May 18, 2015
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That’s the thing with ADHD – you can’t ever just pick one thing you want to do. Sometimes that ends in disaster and sometimes it actually ends up making you extremely prolific. I hope I wind up as the latter.
Allie Brosh via [x]
Santa Barbara’s I Madonnari Street Painting Festival
Chalk drawing on pavement isn’t just a children’s activity – it is also the preferred medium of many talented artists who will create the wonderful works of art at the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at the Mission Santa Barbara this weekend, May 25th-27th from 10am-6pm daily (admission is free). The I Madonnari Street Painting Festival at the Mission Santa Barbara was the first of its kind held in the northern hemisphere, and has become so highly regarded that a group of artists from Santa Barbara were invited to share their gift in our sister city of Toba, Japan. The festival is yet another example of Santa Barbara's thriving, community driven art scene, which constantly strives to create opportunities to enjoy and learn about art in ways that are readily accessible to all of our residents and visiting guests.
The tradition of carefully crafting chalk masterpieces directly onto the streets dates back to 16th century Italy and still continues into modern times. I Madonnari was brought to Santa Barbara in 1987, and many of the pieces are still heavily inspired by the artwork of the Italian Renaissance. By the end of the long weekend, the paved surfaces surrounding the Mission Santa Barbara are drenched in color. In the spirit of Santa Barbara's passion for giving back to the community, the I Madonnari festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a non-profit organization that brings children and professional artists together to educate the and encourage local youth to appreciate and create art. The organization is active in over 100 schools in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
There's something wonderful to do in Santa Barbara every day, whether you're searching for luxury homes and real estate with us, attending the many events, festivals, and celebrations that our city hosts, appreciating our dedication to historic preservation, exploring the waterfront, or simply enjoying all that the fabulous Santa Barbara lifestyle has to offer. We hope you’ll have the chance to search for your next home with us in our wonderful little city by the sea!
Michael Humphrey Receives 2012 Best of Santa Barbara Award
PRESS RELEASE
Michael Humphrey Receives 2012 Best of Santa Barbara Award
Santa Barbara Award Program Honors the Achievement
SANTA BARBARA, CA -- Michael Humphrey has been selected for the 2012 Best of Santa Barbara Award in the Real Estate Agents category by the Santa Barbara Award Program.
Each year, the Santa Barbara Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Santa Barbara area a great place to live, work and play.
The Santa Barbara Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Santa Barbara area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
About Michael
Michael Humphrey is an active California real estate Broker and the co-owner of Sterling Properties & Estates. He is actively representing clients in Montecito, Santa Barbara and Hope Ranch in the purchase and sale of luxury estates, oceanfront dream homes and equestrian ranches. Michael has a strong background in real estate law, contract law and strategic marketing.
Michael started his real estate sales career in 1996 and was Rookie of the Year, selling an unprecedented 23 properties his first year. His second year he went from ranking 2500 in the company to number 13 and from 101 to number 3 in his marketplace, selling 34 properties that year. Michael continues to demonstrate his sales and leadership skills by leading by example.
Michael’s philosophy is simple and one that has become part of the Sterling Properties Core Value Statement. "Provide superior service, exceed customer expectations and have high ethical standards. Be fair, honest and respectful in dealings with clients and other agents. Be innovative in marketing, technology and sales strategy."
Michael is happy to help with any of your real estate needs or questions. Visit Michael’s website at www.michaelhumphrey.com, email [email protected] or call Michael directly at (805)570-3333.
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Halloween in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara boasts some of the most stunning mountain and ocean vistas in the world, a wealth of historic architecture throughout town (we recommend the Red Tile Walking Tour), a premier selection of beaches and resorts, and of course plenty of gorgeous luxury real estate properties. In addition to all this, owners of Santa Barbara homes enjoy a wonderful selection of local events year-round. With Halloween approaching in less than a week, Sterling Properties in Santa Barbara is excited to share our favorite ways to celebrate this haunted holiday with you!
This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, visit the Santa Barbara Zoo for the 2012 Boo at the Zoo festivities. Hailed as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, the Santa Barbara Zoo is home to more than 400 animals from 160 species. Each year during the Halloween season, the Santa Barbara Zoo transforms into a trick or treater’s paradise. This year’s theme, “Land of Adventure”, promises khaki-clad explorers and adventurers in addition to the usual cast of pirates, faeries, mermaids, and other volunteers who help make Boo at the Zoo a truly special experience. With over 20 treat stations throughout the zoo featuring sustainable goodies, a Trick or Treat Trail, Boo Choo Choo train rides, Creepy Crawly encounters, Spooky Storytelling, Goblin Games, Costume Parades each night, and no worrying about traffic, Boo at the Zoo is a fantastic choice for celebrating a safe Halloween and remains one of the most popular Halloween events in the area.
