The Wild and Wonderful World of Orchids

Posted on March 14, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Laelia orchid Splendid Spire “Rose Midnight” from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Photo by Chuck Place.

Photographs by Chuck Place | Story by Leslie Dinaberg

The flowers themselves are not the only lavishly colorful component in the exotic jungle of the orchid universe. Photographer Chuck Place—an avid grower of cymbidiums and an eager chronicler of quirkiness—takes us on a lush visual journey through the wild and wonderful world of orchids.

Lynn Pettigrew prepping a special cymbidium for the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. Photo by Chuck Place.

Meet the Collectors

“If roses are the flower of romance, then orchids are the flower of passion. Collectors through the years have risked life, limb and incarceration in their quest for yet another rare orchid to add to their hoard.”—Zoological Society of San Diego.

The largest family of flowering plants, orchids are found on every continent except Antarctica. Among the many local orchid collectors whom Place photographed, he says that Don Brown “is like one of the godfathers of local collectors and growers.

Don Brown grows a variety of orchids using a reverse osmosis system to provide pure water. Photo by Chuck Place.

He’s extremely knowledgeable. Hugely so. He’s got an international reputation.” A retired UCSB anthropology professor, Brown has several greenhouses and grows a wide range of orchids using a reverse osmosis system to provide pure water. Like all of the collectors shown here, he is also an avid competitor.

Bill Robson holding an Odontoglossum Yellow Parade orchid hybrid. Photo by Chuck Place.

Lynn Pettigrew (in plaid) is shown prepping a special cymbidium for the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. “He has so many cymbidiums, his collection has expanded to a friend’s backyard…he picks up hybrids at various orchid shows and just keeps building his stock that way. But essentially every time he brings in new plants, he has to give away some because he needs the space,” says Place.

Bill Robson (in green), shown in his shade house holding an Odontoglossum Yellow Parade orchid hybrid, is the former manager of Gallup & Stribling Orchids Visitor’s Center and what Place describes as “another highly knowledgable expert,” along with Paul Gripp, the former owner of Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.

(L-R) Curator of Malacology at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Daniel L. Geiger, Ph.D. ; micro orchids; Recently germinated cymbidium orchid seedlings are transferred to flasks at the orchid seedling facility at Gallup & Stribling Orchids. ; The next step in the process, cymbidium orchid seedlings germinate in flasks at the orchid seedling facility at Gallup & Stribling Orchids. All Photos by Chuck Place.

The Science

Orchids thrive in many different types of environments, including the climate-controlled world of the laboratory.

As Curator of Malacology at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Daniel L. Geiger, Ph.D. has a unique advantage as an avid collector and grower of micro orchids. His job affords him access to scanning electron microscopes and focus stacking software to photograph these tiny orchids, because they are very difficult to see, says Place, as evidenced by the mounted specimens of micro orchids being prepared for viewing in a scanning electron microscope. “I don’t think these micro orchids are any harder to grow than any other kind,” says Place. “They’re all on bark.”

The Orchid Show

Lynn Pettigrew shows one of his prize-winning cymbidium orchids from the 68th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. Photo by Chuck Place.

With a theme of “Complements and Contrasts,” the 69th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is March 14–16 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, sborchidshow.com.

The oldest and one of the largest orchid shows in the country, this year’s Orchid Show showcases all of the many beautiful and exotic orchids from around the world. Featuring exhibits and floral arrangements by top local, regional and international growers, as well as vendors from all over the United States, South America and Asia, offering thousands of blooming orchid plants for sale, the show also offers demonstrations and lectures on orchid culture and related topics, says spokesperson Tammy Guerra.

Visitors enjoy the colorful beauty of thousands of blooming orchid plants at the 68th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. Photo by Chuck Place.

In keeping with the theme, orchid displays showcase unusual contrasts and stunning complements and show how, while different, they can look beautiful when brought together as a whole. Competition is also an important component of the Orchid Show.

The Artist

Artist Suemae Lin Willhite. Photo by Chuck Place.

Artist Suemae Lin Willhite brings focus to the art of the orchid with her dramatic Chinese brush paintings, often inspired by the thriving orchids in her own back yard.

