Live Oak Trees

Lake Cachuma is located in the Los Padres National Forest

There is a wonderful camp ground at the Lake, along with terrific fishing.

There are also outstanding lake tours with a guide to introduce visitors to the history of Bradbury Dam and the creation of the Lake as a reservoir, along with information about native wildlife. Information at http://countyofsb.org/parks

Historically the Santa Ynez Valley was known for its cattle ranching, equestrian ranches, alfalfa and wheat farming.

More recently, it's become known internationally as a fabulous wine growing region. The movie 'Sideways' was filmed here. Offering privacy and incredible geographical beauty, the Valley has also become home for many famous residents such as the former Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, former resident Jane Fonda's Laurel Springs Ranch, Tennis great Jimmy Conner, Bo Derrick of the movie "Ten"; and of course President Reagan's Western Whitehouse.

The Alisal Guest Ranch http://www.alisal.com/ and Golf Course is well known to golfers. It's a terrific get-a-way offering tennis, fishing, golf, 1st class accommodations, spa and fine dining. Rancho San Marcos Golf Course is located along Highway 154, and the River Course is located just outside of Solvang

Two must stops are the Cold Spring Tavern http://www.coldspringtavern.com/ a fabulous restaurant and tavern serving lunch and dinner (including wild game); located at the beginning of the San Marcos Pass traveling north from Santa Barbara, just beyond the large suspension bridge. Mattei's Tavern http://matteistavern.com/ outside of Los Olivos is also an outstanding restaurant for lunch and dinner. Both house fabulous restaurants. Cold Spring Tavern used to have a Jail right next to the Tavern. These were the two stops the Stage Coach made when traveling along the San Marcos Pass many years ago.

These two views are North West of Santa Ynez and Solvang looking back to San Marcos Pass

This is the heart of Wine Country

The rain has sure made the Valley beautiful. In another month or so, when the weather warms this area will be worth another trip to view the Wild Flowers!

Other points of interest are the Danish Town of Solvang. Lots of Danish Bakeries, shops, winetasting rooms and an exquisite Antique Shop. My husband loved his Knackwurst, sour kraut and red cabbage lunch at the Heidelberg Inn. This is also the home of Mission Santa Ynez.

Santa Ynez is actually a small adjacent village offering some wonderful shops and restaurants with more of an Old West flair.

The Chumash Casino 4 diamond Resort, www.ChumashCasino.com/home.aspx is the spot for those who love to gamble and play cards Las Vegas style or catch a great show. It is a venue for great performers and features a luxurious spa. The Chumash Resort is accessible by bus from Santa Barbara.

Also available for wine country tours is the Purple Bus from the movie "Sideways". Leave the driving to them and enjoy numerous wine tasting stops. I have taken guest both ways, driving myself (as DD) and the bus. Obviously I prefer the bus..and I learned a lot about the history of the wineries from the wonderful tour guide. http://www.welovewines.com/

Coming soon...our stop in charming Los Olivos!

CALM Antique Show January 29, 30 & 31

CALM's Antique and Vintage Decorative Arts Show & Sale

held at Earl Warren Show Grounds at Las Positas and Via Real

Friday 11-7 pm

Saturday 11- 6 pm

Sunday 11- 5 pm

Adults $6

Seniors (62+) $5

Children under 12 - free

all inlcude return privileges

parking is free

http://www.calmantiqueshow.com/

This event, more popular now than ever, brings 80 of the finest Antiques Dealers to Santa Barbara, and is held three times each year, at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Here are some photos of the October Show to give you a peek into this gorgeously staged event with Vendors from all over the State of California, and some as far away as France.

This is the elegant display by Antiques Dealer and Designer, Lynn Russell, based in Los Angeles

Lynn features beautifully framed antique drawings of estate landscape plans from Europe including Germany, France and England. In addition to unique and exquisite china, Lynn also carries stunning American 'coin' sterling serveware dating back to Paul Revere. Be sure to stop by Lynn's wonderful booth.

This is the new designer fashion in upholstery and home decor...the use of antique and vintage burlap, beautifully displayed by Kimberly Fraser of 3 Fine Grains. One of a kind designs from antique European grain sacks dating back nearly a century or more.
http://www.3finegrains.com/

This display is featuring all things French!


A stunning array of rugs and carpets...

One of my favorites...this designer, Jeana Hurst, incorporates new gems and pearls with vintage clasps, broaches and pendants.



Jeana shares her gorgeously designed space with Rick Bastain & John Aragone of FFB Antiques

This is an event not to be missed, even if you come only to "browse!"