MCASB LAUNCHES 2016 DREAM HOME RAFFLE

Posted on September 2, 2016 by lesliedinaberg

MCA Santa Barbara Dream Home Raffle, courtesy photo.

Are you dreaming of a beautiful Santa Barbara home with city and ocean views? Here’s your chance to win that dream house, and support Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) at the same time!

The MCASB Dream Home Raffle has been the primary fundraiser for the Museum of Contemporary Art for over a decade. This entrepreneurial way to fundraise has been a successful way to bring free arts programming, world-class exhibitions, and contemporary art to the Central Coast.

This year, the grand prize is a 4000+ square foot home that sits on three acres and has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a separate studio unit with an office. From city lights to the Pacific coastline to the Channel Islands, the MCASB Dream Home offers a luxurious way to experience the best of Santa Barbara. In addition, more than 2,500 prizes are available throughout the raffle, offering participants a 1 in 20 chance to win.

MCA Santa Barbara Dream Home Raffle, courtesy photo.

Since the raffle began in 2005, it has raised over $6 million, helping host over 100,000 visitors, directly funding free arts programming, and bringing world-class exhibitions to Central Coast audiences and beyond. In just the last year, MCASB raffles have impacted community members.

In addition to winning the dream home or a $3 million cash prize, there are numerous options for those who have a winning ticket, including luxury cars, vacations, MacBook Air, cash prizes and more. For a complete list of prizes, visit SBHomeRaffle.com.

MCA Santa Barbara Dream Home Raffle, courtesy photo.

Tickets must be purchased by October 21. During the raffle, two early-bird drawings will be held. The grand prize drawing is November 11. Winners will be announced on SBHomeRaffle.com.

To enter the Raffle, call 888/402-9222 or go toSBHomeRaffle.com. and register online. Ticket purchasers must be 18 years or older, have U.S. residency and meet other requirements in the Rules and Regulations as specified at SBHomeRaffle.com.

MCA Santa Barbara Dream Home Raffle, courtesy photo.

MCASB is a nonprofit, non-collecting museum dedicated to the exhibition, education, and cultivation of the arts of our time. Formerly Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (CAF), MCASB is the premier venue for contemporary art between Los Angeles and San Francisco. MCASB is located at the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center Upper Arts Terrace downtown. Exhibitions are also on view at MCASB Satellite @ Hotel Indigo Santa Barbara at 121 State St.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on September 1, 2016.

iSurf 3rd Annual Block Party

Posted on August 29, 2016 by lesliedinaberg

isurf block party Don’t miss iSurf’s 3rd Annual Block Party at Casa De La Guerra on Sept. 3. This is always a really fun event, and it benefits a really great cause: the Watergirl Fund (a program of the Surf Like a Girl Foundation!)—a nonprofit community surf program that provides needs-based surf programming to underserved girls in the Santa Barbara and Ventura communities. See our story on the nonprofit from summer 2016.

Early bird tickets are available now and include food from Full of Life Flatbread, ice cream from McConnell’s, music from Green Flag Summer, a silent auction, live auction, wine, beer and lots of good times!

Alelia Parenteau, director of the program, explains, “The Watergirl Program launched two years ago with the intention of introducing the wonders of surfing to girls who would not normally have access to the sport. We continue to work closely with Girls Inc Santa Barbara and inspire girls to try something new and exciting. The program continues to FAR exceeded our expectations two years in and so many girls are getting to experience the stoke of surfing. Last year we raised almost $20,000, which allowed us to close to 500 total lessons, completely free of charge. The girls who participated would not have been able to attend without the valuable support of the community and the confidence, camaraderie and community they gained from the experience is unparalleled. Additionally, the Surf Like a Girl Foundation is a 1% For the Planet Non-Profit Member—committed to doing good for the planet as well as young surfers.”

