Editor’s Pick: Santa Barbara Wine Festival

Posted on June 22, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy of Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

A beloved fundraiser for Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Wine Festival on June 27 is a wonderful way to appreciate being out in nature underneath the oaks along Mission Creek, while enjoying more than 50 tantalizing wines from the Central Coast’s premier wineries complemented by fitting pairings from local chefs. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta de Sol. 6/27, 2–5 p.m. 805/682-4711, sbnature.org.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Summer 2015

—Leslie Dinaberg

Cocktail Corner: Santa Barbara Wine Festival

Posted on June 22, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

“The Magnificent Seven” (left to right) Ken Brown, Bob Lundquist, Richard Sanford, Jim Clendenen, Drake Whitcraft, Doug Margerum, and Fred Brander – a veritable ‘who’s who’ of Central Coast winemakers, will all be at this year’s Santa Barbara Wine Festival again – for the 28th year. Photo by Joni Kelly.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

The beautiful grounds of Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History are a wonderful spot to appreciate being out in nature, and what better way to enjoy a summer weekend than sipping wine underneath the oaks along Mission Creek? Especially when the proceeds go to support the work of the museum.

Santa Barbara Wine Festival, photo by Bob Dickey

“Santa Barbara Wine Festival is a wine-focused festival,” says Festival Chair, Meridith Moore. Indeed, more than 50 wineries will be pouring at the museum, including some of our favorites like Santa Barbara Winery, Arthur Earl, Grassini, Kita Wines (Chumash Tribe), Palmina, Alma Rosa, Koehler, Au Bon Climat, Babcock, Sunstone, Fess Parker, Andrew Murray, Margerum, Jamie Slone, Beckmen and Whitcraft, to name just a few.

There are plenty of tasty bites at Santa Barbara Wine Festival as well. “We have a large array of top-shelf food purveyors, many of whom are especially paired with wineries that complement one another,” says Moore. “It is exciting because many of the winemakers and chefs are present and available for the guests to meet and discuss the qualities of their varietals and menu items–just another example of why this has become one of the most beloved wine festivals on the Central Coast and the one to attend.”

Scrumptious samples from local food purveyors will complement the wines poured at the Museum’s annual event. Photo by Valentin Mendoza.

Among the yummy items on the menu are: Braised Short Rib Meatballs (Michael’s Catering); Oyster Shooters (Brophy Bros.); Homemade Tamales (Santa Barbara Tamales To Go); Sage and Butternut Squash Raviolis (Ca Dario); Cheese Tastings from around the World (C’est Cheese); Hand-rolled Truffles (Jessica Foster Confections); and Mini Cupcakes (Coveted Cakery), to name a few.

Santa Barbara Wine Festival takes place at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (2559 Puesta de Sol, 805/682-4711, sbnature.org) on Saturday, June 27 from 2-5 p.m.

For more information and to purchase admission for the Santa Barbara Wine Festival, please visit sbnature.org/winefestival.

Hope to see you there. Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

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.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 19. 2015.

A Day Away: Catalina Island

Posted on June 19, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Living in a world-class vacation destination like Santa Barbara has a bounty of blissful benefits, but sometimes it’s still nice to get out of town for a bit. Here are a few favorite spots that are less than a day away from home.

Catalina Island

Relaxation and indulgence go hand-in-hand on Catalina Island, where you can enjoy being pampered at Island Spa Catalina. Courtesy of Santa Catalina Island Company.

This beautiful getaway—just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California via Catalina Express (800/481-3470, catalinaexpress.com), with ports in San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point—offers a little piece of paradise with striking clear-blue waters and a laid-back friendly vibe that Santa Barbarans will appreciate and feel right at home with.

