Editor’s Pick: Parade of Lights

Posted on December 7, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Parade of Lights, courtesy photo

Santa Barbara is always a beautiful place to celebrate the holiday season, and one of the most unique and charming events is the annual Parade of Lights, when boat owners literally “deck the hulls with bows of holly” and lots of glorious lights, then motor, sail and paddle between Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Breakwater. | Dec. 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Santa Barbara Harbor. santabarbaraca.gov.

–Leslie Dinaberg

This story originally appeared in the winter 2015/16 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Cocktail Corner: Labor Day Libations

Posted on September 4, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Savor the last sips of summer this weekend with some delicious, refreshing Labor Day cocktails!

Here are a few recipes to get your creative juices flowing:

Doit Avoir

Doit Avoir, courtesy Magrino

This award-winning cocktail is garnished with gold, sure to impress the guests at your Labor Day party.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Torres Orange Liqueur

1/2 oz. Ramazotti Amaro

3/4 oz. Fresh lime juice

1 Egg white

Dash of Gold dust powder

House made saffron bitters

Topped with Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Réserve

Garnished with a flamed orange peel

Preparation:

Shake and strain first four ingredients into a coupe or flute, top with Champagne.

Milagro Tequila Red Belly Margarita

Ingredients:

Milagro Tequila Red Belly Margarita, courtesy Magrino

2 Parts Milagro Silver Tequila

1 Part Fresh Lime Juice

.75 Part Agave Nectar

¼ Red Bell Pepper

2 Slices of Serrano Pepper

Garnish: Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt

Preparation:

Muddle red bell pepper and Serrano in a Boston shaker.

Add remaining ingredients, add ice and shake vigorously.

Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass rimmed with a cracked black pepper and sea salt mix.

Solerno Blood Orange & Berry Punch

Solerno Blood Orange & Berry Punch, courtesy Magrino

A simple punch full of the “berry-best” flavors summer has to offer!

(Serves 25 people)

Ingredients:

1 Bottle Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur

1 Bottle Lillet Rouge

12 oz. Red Zinger Tea (brewed at 2x strength)

6 oz. agave nectar

6 oz. fresh lemon juice

6 oz. berry blend puree (Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Red Grapes)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and stir well. Float an ice block in the center and garnish with floating blueberries, raspberries, halved grapes, blood orange slices and a few mint leaves.

Flor de Caña Pina Colada

Ingredients:

Flor de Caña Pina Colada, courtesy Magrino

2.5 parts Flor de Caña 7 Rum

3 parts pineapple juice

1 part coconut cream

Preparation:

Combine the Flor de Caña 7, pineapple juice and coconut cream in a blender.

Add cup of crushed ice and blend on high until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Flora Dora

This simple Flora Dora cocktail holds onto the last light, refreshing flavors of

Flora Dora, courtesy Magrino

summer!

Ingredients:

2 Parts Hendrick’s Gin

1 Part Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 Part Raspberry Syrup

Topped with Ginger Beer

Preparation:

Build all ingredients in a high ball glass over cubed ice. Churn and serve.

Enjoy the holiday weekend. Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on September 4, 2015.

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Cocktail Corner: Festive Drinks for the Fourth

Posted on July 3, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

What better time to raise a glass than on the 4th of July. Here a few fun recipes to impress your guests, both this weekend and throughout the entire summer!

True Blue Cocktail, courtesy photo

True Blue Cocktail

1 oz. CÎROC Vodka

1/2 oz. Blue Curacao

1/4 oz. Grapefruit Juice

1/2 oz. Simple Sugar

Mix ingredients and serve in a martini glass.

Grand Lemon-Peach Sparkler

Grand Peach Lemon Sparkler, courtesy photo

1/2 oz. simple syrup

1 oz. Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

2 oz. Chandon Limited Edition American Summer Rosé

Lemon wedges for garnish

Pour the Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach, lemon juice and simple syrup into a rocks glass. Stir to combine. Add the Rosé. Fill the glass with ice and add a lemon wedge. Serve with a straw.

