Keep it Short from Green Shorts Film Festival on Vimeo.

The Fourth Annual 2012 Green Shorts Film Festival is a 1 to 2 minute video contest about saving our planet, helping our environment and being green. The theme is “MOBILIZE FOR THE EARTH” – also the Community Environmental Council’s Earth Day theme.

So start the cameras rolling and bring us your compelling and pragmatic solutions and entertaining commentaries on energy independence, sustainability and a green future.

Filmmakers write, produce, direct, edit and/or score their own original short film. ENTRIES ARE DUE MARCH 16!

(Early entries for SLO GSFF are due March 2.)
Click for rules and other important info…

Upload your film to our Vimeo group to share it, view other entries and chat with other filmmakers

Win a MacBook Pro from Samy’s Camera, a GoPro® video camera and other great prizes

Winners will be featured at a special screening at the Lobero Theater and aired on Channel 17 Santa Barbara.

February 24 – 26, 2012

Scott Topper DJ Productions will be Showcasing on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 7-10PM at the historic Santa Barbara Club for an exclusive Wedding Reception Celebration!!!

Purchase your ALL ACCESS PASS* for only $50 per couple by this Friday, February 17th and get a chance to win a gift certificate to one of our preferred Rehearsal Dinner Restaurants *hotel not included

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Roses are red
Violets are blue
You’re newly engaged
May not know what to do

Start planning the right way
We’ll ensure you make headway
Meet vendors, see venues
Get knowledge or peruse

A wedding’s the way
To preview YOUR day
We’ve so much to share
Beyond a wed fair
Buy your tickets today
Before it’s too late
For your chance to win
Thirty bucks off din din

We’re excited to meet you
Before you say “I do!”
Only ten days to go
Hurry, don’t miss the show!!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

9:00am – 4:00pm
Meet us at 9am at the Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort lobby, where we will embark on a guided Venue Tour of some of Santa Barbara’s wedding locations: Montecito Country Club, Santa Barbara Courthouse, Arts & Letters Cafe, Sandpiper Golf Club, Condor Ridge Ranch, Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort and Carr Winery. While you’re enjoying the ride, get expert advice from our wedding planners.
Lunch and refreshments provided.

7:00pm – 10:00pm
Meet us at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort and board our shuttle to historic Santa Barbara Club for an exclusive Wedding Reception Celebration. EOS Transportation shuttles will run between both venues all evening.
Learn the newest wedding reception trends and meet more local wedding vendors in an intimate open house setting.

Sample tastings of food and local wineries
Indulge in a little dancing with Scott Topper Productions
Relax in our lounge with JSH Entertainment Jazz Trio
Have some photo fun with Thoughtbox Photo Booth
Late night food from O Street Truck.

Sunday Brunch

Sunday, February 26, 2012

7:00am – 12:00pm
Join us for Sunday Brunch, hosted by the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort. Enjoy live music, reminisce about the weekend and soak in all that Santa Barbara has to offer!
Simply the Best Wedding Showcase of Santa Barbara
11:00am – 3:00pm
Continue your wedding research and planning Santa Barbara Woman’s Club
670 Mission Canyon Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

$10 per person admission
Reserve Your All Inclusive Pass for Two
*RSVP by Friday, February 17, 2012 and Save!
$50.00

For a limited time only
(a $210 value)
Enjoy planning your Santa Barbara wedding! Get access to our entire weekend’s events – sample the amazing products and services Santa Barbara’s wedding professionals have to offer, watch us in action, and get to know us and our beautiful city!
Join the party!

*After signing up, you will be receiving a detailed program with an itinerary of the weekend. Gift bags and more at each event!
Book Your Hotel Room Now!

$169 per night rate
(a $499 value), based on availability, This rate is only valid for SBWPG Attendees.
Please do not contact the hotel directly to make reservations.