Avalon is a great walking town, with no cars allowed in much of the waterfront district and a charming path stretching from the Catalina Express boat moorings to Descanso Beach, a mile away. Descanso Beach Club (1 Descanso Ave., 310/510-7410, visitcatalinaisland.com) is a terrific spot for sunset cocktails. Poke into quaint shops like the eye-popping Afishionados Gallery Store (203 Crescent Ave., 310/510-2440, shop.afishionadosgallery.com), which has wonderful one-of-a-kind jewelry and art, and C.C. Gallagher (523 Crescent Ave., 310/510-1278, ccgallagher.com), a coffee house/wine tasting room that also carries high-end gifts, or pop into Lloyd’s of Avalon Confectionery (315 Crescent Ave., 310/510-7266, catalinacandy.com) for sweet treats.

Sip your blues away with cocktails at Maggie’s Blue Rose on Catalina Island, photo by Leslie Dinaberg

Explore the island further with a visit to Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden (1402 Avalon Canyon Rd., 310/510-2897, catalinaconservancy.org) or by renting a golf cart at Catalina Auto and Bike Rentals (635 Crescent Ave., 310/510-1600, catalinaislandgolfcart.com).

Avalon’s newest restaurant, Maggie’s Blue Rose (417 Crescent Ave., 310/510-3300, maggiesbluerose.com), features innovative Mexican cuisine (try the mole braised duck taquitos, the watermelon and spiced grilled shrimp salad and the fabulous grilled street corn on the cob, which is “derailed” tableside) and an extensive margarita selection (think tamarindo, cucumber and jalapeno, and desert pear flavors).

We also enjoyed a fantastic ocean-view dinner at another newbie to the island, Bluewater Avalon Seafood Restaurant (306 Crescent Ave., 310/510-3474, bluewatergrill.com). Located in the historic Avalon waterfront building that once served as the arrival and departure point for the SS Avalon and SS Catalina steamers, the restaurant offers a contemporary take on the classic New England seafood house.

To truly feel pampered, check out the brand-new Island Spa Catalina (163 Crescent Ave., 310/510-7300, visitcatalinaisland.com), which offers 15,000 square feet of indoor bliss, as well as a variety of outdoor spaces, including luxurious lounges, a soaking pool and the stunning turquoise-tiled vista deck. The spa features nine treatment rooms, a nail studio (the blend bar mani/pedi is a special treat for the senses), and light bites at Encanto Café. It’s a wonderful place to spend the day with friends (girls’ weekend treat or pre-wedding pampering).

Many people come to Catalina for a day trip, and that’s certainly do-able, but if you stay at the delightfully charming Pavilion Hotel (513 Crescent Ave., 310/510-1788, visitcatalinaisland.com), you may never want to leave! Renovated in 2010, this cozy hotel is a mere 14 steps from the beach. If you don’t want the sand in your toes, Pavilion Hotel has a spacious garden courtyard area, complete with fire pits, where you can enjoy the ocean view along with complimentary wine and cheese pairings, as well as an excellent continental breakfast.

—Leslie Dinaberg

For more info on this destination, or to request a free visitor’s guide, visit catalinachamber.com.

Originally published in the Summer 2015 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

PizzaRev Revs up in Paseo Nuevo

Posted on June 19, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

PizzaRev Santa Barbara, courtesy photo

Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be anything new under the sun in the world of pizza, Santa Barbara has an addition to the local menu with a truly inspired idea: at the new(ish) PizzaRev in Paseo Nuevo, each pizza, no matter how many ingredients are selected, costs $8.25.

That’s right, no more agonizing over pepperoni vs. pepperoncini, or sweet fennel sausage vs. sun-dried tomatoes. Have them all, the only extras you’re charged for gluten-free dough or vegan cheese.

Not only that, we’ve been a few times and PizzaRev is quick and tasty. Perfect for a before or after movie bite, PizzaRev features a distinctive “Craft Your Own” pizza assembly process and Roman-style thin and crispy pizza.

