It seems to me, this past year or so, all of Santa Barbara is trying to make up for the shut-in era of the COVID-19 pandemic, because there are so many activities — fundraisers and fun-raisers and parties and concerts — going on.
And now, no longer is it just competing events on Saturday and Friday nights to choose from, but pretty much Thursday night is taken as well.
And … yeah … a lot of Sundays are booked.
Here are just a few of the many wonderful events enjoyed in our town this season.
The Profant Foundation, a French Toast Affaire
In our mailbox we saw the par avion envelope, seemingly from France, wherein we discovered an invitation to a private fundraising party overlooking the Pacific at Hendry’s Beach.
It was a springtime celebration of everything French, and came from the Profant Foundation for the Arts. (This is a nonprofit that supports scholarships for Santa Barbara artists of all ages — dancers, musicians, singers, actors, artists and authors … because you are never too old to have your life enhanced by the arts.)
The evening included an appetizing array of all food French: Cheese! Baguettes, wine, coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, truffles, madeleines, chocolate.
Then the real treat was the Santa Barbara debut concert of the quintet French Toast — classic French melodies of the 1940s and ’50s set to Latin Rhythms. Ooh là là!
Singer Mignonne Profant (with impeccable French accent) backed by Mike Bolger on accordion, John Enrico Douglas on the 88, Randy Tico on bass and Matt Perko on percussion filled the night with happy music … C’est magnifique!
And to finish off the evening, the Profants awarded the first Susan Rosas Music Scholarship to Cainan Birchim.
Local virtuoso Gil Rosas presented the young super-talent with the award, which was created and named in honor of Rosas’ late wife, who died earlier this year.
Maritime Museum Mystery Dinner
A whodunnit mystery dinner theater was staged at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
“A Heist at the Harbor” was filled with wonderfully ridiculous characters, most of them played by familiar faces in the crowd who were tapped to perform that very night during the reception, along with several “pros” who produced the show.
Among the many committee members helping co-chairwomen Cindy Makela and Sigrid Toye with the evening planning were Leslie Meadowcroft Schipper, Linda Stirling, Jessica Tade, Erin Magoun and Marian Jean.
The whole evening was ridiculous fun. The characters who were all suspected of stealing the boat model (ergo “heist at the harbor”) had campy names such as Terry Cloth the butler; Taylor Made, an inventor; Billy Goat the veterinarian; and Charlie Horse, a doctor.
Tara Zanecki looked plenty guilty as the Princess of Reallyfaraway Land.
But then Bob Sedivy was suspicious as the underpaid astronaut.
Sneaking around the room gathering clues were Sabrina Papa, John Doordan, Lynda Fairly, Steve Epstein, and Mary Jane and Andy Cooper.
But when it came to “Who Dunnit” — who really done it, that is, as key supporters of the Maritime Museum — well, that would be Robyn Parker and Marie Morrisroe. Great ladies.
They were honored that night with the museum’s inaugural Admiral’s Award for demonstrated leadership and stewardship.
Now I have to pose the question: Have y’all ever been to the Maritime Museum? It opened enthusiastically more than two decades ago. During the first several years, that boat was rocking, as the organization went through several CEOs.
Since Greg Gorga has been at the helm, it’s been fair weather and smooth sailing, I have to say.
It is a magnificent museum with many interesting lectures and programs (many of which have been generously sponsored by our honoree, Marie Morrisroe).
Believe it or not, the Maritime Museum will be turning 25 years old — and yet it still seems so new!
Many local Boomers have not yet been in. Treat yourself to cool history and discover all the interesting facts you never knew that happened right here in the Santa Barbara Harbor and the Santa Barbara Channel.
You know who you are, grab your spouse or friend, come visit the museum and be amazed at what you learn, and then go to lunch on the breakwater and discuss …
Lotusland Dinner — Gundry Gourmet Gastronomique
I have to describe this fundraiser because it was so unique and different.
Lotusland held a Very Exclusive Event as a one-of-a-kind fundraiser.
Generous donors and their guests filled just 20 seats at the grand table to have dinner with Dr. Steven Gundry — the Guru of Good Guts.
Among those joining the table were Lotusland trustees Rachel Douglas and Connie Percy, arborist David and Susan Gress, and Lynn Brown.
This took place at the El Encanto in a private dining room, and their staff under chef Alexander Bollinger worked closely with the physician to prepare the meal a là Gundry Gourmet: The Plant Paradox Wine Dinner.
This meant gluten-free, dairy free, no lectins … everything healthy and good for you. Four courses of fabulous food paired with a select wine.
It was fantastic! And in between each course, the good doctor gave us very informal but interesting discussions about foods and how they affect our health; the difference between pro-, pre- and post-biotics; and why polyphenols are important for you.
The chef and winemaster also gave brief backgrounds to the meal and wines. A former cardio-thoracic surgeon, Gundry spent years of meticulous research delving into the affects of presumed “healthy” foods and wrote the hugely popular, Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain. (We each received a copy at the end of the night.)
The service that night was outstanding, and since I did not take pictures of my food — as everyone is wont to do these day — I’ll describe just one deliciousness on our plate: Confit Mulard Duck Leg Crepinette, with honey glazed Tokyo turnips (< yes, I had to google that one, too), sweet potato puree and syrah duck jus, paired with Dreamcôte’s Whole Berry Pinot Noir from La Encantada Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, hand sorted in the vineyard, organically farmed, unfined and unfiltered.
There! What’s not to like?
The repast ended with a splendid dessert — Chocolate Pot de Crème with brown butter hazelnut crumble, sea salt and coffee creme.
Yes, indeed, chocolate IS our friend, an anti-oxidant food and is official “Gundry approved” (provided you don’t sweeten it with something naughty).
