43rd Annual Awards... “A Beautiful Sight”

Santa Barbara Beautiful rolled out the red carpet celebrating winners of the 43^rd annual awards at the historic Lobero Theatre on September 30.  A gala courtyard reception honoring people and properties that inspired this year’s theme “A Beautiful Sight” preceded the awards ceremony in the theatre.  Luna Gitana entertained reception guests with their lively musical renditions, while Duo Company served up the catering to the capacity crowd.

          Red carpet video interviews with guests and honorees were conducted by Roberta Hoyt Roeser and filmed courtesy of SBCC School of Media Arts and SB Channels 21TV.  When the capacity courtyard crowd adjourned into the theatre, they were joined by even more beautification-loving souls. 

          The evening ceremony opened with a video montage produced by RoadShow Media highlighting the important role Santa Barbara Beautiful (SBB) has played in the community since 1965.

          The always-dapper John Palminteri aptly served as Master of Ceremony from the podium, introducing SBB President Courtney Seeple for the official welcome.   The honorable Mayor Marty Blum and U.S. Representative Lois Capps stepped up to the ready with high praise and official proclamations for the five Special Award recipients.

          First up was the Business in Art Award presented to the SB Downtown Organization-the third annual recipient from the City Arts Advisory Committee. Committee Chair Phyllis de Picciotto, and Ginny Brush, Executive Director, County Arts Commission did the honors.

          The Santa Barbara Beautiful special awards ceremony opened with a rare presentation of the Moreton Bay Fig Award to long respected community leader and SBB past president John Pitman.  Robert Adams, SBB board member, presented the posthumous award to the Pitman Family.

          “The Curious Horticulturist” Bruce Van Dyke received his well-deserved Heritage Oak Award for Lifetime Achievement, presented by David Gress, SBB Past President.

          Jodi Miles, the “driving force” and inspiration behind the annual Adams School Arbor Day Celebration received the Jacaranda Award for Outstanding Community Service, co-presented by Brian Sarvis, Superintendent of City Schools and Courtney Seeple, SBB President.

          SBB broke new ground or, in this case, paddled new waters when it bestowed its first-ever environmental award, the Playa de Santa Barbara Award, to Heal the Ocean. Environmentalist and explorer, John B. Weller, presented the award to  Hillary Hauser, the organization’s founder.

          Following the special awards ceremony, ten award-winning properties were featured in a video presentation produced by RoadShow Media and narrated by the Honorable George Eskin.