PizzaRev Santa Barbara, courtesy photo

Start by selecting your crust selection (original or gluten-free), then choose from four signature sauces, including a savory organic red sauce, a creamy white alfredo, plain olive oil and a spicy-sweet BBQ. Then, each personally-sized pizza is topped with favorite selections from an array of all-natural cheeses and 30+ fresh artisanal ingredients, ranging from traditional favorites to more unusual selections—they even have vegan sausage! Plus, they only take three minutes to flame fire each pizza. Pretty impressive.

Salads are also available, and don’t forget to try the Dessert Pizza, a decadent treat made with Oreo crust!

Interesting factoid: PizzaRev founders and longtime entertainment industry executives Irv Zuckerman and Rodney Eckerman were co-CEOs of Clear Channel Entertainment, and booked the likes of U2, RollingStones and The Who in their heyday. Rodney’s son, Nicholas, pitched the idea of “build your own” pizza after recognizing the void in the fast casual industry. His culinary and customer service background with Ritz hotels helped fuel the PizzaRev product. It was Irv and Rodney’s business sense that brought the concept to life—they opened the first three locations in the LA area in less than seven months.

PizzaRev is located in Paseo Nuevo at 12 W. De La Guerra St. (right next to the movie theater). For more information, click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 17, 2015.

The Art of Getting People Back to Nature | Yarnbomber Stephen Duneier

Posted on June 17, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Stephen Duneier with one of a series of yarn-covered boulders he created at Lizard’s Mouth. Photo by Scott London, ScottLondon.com.

By Leslie Dinaberg

Artists often use their work to provoke discussion or emotion, but Yarnbomber Stephen Duneier’s colorful creations are site-specific installations designed to get people out to the middle of nowhere.

In this case, “the middle of nowhere” is Santa Barbara County’s plethora of hiking trails. Duneier’s seven projects to date include creating an Alien Campsite on Davy Brown Trail; a series of covered boulders at Lizard’s Mouth; a reflective starfish above the pools at Seven Falls; a spider web at Sasquatch Cave in the playgrounds of Lizard’s Mouth; an enormous boulder on Saddlerock Trail; an ongoing Guinness Book of World Records attempt to create the world’s largest crocheted granny square; and creating his first project—cloaking a 40-ft. tall eucalyptus tree on the Cold Spring Trail’s east fork with a gigantic knitted sweater—which took place in 2012, just 82 days after he picked up knitting needles for the first time ever.

All of Duneier’s projects are done in a way that doesn’t permanently disturb nature, with permission from the U.S. Forest Service. “The forest service has actually been really supportive, now that I have a track record with them, and they know that I’m not just some guy who wants to use the land for my own purposes,” he says.

The other consistent element in a Yarnbomber project is that the installations stay up for just nine days. “The first weekend is all about people just stumbling onto it, then there are five days during the week, when nobody goes hiking very much. The second weekend is all about word–of–mouth. It sort of builds…but I don’t really want crowds; I just want it to be on people’s radar. And having it for nine days, you can’t procrastinate. You’re either going to go see it and make the effort today or you’re just not going to see it,” says Duneier.

The projects, many of which are done in collaboration with artists from around the world, have opened up a world of new experiences for Duneier, whose day job is writing about and managing investments, as well as teaching Decision Analysis at UCSB’s College of Engineering.

“I’ve always been speaking on macroeconomics; talking at big conferences…but now I’ve started talking about making dreams come true; this has been a little offshoot of the yarn bombs,” he says. The audiences vary, but the idea is “how do you have these grand visions and actually make them happen?”

His next “grand vision,” launching sometime this summer, incorporates metalwork and gemstones. As to where and when it pops up, the website yarnbomber.com is the best place to stay tuned.

Says Duneier, “I’m kind of a yes guy…I really don’t know where it all will lead.”

Originally published in the Summer 2015 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

A Day Away: King of the Road

Posted on June 16, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Glamping Time! Talk about traveling in style! Each luxurious Bowlus Road Chief travel trailer is built to order and made from materials like birch, aluminum and brass, with the body joined together by more than 5,000 hand-bucked rivets to form a single, incredibly tough “monocoque” shell. Courtesy of Bowlus Road Chief LLC.

