Tag Archives: SB Seasons Magazine

Style File: Think Pink to Help Fight Breast Cancer

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Smell the Roses by jane iredale

Smell the Roses by jane iredale

As you probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which not only helps build awareness about this terrible disease, it also brings a flurry of pink products, specially formulated to help the cause.

One of my favorites is Jane Iredale’s Smell the Roses. This hydrating facial spritz launched in September, and 100% of the profits (not just proceeds) from the sale of Smell the Roses will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer,  a national education and support organization whose mission is to connect people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support.

I actually got my hands on a sample early this summer and it’s been a lovely, sweet smelling way to spritz on a little and help beat the heat. Just one little spray moisturizes and cleanses the skin, calms irritation and reduces redness, not to mention it smells like heaven!

Another great pink for the cure product to look for is Sparkling ICE, the now ubiquitous flavored, zero-calorie sparkling mountain spring water is promoting the message “Imagine a World Without Breast Cancer” on its pink grapefruit flavor bottles. In conjunction with this, the company has committed to donating a minimum of $25,000 to research facilities nationwide to help find a cure, in addition to aiding local affiliates and communities with more than $100,000 in donations annually.

They’ve even developed a “Sip Pink for the Cure” Cocktail using the pink grapefruit Sparkling ICE flavor. Here’s the recipe:

Sparkling ICE Sip Pink for the Cure Cocktail

Sip Pink for the Cure Cocktail, courtesy Sparkling ICE

Sip Pink for the Cure Cocktail, courtesy Sparkling ICE

Ingredients

•3 oz.  Grapefruit Sparkling ICE

•1 ½ oz.  vodka

•1 oz. lime juice

•Lime wedge

•Sliced fresh jalapeño

•Chili salt for rim of glass (Kosher salt mixed with chili powder)

 Directions

1. Use a lime wedge to rub the entire rim of a chilled martini glass, and dip into chili salt mixture.

2. Combine vodka and jalapeno slices with ice in a shaker.

3. Strain and pour into the chilled martini glass.

4. Top with Grapefruit Sparkling ICE.

5. Garnish with a few Jalapeno slices.

One of three chairs being auctioned to support breast cancer research. Courtesy Regency Shop.

One of three chairs being auctioned to support breast cancer research. Courtesy Regency Shop.

While you’re sipping that cocktail, you could also be sitting pretty in a unique, one-of-a-kind stylish lounge chair that Regency Shop is auctioning off to support breast cancer research. For more information, click here.

Some additional promotions this month include:

• FragranceNet.com will donate 15% of the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation each time you purchase Vera Wang Truly Pink, Lacoste Love of Pink, Gap So Pink and Lacoste Joy of Pink.

• G.M. Collin skincare donates $2 of each sold product of Daily Ceramide Comfort Capsules to Pink Ribbons Inc.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

•  For the 8th consecutive year, DECLÉOR will donate (10%) of net proceeds of the Sensorial Travel Collections sold during the month of October to Cancer and Careers, a program of CEW Foundation.  Each exclusive skincare program includes five full and travel-sized DECLÉOR products, housed in a large zippered travel pouch, that provide unique benefits targeted to a specific skin-type.

Suki Ultra Protect Body Balm, courtesy photo

Suki Ultra Protect Body Balm, courtesy photo

• The suki® ultra-protect™ body balm, a great moisturizing product, will donate 100% of proceeds from this month’s sales of this product will benefit Breast Cancer Action (www.bcaction.org), an organization whose mission is to achieve health justice for all women at risk of and living with breast cancer.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 9, 2014.

Steve Lyons and Carol Palladini Honored as Man and Woman of the Year

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Carol Palladini was named Woman of the Year. Courtesy photo.

Carol Palladini was named Woman of the Year. Courtesy photo.

Hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the Four Seasons Biltmore to recognize Steve Lyons and Carol Palladini for their long-standing commitment to volunteerism and the significant impact they have had throughout the community.

