Category: Entertainment

Dec. 21, 22 — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara to present 32nd Annual Living Nativity

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SANTA BARBARA — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara will  present its 32nd Annual Living Nativity at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 22 at 305 E Anapamu St (at Garden), Santa Barbara.

Once again the congregation of the First United Methodist Church presents its beautiful Seasonal gift to the community by staging a silent re-creation of the Holy Night. Under a redwood tree and adjacent to the church, a grassy area is transformed into a humble wooden stable, complete with a serene Mary, Joseph and tiny baby Jesus asleep in the manger. Three majestic kings stand by with their gifts to the Holy Child, attentive angels appear nearby, and lowly shepherds tend to their flocks. Live camels, donkey, sheep and goats surround the manger taking in the wonder of it all.

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Explore Lompoc — The Four Best Places To Watch a Sunset on the Central Coast in Lompoc California Off Of Scenic California Highway 1

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With the winter solstice debuting this month, what better time than now to take a midweek/weekend getaway to view a spectacular winter sunset on California’s Central Coast. 

Here are Lompoc California’s Top 4 Picks to view a tranquil one-of-a-kind winter sunset:

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Santa Paula Art Museum Presents Mary Neville’s ‘Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation’

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The Santa Paula Art Museum presents “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation,” a solo exhibition by Ojai mixed media artist Mary Neville. Featuring all-new abstract paintings and works on paper, “Field Trip” tells the story of Neville’s recent, month-long artist residency at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, once home to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Meet artist Mary Neville during the exhibit premiere on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the premiere reception is $5 for SPAM members and $10 for non-members. Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation” will be on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum from January 14, 2023, to May 7, 2023. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase.

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Every GIFT to MVC brings people together!

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During this holiday season, we have been asking our community to tell us their favorite highlight from the Museum. Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County, recently shared her favorite MVC highlight and her son added his emphatic favorite as well. 

We would love to hear what you love about the Museum. Please consider enhancing the cultural life of our region with your support for our exhibits, collections, and programs. You can donate by clicking on the button below. Please be sure to note your favorite MVC highlight on the donation page.

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Museum of Ventura County presents Las Posadas Dec. 17 at Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula. See other events here

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Las Posadas
?Saturday, December 17th from 6-8pm
at the Agriculture Museum
Free
Las Posadas (The Inns in Spanish) is a Latinx traditional holiday that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging and a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus. After nine days of searching for lodging (Las Posadas are celebrated December 16th through 24th, representing the nine days), an Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph shelter in a stable as there was no room at the inns.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) celebrated 13th annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon

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… During the lunch program, BBSVC CEO Danica Selvaggio shared the importance of youth mentoring in Ventura County, and the impact the agency has had on the community. Big & Little Sisters of The Year 2022 for Ventura County and California Statewide, Karyn and Marcie, shared their story of their long and happy mentoring relationship while sharing photos from the lifetime of their match.

All proceeds from the Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon went towards providing the financial support BBSVC needs to help serve youth in Ventura County schools and the greater community.

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UCSB Arts & Lectures announces Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara FREE public performances return to Santa Barbara County for Jan.- May 2023

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SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is back in 2023 for the first time since 2020! Since its establishment as a free community arts program in 2006, Viva has brought together people of diverse backgrounds from across Santa Barbara County to celebrate the music and dance of Latin America. The program, which has been on hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, returns in 2023 with FREE performances and community outreach events from four stellar ensembles, including Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar (Jan. 13-15), Grandeza Mexicana (Mar. 17-19), Tres Souls (Apr. 14-16), and Las Cafeteras (May 19-21).

“At Arts & Lectures, we are thrilled to resume the exciting and deeply rooted ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! program at multiple locations throughout the region,” says Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci. “These free community events wouldn’t be possible without our partners The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association, and the many community coordinators and volunteers. From Carpinteria and Santa Barbara to Isla Vista, Lompoc, Guadalupe and New Cuyama, people will again enjoy the best ensembles from Latin America and the rich traditions they represent.”

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Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Spreading Holiday Cheer with Annual Toy Distribution

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Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. will continue its annual holiday tradition to distribute toys to its pediatric patients during this year’s holiday season. This year Clinicas plans on distributing approximately 4,500 toys for its patients.

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for families in need and Clinicas is happy to help support the community. This annual tradition is very meaningful to Clinicas because it offers staff an opportunity to not only thank patients but also help create joy and contributes to patients’ health and well-being.

