Tag Archives: Leslie Dinaberg

Cocktail Corner: Intoxerated

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

One of my favorite gifts this holiday season was a paperback book called Intoxerated: The Definitive Drinker’s Dictionary by Paul Dickson. Billed as “the book that set the Guinness World Record for most synonyms of a single word in English—’drunk,'” this slim volume is a fun read that is sure to spawn a new generation of party games for the tipsy.

According to the author, “the first person to ever collect and publish a sampling from the cornucopia of English slang for drunkeness” was Benjamin Franklin, with his 1737 Drinker’s Dictionary. Other prestigious contributors to the oeuvre were Charles Dickens, H.L. Mencken and Ambrose Bierce, among other lubricated literary lexicography lions.

Some of my favorite synonyms for soused (from the book) include:

A Weeble: from the name of the toy Weebles who wobble but they don’t fall down.

Cabbaged

Boris Yeltsinned: after the notoriously alcoholic Russian Prime Minister, then later popularized in an episode of “The Simpsons,” where they give a breathalyzer to a bar patron to see if it was safe for them to drive. The meter had the following degrees of inebriation: Not Drunk/Tipsy/Pissed/Boris Yeltsin.

The emoticons: *), %*) and %-).

Full of loud mouth soup

Snicker-doodled

Count Drunkula

Zambonied: a reference to the Zamboni ice re-surfacing machine.

Feng schwasted: a surrounding harmonious atmosphere encouraging of a state of intoxication.

Pixelated

Obnoxicated: a combination of “intoxicated” and “obnoxious” coined by Louis Jordan in his 1947 hit song, “Open the Door, Richard.”

Picassoed

X Filed

That’s just a sampling of the synonyms in this toast-worthy book. Pick up a copy. I think you’ll find it … quite intoxicating.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 3, 2014.

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.”

Thacher Winery Winemaker Tasting

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Thacher Winery (Mike Larson photo)

Thacher Winery (Mike Larson photo)

Enjoy the hand-crafted, dry-farmed, Rhone blends and Zinfandels from award-winning Thacher Winery from the westside of Paso Robles with Sherman and Michelle Thacher on January 16 at 6 p.m. at Blush, 630 State St.

“Not only are their wines terrific, but they are a wonderful, engaging couple that radiate the hospitality that makes their winery a must-visit in Paso,” say Inside Wine Santa Barbara organizers who have created this event.
“We will have the back patio of Blush to ourselves–tented, heated, with the outdoor fireplace lit. Blush will be providing tasty appetizers to pair with the Thacher wine selections.” Wine selections include:

·       2011 CONTROLLED CHAOS, Paso Robles (usual retail $42) 47% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 20% Grenache—each part is equally represented without anyone of them outdoing the other. This wine is delicious and approachable, a true crowd pleaser.

·       2010 GSM,  Central Coast (usual retail $42)  A pure, supple blend of 38% Grenache, 31% Syrah and 31% Mourvedre, the 2010 GSM dishes out loads of pleasure with a seamless, upfront and fruit-loaded personality. Exhibiting ripe black raspberry, toast, spice cabinet and plenty of licorice aromas and flavors, this plush, textured, medium to full-bodied, beauty should be enjoyed over the coming 4-5 years. WINNER! 2013 LA International Wine Competition “Best of Class”

·       2011 ZINFANDEL, Paso Robles (usual retail $36) Five different Westside Paso Robles’ vineyards make up this blend, one of them being our own Kentucky Ranch Vineyard. This wine is ruby in color with notes of cherry, coffee, cinnamon, and molasses on the nose. The front of the palette has hints of vanilla that give way to a flavor of ripe strawberries. Becomes spicier with air and finishes with silky tannins, strong persistence and a bright jolt of cracked pepper.

·       2011 ViN ROUGE, Paso Robles (usual retail $38) A favorite blend of 74% Syrah and 26% Grenache — very balanced and approachable. This is the perfect cocktail hour wine. Not over-powering or loaded with astringency. Medium bodied, fruity and a crowd pleaser. No fork needed.

For more information, please click here.
—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 1, 2014.

