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Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates andbe BHHSCP do broker not guarantee accuracy all datatoincluding measurements, and of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

4335 Marina Drive | Hope Ranch Sold for $18,000,000

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© 2021 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise systemof BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company,a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

38

LETTER

tk 40 CONTRIBUTORS

43

LIVE

Ones to watch in art and style, global tastes, heading north + south, and more

82

KEATON, AU COURANT Interview by Roger Durling. Photographs by Dewey Nicks

90 CHICANA CULTURA

By Michael Montenegro. Photographs by Sara Prince

106 ON KYLE’S POND Written by L.D. Porter. Photographs by Sam Frost

118 SHELTON STYLE Excerpt by Jeff Shelton. Photographs by Jason Rick

134 BACK PAGE 32 w i n t e r 2 0 2 1

An astrologicalTklook at 2022

PHOTOGRAPHS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: PAINTING: MILES HAGIN; RAMEN: SARA PRINCE; YARNS: SAM FROST; COCKTAIL: SARA PRINCE; MICHAEL KEATON: DEWEY NICKS; JEFF SHELTON HOUSE: JASON RICK; COUTURE DRESS: SARA PRINCE.

TOC

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Anush J. Benliyan CONTRIBUTING MANAGING EDITOR

Jeff Anderson CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Laura Milton CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

Lauren White CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Charles Donelan Anna Ferguson-Sparks Amelia Fleetwood Jennifer Blaise Kramer Christine Lennon Dawn Moore Ninette Paloma L.D. Porter Gabe Saglie Katherine Stewart Joan Tapper Erik Torkells

Village Properties / Masthead

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Blake Bronstad David Cameron Leela Cyd Andrew Durham Sam Frost Blue Gabor Tierney Gearon Michael Haber Brian Hodges Elizabeth Messina Nancy Neil Dewey Nicks Victoria Pearson Lisa Romerein Randall Slavin Trevor Tondro Coral von Zumwalt

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TO OUR READERS

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FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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Edit letter

Jennifer Smith

ON THE COVER: Micheal Keaton photographed by Dewey Nicks at The Nugget in Summerland.

Grooming by Marissa Machado/ Art Department LA.

ILLUSTRATION: DAVID DOWNTON

L

iving in Santa Barbara, I am always reminded what a cinematic place this is. First, visually: the way the mountains meet the sea, with breathtaking architecture dotting the topography. Second, it was the original home of cinema—the first Hollywood, if you will—with Flying A Studios headquartered at the intersection of Mission and Chapala. Third, we are surrounded by shining stars making this place home, from Charlie Chaplin to today’s celebrities.

While the media may focus on trending big names, I find it fascinating that some of the biggest and brightest—who could live anywhere in the world—make their lives here: Oprah, Carol Burnett, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Costner, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the list goes on and on. Add to it the actor’s actor Michael Keaton. He has been here for decades but always under the radar (by his own choice). A sit-down interview with him is rare indeed, so we are honored he chose Santa Barbara Magazine and Santa Barbara International Film Festival executive director Roger Durling to chat with about all things cinema for our cover story “Keaton, Au Courant” (page 82).

For our annual Culture Issue, we also visit with curator and designer Kyle DeWoody, a scion of the art world, who has created her own cultural nirvana in the hills outside Carpinteria.

Imagine a sprawling tree-dotted ranch where artists can congregate, share ideas, and break bread at the same time for “On Kyle’s Pond” (page 106). We dropped in on a day when she had invited a few of her favorite creators over

for a delicious botanical lunch whipped up by chef Loria Stern, a food artist in her own right.

Speaking of food, some special spots can be found on our famed Milpas Street. If Julia Child said her favorite place to eat was La Super-Rica, one takes note. But this urban street is not just one beloved Mexican-food mecca—it’s an entire diverse and historical community. Author and filmmaker Michael Montenegro (along with photographers Dewey Nicks and Sara Prince) takes us on a truly local tour of the Latino culture of this area and its residents in our photographic portfolio “Chicana Cultura” (page 90).

And just a few streets over, scattered around downtown, you will see fanciful, color-drenched buildings that seem touched by Gaudí and flirting with Dr. Seuss. In fact, these fantastical towers were dreamed up by local architect and native son Jeff Shelton. He has a retrospective tome of his architectural feats now out—The Fig District— which we excerpt in “Shelton Style” (page 118).

This CULTURE 2021 issue is focused on all things film, art, food, and architecture. Lucky for us, all of these categories are deeply part of what makes our city so special. It’s this city’s artists and dreamers who make it what it is today: an awardwinning place to live and dream and inspire!

Colette Cosentino

CONTRIBUTORS

JENNIFER FREED

MICHAEL MONTENEGRO

A man of many parts, the filmmaker, community historian, and author shared his “passion and devotion to the rich Chicano history and culture of my beautiful Santa Barbara” in guiding and organizing “Chicana Cultura” (page 90). “It’s an honor to be chosen for this assignment and a memorable cultural experience too.” S.B. MUSTDOS Cruise Cabrillo Boulevard. • Visit the Historical Museum. • Eat at Rose Café on the Mesa.

40 winter2 0 2 1

SAM FROST

A newly minted father of three, always looking to convey something beyond the initial experience, the photographer visited Kyle DeWoody’s ranch for “On Kyle’s Pond” (page 106).

“A native Californian, I was grateful to experience a sliver of the state that was new to me. I spent the day amongst talented artists—of course it was a great day.” S.B. MUST-DOS Santa Barbara Zoo. • Lunch at Brophy Bros. • Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park.

Contributors

L.D. PORTER

“Spending the day at Kyle DeWoody’s ranch was a vacation in itself,” says the longtime Santa Barbara Magazine contributor, who writes about art, architecture, and the fascinating people of Santa Barbara, including in “On Kyle’s Pond” (page 106).

“Spending time with artists is always inspiring; they give us hope.” S.B. MUST-DOS Browsing the inventory at Chaucer’s Books. • Sipping cocktails at Harry’s. • Antiquing in Montecito’s Upper Village.

SARA PRINCE

“I loved, loved, loved shooting the story,” says the family, lifestyle, and brand photographer, of “Chicana Cultura” (page 90). “It was inspiring to meet so many great people, hear their stories, and celebrate the culture that makes Santa Barbara so special. I’m so stoked to call this place home.” S.B. MUST-DOS Concerts at the Lobero Theatre. • Shopping at Domecíl in Victoria Court. • Tide pooling at Campus Point on a minus tide.

ROGER DURLING

“I love Michael Keaton,” says the author and executive director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, who conversed with the actor for “Keaton, Au Courant” (page 82). “Chatting with an old friend who happens to be an ever-evolving renowned artist is a great privilege for me.” S.B. MUST-DOS Sunday brunch at Lucky’s. • Taking my rescue dog for playdates at Dioji. • A romantic dinner at the Stonehouse.

PHOTOGRAPH: PORTER: JAMES WHITE.

“I love to write about the planetary cycles and evoke a sense of wonder about our place in this vast and animated cosmos,” says the author and chief content officer of AHA! (an organization providing socialemotional education for teens and educators), who alerts us to the challenges and opportunities of the coming year in “Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes 2022” (page 134). S.B. MUST-DOS The Mermaid Cottage on Padaro Beach.

• An intimate dinner at Tre Lune. • Swimming at Butterfly Beach, because the sharks are at Santa Claus Beach.