Hendrick’s Cucumber Lemonade, courtesy photo

Hendrick’s Cucumber Lemonade

3 parts Hendrick’s Gin

2 parts fresh lemon juice

2 parts simple syrup

Sparkling Water

In a long glass combine ingredients. Add ice, top with sparkling water, give a gentle stir and garnish with a cucumber spears.

Hard Shandy

Hard Shandy, courtesy photo

1 ½ Oz Tullamore D.E.W. Original

1/3 Oz Freshly squeezed Lemonade

8 ½ Oz Wheat Beer or Hefeweizen (Fill remaining of 10.5 Oz glass)

In a pilsner glass add Tullamore D.E.W. followed by lemonade. Finish with beer and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Long Island Iced Tea, courtesy photo

Long Island Iced Tea

0.5 Oz Reyka Vodka

0.25 Oz Hendrick’s Gin

0.25 Oz Milagro Silver Core Tequila

0.75 Oz Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

1 Oz Lemon Juice

0.75 Oz Honey

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

1.5 Oz Ginger Beer

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into tall glass with ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint sprig.

White Star Peach cocktail, courtesy photo

White Star Peach

1 oz CÎROC Peach

0.25 oz Apple Liqueur

0.25 oz Rioja White Wine

1.5zoz Ginger Ale

0.5 oz Simple Syrup
Combine ingredients on the rocks and garnish with a slice of ginger and a lime wheel.

Berry Explosive, courtesy photo

Berry Explosive

4 parts Milagro Silver Tequila

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

2 parts Agave Nectar

8 Raspberries per batch

12 Blueberries per batch

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Fill two glasses with crushed or shaved ice and pour over. Top with raspberries and blueberries.

Solerno Blood Orange & Berry Punch

(Serves 25 people)

1 Bottle Lillet Rouge

Solerno Blood Orange and Berry Punch, courtesy photo

12 oz. Red Zinger Tea (brewed at 2x strength)

6 oz. agave nectar

6 oz. fresh lemon juice

6 oz. berry blend puree (Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Red Grapes)

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and stir well. Float an ice block in the center and garnish with floating blueberries, raspberries, halved grapes, blood orange slices and a few mint leaves

Lillet Rouge Sangria, courtesy photo

Lillet Rouge Sangria

3 parts Lillet Rouge

½ part fresh lime juice

Lemon-lime soda (2 – 2 liter bottles)

Diced fresh fruit of choice (blueberries, raspberries or blackberries and oranges, etc.)

Build cocktail over ice in a wine glass or Collins glass and stir to combine. Top with lemon-lime soda and garnish with an orange slice.

Flor de Caña Pineapple Daiquiri

Flor de Caña Pineapple Daiquiri, courtesy photo

2 parts Flor de Caña 7 Rum

2 parts pineapple juice

1/3 part fresh lime juice

2/3 part extra-fine sugar

Combine the pineapple juice, rum, lime juice, sugar, and ½ cup ice in a cocktail shaker and shake to chill. Strain into a stemmed cocktail glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge.

Have a wonderful holiday. Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Recipes courtesy Susan Magrino Agency and Ciroc.

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinabergwrites magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on July 3, 2015.

Local Lowdown: Class-y Gifting

Posted on December 29, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

By Leslie Dinaberg

In a season chock-full of stuff, the notion of learning a new skill, or improving upon an old one, through taking a class is a great way to give someone a gift that keeps on giving—providing memorable experiences and perhaps even spurring lasting new interests. Here are some class-y gift suggestions for everyone on your list.

Courtesy Eat This, Shoot That!

Eat This, Shoot That!

One glance at Instagram is all it takes to know that food shots are all the rage. Learn how to take fantastic food and travel photos while tasting delicious food and drinks in and around Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone with this unique tour. (800/979-3370, 805/699-6719, eatthisshootthat.com) Eat This, Shoot That! owner Tara Jones and her crew take you to taste and shoot at Deep Sea Winery, Santa Barbara Shellfish Co., Lucky Penny, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Cutler’s Artisan Spirits, Riverbench Winery, Koval Confections and Seven Bar + Kitchen. In addition to photography tips and nibbles and tipples, the tour also offers tidbits of Santa Barbara history.