MCA Santa Barbara Invites Architects To Do Anything But Architecture In New Exhibition

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Atelier Manferdini, Arlecchino, December 2010- May 2012, CNC cut wood structure, CNC cut and folded aluminum panels with powder coating finish, and printed vinyl, 12 x16 x 4 ft., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, Courtesy the Artist

Atelier Manferdini, Arlecchino, December 2010- May 2012, CNC cut wood structure, CNC cut and folded aluminum panels with powder coating finish, and printed vinyl, 12 x16 x 4 ft., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, Courtesy the Artist

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) welcomes six prominent Los Angeles-based architects as they present original designs that are anything but architecture. In “Almost Anything Goes: Architecture and Inclusivity,”  Amorphis LA, Atelier Manferdini, Ball Nogues Studio, Design Bitches, DO/SU Studio Architecture and Variate Labs present their work,  embracing cross-fertilization, collaboration and adaptation to create new methodologies for research and implementation in the fields of architecture and beyond.

The exhibition is on view from January 5 –April 13.
The architects are:

Ramiro Diaz Granados, Amorphis LA
Elena Manferdini, Atelier Manferdini
Benjamin Ball and Gaston Nogues,Ball Nogues Studio
Catherine Johnson and Rebecca Rudolph, Design Bitches
Doris Sung,DO/SU Studio Architecture
Miles Kemp, Variate Labs

The opening reception for this exhibit is January 4 from 6–8 p.m. MCASB is located at 653 Paseo Nuevo.

—Leslie Dinaberg

 

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 31, 2013.

Diana Basehart Foundation Gets Donation from Silverhorn Jewelers

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Front: Ruby (namesake of Ruby's Friends Fund at Silverhorn). L to R: Carol Ridding, Silverhorn + Ruby's owner; behind Alice is Troper with Tootsie (a recipient of funds from DBF for Tootsie) and Diana Basehart with her Little Nell. (Mo McFadden)

Front: Ruby (namesake of Ruby’s Friends Fund at Silverhorn). L to R: Carol Ridding, Silverhorn + Ruby’s owner; behind Alice is Troper with Tootsie (a recipient of funds from DBF for Tootsie) and Diana Basehart with her Little Nell. (Mo McFadden)

Visitors to Silverhorn are often greeted by the store’s mascot, a six-year-old Shiba Inu dog named Ruby.  The friendly pup is a mainstay of the iconic Coast Village Road jewelry store owned for 30 years by Carole and Michael Ridding, longtime generous supporters of area nonprofits.

The Ridding’s team shares their love of animals, and recognize the need to help less fortunate ones.  They were determined to do something and so the Ruby’s Friend’s donation fund was born in 2010. The fund provides an annual donation to an organization assisting domestic or wild animals in need.

The 2013 recipient of Ruby’s Friends $2,500 gift is the Diana Basehart Foundation which has as its mission is to help elders and others on limited incomes care for and keep their beloved companion animals by providing support for veterinary, behavioral and nutritional needs; while also minimizing the number of animals being turned over to shelters.

“There are so many worthy causes in our community and we support a good deal of them, but I always feel a special and painful tug at my heart for helpless animals that are not able to express their own needs.  My husband Michael and I are so blessed to have a business which will allow us to make a difference to some of the creatures who share the planet with us,”  says Carole Ridding, CEO and President of Silverhorn.

Silverhorn is located at 1155 Coast Village Rd. in Montecito and at the Four Seasons Biltmore, 1260 Channel Dr. in Montecito.

For more information about Diana Basehart Foundation go to http://basehart.org.
—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 26, 2013

Les Marchands Presents New Year’s Eve With Pierre Péters Champagne & Raw Bar Extravaganza

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Brian McClintic and Eric Railsback of Les Marchands (photo by Emily Railsback)

Brian McClintic and Eric Railsback of Les Marchands (photo by Emily Railsback)

Looking for something elegant to do this New Year’s Eve? As the ball drops, the bubbles rise. when Master Sommelier Brian McClintic and Sommelier Eric Railsback, managing partners of Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant (131 Anacapa St. in the Funk Zone), showcase the best in Champagne and include a Santa Barbara seafood feast to ring in 2014.