Willhite, who teaches Chinese calligraphy and brush painting, gives demonstrations of brush painting techniques at the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. An award-winning artist with more than 40 years of experience in Chinese brush painting and calligraphy, her work can be seen in local galleries and is inspired by her grandfather, a well-known Chinese artist in Taiwan. Orchids—which symbolize grace and elegance in Chinese brush painting—are frequent subjects for Willhite’s artistry. Drawing her ideas from nature and spiritual inspirations, she says she paints, when inspired by a vision in her mind’s eye from a wide range of subjects and compositions, with a unique style of Chinese impressionism, abstract and her own fusion of East meets West. She paints with a joyful harmony that is apparent in her work as well as in the classes she teaches. For more information about Willhite, visit suemaeart.com.

Discover the Orchid Trail

This cymbidium orchid was grown by Lynn Pettigrew. Photo by Chuck Place.

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show comes but once a year, but the diverse beauty of orchids is in full flower year-round along the California Orchid Trail. The area between the rugged Santa Ynez Mountains and the calm seas of the Pacific has seeded an industry that now produces more orchids than any other region in the country.

Five out of the seven growers on the California Orchid Trail are in Santa Barbara County (the others are in Malibu and Oxnard). From north to south, the local growers are:

Cal-Orchid, Inc.

Owners James and Lauris Rose keep a diverse inventory, reflecting the interests of not only the current marketplace, but also their many trips made to foreign locales, where James uses his sharp eye for the unusual to spot new treasures. Open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Saturday. 1251 Orchid Dr., Santa Barbara. 805/967-1312, calorchid.com.

Dendrobium orchids from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Photo by Chuck Place.

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

Located on five acres of beautiful coastal Santa Barbara, the orchid estate is just 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean. Founded by Robert J. Chrisman, a legendary orchid grower, and now owned by Parry and Alice Gripp, the estate is one of the world’s foremost collectors and propagators of orchid species and hybrids, specializing in outdoor temperature-tolerant varieties. Open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays. 1250 Orchid Dr., Santa Barbara. 805/967-1284, sborchid.com.

Miltonia orchids, or pansy orchids, from Gallup & Stribling Orchids in Carpinteria. Photo by Chuck Place.

Gallup & Stribling Orchids

Gallup & Stribling’s home farm occupies 48 acres in Carpinteria, making it one of the largest in the country. With more than 1.5 million square feet of greenhouse space, it is a state-of-the-art breeding, growing and distribution facility. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday and 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday–Sunday. 3450 Via Real, Carpinteria. 805/684-1998, gallup-stribling.com.

Orchids Royale

Orchids Royale grows mostly cymbidiums, but also paphiopedilums, miltonias and odontoglossums. They maintain 70,000 square feet of temperature-controlled greenhouses. Open by appointment. 5902 Via Real, Carpinteria. 805/684-8066.

Laelia orchid from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.Photo by Chuck Place.

Westerlay Orchids

Joe Overgaag founded Westerlay Orchids following his emigration from the Netherlands to Carpinteria. Later, he earned the distinction of being among the first in the nation to widely apply hydroponic growing technology to flowers. Winter hours: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturdays. Regular hours (daylight savings): 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays. 3504 Via Real, Carpinteria. 805/684-5411, westerlayorchids.com.

Originally published in the Spring 2014 issue of Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine.

County Arts Commission Gives Leadership Award to Connie Rohde-Stanchfield

Posted on March 11, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Connie Rohde-Stanchfield, director of the C Gallery in Los Alamos, addresses the opening night reception crowd at the “That Significant Thing or Moment” exhibition of cell phone photographs. Courtesy photo.

Longtime arts advocate, artist and educator Connie Rohde-Stanchfield was recently recognized by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors with a Resolution recognizing the 2013 Leadership in the Arts Award recipient. Third District Supervisor, Doreen Farr presented a Resolution from the Board of Supervisors stating: “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I congratulate Connie for her decades of work in the Arts in the North County and her significant role in bringing commerce and visitors to the Santa Ynez Valley, enriching the local arts scene, and supporting local schools.”

“Over the years, the Leadership in Arts award has given the Arts Commission an opportunity to publicly recognize the great achievements realized by exemplary citizens who through their vision, commitment, and dedication continue to infuse our regional arts and culture and increase access to arts in Santa Barbara County,” says Ginny Brush, executive director of the Arts Commission.

