Check out the latest
NEWS from Downtown Santa Barbara!
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From the Desk of Kate Schwab,
Marketing & Communications Director
Remembering Mr. Towbes
By now, we all know Michael Towbes, beloved Santa Barbara resident and philanthropist, passed away in mid-April. There's no need to list all he's done for our community and Downtown Santa Barbara specifically - you've read all about it, or perhaps you knew or even worked with Mr. Towbes.
More than just about anyone else, he touched lives throughout the City and County of Santa Barbara. We all probably have one or two or six degrees of separation from him and his many contributions.
Like most of us, I met Mr. Towbes at various ribbon-cuttings/grand openings/mixers. I'm sure he would never be able to pick me out of a crowd, but I'm proud to say we shared a moment together - however briefly - one amazing day. Michael Towbes was awarded the Downtown Organization Citizen of the Year in 2003, the same year I was named the George Gerth Volunteer of the Year.
One photo, one shared moment - it makes for one great memory, and the honor was all mine.
Michael Towbes, 1929-2017
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Small Business is Backbone of Downtown SB
It's
Small Business Week (April 30-May 6) and we love celebrating the small businesses that make up so much of our downtown experience. Our Small Business Saturday promotion, started two years ago, has grown by leaps and bounds, with more and more small businesses joining our local efforts on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to highlight and support our local small businesses.
Did you know:
- Small businesses create most of the jobs in Downtown Santa Barbara? In fact, according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses create 64% of new private sector jobs in the U.S.
- Small businesses are changing the world, with small businesses creating patents and innovating at a rate 16 times higher than larger businesses.
- Small business is the path to the American Dream: with greater economic disparity and the loss of many blue collar jobs, today more than ever small business ownership is a path toward a middle-class lifestyle. This helps explain why almost 30% of small businesses are owned by minorities, and 14% of small business ownership in America is immigrants.
There are many small businesses in Downtown Santa Barbara that provide
needed jobs, sales tax, and vitality for our City:
here's to you this Small Business Week - thanks for all you do.
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Downtown Retail Study Update
Here's an update from our State Street Retail Study currently underway, which will provide a set of recommendations and strategies to re-tenant our downtown corridor. This Study has a defined focus area between the 600 and the 1100 blocks of State Street, and will include a full analysis on the customers we are missing: our trade area residents.
Its findings and recommendations will be available in June, and our Board will be working with the City of Santa Barbara and local stakeholders to both respond to and implement the strategies for a successful retail merchandising plan for State Street.
Here is some
early trade area analysis that includes both demographics and psychographics about the customers that live in our trade area, from our consultants at
Downtown Works:
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Downtown Santa Barbara's 50th Anniversary Gala
We only get to celebrate our 50th Anniversary once - and we did it with style and grace! Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters. Enjoy the
Gala video about our history on our homepage.
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Upcoming Events
Heads up - here are the events Downtown Santa Barbara is hosting
for the next two
months, and YOU can participate!
Premier Car Show
Sunday, May 21 (10:00 am)
State Street
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Thursday, June 1
(5:00-8:00 pm)
CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS
Sat, June 10: Crystal Serenity
Fri, June 16: The World
Sat, June 17: The World
Santa Barbara
June 23, 24, 25
Alameda Park
Summer Solstice Parade
Sat, June 24 (noon)
Cota to State Streets
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Downtown Santa Barbara comes alive once a month,
for
1st Thursday
, the monthly art crawl on Downtown Santa Barbara streets and historic paseos! Look for art, music, dance, poetry, demos, lectures, book signings and more - free for all participants.
May's theme is "Transportation/CycleMAYnia."
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Bread & Butter (1114 State #17) presents a modern fiber art show. Designs by local artist: Heidi Pullman.
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"Find joy in the unexpected!" Nell's Whimsical clayful art at Fuzion Gallery & Boutique (1115 State) is fun, funky, and sometimes functional.
- Divine Inspiration Gallery (1528 State) presents the magical realism, fantastical paintings of Cynthia James, "Crypto Flora."
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Cathy Quiel adds illustration work to her esteemed Submerged series at Lady McClintock Studio (1221 State).
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Santa Barbara Historical Museum (136 E. De la Guerra) exhibits California Missions watercolors by Edwin Deakin and others, which made a profound impact on saving the beautiful edifices.
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Te Amo Jewelers (811 State, Suite G) presents "Green on Light Blue" by Olga Hotujac, a collection of contemporary abstract paintings featuring her bold use of color and texture.
