eNews is an e-mail publication from the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and is an exclusive benefit for Trust members and friends. It is one of many ways we try to show you how much your contribution to the Trust helps us in everything we do. With so much going on, there has never been a better time to be a member of the Trust. Thanks again for your support! Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends.

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'Presidio Pastimes' - FREE Living History Day at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

Watch history come to life at El Presidio de Santa Barbara as the Trust presents the final Presidio Pastimes of the year! Meet the fort’s uniformed soldiers, cook delicious tortillas and learn about early California food, help with archaeology, mix adobe mud, watch a blacksmith practice his trade, and enjoy Early California craft demonstrations.

SAVE THE DATE
'Presidio Pastimes'
Sunday, July 20
Noon to 3:00 pm
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA
FREE Admission
For more information (805) 965-0093

Trust's Fiesta Float Returns: Be a Part of the Celebration!

For the first time in almost a decade the Trust is back in the Old Spanish Days Fiesta parade - EL DESFILE HISTÓRICO - and you can be a part of the fun! Help build and/or ride the float or march in the parade with us. On Sunday, July 20 at 3:00 pm (immediately following Presidio Pastimes) Trust volunteers will help with the first stages of float construciton (later volunteer days to follow at the Old Carriage Museum float yard). For more information contact Karen Anderson at 805/962-9504 or email karen@sbthp.org.

Join the Trust in the Fiesta parade on Friday, August 1, 2008. We will meet at El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP at 10:30 am for refreshments before being shuttled to the parade starting point (corner of Cabrillo Blvd and Castillo Street); the parade moves up State Street and concludes near Alameda Park. Participants are encouraged to wear 18th century-style attire. The Trust has costumes available for loan, please inquire before Wednesday, July 30 at Noon. All participants MUST sign the "Parade Hold Harmless Waiver Form" before he or she can particpate. For more information or to sign-up contact Karen Anderson at 805/962-9504 or karen@sbhtp.org or Jeff Krisko at 805/730-1466 or jeff@sbthp.org.

All participants in the parade are invited to Casa de la Guerra for refreshments at the Casa Cantina following the parade. See you there!

Andale todos a la Casa Cantina!

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation hosts the annual Casa Cantina - Mexican style cantina featuring beer and refreshments at the historic Casa de la Guerra. For a fee, drop in, have a cold drink and relax for awhile. Always FREE admission for Trust members with a valid membership card. All proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic preservation and the continuing restoration of Casa de la Guerra.

Celebrate Fiesta where it all began as the Trust presents the 7th annual Casa Cantina in the Courtyard of the historic Casa de la Guerra. Part of the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta celebration, from Wednesday, July 30 to Saturday, August 2. Featuring beer, margaritas, and wine, Casa Cantina is situated across the street from De la Guerra Plaza in the heart of downtown’s Fiesta activities. This year’s Cantina hours and entertainment are as follows:

Wed, July 30 (Noon to Midnight) - Live Music by Spencer the Gardener from 9:00 pm to Midnight
Thurs, July 31 (Noon to Midnight) - Live Music by Vientos del Sur from 9:00 pm to Midnight
Fri, Aug 1 (Noon to 1:00 am) - Live Music by Somos Son from 9:00 am to Midnight
Sat, Aug 2 (Noon to 1:00 am) - Live Music by Somos Son from 9:00 am to Midnight

Sponsored in part by Pacific Beverage, KTYD 99.9, Slushers of Santa Barbara, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Jordano’s, Santa Barbara Olive Company, and Plaza Liquor.

SAVE THE DATES
'Casa Cantina'
Wed, July 30 to Sat, August 2
July 30 & 31, Noon to Midnight
August 1 & 2, Noon to 1:00 am
Casa de la Guerra
15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA
$: Admission fee varies (includes 1 FREE drink before 6:00 pm)
21 years of age and over ONLY after 6:00 pm
FREE Admission for SBTHP Members. Join Today!
For more information (805) 965-0093

El Presidio de Santa Barbara Northwest Corner Reconstruction Update - Staff Whitewashing Day and Water Fountain Unveiling

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to announce that work has been completed on the latest phase of reconstruction at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park (two additonal adobe rooms at the Northwest Corner of the Presidio). In early July Trust employees helped with the final touches by having a staff whitewashing day. Outfitted with a brush and a secret whitewash recipe concocted by Trust Maintenance Supervisor Eduardo Vallin Garcia, Trust staffers went to work applying the first coat to the exterior and interior of the adobe structure. While one more coat of whitewash is needed before the job is complete, by all accounts the staff was more helpful than harmful - quite an accomplishment!

Another exciting new addition to the Park was the unveiling of the new drinking fountain. What may sound like a small addition to some is a big deal for a State Historic Park that averages an attendance of 50,000 visitors each year. One especially excited staff member is veteran Trust receptionist Jean Liston, who has dutifully shuttled pitchers of water to visiting tour groups for years. We're happy to say Jean's days of water delivery are over and it was only fitting that she cut the ribbon and take the inaugural drink (see photo below). Trust archaeologist Michael Imwalle is currently working with students from the nearby Anacapa School to create a series of clay tiles (made from Presidio clay) to decorate the new fountain. Stop by and have a drink.

The newest addition to El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park - two additional adobe rooms. Once the outer defense wall is reconstructed these buildings will help complete the reconstructed NW Corner of the Presidio (see rendering above). Photo by Michael H. Imwalle.	SBTHP staff members help whitewash the exterior of the newest addition to El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. Photo by Sally Fouhse.	Jean Liston officially opens the new Presidio water fountain as fellow Trust staff members Toni Clark and Michael Imwalle look on in anticipation. Photo by Jerome Bellamy.

