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they saw the Capitol, which is currently undergoing major multi-million dollar renovation and is clad in scaffolding, scaffolding-free under clear skies. PBS later apologized for the subterfuge, saying: “We showed a combination of the best fireworks from this year and previous years. It was the patriotic thing to do.” Meanwhile, Kenny tells me he is now working on a follow-up children’s book to his popular 2011 publication Moose N’Me, about his beagle mutt. Stay tuned.
From Whence He Came David Pratt, the affable Aussie who spearheaded a remarkable turnaround as chief executive of the Santa Barbara Symphony since his appointment two years ago, is heading back to Oz. He has been appointed chief executive of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Brisbane and will assume his new role in September. “David’s organizational talent and energy have had a transformative influence on the Santa Barbara Symphony,” says board president Arthur Swalley. “In his short time with us, he has refocused our efforts on key strategic metrics, including cost-effective marketing, development processes, finan-
SB Symphony director David Pratt back to Oz
cial controls, and expanded education programming. He has accomplished critical work. Our symphony is now in excellent shape with great potential moving forward.” Prior to moving to our Eden by the Beach, David was executive director of the Savannah Philharmonic in Georgia, where he oversaw substantial increases in attendance, donations, and corporate support. Over the course of his 20-year career, he has also served as general manager of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, commercial enterprises manager of the Sydney Symphony and general manager of the Melbourne Film Office. From 1997 to 2004, David was the film commissioner for Ausfilm in Los Angeles, promoting Australia’s movie and television production sector in
the U.S. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is the state’s largest performing arts company, presenting 150 live performances and engaging more than 1.6 million people annually, with a yearly budget of $18 million and 88 full-time musicians. The Santa Barbara Symphony will name an interim executive director in due course. London Calling Montecito TV talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, who celebrates her eighth wedding anniversary with actress Portia de Rossi next month, have been spending some time in London attending the U.K. gala opening of her blockbuster success Finding Dory. The 58-year-old former Oscar host voices the character in the Disney Pixar film, the sequel to 2003’s Finding Nemo. The movie maintained its number-one spot in the U.S. for a third consecutive week, leaving The Legend of Tarzan and Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The BFG in the dust. Finding Dory has already grossed $390 million at the North American box office since its release on June 17, and $563.8 million worldwide. While Portia, 43, is keeping busy with her role as Elizabeth North on
Scandal, Ellen is currently in talks to be an executive producer on a new Drew Barrymore-hosted talk show, according to Variety. They also took time to take in the Wimbledon women’s final when Serena Williams won for a record seventh time against German Angelique Kerber. sitting in the Royal Box behind Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, the Duke of Kent. Ellen and Portia, who bought international interior designer John Saladino’s impressive Montecito estate three years ago, have been together since 2004 and tied the knot in August 2008. Lieff it to Them Robert and Gretchen Lieff opened the door of their beautiful George Washington Smith estate, Los Sueños, to launch the Paws Up for Pets Campaign, backed by three major animal oriented organizations, C.A.R.E.4Paws. Davey’s Voice, and the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. The campaign, which promotes compassionate, responsible pet ownership, targets elementary school children and Boys & Girls Club members. “Our goal is to empower local youth to make a difference
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