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WE LIVE IN PARADISE

Art - Opener

TRUE COLORS

PHOTOGRAPH: SAM FROST

Local creatives who amaze and inspire us

Zapotec weaver Porfirio Gutiérrez holds hand-dyed yarn skeins at his Ventura studio.

w i n t e r 2 0 2 1 43

ART

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Gutiérrez hangs recently dyed yarn out to dry; preparation of indigo dye; a demonstration in the studio.

Art - Gutierrez

R

ow upon row of large prickly pear cactus paddles hang from a wood frame on the wall of textile artist PORFIRIO GUTIÉRREZ’s studio at the Bell Arts Factory in Ventura.

From these paddles the artist will extract tiny insects—cochineals—to produce the beautiful carmine red dye that enhances his extraordinary weavings. The deep blue hues in his work come from indigo, a plant-based dye that also requires effort to reveal its beauty. In fact, every color he uses has a natural source and a laborious process behind it. It is also a sacred tradition. For Gutiérrez hails from a long line of indigenous Zapotec weavers and textile makers centered in the village of Teotitlán del Valle, near Oaxaca city in Mexico, and he is dedicated to preserving the knowledge of his ancestors.

But he is also an artist, not a copyist, and his interpretation of traditional Zapotec iconography

44 w i n t e r 2 0 2 1

(often referencing intricate patterns adorning the ancient Mesoamerican site of Mitla) is a truly contemporary one. “I wanted to create a language that specifically expresses my understanding as a contemporary indigenous artist, and as a Zapotec Mexican American as well,” he says. “So my work reinterprets the traditional textiles and redefines the techniques of natural dye and the designs as well.”

This includes the form of his signature woven into each of his pieces: It’s a stylized G that turns into a P, with a tail that calls to mind the Zapotec symbol for the cycle of life, a geometric spiral of steps, each representing a stage of life.

Gutiérrez travels widely giving lectures and demonstrations, and recently co-curated the exhibition “Wrapped in Color: Legacies of the Mexican Sarape,” currently on view at the Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He also holds dye workshops at his Ventura studio. PO RF I RI O GU TI E RR E Z .C O M . L.D. PORTER

“My work reinterprets the traditional textiles and redefines the techniques of natural dye and the designs as well.”

Art - Gutierrez

Suspended catcus paddles PHOTOGRAPHS: SAM FROST

contain cochineal insects that are used to produce a red dye.

45

ART

One to Watch: STUDIO The Funk Zone is about to light up: Jeremy Wilson, a marketing and entertainment consultant who recently moved here from New York, had planned on opening an office next to the Brass Bear—but then decided to take it up a notch. The result is STUDIO, a bar, production space and sound room which he says will offer “experiments in liquid, light and sound.” Along with beer, wine, and cocktails, we can expect ever-changing light installations and “a wide-ranging music experience for those who want something outside of the typical club.” 28 Anacapa St., Unit C. @ S TUD I O S O UN D R O O M . ERIK TORKELLS FOR SITELINE

Positive Vibes Season after season, UCSB ARTS & LECTURES provides Santa Barbara with an astounding array of cultural events geared to all ages and tastes.

Programming for the 2021-2022 season, called Creating Hope, is dedicated to experiences that promote emotional well-being and envision positive change.

A few examples of inspiring events you won’t want to miss: Bluegrass wonder Béla Fleck plays the Arlington (Dec. 15); Amanda Nguyen, activist

and CEO of Rise, explains grassroots activism (Jan. 12); Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Andrea Elliott examines homelessness and poverty (Jan. 20); Ballet Hispánico celebrates Latinx cultures through dance (Jan. 21); comedian John Leguizamo tells funny stories (Feb. 2); Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis brings the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (Feb. 4); Kyle Abraham choreographs ballet and hip-hop to R&B legend D’Angelo’s music (Feb. 13); and Bad Feminist author Roxane Gay critiques modern culture (Feb. 25). 805-893-3535.

Art - UCSB

A R TS A N D L E CTU RE S .U CS B .E D U .

L.D.P.

Ballet Hispánico.

ABOVE:

Jeremy Wilson and

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PHOTOGRAPH: BALLET: PAULA LOBO

STUDIO.

Helene Aumont

ART

Artist Demi Boelsterli (bottom left) and a selection of her “multitextural” paintings.

One to Watch: Demi Boelsterli Outsiders could call DEMI BOELSTERLI’s artwork explosive, the handiwork of fast-paced creativity.

The artist herself calls it colorful and multitextural—it guides viewers toward a feeling but not without a struggle; it erupts from urgency but not without accomplishing a goal. All of that comes through in “Let Me Show You,” Boelsterli’s solo exhibition of 70 pieces at Shit Art Club in Los Angeles. Through December 11, “there’s an explosion of Demi in that room!” she laughs. Closer to home, the Santa Barbara native sells pieces at Dune Coffee Roasters in Goleta.

It’s not uncommon for Boelsterli, 30, to work on multiple pieces at once, riffing between canvases, maybe ditching the paintbrush to splash and smear by hand—an improvisational knack likely absorbed from surfing, as both a competitive professional and a kindly instructor. At its most sublime, surfing doesn’t involve thinking so much as feeling and doing.

Over the past five years, she

48 w i n t e r 2 0 2 1

says, “I’ve transitioned away from being strictly an athlete. Art is more sustainable, too. Do I want to bake in the sun for several hours giving surf lessons or pick up a paintbrush?” She also illustrates, makes zines, writes poetry, designs clothes, and sings and plays guitar in a band called the Chores.

Creativity is in her blood. She credits her big sister with getting her into photography, and her grandmother sold paintings and sculptures along the waterfront on Sundays. “When we were kids, she’d make us Top Ramen and let us play with clay for hours.”

“Growing up, I really didn’t have anybody telling me what to do,” Boelstelri adds. “So I just surfed and made art.”

It shows. D E M I BO E L S TE RL I .C O M . KEITH HAMM

PHOTOGRAPHS: MILES HAGIN

Art - Demi

ACLA Fine Art

READ CALIFORNIA ELEGANCE: PORTRAITS FROM THE FINAL FRONTIER (Mondadori, available at Chaucer’s Books) profiles people who have shaped the destiny of the Golden State, including scientists, politicians, designers, firefighters, and, appropriately, treasured local denizen Mahri Kerley, who has elegantly helmed the venerable Chaucer’s Books since 1974.

Artist Symeon Shimin (1902-1984)—whose work includes an important mural at Washington’s Department of Justice building and the movie poster for Gone With the Wind—is being rediscovered thanks to THE ART OF SYMEON SHIMIN (Mercury Press International, available at Tecolote Book Shop). The book is edited by his daughter, UC Santa Barbara dance professor emerita Tonia Shimin, with essays by local arts writers Charles Donelan and Josef Woodard.

BOOK CLUB

Art - Books

For a taste of eye candy, pick up MICHAEL HABER: THE ELEMENTS (Art/Society Publishing, available at Field + Fort), a large-format tome featuring a curated collection of images snapped by the talented local lensman during the course of his awardwinning career producing stunning commercial campaigns for the likes of The Gap, Old Navy, and Tommy Bahama. Don’t miss the author’s book signing on December 11, 3-6 p.m., at Summerland’s Field + Fort.

