Delicious Food Near Your Santa Barbara Home

Springtime is a time of renewal and regeneration, a time to try new things and places.  To help you in that endeavor, Maureen Mcdermut has some fantastic recommendations for you with regards to restaurants and snack shops located near your Santa Barbara home.  If you are looking for a really delicious meal, Maureen McDermut highly suggests the locally family-owned Olio et Limone Ristorante.  Located at 17 West Victoria Street, this is the place to go when you are seeking authentic Italian, particulary Sicilian dishes.  You won't be disappointed!  Another favorite on the Santa Barbara Harbor is Brophy Bros.  Offering extremely fresh seafood alongside crusty French bread, with views and even a fresh clam bar, you will find this to be the perfect spot to lunch.  However, if you live in Montecito, or have any reason to go there at all, you must sample the Plow and Angel at San Ysidro Ranch!  The ambiance is romantic and rustic, and the food, from the cheesy flatbread to the main entrees and organic, flavorful vegetables is amazing.  

For a healthy breakfast or dessert treat, Backyard Bowls (with three locations) is worth visiting if you are in the mood to try something new.  Using 100% organic, local, and sustainably produced ingredients, Backyard Bowls (with outdoor seating) takes yogurt, granola, oatmeal and smoothies to new levels of delight that you truly have to taste to understand!  Please try them out and let me know what you think!  Another great place to try for a smoothie treat or breakfast on State Street is Blenders in the Grass.  They even make a 12 ounce size when you just want a little something as a pick me up!  Of course you can always look here for a list of Easter brunches offered in the Santa Barbara area, too!  Enjoy your time of renewal and let me know if you try any of these recommendations!

Fun And Fresh Easter Weekend Live In Santa Barbara

If you're looking for some Easter weekend fun near your Montecito or Santa Barbara home, look no further. Maureen McDermut suggests you check out of the following options. On Saturday, April 7th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can stroll through more than 25 outdoor vendor booths featuring original works of art while listening to live music by The Indian Trading Furs. If you live in Santa Barbara or have a home in Montecito, you won't want to miss out on some of the arts and crafts exhibited, including handmade jewelry, organic clothing, bags, knit hats, scarves, painted cards, pottery, photography and more. According to Maureen McDermut, this artist market takes place every first Saturday of the month at the Whole Foods Market at 3761 State Street in Santa Barbara from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the live music begins at noon.

Also on Saturday, the Village Farmers Market Association will host an earth day community celebration in nearby Lompoc Valley. Come watch a series of films and participate in demonstrations to gain a better understanding of earth-friendly practices in a upbeat, warm and fun atmosphere, alongside vendors of handmade and earth-friendly items, Brandon Martinez and his band, and local merchants offering food, wine and beer. The outdoor celebration will last from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the indoor fun will continue until 11 p.m. at the White Oaks Hotel in Vandenberg Village for the whole family on Saturday, April 7th. For more information, click here.

Learn Skills to Help Near Your Montecito Home

Maureen McDermut suggests you attend the CERT training on Thursday, April 12th to learn some life saving skills. Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Montecito Fire Protection District, Station 1, located at 595 San Ysidro Rd., new your Montecito home, you can participate in an emergency preparedness class. This class, available to residents who live in Montecito, is number four in a series and will focus on “Public Health Considerations: How to maintain hygiene and sanitation” in a disaster. From “Functions of Disaster Medical Operations: How to conduct the four major subfunctions of disaster medical operations” and “Disaster Medical Treatment Areas: How to establish them and what their functions are” to “Patient Evaluation: How to perform a head-to-toe patient evaluation to identify and treat injuries,” attendees have the opportunity to learn these skills.

If you are curious about basic treatment and want to learn how to treat burns, control nasal bleeding and dress and bandage wounds, this is the class for you, too. You’ll learn how to treat fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains and apply splints to hands, arms, and legs, and treat hypothermia. For more information, call 805.969.2537 or click here.

Wildlife Tours On The Lake Near Your Santa Barbara Home

Spring has arrived near your Santa Barbara or Montecito home and with the advent of this season of growth, it’s the perfect time to enjoy nature’s bounty. According to Maureen McDermut, one of the best places to observe and experience wildlife that live in Montecito and Santa Barbara is at Cachuma Lake, home to a thriving variety of wildlife, birds, fish, trees, and plants. From Spring to Summer, wildflowers grace the hillsides and native birds can be observed building and flaunting their masterfully prepared nests while fawns appear with does among the greenery. To get an up-close and personal wildlife adventure, you can take a guided tour of the gorgeous scenery and natural life at Cachuma Lake led by Park Naturalists who will educate you about the varied species and environment of the Lake’s ecosystem. Recommended by Maureen McDermut, these cruises focus on wildlife, flora, cultural history and geology with an emphasis on Spring at Cachuma Lake.