Connie Rohde-Stanchfield, photo by Jeffrey Bloom.

Rohde-Stanchfield has been an advocate for arts education for decades, first as the Director of the Family School in Los Olivos and and as the founder of Arts Outreach, a nonprofit organization, which still flourishes today and serves more than 3,000 students a year. It began as a small group of parents volunteering to share their talents in local public schools and through this hugely successful enterprise, has enriched the lives of thousands of local students.

For more information visit www.sbartscommission.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on March 11, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: The Garagiste Festival

Posted on March 8, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Garagiste Festival

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg |

GARAGISTES (gar-uh-zhē-stuh)—which comes from a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their garages, who refused to follow the “rules” of traditional winemaking—may not be a well-known word around here YET, but it will certainly be flying off the tongues of the lucky folks who gather for the second annual “Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure” in Solvang March 29-30.

The garagiste movement is responsible for making some of the best wine in the world, much of which will be showcased later this month when 56 of Santa Ynez Valley’s and Santa Barbara County’s high-quality, limited-production commercial garagiste winemakers gather at the beautiful, Mission-style Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang.

Last year’s one-day event sold out and, in response to both consumer and winemaker demand, the nonprofit festival (which benefits Cal Poly’s wine and viticulture program) has expanded to two days full of tasting seminars, high-quality wines, first-time and “soon-to-break-out” discoveries, personal winemaker interaction and diverse varietals.

With almost 50% of the winemakers pouring at the event for the first time—13 pouring their first vintage, and 80% lacking tasting rooms—this festival offers a truly one-time-only opportunity for guests to discover some of the hottest, yet-to-be-discovered wines.

Winemakers pouring on Saturday, March 29 from 2–5 p.m. include: Archium Cellars*, Ascension Cellars*, Carucci Wines*, Casa Dumetz, Cholame Vineyard, Cordon Wines, Crawford Family Wines*, Dubost Ranch*, DV8 Cellars*, Graef Wines*, Ground Effect Wines, Harrison Clarke Wines, Kaena Wine Company, Kessler-Haak Winery, Kita Wines*, Larner Winery, Luminesce, Moretti Wine Co.*, Pence Ranch, Press Gang Cellars, Roark Wine Co., Ryan Cochrane Wines, Seagrape Wine Company, Shai Cellars, Tercero Wines, Transcendence Wines, Turiya* and Vinemark Cellars*.

Winemakers pouring on Sunday, March 30 from 1–4 p.m. include a-non-ah-mus, Baehner-Fournier, Bradley Family Winery*, Brophy Clark Cellars*, C. Nagy Wines, Calilove Winery*, Cloak & Dagger, Clos Des Amis*, Dascomb Cellars*, Desperada*, Dilecta, Fontes & Phillips*, Frequency Wines, Gioia Wines*, Guyomar Wine Cellars*, J. Wilkes Wines, La Fenetre Wines, LaZarre Wines, Montemar Winery*, Nicora Wines, ONX Wines, Plan B Cellars*, Refugio Ranch, Scott Cellars*, Solminer Wine*, STANGER Vineyards, Weatherborne Wine Co.* and Zinke Wine Company*.

(Wines designated with an asterisk * are new to the festival.)

In addition to the grand tastings, each day will feature one of the festival’s popular (and limited seating) morning tasting seminars. On Saturday from 11 a.m.– noon is Rhones Rule: The Wines of Ballard Canyon, focused on Santa Ynez Valley’s brand new AVA, Ballard Canyon, and featuring Michael Larner of Larner Vineyards, Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines and Mikael Sigouin of Kaena Wine Company. Sunday from 11 a.m.– noon the seminar is A Pinot Noir Primer from the Roots Up, featuring Joshua Klapper from La Fenetre Wines, Adam LaZarre from LaZarre Wines and Clarissa Nagy from C. Nagy Wines.

The nonprofit Garagiste Festivals showcase high-quality, cutting-edge, small-production commercial wineries that produce fewer than 1,500 cases a year. “One of the most fulfilling things about Garagiste Festival events is seeing important new winemakers not only get discovered for the first time but, in many instances, explode out of the box,” says Garagiste Festival co-founder Doug Minnick.