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Architecture buffs will be thrilled to know that SANTA BARBARA ARCHITECTURE— FROM SPANISH COLONIAL TO MODERN (Tailwater Press, available at tailwaterpress.com) is back in print.

The latest update of this comprehensive compendium—which was first published in 1975—includes a foreword by local architect Marc Appleton and images by local photographer Wayne McCall. L.D.P.

PHOTOGRAPHS: CALIFORNIA ELEGANCE: FREDERIC ARANDA; MICHAEL HABER: MICHAEL HABER.

IF YOU LIVED HERE YOU’D BE FAMOUS BY NOW: TRUE STORIES FROM CALABASAS (Flatiron Books, available at Chaucer’s Books) is an insightful (and often witty) firsthand account

by UC Santa Barbara student Via Bleidner detailing her experiences attending high school in the land where McMansions and Kardashians are the norm.

Cyntia James Fine Art

DNA, 36”h x 24”w, oil on panel

Cynthia James CONTEMPORARY BOTANICAL ART 805-698-8790

cjamesfineart.com

cinziajames@gmail.com

cinzia_ james

STYLE

Style - Gray Dream Weaver WHAT “From sunrise to the tiny hours of the night, I am in my studio sewing. Mostly, I am alone, channeling all of these complicated emotions I have experienced into something beautiful and tangible. Sewing is a way for me to heal, a way for me to express myself, but most importantly, a way to show the world that fashion can be used as a compelling medium to express awareness and feelings.

Even if the feelings are difficult to face, I want to present a story of life between every stitch.”

Gray in his downtown studio.

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PHOTOGRAPH: SARA PRINCE

WHO Nathaniel Gray, designer and dressmaker.

True to our communities, always! million

hours

million

million

Donated Annually

Volunteered Annually

Small Business Loans

PPP Funding

(2020–2021)

ta

Sa

a Barbara Sant < Newsh-Prraensss o n @

Bar

bara Ne

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Montecito Bank & Trust

Santa Barbara News-Press READERS’ CHOICE★2019

WINNER

22 Best Bank Awards in 9 Years 2021 Best Mortgage Company - Santa Barbara Independent 2021 #1 Bank to Work For - Pacific Coast Business Times

montecito.bank • (805) 963-7511 *Montecito Bank & Trust donates an average of $1.5 million to, and volunteers in excess of 4,500 hours with, local nonprofits annually.

STYLE WEAR “In a world of fast, shabby fashion, my goal is to bring back timeless traditions of dressmaking. Each dress, no matter the complexities, is sewn with the utmost care and attention to detail, from the finest fabrics collected around the world. I design lavish dresses for every occasion, including weddings. Every design is one of a kind and sewn to precise measurements—truly unique, just like my clients.”

MASTER CLASS “I never see myself fitting into the standards of modern fashion. I design dresses out of pure love for craftsmanship, holding fast to strict standards of precision. I want everyone who wears my designs to feel powerful and sophisticated, as if they have stepped into my imagination, where everything is vibrant and decadent but also sharp and poisonous.”

Gray sews every design by hand; a draped one-of-kind dress (price upon request); Gray sources vintage and remnant fabrics from all over the world; a muslin takes shape.

Style - Gray

S.B. DOS “I work seven days a week, so my time is spent sewing, but in the evenings and late at night, I find myself wandering around the city or casually strolling the beaches. It always feels mysterious and a bit dangerous, but once the fear passes, our beautiful city glows brilliantly and radiates an addictive force that fuels my creativity. Mostly, at night, you can catch me on the wet steps of Thousand Steps Beach, watching the tide roll in.”

EXPRESS YOURSELF “In my opinion, style should be a reflection of your inner self. I love bold colors exploding out from a piece that seems restrictive. In my work, we build dresses for everyone regardless of gender.

Dresses are powerful and command the attention of others as they enter the room.

Some of my favorite dresses were designed for men. I believe, no matter who you are or your beliefs, dress in a fashion that makes you feel powerful. Life is too damn short not to.” GINA TOLLESON

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“I am made of boundless emotions, relentless dreams, and a profound wonder for life. A beautiful madness of sorts. And within all of this, I am completely free to express myself as a designer and dressmaker.”

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE

LOOK FOR Looks each month to be displayed on @nathaniel_gray_couture and nathanielgraycouture.com. Gray will also be creating designs in collaborative partnerships with artists all over the world.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:

PHOTO: STUDIO ARNA

Whistle Club

NO.6 CHRISTIAN WIJNANTS RACHEL COMEY REJINA PYO LAUREN MANOOGIAN LIZZIE FORTUNATO PROENZA SCHOULER TIBI DEMYLEE COMMON PROJECTS RE/DONE

1235 COAST VILLAGE ROAD MONTECITO, CA

805.565.2800 • www.whistleclub.com • @whistleclub

STYLE Let’s SK8!

Designer and Carpinteria native HEIDI MERRICK released a capsule collection with 100 percent of the proceeds going to help fund the Carpinteria Skate Park.

Local surf celebs such as Conner Coffin, Lakey Peterson, and Peggy Oki took to Instagram to champion the stoke of skateboarding for the community’s youth and encourage donations to get the site completed this winter and wheels rolling by April 2022. Visit H EID IM E R RI C K .C O M to shop the collection and @ CA R P_ S K ATE PA R K for updates. G.T.

Style - Merrick

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If the phrase “Ping-Pong paella party” somehow isn’t compelling enough, consider that the ticket price for the FRIENDS OF LUM ART MAGAZINE party and table-tennis tournament on Dec. 4 doesn’t just cover lunch and open wine and craft-beer bars—it also supports Lum’s independent, nonprofit Central Coast arts journalism. From $100. W W W.L U M A RTZ I N E .C O M / PI N G PO N G . JEFF ANDERSON

PHOTOGRAPHS: PARTY: INGRID BOSTROM.

Don’t Miss

GO WITH GOLDBERG Over $900,000,000 in Career Sales Top 10 Agents in Santa Barbara since 2000* Real Estate Broker for 27 years Attorney for 30 years (non-practicing)

NEW LISTINGS

Gary@coastalrealty.com www.garygoldberg.net DRE #01172139

Coastal Properties - Goldberg

1921 El Camino De La Luz | $2,950,000

180 Hermosillo Rd | $2,895,000

1263 Dover Lane | $2,795,000

4399 La Paloma | $1,875,000

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? CALL ME TODAY (805) 455-8910

*Based on Individual Rankings from Santa Barbara Board of Realtors

STYLE

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Designer Beau Lawrence in his State Street store; Italian denim details; artist Wallace Piatt; Diadora footwear.

Style - Rivington

Beyond Denim Beau Lawrence has been personally outfitting Santa Barbara creatives, chefs, athletes, and more in his sustainable Ace Rivington tailored denim since 2013. He launched his line that fall—with an offering of French terry sweatshirts—after years of experience at Guess and Union Bay, and as vice president of design and merchandising for Neff Headwear. Outspoken activism and rigorous fundraising efforts to support community organizations and initiatives have gone hand in hand with the growth of the brand since its inception. In addition to the core collection of men’s and women’s jeans, designed in Santa Barbara and made from premium Candiani Italian denim, the State Street store offers ultrasoft tees ($10 of the sale of each of

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the popular Monster Tour Tees supports local bars and restaurants through a tip fund), loungewear, flannels, accessories, and—most recently—Diadora Heritage Collection shoes. To celebrate the launch of the footwear collection, the brands have teamed up to produce DIADORA + AR HOMEGROWN, a series of short films featuring local residents like artist Wallace Piatt, Santa Barbara International Film Festival executive director Roger Durling, and restaurateur Alejandro Medina, to highlight homegrown talent and the creative drive of Santa Barbara influencers beyond the digital world. 1106A State St. A C E RI V I N GTO N .C O M .