The awards were presented by Ron Gallo, president & CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation. “The landscape and sense of community we treasure in Santa Barbara was shaped to a great extent by the efforts of volunteers,” says Gallo. This year’s recipients of the Man & Woman of the Year award, Steve Lyons and Carol Palladini, continue this legacy of service. Their compassion and willingness to give back has touched the lives of thousands and clearly demonstrates the impact of committed volunteers.”

Lyons came to Santa Barbara with his family in the early 1980s. His local nonprofit involvement has included CALM (Child Abuse Listening Mediation), ADL (Anti-Defamation League), Family Service Agency (FSA), Cottage Hospital,  The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, Laguna Blanca School, the Boys & Girls Club and AYSO, among others.

Steve Lyons was named Man of the Year.

Steve Lyons was named Man of the Year.

Palladini, who moved to Santa Barbara from Pasadena in 1996, has also been involved with a number of local nonprofits, including CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara and Tres Condados Girl Scout Council. In 2004, she established the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, which has awarded grants totaling $4.7 million to 64 local nonprofit programs impacting more than 83,000 local women, children and families in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria.

The awards were presented by the Santa Barbara Foundation and Noozhawk, with special commendations by Mayor Helene Schneider and Rep. Lois Capps.

—Leslie Dinaberg

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

 

See One-of-a-Kind Vhernier Italian Jewelry at Silverhorn Special Event

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Vhernier Rings, courtesy Silverhorn.

Vhernier Rings, courtesy Silverhorn.

Toreh Bahrami, Brand Ambassador of  Vhernier Italian Jewelry, will be showing a selection of one-of-a-kind Vhernier pieces at Silverhorn (1155 Coast Village Rd., Montecito), on Friday and Saturday Oct. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

While Silverhorn has represented the Vhernier line for the past 20 years, this is Bahrami’s first visit to Santa Barbara and the first ever Vhernier show in the area.

Founded in 1984, and headquartered in Milan, Vhernier has achieved a world-wide presence and a fashionable following. Vhernier’s jewels are loved and worn by fashionable celebrities, including Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Biel.

Vhernier represents the finest in Italian jewelry, a collection influenced by trends in contemporary art.  Vhernier’s superiorly trained Italian craftsmen have an in-depth knowledge of materials, stones, cuts and traditional manufacturing techniques.  The company has storefronts on several continents and a presence in high end department stores throughout the world. Silverhorn Vhernier Invite

Since 1976, Silverhorn has been hand crafting exquisite pieces of jewelry of the finest materials and enduring quality. Silverhorn owners Michael and Carole Ridding travel the world seeking out rare and unique gemstones, and fine jewelry lines.  Silverhorn’s own design team win awards for creativity and craftsmanship year after year.  Each piece, created with the gemstone in mind, is crafted using artisan methods and exacting precision. Internationally recognized, the Silverhorn collection appeals to discriminating individuals who expect unparalleled quality in fine jewels, stone carvings and timepieces.  For more information, visit www.Silverhorn.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 3, 2014.

Lobero LIVE presents Dave Rawlings Machine on 10/5 + Mary Chapin Carpenter on 10/10

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Dave Rawlings Machine, courtesy Lobero Theatre

Dave Rawlings Machine, courtesy Lobero Theatre

Lobero LIVE has two terrific concerts in October.

First up, on October 5, the rock and bluegrass supergroup, Dave Rawlings Machine takes the stage at a special 7 p.m. performance. Rawlings is an award-winning guitar player, singer, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show and Ryan Adams.

Later on that week is an intimate evening with Mary Chapin Carpenter on October 10 at 8 p.m. Over the course of her career, Carpenter has sold over 13 million records. With hits like “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” she has won five GRAMMY® Awards (with 15 nominations), two CMA awards and two Academy of Country Music awards for her vocals. Her songs speak to the most personal of life’s details and the most universal.