“With Southern Exposure, Garagiste Events is proud to continue to serve as both starting gate and incubator for some of the Central Coast’s (and the world’s) most important small-lot winemakers and to offer consumers the unique joy of connecting with artisans whose passion and maverick spirit pulse through the terroir’ of their wines,” says Garagiste Festival co-founder Stewart McLennan. “And all at an event that is heavy on fun and light on pretension—which is perhaps the thing we are most proud of. As our attendees will attest, Garagiste events are a blast!”

Tickets are now on sale at http://californiagaragistes.com/buy-tickets/.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns. Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on March 7, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

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.”

Speaking of Stories: Audience Favorites

Posted on March 3, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Speaking of Stories, through entertaining theatrical performances, provides South Coast residents with a rare opportunity to enjoy hearing fiction and non-fiction read aloud by stage and film actors. This edition of the program is Audience Favorites, featuring:

E. Bonnie Lewis reading
The Nine Best Movies by Gregory Mcdonald

John Luca reading
The Impala by John Luca

Ed Romine reading
Dave Cooks The Turkey by Stuart McLean

Nick Woolf reading
The Three Fat Women of Antibes by W. Somerset Maugham

Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. and Monday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Center Stage Theater, in Paseo Nuevo Center, upstairs at the intersection of Chapala and De la Guerra Streets.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on March 1, 2014.

Howard School Gets OK to Expand Capacity

Posted on March 3, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Howard School courtesy photo

The Carpinteria Planning Commission recently voted unanimously to allow The Howard School to expand its enrollment capacity from 80 to 100 students.

Offering pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade instruction, the Howard School, located at 5315 Foothill Rd. in Carpinteria, is the only school in Santa Barbara County that offers an education based on the Carden Method—a curriculum that cultivates development of the whole child, and focuses on teaching students how to think rather than simply what to know.

Courtesy The Howard School

“It is important for us to create a nurturing, sound environment that equips children with the skill sets they need in order to go out and thrive in the post-education world,” says headmaster, Joel Reed. “The tenets of the Carden Method provide the ideal foundation for critical thinking, confidence-building, and a balance of self-reliance and cooperation with one’s community.”

The Howard School is accepting applications through mid-March, and the admissions materials are available online at www.TheHowardSchool.org, as well as the school’s office.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on March 2, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Pinot Noir Comes to Paradise

Posted on February 28, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy World of PInot Noir

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg |

Shell Beach’s loss is Santa Barbara gain.

After 13 years of hosting the annual World of Pinot Noir, the two-day event moves to Santa Barbara this weekend (February 28-March 1), specifically to the luxurious, oceanfront Bacara Resort and Spa.

The mission is “to bring Pinot Noir producers from the most exceptional and unique regions in the world together with Pinot Noir enthusiasts for a weekend of celebration and education at the edge of California’s beautiful Central Coast.” For a complete look at the impressive list of participants click here.

Friday’s highlights include a seminar titled “Burgundy & Oregon: Parallels in Latitudes” where wine writer Katherine Cole shines a spotlight on the fact that though 4,000 miles apart, Burgundy and Oregon share a latitude and are both stellar Pinot Noir producing regions. As part of the seminar, guests will be treated to a three-course gourmet lunch in Restaurant Miró prepared by executive chef David Reardon and chef de cuisine Johan Denizot, created specifically to pair with the wines of the 45th parallel.

Courtesy World of PInot Noir

Now that’s my kind of professional development day!

Later that afternoon is the Friday Grand Tasting, featuring Pinot Noir from more than 100 producers, as well as a silent auction, screenings of wine-themed movies Somm and Sideways (with wine of course) and special winemaker dinners that evening.

Saturday’s seminar spotlights The Insider Wines of the Cote d’Or, where Don Kinnan CSS, CWE tells all about the secret wines, small producers, and boutique producers of the Cote d’Or. The session also includes a detailed discussion of the mountain of Corton, location of the Cote d’Or’s greatest expanse of Grand Cru vineyard acreage.

In addition to Corton and Corton-Charlemagne, wines will be tasted from Marsannay, Fixin, Pernand-Vergelesses, Savigny-Les-Beaune, Monthelie, Auxey-Duresses, Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay. A short history of viticulture and principal vineyards in each village will be presented. During the presentation, 12 wines, selected to represent their villages best “terroirs” will be tasted.