CHARLOTTE BRYANT

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics: Compassionate Care for Your Whole Family

“

As artists, the Neighborhood Clinics have made it possible to raise a family during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Our second child was born just months into the COVID crisis and having access to affordable health care was a huge weight off our shoulders as new parents. We’ll forever be grateful for the services they provide for low income families!

—Andrew, Caro, Miles and Max Leonard

844-594-0343 • www.sbclinics.org

@ sant ab arb aram ag

TASTE

Taste - Izakaya

Full Moon Magic Global flavors bring

Nestled behind Magic Hour in Ojai, IZAKAYA FULL MOON is a true hidden gem, with the loyal following to prove it. Housed in the space formerly occupied by Hip Vegan, the small-plate concept opened just over a year ago with a robust offering of bento boxes for takeout. After initial worry that guests might struggle to find the restaurant, owners

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A bowl of uni maze-soba includes creamy urchin over cold ramen noodles.

PHOTOGRAPH: SARA PRINCE

the world to Santa Barbara

SBIFF

ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT

TASTE

Asaka and Yuya Ueno were overwhelmed by the positive response. Fast-forward to this winter, and five cozy patio tables are now available by reservation only; the seven-seat sushi bar—amid a a mixed collection of tokkuri (ceramic sake bottles) and ochoko (cups) and a wash of blue tile from Heath Ceramics—is for lucky walk-ins. Beautiful chopsticks handmade in Fukuoka, Japan, from a soot-colored susudake (smoked bamboo) by Asaka’s father are available for purchase.

After meeting in college, the Uenos dreamed for over a decade of opening an authentic izakaya (they also own a ramen outpost in Camarillo). They were immediately attracted by the energy of Ojai.

The name Full Moon is a dedication to the city (the “Valley of the Moon”) and to the youngest of their

Taste - Izakaya

CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: Yuya Ueno by the seven-seat sushi bar; a print by artist Cole Sternberg; A5 Wagyu nigiri sushi topped with uni.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE

After meeting in college, the Uenos dreamed for over a decade of opening an authentic izakaya.

Gratitude Ramsey Asphalt — M E L O D Y

B E A T T I E

R A M S E YA S P H A LT. C O M

TASTE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Suigei Tokubetsu Junmai sake; corn kaki-age, goma kampachi, and snow crab with urchin and roe; ceramic tokkuri and ochoko.

three children, Yuzuki—whose name includes the Japanese word for “moon.” Both Yuya and Asaka bring elements of their respective hometown to the menu: the corn kaki-age (an addictive corn tempura) Yuya learned to make at home, and Asaka’s goma kampachi (amberjack sashimi marinated in soy sauce with sesame). Even the soy sauce is a regional version, from Asaka’s hometown on Kyushu, with slightly sweeter notes.

Don’t miss the creamy uni maze-soba or a decadent special-menu bite of nigiri topped with A5 Wagyu beef from Miyazaki and Santa Barbara uni.

928 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. F U L LM O O N O J AI. C O M . C.B.

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Even the soy sauce is a regional version, from Asaka’s hometown on Kyushu, with slightly sweeter notes.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE

Taste - Izakaya

We’re all in this together.

For 130 years, residents of California’s Central Coast have relied on Cottage Health for excellent health care.

To sustain the strength of Cottage Health, consider donating to a charitable gift annuity and receive payments for life at fixed rates.

Following your lifetime, the balance of your charitable gift annuity contract will come to one of Cottage Health’s hospitals as philanthropic support and continue Cottage Health’s legacy of excellence, integrity, and compassion.

Cottage Health

Your support may benefit important programs, or wherever the need is greatest, in one of Cottage Health’s hospitals: • Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital • Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital • Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital • Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital For a complimentary, personalized illustration of how your gift annuity might work, call or email Cottage’s Office of Planned Giving at (805) 879-8987, or email Carla Long at clong@sbch.org.

GUARANTEED CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY RATES

Based on a one life beneficiary with a gift of $10,000 or more AGE / PERCENTAGE RATE

65

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80

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90+

6.5

7.6

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TASTE

Taste - Bibi CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Owner Alejandro Medina; turmeric rice; murgh tikka; halibut moilee; a spiced ice cream; kulcha stuffed with panir, onion, and chili; farmers market salad.

Recently recognized by the Michelin Guide, BIBI JI has been a downtown destination since 2018 for favorites like the murgh tikka and uni biryani.

The latest additions to the menu, by executive chef Kiran Bheemarao, introduce more tandoor items—the malai kebab, panir tikka, and stuffed naan called kulcha are must-trys—along with an array of classic southern Indian street foods. Among the latter are Mysore bonda, which are potato-and-pea fritters served with an okra raita, and papri chaat, a salad with house-made crackers, chickpeas, yogurt, chutney, herbs, and a medley of other textures and flavors. The extensive list of low-intervention wines is updated weekly. Owner Alejandro Medina

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explains, “Low-intervention wine is not just about farming practices but also wines made without the use of additives or manipulation in the cellar.

We strive to educate people to think about where and how their wine is made in the same way they consider food. The beautiful local organic produce and seafood of Santa Barbara deserve to be enjoyed with wines of purpose.” Tables in the pastel-pink dining room and on the lively patios—with a progressive playlist and the smell of signature spices (roasted in-house) in the air—are just as likely to host Gen Z TikTokkers and Los Angeles weekenders as mainstay Montecito residents and celebrities. 734 State St. B I BI J I S B.C O M . C.B.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE

State Street Spice

Dine under a canopy of sky on the ocean-facing terrace. Settle in and savor the authentic taste of coastal California.

Belmond El Encanto

EL ENCANTO, A BELMOND HOTEL | 800 ALVARADO PLACE, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93103 805 770 3530 | BELMOND.COM/ELENCANTO

TASTE Indo Times Two The menu at the seminally hip State Street Indonesian outpost SAMA SAMA blends striking Southeast Asian flavors with local ingredients sourced from purveyors like Earthtrine Farm, Norma’s Sprouts, Milliken Family Farms, Roots Farm, SB Organics, and more. Now in their eighth year of business, co-founders Ryan Simorangkir and chef Tyler Peek are still keeping things fresh.

General manager and bar director Christian Krueger has created a slew of seasonal cocktails, including the hot-pink Staycation (a daiquiriesque drink featuring prickly pear), the mezcallaced Joselito (named for Oaxacan boxer Joselito Velázquez), and the Tiki Tomcat (with a honeyinfused barrel-aged gin). All pair perfectly with dishes like the impressive flash-fried branzino, served over coconut curry sambal, and the panseared Spanish octopus with crispy potatoes, rendang rémoulade, and chili oil; plus menu staples like the fan-favorite crispy rice salad with a perfect fried egg, Signature Wings, and mie goreng—a stirfried noodle dish. The charming back patio is also a perfect option for private events. 1208 State St.

Taste - Sama

S A M A S A M A K I TCH E N .C O M .

C.B.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pan-seared octopus, fried branzino, and crispy rice salad; a Staycation cocktail; co-founders Tyler Peek

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE

and Ryan Simorangkir.