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Scott Topper Productions was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Scott Topper Productions is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Scott Topper Productions for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Scott Topper Productions is one of the very best DJs within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/scott-topper-productions-santa-barbara/173ac9507735028b.html.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

###

Many families like the idea of saying thank you and offering recognition, but
are tired of candles, as they are so pervasive at Mitzvahs, and are looking
for alternatives to candles as a way of distinguishing their child and event
as unique.

Here are some suggestions and options regarding candle lighting that will
allow you to do just that.

Variations on candles

While candles are the standard you can also use Flowers, Leaves,
Trees, Tony’s, Emmy’s, Academy Awards, Puzzle Pieces that
create a picture of son\daughter, or something to match
your theme.

Rename the Academy Awards \ Oscars to be the Joshua’s or Rachel’s.
Fill in your son\daughter’s name here. Or have the leaves represent a
tree planted in Israel in the name of the person being honored.

Time Factor

If each candle takes 60 seconds \ 1 minute to – Announce, allow
recipient(s) to walk up, take a few pictures, and walk away, then
13 candles would take 13 minutes.

2-3 minutes each is more realistic. So add 30+ minutes to your
time line if you decide on a candle lighting service.

Candle Lighting

Adding visuals, pictures, and video to your candle lighting service
is a great way to keep your family and friends engaged in what
is now a very personal experience.

Your memorial candle can take on the emotional feel of the Oscar’s
Memoriam. Your family candles can include pictures from vacations
and special memories.

Guests unable to travel\attend can record a video message that would
play after the candle is lit, as a surprise for your son\daughter.

Practice Please

Just like your son\daughter will practice with the Rabbi for his\her
reading part in the service, so he\she should practice with cards
or a print out of what will be said for each candle.

Rhyme Time

Aunt Judy you are so much fun, please come light candle number one.
Uncle Irving and I love fishing. It is me and you for candle number two.
And so on.

This Dr Seuss style rhyming is a popular, but not necessary. The
message and sentiment are far more important. (In this blogger’s
humble opinion)

As always ADJA members who specialize in Bar\Bat Mitzvahs can help you
make the most of your Candle Lighting and guest’s experience.

Bijoux Events & Soigne Productions
Ocean Hill Estate Venue Premiere

What makes this Montecito Property truly rare and unique is its exclusive, ocean front location. Overlooking Butterfly Beach, doors away from the Historic Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel, and neighbors of the Ty Warner Estate and Santa Barbara Music Academy of the West, this property sits on an acre between Hill Road and Channel Drive. This gated property features a terraced, lush, Italianesque landscape with a mixture of mature trees and succulents. Large architectural columns along the stone lanai frame a breathtaking expansive view of our Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara Channel Islands. This property breathes romantic Tuscan elegance and is ideal for both small and large events.

For More Information
Contact: Tonya and Jessica
Santa Barbara Event Venues
805.448.9277
Email: info@sb-ev.com

Venue Details

Capacity: 250 +/-
Location Price: $8,000 for up to 150 People
$10,000 for up to 250 People

Included
· Venue use for up to six hours (Not including setup and strike)
· A dressing area for bride, two hours prior to ceremony start time. Bridesmaids and groomsmen must arrive dressed and ready. Area must be vacated two hours post ceremony start time.
· Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.
· Three, one hour site visits per event.
Required
· Month – of coordinator.
· All vendors must be pre-approved, fully licensed, and insured.
· All vendors must name venue as additionally named insured.
· Valet and/or shuttle for guest count fewer than 75.
· Shuttles for guest count over 75.
· Restrooms and Trash by Marborg Industries.
· Lighting package, including generator.
· Catering kitchen
· Rentals
· If used, tennis court must be covered by astro turf or carpet for protection.
· Amplified music must conclude by 10:00 pm.
· Same day timed delivery and strike.
· If additional time is required for setup, additional fee will be required.
· Fully refundable $2,000 security deposit, assuming venue is left in original condition
· Security detail for event hours.
· The house is not available for overnight accommodations

How are the winners determined?
The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are awarded solely based on the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds. Awards are determined by a combination of four factors: Overall rating (quality), total number of reviews (quantity), review performance from 2011 (recency), and consistency of reviews from year to year (consistency). This year’s recipients represent the top 5% of WeddingWire’s vendor community, across all service categories and all regions throughout the US and Canada.

