Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Arthritis Foundation, Rowland W. (Bing) Chang, MD, MPH, and President & Chief Executive Officer of the Arthritis Foundation Ann M. Palmer were among the VIP guest at the Arthritis Foundation Taste of the Town kick-off event hosted by Automotive Partner BMW Santa Barbara. Returning honorary Co-Chairs Tina Takaya and Richard Yates of Opal Restaurant & Bar, were joined by John O'Neill of Banc of California to address the large crowd. Opal's delicious appetizers were paired with a bevy of Honorary Vintner Jim Clendenen's Au Bon Climat wines, served by his director of marketing Katie O'Hara, throughout the event.

Katie O'Hara, Au Bon Climat - Richard Yates, Opal Restaurant & Bar - John O'Neill, Banc of California

Michal Wiesbrock, Executive Director of Arthritis Central Coast announced the dates of September 7 for the 37^th Annual Connoisseurs' Circle Gala Dinner & Auction at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, followed by the September 9 annual Taste of the Town at Riviera Park. 2018 youth honoree is Shannon Morehouse, and 2018 honoree artist Chris Potter's painting will be auctioned at the Gala. Chris was a the kick-off to unveil his painting.

The two extraordinary gastronomique events for Taste of the Town include a Connoisseur’s Circle Gala Dinner & Auction Friday, September 7 at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, which will feature the talents of Chef Matt Johnson, San Ysidro Ranch, David Rosner, The Monarch at the Montecito Inn, Steven Giles, formerly of Sage & Onion and Le Garoche London, David Cecchini, Cecco Ristorante and a guest chef from Hilton Hotels & Resorts. The culinary delight dinner will be served in the Rotunda and will be paired with wines from Au Bon Climat.

Elizabeth DiNovi with Board Members John Muller & Douglas Tucker, Vista Del Monte - Dr. Tim Spiegel

On Sunday, September 9 the Riviera Park overlooking the city will be the site of the Taste of the town featuring the finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and spirits providers, with a silent auction, photo booth and live jazz.

Invited Guests with Michal W. Wiesbrock, Executive Director AF Central Coast

Arthritis Foundation Central Coast Local leadership Board members for 2018 include Pam Tanase, Amy Leong MBA, Karen Anderson, R.N., Miriam Parsa, MD, Laura Kath, Deborah Deneaulf, L. Mae Chandler, Thomas Ferro, MD, William Gallivan, Jr. MD, Susan Lemon, DO, Kristi Jena, C.J.Ward, Lynn Yekiazarian, Douglas Tucker.

Dr. Rowland (Bing) W. Chang & Dr. Miriam Parsa - Art Kvaas, CC Leadership Board Member Emeritus

All proceeds from these events support Arthritis Foundation services and programs. For detailed information and tickets please visit: www.arthritis.org/tasteofthetownsb.

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Sensational Wine + Food Festival at SBMNH

The sold out 2018 Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival was once again a hugely successful event on the banks of Mission Creek at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The huge crowd of 'foodies' and wine lovers mingled with winemakers, bakers, and chefs under the oak trees. Starting at 3:00 PM in Fleischmann Auditorium, guests had the chance to purchase $40 raffle tickets for the “Every Cork wins” raffle and many won prizes worth up to $500 in value for their $40 raffle ticket. Prizes included wine, restaurant certificates, overnight hotel stays, and more.

Grassini Family Vineyards - Brander Vineyard - Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

The beautiful views and wine loving fun shared by people who attend every year made this yet another fantastic event to benefit Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Chefs from fine restaurants in the area 'brought it' offering bites of really amazing foods, and award-winning winemakers provided the perfect wines to pair with the exceptional bites.

Chef Michael Hutchings was at his culinary best offering the VIPs sensational Goleta Abalone morsels, and later tender scallop bites in cream sauce. Chef Jeremy Tummel from The Bear & Star had them waiting in line for a taste from his grill. Chef Dario of Ca Dario's always attracts followers for a sample of his pasta favorites as does Via Maestra 42. I flipped for Industrial Eats Indian sampler plate followed with fresh mango popsicles, and Finch & Fork's pork belly bites were addictive. The crème de la crème was The Little Door duck pate, as well as the bigger than life Paella production by Loquita. Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat reports, “This is the most beautiful tasting, and the most beautiful setting that I do anywhere in the country, no question about that.”

Chef Dario Furlati, Ca Dario - Chef Jeremy Tummell, The Bear & Star - #1 Lobster Bisque Enterprise Fish Co.

The local winemakers in the Santa Barbara area are well known and loved by most of the people who have supported this event since its inception, and guest have the opportunity to speak with them, and receive special discounts on wine offered at their wineries and wine tasting rooms or through their wine clubs. I loved seeing the girls from Grassini Family Vineyards, the Fess Parker family, Kalyra (who I just met during a wine tasting this week), Tatomer couple, Foxen, Casa Dumets, Au Bon Climant and so many more. Margerum was pouring 'rose wine all day' and Fred Brander wines are always on attendees list of favorites. This casual wine tasting under the old oak trees is an ideal way for guests to sample wine and learn about winery locations and awards.

Desserts I loved this year were from Jessica Foster Confections, and a sinful petit strawberry with cream pastry by Renaud's Patisserie & Bakery, Snacks from Santa Barbara Popcorn, Black Bow Sweets, Pacific Pickle Works, and The Berry Man were so welcome throughout the day. For additional information contact m m oore@sbnature2.org.

Thanks everyone for this outstanding event under the old oak trees at Santa Barbara Musuem of Natural History!

Following the great success of last year’s first edition, Gelato Festival America kicks off its second American tour on August 11 in Jersey City (NJ), with twice as many locations., including Boulder (CO), Chicago (IL), Washington DC, Los Angeles (CA), Dallas (TX), Scottsdale (AZ) and Tucson (AZ). The Gelato Festival will spread awareness of real Italian artisanal gelato through a contest in which gelato artisans and chefs will compete with original gelato flavors they have created for the event. Tropical Blast, Spicy Green Paradise, Sicily Orange Sunrise and Fresh Love were just a few of the flavors invented last year. Be the first to discover this year’s new creations! Carpigiani and Sigep-Italian Exhibition Group are the festival’s strategic partners.

Ticket holders gain full access to Gelato Festival America for one day at the location for which they purchase tickets. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+), $25 for kids (3 to 12 years old), and free for children under two years old. Those who purchase tickets for the Gelato Festival online in advance receive a discounted price: $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and kids (must show ID at the gate!). The all-access ticket will allow them to enjoy a scoop of each of the unique flavors created by the competing gelato chefs, the sponsored flavors, and flavors from Carpigiani's Gelato University. Ticket holders will be able to vote for their favorite competing gelato flavor, helping to decide the winner for each city. Their voting will comprise 50% of the decision; the rest is in the hands of the technical jury, who will judge the gelato based on presentation, flavor, and structure. Presale tickets can be found online at gelatofestivalamerica.com/ticket and on Eventbrite. Tickets will be sold at each venue as well.

The ticket is an all-access pass to all of the activities and reserved events of Gelato Festival America 2018, listed below.