THAT SMALL-TOWN SPIRIT... that exists so organically and fully in so many villages around California? It's one of the most golden parts of the Golden State. And one of the most golden aspects to small-town-dom, as we do it 'round these parts? It's the heart-cheerful fact that the people who call smaller villages and burgs home are eager to reach out when another close-knit community is hurting. Such will be the case on Saturday, Jan. 20 when Los Olivos in Santa Ynez Wine Country pauses to put the focus on Montecito, and what that coast-close town has recently faced in the way of mudslides, floods, and tragedy. The merchants and wine tasting rooms and restaurants and coffeehouses of Los Olivos are taking the day to reach out to Montecito, which is just under an hour away (and, yes, both towns are part of Santa Barbara County). No, the businesses of Los Olivos are staying put, where they can raise money for flood relief by donating a portion of the day's sales on Jan. 20 to helping Montecito out.
OVER 20 LOS OLIVOS BUSINESSES... are playing a part, from The Los Olivos Wine Merchant, which will donate 10% of food sales on Jan. 20 to the relief efforts, to Los Olivos General Store, which will donate 20% of sales. "With a sense of community, the Stolpman Vineyards team, with the support Claudio Miro and The Inspired Brand, have mobilized the town of Los Olivos to raise money for Thomas Fire & Flood Relief Efforts." In the area on Jan. 20? Can you be? Stop by Los Olivos and send some love to a little town, another close community, that's just about an hour to the southeast. For more information, visit the LOMO Relief web site.