Polo Play

Learn the fast-paced game of polo at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where John Westley’s world-renowned polo school has taught players of all skill levels for more than 20 years (805/729-2812, sbpoloschool.com). The club offers a variety of options to learn to play polo for beginners and to fine tune polo skills for more advanced players.

Make Music

Studies have shown that learning music enhances brain power, improves memory and boosts performance. What a great gift to give to someone at any age! Learn to sing or play an instrument at Santa Barbara School of Music (805/699-5594, schoolofmusicsb.com), where the goal is to make learning to sing or play an instrument a fun, rewarding and positive experience.

Santa Barbara Centre for Aerial Arts, courtesy photo

Up in the Air

Has the same old, same old exercise routine gotten stale? Santa Barbara Rock Gym’s skilled staff teaches aspiring rock hounds of all ages everything from beginner climber safety and climbing techniques to advanced bouldering skills (805/770-3225, sbrockgym.com). For a completely different type of high flying fun, check out Cloud 10 Jump Club (805/617-3900, cloud10jumpclub.com); with almost 19,000 square feet of trampolines to play on, the club is also home to the C10 “Air Academy” training center for trampoline and tumbling classes, camps and flipping clinics. Also up in the air for fun and fitness are classes at Santa Barbara Centre for Aerial Arts (805/284-8785, sbaerial.com), including intensive stretching and conditioning, static trapeze, aerial sling, the art of balance and more.

Dance Fever

Dance to your heart’s content at Santa Barbara Dance Center (805/899-2901, santabarbaradancecenter.com), where lessons are offered in Brazilian dancing, Bollywood fusion, world dance, salsa, Argentine tango and more. Arthur Murray Dance Center (805/963-6658, arthurmurraysantabarbara.com) gets students out on the floor for a wide variety of Latin, country Western and ballroom dances, including the waltz, jitterbug, fox trot, cha cha, Texas two-step, swing, Polka, merengue, quickstep and more.

Adventure Awaits

Yearning to get out on the water? Santa Barbara Adventure Company (805/884-9283, sbadventureco.com) offers standup paddling lessons, surf lessons, paragliding and kayaking. Santa Barbara Sailing Center (800/350-9090, sbsail.com) has more than 40 charter boats in its program and a large staff of instructors to accommodate sailors of all levels. In addition to one-on-one lessons, it also offers plenty of live-aboard instructional vacation options to choose from, as well as regularly scheduled group classes.

The WOODS Art Studio offers creative mixed-media classes, date nights, art parties and more. Photo courtesy The Woods Art Studio.

Grow Artsy

Get out a paintbrush and get back to nature at the same time at The WOODS Art Studio, a fun sunlit outdoor studio in the Santa Barbara foothills, where LeAnne Iverson offers both private and small group classes in mixed media painting, collage, Photoshop techniques, acrylics, art journaling, mosaics, found object construction and art parties (including bachelorette gatherings, date nights and singles nights) for children/teens and adults (646/369-7277, facebook.com/thewoodsartstudio). For a more traditional approach, Santa Barbara Museum of Art (805/884-6457, sbmuseart.org) offers a wide variety of studio art classes at Ridley-Tree Education Center, including instruction in watercolor and acrylic painting.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Winter 2014/15.

Celebrate Family Holiday Movie Weekend at the Granada Theatre

Posted on December 12, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Granada Holiday Movie Weekend

Enjoy the magic of the holidays at The Granada Theatre’s Family Holiday Movie Weekend on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14! In addition to screening holiday movie favorites with the only 4K cinema projection system in the region, Santa Claus will make a special visit to The Granada Theatre to greet children, and there will be special seasonal musical performances by local school and musical groups including Montecito Union Elementary, La Colina Junior High, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara High School and local public elementary school students from the Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) program.

Here’s the schedule:

Saturday, December 13

11 a.m. Music by Montecito Union Elementary

Movies: Merry Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda

noon to 1:30 p.m. Meet Santa Claus!