The stars of the 2013 hit film SOMM celebrate the passing of 2013 and the arrival of 2014 with a spectacular party befitting this paean to fine wine producers.
Pouring plentifully for solo guests and couples is Pierre Péters, the Champagne produced in France by the family since 1919. This champagne will be accompanied by a raw bar for the ages—replete with Blue Fin Tuna, Oysters on the Half Shell, Local Uni with Burrata and much, much more.
Space is extremely limited; tickets are available for purchase on the Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant website.
—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 23, 2013

Cocktail Corner: Notable News

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Blue Tavern's Pisco Sour features Porton Pisco, angostura bitters and cinnamon tincture. (courtesy photo)

Blue Tavern’s Pisco Sour features Porton Pisco, angostura bitters and cinnamon tincture. (courtesy photo)

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

Winemaker Doug Margerum‘s first release from his new brand, BARDEN came out earlier this month. Margerum says, “The BARDEN collaboration is the pairing of my dream to make the ultimate expression of Santa Barbara County grapes and winemaker Jason Barrette’s acute craftsmanship and skill. BARDEN showcases a fusion between Jason’s southern hemisphere and worldwide winemaking experience, our access to the top vineyards and the philosophy and knowledge we both share in what makes a wine world-class. The BARDEN trade name is my middle name and its English meaning is ‘Lives near the boar’s den’ … thusly we have adorned the label with an image of the wild boar that is pervasive in the vineyards of Santa Barbara County.” The wine, which retails for $87,  received 92-93 points from Tanzer and can be ordered by emailing tastingroom@margerumwines.com. |

Acclaimed mixologist Deysi Alvarez at the hot new restaurant Blue Tavern (119 State St., 805/845-0989) utilizes a unique blend of cultures as inspiration for her cocktail menu, which features classic drinks made with housemade tinctures and small-batch spirits. The Margarita features Espolon tequila, house orange reduction, fresh lime Juice, agave nectar, and Gusano salt; the Mojito de Martinique showcases Clement Rhum VSOP and clement cane syrup; and the Old Fashioned takes a trip to South America with the replacement of bourbon with mezcal. Blue Tavern’s wine list  focuses on local vintners, many of whom have tasting rooms in the Funk Zone, just blocks from the restaurant.|

Nikki and Jeff Nelson, owners of Liquid Farm, the small production wine project focused on Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and Happy Canyon AVA Rosé, are plowing through this year’s early harvest in a boutique winery space within the newly-established, local coop facility, the Buellton Wine Center (65 Los Padres Way, Buellton) with the help of friend and winemaker, James Sparks. Located just half of a mile north of Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Taproom Restaurant, Liquid Farm joins seven other Santa Barbara County wine producers in the Coop, including Bonaccorsi Wine Company, Larner Winery, Casa Dumetz Wines and Municipal Winemakers. Michael Larner, the visionary behind the new Coop, has transformed two adjacent industrial buildings into private, individually walled-off wine production spaces outfitted with communal harvest equipment and resources, as well as cooperative common areas. |

As part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebration, from January 30 – February 9, Film Feast 2014 will take you and your taste buds on a culinary journey of cuisine and libations, made famous in Santa Barbara. Local talents and ingredients have come together to produce award-worthy tasting flights. Nominees include “The Graduate Wine Flight” at Au Bon Climat Wine Tasting Room and The Jim Clendenen Wine Library (813 Anacapa St.) which includes eight wines comprised of four sets – one older and one younger vintage of the same wine.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 27, 2013

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.”

Hospice of Santa Barbara Light Up A Life Stars Available Through December

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Courtesy Hospice of Santa Barbara

Courtesy Hospice of Santa Barbara

Looking for a special way to honor a loved one this holiday season? Hospice of Santa Barbara—an organization that “volunteers” its free professional counseling and care management services to more than 700 children and adults every month who are experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness, or grieving the death of a loved one—recently hosted its 30th annual holiday Light Up A Life celebrations in Goleta and Santa Barbara and its 20th anniversary celebration in Carpinteria, inviting families and friends to gather to celebrate the lives and memories of their loved ones. Hundreds of lights and stars illuminate memorial trees at each site through the month of December.

Light Up A Life memorial stars will continue to be sold throughout December at the following locations:

Anna’s Bakery in Camino Real Marketplace (7018 Marketplace Dr., Goleta)

Lovebird Boutique & Jewelry Bar (7 E. De La Guerra St., next door to Casa De La Guerra)

Curious Cup Bookstore (929 Linden Ave., Carpinteria)

Peebee & Jay’s (1007 Casitas Pass Rd., Carpinteria)

Montecito Bank & Trust (1023 Casitas Pass Road, Carpinteria)

Hospice of Santa Barbara office (2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100) and at hospiceofsantabarbara.org or by calling 805/563-8820.