The Lobero Theatre is located at 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

Mary Chapin Carpenter, courtesy Lobero Theatre

Mary Chapin Carpenter, courtesy Lobero Theatre

 

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on October 3, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Celebration of Harvest

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Celebration of Harvest, photo by Gary Coon, courtesy SB Vintners

Celebration of Harvest, photo by Gary Coon, courtesy SB Vintners

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

Local winemakers have been hard at work amongst the vines for the last few weeks, but now it’s time for them to take a break for the annual celebration of the year’s bounty. Celebration of Harvest Weekend is a time to enjoy the fruits of those labors, when vintners pour their wines, relax a little bit, and if you’re lucky, share their harvest tales with the winehounds among us.

The Festival Grand Tasting is Saturday, October 11 from 1-4 p.m. at Old Mission Santa Ines in Solvang. All 100+ winery members of Santa Barbara Vintners will gather to present their wines, which are often poured by the winemakers themselves. A ticket gets you unlimited wine tastings from Santa Barbara County wineries, food samplings from local restaurants, caterers, and food creators, pop-up wine seminars and live music from the Occasional Mustache and Donna Green and the Roadhouse Daddies.

Everyone from Alma Rosa to Zotovich will be pouring, with food from a number of favorites, including The Willows, Trattoria Grappolo, Hitching Post II and Global Gardens.

Celebration of Harvest, photo by Tenley Fohl Photography, courtesy SB Vintners

Celebration of Harvest, photo by Tenley Fohl Photography, courtesy SB Vintners

There are also a number of special events throughout the weekend, everything from winemaker dinners, library tastings, new wine releases and barrel tastings. On Saturday night there’s a special concert at Solvang Festival Theatre starring Toad the Wet Sprocket with special guests Jonathan Kingham and Tommy & the High Pilots.

Also available just for the weekend are an all-inclusive tasting pass.  You can purchase a Vintners Visa for unique and complimentary offerings at your choice of tasting rooms. For all the details on the Grand Tasting and special events, and to purchase tickets click here.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

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 on October 3, 2014.

Mary Chapin Carpenter Comes to the Lobero

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Mary Chapin Carpenter, courtesy Lobero Theatre

Mary Chapin Carpenter, courtesy Lobero Theatre

Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and 2012 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Mary Chapin Carpenter embarks on a unique series of intimate, acoustic performances this fall.

Lucky for us, this includes a stop at the Lobero Theatre on October 10 at 8 p.m.

The tour marks Carpenter’s return to singing both timeless hits and deep cuts from her expansive and beloved 13-album catalog after performing with orchestras in early 2014. Carpenter will be joined on stage by longtime friends Jon Carroll (piano) and John Doyle (guitars, bouzouki).

Carpenter has spent the past year performing alongside world-renowned orchestras since the release of her debut orchestral album, Songs From the Movie (Zoë /Rounder), which was conducted and arranged by six-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza. Carpenter’s world debut orchestral concert took place on January 24 at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. In March, she performed two milestone concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Mendoza, and was joined by special guests Joan Baez, Shawn Colvin, Jerry Douglas, Tift Merritt and Aoife O’Donovan.

Over the course of her career, Carpenter has sold over 13 million records. With hits like “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” she has won five Grammy Awards (with 15 nominations), two CMA awards and two Academy of Country Music awards for her vocals. Her songs speak to the most personal of life’s details and the most universal.

The Lobero is located at 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 30, 2014.

The Return of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

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Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, courtesy photo

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, courtesy photo

Get ready to swing, jive with the hepcats and toe tap your way to a really fun evening when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy returns to The Granada Theatre on Saturday, October 4 at 8 p.m.

Believe it or not, 2014 marks the 21st anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s arrival onto the music scene from their native Ventura. In their early years, they reminded the world—during the grunge era—that it was still cool to swing, big band style. Several of their songs were featured in the film Swingers, which also made household names out of then unknowns Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performed during the halftime show of the Super Bowl, and to sold out crowds at the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Lincoln Center and Constitution Hall to name a few. The band often plays more than 150 shows a year and has appeared as special guests with many of the great American symphony orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets range  are available through The Granada Theatre’s Box Office. For more information, click here or call the Box Office at 805/899-2222. The theater is located at 1214 State St.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 29, 2014.