3 p.m. Music by San Marcos High School Madcappella Choir

Movie: White Christmas

7 p.m. Music by La Colina Junior High Outburst Choir

Movie: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Sunday, December 14

11 a.m. to noon Meet Santa Claus!

noon Music by Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) group Pacific Choir

Movie: Miracle On 34^th Street

5 p.m. Music by Santa Barbara High School Madrigals Choir

Movie: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas

General Admission tickets are just $5 and include open seating. Reserved seating in the Loge is available for $10 per ticket. Click here to purchase tickets for each music and movie performance, or by calling The Granada Theatre’s Box Office at 805/899-2222. The Granada is located at 1214 State St.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 10, 2014.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Posted on December 12, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

David Melville, courtesy photo

The Granada Theatre presents the holiday classic, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, performed by actor David Melville as a one man show on Friday, December 12 at 8 p.m. in the McCune Founders Room.

Recapture the spirit of an old-fashioned 19th century Christmas with this timeless classic, with nearly all of your favorite characters performed by Melville as Charles Dickens.

In his lifetime, Dickens was famous for performing dramatic interpretations of his own work. In what has become a holiday tradition, the Independent Shakespeare Company (ISC) re-creates, with a great deal of artistic license, the experience. A young actress joins Melville, and what follows is an evening of wry humor, romance and redemption.

Click here to purchase tickets for what is sure to be a lively performance, or by calling The Granada Theatre’s Box Office at 805/899-2222. The Granada is located at 1214 State St.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 10, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Haunted Halloween Cocktails

Posted on October 24, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Grand Marnier Raspberry Jolly Rancher, courtesy Grand Marnier

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

It’s a spooky time of the year, and with Halloween on a Friday this time around, it’s a perfect time to imbibe in something haunted—and fun—to honor this holiday.

The folks at Grand Marnier have created a candy-inspired cocktail which is quite delicious. Here’s the recipe they’ve so generously shared:

Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach Jolly Rancher

Created by mixologist George Carney

2 oz Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach

1 oz peach liqueur

Splash of cranberry juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Carr Winery Halloween Bash Also in the candy-themed spirit is this Candy Corn Cordial recipe from cocktails.about.com, featuring Tequila and Butterscotch Schnapps.

For something a little more on the savory side, try Michael’s Bloody Maria, from Food Network Chef Michael Chiarello, or this Gin-based Vampire Ritual from DrinkoftheWeek.com.

Don’t feel like mixing your own drinks? Carr Winery‘s annual Halloween bash on Oct. 31 sounds like loads of fun. Featuring live music by the Rat Poison Pack (!), the festivities are from 7:30-11 p.m. at the tasting room at 414 N. Salsipuedes St. Costumes are required (but of course!) and tickets are just $15 in advance or $20 if available at the door.

There also the annual Voodoo Lounge Halloween Dance Party upstairs on the roof at the Canary (31 W. Carrillo St.), which is sure to be rocking. Here’s a video about what to expect:

Hope your weekend is sweet and spooky. Cheers to whatever gets you in the holiday spirit!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 24, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

Solvang’s “Scarecrow Fest” and Halloween Fun Start This Week

Posted on October 9, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Scarecrow Fest, Grand Prize Winner, Buellton Valley Pets. Photo by Tenley Fohl Photography.

The beginning of Solvang’s 5th Annual Scarecrow Fest coincides with the Santa Barbara Wine Country Celebration of Harvest Weekend, then there are numerous fall activities planned in the Santa Ynez Valley/Santa Barbara Wine Country, spread throughout the month.

Running from Oct. 10-Nov. 10, some of the festival highlights include:

-The amazing scarecrow contest, where Solvang businesses, organizations and, as a new facet to this year’s contest, Solvang residents, will participate in the contest by featuring a scarecrow of their own creation, posted at their location. You can vote via ballot boxes scattered about the city, for scarecrow winners in six different categories: “Best Scarecrow in Motion,” “Best Use of Recycled Materials,” “Best Use of a Business Theme,” “Most Danish,” “Spookiest” and “Most Humorous.” Ballots are available at the Solvang Visitors Center and at select Solvang businesses, and feature maps to direct voters to each of the contest’s scarecrows.

Once a “Best Solvang Scarecrow” winner has been chosen, it will be entered into the Santa Ynez Valley-wide competition with the respective winners from Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez, to determine the “Valley’s Best Scarecrow” bragging rights.

