Montecito Journal

03/20/2026

One highly caffeinated local knows the power of coffee as a connector. Elly Iverson and her crew of brew-loving organizers have pulled together "Coffee Culture Fest," an event centered around coffee and community. Something we are espres-so excited about.

Because along with fun events where baristas battle it out to make the best latte art (or l'arté as the French call it) the MJ's very own Gwyn Lurie will be moderating a free Giving List Women's panel on Saturday March 28, featuring fellow local female entrepreneurs and leaders. Perfectly timed to coincide with Women's History Month!

But this is just the short pull. Get the full drip of Coffee Culture Fest's joltastic offerings and community building events here!

www.montecitojournal.net/2026/03/17/the-coffee-culture-fest-cometh/

02/11/2026

A storm is rolling in, and chaos looms in Chapter 2 of Last Light in Paradise. Catch up with the latest as Creek comes face to face with a headless old friend, with little help from the suspiciously uncooperative Sheriff. Read it here!

https://www.montecitojournal.net/2026/01/14/last-light-in-paradise-chapter-2/

And buy it here! https://tinyurl.com/4payumym

02/07/2026

Ready for some big book news? The Montecito Journal Media Group has published its first novel! Holy tome, talk about spine tingling.

If you're looking for a fresh story to crack into, then look no further than local author Michael C. Armour's Last Light in Paradise. Set in 1934 Santa Barbara, at the height of SB's burgeoning film industry, Last Light wraps up love, mystery, crime, intrigue, and more, in one hypnotic and exciting read.

The novel is now available for purchase at our trusty local booksellers Tecolote, Godmothers, and Chaucer's: Purchase it here: https://tinyurl.com/4payumym

In addition, the MJ will honor the newspaper tradition of serializing Last Light to provide a tantalizing taste of what's to come.

Read the first chapter here!

https://www.montecitojournal.net/2026/01/10/last-light-in-paradise-chapter-1/

07/10/2023

TOMORROW -- Tuesday, July 11 @ 7:30pm -- Don’t miss one of the greatest violinists of our time – Augustin Hadelich - as he makes a special appearance in Santa Barbara to perform with Music Academy teaching artist Jonathan Feldman at the historic Lobero Theatre as part of the Music Academy’s epic Summer Festival.

Immerse yourself in an extraordinary night of music. Get tickets now while they last.
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FRANZ SCHUBERT
Sonatina for Violin and Piano in D Major, D. 384
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COLERIDGE-TAYLOR PERKINSON
Blue/s Forms for solo violin
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MAURICE RAVEL
Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major
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EUGÈNE YSAŸE
Sonata for Solo Violin in A Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, “Jacques Thibaud”
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SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94a
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Tickets here: https://www.lobero.org/events/ma02-augustin-hadelich/

11/11/2021

‘Creating Hope’ with UCSB Arts & Lectures

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, UCSB Arts & Lectures, like every establishment across the country, was forced to close and cancel all its programs. But the 62-year-old organization — still the largest and most influential arts and lectures presenter not only in the Santa Barbara regi...

11/04/2021

‘Provide Some Cheer’: Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Puts Emphasis on Holidays

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) was founded by Nikki Katz back in 2002 after hearing of the financial and emotional challenges faced by the family of a three-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with bone cancer and a brain tumor and felt alone in dealing with both the diagnosis and the fallout.....

10/29/2021

RAINN: Connecting an Influx of Survivors With Needed Support

Peruse the list of RAINN supporters online or in the 2020-21 inaugural The Giving List book and you’ll find a whole lot of famous names. There are singer-songwriters Tori Amos and Kesha, entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and the actresses Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino, among many ...

10/21/2021

Looking to Create “Positive Change” — Leading From Within

In its short 13-year history, Leading From Within — which was founded in 2008 as the Courage to Lead program that was created to offer renewal to experienced nonprofit executive leaders while also offering leadership development — has already had quite an impact in town. More than 60 executive d...

10/14/2021

Building Love at Lotusland — Ganna Walska Lotusland

Anyone who’s visited Lotusland over the past quarter-century knows that the gorgeous botanical garden in the Montecito foothills boasts 37 acres of natural wonder that encompass more than 20 distinct gardens and exhibitions. Most folks who have walked the grounds are aware of how Lotusland remains...

10/07/2021

‘Mainstream Topic’: Pandemic Puts Mental Wellness Center in Spotlight

It’s just a coincidence that World Mental Health Day falls right in the middle of the circulation for this week’s edition of the Montecito Journal. The annual campaign was created by the World Health Organization with a stated objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing...

09/30/2021

United & Thriving: Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara Combine Forces

It was just about a month into the pandemic when the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara (UBGC) fully united, as the downtown club agreed to merge and fully centralize the 83-year-old organization. That might seem like a strange time to be making structural changes, as the merger was complete...