Community Events
Heal The Ocean Here in Santa Barbara CA.
Categories: Community Events, Green Living, Lifestyle / Things to Do, The Oceanfront Areas
Looking for a great organization to get behind here locally in Santa Barbara. Heal The Ocean should be at the top of your list for too many obvious reasons to list.
What Does Heal The Ocean Do? (as taken from their website) Their philosophy is simple…The ocean can no longer be used as a dump. Heal the Ocean is doing all it can to attack all sources of ocean pollution. Their basic premise consists of lobbying the government for action on ocean-pollution issues, studying the problems themselves and recommending practical solutions.
They undertake scientific studies to identify sources of pollution - from leaking sewer pipes, offshore sewage disposal, leaking coastal landfills or septic systems. They test for viruses in the ocean, creeks and groundwater to determine if human sources of pollution are present, and what are the likely sources. In cooperation with Santa Barbara County, Heal the Ocean pioneered both the use of environmental DNA testing and virus testing in the local area.
They have been successful in commissioning numerous engineering studies and environmental assessments to determine the cost and feasibility of replacing septic systems, upgrading sewage treatment plants and installing storm-water treatment technology.
They have found that once the problem is known and cleanup costs are understood, the public is eager to move forward with cleanup, and more willing to pay the price.
Last night, I was privileged to be amongst a wonderful group of roughly 300+ people celebrating Heal The Ocean’s 10 Year Anniversary at a private Montecito Estate. Fun amongst friends for a GREAT cause was the feeling throughout the night. Special guests included an opening 40 minutes of music by our adopted part-time resident Jack Johnson and friend Zach Gill. Following this was a welcoming speech by Julia Louis Dreyfus filled with the usual comedy. Then Hillary Hauser herself, raffle drawings, awards, a film by a local 17 year old, an auction, continuous food, drink, conversation and music.
Each year this annual Fund Raising Event is held in August and does a wonderful job in bringing the local community together to support OUR OCEAN.
If you are interested in real estate here in Santa Barbara, Montecito and/or our surrounding areas, as well as any other aspects of life here, please don’t hesitate to contact Kevin Schmidtchen at Sotheby’s Int’l Realty.
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Summer Art, Festivals and Culture in Santa Barbara CA!!!
Categories: Community Events, Lifestyle / Things to Do
One of the amazing luxuries of living in Santa Barbara is the amount of culture and art that exists here. As the summer approaches for 2008, I wanted to point out a few of my favorite cultural highlights that I think should not be missed.
Music Acadamy of the West is a wonderful venue to see live orchestra and intimate concerts. The Music Academy of the West has been recognized “as one of the world’s preeminent summer music programs for gifted pre-professional classical musicians.” Their festivities kick off June 23rd.
The Lobero is a great venue to see live performing arts including music, dance and theatre. The Lobero Theatre is a huge asset to our community as a place for performing arts.
The Santa Barbara Bowl has been a major stop on the circuit for all musicians and for many of them it is one of the top 2 small venues in the entire country to perform. It is the largest outdoor amphitheater in Santa Barbara with around a capacity of 4500. Festivities kick off in June with upcoming acts such as Robert Plant, James Taylor, The Gipsy Kings and more.
Nights is a cultural stop at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art one night a month. Live music and performances, art exhibits and activities and multi-sensory delights. Upcoming Dates are June 19th, July 17th, August 21 and September 18.
First Thursday is a new and very enjoyable program highlighting downtown arts, entertainment and culture on the first Thursday of each month from 5-8 p.m. You can collect a venue map at most all locations. Stroll with friends from location to location for a wonderful night out to enjoy free access to art in a fun and social environment.
Further Reading: Treat Your Kitchen’s Home to Food from The Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market, The Secret of The Santa Barbara Channel Islands, Looking for an Active Vacation in The Beach Town of Santa Barbara?
Kevin Schmidtchen - Thank you for reading. I hope you find Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice informative. Please feel free to contact me or comment below with any thoughts.