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Bilingual report — Metrolink’s Tips for Holiday Train Travel with Kids

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Traveling with children is an adventure in itself, so this holiday season Metrolink is sharing a few tips for smooth travel with children on our trains.

Plan where you’ll go in advance. There are many holiday event destinations accessible by Metrolink trains. The EXPLORE page on our website shares many of this season’s best. Pro tip: Metrolink has free and convenient connections to many transit agencies throughout our service area, including L.A. Metro, making it easy to travel car-free.
Purchase tickets with ease. Download the Metrolink mobile app to a smart phone to easily access routes, schedules, fares and stress-free purchases all in the palm of your hand. Pro tip: up to three kids ride free on weekends with a paying adult, and with the Weekend Day Pass, the adult fare is just $10 all day, anywhere we go.

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Channel Islands Maritime Museum Announces Book Launch and Celebration for Newest Literary Work from Author and Tribal Elder Alan Salazar on Feb. 4

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The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is delighted to announce that it will be hosting a celebration and book launch on Saturday, February 4, 2023, for the new book Coyote Saves Hawk by local author and tribal elder Alan Salazar “Puchuk Ya?ia?c.”

Coyote Rescues Hawk is based on a Chumash story dating back at least 300 years. Mr. Salazar brings humor and insights from twenty-five years of experience in bringing back the traditional Chumash canoe culture to a tale sure to delight readers of all ages. Mr. Salazar will be on hand for storytelling and book signing, followed by time for questions and answers from the audience.

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Museum of Ventura County — Will you join us this holiday season?

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The Agriculture Museum will once again partner with De Colores Multicultural Folk Art, Inc. on their traditional Las Posadas procession. As the last stop of the night, the Ag Museum will host a nativity scene and musical performance before inviting everyone inside to enjoy refreshments and piñatas!

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Rebozo Festival awards $20,000 to selected recipients

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The Rebozo Festival Inc. is pleased to announce that grants of up to $20,000 were awarded to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community.

The 2023 Rebozo Festival Inc. grantees are Amino Theatre Company and Parents Against Santa Susana Lab-PSSFL (Fiscal Sponsor: Physicians for Social Responsibility, LA Chapter). The grantees will be honored at the 19th annual Rebozo Festival on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at the Camarillo Ranch.

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CSUCI’s ‘De Colores’ Winter Concert (Dec. 2, 4, ) celebrates the sounds of cultures around the world

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CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s winter concert— “De Colores, A Cultural Celebration of Choral Music”— will sweep the audience around the world with musical selections from Mexico to South Korea to East Africa to Great Britain and more.? 

?“I have had so much fun programming musical selections that reflect a wide range of cultures and their languages,” said the director of the Channel Islands University Chorus, KuanFen Liu, who holds a doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA). “We have had native speakers come in to teach us diction and pronunciation to make sure we are honoring the languages as best we can.”? 

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Embrace The True Spirit & Sparkle of the Holiday Season With ‘Out of This World’ Seaside Experiences At Ventura Harbor Village

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Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit seaside at Ventura Harbor Village, located off California Highway 101, where friends and family from near and far, are invited to add sun and sparkle this season. Trade in snow for sand and snow boots for flip flops – it’s time to enjoy another iconic event lineup at this stunning destination situated along the waterfront in Ventura. The Harbor is truly a “must SEA” spot this time of year.

Ventura Harbor is mustering up more holiday magic than ever with ocean-inspired decorations in a color palette of twinkling blue, aqua, and green beachy hues. On display for all to see are spiraling sea pearls, a scenic “SEAsons Greetings” photo op, whimsical holiday trees, vibrant wreaths, and other festive décor that reflects off the glistening marina waters. Seasonal décor can be enjoyed from now through the New Year!

Visitors are encouraged to take a seaside stroll to enjoy the lights and stop in for quality food on a cozy covered patio – a perfect way to entertain and spend quality time with loved ones. Following a relaxing meal, explore the Harbor Village for one-of-a-kind gifts. Ventura’s locally-owned shops and art galleries have everything from handmade treasures to fun stocking stuffers.

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Celebrate the Magic of The Holidays With A Seasonal Sojourn To Lompoc, On Scenic California Highway 1

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Just in time for the holidays, step into relaxing, small town holiday charm with a weekend getaway in Lompoc!

Celebrate the season with an activity calendar of family-friendly activities, specialty retail shopping, or go wine tasting at one of 30+ local wine tasting venues. After the fun, kick back for a relaxing evening at one of our comfy hotels.