Roger Miller sang about “trailers for sale or rent,” but if he were writing that old ditty today, “King of the Road” would surely include a chorus about the Bowlus Road Chief. Billed as “the world’s most advanced luxury travel trailer,” the Bowlus Road Chief was engineered by Hawley Bowlus in the 1930s (the same fellow who built the Spirit of St. Louis, flown by Charles Lindbergh), and the design inspired a host of aluminum competitors including Airstream, Streamline, Silver Streak, Avion and Spartan.

As for the king of them all—the Bowlus—only 80 of these glittering riveted-aluminum capsule-shaped trailers were produced before World War II shut down the camper business.

Courtesy Bowlus Road Chief LLC

These beautiful silver machines are being manufactured once again right down the road in Ventura County by recent east coast transplants Geneva Long and her father John. The reimagined Bowlus Road Chief has the same sleek lines as the vintage models but with modern amenities like solar panel hook ups, heated floors, central heating, beds that convert from twins to a king, indoor/outdoor showers, Wi-Fi charging stations and a cook’s kitchen. Plus, at 24 ft. long and 2,000 lbs, the Bowlus can legally follow just about any automobile. Each model is custom-built to order: the 2015 Bowlus Road Chief runs about $110,000.

—Leslie Dinaberg

For more info, call 855/926-9587 or visit bowlusroadchief.com.

Originally published in the Summer 2015 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Bach, Broadway & Beyond Features Wicked’s Tiffany Haas

Posted on June 10, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Screen Shot 2015-05-19 at 12.06.22 PM

The Music and Arts Conservatory of Santa Barbara presents Bach, Broadway & Beyond, featuring soprano Tiffany Haas, star of Broadway’s Wicked, and MAC’s Virtuoso Strings conducted by Ernest Richardson, on Sunday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St.

“When Tiffany sang for us I just put a star by her name, put down my pen and listened,” Richardson recalls about his first encounter with Haas’ incredible voice. “From that point on, she has been such an important artist in my life. I write music for Tiffany and her ability to bring life to the notes I write is incredible. She is classically trained and can go from Bach to Broadway effortlessly which she will demonstrate beautifully while she literally enchants Santa Barbara.”

Haas’ program will include Bach’s Cantata No. 51 Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen; L’Amero saro costante from Mozart’s Il Re Pastore; Glitter and Be Gay from Bernstein’s Candide; and Jeanine Tesori’s The Girl in 14G. Also on the program, which may be subject to change, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins in B minor and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com or www.sbmac.org.

In addition, Haas will offer a musical theater master class and concert preview on Saturday, June 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the UCSB Music Department‘s Geiringer Hall. Tickets are $15, $5 for students, at the door. For more information, visit www.sbmac.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 9, 2015.

Local Poets on Ray Strong

Posted on June 9, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Ray Stanford Strong, Lower East Side, New York City, Rainy Day Under the El, 1926-27. Oil on canvas mounted on board. SBMA, Museum purchase with funds provided by Robert and Marlene Veloz.

There’s a great, free poetry event coming up on Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Local poets will follow Ray Strong‘s example in SBMA’s exhibition and write about the world “Beyond Santa Barbara,” while remaining true to their homegrown cultivated poetic visions. The event takes place on the front steps of Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St.

The museum also has a related exhibition, Ray Strong: Beyond Santa Barbara, running through June 21. Here’s the scoop:

“This intimate presentation of paintings and drawings by esteemed artist Ray Strong (1905–2006) highlights distinct moments within the artist’s practice over the course of 45 years. Featuring landscapes and cityscapes produced outside of the Santa Barbara area, the selected works from the Museum’s holdings offer a view of Strong’s travels and his lifelong interest in depicting the environment around him.”

Ray Strong: Beyond Santa Barbara is organized in conjunction with The Ray Strong Project, an initiative of Sullivan Goss – An American Gallery. This effort includes a series of events and exhibitions coalescing in June of 2015 at museums and galleries in the Santa Barbara area. This initiative will also produce the first monograph on Ray Strong and an online catalogue raisonné.”

For additional information, visit www.theraystrongproject.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 5, 2015.

Reel Cool Movies at the Granada

Posted on June 8, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

The Muppet Movie Get ready for a fun series of family favorite movies at the Granada this summer. The 2015 Summer Film Series offers audiences an especially rare opportunity to see memorable favorites on the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art digital 4K rear-projection screen at the historic Granada Theatre.

These family friendly films screen on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

June 10, 6 p.m.: The Muppet Movie (1979), G

June 24, 6 p.m.: Ghostbusters (1984), PG

July 8, 6 p.m.: E.T. (1982), PG

July 22, 6 p.m.: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe (2005), PG

August 12, 6 p.m.: Surf’s Up (2007), PG

August 26, 6 p.m.: Despicable Me (2010), PG

General Admission tickets are $10 with discounts for multiple series purchases. Click here to purchase tickets for each movie performance, or by calling The Granada Theatre’s Box Office at 805/899-2222. The theater is located at 1214 State St. For more information please visit www.granadasb.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on June 6, 2015.

Cocktail Corner: SB Passport … to Libations!

Posted on June 6, 2015 by lesliedinaberg

Courtesy Santa Barbara Passport

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

As far as I’m concerned, there’s almost nothing better than the buzzy fun of enjoying summertime cocktails with friends—but one thing that does beat that is getting a great DEAL on summertime cocktails with friends.

There’s a new player in town—The Santa Barbara Passport—that offers great deals on drinks this summer at 28 establishments for just 20 bucks. This cleverly illustrated, pocket-sized booklet offers loads of drink deals—you receive a stamp in your booklet upon redemption—and the specials will run all summer through Labor Day (September 7), providing ample time to collect stamps and explore.

It even includes a section on Beer 101 and Wine Labels for Dummies, as well as cocktail fundamentals for making—and ordering—classic libations like Negronis, Manhattans and Old Fashioneds.

Courtesy Santa Barbara Passport

“The Passport is the friend that helps you decide where to go for happy hour, on a date or a Sunday afternoon,” says Casey Berry, co-founder of the Passport Program, who describes it as “a curated guide to the beverage culture of Santa Barbara.”

Indeed, participating venues include some of my favorites:

Corks n’ Crowns: Gold or craft brew flight for 50% off

Pure Order Brewing Company: Pint for 50% off

“Santa Barbara offers not just a great nightlife, but the drinks culture is so diverse that you won’t be disappointed when sipping a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Funk Zone or a cold White Rascal beer at American Ale,” says Jane Pimcomrie, city manager for the Santa Barbara branch of the Passport Program. “The Santa Barbara Passport features enough wineries for wine-lovers, breweries for after work socializing, and unique bars for cocktail and spirits junkies. Plus it will make the heat of summer that much more enjoyable.”

Can’t argue with that logic. For more information or to purchase a passport, go here.

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine on June 5, 2015.

LeslieDinaberg.com

Leslie Dinaberg Editor & Writer

Yearly Archives: 2015

Editor’s Pick: Santa Barbara Wine Festival

Cocktail Corner: Santa Barbara Wine Festival

A Day Away: Catalina Island

Catalina Island

PizzaRev Revs up in Paseo Nuevo

The Art of Getting People Back to Nature | Yarnbomber Stephen Duneier

By Leslie Dinaberg

A Day Away: King of the Road

Bach, Broadway & Beyond Features Wicked’s Tiffany Haas

Local Poets on Ray Strong

Reel Cool Movies at the Granada

Cocktail Corner: SB Passport … to Libations!

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