Montecito Beautification Day Showcases Community Resiliency | Homes & Lifestyle - Noozhawk

By Sharon Byrne for Montecito Association | October 10, 2019 | 4:00 p.m.

Annually on the first Saturday in November, Montecitans meet at the Community Green in the Upper Village, put on gloves and pick up equipment to fan out into the neighborhood and put some love into their community. It’s a hands-on experience of taking care of one’s neighborhood.

This year’s theme is Resilient is Brilliant and the event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1470 East Valley Road.

“This is our 34th annual Beautification Day. That’s a hallmark of Montecito’s sustained, dedicated effort in coming together to care for our community,” said Trish Davis, a longtime Montecito resident and ardent volunteer.

“It’s a lovely, neighborly way of putting our hands on our community to demonstrate our pride and love of Montecito,” said Montecito president Megan Orloff. “We love seeing our community come together to do great things.”

The Montecito Association urges neighbors to participate. The day opens with breakfast provided by San Ysidro Ranch. Participants will then head to pre-designated stations to clean and beautify zones that need a little extra help.

Sponsors provide the funding to produce Beautification Day. “It really takes a village,” said Sharon Byrne, Montecito Association executive director. “Montecito has a very village-y feel to it, and the reason is because neighbors know each other here, and really like doing things together as a community.”

“Since the Thomas disasters, Montecito has consistently come together in ways we never imagined before, to heal and rebuild as a community,” said Houghton Hyatt, beautification chair. “With the Common Table last year, the 4th of July, we see that our community is really resilient and we want to support and celebrate that. Beautification Day represents the very best of the Montecito spirit.”

Sponsors decorate the back of the annual Beautification Day t-shirt, a long-standing tradition. The beautification team hangs past event t-shirts on a clothes line at the event start, to signify its history.

“We have a hard time making room for everyone on the t-shirt every year, because so many neighbors support this event,” said Mindy Denson, long-time volunteer organizer for Beautification Day. “This is a very good problem to have, as a community.”

To get on the t-shirt, sponsorship must be received by Monday Oct. 14.

After the clean-up and beautification efforts are completed, neighbors gather in the Upper Green for a celebration, with awards given for Citizen of the Year, the Cito Best-Dressed Merchant Window, and best artwork for the event from local schools.

Children from Mount Carmel, Montecito Union, Laguna Blanca and Cold Spring schools will submit artwork representing the theme of Resilient is Brilliant.

“Children’s creativity just makes us all smile from ear-to-ear,” said Cindy Feinberg, who is in charge of collecting and displaying the artwork on storefront windows in the Montecito Village. “Children’s spirits are just so resilient. How do you decide which art is the best, when they’re all so joyful and uplifting?”

Lunch is donated by Montecito Village Grocery, and cooked by Montecito Firefighters. Volunteers are urged to bring their own water bottles, as there will be multiple water stations available for refills.

“We try to be environmentally conscious here. If everyone does a little, together we can accomplish a lot,” said Kathi King, Montecito Association board member.

— Sharon Byrne for Montecito Association.