Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

24TH ANNUAL SANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION BAYOU DOWN UNDER HONORS JANET ROWSE CO-FOUNDER OF SAFELAUNCH

The 24^th Annual Santa Barbara Rescue Mission Bayou Down Under benefit will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025, at two o’clock at the Grand Lawn at Sandpiper Golf Club, where Janet Rowse, co-founder and Executive Director of SafeLaunch, a Santa Barbara-based organization committed to preventing youth substance abuse, will be honored with the Leni Fe Bland Award for her dedication to youth addiction prevention.

During a pre-event meeting with Janet Rowse, she shared with me how pleased she was to be honored with the Léni Fé Bland Award for her dedication to youth addiction prevention. “Receiving this award is such an honor”, said Rowse. “It has been a special journey over many years, developing friendships with Rolf Geyling, his staff, and many volunteers whose dedication to the SBRM brings such value to our community. We have a special connection with the Rescue Mission in that we’re united in serving our community, though from different points along the continuum – SBRM provides vital, individualized care for those battling addiction, while SafeLaunch focuses on primary prevention so fewer people will need that care. Prevention is key to stopping addiction before it starts”. Since 90% of addiction begins with use of any substance before age 18, we must go upstream to protect our youth before they start.”

SafeLaunch provides innovative programs to educate youth, parents, and community leaders about the unique risks of substance exposure to the developing brain. Janet’s passion for youth and education was sparked through years of involvement in school advisory committees, where she recognized that substance abuse was a significant barrier to student success.

Instead of intervening after substance abuse, SafeLaunch facilitates comprehensive prevention efforts, empowering youth through Drug Free Clubs that support healthy choices. Believing it takes a collective effort to launch children safely into adulthood, Janet works tirelessly to unite parents, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders in the mission to safeguard young minds from addiction. For additional information please visit www.safelaunch.org.

The 2025 Bayou Down Under will feature an impressive afternoon at the Sandpiper Golf Club, the epic SBRM silent auction, Aussie snacks at the Outback Shack, and dinner on the green of the Sandpiper Golf Club overlooking the gold coast, prepared and presented by Pure Joy Catering. Shuttles will be provided for guests, and off-site parking will be available at a secure and convenient location, however, on-site parking will be available for guests with physical restrictions.

The renowned SBRM annual silent auction will include a week at Kahuna Plantation Kauai, stay at Williamsburg Woodland Inn, tours of Yorktown, Chef-crafted dinner with Tony Figueroa, Ski visit at Juniper Springs Lodge in Mammoth Lakes Resort, and guests will also have an opportunity to win some amazing raffle item this year.

Co-chairs Pamela Dillman Haskell and Nancy Melekian as well as the honorary event committee, board of directors, women’s auxiliary and Rolf Geyling, President of SBRM, look forward to Bayou Down Under being yet another special and memorable event to support the life-changing work of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. Reservations are limited so please respond before September 18, 2025.

The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission has served the city and county of Santa Barbara since 1965, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, a 501(c)(3) organization, brings physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual resources to individuals and families in need.

It is the only organization between Oxnard and Santa Maria that provides hot meals and overnight accommodation to homeless guests 365 days of the year. The Rescue Mission receives no government funding. Funds raised allow the Rescue Mission to offer a 12-month residential drug and alcohol treatment program and provide emergency and transitional services for homeless guests. For more information visit: www.sbrm.org/bayou25.

Join Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) for its 7th Annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, over 20 farms, ranches and agricultural organizations across Santa Barbara County will welcome the public to learn how food is grown, meet the hands that feed them, and enjoy a fun-filled day of ag-tivities for the entire family.

Guests will experience behind-the-scenes tours of farms, tractor rides, produce tastings and giveaways, and plenty of kid-friendly exhibits. To view the 2025 participating locations, visit SEEAG’s interactive Farm Day Trail Map (www.sbcfarmday.org/map).

Farm Day is free and open to all ages. For more about Santa Barbara County Farm Day, visit https://sbcfarmday.org or call 805-892-8155. No pets allowed. Also, mark your calendar for the 13th annual Ventura County Farm Day taking place on November 8. To preregister and receive updates on site additions, QR code access to all locations, and be entered to win a custom Santa Barbara County Farm Day map, go to https://my805tix.com/e/7th-annual-santa-barbara-county-farm-day.

Santa Barbara County Farm Day is organized by the 501c3 nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). SEEAG’s mission is to educate students and the greater community about the farm origins of our food and agriculture's contribution to our nutritional well-being.

Tenaya at Yosemite is a full-service resort nestled into the Sierra National Forest. It’s just 2 miles from Yosemite National Park’s South Gate Entrance. That puts it only minutes from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Tenaya at Yosemite offers several different types of lodging options. First, you’ll find hotel rooms and spacious modern suites at Tenaya lodge. That keeps you close to services and amenities like restaurants, pools, and other activities. The Cottages are a short walk from the Tenaya Lodge. These rooms have private entrances, outdoor sitting areas, and fireplaces. For even more privacy, try the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya. These two-bedroom cabins offer a more secluded experience with a comfortable living room and a private deck.

Every stay at comes with more than just a room—it comes with access to endless ways to explore. Pedal through the pines on complimentary mountain bikes, conquer the rock-climbing wall, or learn to aim with archery and bocce ball. With nightly s’mores, guided hikes, on-site yoga classes, and daily activities like “Fun at 4,” excitement lives right outside your door—and it’s all included in the cost of your stay. At Tenaya, the adventure comes standard.

Things to Do Near Tenaya at Yosemite

Yosemite 360 Tours offers a tour service that guarantees entry into the national park. Tour vans have comfortable seating and large viewing windows to take in all the breathtaking sights of Yosemite. Expert guides and ample photo opportunities included.. You can join a traditional guided tour or book a custom private tour. There is also a Yosemite shuttle service with transportation into Yosemite Valley so you can explore the park on your own terms.

There are also many options to enjoy nature from the convenience of the resort itself.

During the summer, the resort’s location at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park and within the Sierra National Forest provides easy access to Yosemite’s iconic scenery, and outdoor activities like fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more.

After a busy day, you’ll also love relaxing with a sumptuous meal of the freshest ingredients prepared by our award-winning team of chefs at Jackalopes Bar and Grill. From family-style dining to grab and go, Tenaya offers various dining options.

Tenaya at Yosemite continues to shine in the winter with activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, and sledding all starting right at the lodge. And you’ve never seen anything like Tenaya’s line-up of special festivities during the winter holiday season.

The Finest in Independent Living

Without the hassles of mundane chores, you’re free to enjoy the things you really want to do. At Vista del Monte, you’ll have time to engage in what’s most meaningful to you: pick up a new skill or hobby, travel, discover an interesting sport, or make more time to socialize. Whatever it is, we can help. With our Independent Living services, we take care of all the practical tasks, including transportation, housekeeping, and maintenance. Our culinary staff prepares delicious meals, handles all the day-to-day chores, and your wellbeing needs are attended to—all in one place. For information visit: www.vistadelmonte.org. Vista Del Monte – Santa Barbara, California – 805-687-0793