EPICUREAN EVENTS . . . SANTA BARBARA SISTER CITIES 70TH INTERNATIONAL DINNER HELD IN TANDEM WITH TOBA JAPAN 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DINNER A BLENDING OF WORLD TASTES & FRIENDSHIP WITH HONORED TOBA JAPAN GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE By Bonnie Carroll The 2026 Santa Barbara Sister Cities International Dinner attracted members from all six sister cities, who provided outstanding dishes from their member counties that proved to be interesting and delicious. This year's dinner included honored guests from Toba Japan also celebrating 60th anniversary of the City of Santa Barbara - Toba Japan Sister City partnership, which included city partnership events at SB Historical Museum and University Club of Santa Barbara. The City of Santa Barbara Sister Cities gathering provided a full program of dining, entertainment and sharing by members and invited officials that included entertainment by Japanese singer Harumi Furukawa and a performance by Old Spanish Days Fiesta Spirit 2026 Jenna Ramirez and Jr. Spirit Penny Hernandez. Officials attending included City Councilmembers Oscar Gutierrez (Sister Cities Admin Board Liaison), Councilwoman Kristen Snedden, Toba Mayor Atsushi Kotake, Chair Toba City Council Takashi Kawamura, and a full visiting delegation and area members of Toba Japan Sister Cities Organization. Margaret Saavedra, chair of the sister cities advisory board and committee representatives Bonnie Carroll, Jill Stassinos, Linda Mathews, George Papazachardioudakis, George Lili, and Margareta Zaske all provided helpful event services, welcomed guests and invited them by table to savor what was considered by all an adventure in international dining. The evening included a Sister City gift basket presentation, a brief but fun greeting from Takako Waikita who is celebrating as founder and first president of Toba Japan Sister Cities Association, Mayor of Toba Atsushi Kotake, and Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon representing City of Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. Special thanks also to the planning committee members including Jill Stassisnos, China, Margarita Gonzales, Peru, Rory Moore, Japan, George Papazacharioudakis, Greece, George Lily, Kotor Montenegro, Cheli Hidalgo, Puerto Vallarta and a village of wonderful Sister City volunteers who made it all happen. Congratulations to Toba Japan members for an outstanding and well planned series of events honoring our distinguished visitors from Toba Japan, where Mayor Randy Rowse and Mayor Atsushi Kotake exchanged a renewal and celebration of their 60 year sister cities partnership. For City of Santa Barbara Sister Cities membership information visit: https://santabarbaraca.gov. 
Asian inspired flowers by designer Cynthia Woo  .jpg)
2026 Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramirez & Jr. Spirit Penny Hernandez gave a lovely performance and Japanese singer Harumi Furukawa had the whole room dancing .jpg)
Holly Perea, Mayor Pro-tem Kristen Snedden, Mayor of Toba Atsushi Kotaki and Takako Wakita enjoying dinner and the show. .jpg)
Oscar Gutierrez (Sister Cities Advisiory Board Liaison) attended all of the events surrounding 60th Toba Celebraton. He is center in this photo with Kosei Murota, Consul General Japan & Wade Nomura, Former Mayor of Carpinteria 
Everyone loved the 70th Sister Cities International Anniversary Cake 
Margaret Savaadra, Chairman of Sister Cities Admim Board & Chairman of Dinner Committee 
The dinner was a sell out and delicious. With great entertainment and real Sister Cities International joy  DavidHodges&LaurelLyleTOBABoardMembers26SBSisterCitiesIntlDinner(1).jpg)
Bonnie Carroll, Puerto Vallarta Sister City with Denise Lily, Kotor Montenegro Sister City - David, Laurel & Takako, Toba Japan Sister City
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