The work's not done yet. While the most recent reconstruction effort is coming to a close the final phase still remains. The Trust has just embarked on a "Buy-A-Brick Campaign" to make and lay 14,000 adobe bricks for the reconstruction of a large section of the fort’s original 18th century defense wall. When complete, this project will allow visitors to experience an entire wing of the Presidio, from corner to corner, creating a sense of the size and scale of the original adobe quadrangle which marks Santa Barbara’s birthplace, and provides inspiration for the city’s world famous architecture. Trust supporters now have the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful project. Purchase a brick(s) for the reconstruction of Santa Barbara’s birthplace—and you or a person you designate will be honored with an official certificate of recognition and acknowledged in a record on display in the Presidio Visitors’ Center. Join the Buy-A-Brick Campaign today and buy a brick(s) for yourself, family and friends, or anyone who has had a hand in making Santa Barbara the place we know and love.

To be a part of the "Buy-A-Brick Campaign" or for more information visit http://sbthp.org/brick.htm or call the Trust's Development Office at (805) 966-1279.

SOS - Save Our State Parks

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation joins thousands of individuals and organizations throughout the State in supporting the California State Parks Access program.

After months of fighting just to keep the doors to our state parks open, Californians have an opportunity to help push for a solution to the funding crisis for state parks. On May 28, Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) announced the new State Park Access Pass program. The proposed program would generate more than $280 million a year for state parks, through a $10 surcharge on annual vehicle registrations. In return for that annual support for the state park system, Californians will receive free day-use access to California's state parks.

This is a solution that is long overdue. California's state park system tells of the history and culture of our state, protects unique natural resources that are irreplaceable, provides unparalleled access to recreational opportunities, and represents a promise for the future. Unfortunately, lack of adequate funding has meant that those promises haven't been kept.

Paying $10 annually for virtually unlimited access to the state park system is a bargain for Californians. And in addition to getting personal benefits, Californians will be making an important and necessary investment in the health of the system – for now and forever.

For more information on this initiative or to send a message to your state legislators to let them know you support the State Park Access Pass visit http://www.calparks.org/park-access/ or www.savestateparks.org.

Father Virgil Remembered

Father Virgil Cordano OFM was laid to rest at Old Mission Santa Barbara on May 30, 2008. He was a great friend of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, officiating at many events held at the Presidio over the years. He was born Dec. 3, 1918 and died May 22, 2008. Arriving in Santa Barbara in 1934, Father Virgil lived through the era of Pearl Chase and Thomas Storke as they rejuvenated the city. As a renowned teacher of theology, Father Virgil obtained a Doctorate from Catholic University in Washington DC. He taught at St. Anthony's Seminary for eighteen years. His service to people of Santa Barbara was legend. Fr. Virgil became what Harriet Miller called "the heart and soul of Santa Barbara", meeting all sorts of people, from the Queen of England to the Dalai Lama. Serving over six decades as a Franciscan at the Old Mission, he represented the Franciscan Order in Santa Barbara for nearly a quarter of the time that the Franciscan Order has been at Old Mission Santa Barbara. In fact he liked to say that he and Father Serra came here together... We know that Father Serra did come to the Presidio, so it was indeed fitting that Father Virgil would come there also .. as he very well did!

by Michael R. Hardwick, SBTHP Life Honorary Director and member of Los Soldados de Cuera.

Fr. Virgil (center) with SBTHP Executive Director, Dr. Jarrell C. Jackman (left) and SBTHP Life Honorary Member and member of Los Soldados de Cuera, Jim Elwell Martinez (right) at Founding Day 2005.	Fr. Virgil as Fr. Serra presides over the historic reenactment of the founding ceremony at El Presidio de Santa Barbara.	Fr. Virgil leads mass in the Presidio Chapel at Una Noche de Las Posadas.

2008 Archaeology Field School

The rear courtyard of El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park has a different look these days as eight students participating in an Archaeological Field School offered through Cal Poly Continued Education and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation fill the landscape with their tools, excavation “test pits,” and boundless energy. Composed of students of various ages, schools and educational backgrounds, this year’s class is focusing their efforts on determining the original ground level of the Santa Barbara Presidio at the time of its second defense wall construction in 1797.

The intensive 6-week course consists of a combination of excavations and laboratory analysis of historical archaeological materials from the northern yard of El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Led by Trust Board of Director’s member and Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Dr. Robert Hoover, the Archaeological Field School is now in its sixth year at El Presidio. While this year's class is now well underway, this unique offering is a great reason to stop by the Presidio and observe archaeology in action.

Santa Barbara Presidio Archaeological Field School
Summer 2008, July 7 - August 15
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA
For more information (805) 965-0093

Vinos, Tapas y Arte 2008 - Save the Date for the Trust's Only Major Fundraiser of the Year!

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation proudly presents the 3rd annual “Vinos, Tapas y Arte.” On Saturday, September 27, 2008, SBTHP will celebrate its only major fundraiser of the year at the historic social center of Santa Barbara—Casa de la Guerra. Several fine restaurants will be donating delicious appetizers, many superb wineries will be pouring selections of their finest vintages, and talented local artists will be donating their work for exhibition and sale. Featuring live music—guests will drink, eat, and bid on local art and silent auction items as they stroll through the Casa courtyard. You won't want to miss it!

SAVE THE DATE
Vinos, Tapas y Arte 2008
Casa de la Guerra
15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA
Saturday, September 27
3:00 to 6:00 pm
The cost per-person is $100 ($75 tax-deductible). Patron and Distinguished Patron opportunities are available. To purchase ticket or for more information call the Trust at (805) 966-1279.

Membership Matters!

Become a member of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and enjoy a host of great benefits throughout the year while simultaneously supporting the preservation of Santa Barbara's unique history. Filled with history, creativity, and entertainment, membership means exciting exhibitions and events that friends and family can enjoy all year long.

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