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Carol Simon creates joyful paintings based on her travels, collected in a series titled "Whimsical Impressions" and exhibiting at Pacific Western Bank (30 E. Figueroa).
Performances:
Mezcal Martini returns to welcome Cinco de Mayo in style! This Latin jazz band blends the musical styles and rhythms of Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico and the U.S. with improvisation, infectious grooves and scintillating horn lines.
(Marshalls Patio, 900 State)
Santa Barbara Guitar Collective brings you the rich musical heritage that is World Music, offering everything from intricately arranged classical guitar ensemble pieces to upbeat, artistic expression of traditional, dance-rhythm music and masterful improvisations. Enjoy rumba, tango, gypsy, Latin jazz, and more! (SBMA Corner, State & Anapamu)
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Robbie & Mike of SB Guitar Collective.
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Sunday, May 21 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Free admission for spectators Estimate attendance: 30,000 people Live music, local bars, and restaurants Refreshments available Plenty of parking at nearby city parking lots Awards presentation at 3:00 pm
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Upcoming Solstice Events- You're Invited: Energizing Events
Downtown
!
May 10th (
5:30 - 10:00 pm): Pascucci Dine Out (729 State) - all proceeds support the parade and workshop, just show up for dinner and be waited on by local celebrities!
May 19th
(6:30 - 10 pm): Solstice Sunset Soiree at the Impact Hub (1117 State). Tickets $20 includes live music and performances, a free drink and great local eats! Please RSVP here.
June 8th (5:30 -7:30 pm): Chamber After Hours event at the Workshop (631 Garden). Live music, food and drinks, art making and workshop tours!
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Non-Profits to Know:
New Beginnings Counseling Center
"Providing psychological counseling and supportive services to low-income families and individuals in the Santa Barbara community."
New Beginnings Counseling Center creates a psychologically healthy community. The organization provides quality, affordable counseling services, life skills and outreach programs, striving
to help provide a fresh start to all those who seek to better their lives.
New Beginnings Counseling Center's mission is to provide quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management, and education that strengthens our community and provides our clients with the ability to lead healthy and productive lives.
New Beginnings' programs include:
Counseling Center
Health Access and Care Coordination Project
Life Skills Parenting Program
Safe Parking Program
Supportive Services for City of SB Housing Authority
Supportive Services for Veterans and Their Families
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Here's What's New Downtown:
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Downtown Santa Barbara
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President
Matt LaBrie
LYNX Management
Vice President
Traci Taitt
The Towbes Group
Treasurer
Michael Jordan
Secretary
Bob Stout
Wildcat Lounge
Brush & Associates
Kim Clark
Noozhawk
David de L'Arbe
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau
Joanne Funari
American Riviera Bank
Tracy Pfautch
Pacific Western Bank
Mark Whitehurst
VOICE Magazine
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Lynn Adams
Santa Barbara Arts
David Beardon
Santa Barbara Frame Shop
& Gallery
Scott Burruss
The Shade Store
Amy Cooper
Plum Goods
Genny Cummings
Indigo Interiors
Roger Durling
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
William Duval
Law Office of William Duval
Tamara Erickson
Hotel Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
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Allison Griffin
Sonos, Inc.
Steve Hinkley
MOXI
Ed Holdren
Holdren's Steaks & Seafood
Kathy Janega-Dykes
Visit Santa Barbara
Laura Knight
Pascucci
Dave Lombardi
Distinctive Framing 'n' Art
Distinctive Art Gallery
Doug Margerum
Margerum Wine Co.
Anne Petersen
Santa Barbara Trust for
Historic Preservation
Randy Rowse
Paradise Cafe
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Jill Seltzer
Ensemble Theatre Company
Sarah Sinclair
Santa Barbara Independent
Craig Springer
SB Center for the
Performing Arts
Tammy Steuart
Metropolitan Theatres
Tina Takaya
Opal Restaurant and Bar
Randy Weiss
Union Bank
Michal Wiesbrock
Arthritis Foundation
Kristen Weidemann
Paseo Nuevo Shops & Restaurants
Michael Zuckerman
Montecito Bank & Trust
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Downtown Santa Barbara
Staff
Executive Director
Marketing & Communications Director
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Jenna Raimist
Marketing & Events Coordinator
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Cindy Arroyo
Office Manager
Chloe Brooks
State Street Team
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"There are three major issues now that are becoming important,
not only for cities, but for all mankind:
mobility, sustainability and social diversity."
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