Solvang Scarecrow Fest, Best of Solvang Lucas & Lewellen, #1 Judges Choice Winner. Photo by Tenley Fohl Photography.

–The October installment of Solvang’s Third Wednesday, to be held on October 15, which will feature a “Fall Frolic Block Party” at the town’s “West End” including live music, free treats, a local business-supporting “Cash Mob” and free admission to the Wildling Art Museum.

–The Oct. 15 “Fall Frolic,” Lemos-sponsored doggie costume contest and parade kicks off at 5:45 p.m., with prizes – $20 Lemos gift certificates – being awarded for best costumes in three categories: “Funniest,” “Scariest” and “Most Original.” To enter the costume contest, human handlers should show up in front of Lemos (1511 Mission Dr.) by 5:45 p.m., with their animal counterparts. Along the “parade” route, a handful of Solvang’s West End businesses will be upping the “free” and “food” antes including Wandering Dog Wine Bar, (1539-C Mission Dr.) which will be offering gratis Rosemary Spiced Nuts, as well as free cider and nibbles in front of Kandra’s Beads (1539-A Mission Dr.).

-The 21st Annual Haunted House and Street Fair, which will thrill visitors with food, fun and spirits, on Oct. 30-31. The Haunted House and Street Fair, to be held at the Solvang Festival Theater (420 2nd Street), will include a “Trunk or Treat” candy-palooza among other tasty and spirited delights.

Additional information is available at www.solvangthirdwednesday.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Solvang Scarecrow Fest, Best Use of Recycled Materials, Waste Management, courtesy photo.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 8, 2014.

History + Harvest in the Santa Rita Hills

Posted on July 24, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Hibbits Grove, courtesy Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

Hosted by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County on July 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., this excursion starts with a private, docent led tour through the grounds of La Purisima Mission. Founded in 1787, there is much to learn about its history, community, restoration, and preservation—a treasure not to be missed!

After the tour, you’ll go to Hibbits Family Ranch, less than one mile west of the Mission, for a farm to table lunch including a sample of Hibbits’ walnuts and wines and a talk about local walnut harvesting by Ranch owner, Art Hibbits. You will wrap up the afternoon with a casual walk through the orchards and vineyards with exceptional views of the valley.

The Hibbits family, long standing advocates for local agriculture, decided to protect the scenic and agricultural value of their land through a voluntary conservation agreement with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. The Hibbits Ranch is the largest single landholding within a 2000-acre block of fertile farmland bordered by the City of Lompoc, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the Santa Ynez River and Santa Rosa Hills.

La Purisima Mission is located at 2295 Purisima Rd., Lompoc.

About the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

Since 1985, The Land Trust has worked with willing landowners, public and private grant agencies and other community organizations to protect, restore and manage open space, wildlife habitat and agricultural land in Santa Barbara County by:

• Acquiring land and conservation easements through negotiation with willing private property owners, through charitable donation and purchase.
• Creating conservation plans, restoration projects and incentives for landowners. Raising private donations and grants from government, foundations and corporations to support land conservation.
• Promoting the preservation, stewardship and restoration of wildlife habitat and watershed resources on the land we protect.
• Educating both children and adults about ecology, agriculture and conservation through programs and events at Land Trust preserves. To date, The Land Trust has protected 23,000 acres of land and has completed or is underway on close to twenty habitat restoration, open space and trail projects.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 23, 2014.

Halloween Scares up Money and Merriment

Posted on October 28, 2011 by lesliedinaberg

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of samattiw/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You can buy a lot of wax lips, slutty pumpkin costumes and glow-in-the-dark plastic maggots for $6.9 billion. The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual survey, conducted by BigResearch, says that seven in 10 Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year. That’s up from 64% last year, and is the most celebrants in the National Retail Federation survey’s 10-year history.

More than 30% of adults aged 18 and above plan to attend a party this year, according to a report from Morpace Omnibus. The most active partygoers are adults aged 18-34 (54%) Of course, these are the most active partygoers for Groundhog Day parties and Superbowl parties and Punctuation Day parties too.