For 2 hours, you and your family, ages 4 and up, can ride on the 30-passenger pontoon boat, perfect for easy wildlife viewing and comfortable travel. This boat, the Osprey, glides throughout the lake, while your Naturalist guides will trace nature’s serendipity with you, exploring and revealing the area’s natural and cultural treasures. Cruises are only $15 per adult and $7 per child (ages 4-12). Reservations are strongly recommended in person at the main gate or by calling (805) 686-5050 on weekdays from 10:00am to 3:00pm or (805) 686-5055 after 3:00pm on Fridays and Weekends. Cruise times are 3-5pm on Fridays, 10am-12pm and 3-5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 2pm on Sundays. For more information, click here.

Carnaval LIVE Near Your Montecito Home

March 29th through April 1st is a weekend of great times if you live in Montecito or Santa Barbara! The 9th Annual SB Brazilian Carnaval & Cultural Fest 2012 has plenty planned, including free events, for the whole family. Maureen McDermut suggests you get your tickets now if you have a home in Montecito or Santa Barbara or will be visiting, for these amazing events!

On Thursday, March 29th, at 7 p.m., the “Cinema & Lecture” will take place at the Faulkner Gallery, located at the Santa Barbara Central Library and will focus on “Leaves of the Sacred Garden.” After the film, author and UCSB professor William Robison will present a lecture on “Global Crisis: We Will Survive?” There is no cost to attend this event at 40 E. Anapamu St., in Santa Barbara.

Saturday evening, beginning at 9 p.m. on March 31st, you will be speechless at feats performed by the In Legends of Brazil Show and the Carnaval Queen Contest at SoHo, located at 1121 State St. #205, in Santa Barbara. Gravity-defying dancers and synchronized music will allow you to enjoy the talents of Raiz Brazil Dance Company at their finest. This event is open to adults, 21 & over and the cost is $25 per person.

Sunday, April 1st, at 2pm is the “Brazil Expo & Family Carnaval” at Butler Event Center, located at 3744 State St., in Santa Barbara. An afternoon of education, Brazilian products and services, live performances and family entertainment will be enjoyed by all who attend. The event is free, but asks for a $10 suggested donation for adults. To find out more about any of these events, please click here.

Pot O’ Gold Benefits Children Who Live in Santa Barbara

During this lucky time of year, you may want to bring lots o’ luck to children who live in Santa Barbara by attending the Annual Pot O’ Gold Dinner and Auction for Kids benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara. Presented by Montecito Bank and Trust and Deckers Outdoors, this is the perfect party for St. Patrick’s Day near your Santa Barbara home, according to Maureen McDermut. Complete with entertainment, dinner, live music and dancing, the Santa Barbara Armory will be wonderfully transformed into a leprechaun wonderland to the delight of all who attend. Maureen McDermut recommends this fine event to all who want to enjoy an evening of Irish fun to benefit a great cause.

The international award winning Claddagh Dance Company will launch the dinner with a short Riverdance-style performance and after dinner, the Seymour Duncan Band will keep people dancing with rock and roll. Come bring your unwanted gold and add it to the pot of gold you’ll find at the end of the rainbow. Raffle tickets will be sold for only $10 and the winning tickets will receive a special retreat package valued at $625. The Santa Barbara Armory is located at 700 Canon Perdido Street (next to the Boys and Girls Club). For more information, click here.

Santa Barbara-Home to History

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a fabulous way to spend your day if you live in Santa Barbara! Located at this museum is a wealth of local information sure to capture your interest. A blend of art and culture, nature and science awaits you at the Museum of Natural History and adjoining Ty Warner Sea Center. You can learn about history near your Santa Barbara home as well as far away ecosystems and view and discover sea creatures labeled as Dazzling & Dangerous at the Sea Center. A visit to the Gladwin Planetarium or walk along Mission Creek are other joys you can experience near the museum.

Located near the Old Mission, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History gives all residents and friends the an opportunity to discover nature through exhibit halls about birds, insects, mammals, marine life, paleontology, geology, and the Chumash Indians. The Maximus Art Gallery is one of the rare museums that actually combines history, science, and nature with art.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for major holidays and the last Saturday of June. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for teens and seniors, and $6 for children between two and twelve years of age, although parking is free. To learn more, click here.