Renaissance Fine Consignment

TASTE

Get the Scoop Rolling in Dough Scratch-made Hokkaido brioche donuts from KIN BAKESHOP (formerly MŌR) will soon be available at a permanent location. Until then, three flavors are announced weekly via Instagram and available for pickup—limit two per customer—at Your Choice Restaurant on Saturdays. But get there early; they’re guaranteed to go fast. K IN B AK E. C O M . C.B.

Handmade and packed with creative flavors—offerings include inventive options like mint basil chocolate chip, Thai tea Oreo, and Vietnamese coffee mud pie—CREAMINAL combines classic scoops with a Thai twist. The menu is updated weekly and available for pickup by the pint at Your Choice Restaurant and served up in indulgent specialty sundaes at Ice Cream Social events. For the month of December, $2 from every pint and sundae sold will be donated to pancreatic-cancer research. 3404 State St.

Taste - Doughnuts CR E A M I N A L I C E CR E A M .CO M .

C.B.

Thai tea Oreo on tap; smooth flavors on board at Your Choice Restaurant.

FROM TOP: Mango coconut sticky rice brioche donut; a variety of mochi donuts such as strawberry peppercorn, double sesame, and maple bacon.

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Ysidro is available at Bettina and Merci at the Montecito Country Mart, as well as a subscription delivery online.

HolidayTaste Must-Have Montecito locals Alex Dessouky and Seth Epstein are making a play to bring relaxation back to midday with their new YSIDRO grapefruit sake spritz, which is light and refreshing enough for a lunch break but sophisticated enough to slow down and savor. DRINKYS IDRO.C O M . J.A.

Having a best friend in the kitchen.

That’s the Power of WE.

- Sake / Maravilla

Imagine your life having a complete support system.

It’s like an extended family working together, supporting you, raising your spirits and making life easier. Every day. Your meals, your chores, even a hobby or two, all looked after and taken care of. Smiles at every turn, a chef who knows just how you like your favorite meal.

A life thriving through connection.

That’s senior living at Maravilla.

Call 805.576.7407 to schedule a personalized tour.

CARF-ACCREDITED CASITAS • SENIOR RESIDENCES INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

5486 Calle Real • Santa Barbara MaravillaSeniorLiving.com • 805.576.7407 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

RCFE# 425801937

GET AWAY

Travel - Mustique

Marvelous Mustique Where to stay and play With its glistening beaches and exclusive party atmosphere, the private Caribbean island of Mustique, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has been beloved by royals and rock stars alike since it was developed in the 1960s. Of course, the rest of us are welcome, too.

There are 80 villas here, designed in styles that range from contemporary to colonial Caribbean and accommodating a couple or a crowd. They generally include private pools as well as attentive

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The infinity pool leads to a Caribbean view at Hummingbird, one of Mustique’s luxe villas.

Cassandria Blackmore

GET AWAY

staff members like private chefs, housekeepers, and butlers.

For a hotel experience there’s the fabled COTTON HOUSE, originally a cotton warehouse and now a chic boutique hostelry set on 13 acres of lush gardens close to Endeavour Bay. The 17 elegantly appointed suites, villas, and cottages are furnished with tropical flair and an appreciation for privacy and comfort. With a swimming pool, spa, and gym, there’s ample space for relaxation, but the heart of the Cotton House is the Great Room Bar, a gathering place for cocktails and conversation decorated with exuberance by theatrical designer Oliver Messel, who left his mark on several of the island’s villas as well.

Eventually everyone finds their way to BASIL’S BAR, the legendary watering spot on Britannia Bay. Opened in 1968 and relaunched in 2019 after a two-year renovation by Philippe Starck, it’s a frequent venue for memorable music.

This winter it once again hosts the Mustique Blues Festival, from January 26 to February 9. The performances by big-name artists go beyond great entertainment: Proceeds from the festival go to the Basil Charles Educational Foundation. Information at M U S TI Q U E - I S L A N D .CO M . J.T.

Travel - Mustique

FROM TOP: The 13 acres of COTTON HOUSE take in a pristine beach, superior accomodations, and quaint cottages; Basil Charles presides at his eponymous bar.

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Join Team Sansum Clinic

Sansum Clinic Sansum Clinic, the region’s premier healthcare provider, has many different opportunities open for a rewarding career for you. Come and feel what it is like to be part of helping your community members live their healthiest lives!

You

• Looking for a challenge • Ready to take the next step in your career • Want to help people live their healthiest lives

Us

• Rewarding work • Great pay and benefits • Opportunities for advancement • Opportunities for training • Multiple locations

WE’RE HIRING FOR MANY OPEN CLINICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

email:

careers@sansumclinic.org visit:

careers.sansumclinic.org

GET AWAY

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The camps and lodges showcased in Safari Style range from Botswana to South Africa to Tanzania.

Into the Wild Combining chic with unique, Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley and photographer Guido Taroni temptingly spotlight 21 classic African camps and reinvented lodges in SAFARI STYLE: EXCEPTIONAL AFRICAN CAMPS AND LODGES (Vendome Press, $75). Says Bradley, “From feats of eco-architecture to incredible tented camps that showcase exceptional expressions of new African style, not only does each of the lodges deliver an unforgettable safari and aesthetic experience, each property also represents the positive power of safari tourism to preserve wildlife, wild places, and empower communities.” Available through Chaucer’s Books and Tecolote Book Shop. J.T.

Travel - Four Seasons Well, Well!

Tropical greenery surrounds the hotel’s alfresco dining area.

With its recently inaugurated Wellness Floor, the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills brings its philosophy of wellness into the hospitality experience. Fourteen rooms and suites have been specially designed with a light, airy decor as well as the addition of a Rabbit air-purification system, energizing lights, hypoallergenic wood floors—even guided meditations by Deepak Chopra. There are also greatly appreciated touches like a yoga mat and well-curated accessories in the rooms.

Conveniently nearby on the Wellness Floor is the spa, with its extensive menu of massages, body treatments, and facials. The signature Surrender Massage (50/80 minutes; $210/$280) uses subtle techniques and crystal-infused oils to release the physical knots and tensions caused by the stresses of urban life, easing guests into a state of bliss.

F O U RS E A S O N S .C O M / L O S A N G E L E S .

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J.T.

“American Riviera understands our structure and our needs. They help us to help others.” – ROSA PAREDES

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American Riviera Bank Tino Muñoz Thirty one years of banking on the Central Coast

This is True Community Banking Sister Arthur and Rosa Paredes of St. Vincent’s Institution with Tino Muñoz, Portfolio Manager

Combining our expertise with yours to find solutions for your unique needs.

Visit us at AmericanRiviera.Bank • 805.965.5942

GET AWAY Heading North

Travel - Head South

PHOTOGRAPHS: JONNY VALIANT.

For a quick change of coastal scenery, cozy CAMBRIA is a convenient couple of hours away.

Heading South

PHOTOGRAPHS: LOBBY: TIM STREET-PORTER; BEDROOM AND EXTERIORS: JAIME KOWAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

LAGUNA BEACH combines SoCal coves and beaches with a vibrant arts-colony heritage.

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STAY: WHITE WATER (shown), a 25-room lodge designed by Los Angeles–based Nina Freudenberger with a refreshing Californian/ Scandinavian vibe, looks out to the boardwalk along Moonstone Beach. Rooms and suites offer fireplaces and sea views. From $329/night.