A $15 or more donation is suggested for each star, and all proceeds support Hospice of Santa Barbara. Stars may be hung on Light Up A Life trees located at:

Camino Real Marketplace, Goleta (on the corner plaza between Pier One and Hollister Brewing Company)

Casa de la Guerra, Santa Barbara

The Seal Fountain at Linden Plaza, Carpinteria

–Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 22, 2013

Cocktail Corner: Cocktails and Cookies for Santa

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Ocean Vodka's White Christmas Cocktail, photo by Jessica Pearl

Ocean Vodka’s White Christmas Cocktail, photo by Jessica Pearl

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

Maybe your Santa Claus drinks milk with his cookies … but after a long night’s journey up and down chimneys delivering gifts, mine prefers a good stiff adult beverage.

Here are just a few of Santa’s favorite Christmas Eve cocktails (click on drink names for links to the full recipes).

Santa Sleigh Cocktail from the always-festive Sandra Lee of the Food Network features brandy, amaretto and ice cream. Yum!

Bourbon and pear puree are the primary flavors in this delicious Santa’s Little Helper from bartender Kris Doyle via laist.com.

Want to tickle Santa’s Whiskers? Try this concoction of 42Below Honey Vodka and Angostura Bitters from Mixologist Pete Gugni via about.com’s cocktail section.

Vodka, amaretto and cranberry juice create a refreshing red splash for Santa’s Helper from Chris Nease at celebrationsathomeblog.com.

Leave it to Rachel Ray to create the Tipsy Santa cocktail, featuring bourbon and ginger ale.

Our friends at Ocean Vodka came up with the White Christmas, a tasty treat featuring peppermint extract and Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur.

Finally, we’ve got 12 Days of Christmas Cocktails from the fabulous folks of Tablespoon.com. Try the Spice “Cake Batter” Shots to give your night an extra festive kick.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on December 20, 2013.

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.”

Cocktail Corner: Holiday Gift Guide

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Wine Sweaters by Skedouche (courtesy photo)

Wine Sweaters by Skedouche (courtesy photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg |
From cocktail kits to barware, here are some of our favorite gift ideas for anyone who loves cocktails.

1. Julibox Membership

Fruit of the month clubs are great, but wouldn’t the drinkers in your life prefer a cocktail of the month instead? Enter Julibox, where each month they’ll get to try two great cocktails. Designed by world-class mixologists for easy home preparation, packages include ingredients for two of each cocktail.

2. The Drunken Botanist

There’s a good reason that Amy Stewart’s The Drunken Botanist is on so many “best of” year-end lists: growing cocktail friendly plants is a hot trend right now, and this fascinating concoction of biology, chemistry, history, etymology and mixology is a really fun read.

3. Crystal Head Vodka

Talk about a cool gift! The Crystal Head Vodka bottle was designed by none other than Dan Aykroyd (with John Alexander) and it’s the official vodka of the Rolling Stones’ 50th Anniversary. This is the perfect gift for the rock ‘n roller in your life who likes to drink the good stuff.

Tray by Rock Flowers Paper (courtesy photo)

Tray by Rock Flowers Paper (courtesy photo)

4. Cocktail Trays by Rock Flower Paper

As any hostess knows, the secret to great cocktails is at least 50% presentation. These beautiful trays (available at Santa Barbara Museum of Art Gift Shop) are available in a variety of designs to brighten up your presentation and make your cocktails shine.

5. Wine Bottle Sweaters From Skedouche

Ugly holiday sweaters are a seasonal tradition, so why share the tackiness with your wine bottles too! A perfect Secret Santa gift, these sweaters are guaranteed to generate laughs.

6. Amina Ceramic Tile Coasters

Give your drinks a taste of Santa Barbara with these handcrafted ceramic tile coasters (available from The Santa Barbara Company).

7. The Gentleman’s Guide to Cocktails

This retro-inspired cocktail guide includes suave cocktails for the debonair men (and women) in your life. Author Alfred Tong teaches you how to mix a margarita with mojo, a gimlet with grace, and a piña colada that packs a punch (Available at Industry Home).

Courtesy After Five Catalog

Courtesy After Five Catalog

8. Personalized Bar Signs

For the home bartender who has everything, look to the Goleta-based After Five Catalog for personalized bar signs for every style and taste.

9. Saddle Leather Cocktail Shaker

Add a monogrammed initial to this beautiful leather cocktail shaker and you’ve got yourself a thoughtful and practical gift for any cocktail enthusiast (available at Pottery Barn in La Cumbre Plaza).

10. The World of Pinot Noir

The delicious world of Pinot Noir is coming to the Bacara Resort Feb. 28–Mar. 1. Why not treat your loved ones (and yourself) to a delicious weekend of grape immersion.