Below is the destination’s holiday happenings for the entire family:

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Museum of Ventura County — Fall Freebie Festivities!

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For this reflective exhibit, MVC will partner with the RAD Foundation and the artist Julie Dahl-Nicolle to showcase 100 floral mixed media canvas paintings. This exhibit dives into the loss brought by COVID-19; of loved ones and what could have been. During the opening of the exhibit, guests can participate in hanging their clouties (piece of cloth tied to a tree branch)– an homage to the Irish Rag Tree tradition. Click here to learn more.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — My Home/My Land Community Outreach Project

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Produced in partnership with House Farm Workers! and funded by California Humanities

Art About Agriculture also offers a glimpse into My Home/My Land, a community outreach project presented by the Santa Paula Art Museum in partnership with local nonprofit House Farm Workers! and funded by a grant from California Humanities.

My Home/My Land invites our local farmworker community to contribute their voices and art to the Art About Agriculture exhibition. In recent months, SPAM educators hosted workshops at farmworker housing sites in Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. Families shared their connections to the agricultural landscape through art projects designed to capture individual symbolism and meaning.

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Island Packers Announces Holiday Cruises for 2022 Parade of Lights, Harbor Lights, Holiday Parties & Seasonal Whale Watching

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Just in time for the holidays, Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, will be offering seasonal cruises for family and friends, as well as group functions. Ventura Harbor Holiday Cruises and Whale Watching trips are splendid ways to celebrate the winter season. (Masks are optional). An array of holiday options include the following:

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Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos returns to the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Nov. 5

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OPAC celebrates the return of its annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration which will be held this year on Saturday, November 5th from 4 to 10 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. Admission is free and open to the public. The event will once again recognize Araw Ng Mga Patay, a Filipino holiday during which people pay homage to their deceased family members and loved ones by visiting their burial sites and making offerings such as food, flowers and prayers.

Guests will enjoy:

Opening remarks from The Mexican Consulate and Oxnard’s Mayor

Aztec Blessing and Ceremonial Dance by Kalpulli Huitzilin Ihuan Xochitl

Displays by local artists Checkos, BlotCamp, Erendira, CreationsByLoops, Carlos Heredia, Veggiecide, Melina Dominguez, Ambzy

Free Dia de los Muertos printmaking by SketchCrow and OPAC’s Teen Art Program students 

Performances by Poets Jesus + Sarahi Noyola, Chinas Niñas, Chinas Oaxaqueñas, Ballet Folklorico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Los Chinelos, Grupo Folklorico Fusión Mexicano, Los Diablitos

Community altars

Music provided by Radio Lazer DJs and local musicians

Family-friendly activities including face painting, a storytime corner, arts & crafts, complimentary photo booth, etc

Food representing cultures that celebrate Dia de los Muertos, including Filipino, Mexican and more

Vendors specializing in artesanias, crafts, and more!

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November @ SPAM: Art About Agriculture, Gorgeous Gourds, and More

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The 14th Annual Art About Agriculture Exhibition

Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM

$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members

Art About Agriculture, the popular, group exhibition presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance, returns November 12, 2022, through March 5, 2023! Now in its fourteenth year, Art About Agriculture promotes awareness of agriculture by exploring its many facets through art—from workers to water, from machinery to fields, to the food that goes on our plates.

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Museum of Ventura County — What’s New in November

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Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Joe Sohm, Thur., November 3rd from 6:30-8pm

Joe Sohm (“America’s Photo-Historian”) has been published more than 500,000 times in publications that include the National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, New York and L.A. Times, Washington Post and featured on CNN, ABC, PBS, and the History Channel. He served as President Clinton’s photographer for the D.N.C and his work is featured in Ronald Reagan’s book The Great Communicator. Join host Ivor Davis for a riveting discussion with Sohm about his work as one of the nation’s greatest political photographers of our time.

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Social Justice Fund for Ventura County Saticoy event update

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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came to our Annual Fundraiser in Saticoy on October 16th. We are grateful for our speakers, who all brought an invaluable perspective and offered attendees a thorough look at the challenges and community efforts in Saticoy.

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Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley — Our Biggest Gala Yet

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Our success is only made possible by YOU. Because of your support, whether you donated, volunteered, attended, or spread the word about our 2022 Gala, we were able to host our most successful event ever. Together we raised $684,000 for our community’s youth! As you know, putting this event together is no small feat, and we’ve already begun planning next year’s… and we have a date! The 21st Annual Stand Up For Kids Gala will be held on
Saturday, September 9th 2023.