Only 29% of people between the ages of 35-54 are attending a Halloween party this year, but I’m sure that has nothing to do with the slutty costume selections and our out-of-shape drinking muscles and everything to do with the fact that Halloween is on a Monday this year and some of us oldsters still really like Dancing With the Stars.

While the holiday has always been an opportunity to let loose and have a bit of fun, there’s a lot more to acquire on Halloween than adorable bite-sized candy bars. That $6.9 billion in spending is up from $5.8 billion a year ago, which is scary good news for retailers.

The BigResearch survey found that the average person plans to spend $72.31 on the holiday, with spending on costumes alone expected to exceed $2.5 billion, spending on candy to reach $2 billion, and $1.88 billion for decorations.

Yowza.

Why are we so enamored with inflatable skeletons, candy corn, and fake cobwebs? I’ve got a few theories:

Halloween is the naughty little sister of Christmas.

There are parties and candy associated with both, but little sis (Halloween) is a lot looser than big sis (Christmas). She doesn’t feel that same sense of tradition and responsibility. She just wants to have fun. Instead of mistletoe, which must be grown or purchased, little sis (Halloween) has cobwebs, which you can find for free at my house. Big sis (Christmas) takes herself so seriously, with all that ritual stuff about keeping traditions alive, not to mention the cooking, the tipping, the shopping, the wrapping, the cards. … No wonder she gets migraines.

Halloween is the new Christmas.

It comes earlier, lasts longer, and gets more expensive every year. While the boatloads of mini Snickers and paper pumpkin decorations that adorn store aisles just minutes after the Valentine’s Day conversation hearts and cupids are put on clearance pale in comparison to the plethora of dancing Santas, candy canes and fake snow, that’s only because my Christmas shopping theory of “one for you, one for me” is finally catching on. Otherwise, Halloween would be winning the consumer consumption race by now since the only “green” thing about it is the glow-in-the- dark goblins. Just think about how many of your Halloween purchases are edible (Reese’s peanut butter cups must be consumed within a week or they will haunt you), potentially delinquent (pumpkins will either end up as roadkill or as a landscape accoutrement to toilet paper), or non-repeatable (like that Sarah Palin costume from 2008).

The Grinch stole Christmas, but the adults stole Halloween.

Increasingly, adults have been elbowing children out of the way to claim Halloween as their own. After all, what’s not to like about a holiday where you can dress up in an esoteric costume and pat yourself on the back for being smarter than other people when you continually have to explain what you are. Or a holiday where you can knock on someone’s door while wearing a mask and don’t have to worry about them calling the cops, or better yet you can eat mini candy bars and fantasize that you’ve become a giant.

Halloween is the baggage-less Christmas.

The very best thing about Halloween is that it’s the only holiday no one can claim you’re “forgetting the true meaning of.” Halloween is all about the two “C’s”: costumes and candy. Think about it. You get to wear slutty or scary (or slutty and scary) costumes and no one gives you a hard time, and then you get to demand chocolate from other people because you did so.

Now that’s my kind of holiday.

—

Leslie’s favorite Halloween joke is: “What did one ghost say to the other ghost? Do you believe in people?” Send yours to Leslie@LeslieDinaberg.com. For more columns visit www.LeslieDinaberg.com.

Originally published in the Santa Barbara Daily Sound on October 28, 2011.

LeslieDinaberg.com

Leslie Dinaberg Editor & Writer

Category Archives: Holidays

Editor’s Pick: Parade of Lights

Cocktail Corner: Labor Day Libations

Cocktail Corner: Festive Drinks for the Fourth

Celebrate Family Holiday Movie Weekend at the Granada Theatre

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Cocktail Corner: Haunted Halloween Cocktails

Solvang’s “Scarecrow Fest” and Halloween Fun Start This Week

History + Harvest in the Santa Rita Hills

Halloween Scares up Money and Merriment

Leslie’s favorite Halloween joke is: “What did one ghost say to the other ghost? Do you believe in people?” Send yours to Leslie@LeslieDinaberg.com. For more columns visit www.LeslieDinaberg.com.

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Leslie’s favorite Halloween joke is: “What did one ghost say to the other ghost? Do you believe in people?” Send yours to Leslie@LeslieDinaberg.com. For more columns visit www.LeslieDinaberg.com.

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