The Alan Satchwell Quintet entertains the crowd at 19th annual event that serves as Rotary Club Foundation fundraiser
It was a lovely spring day in Los Olivos for the Rotary Club’s 19th annual Jazz & Olive Festival, which was held on Saturday, June 7, at Lavinia Campbell Park. The festival is always a popular event, having developed a dedicated following over the years, and this year was no different.
Jazz music, provided by The Alan Satchwell Quintet, filled the air as nearly 400 guests enjoyed the wines offered by 26 different vintners pouring their latest releases and tasty olive-related hors d’oeuvres, generously provided by 26 O’Chefs.
The Jazz & Olive Festival was established by the Rotary Club of Los Olivos as a headline community event to showcase jazz musicians, the growing local olive industry, and Santa Barbara County’s premier wines. The annual festival is presented by and the primary fundraiser for the Los Olivos Rotary Club Foundation. All funds raised from the festival support local organizations in need, high school scholarships, and international service organizations.
The winners of this year’s O’Chefs competition are as follows: Focaccia by Tyler Sprague; Fern’s Famous Olive Dip by Cindy Mathews; Olive Chocolate Brownies by Ann Foxworthy Lewellen; Pasta Salad by Candy Waldron; and Hoisin Beef by Judy Canby. The judges were Elaine Revelle and Sarah Harris.
“There was plenty of wine and a bounty of olive-based treats for all to enjoy,” said Chairperson Beth Sprague, who took over the event in 2022.
For the second year, the Jazz and Olive Festival stage featured local musicians featuring Alan Satchwell on trumpet joined by the Alan Satchwell Quintet, consisting of David Alm on piano, Dave Keif on bass, Darrell Voss on drums, Rich Seversen on guitar, and featured guest singer, Inga Swearengen.
“They were so good last year we decided to have them back this year to entertain all our guests,” said Rotarian Rich Nagler.
“All the funds raised from this event go to charities our Rotary supports, both local and abroad,” said Sprague.
This past year, Los Olivos Rotary Club gave grants to a variety of community service organizations and youth services: Veggie Rescue, SYV Aquatic, SYV Botanic Garden, SYV Community Outreach, CALNAM, People Helping People ADCAP, Stuart Gildred YMCA, Hidden Wings, Friends of the Library, Little Village, Santa Barbara Food Bank, Arts Outreach, Los Padres Forest Watch, and New Life K9. Youth service grants were given to Lucy Clover H, RYLA Scholarships, Dunn Interactive Club, Santa Barbara Community Rowing, Explore Ecology, Nature Track, Youth Empowered, and the Scouts.
“Our mission this year is to provide the remaining funds from this year’s event to local organizations who help solve food insecurity in our community,” said Nagler. “Organizations like People Helping People, Meals on Wheels, which serves over 300 house-bound or senior citizens in need, Atterdag at Home, Veggie Rescue, and the Bethania Lutheran Food Program.”
“Despite having a reputation for being affluent, Santa Barbara County has the second-highest poverty rate in the state, with 17 percent of residents lacking resources for basic needs like food,” quoted Nagler. “There has been a considerable decrease in funding and donated food to organizations that provide nutrition and an increase in those in need of assistance.
“We are so glad to see so many people having a good time and helping our Rotary Club to provide donations and support for these organizations who help solve food insecurity in our community.”
Many Los Olivos Rotarians were on hand to help guests with their needs and enjoy the experience.
For more information on the Los Olivos Rotary Club, visit www.losolivosrotary.org.