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.”

Share the Gift of an Experience

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GiftofExperience1-704x400Nothing beats the gift of a memorable experience…except perhaps one that you can share with your loved ones. Here are some holiday gift suggestions that can be appreciated together.

Santa Barbara Beautiful

When it comes to enjoying our gorgeous city, the options truly are endless. One of the best ways to soak in the soul of Santa Barbara is to get out on the water. In the early winter months, Condor Express whale-watching charters follow migrating California Gray Whales as they pass through the channel (805/882-0088, condorexpress.com) and Adventure Sailing Charters (805/794-8703, adventuresailingventura.com)offers boats to the Channel Islands, as well as surf trips.

Landlubbers will love a membership to Lotusland, which provides priority access to 37 acres of spectacular collections of exotic plants (805/969-9990, lotusland.org). Members of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (805/682-4726, sbbg.org) not only get free entry to this living museum, but also support the garden’s mission of conservation, education and scientific research. Garden lovers, not to mention history buffs and architecture aficionados, will love a tour of the historic Casa del Herrero (805/565-5653, casadelherrero.com), an elegant Montecito estate and National Historic Landmark. For a truly adventurous gift, take to the skies with Santa Barbara Helicopter Tours (805/845-4500, helicoptertoursofsantabarbara.com), offering wine tours, whale watching trips and Channel Islands flights.

Wine and Dine

Oenophiles will appreciate the plethora of tasting and transportation options offered by Wine Canyon Tours (805/453-7047, winecanyontours.com), Sustainable Vine Wine Tours (805/698-3911, sustainablevine.com) and Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours (805/646-3200, ccjeeps.com), among others. Got a sweet tooth? Santa Barbara Adventure Co.’s Tasty Cupcake and Wine Tour (805/884-9283, sbadventureco.com) is simply delicious.

The Show Must Go On

Why not treat that special someone to passes for Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs Jan. 30–Feb. 9 (805/963-0023, sbiff.org) and offers a variety of packages that include movie tickets, parties and tributes and awards ceremonies. Classical music aficionados will love series tickets to Santa Barbara Symphony (805/898-9386, thesymphony.org), the “Met Live In HD Series” at Music Academy of the West (805/695-7931, musicacademy.org) or CAMA’s International Series (805/ 966-4324, camasb.org). If the play’s the thing, then the Broadway Series at The Granada is just the ticket (805/899-2222, granadasb.org) for big musical performances, while the black-box intimacy of Center Stage Theater (805/963-8198, centerstagetheater.tix.com) hosts a terrific variety of plays and performances, including the locals’ favorite Speaking of Stories (805/963-0408, speakingofstories.org) reader theater series.

Catch Some Culture

Museum memberships make great gifts. Santa Barbara Museum of Art (805/963-4364, sbma.net) members have access to the museum’s renowned exhibitions, grand opening events and other special activities, as well as a connection to a vibrant community of art lovers. MCASB (805/966-5373, mcasantabarbara.org) also cultivates a unique arts community. Its members form a society of contemporary art lovers, patrons and artists who actively participate in the intellectual and artistic life of the museum. Another great way to catch some culture is via UCSB Arts and Lectures Series (805/893-3535, artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu), which has about a dozen terrific ticket series to choose from—or you can build your own.

Get Active

The gift of physical fitness is a gift that keeps on giving. Why not give golf lessons (805/968-1541, sandpipergolf.com), try stand up paddle boarding (805/881-2115, supadventuressb.com), or yoga at Core Power Yoga (805/884-9642, corepoweryoga.com) or Yoga Soup (805/965-8811, yogasoup.com). Los Padres Outfitters offers beach horseback rides, day rides or pack trips for horse lovers (805/331-5961, lospadresoutfitters.com), while Rancho Oso (805/683-5110, rancho-oso.com) in the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains is a great place for beginning riders to get comfortable with gentle horses and on guided trail rides.

DIY

Learn to paint (and sip local wine) at The Painted Cabernet (805/963-9979, paintedcabernet.com), a perfect place for a date-night gift. Market Forays cooking classes and culinary adventures are also a great gift for someone who would enjoy a guided shopping tour through local farmers’ markets and the fisherman’s market, followed by a hands-on cooking class and five-course feast (805/259-7229, marketforays.com). Brooks Institute Extension (805/690-7629, workshops.brooks.edu) offers a variety of excellent workshops for photographers of every level to improve their skills.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in the Winter 2013/14 issue of Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine.