VOICE Magazine: January 31, 2025

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix

Lakecia Benjamin plays jazz that is sprinkled with the rich flavors of funk and soul – she’s a crafty traditionalist who remains in step with the rhythms of the young generation. – The New Yorker

ANS OF JOHN COLTRANE, WAYNE SHORTER, AND ORNETTE COLEMAN listen up – there’s a new horn in town, and she’s ready to roar. Experience Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix live at Campbell Hall in a UCSB Arts & Lectures Jazz Series concert on Friday, February 7th at 8pm.

Saxophonist, composer, and arranger Benjamin fuses soul and hip-hop with a strong foundation in the canon of modern jazz. The Manhattan native has worked with an impressive roster of jazz greats, including Clark Terry, Reggie Workman, Gregory Porter and Christian McBride. Her 2023 release, Phoenix, earned Grammy nominations in two categories – Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Jazz Performance for her original composition Basquiat. In 2024, Benjamin was nominated again in the same two categories: Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Phoenix Reimagined (Live) and Best Jazz Performance for the album’s title track.

Benjamin’s new album, Phoenix Reimagined, focuses on the music from her acclaimed Phoenix project and adds three new songs. It was captured live-in-studio at Brooklyn’s the Bunker, a greatsounding space whose alumni include everyone from Brad Mehldau to Bang on a Can to the Black Keys. Combining the spontaneous magic of a live LP with the crisp, crystalline audio that only a world-class

studio can deliver, Phoenix Reimagined illustrates that vibrant togetherness between Benjamin and her live listeners. In the case of the Bunker show, that meant pretty much anyone who adores music as much as she does. “I was like, you know what? Let’s celebrate life. Let’s celebrate everything. I’m going to invite everybody to this studio,” Benjamin recalls with a chuckle.

“The studio personnel were lucky I didn’t just open the door!” The atmosphere took the saxophonist back to her earliest years hitting the NYC jam-session scene: the heat, the camaraderie, the competition, the hard-earned lessons. “It just reminded me why I love music,” she says.

The success of her most recent release Phoenix Reimagined (Live) won her a nomination for the 2024 Grammy’s Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Jazz Performance. Her previous releases, 2023’s Phoenix and 2020’s Pursuance: The Coltranes, positioned Benjamin among jazz’s most celebrated recording artists: In addition to absolute raves in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and DownBeat, she received three Grammy nominations for Phoenix, as well as an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album. Earlier this year, she was named Alto Saxophonist of the Year by the prestigious Jazz Journalist Association.

She’ll share the stage with Jazz great Phoenix, a respected ensemble comprised of Oscar Perez, piano; Elias Bailey, bass; and Dorian Phelps, drums.

To witness a live performance by the alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin is to never forget it. The ever-rising star from Washington Heights remains, at her core, an improviser best experienced in her soul-stirring concerts. Each and every time she hits the bandstand, she takes her repertoire and her wide-ranging audience to sublime new planes. Her message of spiritual uplift and social and political liberation soars higher still.

Given Benjamin’s personal story over the last few years, her live dates are nothing short of life-affirming. In 2021, she was involved in a car accident that resulted in more than one potentially career-ending injury: Benjamin broke her jaw, shoulder blade, and ribs and ruptured an eardrum among other wounds. Today, she’s regained her confidence and physical strength, embracing whatever limitations her accident may have engendered. She also realizes she has decades of more music and travel to go. “I don’t think about the accident anymore. Some people might see

Benjamin will be playing with

my shows now as a victory lap, because inspiration comes in multiple forms,” Benjamin says, “but I really feel I’m still learning. I’m trying to get uncomfortable. I’m trying to grow. I’m trying to play better.”

Lakecia Benjamin is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures in association with UCSB Department of Music. Jazz Series Lead Sponsor: Manitou Fund. Special thanks: KCRW 89.9 FM and KCSB 91.9 FM. Sara Miller McCune is 2024-2025 Season Sponsor. Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli are Community Partners of the 2024-2025 season.

The Jazz series will continue with: Hiromi’s Sonicwonder

Fri, Apr 25 | 8:00 PM | Campbell Hall

Steeped in both the classical and jazz traditions, Hiromi is a keyboard visionary whose influences range from Chick Corea to Frank Zappa and funk fusion.

Wynton Marsalis Ensemble

LOUIS: A Silent Film with Live Musical Performance

Sat, May 17 | 7:30 PM | Arlington Theatre

Wynton Marsalis leads an all-star 13-piece ensemble in live accompaniment to the 2010 silent film LOUIS, a vivid reimagining of the adventures of a young Louis Armstrong shot in the style of early Charlie Chaplin movies.

For tickets ($22.50 - $52.50/General; $15 for UCSB Students w/ ID) visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu or call 805-893-3535.

Lakecia Benjamin

Photos by Elizabeth Leitzell

Lakecia

Phoenix, which includes: Oscar Perez, piano; Elias Bailey, bass; and Dorian Phelps, drums.

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Si, Si, Si, Santa Barbara International Film Festival

By Mark Whitehurst / VOICE

SBIFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS: Ernesto Paredes, President; Lynda Weinman, CoChair; Jeffrey Barbakow, CoChairman; Linda Armstrong, Treasurer; Susan Eng-Denbaars, Secretary; Gordon Seabury, Audit; Lisa Solana, Development; Vince Caballero, Nominations and Governance; Mimi deGruy, Education;

DIRECTORS: Robin Himovitz; Tammy Hughes; Nora McNeely Hurley; Chris Lancashire; L. Lee Phillips; Sandy Reynolds-Wasco; Rob Skinner; David Wasco.

SBIFF STAFF: Roger Durling, executive director; Sean Pratt, managing director; Benjamin Goedert, development director; Claudia Puig, programming director; Shannon Kelley, development manager; Claire Waterhouse, education manager; Luca Schoch, Theatre Operations Managerr; Natalie Gee, programmer; Elly Iverson, vip liaison; Amy Gudino ticketing coordinator; Ernie Quiroz, programmer; Jill Remy, special events manager; Sherry Stimatz, hospitality liaison; Cayden Tuttle, production coordinator; Olivia Rojas, controller; Emily Lu Aldrich, publicity director; Mike McGee, tribute technical director; Stewart Short, operations & programming coordinator; Tiffany Bouzos, social media coordinator; Will Van Gelder, operations coordinator; YTS Films, video crew.

ELFIES WITH MOVIE STARS AND DIRECTORS TOASTING SUCCESSES,

are all the norm at the opening of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

SBIFF is a seasoned, local festival that features premiere after premiere and film magic that piques fascination with movies, all while offering and receiving a warm embrace from our community.

As is tradition, each Santa Barbara festival receives an open arms welcome from Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse.

“It’s that time of year again to welcome guests to our city and celebrate some of our film industry stars!” Rowse shared. “The SBIFF is not only a fabulous opportunity to showcase our beautiful city, but to enjoy our city and wonderful film venues and dining spaces. Roger Durling and crew put on an amazing show that none of us will want to miss. See you at the movies!”

The rarefied air of Hollywood creates a warm breeze of fiction created in movies by actors, directors, producers, and all the experts behind the scenes, and of course by the cinephiles.

“Santa Barbara has deep roots in the film industry, dating back to the early 1900s when filmmakers first set up shop here before relocating to their permanent Hollywood home. For the past several decades, SBIFF has carried the torch of that rich legacy by nurturing our community’s

Opening Night at SBIFF!

relationship to the world of film,” commented Kathy Janega-Dykes, President and CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, of Santa Barbara’s unique relationship with the industry.

Santa Barbara is a city with a tradition of festivals and SBIFF is a bright constellation in that pantheon — even compared to other film festivals.

“SBIFF is unique among film festivals and the awards season circuit in that events and screenings are open to the public. That spirit of accessibility aligns with the easy-going yet glamorous nature of our destination brand. It makes SBIFF all the more appealing to visitors and locals alike. And we love hearing the visiting talent’s impressions and personal anecdotes about Santa Barbara, too!” JanegaDykes continued.

Lights, camera, action! — Come join the fun from February 4th to the 15th.

COMEDY will open the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 40 anniversary edition 2025. Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Jane Austen a gâché ma vie) will have its US Premiere in an evening sponsored by Lexus on Tuesday, February 4th at the Arlington Theatre.

The movie was written and directed by Laura Piani, who will attend the opening night. The movie is her feature debut, and stars Camille Rutherford, Pablo Pauly, Charlie Anson, and Annabelle Lengronne. The World Premiere was held at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Master of Ceremonies for the Opening Night will be Roger Durling, Executive Director of SBIFF. Dignitaries attending the ceremony will include Mayor of Santa Barbara Randy Rowse; City Councilmembers Eric Friedman; Oscar Gutierrez; Kristen Sneddon; and Wendy Santamaria; and County Supervisor Joan Hartmann.

In the movie, Agathe (Rutherford), hopelessly clumsy yet charming and full of contradictions, finds herself in desperate singlehood. Her dream is to experience love akin to a Jane Austen novel and her ultimate aspiration is to become a writer. Instead, she spends her days selling books in the legendary British bookshop, Shakespeare & Co, in Paris. Invited to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England, she must confront her insecurities to finally fulfill her ambition of becoming a novelist and put an end to wasting her sentimental life.

Laura Piani is a scriptwriter and director based in Paris. She studied cinema and literature in Paris and Rome, and went on to obtain a degree in scriptwriting at the Conservatoire Européen d’Ecriture Audiovisuelle in Paris, graduating in 2011. She has been a Continuity supervisor, Director twice, and screenwriter four times.

For tickets visit sbiff.org

Photo courtesy of SBIFF

SBIFF Poster by Mary Heebner, courtesy of SBIFF

SBIFF will kick off on Opening Night presented by Lexus, Tuesday, February 4th, with the US Premiere of Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Jane Austen a gâché ma vie). Written and Directed by Laura Piani,

Vibrant and Vital, Angelina Jolie to be Honored at SBIFF

By Mark Whitehurst / VOICE

DISTINGUISHED DIRECTOR AND ACTOR ANGELINA JOLIE

will be honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Wednesday, February 5th at 8pm at the Arlington Theatre.

“Angelina Jolie makes bold choices, both as an actress and as a director. She sets the bar high in both disciplines and always comes through. I look forward to reviewing her career with her in Santa Barbara!” remarked Leonard Maltin.

Angelina Jolie's career as an actress has been marked by versatility and critical acclaim world wide. Jolie's latest film, “Maria” marks a significant turn in her career, as she portrays the iconic opera singer Maria Callas. Critics have praised Jolie for her transformative performance, particularly her ability to embody Callas’ intensity and grace. Her performance evokes the emotional depth and fragility behind the operatic legend’s public persona.

"I think the way I related to her [Maria] may be a surprise — [it was] probably the part of her that's extremely soft and doesn’t have room in the world to be as soft as she truly was, and as emotionally open as she truly was,” commented Jolie to People.com

Jolie is an Academy Award-winning actress, director, and producer, with film credits including Walt Disney Pictures’ Maleficent series, Salt, and Girl, Interrupted. Jolie directed, produced and co-wrote the critically acclaimed feature First They Killed My Father and the upcoming Without Blood; additionally, she directed the Oscar®nominated drama Unbroken. She is a Tony Award-winning producer on the acclaimed new Broadway musical The Outsiders.

motion picture industry, it was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 in honor of long-time SBIFF moderator and renowned film critic Leonard Maltin. Past recipients include Academy Award-winning actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr., Denzel Washington, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, and Christopher Plummer, and acclaimed filmmakers including Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, and Peter Jackson.

The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place February 4 - February 15, 2025. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes will be held at SBIFF’s Riviera Theatre and its new Film Center, plus the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org.

With over 20 years working as a humanitarian focusing on work with refugees and human rights, she also champions local leadership in environmental conservation and has funded schools, health, and education initiatives globally. Additionally, she is founder of the Maddox Foundation, an integrated development program headquartered in Cambodia, with a focus on conservation, agriculture, education, and economic development projects in the area.

She is also the founder of Atelier Jolie, a hub for artists, empowering people to participate in creating their own fashion, with a focus on sustainability. Jolie is also co-author of Know Your Rights and Claim Them, a guide for youth.

The Modern Master Award was established in 1995. Created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through accomplishments in the

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas

Angelina Jolie, Maltin Modern Master

Angelina Jolie will return to SBIFF to accept the Maltin Modern Master

Photo by Isaac Hernández de Lipa

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life • US Premiere • Agathe, a charmingly clumsy bookseller in Paris, dreams of love and writing success. Invited to a Jane Austen Writers’ Residency, she faces an unexpected romantic triangle and must overcome her insecurities to achieve her dreams.

enduring power of love’s memory.

Wednesday, Feb. 5th

8am • FCA#1

My Father’s Daughter (Biru Unjárga), 78 min, Norway, Sweden, Finland • US Premiere

• Egil Pedersen • Set in Norway’s northernmost countryside, a wistful Sámi teenage girl named Elvira has her life turned upside down as she uncovers the surprising truth about her father’s identity.

8:20am • FCA#2 • Across the Sea (La mer au loin) 117 min, France, Morocco, Belgium • US Premiere • Saïd Hamich Benlarbi • Nour, a 27-year-old Moroccan immigrant in Marseille, leads a marginal life until meeting Serge, a volatile cop, and his wife Noémie, which profoundly changes his path over a decade of love and dreams.

8:40am • FCA#3 Olivia & the Clouds (Olivia & las nubes) 81 min, Dominican Republic

• US Premiere • Tomás Pichardo Espaillat • Olivia, haunted by a past love, hides it under her bed, trading flowers with this ghost in exchange for comforting rain clouds. With surreal elements, OLIVIA & THE CLOUDS delves into the

Films, Calendar, & Special Events

going well until a group of young masked robbers break into the house. Hatred emerges, as well as a strong desire for justice

11am • Arlington • Free Dune Part Two

11:20AM • FCA#2

9am • FCA#4 Speak. 103 min, United States • Non Premiere • Jennifer Tiexiera, Guy Mossman • Five topranked high school oratory students spend a year crafting spellbinding spoken word performances, with the dream of winning one of the world’s largest and most intense public speaking competitions.

9AM • Riviera Theatre Trifole, 100 min, Italy, South Africa, USA • Non Premiere • Gabriele Fabbro • Dalia travels to Piedmont to care for her aging grandfather, Igor, an expert truffle forager. Armed with his field notes and loyal dog, she searches for a prizewinning truffle in this charming and bittersweet look at a vanishing way of life.

9:20am • FCA#5 Mistura • 101 min, Peru, Non Premiere • Ricardo de Montreuil • The life of a Parisborn wife of a Peruvian politician unravels after her husband’s betrayal isolates her from elite society. She embarks on a transformative journey through a daring culinary adventure.

11am • FCA#1

The Righteous (Todos somos justos) • 79min • Chile • US Premiere • Carlos Leiva Barahona • Luis is invited to a family celebration. The night is

unfamiliar way of life after a devastating storm wrought by climate change. This beautifully rendered and poignant hybrid film combines documentary footage with fictional elements.

12:20pm • FCA#5

The Shepherd and the Bear • 100min • United States, United Kingdom, France • Non Premiere • Max Keegan • An aging shepherd struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock. Meanwhile, drawn to their strength, a teenage boy becomes obsessed with tracking the bears.

11:40am • FCA#3

My Stolen Planet (Sayyareye dozdide shodeye man) • 82min

• Germany, Iran • Non Premiere • Farahnaz Sharifi • Farah, an Iranian woman, is forced to migrate to her private planet to be free. She collects other people’s memories, in the form of Super 8 films, and records and archives her own daily life, crafting an alternative history of Iran.

12pm • FCA#4

Bauryna Salu • 113min • Kazakhstan • US Premiere

• Askhat Kuchinchirekov

• BAURYNA SALU chronicles the moving story of the boy Yersultan, who, in accordance with the ancient nomadic tribal tradition of the film’s title, is given to his grandmother after birth so that she may raise him.

12pm • Riviera Theatre

The Wolves Always Come at Night (Чоно үүр шөнөөр

• 96min

• Mongolia, Australia, Germany • US Premiere

• Gabrielle Brady • A young Mongolian herding couple’s lives are upended when they must adapt to an

Carissa • Jason Jacobs, Devon Delmar • A young woman, who dreams of leaving small village life to live in the city, breaks away from her grandmother’s home, only to be drawn into the care of her grandfather’s mountain rooibos plantation.

2pm • FCA#1

Shot the Voice of Freedom • 71min

• Afghanistan • US Premiere • Zainab Entezar • After the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan, several women risk their lives to fight for their rights amid the brutal reign of terror imposed on women by the Taliban.

2pm • Arlington Theatre TBA

2:20pm • FCA#2

Parrot Kindergarten • 79min • United States • World Premiere • Amy Herdy • Dive into the fascinating tale of a woman raised in a cult, whose journey of healing through teaching her parrot to read reshapes our understanding of interspecies communication.

2:40 PM • FCA#3

Ai Weiwei’s Turandot

• 77min • Italy • World Premiere • Maxim Derevianko • AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT follows Chinese artist/activist, Ai Weiwei, during his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House, as he draws on Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot as a backdrop for many issues

that plague mankind.

3pm • FCA#4

Shepherds (Bergers)

• 113min • Canada, France • US Premiere

• Sophie Deraspe • A young Montreal advertising executive, recently converted to a Provençal shepherd, has various misadventures with a civil servant who has cavalierly quit her job to join him.

3pm • Riviera Theatre

The Good Teacher (Pas de vagues) • 91min • France • US Premiere • Teddy Lussi-Modeste • Julien, a young teacher, is falsely accused of sexual misconduct by a student, triggering chaos as allegations spread and pressures mount.

Amid growing tensions, he must fight to clear his name and restore order

3:20pm • FCA#5

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story • 99min • Ireland, United Kingdom • Non Premiere • Sinéad O’Shea • A candid portrait of one of the world’s most influential writers, Irish author Edna O’Brien, who gives a final testimony on her controversial life, novels, and love affairs. She influenced countless

writers, but her books were also banned and burned in her native Ireland. She died in July 2024 at 93.

5pm • FCA#1

Magic Hour • 94min • United States • World Premiere • Jacqueline Christy • After years of procrastination and selfrecrimination, a middleaged woman decides to upend her life and go to film school in an effort to realize a lifelong dream. Comic adventures and self-discovery ensue.

5:20pm • FCA #2

Fine Young Men • 89min • Mexico, Spain, France • US Premiere • Alejandro Andrade Pease • Alf encounters a new student at his Catholic school who captivates him, leading him away from his lifelong friends. When faced with adversity, Alf betrays this attraction, opting to display his masculinity to the others. This choice results in dire consequences that will leave an indelible mark on them all.

5:40 PM • FCA#3

Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue • 107min • United

Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue • A look at Jule Campbell’s 32 years as editor of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue and how she transformed it into a media empire. The film examines changing standards of beauty and the evolution of feminism with Campbell and the supermodels she championed.

States • Non Premiere

• Jill Campbell • A look at Jule Campbell’s 32 years as editor of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue and how she transformed it into a media empire. The film examines changing standards of beauty and the evolution of feminism with Campbell and the supermodels she championed.

6pm • FCA#4

Separated • 93min • United States, Mexico

• Non Premiere • Errol Morris • Oscar®-winner Errol Morris probes one of the darkest chapters in US history: family separations. Merging vignettes of one migrant family’s plight with interviews of government officials, Morris paints a potent picture of a statesponsored crisis of cruelty, as hundreds of families remain separated today.

6pm • Riviera Theatre

The Summer Book • 100min • United States, Finland • Non Premiere • Charlie McDowell • THE SUMMER BOOK follows the inspirational tale of a young girl and her grandmother spending a summer on a small, uninhabited island in the Gulf of Finland.

6:20pm • FCA#5

Quasi a Casa • 95min

• Italy • US Premiere • Carolina Pavone • QUASI

A CASA is the story of a magnetic bond between a wannabe singer and her idol. A bright and

8pm Wednesday, February 5th • Arlington Theatre

Tribute Angelina

Jolie - Maltin

Modern Master

• Moderated by Leonard Maltin

moving pop drama about finding one’s own voice.

8pm • Arlington Theatre

Tribute Angelina Jolie

8pm • FCA#1 Yen and Ai-Lee (Xiao Yan Yu Wu Ai-Lee) • 107min • Taiwan • US Premiere • Tom Shu-yu Lin • After serving eight years in prison for killing her abusive father to save her mother’s life, Yen returns—with some trepidation—to her Hakkanese village, only to learn that her mother’s new boyfriend is also a violent man.

8:20pm • FCA#2

Last Swim • 100min • United Kingdom • US Premiere • Sasha Nathwani • It’s summer in London. On her final day of freedom, Ziba, a promising British-Iranian teen, leads her friends on an eventful journey, while secretly grappling with a life-changing decision.

8:40 PM • FCA#3

Desert Angel • 87min • United States • Non Premiere • Vincent DeLuca • A trailblazer of migrant search and rescue missions risks everything to find a mother’s missing son before border wastelands claim the young man forever.

A fascinating portrait of a hero in Latino communities—a Mexican immigrant who has devoted 25 years to tirelessly rescuing lost

immigrants.

9pm • FCA#4

I Hate Myself and Want to Die • 85min • United States • Non Premiere • J. Davis • A dark comedy about a depressed guy whose attempts to kill himself keep getting interrupted by family and friends. Unaware of his intentions, they pull him into increasingly bizarre adventures over the course of one night.

9pm • Riviera Theatre Undercover (La infiltrada) 118min • Spain • US Premiere • Arantxa Echevarria • A young police officer accepts the dangerous mission of trying to infiltrate the terrorist group ETA, resulting in a perilous assignment that leads her to live with two ETA members.

9:20pm • FCA#5

Honeydew • 80min • Italy, Sweden • US Premiere • Michael Petrolini, Marco Bergonzi • Through the eyes of its two main protagonists, HONEYDEW tells the compelling story of a fictional small town in the throes of a dramatic and existential change due to the recent legalization of marijuana.

Thursday, Feb. 6th

8am • FCA#1 Shot the Voice of Freedom

8:20am • FCA#2 Magic Hour

8:40am • FCA#3

Crocodile Tears (Air mata buaya) • 98min • Indonesia • US Premiere • Tumpal Tampubolon • Johan, on the cusp of manhood, lives with his mother on a secluded crocodile farm in West Java. Mother and son live in voluntary exile, with

only a white crocodile as their confidante. Their lives are upended when Johan falls for a girl in town.

9am • FCA#4

Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue

9am • Riviera Theatre Rocco & Sjuul • 92min

• Netherlands • US Premiere • Anna van der Heide

• An intense infatuation at age 70 will inevitably have its consequences, because when you have already lived an entire life, are you even allowed—and able—to choose for yourself to start over?

9:20am • FCA#5

The Swedish Torpedo (Den svenska torpeden)

• 120min • Sweden • US Premiere • Frida Kempff

• Inspired by real events nearing WWII, filmmaker Frida Kempff and star Josefin Neldén capture the timeless story of the record-breaking swimmer Sally Bauer, who defied expectations and broke societal norms to pursue her dream.

11am • FCA#1 Last Swim

11am • Arlington Theatre NICKEL BOYS

2-Time Oscar Nominee • Free

11:20am • FCA#2

Her Name Was Moviola •

Home Court • A fascinating character study that traces the ascent of basketball prodigy Ashley Chea, the daughter of Cambodian refugees who fled to the US. The film profiles Chea as her life intensifies amid recruitment, injury, and triumph throughout her high school career.

68min • United Kingdom

• Non Premiere • Howard

Berry • A cinematic love letter to the Moviola film editing machine, led by Academy Awardwinning editor Walter Murch, detailing how it dominated Englishlanguage filmmaking for most of the 20th century.

11:40am • FCA#3

NARR 3 - MYSTERY PERVADES (STORIES WITH SECRETS)

12pm • Riviera Theatre Drowning Dry (Sesės)

• 88min • Lithuania • Non Premiere • Laurynas Bareiša • To celebrate Tomas’ birthday and Lukas’ martial arts tournament victory, their wives—who are sisters— organize a weekend for both families at a summer house in the countryside. But, an accident changes everything.

12pm • FCA#4

Mrs Robinson • 94min

• Ireland • US Premiere

• Aoife Kelleher • MRS ROBINSON tells the inspirational life story

of changemaker Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female president, a pioneering UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the successor of Nelson Mandela as Chair of the Elders

12:20pm • FCA#5

When We Were Sisters • 101min • Switzerland, Greece • US Premiere • Lisa Brühlmann • 1996: A vacation with her new patchwork family turns into emotional chaos for 15-year-old Valeska. Her newly developing friendship with Lena,14, helps her face her inner demons and confront her toxic mother.

2pm • FCA#1

Undercover (La infiltrada)

2pm • Arlington Theatre Conclave • Free 2:20pm • FCA#2 Coup 53 • 120min • United Kingdom, United States, Iran • Non Premiere

• Taghi Amirani • The story of the 1953 AngloAmerican coup in Iran, told through the discovery of never-before-seen archive material and brought to life in a compelling performance by Ralph Fiennes as a real-life British spy.

2:40 PM • FCA#3

The Summer Book

3pm • FCA#4

SB - DOC

3pm • Riviera Theatre Walk with Me • 89min

• United States • Non Premiere • Heidi Levitt

• WALK WITH ME follows Charlie and his wife, Heidi, over four years as they navigate his early-onset Alzheimer’s.

For the most current schedule visit SBIFF.org

Mrs Robinson • The inspirational life story of changemaker Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female president, a pioneering UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the successor of Nelson Mandela as Chair of the Elders

The film captures their evolving relationship and demonstrates that life is about the love we hold

3:20pm • FCA#5 Mistura

5:20pm • FCA#2

All God’s Children • 100min • United States

• Non Premiere • Ondi Timoner • In an unprecedented attempt to heal centuries of racism and antisemitism, and combat rising tension in their Brooklyn communities, the largest reform synagogue and the oldest black Baptist Church attempt to unite their congregations.

5:20pm • FCA#2

ANIMATION SHORTS

5:40 PM • FCA#3

Space Cowboy • 98min

• United States • Non Premiere • Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt

• SPACE COWBOY is a head-first dive into the electrifying world of stunt skydiving and free-fall cinematography through the eyes of its legendary innovator, Joe Jennings, who analyzes the myriad iconic film and TV moments he created over the years.

6pm • FCA#4 Home Court • 98min

• United States • Non Premiere • Erica Tanamachi • A fascinating character study that traces the ascent of basketball prodigy Ashley Chea, the daughter of Cambodian refugees who fled to the US. The film profiles Chea as her life intensifies amid recruitment, injury, and triumph throughout her high school career.

6pm • Riviera Theatre

The Song Cycle • 85min • Ireland • US Premiere

8pm Thursday, February 6th • Arlington Theatre Tribute Ralph Fiennes –Outstanding Performer of the Year • Moderated by Scott Feinberg

• Nick Kelly • A veteran rocker sets out to cycle from his home in Ireland to the Glastonbury Festival, risking life, limb, and dignity in a story about Mother Nature, Father Time, and brothers on the road.

6:20pm • FCA#5

I Hate Myself and Want to Die

8pm • FCA#1

Among Neighbors

• 101min • United States • US Premiere

• Yoav Potash • The film delves into the lost Jewish history of a small Polish village, where Jews and Christians once peacefully coexisted and no Jewish residents remain today. Descendants of the town’s Jews travel from California to uncover traces of their heritage and discover buried secrets.

8pm • Arlington Theatre

Tribute Ralph Fiennes

8:20pm • FCA#2

Shepherds (Bergers)

8:40 PM • FCA#3 Ai Weiwei’s Turandot

9pm • FCA#4

Quasi a Casa

9pm • Riviera Theatre Way Home (Vejen hjem)

• 97min • Denmark • Non Premiere • Charlotte

Sieling • How far are you willing to go to save the people you love? This is the question Christian is forced to answer when smuggled into Syria in a desperate search for his son, Adam.

9:20pm • FCA#5

Olivia & the Clouds (Olivia & las nubes)

Friday, Feb. 7th

8am • FCA#1

Films, Calendar, & Special Events

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story

8:20am • FCA#2

The Good Teacher (Pas de vagues)

8:40am • FCA#3 Carissa

9am • FCA#4

Parrot Kindergarten

9am • Riviera Theatre Waves (Vlny) • 131min • Czech Republic • Non Premiere • Jiří Mádl • Prague, 1968. During the Prague Spring uprising, secret services target the radio station where Tomáš works. He must protect his revolutionary brother and finds himself obliged to face history— especially when the radio broadcasts a confidential record.

9:20am • FCA#5

The Shepherd and the Bear

11am • Home Planet Productions FREE Filmaking Seminar - Final Cut

11am • FCA#1 Way Home (Vejen hjem)

11:20am • FCA#2 Speak.

11:40am • FCA#3 NARR 2 - DICEY SITUATIONS (PIVOTAL STORIES)

12pm • FCA#4

All God’s Children

12pm • Riviera Theatre Separated

12:20pm • FCA#5 Honeydew

2pm • FCA#1 Space Cowboy

2pm • Arlington Theatre

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 • free screening • Explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won and lost through blood, sweat, and tears of many. Kevin Costner project.

2:20pm • FCA#2 The Song Cycle

2:40 PM • FCA#3 Drowning Dry (Sesės)

3pm • FCA#4 Mrs Robinson

3pm • Riviera Theatre Shook • 113min • Canada • US Premiere

• Amar Wala • In Amar Wala’s first dramatic feature, fledgling writer Ashish is thrown for several loops when he falls for barista Claire after learning that his estranged father has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

3:20pm • FCA#5

My Father’s Daughter (Biru Unjárga)

5pm • FCA#1 Mr. K • 94min • Netherlands, Norway, Belgium • US Premiere

• Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab • After spending the night in a remote hotel, Mr. K is stuck in a claustrophobic nightmare when he discovers that he can’t leave the building.

5:20pm • FCA#2

Park Avenue • 105min

• United States • US Premiere • Gaby Dellal • Charlotte runs away from her controlling husband and returns to her eccentric mother’s New York City apartment, rediscovering the life she left behind. In the process, mother and daughter must face buried truths.

5:30 PM • FCA#3 ANIMATION PANEL

6pm • Riviera Theatre Coastal • 91min • United States • Non Premiere • Daryl Hannah • Filmmaker Daryl Hannah’s feature documentary takes the viewer on a personal, behind-the-scenes road trip and musical journey with iconic rocker Neil Young as he cruises the

Mr. K • After spending the night in a remote hotel, Mr. K is stuck in a claustrophobic nightmare when he discovers that he can’t leave the building.

coast during his recent solo tour.

6pm • Arlington Theatre Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 • screening & Q&A with Kevin Costner, moderated by Roger Durling.

6pm • FCA#4

Out of Plain Sight • 94min • United States • Non Premiere • Daniel Straub, Rosanna Xia • A haunting tip prompts a Los Angeles Times reporter to discover that as many as half a million barrels of toxic waste had been dumped into the ocean, just off the coast of Southern California.

6:20pm • FCA#5 Hakkı • 95min • Turkey • US Premiere • Hikmet Kerem Özcan • Middleaged Hakkı provides

for his family by selling statuettes and guiding tours. He finds a historical artifact in the garden of his Aegean village home and discovers his obsessive hunger for power, putting both himself and his family under extreme duress.

8pm • FCA#1

Among Neighbors

8pm • Arlington Theatre

Tribute Zoe Saldaña - rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 12.

8:20pm • FCA#2

Trifole

8:40 PM • FCA#3

SB - DOC

9pm • FCA#4

Across the Sea (La mer au loin)

9pm • Riviera Theatre

The Knife • 83min • United States • Non Premiere • Nnamdi Asomugha • After a mysterious intruder enters their home, a young family is interrogated by a relentless detective and must reckon with the fallout of an investigation that threatens to dismantle their family dynamic. It’s a masterclass of tension that takes fascinating twists and turns.

9:20pm • FCA#5

The Righteous (Todos somos justos)

My Father’s Daughter (Biru Unjárga) • Set in Norway’s northernmost countryside, a wistful Sámi teenage girl named Elvira has her life turned upside down as she uncovers the surprising truth about her father’s identity.

Amy Herdy’s ParrotKindergarten Gives SBIFF Something to Squawk About

By Destin Cavazos / VOICE

FILMGOERS CAN FLOCK TO the 40th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival for birdseye-view of Parrot Kindergarten

Directed by documentary veteran Amy Herdy, Parrot Kindergarten follows a woman whose desire to connect with her parrot, Ellie, leads to extraordinary scientific breakthroughs in animal communication. The film will get its US Premiere at the SBIFF Film Center on Wednesay, February 5th, at 2:20pm, Aud. 2, followed by a second showing on Friday, February 7th, at 9am, Aud. 1. Filmmaker Amy Herdy connected with VOICE for a quick chat about her directorial debut.

What about this subject matter compelled you to make this film?

Amy Herdy: I think that the story is compelling and unique. And I also think it’s really relatable, as people around the world love to connect with animals. So the film celebrates that spirit of connection, and how we are really just in the early minutes of understanding this science. It’s also certainly unlike any I’ve done in my documentary work, but I do live on and run a working farm, so I probably connected on that level.

How has your creative process brought you to using film as a medium?

Herdy: I’m an investigative journalist at heart. I came up through newspapers and local TV news investigations. Then, one day I was asked to help on a documentary on military sexual assaults called Invisible War, which ended up featuring a lot of my work. When I saw the huge impact created by that single documentary film — in short, it prompted Congress to re-write military law protecting survivors — I switched to film and never looked back.

And today, I have a great company called Covetower that provides investigative production, films,

and fact-checking services to the global documentary industry.

Where do you hope to see your film, and its message, go from here?

Herdy: What has been amazing about this project is discovering this huge community around the world that I did not really know existed. We get online requests every day from people all over the world who have heard about the film and want to see it. These are parrot and animal lovers who deeply believe there’s a lot more communication going on between animals and humans that we have yet to discover. So, like any documentary filmmaker, I’m excited at the idea of Parrot Kindergarten being picked up by a streaming platform, to get this message out there. Because I believe it too! And we are also looking at a series concept that explores animal sentient science and breakthroughs. I mean, with AI, the ability to understand what animals are literally saying will likely be here before we know it. And can you imagine what that means if we can actually understand, maybe even communicate with, say, whales or our dog? It’s mind blowing.

I can exhale in Santa Barbara!

The natural beauty of its beaches and trails invigorates and inspires me. There is also an incredible filmmaking community here, and everyone is passionate about their work. The community is filled with purpose and I love that.

What is your connection to Santa Barbara?

Herdy: I live in the area half time, with the other half on my farm in Washington state, so I get the best of both worlds.

How has Santa Barbara been an influence on your creative work and process?

Professor David Valentine’s toxic waste discovery featured in LA Times documentary at SBIFF: Out of Plain Sight

By Harrison Tasoff

UC SANTA BARBARA

PROFESSOR DAVID

VALENTINE has been making headlines since 2020 for discovering evidence of widespread toxic-waste dumping off the California coast. The news caused outrage and concern, prompting action from state and federal agencies and from congress. The dust likely won’t settle for decades. Out of Plain Sight, a documentary produced by the Los Angeles Times and Sypher Studios, expands upon the newspaper’s coverage of the discovery, extent, and potential impacts of unscrupulous disposal of DDT and lowlevel radioactive waste first discovered by Valentine and his team. The film made its debut in November 2024 at DOC NYC and will have its West Coast premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

“I have spent years unraveling a toxic mystery that the ocean had buried for generations, and this story was begging to be told more visually — with a more profound exploration of how the horrors

of our past continue to affect us and our future,” said L.A. Times journalist and Pulitzer finalist Rosanna Xia, who directed and produced the film with Daniel Straub. While the full scope of issues raised in the film is still emerging, scientists

know there are problems with DDT and related chemicals off the California Coast. Valentine, who is featured in the documentary, hopes this film will stir the public and promote action.

“When I first set out on this path more than a decade ago I felt that I had a unique opportunity to speak for the deep ocean, which has no voice of its own,” Valentine said. “This film provides that voice in a way I could not — allowing audiences to experience one challenge faced by our oceans in a deeply immersive way.”

“The filmmakers managed to thread the needle perfectly by creating a captivating film that remains firmly grounded to the truth,” he added.

Out of Plain Sight will screen at SBiFF: 6 to 7:34pm | Feb 7 | Film Center Aud #4 9:20 to 10:54am | Feb 10 | Film Center Aud #5 www.SBIFF.org

Herdy: Oh,

Courtesy of SBIFF

The director at work with Ellie on her shoulder and her cinematographer, Thaddeus Wadleigh

The UC Santa Barbara Current

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Ralph Fiennes Reflects on a Cardinal Performance and Career

By Destin Cavazos / VOICE

ASTRIKING

STAR OF STAGE, SCREEN,

AND

SACRED PAPAL ASSEMBLIES,

British actor Ralph Fiennes will get his dues during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Fiennes will be featured on Thursday, February 6th, as the recipient of the Outstanding Performer of the Year, joining SBIFF at the Arlington at 8pm. Fiennes recently starred in Edward Berger’s Conclave, playing a Catholic cardinal navigating the politics of priesthood as his colleagues gather in Rome to elect a new pope.

“I used to think that acting was about becoming someone else, where you’ve changed completely and were unrecognizable,” said Fiennes in an interview with CBS’s Martha Teischner. “But as I’ve got older, I’ve thought ‘no the springboard is yourself.’”

Fiennes goes on to share how his Catholic upbringing helped him confront some of the questions of faith posed in the film, comparing the doubts his character experiences to his own sense of shaken beliefs.

“The simplicity that must be at the heart of the spiritual teachings of any preacher, you must shift away from that,” said Fiennes, reflecting on a moment in Conclave “Once you have politics and executive decisions, you have wars, you have opposition.”

Highlights of Fiennes’

film career include Schindler’s List, Grand Budapest Hotel, as his performance as the villainous Voldemort in the Harry Potter he also appeared in The Return, taking on the role of mythic hero Odysseus and reuniting with his English Patient costar, Juliette Binoche. This year, he will appear in the postapocalyptic 28 Years Later, the long-awaited follow up to Danny Boyle’s 2002 zombie thriller, 28 Days Later

Each year, the SBIFF highlights an Outstanding Performer of the Year for their uniquely exceptional performance in a film. Previous honorees include Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone.

“Ralph Fiennes is one of the most gifted actors working in both cinema and theatre and has bequeathed to us so many memorable and extraordinary performances,” noted SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling in a release. “He outdoes himself in Conclave, bestowing upon us what maybe the best work in his already legendary career.” For tickets ($35) visit sbiff.org

Photos courtesy of Focus Features

Ralph Fiennes in Conclave

On the Street with John Palminteri

Goleta Green

17 NEW CHARGING STATIONS for electric vehicles are now on line at Goleta City Hall. They are open 24 hours a day to the public. The city says it was able to make this project work with grants and other funding from Southern California Edison and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.

First Responders

THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY

PATROL and Santa Barbara Police were looking on Wednesday for a wrong way vehicle north of Carrillo Street on Highway 101. The driver went north on the southbound ramp to escape PD and CHP was notified. Many 911 calls too. The vehicle has been reported as stolen. Older Gray Toyota sedan.

The Battle Goes On...

SOME CENTRAL COAST FIREFIGHTERS ARE BACK after taking on the Palisades and Eaton fires in the face of violent winds. They describe the rapid rate of flames spreading in all directions and their efforts to save homes. Firefighters were called in from CarpinteriaSummerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara City, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Vandenberg, and Guadalupe.

Vendor Shake-up

WITH A NEW ORDINANCE IN THE WORKS, some vendors from vehicles are having meetings with Santa Barbara’s city staff to provide input on a time and location policy. It’s getting some fine tuning by the city’s ordinance committee, before it is in front of the full city council.

Tracking ICE

IMMIGRATION ACTIONS THIS WEEK IN SANTA BARBARA and Ventura Counties have some businesses posting valuable information.

This is a changing story daily and getting verified information including the number of arrests, has been challenging.

ON FRIDAY, SANTA BARBARA POLICE were at Garden St. and Cota St. with multiple officers negotiating with a person inside the building there to surrender. No other details have been released. It was advised to avoid the area until cleared.

John Palminteri is a veteran news reporter and anchor for Newschannel 3-12 TV and both KJEE and KCLU radio in Santa Barbara/Santa Maria/Ventura. Off the air, he’s often bringing his smile and positive energy to the microphone at fundraisers and civic events. John’s social media presence has one of the largest followings in Santa Barbara, and this page has the weekly highlights.

Twitter: @JohnPalminteri • Instagram: @JohnPalminteriNews • www.facebook.com/john.palminteri.5

IT WAS A HAIL OF A TIME at the Goleta Farmers Market Sunday. A morning hail blast hit and Kimberly from Shepherd Farms made the most of it. She shaped a mini “snowman” right next to the lettuce, broccoli, and other vegetables.

PASCUCCI IS CLOSING IN SANTA BARBARA in mid March. The lease is not going to be renewed.

Owner Laura Knight has been in downtown for 31 years and the current site at 509 State Street is her third location. She is often taking orders, working the bar, serving, and chatting with customers. She is actively involved in downtown meetings and plans going forward. Pascucci was previously up the block in space owned by the Paseo Nuevo Mall and prior to that in a tiny location downtown with just seven tables. That’s where it all started.

Photos and Stories by John Palminteri Special to VOICE

Photo by Martin Irabien

Photo by Santa Maria Fire

Westmont Women’s Leadership Council Benefit Luncheon Supports Scholarships for Women

By Mark Whitehurst / VOICE

HONORING

ANNE SMITH

TOWBES AS A ROLE MODEL, Westmont Women’s Leadership Council presented her with the 2025 Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree Spirit of Santa Barbara Award at their Annual Luncheon last Friday at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

Westmont President Gayle D Beebe,

PhD, presented the award to Smith Towbes. He shared that she is the cofounder of the Women’s Fund and the Alzheimer’s Initiative and began her career teaching English and drama. She now devotes herself to philanthropy.

Smith Towbes responded by thanking those who had gone before herespecially Leslie Ridley-Tree.

After sharing her version of Leslie’s story, she concluded with “So thanks Westmont for the incredible honor of letting me follow, even in a small way, in Leslie’s footsteps and spirit. I will always treaure this connection with Leslie and with Westmont.”

Holsman Fore, a local woman who journeyed far into the world and returned. She has been a recognized leader in business, government, and nonprofits. She received a Masters Degree in Public Administration and served as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and directed U.S. Foreign Assistance — the first woman in these positions. She also served as undersecretary of state for management, COO for the U.S. Department of State, director of the U.S. Mint in the U.S. Department of Treasury, and was executive director of UNICEF.

The inspirational keynote speaker was Henrietta

Her comments were warm and inviting, from recalling early on taking a job working for her father, where she learned skills that benefitted her entire career. She concluded that she hoped everyone would “make a promised to make a difference in the world.”

The audience was welcomed by Drew Parisi; a blessing was offered by Kim Battle-Walters Denu, PhD.; President Beebe shared some reflections; and a student perspective was given by Whitley Alpher.

Fund for Santa Barbara Sponsors New “Social Justice Award” at Santa Barbara Film Festival

By

THE FUND FOR SANTA BARBARA is delighted to partner with the Santa Barbara Film Festival to sponsor a Social Justice Film Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival this year. The Social Justice Award honors a film that engages community and galvanizes change to advance Economic, Environmental, Political, Racial or Social Justice.

The award winning film was selected from four films that meet that criteria.

The winner will be announced prior to the festival, which begins on Tuesday, February 4th, one day earlier this year.

All four films are very well made, compelling and address a uniquely interesting range of subjects: JewishAfrican American allyship, gender identity and acceptance, toxic pollution off the California coast, and the deliberate separation of children from their parents at the border.

The Fund for Santa Barbara strongly encourages attendance at all four films.

The films in competition and their synopses and screening times appear below.

All God’s Children

In an unprecedented attempt to heal centuries of racism and antisemitism, and combat rising tension in their Brooklyn communities, the largest reform synagogue and the oldest black Baptist Church attempt to unite their congregations

Directed by Ondi Timoner • 100 min • United States • 5pm, Wed, 2/6, Film Center, Aud 1, & 12pm, Fri, 2/7, Film Center, Aud 4.

I’m Your Venus

Venus Xtravaganza, the 23-yearold star of the iconic 1990 voguing documentary Paris is Burning, was murdered before its release. Now, in this moving celebration of her life and legacy, her three New Jersey brothers team up with her ballroom family to reopen the unsolved case.

Directed by Kimberly Reed • 85 min • United States • 2:40pm, Thu, 2/13, Film Center, Aud 3, & 8pm, Fri, 2/14, Film Center, Aud 1.

Out of Plain Sight

A haunting tip prompts a Los Angeles Times reporter to discover that as many as half a million barrels of toxic waste had been dumped into the ocean, just off the coast of Southern California. Made possible by a donation from Roger and Robin Himovitz and Dos Pueblos Institute.

Directed by Daniel Straub and Rosanna Xia • 94 min • United States • 6pm, Fri, 2/7, Film Center, Aud 4; 12pm, Sun, 2/9, Riviera Theatre; & 9:20am, Mon, 2/10, Film Center,

Separated

Academy Award-winner Errol Morris probes one of the darkest chapters in US history: family separations. Merging vignettes of one migrant family’s plight with interviews of government officials, Morris paints a potent picture of a state-sponsored crisis of cruelty, as hundreds of families remain separated today.

Directed by Errol Morris • 93 min • United States, Mexico • 6pm, Wed, 2/5, Film Center, Aud 4; 12pm, Fri, 2/7, Riviera Theatre, & 6pm, Sun, 2/9, Film Center, Aud 4.

Photos by Brad Elliott

Photos by Mark Whitehurst

Keynote Speaker Henrietta Holsman Fore with Westmont President Gayle D Beebe

Womens Scholarship Recipient Whitley Alpher

Honoree Anne Smith Towbes

Mahil Senathirajah, Special to VOICE

Aud 5.

All God’s Children, Ondi Timoner

Stills courtesy of SBIFF

Separated, Errol Morris

Stills courtesy of SBIFF

Enchanted Matter: A Seductive and Sensual Self-Portrait

By Jesse Caverly / VOICE

ART MAY IMITATE LIFE, but life also reveals nature’s artistry in the spellbinding last artistic statement of Robert Powell, captured in the genrebending Enchanted Matter: The Art of Robert Powell documentary With the Himalayas as backdrop, a world renowned artist casts an almost feverish lens on his final selfportrait that spans a life from grad student activist to young architect, from ethnographic draftsman to visionary artist.

Resonating with social anthropologist Alfred Gell’s theory that art is a technology of inspiration, Powell stated that “shamanism was the first technology of enchantment.” He was drawn to the Himalayas, its powerful landscapes, and the

cultures of its people. His contributions, from his technical draftsmanship and meticulous documentation to his passion for shamanistic learning, has led his work be exhibited worldwide, included at the Smithsonian.

Enchanted Matter, however, was a work in progress he would not be able to finish before his passing, so he asked Tom Poizot and Geoff Rockwell to complete the work. “Geoff lived in Nepal and owned an art gallery during the 80s and 90s and knew Rob well,” said Piozot. “I regularly spent time in Kathmandu and the Himalayas during that period, making various documentary shows including the wide theatrical release Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.”

Both Santa Barbara residents, they rounded off their team with LA editor Kathryn Himoff. With a filmography that includes biopics of Georgia O’Keefe and Jackson Pollock in her CV, her addition helped their vision to take shape.

“The images have an almost hallucinatory impact. A viewer cannot help but react to the lucidity of the vision…. Most of the images are stunningly strange, almost apparitional,” stated a Washington Post review of Powell’s exhibition at the Smithsonian.

The Crucibles That Shape Us Navigating the Defining Challenges of Leadership

Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe shares the power of life’s crucibles–those pivotal moments of trial and triumph–that have defined his personal and professional life and leadership, including the Tea Fire, Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow.

Monday, Feb. 10 | 5:30 p.m.

Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop (CAW) 631 Garden Street

Enchanted Matter is a celebration of Powell’s life work, using 2D motion graphics to bring to life his art in stunning 4K+, rendering his naturalist eye and anthropological attention to detail into more subtle and sacred spaces. His mediums were ink, watercolors, and acrylic, but they spring to life in this documentary.

According to the Enchanted Matter website, “Robert believed that after the European Enlightenment brought rationality and scientific explanation to the world, it became an essential function of art to ‘make the world strange again’ and to allow people to view the world with the type of enchantment that one experiences as a child.”

A world premiere, Enchanted Matter (59 mins) shows at 5:20pm, Sat, 2/8, at the Film Center, Auditorium 2, & 8:40am, Mon, 2/10, at the Film Center Auditorium 3.

For tickets and information visit sbiff.org

Stills courtesy of Enchanted Matter

Heidi Levitt Highlights Husband’s Alzheimer’s Journey in Walk With Me

By Destin Cavazos / VOICE

ALIFE FULL OF LOVE WILL BE ON DISPLAY at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with the premiere of Walk With Me, directed by Heidi Levitt. A poignant and powerful look at a life with Alzheimer’s, Walk With Me stars Charlie Hess as he faces the disease over the course of five years, while his wife and care partner, Levitt, works behind the camera weaving a story of love and a reminder that life is really about our relationships. Levitt’s film will have its US premier at the Riviera on Thursday, February 6th, 3pm; following show times are Saturday, February 8th at 5:40pm at the Film Center, Aud. 3, and Sunday, February 9th at 8:40am at the Film Center, Aud. 3. We spoke with Levitt about her film, her relationship, and her experience in the local film community.

What about this subject matter compelled you to make this film?

This is not the film I ever wanted to make, but the film I had to make. I felt I had to do something to share our story, which is a common story for over six million people and families, in America alone, living with Alzheimer’s disease. There was so much stigma around this disease discovered 116 years ago, and no proven treatments. People were afraid to talk about it.”

How has your creative process brought you to using film as a medium?

I know the power of a good movie to truly shed light and bring people to take action. I came to directing as a casting director. I’ve spent my career trying to find the right actor for every role and help every director I cast for, make their story resonate. Casting brings a film to life. Having the right actor will make or

break a movie. It is an essential part of film making and I knew that I would need to work hard to find the right people to shape our story. What I didn’t know before I began is how strong a leading man my husband Charlie was. I got so lucky there, and I think my creative process grew each year in shaping the film. Making the film has been an artistic endeavor that has allowed me to share my story and find my own creative voice.

Where do you hope to see your film, and its message, go from here?

I hope we will play many more festivals and find a home in theaters and streaming. There is nothing to replace watching a film with a live audience. It just completes the work —like going to a great live play. As of our story, it’s bigger than us,

affecting over 55 million around the world who are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, I plan to work with non profits in the Alzheimer’s space to help show the film for audiences who are dealing with this. We are working with a number of groups—including CureALZ.org, who will be at our screening—and we hope that more groups can also join. One other group we are working with is the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving; the late wonderful first lady, Rosalyn Carter, said it best in terms of how this disease affects everyone: “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need a caregiver.”

How has Santa Barbara been an influence on your creative work and process?

We filmed at UCSB in a wonderful undergraduate class about memory. One of our key advisors, Dr. Kenneth Kosik, is based at UCSB and he taught an interdisciplinary class with Cristina Pato and Kim Yasuda, and invited us to share in that class room our experience. It was a great experience for all of us to connect to the students and for them to hear from Charlie and me. I am so grateful to the school and to Ken for his continued support and advice.

What is your connection to Santa Barbara?

Charlie and I have always loved coming up to Santa Barbara, and I have been to the festival recently with a film I cast and produced in 2023 called Rachel Hendrix, directed by Victor Nunez and starring Lori Singer. Santa Barbara is a great community of film goers as well as creatives.

For the most current schedule visit SBIFF.org

ARTIST’S RECEPTIONS

EXHIBIT DATES February 1 - March 1, 2025

VOICE GALLERY HOURS Mon-Fri 10 am - 5:30 pm Sat-Sun 1 pm - 5 pm Or by Appointment

SBVA consists of active Santa Barbara artists who are celebrated for their exceptional artwork, encompassing various mediums and artistic styles across a broad spectrum, including abstract, landscape, seascape, portrait, still life, and photographic compositions.

SELENA GOMEZ EMILIA PÉREZ

KARLA SOFÍA GASCÓN EMILIA PÉREZ

HARRIS DICKINSON BABYGIRL

ARIANA GRANDE WICKED

KIERAN CULKIN A REAL PAIN

ANGELINA JOLIE MARIA

RALPH FIENNES CONCLAVE

ZOE SALDAÑA EMILIA PÉREZ

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

COLMAN DOMINGO SING SING

CLARENCE MACLIN SING SING

MIKEY MADISON ANORA

JOHN MAGARO SEPTEMBER 5

ADRIEN BRODY THE BRUTALIST

GUY PEARCE THE BRUTALIST

CA Driving Clean Assistance Program Opens

MORE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO GO ELECTRIC have come to the Central Coast, thanks to the California Driving Clean Assistance Program. As of Wednesday, January 22nd, income eligible residents can apply for up to $12,000 in funding to purchase or lease an electric vehicle (EV).

Combined with other incentives that number could rise up to $24,000 on an EV. In keeping with their mandate for equitable solutions to the climate crisis, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) is leading efforts to create greater awareness of these financial incentives, and offers personalized support to guide applicants through eligibility, enrollment, and making the switch to an EV.

“This is an important assistance program that helps make clean, climate-friendly transportation accessible to more members of our community,” said Sean McArthur, CEC’s Climate Projects Manager. “We encourage everyone to sign up as soon as possible to secure funding. Our team is here to help you navigate the process, completely free of charge.”

Applicants must pre-qualify for this funding, which is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested can also text or call CEC Climate Programs Associate Kat Orellana at (805) 730-0209 for direct assistance with online enrollment. To pre-quality, go to https://tinyurl.com/27bwjt6a

Ana Nicolle Chavez and Will Block

Photo: Zach Mendez

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Friday 1/31

DANCE

Flamenco Íntimo • Featuring dancer Manuel Gutierrez, singer Pepele Mendez, guitarist Andres Vadin, and percussionist Diego Alvarez • Covarrubias Adobe • $35-$500 • sbhistorical.org/events • 7pm, Fri, 1/31.

MUSIC

Danish String Quartet • An evening of music spanning three centuries, from Mozart and 17th century Ireland to Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and contemporary arrangements of Nordic folk tunes Campbell Hall • $27.50-$67.50/$15 UCSB Student (w/ Current ID) • artsandlectures.ucsb.edu • 7pm Fri, 1/31.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Chinatown Remembered: A Celebration of Santa Barbara's Chinatown • Family-friendly experience that honors the traditions of the Chinese New Year • El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park • free • sbthp.org/calendar • 6:30–10pm, Fri, 1/31.

Saturday 2/1

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

LCCCA Writers Symposium • Kristena Prater, Sarah Burdette, and Cynthia Waring will discuss their recent work • Fine Line Gallery in La Cumbre Plaza • Free • 4pm Sat, 2/1.

Chinatown Remembered

CELEBRATE SANTA BARBARA’S RICH CULTURAL

HERITAGE with a two-night free event honoring the Chinese New Year w/ an immersive projection that brings to life Chinatown before the earthquake of 1925. The Camarillo Lion Dance Association will kick-off both evenings with a special performance, 6:30pm Friday, Jan. 31st and Saturday, Feb. 1st. sbthp.org

DANCE

Visiting Artist Workshop: Bulerias • Hosted by Flamenco Santa Barbara • Timo Nunez Arte Flamenco • TBA • to register, email at flamencosantabarbara@gmail. com • 3pm, Sat, 2/1.

Voltage • Momentum Dance Company’s Season Eleven Company Concert • Center Stage Theater • $42 • momentumdancesb.com • Junior show: 2pm, Senior show: 7pm, Sat, 2/1.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Crafternoon: Hearts & Crafts

• Hands-on workshops using upcycled materials • EE Makerspace • $8 • exploreecology.org • 11:30am, Sat, 2/1.

MUSIC

Denk, Denim, & Diamonds • Cocktails, dinner, and an intimate performance with world-renowned pianist Jeremy Denk • Lehmann Hall • $500 • musicacademy.org • 5pm, Sat, 2/1. Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara Winter Concert • 30 piece orchestra celebrates folk music around the world • Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation • $30 • folkorchestrasb.com • 4pm, Sat, 2/1.

Santa Barbara Chamber Players Winter Concert • Emmanuel Fratianni, conductor; April Amante, soprano • First United Methodist Church • $20 • sbchamberplayers.org • 7:30pm, Sat, 2/1.

Rickie Lee Jones • Musician, storyteller, and two-time GRAMMY winner • Lobero Theatre • $45-$107 • lobero.org • 7:30-9:30pm Sat, 2/1.

ALO–Tour D’Amour XVIII with Glitterfox • SOhO • $35$110 • sohosb.com • 8pm, Sat, 2/1.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Santa Barbara Black Culture House • Celebrating Black art, culture, and history w/ live music, a poetry slam, and community talk • Soul Bites Restaurants • free • soulbitesrestaurants.com • 1pm, Sat, 2/1.

Sunday 2/2

MUSIC

Imani Winds and Boston Brass • UCSB Arts & Lectures presents two musical powerhouses in an epic collaboration • Hahn Hall

• $10-$53

• artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

• 4pm, Sun, 2/2.

Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara Winter Concert

• 30-piece orchestra celebrates folk music around the world • Trinity Episcopal Church • $35 • folkorchestrasb.com • 2pm, Sun, 2/2.

Musical Tribute to Gary Fruin • A Celebration of Life for the KLITE legend • SOhO • free • sohosb.com • 1pm, Sun, 2/2.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lunar New Year Family

Festival • Join SBPL and the Santa Barbara Chinese School for a vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year • Michael Towbes Library Plaza • free • library.santabarbaraca.gov • 1pm, Sun, 2/2.

Compline with Story and Sound • With Michael Kearney, MD, author of Becoming Forest • Trinity Episcopal Church • free • trinitysb.org/compline • 7pm, Sun, 2/2.

Monday 2/3

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Chumash Basketry: Art & Life

• Ethnographist Jan Timbrook, Ph.D., will talk about living with the living art of Chumash basketry • Fleischmann Aud., SBMNH • free • sbnature.org • 7:30pm, Mon, 2/3.

Carpinteria Myths and Misinformation • 2025 Talk & Talkback Speaker Series

with Amy Orozco • Carpinteria Valley Museum of History • free/members, $10/visitors • carpinteriahistoricalmuseum.org • 5pm, Mon, 2/3.

Parliamo • Italian conversation, all levels • Natural Cafe, 361 Hitchcock Way • parliamo.yolasite. com • Free • 5-6:30pm Mon.

Tuesday 2/4

CINEMA

SBIFF Opening Night

See pages

COMEDY

Carpinteria Improv Drop-In

Class • Learn improv with friends • Alcazar Theater • $10 at door • thealcazar.org • 7-9pm Tue.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Naomi Shihab Nye • Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, the Wallace Stevens Award for lifetime achievement from the Academy of American Poets will speak on her life as a “wandering poet” • Campbell Hall • $20 • artsandlectures.ucsb.edu • 7:30pm, Tue, 2/4.

Ethical AI: Serving Humanity or Falling Short?

• Pacific Views: Library Speaker Series Presents Haewon Jeong, director of REAL AI • Pacific View Room, UCSB Library • free • library.ucsb.edu • 4pm, Tue, 2/4.

MUSIC

An Evening w/ Mendeleyev

• Baritone Singer/Songwriter/ Producer from NYC • SOhO • $10 • sohosb.com • 8pm, Sun, 2/4.

Wednesday 2/5

CINEMA

WADJDA • Presented by Cup of Culture, the first feature entirely shot in Saudi Arabia tells the story of a 10-year-old girl in Riyadh who dreams of owning a green bicycle

and defying cultural norms.• MCC Theater • free • mcc.sa.ucsb.edu • 6pm, Wed, 2/5.

DANCE

Country Line Dancing • Dust off your boots for a boot-scootin’ good time • Soul Bites • $10 • soulbitesrestaurants.com • 6pm, Wed.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Le Cercle Français • French conversation, all levels • The Natural Cafe, 361 Hitchcock Way • https://tinyurl.com/5ejbd9ye • Free • 5-6:30pm Wed.

Crafternoon: Hearts & Crafts

• Hands-on workshops using upcycled materials • EE Makerspace • $8 • exploreecology.org • 2:30pm, Wed.

Outside the Box: Cardboad in Contemporary Children’s Culture • By Meredith A. Bak, author of Playful Visions: Optical Toys and the Emergence of Children’s Media Culture • 3145 SSMS Building, UCSb • free • carseywolf.ucsb.edu • 3pm, Wed, 2/5.

MUSIC

Canned Heat • Legendary rock band is back • SOhO • $30-$35 • sohosb.com • 7:30pm, Wed, 2/5.

SPECIAL EVENTS

MTD Public Outreach Event • Seeking input on the proposed raise to MTD’s bus fare • Carpinteria Library, Community Room • free • 6-7:30pm, Wed, 2/5.

Meet & Greet: Charles Hopper • Newly appointed President & CEO of Santa Barbara Zoo • Giraffe Area, Santa Barbara Zoo • 10am–12pm, Wed, 2/5.

Luis Leal Award • The 2025 for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature is awarded to Manuel Muñoz • McCune Conf Rm, UCSB • free • ihc.ucsb.edu/events/list • 4pm, Wed, 2/5.

Gabriela Radu, CMT

Therapeutic Massage

Specializing in injuries, Sports massage, Swedish, Lymphatic, Somatic massage & Life Coaching v.gabriela@yahoo.com 805-453-1139

www.comefromyourheart.com

Thursday 2/6

COMEDY

Backstage Comedy Club

• Home to hilarious stand-up comedy • The Red Piano • $20-$25 • theredpiano.com • 7:30pm, Thu.

DANCE

Cirque Kalabanté • UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Afrique en Cirque, performed with spectacular strength and gravity-defying agility

• Lobero Theatre • $51-$81 • lobero.org/whats-on • 7:30pm, Thu, 2/6.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Jess Johnston –

Conversation & Signing • Author of Perfect is Boring (And it Tastes Like Kale) in dialogue with Jenny Schatzle • Chaucer’s Books • free • chaucersbooks.com/events/ calendar • 6pm, Thu, 2/6.

Antidotes to Ageism in the Anthropocene • Generational Time and Multispecies Literary Ethnography, a Key Passages Talk with Kathleen Woodward • McCune Conference Rm, UCSB

• free • ihc.ucsb.edu/events/list • 4pm, Thu, 2/6.

The Art of Science: Drawing Big Cats & Wild Dogs • Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

• Free with admission/$14-$19 • sbnature.org • 3pm, Thu.

Tote Bag Workshop • Create a durable, stylish tote bag using reclaimed fabrics with Artist Emily Adams • EE Makerspace, Art From Scrap • $25 • exploreecology.org • 6pm, Thu, 2/6.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sip & Dip: Chocolate, Churros and Chess • Specialty Hot Chocolate with games like chess, cards & Uno • Menchaca Chocolates • free • menchacachocolates.com • 5-8pm Thu.

Safe Space Advocacy Town Hall • About the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in today’s political climate; with Rev. Julia Hamilton, Julio Roman, & Alice

Fumer • Unitarian Society SB • free • pacificpridefoundation.org • 6pm, Thu. 2/6.

Friday 2/7

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

The Underground Search for Dark Matter • Chami Amarasinghe, Ph.D., will speak on a underground experiment in the Black Hills of South Dakota called LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) • Fleischmann Auditorium, SBMNH • free • sbnature.org • 7:30pm, Fri, 2/7.

MUSIC

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix • “Jazz sprinkled with the rich flavors of funk and soul” • Campbell Hall • $15-$22.50–$52.50 • artsandlectures.ucsb.edu • 8pm, Fri, 2/7.

Spring Faculty Recital • Westmont Department of Music • Deane Chapel, Westmont College • free • westmont.edu • 7pm, Fri, 2/7. Camerata Pacifica • With Sarah Maria Sun, Sébastian Jacot, Jose Franch-Ballester, Jolente de Maeyer, Ani Aznavoorian, Irina Zahharenkova • Hahn Hall • $35$75 • cameratapacifica.org • 7pm, Fri, 2/7.

Wake of the Flood • The Grateful Dead Tribute Band • The Brewhouse • free • sbbrewhouse.com • 6:30pm, Fri, 2/7.

Bob Marley’s birthday w/Don Carlos & Rastan • Celebrate a reggae legend’s birthday • SOhO • $36 • sohosb.com • 8pm, Fri, 2/7.

An Evening with Leo Kottke

• Famed solo acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke renowned fingerpicker • Lobero Theatre • $45-$107 • lobero. org/whats-on • 7:30pm, Fri, 2/7.

Saturday 2/8

COMEDY

Maria Bamford Comedy Show

• Star of Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, Comedy Central Presents specials and Netflix’s Comedians of Comedy: The Movie brings her trademark humor to SB • Lobero Theatre • $42-$57 • lobero.org/ whats-on • 7:30pm, Sat, 2/8.

DANCE

Colors of Love 2025 • See dance celebrating cultures and unity with Latin, Samba, Belly Dance, Argentine Tango, Flamenco, & more • Center Stage Theater • $35-$40 • centerstagetheater.org • 8pm, Sat, 2/8.

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

Sir Niall Ferguson • UCSB Arts & Lectures presents historian and commentator Ferguson’s take on today’s social changes and

disruptions • The Granada • $34$59 • granadasb.org • 4pm, Sat, 2/8.

Sketching in the Galleries • All skill levels welcome, materials provided • Museum Galleries, SBMA • $6-$15, free w/ addmission

• sbma.net/events • 11:15am, Sat, 2/8.

An Introduction to Holistic Energy Healing • Learn the tools and practical experience in holistic energy healing • Schott Campus, SBCC • $18

• sbcc.augusoft.net

• 10am, Sat, 2/8.

Gelli Plate Printing with Botanicals • Printing with Plants and Collage • CAW • $75 • sbcaw.org/upcoming • 10am-1pm, Sat, 2/8.

MUSIC

Santa Barbara Music Club

• Celebrating the compositions of Emma Lou Diemer with a program of her instrumental and choral music • First United Methodist Church • free • sbmusicclub.org • 3pm, Sat, 2/8.

Snot with Seven Hours, After Violet, & PetMedz

• Numbskull Presents • SOhO • $24

• sohosb.com • 8:30pm, Sat, 2/8.

OUTDOORS

Seeds of Change: Conservation Through Diversity • 12th Annual SB Botanic Garden Conservation Symposium, with 2025 Conservation Award Recipient Peggy Olwell • Santa Barbara County Education Auditorium • $40 general, $15 students/members, free livestream

• sbbotanicgarden.org • 10am-4pm, Sat, 2/8.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Star Party • See a remarkable view of the night sky through a state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope • Palmer Observatory, SBMNH • free • sbnature.org • 7pm, Sat, 2/8.

211 Community Day Celebration Resource Fair • 70+ Organizations, Health Services, Kids Activities, Haircuts, Live Music, Door Prizes... • Earl Warren Showgrounds • free • earlwarren.com • 11am-3pm, Sat, 2/8.

SYV Pride’s 2nd Annual Love

Above All Ball • Benefit gala supporting SYV Pride’s mission to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, w/ DJ Darla Bea • Vega Vineyard & Farm • $150 • syvpride.org • 5pm, Sat, 2/8.

Sunday 2/9

MUSIC

Youth Ensembles Winter Festival Concert • SB Symphony’s youth ensembles together led by conductors Marisa McLeod and Dr. Daniel Gee • Lobero Theatre • free • lobero.org • 4pm, Sun, 2/9.

Imani Winds and Boston Brass

PRESENTED BY UCSB ARTS & LECTURES, woodwind quintet Imani Winds meets Boston Brass, for a one-of-a-kind experience performing a new piece from Arturo Sandoval, favorites by Stevie Wonder and Leonard Bernstein, as well J.S. Bach, Astor Piazzolla and Lalo Shifrin, at Hahn Hall on Sunday, February 2nd at 4pm. For tickets ($10-$52), visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

Janis Mann • The Santa Barbara Jazz Society presents awardwinning vocalist Janis Mann, pianist Jeff Colella, bass players Lyman, & drummer Dick Weller • SOhO • $10-$25 • sohosb.com • 1pm, Sun, 2/9.

OUTDOORS

Beach Cleanup • Show the beach some love w/ Explore Ecology • Arroyo Burro Beach • free • exploreecology.org • 10am12pm 2nd Sun/month, 2/9.

Two Trains Running

Get to Know and Grow: Ceanothus • With Christina Varnava and Alejandro Lemus • Blaksley Library and Garden wide • $40/general, $25/members/students • sbbotanicgarden.org • 9am, Sun, 2/9.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Free 2nd Sunday for TriCounty Residents • From Santa Barbara, Ventura, & San Luis Obispo • SBMA • free • sbma.net • 11am-5pm, Sun, 2/9.

THEATRE

• From August Wilson's celebrated Pittsburgh Cycle • Rubicon Theatre • $25-$65 • rubicontheatre.org • 7pm, Wed, 1/15, to Sun, 2/2.

The Comedy of Errors • Shakespeare’s classic comedy about twins separated at birth

• Rubicon Theatre • $20-$70 • rubicontheatre.org • 7pm, Sun, 1/19, & Tue, 1/21, and 2pm, Tue, 1/28.

Agnes of God • Revisit the strange case of Sister Agnes, who has given birth in a convent, and the mysterious death of

her newborn • Ojai Art Center Theater • $10-$20 • ojaiact.org

• 7:30pm, Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, 1/24–2/16.

Newsies Jr. • Family-friendly production based on the true story of the 1899 New York City newsboys’ strike • OYES Theater • $15 • oyespresents.org • 1/17 to 2/9.

Anima: Theater of the Feminine Underground

• Dance, spoken-word poetry, comedy, and ceremonial rituals

• Center Stage Theater • $36-$38 • centerstagetheater.org • 7pm, Thu, 2/6, and 7pm, Fri, 2/7.

Santa Barbara Ghost Tours

Walk with Professor Julie as she shares tales of mystery and history... & meet friendly spirits

Courtesy photos

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

APPLEBOX

FAMILY FILMS

SBIFF WILL BE HOLDING free screenings of this year’s top animated films at the Marjorie Luke Theatre at 721 East Cota St., but admission will be on a firstcome, first-served basis following passholder admission.

THIS YEAR’S SCHEDULE IS:

CINEMA

Inside Out 2 • 10am Sat, 2/8

Flow • 2pm, Sat, 2/8

Moana 2 • 10am, Sat, 2/15

The Wild Robot • 2pm, Sat, 2/15

VOICE Magazine • Community Market • LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLICATIONS ON APPLICATIONS REGARDING PROVISIONS OF TITLE 28 AND/OR 30 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA (SBMC)

The Secretary of the Planning Commission has set a public hearing for Thursday, February 13, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street.

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, an Agenda with all items to be heard on Thursday, February 13, 2025 will be posted on the outdoor bulletin board at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Agendas, Minutes, and Staff Reports are also accessible online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC.

TELEVISION COVERAGE: This meeting will be broadcast live on City TV-Channel 18 and online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV. See SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTVProgramGuide for a rebroadcast schedule. An archived video of this meeting will be available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PCVideos.

WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may be submitted via email to PCSecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.gov before the beginning of the Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the Commission and will become part of the public record. You may also submit written correspondence via US Postal Service (USPS) addressed to PC Secretary, PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990. However, please be advised, correspondence sent via USPS may not be received in time to process prior to the meeting and email submissions are highly encouraged. Please note that the Commission may not have time to review written comments received after 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting.

All public comment that is received before 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting will be published on the City’s website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Comments provided via USPS or e-mail will be converted to a PDF before being posted on the City’s website. Note: comments will be published online the way they are received and without redaction of personal identifying information; including but not limited to phone number, home address, and email address. Only submit information that you wish to make available publicly.

APPEALS: Decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. For further information and guidelines on how to appeal a decision to City Council, please contact the City Clerk’s office at Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov as soon as possible. Appeals may be filed in person at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or in writing via email to Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov and by first class mail postage prepaid within 10 calendar days of the meeting at which the Commission took action or rendered its decision.  Appeals and associated fee postmarked after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted.

NOTE TO INTERESTED PARTIES: Only those persons who participate through public comment either orally or in writing on an item on this Agenda have standing to appeal the decision. Grounds for appeal are limited to those issues raised either orally or in written correspondence delivered to the review body at, or prior to, the public hearing.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: If you need services or staff assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator’s Office at (805) 5645305. If possible, notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will usually enable the City to make reasonable arrangements. Specialized services, such as sign language interpretation or documents in Braille, may require additional lead time to arrange.

•2 S Quarantina St

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 017-113-024

Zoning Designation: M-1/S-D-3 (Light Manufacturing/Coastal Overlay)

Application Number: PLN2024-00114 Filing Date: April 8, 2024

Applicant / Owner: John Cuykendall, DMI - Commercial Real Estate Services / 2 South Quarantina Street LLC

Project Description: New office building and parking lot; application includes a Coastal Development Permit and Development Plan.

ORDER TO

SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER

: 25CV00031

Petitioner: Abraham Mora Jarero and Dannury Ordonez Jarero filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Khanney Dannury Mora Ordonez to PROPOSED NAME: Khanney Dannury Jarero. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 03/10/2025; Time: 10:00 am; Dept.: 5; ROOM: [ ] other (specify): at the: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the courts website. To find your courts website, go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.) 3 a. [X] A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation: [x] (for resident of this county) printed in this county: VOICE MAGAZINE. Date: 01/14/2025 /s/: Colleen K. Sterne, Judge of the Superior Court. Legal #25CV00031 Pub Dates: January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT: The following Corporation is doing business as ORKIN CENTRAL COAST at 2369 A Street, Santa Maria, CA 93455. A.E.T. SERVICES, INC at 2369 A Street, Santa Maria, CA 93455. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on January 3, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000027. Published January 10, 17, 24, 31, 2025.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following Unincorporated Assoc. Other Than a Partnership is doing business as SANTA BARBARA AERIE NO. 442 FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES at 923 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. HECTOR PALOMINO; DANIEL RODRIGUEZ at 923 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara on December 5, 2024. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2024-0002854. Published January 10, 17, 24, 31, 2025.

Legal Notices

about our rates: Publisher@voicesb.com For more information visit: www.sbbeautiful.org/commemorativetrees.html Santa Barbara Beautiful has funded more than 14,000 street trees in Santa Barbara! Find out more at www.SBBeautiful.org

Mark Whitehurst, PhD, Publisher & Editor • Publisher@VoiceSB.com

Kerry Methner, PhD, Editor & Publisher • Editor@VoiceSB.com

Robert Adams, Writer, Robert@EarthKnower.com

Destin Cavazos,Writer, Reporter@VoiceSB.com

Jesse Caverly, Writer, Design Writer@Voicesb.com

www.VoiceSB.com • CASA Santa Barbara, Inc. Mailing Address: 217 Sherwood Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (805) 965-6448 • Established 1993

Independent Community Journalism

Our mission is to provide accessible news for everyone along with a broad and inclusive perspective on our local community in both our FREE digital and print editions. If everyone who reads VOICE Magazine supports it, our future will be made secure.

Send a contribution today to: VOICE Magazine: 217 Sherwood Dr, Santa Barbara CA, 93110

Harlan Green, Writer, editor@populareconomics.com

Isaac Hernández de Lipa,Writer, c/o Editor@VoiceSB.com

John Palminteri, Writer, www.facebook.com/john.palminteri.5

Amanda Payatt, Richard Payatt, Writers, foodwinetwosome@cox.net

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Bookkeeping: Payroll Systems Plus c/o Publisher@VoiceSB.com

Advertising: Advertising@VoiceSB.com

Circulation: Voice Magazine 805-965-6448 / Publisher@VoiceSB.com All advertising in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing

Insertion Date: Print: 1.31.25/ Digital included 1.29.25. 6.94” times 2 columns = $66.35 • 1.31.25 Public notice Dischargers in Significant Noncompliance. Submitted by Mary Thompson, Public Works

VOICE Magazine • Community Market • LEGAL

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 403, the City of Santa Barbara annually publishes a list of dischargers in Significant Noncompliance with Pretreatment Standards and wastewater discharge permit requirements.

The following businesses were in Significant Noncompliance with their wastewater discharge permit requirements during 2024:

MarBorg Industries Facility Address: 23 N. Quarantina Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

MarBorg Industries was in Significant Noncompliance (as defined in 40 CFR 403.8(f)(2)(viii)) for the second and fourth quarters of 2024, for having multiple Ammonia exceedances and Failure to Notify the City of at least one of those exceedances. At the time of publication of this notice, MarBorg Industries continues to be in significant noncompliance and City continues to work with MarBorg to achieve compliance with the City of Santa Barbara wastewater discharge permit requirements.

Mission Linen Uniform Facility Address: 712 E. Montecito Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Mission Linen Uniform was in Significant Noncompliance (as defined in 40 CFR 403.8(f)(2)(viii)) for second and fourth quarters of 2024, for Oil and Grease exceedances. At the time of publication of this notice, Mission Linen Supply has taken corrective actions to prevent future violations and is currently in compliance with the City of Santa Barbara wastewater discharge permit requirements.

IDE Americas Facility Address: 525 Yanonali Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93109

IDE Americas was in Significant Noncompliance (as defined in 40 CFR 403.8(f)(2)(viii)) for first and third quarters of 2024, for numerous violations of their Industrial Discharge permit. At the time of publication of this notice, IDE Americas has taken corrective actions to prevent future violations and is currently in compliance with the City of Santa Barbara wastewater discharge permit requirements. If you have questions regarding this notice, contact the Pretreatment Program Coordinator, City of Santa Barbara at (805) 568-1093 or Pretreatment@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Learn About Local Government Meetings

The Santa Barbara City Council meets most Tuesdays at 2pm • To learn more about the council and other City department meetings, visit www. santabarbaraca.gov

The Goleta City Council meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 5:30pm • To learn more about the council and other City department meetings, visit www.cityofgoleta.org

The Carpinteria City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 5:30pm • To learn more about other City departments visit www. carpinteriaca.gov

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meets most Tuesdays at 9am • To learn more about other County departments visit www.countyofsb.org

City Administrator’s Statement on ICE

The below written statement was given by City Administrator Kelly McAdoo during the January 28th Regular Council Meeting.

THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL for the opportunity to share a few comments with you today and also with our community. As many of you have heard from news and media, there were a number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in our community last weekend. I want to acknowledge the fear and uncertainty caused to many of our residents, particularly our undocumented community members.

I also want to express my concerns over the recent activity that has occurred and to reassure our community members that our local government does not participate in immigration enforcement.

The Santa Barbara Police Department and our City government remain steadfast in providing, and making accessible, services to all of our community members, regardless of immigration status. Under California’s SB 54 (the California Values Act), local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from participating in immigration enforcement except in limited specific circumstances. In addition, all City departments have been directed to provide services to all of our residents, without requiring proof of immigration status, except in legally required circumstances (like obtaining employment with the City).

As it relates to the Police Department, I want to make sure our community knows that the mission of the department is to safeguard everyone in our community, including undocumented individuals who live and work here. SBPD does not ask about, collect or keep information about the immigration status of anyone they serve. The fear caused by last weekend’s events can deter victims and witnesses of crimes from coming forward, which jeopardizes everyone’s safety. SBPD has worked hard to foster trust and cooperation with our community and is committed to continuing to foster trust and serving every member of our community.

As a government and a community, we are committed to supporting and providing resources and services to the people we serve.”

Immigration Violations Information–Santa Barbara Police Department

https://tinyurl.com/mwx26b9u

Immigration Resources–Santa Barbara Public Library

https://tinyurl.com/ycx9u54t

IMPORTA

IMPORTA is a non-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services at a very low cost to low-income immigrants.

Santa Barbara: 805-604-5060

129 E Carrillo St.

Santa Maria: 805-619-0644

327 East Plaza Drive. Importasb.org

Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara

Free legal assistance to low-income individuals in crisis. Immigration assistance for those who were victims of violent crimes.

805-963-6754

hours: Monday-Thursday 9-12 & 1-3 lafsbc.org

Immigrant Hope SB

Immigrant Hope, recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ), provides low-cost legal advice and services, including legal representation for immigrants submitting applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

805-963-0166

935 San Andres St. Info.santabarbara@immigranthop.org immigranthopesb.org

Immigrant Legal Defense Center

Provides pro bono legal representation in deportation proceedings and informing immigrants of their basic civil rights.

805-886-9136

1136 E Monecito St julissa@SBImmigrantDefense.org SBImmigrantDefense.org

MICOP (Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project)

Offers immigration resources, including Know Your Rights presentations, and free or low-cost legal advice and representation for indigenous immigrants. mixteco.org/immigration

805 UndocuFund

Provides emergency assistance to undocumented individuals and families. 805undocufund.org

805 Immigrant, Rapid Response Hotline

Register your cell number to receive alerts about ICE and CBP sightings and raids or to report a detained family member or friend.

https://tinyurl.com/5b3ysabr

Design Award Presented at Channing Peake Gallery

By Jesse Caverly / VOICE

TRENDING TOWARDS CLEAN LINES AND MID-CENTURY MODERN SENSIBILITIES, the winners of this years AIA Santa Barbara’s annual juried Design Awards will be on view at the Channing Peake Gallery beginning February 6th and through March.

In addition to aesthetics, the teams address sustainability and integration within their respective environments. Showcasing the exceptional work of the region’s leading architects, the award-winning designs represent categories from Commercial Buildings to Single Family Residential, from Santa Barbara Heritage to Proposed/Unbuilt Projects.

The 2024 Honor Award recognized the firm AGPS for their Almost Off-Grid Ranch in Santa Ynez. A stunningly modern design, the house compliments a rural assemblage of barns and horse pastures, and “embodies the ranch in a contemporary interpretation of rural life achieved through minimal means,” said Sarah Graham, FAIA. “Rooftop rain water is collected in a cistern trough and used for irrigation. A septic system filters waste under a hay field. As with the entire ranch, the house is fully powered by the sun with all systems being electric.”

The selection of 2024’s winners was in the hands of a AIASB jury comprised of three distinguished architects: Patti Baker, AIA director of LA based Backen and Backen Architects; Erik Evens, AIA partner at Culver City based KAA Design Group; and Ted Flato, FAIA of Internationally recognized Lake|Flato Architects. They awarded one project with an Honor designation, four

projects with Merit, and two projects with Honorable Mention.

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many great clients and amazing sites here in Santa Barbara,” said Dave Mendro, AIA, LEED AP, at NMA Architects, very happy to receive a Merit award for their Santa Barbara Foothills Residence. A colorful, classic, and Cypress tree lined affair, he noted, “Designed with preservation and sustainability in mind, this residence treads lightly in the natural setting, with a small footprint nestled within stunning sandstone boulders and majestic oak trees. Creating an indooroutdoor ‘glass house’ that is sustainable for its exposed foothill environment, prone to high summer temperatures, strong winds, and wildfires, was quite challenging. The home is meticulously designed to provide a comfortable oasis for year-round living that is energy-efficient, fire-safe, and water-wise.”

Winning a Merit for their Santa Barbara Heritage/ Little Granada Residence, Appleton Partners LLC Architects was faced with the task of preserving the old, while incorporating with new features. “The best elements of the house were the sympathetic use of new wood doors and windows,” said John P. Margolis, AIA. “Their presence reinforces the historical bones of the original home. For some, the challenges of owning a 1921 historic home means small dark rooms with a limited circulation flow to the outside; however, the preferred open plan for modern California living can be easily attained with larger framed openings between adjacent spaces, while still preserving the best qualities of the original rooms.”

An exhibition of all the submissions to the 2024 Design Awards will be held in February through March at Channing Peake Gallery, County Admin Building, 105 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara. Opening reception takes place on the 1st Thursday, February 6th, from 5pm to 8pm.

“AIA Santa Barbara organizes and hosts an annual Design Awards program to recognize and celebrate the design excellence of its Chapter members,” said Amy Tripp, President of AIA Santa Barbara. “This event consistently showcases the inspiring diversity of architectural designs created by our talented members. We deeply appreciate those who share their work, allowing us the privilege to honor and celebrate their contributions to the field of architecture and the Santa Barbara community.” aiasb.com

agps architecture, Honor, Single Family Residential: r3 house

NMA A rchitects LLP, Merit - Single Family Residential: Santa Barbara Foothills Residence

Appleton Partners LLC Architects, Merit - Santa Barbara Heritage/ Little Granada Residence

DesignArc Architecture & Interiors, Merit - Single Family Residential: Private Residence

Anacapa Architecture, Merit - Single Family Residential: Ranch Wine Country Estate

Phot by Ciro Coelho

ART VENUES

Ralph Waterhouse

Waterhouse Gallery

La Arcada at State & Figueroa Santa Barbara • 805-962-8885 www.waterhousegallery.com

10 West Gallery • Envisionings ~ Feb 16

• 10 W Anapamu • 11-5 We-Mo • 805-770-7711 •10westgallery.com

Architectural Fdn Gallery • Slingshot / Alpha Art Studio Artists ~ Mar 8 • 229 E Victoria • 805-965-6307

• 1–4 some Sa & By Appt • afsb.org

Art, Design & Architecture Museum, UCSB • Public Texts: A Californian Visual Language ~Apr 27; Tomiyama Taeko: A Tale of Sea Wanderers ~ Apr 27 • 12-5 We-Sun • museum.ucsb.edu

Art From Scrap Gallery • Environmental Educ. & Artistic Expression • www.exploreecology.org

The Arts Fund • La Cumbre Plaza, 120 S Hope Ave #F119 • 11-5 We-Su

• 805-233-3395

• www.artsfundsb.org

Atkinson Gallery, SBCC • gallery.sbcc.edu

Bella Rosa Galleries • 1103-A State St • 11-5 daily • 805-966-1707

Art & Soul Gallery

• Santa Barbara:

The Art of Place ~ Feb 2 • 116 Santa Barbara St • artandsoulsb.com

Art & Soul Funk Zone

• What Is That: An Artistic Dialogue Between Photography and Diorama ~ Feb 9

• Winter Otherland ~ Feb 28 • 116 Santa Barbara St • artandsoulsb.com

ART EVENTS

Artist Talk at Art & Soul • An evening celebrating the work of John Baran, Pedro De La Cruz, and Sylvan Butera Rich• 1323 State St

free • 5-7pm Fri, 1/31.

Sally A. Foxen-McNeill • Photo exhibit about Black Music Masters • Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St. • 9am - 8pm, Sun-Sat, 2/1 - 2/28.

Ant Hampton: Borderline Visible • An Art Performance Time Based Editions with music by Oren Ambarchi and Perila • Loeb Family Gallery, SBMA • $25-$40, price includes a copy of Borderline Visible • sbma.net/ticketing • 5pm, Sat, 2/1.

Figure Drawing Workshop • Led by Eric Saint Georges • for all levels • CAW • $60 • sbcaw.org/upcoming • 9am-12:30pm, Sat, 2/1.

SB Arts & Crafts Show • Local artists & artisans • Free • 236 E Cabrillo Blvd • 10-5 Sun.

Carpinteria Creative Arts • Shop locally made pottery, beach art, cards, jewelry, and sewn articles • 8th St & Linden Av • Free • 2:30-6 Th.

Call for Entries • Submissions for VOICE Gallery’s March exhibition: Caliente: Art that

turns you on, heats you up, and lights your eye is now open. Entry deadline is February 15th, entry fee is $40/$35per additional image (accepted work only). Ingathering is March 2nd. Art must be ready to hang with wire or pedestal ready. Email submission images to Artcall@Voicesb.art; 805-570-2011.

Call for Entries • The Santa Barbara Tennis Club’s Nip it in the Bud show for March is now open for submissions. Entry deadline is March 1st, entry fee is $35/$5per additional images. Ingathering is March 6th. Art must be ready to hang and must be submitted in jpeg form, 72 dpi, emailed to susantibbles@yahoo.com • 2ndFridaysArt.com

Call for Artists • The Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative’s Community Arts Residency is now open for applications • Artist-inresidence program for art that builds community and fosters conversation. Grants awarded will be between $5,000 and $15,000, will receive one month or more of workshop space at the CAW, and the dedicated time of SBAC Staff • Deadline: March 30th. sbcaw.org/residency

The Carriage and Western Art Museum • SB History Makers Exhibit featuring Silsby Spalding, WW Hollister, Dixie; Saddle & Carriage Collections • Free • 129 Castillo St • 805-962-2353 • 9-3 Mo-Fr • carriagemuseum.org

California Nature Art Museum

• A Deeper Love: New Paintings Inspired by Coral Reefs ~Feb 24

• 1511 B Mission Dr, Solvang • 11-4 Mo, Th, Fr; 11-5 Sa & Su • calnatureartmuseum.org

Casa de La Guerra • Haas Adobe Watercolors • $5/Free • 15 East De la Guerra St • 12-4 Th-Su

• www.sbthp.org/casadelaguerra

Casa del Herrero • Gardens & House • by reservation • 1387 East Valley Rd • tours 10 & 2 We & Sa • 805565-5653 • casadelherrero.com

Casa Dolores • Bandera Ware / traditional outfits ~ ongoing • 1023 Bath St • 12-4 Tu-Sa • 805-963-1032 • casadolores.org

Channing Peake Gallery • 105 East Anapamu St, 1st fl • 805-568-3994

Colette Cosentino Atelier + Gallery • 11 W Anapamu St • By Appt • colettecosentino.com

Community Arts Workshop • Joe Rohde: Inner Light • Fridays Jan 31, and Feb 7, 10am-6pm, by appt • 631 Garden St • 10-6pm Fri & By Appt. • sbcaw.org

Corridan Gallery • California Sojourns by Karen Fedderson • 125 N Milpas • 11-6 We-Sa • 805-966-7939 • www.corridan-gallery.com

CPC Gallery • By appt • 36 E Victoria St • cpcgallery.com

Cypress Gallery • Red Zone: Lompoc Valley Art Assn ~ Jan 30-Feb 23 • 119 E Cypress Av, Lompoc • 1-4 Sa & Su • 805-737-1129 • www.lompocart.org

Elevate Gallery@ La Cumbre Center For Creative Arts • Gallery Artists • La Cumbre Plaza • noon-5 Tu-Su • lcccasb.com

Elizabeth Gordon Gallery • Alberto Valdés: Mi Vida es Mi Arte & Emerging artists from around the country • 15 W Gutierrez • 805-9631157 • 11–5 Tu-Sa • elizabethgordongallery.com

El Presidio De Santa Bárbara • Nihonmachi Revisited; Memorias y Facturas • 123 E Canon Perdido St • 10:30-4:30 Daily • sbthp.org

Elverhøj Museum • 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang • 805-686-1211 • 11-5 Th-Mo • www.elverhoj.org

Faulkner Gallery • 40 E Anapamu St • 10-7 Mo-Th; 10-5 Fri, Sa; 12-5 Sun • 805-962-7653.

Fazzino 3-D Studio Gallery • 3-D original fine art • 529 State St • 805-730-9109 • Fazzino.com

Fine Line Gallery @ La Cumbre Center For Creative Arts • Multi-Artist Space • La Cumbre Plaza• noon-5 Tu-Su • lcccasb.com

Gallery 113 • SB Art Assn • 1114 State St, #8, La Arcada Ct • 805-9656611 • 11-5 Mo-Fr; 11-2 Sa; 1-5 Su • gallery113sb.com

Gallery Los Olivos • Winter Celebration ~ Jan 31; New Perspectives Group Exhibition ~ Feb 28 • Daily 10-4 pm • 2920 Grand Av • 805-6887517 • gallerylosolivos.com Ganna Walska Lotusland • Gardens • by reservation • 695 Ashley Rd • 805-969-9990 • lotusland.org

Evening Light, Santa Barbara Courthouse - featuring in an exhibition at Palm Loft Gallery, Carpinteria

Goleta Valley Library • GVAA Artists Exhibit • 500 N Fairview Av • 10-7 Tu-Th; 10-5:30 Fr & Sa; 1-5 Su • TheGoletaValleyArtAssociation.org

Grace Fisher Fdn Inclusive Arts Clubhouse • Paintings by Grace Fisher • 121 S Hope, La Cumbre Plaza • We-Su 11-5pm • gracefisherfoundation.org

Illuminations Gallery @ La Cumbre Center For Creative Arts • Multi-Artist Space • La Cumbre Plaza • noon-5 Tu-Su • lcccasb.com

James Main Fine Art • 19th & 20th Fine art & antiques • 27 E De La Guerra St • 12-5 Tu-Sa • Appt Suggested • 805-962-8347

Jewish Federation of Greater SB • Portraits of Survival interactive - Ongoing • 9-4pm Mo-Fr • 524 Chapala St • 805-957-1115 ext. 114

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum • Man’s Inhumanity Towards Man ~ Apr 14 • 21-23 W Anapamu • 10-4 Tu-Su • 805-9625322 • https://karpeles.com

Kathryne Designs • Local Artists • 1225 Coast Village Rd, A • 10-5 Mo-Sa; 11-5 Su • 805-565-4700 • http://kathrynedesigns.com

Kelly Clause Art • Watercolors of Sea & Land • 28 Anacapa St, #B •

Most weekdays 12-5 • kellyclause.com

Lompoc Library Grossman Gallery • 501 E North Av, Lompoc • 805-588-3459

Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center • Rincon- Queen of the Coast~ Mar 2 • 12-4 Th-Su • 865 Linden Av • 805-684-7789 • carpinteriaartscenter.org

Maker House • 1351 Holiday Hill Rd • 805-565-CLAY • 10-4 Daily • claystudiosb.org

Marcia Burtt Gallery • Contemporary landscape paintings, prints & books • 517 Laguna St • 1-5 Th-Su • 805-962-5588 • artlacuna.com

MOXI, The Wolf Museum • Exploration + Innovation • 10-5 Daily • 125 State St • 805-770-5000 • moxi.org

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara • 653 Paseo Nuevo • mcasantabarbara.org

Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences • La Cumbre Plaza, 120 S. Hope Av #F119

• seehearmove.com

Palm Loft Gallery • Beauty of the Wild ~ Mar 2 • 410 Palm Av, Loft A1, Carpinteria • 1-6 Fri-Sun & By Appt • 805-684-9700 • palmloft.com

Patricia Clarke Studio • 410 Palm Av, Carpinteria • By Appt • 805-4527739 • patriciaclarkestudio.com

Peregrine Galleries • Early California and American paintings; fine vintage jewelry • 1133 Coast Village Rd • 805-252-9659 • peregrine.shop

Peter Horjus Design • Studio • 11 W Figueroa St • peterhorjus.com

Portico Gallery • Jordan Pope & Gallery Artists • Open Daily • 1235 Coast Village Rd • 805-729-8454 • porticofinearts.com

Santa Barbara Art Works • Artists with disabilities programs, virtual exhibits • 805-260-6705 • sbartworks.org

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

• Seed: A Living Dream ~ Apr 6 •1212 Mission Canyon Rd • 10-5 daily • 805-682-4726 • sbbg.org

Santa Barbara Fine Art • SB landscapes & sculptor Bud Bottoms • 1321 State St • 12-6 Tu-Sa & By Appt • 805-845-4270 • santabarbarafineart.com

Santa Barbara Historical Museum • The Chair: Storied Seats From Our Collection ~ Apr 20; J. Walter Collinge: Pictorial SB and the Beyond ~ May 11; Edward Borein Gallery and The Story of Santa Barbara ~ ongoing • 136 E De la Guerra • 12-5 We, Fri-Su; 12-7 Th • 805-966-1601 • sbhistorical.org

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum • Kevin A. Short: Above Your Dreams ~

CALL FOR ENTRIES

¡Caliente!

Art that turns you on, heats you up, and lights your eye

Submissions are now open for Voice Gallery’s March 2025 Exhibition. Area artists welcome.

Sculpture and 2D work is welcome.

To participate: email up to two images to artcall@voicesb.art by February 15th. (Label images with artist name and title of the piece. 1000 pixels wide - jpeg or tiff) Email must also include: material, dimensions, price.)

Entry fee will be collected for ACCEPTED pieces at ingathering: $40-1st piece; $35-2nd.

• All pieces must be wired or pedestal ready. NO brackets, saw tooth, etc.

Sales: 70% to artist / 30% to gallery.

Art Drop Off: Accepted art must be dropped off between 10am and 12 noon Sunday, March 2nd.

Exhibition Dates: March 2nd to 28th, 2025

Unsold Art Pick Up: Friday, March 28th - 3 to 5pm

1st Thursday Reception: March 6th • 5-8pm

3rd Friday Gallery Row Artwalk La Cumbre Plaza • March 21st • 5-7pm

Questions? Call Kerry Methner • 805-570-2011

Modality at 10 West Gallery patprime@earthlink.net

Feb 5-May 11 ; The Chumash, Whaling, Commercial Diving, Surfing, Shipwrecks, First Order Fresnel Lens, and SB Lighthouse Women Keepers ~ Ongoing

• 113 Harbor Wy, Ste 190 • 10-5 Daily • 805-962-8404 • SBMM.org

Santa Barbara Museum Of Art • In the Making ~ Mar 9; Friends and Lovers ~ Mar 2; Accretion ~ Apr 13 • 1130 State St • 11-5 Tu-Su; 5-8 1st Th free; 2nd Sun free Tri-Co residents • 805-963-4364 • sbma.net

Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History • Big Cats & Wild Dogs ~ Mar 9 • 2559 Puesta del Sol • 10-5 We-Mo • sbnature.org

We need a wall in Santa Barbara for a mural. We will help with funding and local art group, The Abstract Art Collective, will create the mural. The wall can be any size or shape as long as it’s exterior and public-facing. Email, Info@SBbeautiful.org, if you have a wall for the project. Be sure to include the street address.

Santa Barbara Sea Center • Dive In: Our Changing Channel ~ Ongoing • 211 Stearns Wharf • 10-5 Daily (Fr & Sat 10-7 until 7/27). • 805-6824711 • sbnature. org

Santa Barbara Tennis Club - 2nd Fridays Art • Abstract Nine ~ Mar 5 • 2375 Foothill Rd • 10-6 Daily • 805-682-4722 • 2ndfridaysart. com

Slice of Light Gallery

• PassagePhotography by JK Lovelace • 9 W Figueroa St • Mo-Fr 10-5 • 805-354-5552 • sliceoflight.com

Stewart Fine Art • Early California Plein Air Paintings + European Fine Art + Antiques • 539 San Ysidro

Rd • 11-5:30 Mo-Sa • 805-845-0255

Sullivan Goss • Winter Salon ~ Feb 24; The Storytellers ~ Jan 31-Mar 24; Angela Perko Imagined Landscapes & Other Stories ~ Jan 31-Mar 24 • 11 E Anapamu St • 10-5:30 daily • 805730-1460 • sullivangoss.com

Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum • 122 W Canon Perdido • 11-4 Fr-Sa; Su-Th by appt • quinlanmuseum.com • 805-687-4623

SYV Historical Museum & Carriage House • Art of The Western Saddle • 3596 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez • 12-4 Sa, Su • 805-6887889 • santaynezmuseum.org

Tamsen Gallery • Work by Robert W. Firestone • 1309 State St • 12-5 We-Su • 805-705-2208 • tamsengallery.com

UCSB Library • Readymade Emanations: Trianon Press and the Art of Tearing Apa ~ Jun 25 • library.ucsb.edu

Voice Gallery • Opus 90: Joyce Wilson ~ Jan 31; Santa Barbara Visual Artists Feb 2 ~ 28 • La Cumbre Plaza H-124 • 10-5:30 M-F; 1-5 Sa-Su • 805-965-6448 •voicesb.art

Waterhouse Gallery Montecito

• Notable CA & National Artists • 1187 Coast Village Rd • 11-5 Mo-Su • 805-962-8885 • waterhousegallery.com

Waterhouse Gallery SB • Notable CA & National Artists • La Arcada Ct, 1114 State St, #9 • 11-5 Mo-Sa • 805-962-8885 • waterhousegallery.com

Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum

Of Art • Wildland: Ethan Turpin’s Collaborations on Fire & Water ~ Mar 22 • westmont.edu/museum

Artists:

See your work here!

Join Voice Magazine’s Print & Virtual Gallery! To find out more, email Publisher@VoiceSB.com

Patrick McGinnis

Santa Barbara’s Cultural Night Downtown

1

ST THURSDAY is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara that takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Participating art venues offer free access to art in a fun and social environment from 5-8pm. 1st Thursday venues also provide additional attractions, such as live music, artist receptions, lectures, wine tastings, and hands-on activities. State Street also comes alive on 1st Thursday with performances and interactive activities.

Galleries, Museums, & Art Venues

1. Voice Gallery • La Cumbre Plaza, 110 S. Hope Avenue, unit H-124 • Featuring Santa Barbara Visual Artists—active Santa Barbara creatives known for diverse, high-quality artwork in various media, colors, and styles, including realism, portraits, and still life. Meet the artists and enjoy the artwork with wine and appetizers.

2. Art & Soul • 1323 State Street • “Through the art that is created, spirit channels a surge of emotions, sensations, colors, and retrieval.” Embark on a spiritual journey with Santa Barbara artist and healer, Nika Vaeshun, and her latest exhibition, Medicine Woman. Each piece invites reflection, awakening, and communion. Located between the Arlington Theatre and Opal Restaurant.

3. Ensemble Theatre Company • 33 W Victoria St, 805-965-5400 • Ensemble Theatre Company invites you to 1st Thursday at HAMLET! This reinvented classic is darkly funny, emotionally raw, and self-aware, with themes of power, betrayal, and family dysfunction. Stop by our ticket office for buy one, get one free tickets to the February 6th, 7:30 pm performance.

4. domecíl • 1223 State Street • Stop by domecíl to view the work of Ojai artist Mary Neville, whose immersive abstract paintings represent the nuances of life. Meritage Wine Market will also be pouring a curated selection of fine wine.

5. Rilascio Chiropractic • 1221

State Street, STE #200 • Celebrating love! Rilascio Chiropractic showcases handmade jewelry by Jules Kramer of Jules

Feb. 6 th 5 to 8pm

by the Sea. These beautiful, love-infused adornments embody the everyday Santa Barbara lifestyle. Join us for an evening of inspiration, seasonal refreshments, wellness resources, and a special giveaway.

6. Benchmark Eatery • 1201 State Street • Join us at Benchmark Eatery for 1st Thursday to enjoy great food, a relaxed atmosphere, and live entertainment. It's the perfect place to soak in the vibrant energy of the evening. Don't miss this fun addition to your Art Walk experience!

7. 10 West Gallery • 10 W. Anapamu St. • Envisionings: Abstract art born from the artist’s imagination. This exhibit features abstract, conceptual, and figurative artwork that encourages creative thinking.

8. Sullivan Goss • 11 East Anapamu St. • Join us for the opening reception of Angela Perko's new exhibition, inspired by female surrealists and Western landscapes. Also on view: The Storytellers and Winter Salon.

9. Santa Barbara Museum of Art • 1130 State Street • Join SBMA for a creative night! Watch "Ancient Beacons Long for Notice" in the McCormick Gallery at 5:45 pm as part of Dario Robleto: The Signal. Sketch in the galleries from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and enjoy the Museum until 8 pm!

10. Gallery 113 • 1114 State Street • A special mezzanine exhibit, All You Need Is Love, complements featured artists Stephanie Jamgochian, Odessa Burrow, Linda Nelson, Gary Jensen, and Fred Lehto.

11. Waterhouse Gallery • 1114 State Street #9 • The Gallery features figurative works, interiors, and cityscapes by nationally

19. Explore work by contemporary artists such as America Martin, Sherri Belassen, JD Shultz, Stanley Boydston, and Dan Lencioni at Elizabeth Gordon Gallery.

10. A special mezzanine exhibit, All You Need Is Love, will complement featured artists Stephanie Jamgochian, Odessa Burrow, Linda Nelson, Gary Jensen, and Fred Lehto at Gallery 113.

4. Immersive abstract paintings representing the nuances of life by Ojai artist Mary Neville, are on view at domecíl.

11. Hosting figurative works, rich city and landscape work, including by Oak Group members, Waterhouse Gallery offers art appealing to a range of tastes.

known local and Oak Group artists. Enjoy works by Ray Hunter, Derek Harrison, and others.

12. Ace Rivington • 1100 State St. • Ace Rivington partners with Judith Raimondi for February's Art Walk. Her art celebrates Santa Barbara's vibrant arts heritage, spotlighting the Flying A Studio and the silent film era. Join us!

13. Slice of Light • 9 W. Figueroa St. • Join us for an evening at our photography gallery, featuring Santa Barbara local J K Lovelace’s captivating images of earth and space. Explore our latest exhibit, Winter 2025, while enjoying fine wine.

14. The Yes Store • 1015 State Street • Celebrate local arts! Enjoy music, drinks, and treats while viewing the work of talented local artists. Find handmade gifts for Valentine’s Day or treat yourself at The Yes Store—your local arts gallery.

15. Finch & Fork | The Kimpton Canary Hotel • 31 W Carrillo St. • $2 oysters, cocktails, and shop local—all under one roof! Shop jewelry and gifts at our Valentine's market with local vendors like CMH Designs and CreaTiffity Studios. Enjoy local wines, cocktails, and DJ Dansauce from 5 pm to 8 pm.

16. Presidio By Candlelight • El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park – 123 E. Canon Perdido St. • Experience an enchanting candlelit evening of history and culture. Listen to Chumash stories, visit Nihonmachi Revisited, and enjoy live music and dances from 1800s California. Free event with refreshments; all ages welcome.

17. Paint at Paseo • Peppermint Parlor, Paseo Nuevo • Celebrate love and friendship with artist Helen Yanez (@Yanezs_art) in Paseo Nuevo's Peppermint Parlor. This free 90-minute acrylic painting workshop honors Mexican, Purépecha,

and Indigenous heritage. All ages and skill levels welcome, with materials provided.

18. Santa Barbara Historical Museum • 136 East De La Guerra St. • Join us after-hours for a sunset Silent Disco! Celebrate Valentine’s Day with wine, music, and more under pink skies. Free entry; all ages welcome.

19. Elizabeth Gordon Gallery • 15 W Gutierrez St. • Join us at Elizabeth Gordon Gallery for art, music, wine, and cheese. Discover works by America Martin, Sherri Belassen, JD Shultz, Stanley Boydston, Dan Lencioni, and more. Celebrate creativity in a vibrant atmosphere!

Performance: Jared Nels • 800 Block of State Street • Jared Nels, a Santa Barbara-based musician originally from Des Moines, Iowa, blends soft, sweet vocals with powerful high notes and world-class yodeling. A versatile guitarist influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Tony Rice, his original music spans genres from bluegrass to rock. Jared has toured the Western U.S., performed at iconic Santa Barbara venues, and appeared on American Idol season 18.

Sponsor

9. It will be a creative night at Santa Barbara Museum of Art! Watch Ancient Beacons Long for Notice in the McCormick Gallery at 5:45pm or sketch in the galleries from 5:30 to 7:30 pm!

12. Take in Judith Raimondi's art, celebrating Santa Barbara's vibrant arts heritage & spotlighting the Flying A Studio and the silent film era at Ace Rivington!

8. Angela Perko's newest exhibition, inspired by female surrealists and Western landscapes will open at Sullivan Goss. Also on view: The Storytellers and Winter Salon

16. El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park will present Presidio By Candlelight, an enchanting candlelit evening of history and culture.

3. Ensemble Theatre Company invites you to HAMLET! This reinvented classic is darkly funny, emotionally raw, and self-aware, with themes of power, betrayal, and family dysfunction.

18. Check out Santa Barbara Historical Museum's after-hours sunset Silent Disco! A perfect early Valentine!

2. Embark on a spiritual journey with Santa Barbara artist and healer, Nika Vaeshun, and her latest exhibition, Medicine Woman at Art & Soul.

1. Santa Barbara Visual Artists, known for diverse, artwork in various media, colors, and styles will be exhibiting at Voice Gallery.

7. Abstract art born from the artist’s imagination will be on view at 10 West Gallery in Envisionings Image by Penny Arntz Paper Trail

13. Explore Santa Barbara local J K Lovelace’s captivating images of earth and space at Slice of Light

5. Celebrating love! Rilascio Chiropractic showcases handmade jewelry by Jules Kramer of Jules by the Sea.

Spanning bluegrass to rock, Jared Nels, a Santa Barbara-based musician originally from Des Moines, Iowa, blends soft, sweet vocals with powerful high notes and world-class yodeling.

“The Fear Quotient Definitely Has Ratcheted Up”

As alarm spreads in immigrant communities, Sheriff Bill Brown untangles the conflict between California’s “Sanctuary State” law and Trump’s push for mass deportations

By Jerry Roberts / SB Newsmakers

SHERIFF BILL BROWN SAYS that the Trump Administration’s self-proclaimed “shock and awe” campaign targeting immigrants in the U.S. illegally is causing trepidation and dread among Latinos in Santa Barbara County.

“The fear quotient has definitely ratcheted up,” the sheriff told Newsmakers. “There’s no question about that.”

“And I’ve heard from representatives of the Hispanic community that there’s a lot of rumors that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was seen, and vehicles were seen, and everything else…that there were raids and things that were happening and going on,” he added. “And most of it untrue.”

Brown’s comments, his most extensive statement to date about Trump’s crackdown, came during a one-on-one interview on Thursday.

First elected in 2006, the sheriff spoke in depth and detail about the swirling immigration controversy, and also discussed a host of more local issues, including considerable, measurable progress that has been made in dealing with the fentanyl crisis; the latest developments in the debate over providing mental health and medical treatment for inmates of the county jail; and his proposal to expand the Northern Branch jail, in part to deal with expected increased inmate populations, stemming from the November passage of Prop. 36, which raised sentences for certain felonies.

But it is the upheaval over immigration, triggered by a batch of Trump executive orders and endless frenzied rhetoric, that is the most urgent matter before him, with the new president expressing the desire that law enforcement at every level aid his promise to deport millions of immigrants.

In the interview, Brown described the roles and responsibilities of his office on immigration, emphasizing the crucial importance of the 2017 “California Values Act”–aka “Sanctuary State” law. He also spoke about some of the challenges he faces in his high-profile, national position as president of the Major County Sheriff’s Association of America (MCSA).

“I am in particular, a little bit between a rock and a hard spot because of my MCSA presidency,” Brown said, “and we’re going into this new administration where we are just beginning to reach and out and establish some working relationships…And then obviously the policy issues, the executive orders that have come out, there’s been just a flurry of things that have hit all at once.”

California vs. Trump. As a practical matter, the sheriff said, Trump’s new crackdown effort to date is “sort of a deja vu,” a return to circumstances during his first term, when California and federal immigration authorities wrangled legally and politically over the state’s resistance to the Republican president’s policy wishes.

Amid a flurry of litigation, the Legislature passed, and then-Governor Jerry Brown signed, the aforementioned sanctuary state measure, which put strict limits on the communication and cooperation local law enforcement agencies in California can share with federal immigration officers.

That law, at least for now, is the primary platform for immigration policy for sheriff’s offices’ and other local police agencies, Brown said, and it limits cooperation except in cases involving criminals, in the country illegally, and guilty of serious felonies.

“Our role as local law enforcement officers is to provide protection and service to everyone in our community, and that includes people who are undocumented,” Brown said.

“And I’ve been very clear ever since I ran for sheriff that we do not engage in law enforcement that is enforcing federal immigration law, other than to the extent (now permitted by SB 54),” he said. “And we do that for a reason: It’s a community policing principle that we want people to call us if they’re a victim of a crime. We want them to call us if they witness a crime in progress.

“And if we have people who are afraid that they’re going to be deported or they’re going to be, their families are going to potentially be split apart, that doesn’t bode well

for victims coming forward, domestic violence or other victims, and also for people who witness crimes reporting them,” the sheriff said.

What lies ahead. All that said, Brown acknowledged, things can, and likely will, change in coming days, weeks and months, as Trump’s wellplanned strategy on immigration unfolds.

“It’s not to say that things won’t happen, but the reality is, ICE has said, and I believe it will be, that their priority is going to be criminal aliens — people who have come into the country illegally and, either have committed crimes previously in other countries, or have committed crimes here and have been convicted of them,” Brown told us.

“And I think they’ll be the first target to go after. I think what’s going to happen though, is…you will see some collateral arrests as well. They’ll be targeting one person. They come into a location and that person is in the company of five other people who are all undocumented, maybe not criminal in nature, but they’re here illegally and they may have been deported before and come back or whatever.

“Those people, I think, are going to be arrested also and taken in by ICE in those cases. So there will no doubt be some more people of that definition that are going to be arrested than have been in the last few years,” the sheriff said.

Check out the entire interview with Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown via YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBV2-VVXRwM. The podcast is on Soundcloud at: https://tinyurl.com/ykp3evna, and also available on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms. Printed with permission of SB Newsmakers

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Sheriff Bill Brown

Jerry Roberts

Gambling problems are mushrooming. Panel says we need to act now.

With a recent leap in legalized sports betting and online options, public health experts outline therapeutic, legislative strategies

By Clea Simon / Harvard Correspondent

PROBLEMS WITH GAMBLING ISSUES HAVE SURGED over the past halfdozen years with the rise of legalized sports betting and 24-hour online casino games. It’s gotten to the point where some researchers say something needs to be done now — and there are remedies.

That was the conclusion of a panel of public health and gambling experts gathered at a Zoom panel moderated by WBZ-TV journalist Laura Haefeli and hosted by the Studio at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Betting on the election, stocks, and more has become common, said Timothy Fong, codirector of UCLA Problem Gambling Studies Program. Although gambling has been “part of human behavior for hundreds of thousands of years,” said Fong, this new surge “is not only endemic … it has changed the fabric of our bodies and our minds.”

A confluence of the gambling, technology, and financial industries has made this possible, added Shekhar Saxena, a Chan School adjunct professor of global mental health. “Tech makes sure the experience is seamless; the gambling industry make it tantalizing; and the financial industry makes it possible to put your money in with just a click or a tap,” he said. The combination “makes it more dangerous.”

Currently sports betting in casinos or racetracks is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., and at least 27 of those allow wagers online. Experts date the proliferation to a 2018 Supreme Court decision that struck down a federal law banning legalized sports betting in most states.

In addition, seven states allow online casino games and one other, Nevada, permits poker.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that about 2.5 million adults in the U.S. have severe problems and another 5 to 8 million have significant issues. And the dilemma may be getting worse, as gambling addiction hotlines have noted a rise in calls, and the age of callers is skewing younger.

Industries, particularly sports betting, are targeting young people, said Lia Nower, director of the Center for Gambling Studies and co-director of the Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Program at the Rutgers University School of Social Work.

“The groups most at risk are emerging adults and adolescents,” she said. Citing an upcoming study, the school’s associate dean for research noted how various workarounds, such as framing gambling as “sweepstakes,” help the industry evade age restrictions to lure new and younger gamblers.

Other well-known risk factors include low education and low economic status, said Victor Ortiz, director of the Massachusetts Office of Problem Gambling Services. That, however, is changing. Increasingly, he explained, “What we are seeing is that people with higher economic status and higher education are now at risk. We’re getting calls from people in significant distress who are not our typical callers.”

The problem, said the experts, is exacerbated by the constant availability of online gaming. Nower summoned an image of people “lying in bed [gambling] while their partners are asleep.”

“Online gambling is a public health issue and requires a public health strategy,” Ortiz said.

For starters, Fong said, recasting problems as a “gambling disorder” is a necessary step toward addressing it. Making clear that it is a mental health disorder with biological, psychological, and social components, he continued, helps alleviate the shame often attached to those unable to control their gambling.

2.5 million Americans have severe gambling problems, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling

agree.

“We need a federal presence like we have for cigarettes, alcohol, and other forms of addiction,” said Nower. Specifically, she noted the need for legislation that mandates online apps have an “opt out” system for various controls.

Right now users must specifically request to opt in to access controls that will automatically limit factors such as how much time they spend in the app and how much money they can spend. That setting should be the default, she said.

The recent surge in online gambling has left researchers, public health officials, and legislators playing catch-up.

“We don’t have advocacy groups and, unlike with substances, no one is tracking gambling-related health problems, gambling-related suicides, so we don’t have the public health data like we had with alcohol, like we had with cigarettes,” noted Nower. “And there’s a lot of shame, so families aren’t coming forward.”

“We need a federal presence like we have for cigarettes, alcohol, and other forms of addiction.”

Lia Nower, Center for Gambling Studies, Rutgers University School of Social Work

“Responsible gambling is something that companies love to talk about,” added Saxena. “That puts the responsibility on the individual.”

This also helps the public understand that, as with other such disorders, medication and psychotherapy can help and can reconnect the sufferer with their family and community.

“When you come into treatment,” he said, “you are going to do a lot better.”

Enacting legislation to address the problem is the next step, experts

This is especially problematic because of the shame surrounding gambling disorder, he explained. Framing the issue as one of public health instead of one of self-control involves “talking about the environment, the kind of incentives that are there.”

“Yes, people have some responsibility, but it’s the environment — the tech environment, the social environment, and the economic environment in which people live — that is important,” he stressed.

Printed with permission: Harvard Gazzette online article, January 28, 2025

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ANTIDOTES TO AGEISM IN THE ANTHROPOCENE: GENERATIONAL TIME AND MULTISPECIES LITERARY ETHNOGRAPHY

KEY PASSAGES TALK: KATHLEEN WOODWARD FREE PUBLIC EVENT

FEB THU 4–6 PM McCune Conference Room, HSSB 6020 Learn more: bit.ly/Woodward-IHC

6

Models of the passage from midlife to old age disclose the ageism rampant in our culture, with aging figured overwhelmingly as decline. Today, old age is imagined in terms of splitting: the good third age of incremental diminishment and the bad fourth age of unremitting medical catastrophe. In this talk, Kathleen Woodward will explore the question: What antidotes can alleviate the toxin that is ageism in the Anthropocene, with older populations decidedly at risk? Audience Q&A and a reception will follow.

Kathleen Woodward is Lockwood Professor of the Humanities and Professor of English at the University of Washington, where she directs the Simpson Center for the Humanities. She is the author of Statistical Panic: Cultural Politics and Poetics of Emotions and Aging and Its Discontents: Freud and Other Fictions.

Cosponsored by the IHC’s Key Passages series and Idee Levitan Endowment

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