The event takes place from 5-9 p.m. on Sept. 3 at Casa De La Guerra – 15 E. De La Guerra St. Check out the the Foundation’s website to learn more about the program: www.SurfLikeaGirl.org

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on August 26, 2016.

Cocktail Corner: Fermentation Festival Kicks Off With a Mule of a Competition

Posted on August 26, 2016 by lesliedinaberg

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

Fermentation Festival Moscow Mule Competition The 6th annual Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival is coming up on Sept. 11, but first up is a pre-festival event called the Year of the Mule Cocktail Competition, from 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 30, at The Good Lion (1212 State St.).

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Moscow Mule, both professional and amateur cocktail enthusiasts will compete for a variety of fun prizes. Criteria include taste appeal, visual appeal, story/background and time management! The deadline to sign up is Aug. 26. Click here for more details and entry instructions.

In addition, tickets are now on sale for the Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival, which has proved to be a vibrant educational gathering of local and regional culinary alchemists, wild fermenters and health experts showcasing the history, benefits and preparation of fermented foods. That includes fun beers and cocktails, as well as loads of other fermented concoctions. This annual event is at Rancho La Patera & Stow House (304 N. Los Carneros Rd., Goleta). The all-ages festival runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with the 21+ Farm-to-Bar component from noon-4:30 p.m.

Courtesy Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival, which takes place this year on Sept. 11.

The 2016 Festival includes samples of 75+ artisan fermented foods from 50+ exhibitors, four stages featuring local and regional experts, and interactive hands-on activities. This all-ages experiential one-day festival celebrates the importance of traditionally fermented foods and beverages and empowers attendees to make these foods at home.

“… Fermentation is growing in reputation from a homespun preservation technique into the mainstream,” says Katie Hershfelt, co-founder of the festival along with her mother, Lynn Hartman. “Renowned chefs from coast-to-coast are using fermentation as a culinary tool while health practitioners are recommending fermented foods as a key element in creating a healthy lifestyle.”

The festival’s 2016 theme, Nurture What Nature Gave You, puts the focus on consumers’ increased interest in fermented foods not only as taste and menu enhancers but as a key to a healthy lifestyle. The Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival is part of a global grassroots movement that is changing the way consumers view their food, their connection to the earth and their ability to thrive.

Courtesy Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival.

Profits from the Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival support the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and its mission to end hunger and transform health through good nutrition. For more information or to purchase tickets click here.

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on August 26, 2016.

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.”

Summer Editor’s Pick: Central Coast Wine Classic

Posted on July 18, 2016 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Central Coast Wine Classic.

The Central Coast Wine Classic (Aug. 10–14) celebrates 31 years of excellent wine tastings, tours, symposiums, rare wine dinners and more, including a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium and another highlighting Champagne Louis Roederer and Black River Caviar (centralcoastwineclassic.org).

—Leslie Dinaberg

This story originally appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Cocktail Corner: Central Coast Wine Classic Celebrates 31 Years of Delicious Indulgence

Posted on June 27, 2016 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Central Coast Wine Classic, which takes place Aug. 10-14.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

Archie McLaren‘s enthusiastic zest for food, wine, art and philanthropy is infectious! The Founder and Chairman of the Central Coast Wine Classic and I recently discussed his plans for this year’s impressive event, which takes place Aug. 10-14, and spans the Central Coast from San Simeon through Paso Robles, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande and Buellton to Santa Barbara.

The Central Coast Wine Classic has highlighted Santa Barbara County wines throughout its many renditions, but this is the first time that some of the events will actually take place in Santa Barbara. It’s truly a remarkable opportunity to taste world-class wine and food in our hometown.

Asking McLaren to pick a favorite event was like asking a parent to name his favorite child. “Everything looks like a highlight, what would you say are some of the highlights?” I wonder.