Following the seminar, guests will enjoy a Burgundy-inspired three-course luncheon created by Bacara’s culinary team in the Miró Restaurant.

Courtesy World of PInot Noir

That afternoon is a second Grand Tasting, featuring a different roster of wineries from California and even more wines from our international and regional participants—more than 120 producers of this alluring wine.

If you’ve still got a taste for the grape, the Saturday Grand Tasting is followed by an evening gala, with a seasonal and fresh plated amuse bouche as the featured winemakers and the team of sommeliers introduce themselves. Eat, Drink, Enjoy!

For more information and tickets click here.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 28, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

A Visit to UCSB’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum

Posted on February 26, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

UCSB’s Art, Design and Architecture Museum, photo by Leslie Dinaberg

A visit to UCSB’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum is always full of delights, and last week was no exception. Curator Elyse A. Gonzales kindly walked me through the current exhibitions.

This includes “Alice Aycock Drawings: Some Stories Are Worth Repeating, Early Work,” a fascinating complementary exhibit to the current Santa Barbara Museum of Art show which also highlights the prolific Aycock, an artist best known for her large-scale installations and outdoor sculptures. Drawing, however plays a vital role in her creative process and the AD&A Museum installation focuses on the early years of the artist’s career, 1971–1984, and includes detailed architectural drawings, maquettes, and photodocumentation for both realized and imagined projects. It is on view through April 19.

Also currently on view through April 19 is artist-in-residence Fran Siegel‘s innovative drawing project that examines the landscape, history and current state of the Santa Barbara region through 50 unique drawings and related porcelain components. She basically deconstructs the city, using data sets from different time periods.

Both exhibitions are well worth a look, as is the student-curated show “Duke and the Masters: The Sedgwick Collection, ” on view through April 19.

The Art, Design & Architecture Museum on the UCSB Campus is open Wednesday–Sunday from noon–5 p.m. Admission is free.

—Leslie Dinaberg

: Fran Siegel’s work at UCSB’s AD&A Museum

: Fran Siegel’s work at UCSB’s AD&A Museum

: Fran Siegel’s work at UCSB’s AD&A Museum

Alice Aycock’s work at UCSB’s AD&A Museum

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 25, 2014.

Fast Pitch Offers a Winning Opportunity for Nonprofits

Posted on February 25, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Fast Pitch SB

Concise communication is key in today’s world of ever-shorter attention spans. With that in mind, this spring local nonprofits will have the opportunity to participate in a Shark Tank style competition to make three-minute pitches to a panel of judges and a live audience for cash awards, including a $25,000 Judges award and two $10,000 Coaches awards.

Fast Pitch SB, a project of Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara (SVPSB), has already received almost 100 applications from nonprofits looking to receive personal coaching and communications training from experts in the field.

“This is a great way to help an organization have sustainable change,” says Seth Streeter, a member of SVPSB and the “Chief Energy Officer” for Fast Pitch SB.

Courtesy Fast Pitch SB

The opportunity is open for any nonprofit with a compelling idea or project they would like to bring to fruition in the community. After all applications are complete, SVPSB will identify 20 nonprofits to enter seven weeks of communications training to develop their presentations.

From these 20, ten finalists will be invited to present their three-minute “fast pitch” to a panel of judges at the Music Academy of the West on May 15. There will be a live audience populated with potential investors, donors and community members, as well as satellite voting and viewing locations set up throughout Santa Barbara. Nonprofit supporters and community members will be able to gather at these locations to watch a live feed during the event and organizers are working to set up a text-to-vote process to give one organization the Audience Choice award.

I went to watch our sister Social Venture Partners group in Los Angeles do this event (which originated there about eight years ago). It was so great that, “I couldn’t control it, ” says Streeter. “I got so excited I just raised my hand and said ‘let’s do it.'”

The process moved quickly after that. When the event takes place in May, “the whole thing will have happened in nine months,” says Streeter.

“People are really excited about this program,” says Joan Young, executive director of SVPSB. “We all know when we’ve heard a bad talk, but it can be difficult to refine that into the right message … especially if you have a complicated message.”