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Your Santa Barbara Weekend Home Getaway
Categories: Community Events, Lifestyle / Things to Do, Santa Barbara
For those longing for the feeling of getting away from Santa Barbara for a few days, a favorite weekend away for many has been El Capitan Canyon. This “luxury campground” is located only about a 25 minutes north of Santa Barbara CA and 15 minutes north of Goleta. The picturesque and semi rustic location in a seaside pocket on 300 plus acres on the Pacific coast, the nature lodging experience at El Capitan Canyon was created for those needing a few days to unwind, relax and touch base with nature.
The combination of many traditional resort amenities with the minimalism of the overall experience, El Capitan Canyon has created a pure comfort form many couples as well as families to come to enjoy. A small rustic home away from your Santa Barbara home, El Capitan is a return to many of life’s simple beauties.
Starting in April and continuing through early October, the Saturday night canyon concert series is one of my favorite excursions out of Santa Barbara. The intimate “concerts” are held in a great open-air venue in El Capitan Canyon that is extremely kid friendly with a huge outdoor fire pit and lawn area. You will find children roasting marshmallows over the open fire, people talking and dancing, while others are stuffing their bellies from the huge BBQ that is grilled up each time. You are also allowed to bring your own personal pick-nick baskets and drinks.
Kevin Schmidtchen - Thank you for reading. I hope you find Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice informative. Please feel free to comment below with any thoughts.
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Treat your Kitchen’s Home to Food from The Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market
Categories: Community Events, Green Living, Lifestyle / Things to Do
The local Santa Barbara Certified Farmer’s Market is simply a huge blessing and treat for all those who live in the Santa Barbara area. Founded in 1983, the local Farmer’s Market was established to provide California farmers with the ability to directly access a market for their agricultural products to the local community. For the Santa Barbara community, it has provided a tasty and entertaining way to help support are local farmers, the environment, as well as put great food into our homes. Prepare yourself to come across several unusual fruits and vegetables you have never seen before. Innovative growers come up with many various hybrids of more common foods we are used to. This feeling of discovery is often one of the unique joys each week of visiting the Farmer’s Market.
For many, the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market has helped enhance a grassroots sense of community. Strolling from booth to booth, sampling food, listening to live music and entertainment and inevitably running into friends, the Farmer’s Market is a terrific addition to the Santa Barbara community’s quality of life.
Winter and Summer hours for the Farmer’s Market vary as well as produce depending on the season, so it is best to take a look at the website to find out the latest information.
• Sundays: Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta
• Tuesdays: Old Town Santa Barbara at the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street
• Wednesdays: La Cumbre Plaza; Solvang Village
• Thursdays: Goleta at the 5700 block of Calle Real; Carpinteria at the 800 block of Linden Avenue
• Fridays: Montecito at the 1100 and 1200 block of Coast Village Road
• Saturdays: Downtown at Cota and Santa Barbara streets
Kevin Schmidtchen - Thank you for reading. I hope you find Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice informative. Please feel free to comment below with any thoughts.
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Santa Barbara International Film Festival Kicks Off!!
Categories: Community Events, Lifestyle / Things to Do, Santa Barbara
The 23rd installment of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) kicks off tonight and continues through February 3rd, featuring 220 films including 20 World Premieres, located in various venues throughout Santa Barbara. The festival itself has grown tremendously in the last 5 years under the direction of Roger Durling.
For locals, one of the greatest aspects of the SBIFF is the representation of local directors and film makers from the Santa Barbara, Montecito and surrounding areas. View the entire schedule of events, films, talks, tributes, panels, directors…you name it.
This years honorees for various awards are:
Cate Blanchett receiving the esteemed Modern Master Award, moderated by long-time friend o’ the fest, Leonard Maltin on Saturday, January 26.
Javier Bardem receiving The Montecito Award, moderated by SBIFF Director Roger Durling on Monday, January 28.
Ryan Gosling receiving the newly-created Independent Award, moderated by Entertainment Weekly Bureau Chief Sean Smith on Tuesday, January 29.
Tommy Lee Jones receiving the American Riviera Award, sponsored by The Bluffs along the Santa Barbara Coast and moderated by another long-time friend, Pete Hammond, on Friday, February 1.
Angelina Jolie receiving the Outstanding Performance of the Year Award, moderated by Pete Hammond on Saturday, February 2.
Learn more about Santa Barbara and Montecito.
Kevin Schmidtchen - Thank you for reading. I hope you find Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice informative. Please feel free to comment below with any thoughts.
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