Here to help with what matters most to you The JJD Group Steve Hepp, CIMA® Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Manager 805.963.6362 stephen_hepp@ml.com

WHITEWATERCAM B R IA. C O M

SHOP: Stock up on vintage wares in the antique shops and boutiques of Cambria’s walkable center. SEA + GREEN, for one, offers natureand sea-inspired home goods and accessories.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 1424 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 fa.ml.com/jjdgroup

S EA- N- GREEN .CO M .

PLAY: Hike the trails that crisscross the dramatic bluffs of FISCALINI RANCH PRESERVE, with its views of sea life offshore and birds soaring overhead. FIS C AL IN IR AN C H P R E SER VE . O R G .

DINE: Global cuisine is on the menu at ROBIN’S, where locals enjoy a garden setting that also features music throughout the year.

The ocean’s delicacies abound at the SEA CHEST, but be forewarned: There are no reservations and no credit cards accepted.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

CIMA® is a registered service mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association dba Investments & Wealth Institute. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

MAP3413078 | AD-05-21-0397 | 470944PM-0221 | 05/2021

Travel - Head South / ML / Paradise ROBINS RES TAURAN T. C O M . SE AC H EST O Y ST ER B AR . C O M .

J.T.

STAY: The Spanish Colonial buildings of Merrill Lynch - JJD Group.indd the maze-like 23-room CASA LAGUNA HOTEL & SPA (shown) were renovated and redesigned by Martyn Lawrence Bullard to preserve their eclectic architecture and turn the property into a stylish, comfortable inn. From $329/night. CASAL AG U N A. C O M .

SHOP: Casually elegant clothes and accessories suited to the beachfront lifestyle are on offer at SIMPLE LAGUNA. SIM P L ELAG U N A. C O M .

PLAY: Artists have clustered in Laguna Beach since the early 20th century. Today the FIRST THURSDAYS ART WALK offers a way to sample what’s on display at the city’s 100-plus galleries and artist studios, and the LAGUNA ART MUSEUM has a noted permanent collection. LAG U N AAR T M U SE U M . O R G .

DINE: NICK’S LAGUNA BEACH is a local institution, featuring seafood and a killer prime rib sandwich. LA SIRENA GRILL serves up delicious organic Mexican fare and sustainable ideals. NICKS R ESTAU R AN T S . C O M . LASIR EN AG R ILL. C O M .

J.T.

‘Tis 1

10/26

the

season to be

Can you give us a helping hand?

The Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to unwanted and displaced companion parrots.

giving

2430 Lillie Ave Summerland, CA 90367

Please donate through sbbird.org PO Box 454 Santa Barbara CA, 93067

or Call 805-969-1944

One credit card.

Zero footprint.

ASPIRATION.COM/ZERO

Aspiration

The Aspiration Zero Mastercard® is issued by Beneficial State Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Beneficial State Bank, Member FDIC © 2021.

The CULTURE Issue Well Opener

Keaton, Au Courant The star and executive producer of dope sick shares some thoughts on impactful movies, Santa Barbara, and the importance of the arts

Feature - Keaton

INTERVIEW BY ROGER DURLING PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEWEY NICKS

Feature - Keaton

MICHAEL KEATON

catches the morning light at The Nugget, Summerland. Grooming by Marissa Machado/ Art Department LA.

Keaton discovered Santa Barbara in the late ’70s by driving up with some pals and sleeping on the beach. Now he enjoys the easiness of strolling the Summerland streets.1969 Barracuda convertible courtesy of Jill Johnson/Loveworn.

Feature - Keaton

“I’m extremely fortunate, honestly, to have a job that I really like, that might possibly have an impact on people.”

I

n 2001 I owned a coffee shop in Summerland, California, and Michael Keaton would frequent it. When he first introduced himself to me, wearing a baseball cap, he simply said his name was Michael. But that voice I’d heard in Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice was easily recognized, and the lips that were accentuated by the mask he wore for his iconic take on Batman instantly gave him away. We struck up a friendship based on our curiosity for movies, and we would have conversations about up-and-coming Mexican filmmakers like Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Little did we know that he would go on to star in the latter’s Birdman or that the film would mark one of the greatest comebacks in Hollywood history. For two decades Keaton and I have kept in touch. He’s continued to ride this new rewarding artistic phase of his career with challenging work, including starring in and executive producing a Hulu series called Dopesick, which may be his finest performance to date. He’s one of the best actors working today.

Recently, we sat down to converse once again, over lunch at the El Encanto hotel.

distinct possibility. But what I learned from the research during that movie helped enormously.

Why don’t you like seeing yourself in movies?

I don’t know. I’m self-critical, and I’m not really that interested. I want to move on to the next thing.

Is there one movie that you’re particularly proud of?

Well, because Birdman and Beetlejuice are so truly original—and I don’t throw the word “art” around a lot—I’m proud of those two for sure. I always like to give art people—actors, directors, writers, painters, anybody in the art world—a ton of points for courage, for risking, for being willing to fail and fall. I would, off the top of my head, say those two for those reasons. Multiplicity is really underrated because of the degree of difficulty. I’m sure there are others. But to make Multiplicity now would be technologically much easier. It was so much fun to try to figure out and do.

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Dopesick is an amazing series.

I just watched myself, and this is the first thing I’ve watched of mine in many years; I don’t like to watch myself. I lost a nephew to fentanyl and heroin. So I wanted to watch to make sure we did it right.

I don’t remember a TV series with so many flashbacks. Did you shoot it chronologically?

I was already committed to doing another film in the UK, and I had to be there by a certain time.

And I was in a crunch in terms of when I could do Dopesick. Therefore there was almost no shooting in any chronological time for me. At some point I just gave in to the thing.

Did the things that you learned from shooting Clean and Sober help you with this?

It was a huge advantage. And then I thought to myself, Wait, am I just being lazy? And that’s a

After Birdman, you went on to do Spotlight, The Founder, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Worth, and now Dopesick. And they’re all questioning and talking about American issues, social-justice issues. Is that a conscious thing?

I grew up in a house where my parents would discuss things. Sometimes not even on an intellectual level. There was just discussion. My dad was involved in local politics. I was excited when I became 18 because that was the first year I could vote. That was huge. So it’s always been there, and I’m always watching news and reading newspapers, and I stayed conscious. There were years where I was less involved, but I’m probably more a product of my generation than anything else.

Being in a movie like Spotlight, you put a face to abuse by priests.

I was also an altar boy and a devout Catholic for a long time.

And by being in Dopesick, you put a face to addiction, to OxyContin.

Yep. And Clean and Sober.

And shedding light on 9/11 in Worth.

And what I did in My Life, I always thought it

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“I always like to give art people— actors, directors, writers, painters, anybody in the art world—a ton of points for courage, for risking, for being willing to fail and fall.”

Jacket courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli, Rosewood Miramar.

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Feature - Keaton

“Have I turned up the volume a little? Yeah, for sure. And I think some of it is because I like it more than I have for a long time.” pretty good. It may not be brilliant, but if this all falls apart tomorrow and I don’t ever get hired again, I’ll have something in the world that may help somebody. I’m extremely fortunate, honestly, to have a job that I really like, that might possibly have an impact on people.

This career renaissance that you’re in right now, how do you feel about it?