Vendor Search:

Wedding Cakes
Wedding Venues
Wedding Caterers
Wedding Photographers
Wedding Videographers
Wedding Registry
Wedding Invitations
Wedding Favors & Gifts
Wedding Bands
Wedding DJ’s
Wedding Dresses
Wedding Florists
Wedding Limos
Ceremony Music
Wedding Planners
Wedding Rentals
Wedding Officiants
Wedding Hairstyles
Wedding Jewelry
Name Change

Planning Tools:

Wedding Websites
Seating Charts
Budget
Checklists
Guest List
Binder
Timeline
Vendor Manager
Wedding Songs

WeddingWire is one of the fastest growing wedding and event sites in the country. They say that “necessity is the mother of all invention” which is exactly why WeddingWire was created: to create efficiency and transparency in the wedding and event space.

While planning his own wedding in 2005, Tim (CEO) became aware of the remarkable inefficiency in today’s wedding market. With engaged couples continually struggling to find the vendor that best suits their needs and vendors constantly searching for new ways to expand their businesses online, Tim and his 3 friends (Jeff Yeh – CTO, Lee Wang – COO, and Sonny Ganguly – CMO) set out to solve this persistent disconnect and provide both parties with simple, yet productive, channels to interact.

For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. WeddingWire is about helping brides and groom execute efficiently and effectively on their weddings.

For wedding vendors, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Weddingbee.com and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Ultimately, WeddingWire is about simplifying your wedding planning by leveraging technology. Whether you are looking for information about a specific vendor, need to comparison shop across vendors, require robust and intuitive management tools, or just want to connect with other engaged couples to share and collaborate in the bride forums, WeddingWire seeks to provide best-in-breed solutions to ease the entire wedding planning process.

Photo by Mellisa Musgrove Photography

Here’s a bit about Melissa Musgrove Photographer-

My first instinct is to say, call me, in a matter of minutes you’ll feel like you’ve known me forever.

The easy info is that I’m married to my best friend and we have two grown children. (I was practically a baby when I married) We are all in the arts and each of have our own businesses.

I’m a dog nut. Inherited from my Mother, I’m sure. I have two of my own, but at any given time I usually have a third as I foster for the local no kill shelter, DAWG, in Goleta. I love to read, and when I do, I can’t get much done until I finish the book. Therefore, I don’t get to read to much during my busy season. During busy season I get by with reading Vanity Fair and Pro Photographer magazines.

I love going to the movies. Independent movies are my favorites.

I like to garden, hike, go to the beach, hang out with girlfriends. Hit a flea market once in a while. Standard girl stuff.

Oh yes, I love photography. Hopefully that shows!

Call me. . . 805-563-5050. It will be like talking to a girlfriend that knows all about weddings!

Memberships:

Director of Communications, International Special Events Society ~ Ventura/Santa Barbara Chapter

Santa Barbara Event Professionals

Wedding and Portrait International

Preferred Vendor:

I’m honored and delighted to be listed as a preferred photographer at the following Santa Barbara Wedding Venues; San Ysidro Ranch, Four Seasons Biltmore, Montecito Country Club, Fess Parker Doubletree Resort Hotel, and the Channel Cat.

If you’re getting married and need DJ entertainment, come on out this afternoon and say hello!

Spanish Hills Country Club
999 Crestview Avenue
Camarillo, CA 93010
805/388-5000
www.spanishhillscc.com
Contact:
bpartida@spanishhillscc.com
Admission:

$10 at the door, $7 with advance reservations.
Here’s what Spanish Hills Country Club Bridal Showcase and Groom’s Room told us about this event:

“Meet with Ventura County’s premier event professionals while enjoying tray-passed champagne & hors d’oeuvres.”