Small Images 2014 at SBCC’s Atkinson Gallery

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Small ImagesThe Atkinson Gallery hosts the 30th annual Small Images exhibition juried by Tif Sigfrids of Tif Sigfrids Gallery in Los Angeles. A juried competition featuring regional artists working in all media, the exhibition’s only constraint is size—all works must be 18” or smaller in every dimension. The diminutive scale of the works necessitates both intimacy and concision resulting in a dynamic exhibit that invites viewers to “take a closer look.”

The Atkinson Gallery was tremendously pleased with the enthusiastic response to Small Images from artists this year. The exhibition gathered an unprecedented amount of attention even before opening, with 372 pieces by 177 different local artists submitted for consideration. This was a significant increase in participation from the 246 pieces by 121 artists received in 2013.  From these submissions, Sigfrids selected 39 works from 29 artists including Esther Alinejad, Adrienne Allebe, Penny Arntz, Pamela Benham, Kit Boise-Cossart, Linda Branch, Phoebe Brunner, Lynn Coleman, Ralph Corners, Rob Decker, Rick Doehring, Benjamin Eckert, Elizabeth Flanagan, Diane Handloser, Holli Harmon, Marilyn Kandus, Fredda Leiter, Sara Lytle, Laurie MacMillan, Patrick McGinnis, George Sanders, Nicole Strasburg, Iben Vestergaard, Tio Vivo, Stephanie Washburn, Dorene White, Bill Woolway, Samah Yasin, and Pamela Zwehl-Burke for display.

Awards, including a $1,000 first prize, will be announced at 5:30 p.m. during the opening reception. This year’s exhibit is made possible with generous support from the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation.

Opening reception in October 3, from 5-7 p.m.

Exhibition will be on view from October 3–31.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on September 28, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Italian Reds

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Photo by Leslie Dinaberg

Photo by Leslie Dinaberg

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

I’ve got a soft spot for all things Italian, especially red wines.

Barolo is one of my special favorites. The vineyards and wineries in the Barolo district are famous for producing some of Italy’s very finest red wines—predominantly from the region’s signature grape variety, Nebbiolo.  The area includes a handful of micro-terroirs that, thanks to their sun exposure, soil and climate, as well as the ages of the vines and the care lavished on them for decades, help to elevate these wines even further.

I recently drank an amazing bottle of Damilano Barolo DOCG Cannubi 2008, which I had been saving for a special occasion (my birthday). It was indeed sumptuous. (Especially when paired with chocolate cake.) Made from 100%  Nebbiolo grapes from 30-50 year old vines, this full bodied red was simply delicious, and well worth the wait. Unfortunately, at upwards from $70-$90 a bottle I’m going to have to wait a while before I’ll get to drink this again.

Thankfully, there are some Barolo bargains to be found, including another wine from the same producers, the Damilano Lecinquevigne Barolo DOCG. Also made from Nebbiolo grapes —from the regions of Barolo, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra and Novello—this lovely, ruby red wine retails under $40.main_variation_na_view_01_204x386

But you don’t have to travel far to enjoy la dolce vida! Locally, Palmina produces a variety of great Italian style red varietals, including at least four different but equally delicious Nebbiolos. Mosby Wines is also creating Italian style wines locally, including award-winning Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio and more, including the latest addition, Dolcetto—the everyday wine of Piedmont, Italy.

Tre Anelli, which has a tasting room in Los Olivos, has some nice Italian style red  varietals too, as does Tres Hermanas, on Foxen Canyon Road in Santa Barbara.

Amore tutto italiano! Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns. Want to know more about drinking “Italian Style?” Here’s a fun article you might enjoy.

Leslie Dinaberg

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 on September 26, 2014.