He laughs, “That is an interesting comment, because I’ve pondered this as well. When I drew the schedule, I began to wonder what in the world I was thinking in what has been described as my overly indulgent realm, because when I look at this, basically what it looks like is all the things I would like to do. And of course, one of the challenges is the fact that when we’re here in Santa Barbara, for example, for the winery dinners on Friday night we’ve got three that are absolutely outstanding.”

Courtesy Central Coast Wine Classic, which takes place Aug. 10-14.

Certainly notable in that group (and filling up fast) is a Winemaker Dinner, on Aug. 12, featuring Vintners Fred Brander of The Brander Vineyard and Bob Lindquist of Qupé Wine Cellars in the recently restored Mural Room of the Historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

“That as a destination alone is worth going to, but in the midst of that destination we’re dealing with Brander and Qupé, two of the iconic wineries in Santa Barbara County, and Chef Michael Hutchings, who is not only revered here but also for our dinner at Hearst Castle, he’s been a part of that for decades and he will be part of that again,” says McLaren. “It’s an incredible symbiotic relationship of food and wine. It’s as good as it gets … we’re talking about a venue the construction of which took place in 1929 … the timing is impeccable for us.”

The Hearst Castle Dinner, on Aug. 11, begins with a Champagne Reception featuring Roederer Estate Brut in Magnums, presented by Xavier Barlier, Marketing Director of Maisons Marques & Domaines, followed by five dinner courses, conceived and created by renowned chefs, Christophe Eme and Laurent Quenioux, as well as assisted and presented by the Wine Classic’s Stellar Family of Chefs, including Santa Barbara-area chefs James Sly and Hutchings, matched with fine dinner wines from Heralded Wine Classic Vintners.

Aug. 12 also offers another fabulous Winemaker Dinner locally, featuring Vintners Bion Rice of Sunstone Vineyards & Winery and Artiste Winery and Bryan Babcock of Babcock Vineyards, with fine wines from each, and another fabulous venue: the Channel Cat, the largest luxury sailing catamaran ship in Santa Barbara Harbor.

“Chef Cynthia Miranda is going to be the person who creates the dinner,” says McLaren. “I think that’s going to be an absolutely outstanding dinner as well.”

Courtesy Central Coast Wine Classic, which takes place Aug. 10-14.

He continues, “If that weren’t sufficient, the Rare Wine Dinner at the Santa Barbara Club (also on Aug. 12) is beyond description. The wines that are a part of that areas good as they get, and they are rare.” Hosted by McLaren, along with “fellow over-indulgers” Dr. Blake Brown, Don Schliff and John Tilson in the Private Dining Room at the Santa Barbara Club, this very exclusive event includes rare bottles and a meal prepared by Guest Chef Bernat “Bernard” Ibarra and Club Executive Chef Humberto Perez.

The list of incredible food and wine event list goes on and on, barrel tastings, vineyard tours, a dinner at Hearst Castle, education symposiums, the complete list of events can be viewed here. But that’s not all. There’s also important philanthropic component to this event, the Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction, which takes place on Aug. 13 at Bella Vista, the extraordinary Pat Nesbitt Polo Estate, in Summerland.

Since its founding in 2004, the Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation has conferred grants exceeding $2,500,000 to 125 San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County 501(c)3 nonprofits whose missions are in the Healing, Performing and Studio Arts. For 2016, the Studio Arts Beneficiaries will be the Hearst Preservation Foundation and the Friends of Hearst Castle Foundation that sustains the irreplaceable, historic Hearst Castle artifacts. The Performing Arts Beneficiary will be the newly established Léni Fé Bland Performing Arts Fund, founded by 2016 Wine Classic Patron Honoree Sara Miller McCune of Montecito. The Wine Classic Board of Directors will announce the Healing Arts Beneficiary soon.

Tickets are now on sale for all of these extraordinary events and experiences. I really hope to see some of you there.

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 24, 2016.

Cocktail Corner: Santa Barbara Wine Festival Gets Better With Age

Posted on June 17, 2016 by lesliedinaberg