“In talking to nonprofits who have done this in other places, most said they did it for exposure and money but found the leadership and communications training had a tremendous and lasting effect,” says Streeter.

“As for the communications training, SVPSB will identify 40 individuals (two coaches per team) to work with the nonprofits so that the best possible pitch can be developed. This in itself, can also be seen as a valuable prize,” says Jessica Tade, director of communications and marketing of the Santa Barbara Foundation, which is one of the sponsors of the event.

“We’re really hoping to find organizations that need just this little step up,” says Young, explaining, “Social Venture Partners is a unique group of individuals who pool their money and talents and leverage networks to improve the nonprofit sector.”

“Getting involved is a way to give one donation and support 20 organizations,” says Streeter. For more information about getting involved with Fast Pitch SB click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 24, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Get Schooled in Sake

Posted on February 21, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Yuji Matsumoto (courtesy photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg |

The Bacara Resort’s new Meet the Masters dining series with the world’s finest wine and spirit masters kicked off this week with a sold out evening with Sabrage & Champagne Master Nicolas Krafft of Christofle.

Up next, on Thursday, March 20, is an evening with Yuji Matsumoto, the United States’ first certified Master Sake Sommelier. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with a sushi and sake reception on the Miro Terrace, paired with a selection of sushi by the resort’s own Sushi Chef.

That will be followed by a four-course tasting menu by Miro Chef Johan Denizot, elegantly presented by Bacara’s Creative Director Lorrene Balzani. Each course will be expertly paired with renowned sake and wine selections by Matsumoto, whose credentials are quite impressive.

In addition to being the first certified Master Sake Sommelier in the U.S., he is the former president of both the California Sushi Academy and the Sake Institute of America, the beverage manager of Kabuki Restaurants, Inc., a Sake Samurai (awarded as a Sake Samurai in 2010 by the Japan National Sake Brewery Association Junior Counsel), a finalist of 2006 World Sake Sommelier Competition, a speaker at more than 300 sake seminars, and a contributor to Japanese Restaurant News and Sushi and Sake Magazine.

Space is very limited and advanced reservations are required. To book a spot click here.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 21, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias at the Arlington

Posted on February 19, 2014 by lesliedinaberg

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias (courtesy photo)

Gabriel Iglesias‘s new world tour, Unity Through Laughter, comes to Santa Barbara this weekend.

Iglesias had a banner year last year, with Forbes Magazine including him in its “Ones to Watch” list, and The Hollywood Reporter naming him to its “Top Five Grossing Standup Comedians.” In addition, Iglesias’ Comedy Central special Gabriel Iglesias: Aloha Fluffy premiered this past spring and generated the network’s highest ratings for the year.

Season three of his hit series Gabriel Iglesias Presents: Stand-Up Revolution airs in spring of 2014 on Comedy Central. In addition, he can currently be heard as one of the voices in the family film The Nut Job. He will next be seen in Marlon Wayans’ upcoming film A Haunted House 2 this April. Iglesias’ other recent film credits include this summer’s Disney animated hit film Planes, and he appeared opposite Channing Tatum in Magic Mike.

Iglesias appears at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., on Saturday, February 22 and Sunday February 23 at 7:30 p.m.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 18, 2014.

LeslieDinaberg.com

Leslie Dinaberg Editor & Writer

Yearly Archives: 2014

The Wild and Wonderful World of Orchids

The flowers themselves are not the only lavishly colorful component in the exotic jungle of the orchid universe. Photographer Chuck Place—an avid grower of cymbidiums and an eager chronicler of quirkiness—takes us on a lush visual journey through the wild and wonderful world of orchids.

County Arts Commission Gives Leadership Award to Connie Rohde-Stanchfield

Cocktail Corner: The Garagiste Festival

Speaking of Stories: Audience Favorites

Howard School Gets OK to Expand Capacity

Cocktail Corner: Pinot Noir Comes to Paradise

A Visit to UCSB’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum

Cocktail Corner: Get Schooled in Sake

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias at the Arlington

The flowers themselves are not the only lavishly colorful component in the exotic jungle of the orchid universe. Photographer Chuck Place—an avid grower of cymbidiums and an eager chronicler of quirkiness—takes us on a lush visual journey through the wild and wonderful world of orchids.

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