To Toba With Love

Oysters and Pearls, at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion on April 28, raised over $24,000 to send to Santa Barbara’s oldest Sister City, Toba, Japan, where there was $24 million in damages to the oyster beds and nori seaweed farms along Toba’s coastline due to the tsunami.

The Santa Barbara-Toba Sister City Organization, sponsors of the event, would like to thank the restaurants that donated all of the food. Robert Yates, owner of Opal, (who a week before donated the total proceeds from one night to Northern Japan) and Fukiko, owner of Studo Nihon catering, oversaw and served all of the buffet dinner for over 200 guests. Adam White, owner of the Santa Barbara Fish House and Boat House, set up an oyster bar of 300 oysters and condiments. Desserts were donated by the Wine Cask and Jeannine’s Bakery.

Hors d’oeuvres were donated by Arch Rock Fish Company, Kobachi Restaurant, Laura Lyle Catering, Our Daily Bread, Pascucci Restaurant, Pure Joy Catering, and Sushi Teri. All of the wine and beer was donated by Bradford Wine Group and Telegraph Brewing Company.

This outpouring of generosity was a response, in part, to the citizens of Toba who donated $16,000 to Santa Barbara in 1990 during the Painted Cave Fire. he money was used to plant trees in Tucker’s Grove and behind Alpha School. Our Sister City relationship of 45 years has created many relationships between the citizens of our cities. Both cities have hosted many tour visits, and for twenty years, we have exchanged student ambassadors each summer. We are truly a family.