At Spanish Hills Country Club you will enjoy the friendly warmth and elegance of a gracious private club. We pride ourselves on our thoughtful attention to the details that make your special day truly memorable. Elegant touches like our unforgettable synchronized table service have earned Spanish Hills Country Club a reputation for sophistication, beauty and fun!

Your guests will enjoy another outdoor terrace overlooking the valleys & mountains of Santa Rosa for your cocktail reception. Your party will be brought inside our Clubhouse for dinner & dancing. Inside our Grand Dining Room you’ll be delighted by luxurious Spanish Mediterranean design. The view out our floor-to-ceiling bay windows is of our breathtaking, immaculate grounds. The ballroom itself is appointed with crystal teardrop wrought iron chandeliers, two magnificent fireplaces, and a grand piano.

Spanish Hills has three different Wedding Packages to select from that help take the worry out of planning your big day. We are happy to customize packages and menus to create a one-of-a kind event for you. We coordinate your rehearsal and ceremony and create an event timeline so that you may be a guest at your own party. Our capacity is 264 guests for a sit down dinner with ample dance floor. We begin booking Weddings over a year in advance and fill up quite quickly. Please give us a call if you are interested in a tour. Tours are available Tuesdays through Saturdays by appointment only. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you to plan your next special event!

AMONG ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CLUBS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

——————————————————————————–

Spanish Hills provides a spectacular outdoor ceremony site to hold your wedding. We are one of the only facilities where you can have your ceremony services in a lush garden setting on top of a Grand Terrace.

I am delighted to report that our (YAD) Young Adult Division’s 5th Annual Vodka Latke Holiday Benefit Event was a huge success on December 17th! Please know that you played a pivotal role in the success of this year’s event. Thanks to your generous support and in-kind services, our event participants enjoyed wonderful prize drawings from the raffle, an attractive variety of great silent auction items throughout the event, which supports critically needed programs and services right here in Santa Barbara, along with cutting edge entertainment and lots of Chanukah fun. We truly hope that you will join us again next year!

Your generosity enables Federation to give children scholarships for summer camp and pre-school; provide respite via our JFS programs; teach impressionable teens about leadership through Portraits of Survival/Mis Tres Caras; and empowers Jewish identity and builds community and leadership among young adults… Our future is now. The Jewish Federation provides social service programs, which includes senior services, counseling, volunteer programs, community education and rescue & relief. No matter one’s age, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc., our programs are open to all.

Thank you once again, for supporting the Jewish Federation YAD Campaign and for the commitment you have shown to the Santa Barbara community.

YAD Campaign Committee rocks!

When you are doing your Bar Mitzvah DJ research, no question should be off limits. You should ask them what type of music they typically play at Bar Mitzvahs. Possibly the most important question you should ask a potential DJ is whether they typically play at Bar Mitzvahs. Many DJs play at wedding receptions, and although they are similar, there are different rituals of which the DJ should be in tune with. If you still are uncertain of whom you should hire, you actually could go as far as asking the DJ for recommendations. Talk with people who have used the DJ before. Ask if they enjoyed him and whether they would hire him again.

Another thing you need to take into consideration when hiring a Bar Mitzvah DJ is how involved they plan on being during the ceremony. It may be important for you to have your DJ active in hosting the event. If this is the case, then your DJ needs to be familiar with all the rituals that go along with a Bar Mitzvah reception as opposed to a DJ who may be less expensive but that plans to be more passive. Your guests will remember the Bar Mitzvah party in some part based on how the DJ controls the crowd.

Because your son’s Bar Mitzvah is one of the most important days of his life, you need to make sure you use careful planning when it comes to his reception. He only will have one Bar Mitzvah, so you want to make sure the reception can be as great as possible. You can do this by hiring a Bar Mitzvah DJ who has experience in entertaining both the children and adult crowds together, knows how to get people dancing, and is confident and alive. This experience will ensure that everyone has a good time!