It’s fun! And I do get how it’s called a renaissance.

And I honestly did get how people referred to Birdman as a comeback. I’m OK with it. To me, it’s just me going to work. I’m just doing what I’ve really always done. Have I turned up the volume a little? Yeah, for sure. And I think some of it is because I like it more than I have for a long time.

continue to keep it going. When I first came here, I didn’t have any money. I may have had $280 when I came to California. So my brother loaned me some money, and I bought a car for $700 and came up here. I thought, What a beautiful place. And I remember the light, and I went, Wow, this light is really special. And I thought if ever I could afford a second place, maybe this would be a fun place. I’ve had a few places here and there and kind of kept it under the radar.

What does Santa Barbara represent to you? In your interviews you mention Montana and keep Santa Barbara out. Is it intentional?

I’m a California fan, actually. First of all, physically, it’s really pleasant here in Santa Barbara, and it’s a great place to just get out for a minute. I love the beach in the winter, and there’s not many people around on the beach in the winter. I love that this morning the fog was so stunningly beautiful. The changes in the climate are great. And then once I could move my horses here, it became even better.

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You were always popular, and people adore your doing blockbusters and popular comedies, but after Birdman, now you’re like an American Laurence Olivier.

Hold on now.

You’re like this very serious actor.

That’s nice, and I think at some point, if I step back and look at things, I wouldn’t be shocked if people say, “Hey, Mike, thank you, and with all due respect, you’re a serious dude. Now do us a favor, lighten the fuck up for a while.”

I don’t think you’re going to have that problem.

Well, it’s just so much fun to do comedy. I miss it so much. And when I work on it, I’m really, really diligent about it. I admire it so much when I see it done well.

When did you first come to Santa Barbara?

The very first time I came to Santa Barbara was in the late ’70s. Me and a couple of pals drove my ’63 VW Bug up here, and we slept on the beach. It was cool. And remember how horsey it was then? But horsey in the coolest way. There would be horses walking along the streets, right through town.

Even 20 years ago when I met you.

One of the most impressive things I find up here is the Montecito trail system. I’m amazed that they

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And people leave you alone.

Yeah, the people are totally cool. But since I’ve been small, I’ve always been very aware and sensitive to my physical surroundings—like scale and light and space. I think there’s just a ton of really interesting people here: T.C. Boyle and others.

You know what I find as I get older? I get more excited about true creativity or art. Thomas McGuane is a good friend of mine. I was just reading one of his pieces in The New Yorker. I read it, and I went, Man, there’s a couple of phrases.…

Like when you read something great, you have to set the book down and go, I just have to think about what I just read. Or when you see a true painter or an original painting. Don’t you find that the longer you live, you actually get more excited about that?

And I don’t know if that’s a question of me going, I don’t have that much time, I’ve got to savor all of this.

I don’t know what it is, but I get excited about anything creative or artistic or anything having to do with art. It’s thinking, Am I ever going to really get them? To really get it?

Keaton keeps under the radar locally— enjoying foggy beaches in the winter and time with his horses.

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Polaroid by Dewey Nicks; “Chicana Cultura de Santa Barbara,” an art collage by Michael Montenegro. “This collage is to pay homage to the women who make herstory and make our town beautiful.

I wouldn’t be the man I am today without all the women who shared kindness and inspire me to keep going.”

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An urban tour of the Eastside and Milpas corridor— taste, see, and learn what makes this side of the neighborhood and its people so special

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B Y M IC H A E L MONTENEGRO P H O TO G R A P H

S BY SARA PR IN C E

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CRUISING

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eorge Trujillo’s family business—his barber shop—was established in 1929. It’s like going

down memory lane, with the original vintage barber sign and black-and-white checkered floor.

Brothers Efrem Reynozo (in the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible in Inca Silver) and Rene Perez

(in the 1958 Chevrolet Impala in Blue Magic) cruise the backside of Ortega Park. If you are lucky, you

could soon take a tour of the American Riviera in style too—Reynozo will be launching a vintage-car tour service in 2022.

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TASTE CALLE MILPAS

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he iconic La Super-Rica Taqueria that Julia Child called one of her favorites. Owner Isidoro

Gonzalez’s tacos and tamales still draw crowds lining up around the block, and he only takes cash. Do as locals do to get the morning started with pan dulce or a breakfast burrito at La

Tapatia Bakery. Craving seafood and Mexican food? Look no further than Cesar’s Place; the michelada is a must-try too.

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FIESTA

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t’s not a party without a piñata. The tradition has Mesoamerican Native roots and has been practiced in our community for over a century. Find these colorful favors—which were originally made

of clay—at local stores or visit Chapala Market (shown here), one of the best-stocked and most-

frequented tiendas on Milpas.

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rtega Park is the heart of Santa Barbara. The vibrant murals tell the stories that represent

our diverse community. If only this piece of land could talk—its memories would span from

being a salt marsh to a town dump to the creation of the historic park in the 1920s. Decades of

celebrations have taken place here, like Cinco de Mayo festivals with lowriders, quinceañeras, and block parties. It’s the people—the children, parents, and elders from the neighborhood over the generations— that make the park special. Ortega Park was intersectional because of the multiculturalism of African,

Italian, and Irish people, alongside those of Mexican heritage. Generations migrated here to pursue the American dream for a better future for their children.

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Cyclist and trick rider Adrian Isais, aka Raze Up, says, “Cycling was a positive outlet for me to get out of trouble, and it makes me happy to be a positive influence/role model to youth and to see that I’m not the only one doing wheelies too.” Isais organizes local youth and community rides, encouraging connection 22 w i n tand e r exercising 2 0 2 1 outside.

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uperior Brake and Alignment owner Bob Seagoe services classic cars and gives back to local

youth by offering mechanics apprenticeships, since many of these technical classes have been

cut from local high school budgets; El Potrillo Western Wear carries Mexico’s finest boots and

clothing and offers discounts for local charity and school fundraisers; Bobby Bisquera, aka Mexipino, in his 1961 Chevy Impala convertible; Efrem Reynozo; crafts from Mujeres Market; Danny Trejo, president of Nite Life, the longest running automobile/lowrider car club in Santa Barbara.

The Tacos Pipeye food truck can be found on the corner of Milpas and Cota Street from 7 p.m. till midnight, or until they sell out.

Think of locals dancing to cumbia and decompressing to Mexican ranchera music.

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NIGHT LIFE

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a Pachanga Night Club unfortunately is not active anymore, but it once was the place to be: It

was loud and carnival-like and felt like a hometown dive bar or cantina that would encapsulate

you somewhere in the Southwest or Mexico. It was a place where English was spoken as a second

language, with a Latin accent.

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LOWRIDERS AND LEGENDS

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op row, left to right: Raze Up hits the streets; Ruben Perez in a 1957 Chevy Impala in

Blue Magic; in the summer of ’75, neighborhood children immortalized themselves in

concrete during the completion of Ortega Park; Trejo’s 1952 Chevy Suburban; Michael

Montenegro, writer and filmmaker (@ChicanoCultureSB). Bottom row, left to right: Jorge

Salgado, owner of the Barber Shop, and his 1950 Mercury; Cindy Falcon, a legendary Chumash Chicana, was the president of Ladies United, an all-women lowrider/automobile club during the 1970s; Augie Trejo in his 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe; Art Perez’s 1939 Chevrolet coupe.