Santa Barbara enjoys a rich Spanish and Mexican history, and as such our local Halloween season festivities include celebrations of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. On Sunday, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art will be hosting a Día de los Muertos Free Family Day, to share the Mexican tradition of remembering and honoring the dead. Attendees can look forward to a colorful celebration featuring music, dance performances, bilingual storytelling, displays of altars created by local school and community groups, and opportunities to make your own art. Historic Casa De La Guerra will also be hosting a Día de los Muertos Craft Day on Sunday, where visitors can participate in making traditional holiday crafts such as skeleton masks, sugar skulls, tissue paper marigolds, and prints while enjoying pan de muerto (a sweet bread) and Mexican hot chocolate.
Sterling Properties in Santa Barbara wishes you a safe and spooky Halloween!
The California Lemon Festival
October is typically a time for big, bright orange pumpkins. But here in Santa Barbara, all eyes are on our favorite little yellow citrus fruits as we welcome the California Lemon Festival 2012! This fun festival (October 13th and 14th at Girsh Park in Goleta, CA), brings together the greater Santa Barbara community to celebrate the big impact a little fruit has had on the area’s history.
Santa Barbara’s lemon history dates back to the late 1800s, when the Stow family planted the first commercial lemon orchard in California at Rancho La Patera after discovering that the mild weather in the verdant Goleta Valley, adjacent to Santa Barbara, was ideal for growing lemons. Through the mid 20th century, Goleta lemons enjoyed fame and were in high demand. The hillsides of the Goleta Valley are still dotted with gorgeous lemon orchards to this very day, and homeowners in the area enjoy the fresh citrus fruits, the year-round views of the orchards against the mountains, and of course the value these orchards add to their Santa Barbara homes.
Featuring lemon cotton candy, lemon bars, lemon pies, lemonade, lemon ale, and many, many additional lemon-inspired goodies, the 21st annual California Lemon Festival certainly won’t leave a sour taste in your mouth. Local bands, dancers, and performers will offer entertainment all weekend. In addition, there will also be a pie eating contest, a car show, demonstrations by local emergency response teams at “Safety Street”, and a wide selection of other games and activities (for a full schedule, click here). The California Lemon Festival in Goleta always serves to bring the Santa Barbara community together, providing a venue for local organizations and attendees to celebrate delicious and historically important Goleta lemons.
Between great events like the California Lemon Festival and the natural beauty of the historic lemon orchards, it’s easy to see why Santa Barbara real estate and luxury homes are so highly desired among home seekers. If you’re ready to find your Santa Barbara dream home, contact Sterling Properties. We look forward to sharing our expertise in Santa Barbara real estate with you!
The Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration Arrives!
June 20th, the 2012 summer solstice, marked the first official day of the summer season. Though we've been enjoying the sunny skies, warm weather, perfect beaches, and great events for weeks now here in Santa Barbara (and of course the year-round luxury homes and real estate), it's not truly summer till the Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration. Nearing its 40th year, this festival has grown into a well loved and highly anticipated event in our coastal paradise.
The solstice brings a very special event to town. The Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration, which draws a crowd of over 100,000 from near and far, is a unique fun-filled festival during which attendees can expect to see downtown Santa Barbara transformed into a world of whimsy and wonder. This year's theme is "Fantasy," which promises a truly out-of-the-ordinary experience. The highlight of the festival is the Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration Parade, occurring on Saturday. This parade features over 1,000 participants who dance, perform acrobatics, play music, drum, tower above the crowd in stilts, and lead incredible hand-made floats down State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.
This festival is yet another demonstration of Santa Barbara's thriving, community-driven art scene. In addition to offering displays of arts, crafts, and performances there are plenty of ways to participate. For months leading up to the main event, the public is invited to take part in the creation of the many floats, costumes, and masks in the parade in the Solstice workshop. Participants are guided and inspired to be creative by local artists and volunteers to make their ideas come to life. This event is yet another impressive display of the combined community effort and dedication that makes art in Santa Barbara so special.
Great events and festivals such as the Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration ensure that there’s never a dull moment in Santa Barbara, and contribute to our city’s signature ambiance which seamlessly blends an exciting atmosphere with the intimate, relaxed feel of a close-knit beach community.