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Cherie Nedderman Collection of California Art goes on display for the first time at CSUCI

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The California art collection of beloved Camarillo nurse Cherie Nedderman will be on display for the first time beginning with a reception on Oct. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the John Spoor Broome Library Art Gallery at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI). 

“The Cherie Nedderman Collection of California Art at CSUCI: Impressions and Dialogues” consists of 20 paintings from a 58-piece collection of “en plein air” or “outdoor” paintings of Southern California done between 1890 and the late 1960s. The paintings, which covered the walls of Nedderman’s hillside Camarillo home, featured frame after frame of sycamore trees, tumbling waves and rolling green hills. 

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A Spook-Tacular Lineup of Halloween Happenings At Ventura Harbor Village

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Listen up, it’s not just hocus pocus! Ventura Harbor Village is getting into the spooky spirit by brewing up a variety of fall festivities for visitors this Halloween. There is no better place to be than seaside as it casts a magical spell.

This spook-tacular destination invites guests from near and far to stop in for some enchanting entertainment. The real treat is complimentary community events for costumed kids, pets and parents who wish to celebrate the season in costume.

Festively decorated with local pumpkins, skeletons, and a myriad of scenic marina photo ops, Ventura Harbor is pulling out all the stops for Halloween weekend, made possible by partner, Underwood Family Farms.

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Introducing Jem and Gabriel, upcoming events

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We’re delighted to introduce Jem Morris and Gabriel Islas as the newest additions to the Santa Paula Art Museum team! As Museum Educator, Jem Morris is leading SPAM’s ArtSPARK school tour program, monthly Free Family Days, our busy partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, and much more.

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Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Chipping Starting Soon for Carp-Summerland Fire District, Commissioners Needed, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and More

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A big thanks to the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District for offering free chipping service again, starting November 7th, 2022. This is a great way to increase the defensible space around your property and your neighbors.

They will be starting the chipping in Summerland, and working East through the District. Residents are free to put piles of brush (non-fibrous, chippable material) in an easily accessible area for our contractor to chip. You can keep the chips if you would like, or we will haul them away. Please specify in your email if you would like to keep the chips. d.fawcett@csfd.net

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New Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room Opens Seaside In Ventura Harbor Village

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Just in time for Fall, the new Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room in Ventura Harbor Village is giving wine lovers a reason to toast the coast. Owned and operated by the Conway family of Santa Barbara/Ventura County, this modern wine tasting room is sure to be a popular spot with 15 different wines of interesting and unusual blends of reds and whites, each produced in small batch production. Along with their friendly and knowledgeable tasting room hosts, daily tastings offer a selection of both Conway and Deep Sea wines offering something for all palates.  https://www.conwayfamilywines.com/Santa-Barbara-Tasting-Room/Ventura-Tasting-Room

Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, along with the Conway siblings John, Tom, Gillian, and Sally, have created a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating in the picturesque Ventura Harbor setting. 

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Weekend Sorted

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Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 1 PM and 2 PM
Included with regular museum admission
Free for SPAM members and students

Don’t miss this singular opportunity to experience Hiroko Yoshimoto’s New Works exhibition featuring Blue Marble Art Collective with Yoshimoto and W. Scott Miles as your gallery guides! On Saturday, October 8, the two Ventura artists will lead 45-minute tours of their shared exhibit at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Reservations are not required.

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Museum of Ventura County — Hey pumpkin! Spice up your life at the Museum

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MVC Insider is back with a new season covering everything Ventura County, including The St. Francis Dam Disaster, speakeasy owner Sally Stanford, our notorious three-headed goat, and so much more.

Tune in every Friday at 9am on Facebook to learn more about your county’s hidden histories and enduring legacies.

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Rona Barrett Foundation Annual Fundraiser is Back on Oct. 9 with Love, Italian Style at The Sunstone Villa

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 The Rona Barrett Foundation’s annual benefit event is set for a stunning new location after a three-year hiatus. Guests are invited to celebrate in style while supporting vulnerable seniors, at Love, Italian Style, hosted at the Sunstone Winery Villa in Santa Ynez from 4 p.m. to 7:30 pm on Sunday, October 9.

“We’re discovering our community is more eager than ever to join together around the important things in life, and ready to get out from behind our screens to do so in style,” said Tony Morris, Executive Director. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, volunteers and auction donors for setting the stage for Love Italian Style to be a great success.” 

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