SEEN (Continued from page 25) Debra Papageorge, Katherine Murray-Morse, and Diane Waterhouse at Keith and Jeannie’s fête
David Bolton, hostess Jeannie Davis, Francisco Javier Vallaure de Acha, counsel general of Spain in Los Angeles, and host Keith Mautino Moore at the Santa Barbara Club
Former El Presadente Herb Barthels with wife Mareva and Missy Chandler
More Fiesta folks: Suzi Schomer, Hiroko Benko, and Linda Rosso at the Club
era, the De la Guerra families enjoyed early parties at Casa de la Guerra. Fiesta is really a celebration of Santa Barbara’s Rancho Period. Its golden days of that era were the years 1833 to 1846. Tourists were not always attracted to Santa Barbara, hence the creation of Fiesta and also to celebrate the reopening of the Lobero Theater. Fiesta is a blending of Spanish and Mexican traditions. It’s music, dance, parades, rodeo, food, and drink! Keith told me, “During the 1960s and ‘70s, many local families, including Castro and Ortega, threw block parties during Fiesta. One took place at the parking lot across from the current Santa Barbara Historical Museum. It lasted well into the night.” It is said that in the olden days, Hollywood stopped producing westerns during Fiesta because all the cowboys and horse handlers were in the Fiesta parade.
28 MONTECITO JOURNAL
Keith and Jennie had the works at their party – mariachis, costumes, and cocktails. Keith displayed the dress that his mother wore in the 1940s and he wore a vest made by her for his father. Among the honored guests was Francisco Javier Vallaure de Acha, the consul general of Spain in Los Angeles. As he says, “Santa Barbara is my home.” He loves to come here. The executive director of the California Missions Foundation David Bolton presented him with an award. Also attending was La Presidenta Denise Sanford along with the Spirits of Fiesta and Eduardo Villa, who sang Granada. There were Native Daughters of the Golden West Leanne Figueroa, Susie Parent, and Betty Dominguez, plus Michel Nellis, historian of the City of Santa Barbara. There too was former El Presidente Herb Barthels and his wife, Mareva, Gil and Susan Rosas, Marie Profant
from the Profant Foundation, judge Thomas Anderle, Missy de Young, Santa Barbara Club president John Doordan and his wife, Tracy, Wes St. Clair, Nancy and Bob Knight, Katherine Murray-Morse, and Linda Rosso. Fêtes like this don’t just happen, so thanks to Keith and Jeannie for all their Fiesta spirit.
La Merienda Luncheon
The Santa Barbara Women’s Club (SBWC) began a tradition, which is now 90 years old – the La Merienda Luncheon. The Clubhouse at Rockwood is open to the public. Along with lunch, there is a program of Spanish dancers and musicians that ends with Mexican cookies served on the patio. Folks join the fun by wearing colorful Fiesta costumes. The event must be one of the oldest traditions in Santa Barbara. The SBWC grew out of the Fortnightly Club in 1892. It was founded to advance the civic and cultural enlightenment of its members. The club didn’t want to meet in homes and instead found a clubhouse upstairs at 1235 State. By the end of the first year, there were 97 members. One of their main problems was lack of hitching posts for their carriages on Equestrian Avenue. A complaint was issued to the city fathers (probably the city husbands) and posts were promptly made available. Needing larger quarters, they moved two blocks west to the former home of Dr. Harriet Belcher. The previous tenant of the house, Arlington Jockey Club, left because they felt the house was haunted. In 1896, the Club moved again to 6 Arlington Avenue. Now they
I’m on my phone 24/7 replying to every Instagram comment. – Ella Woodward
Mayor Cathy Murillo and SBWC La Merienda chair Sue Ziliotto.
had an auditorium for 150 people. Membership was limited to 100 permanent members, 25 temporary, and 25 half-members who lived here only for the season. Dues were $6 per year. In 1910, they bought a vacant lot at 1400 Anacapa Street to build on. WW1 had a big impact on the club, as noted by the president’s address. “The demands upon women are growing greater each day… She must take the man’s place as he is called out, and more and more there is need of the volunteer worker. There can be no leisure women, and it is the duty of the trained worker to inspire the slacker amongst us to do her share.” Several members had a hand in the bond measures that led to the publicly owned beachfront and harbor we enjoy today. In 1927, the Rockwood Inn in Mission Canyon burned down. The president Mrs. Max Schott drove past the ruins and thought it was an ideal location for a new clubhouse. She put $100 down and the architectural firm 16 – 23 August 2018