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THE FUTURE

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eauty with resilience runs in the Jaimes family: Valerie, younger sisters Lilyanna and Alicia, and

mother Charlotte. Valerie, a community organizer and activist, was born and raised in Santa Barbara, is an alumna of Santa Barbara High School, and recently graduated from the University of San

Diego—the first member of her family to graduate from college—with a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies and sociology. “Higher education has empowered me to be who I am,” she says. “My future is to be an

educator and empower my community to be who they want to be, whether they want to learn a trade, be an

artist, or explore outer space.” Valerie is currently residing on Kumeyaay indigenous land and working with the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center in San Diego.

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On Kyle’s Feature - DeWoody

KYLE DEWOODY afloat in

the natural swimming pond at her Central Coast ranch.

Pond

A Native New Yorker Finds art in nature WRITTEN BY L.D. PORTER PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAM FROST

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Kyle DeWoody in front of her 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Opposite: At her ranch, DeWoody hosted a number of artists affiliated with the Ojai Institute: (left to right, top to bottom) Vanessa Wallace-Gonzales, Tanya Aguiñiga (a recent recipient of the prestigious Heinz Award for art), Yassi Mazandi, Alison Andersson, Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation executive director Frederick Janka, Sarah Rosalena Brady, Cole Sternberg, Ruth Pastine, and Cole M. James.

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he’s been at the center of the art world for most of her life.

But for the past five years, Kyle DeWoody has spent much of her time in rural Ventura County, navigating a Kubota utility vehicle over uneven terrain to see how her avocado, banana, and mango trees are faring. This may shock those familiar with her undeniably glamorous image, featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and W magazine, and on countless art blogs. But close companions know it’s simply another interesting curve in the New York native’s fascinating life trajectory.

Let’s start with genetics. Her father, James DeWoody, is a renowned artist whose work resides in many private and public collections, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her mother, Beth Rudin DeWoody, is a philanthropist, arts patron, and curator, known for championing overlooked artists. Given that pedigree, DeWoody says, “I had no chance of escaping the art world.”

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In fact, the art world came to her. “It was obviously an incredible treat to grow up around not only amazing art but amazing artists,” she says, adding, “most of my parents’ close friends were artists or curators.” Art history was her chosen topic at Washington University in St. Louis, and her real-world experience was honed by stints at the Whitney Museum and Creative Time, a nonprofit institution that commissions public art projects.

She co-founded the e-commerce site Grey Area in 2011, with unique editions of art, jewelry, and objets; it ultimately expanded to include pop-up installations combining art exhibitions with art-related merchandise in tony locales like the Hamptons, Miami, and Los Angeles. Soon DeWoody became a go-to advisor for boutique hotels and brands seeking to create special environments with art. In other words, she’s a major influencer and tastemaker.

But success can exact a toll, and for DeWoody that amounted to a series of chronic health issues that demanded attention. The

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A magnificent vegan meal prepared by chef Loria Stern: (left to right) a cosmos-flower thyme-passionfruit tart; butterfly-pea basmati rice decorated with cosmos; and curry roasted cauliflower with late summer cherries, arugula from DeWoody’s garden, and yuzu-lime vinaigrette. Also visible are gilt-edged handmade vessels by ceramist Yassi Mazandi.

Below: DeWoody and Stern relax in the kitchen before the meal. Opposite: Table decor for the meal was by Ezra Woods of Pretend Plants & Flowers and artist Samantha Thomas.

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For the past five years, DeWoody has spent much of her time checking how her avocado, banana, and mango trees are faring. path to healing pointed to Los Angeles, where her brother Carlton had decamped a couple years earlier and her mother had established a pied-à-terre with husband Firooz Zahedi, a noted photographer. (L.A.’s stellar art scene likely sealed the deal.) DeWoody embarked on a program of self-care with health-care practitioners and holistic treatments including integrative stretching (a form of fascial release to repair structural and physiological issues) and dietary changes to eliminate inflammatory foods. The healing process fueled her desire to connect with the land in a direct way, a desire that was fulfilled when she discovered a sprawling ranch—formerly a walnut farm—in a lush valley between Carpinteria and Ojai.

From the moment she walked onto the property, DeWoody could sense that a natural pond would fit perfectly in the landscape.

Stern puts the finishing touches on the elegant dining table, amid a grove of old olive trees.

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DeWoody credits her involvement with the land as a key to her improved physical well-being. and activism are never far from DeWoody’s mind. Before COVID, she curated projects like “My Kid Could Do That,” a recurring fund-raiser featuring childhood artwork of prominent artists (think Ed Ruscha and Catherine Opie) to provide free arts programming for children, and supported fund-raising efforts for L.A.-based Habits of Waste, a nonprofit whose goal is to activate simple behavioral changes to reap a powerful impact, like banning single-use straws and cutlery. “All the things we take for granted are no longer a given,” DeWoody notes: “how we treat each other, how we feed ourselves, how we ensure a future for our children. Everything needs to be fought for in a certain way.”

Along with her romantic partner Samuel Camburn, a screenwriter and actor, DeWoody recently hosted a group of artists affiliated with the Ojai Institute, an initiative of Ojai’s Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, gathered by the foundation’s executive director, Frederick Janka. Under spreading olive trees, they dined on a magnificent plant-focused feast prepared by chef Loria Stern. Ezra Woods of L.A.’s Pretend Plants & Flowers and artist Samantha Thomas foraged foliage to garnish the lavishly appointed table. Noted ceramist Yassi Mazandi brought along her handmade shot glasses (perfect for tequila quaffing), and artist Ry Rocklen added his Pixie ceramic sculptures.

DeWoody credits her involvement with the land as a key to her improved physical wellbeing. It’s also no surprise that the prospect of a pristine landscape would naturally whet her appetite for curating art installations, and that’s exactly what’s up next. The rest of the beautiful felled walnut wood will be distributed to artists to create pieces for a future art installation. The art world is indeed DeWoody’s world.

Feature - DeWoody Used throughout Europe, eco-swimming pools eschew chemicals, using plants to filter the water. Although the concept is just starting to catch on stateside, DeWoody is a quintessential early adopter. She designed the pond’s configuration, and David Cameron helped put the final touches on the landscaping. “It’s an evolving technology and not for everyone,” she admits, “but it feels so good, and it’s incredible to swim next to lotuses and grasses.”

The pond is in plain view of a tiny ranch house DeWoody has lovingly refurbished with wood salvaged from fallen walnut trees on-site, the unfortunate victims of California’s nowpervasive drought. Hence the lovely walnut countertops, ceiling-beam edging, and custom furniture gracing her small abode, all achieved with the assistance of talented designer Case Fleher. As of now, roughly 5 of the ranch’s 65 acres are landscaped; the remaining acreage has been cleared for fire protection (thanks to seasoned caretaker Paco Alexander) but otherwise left to grow wild.

Of course, even in this bucolic setting, art 114 w i n t e r 2 0 2 1

DeWoody in the ranch office beneath her father’s painting Sunset Valley; the wainscoting was salvaged from an old barn on the property. Hair by Jacqueline Bush, makeup by Tomiko Taft, styling by Ezra Woods. Opposite: Designer Case Fleher helped refurbish the tiny ranch house with wood from walnut trees stricken by the drought.

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The sprawling 65-acre ranch, formerly a walnut farm, is located in a lush valley midway between Carpinteria and Ojai.

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“All the things we take for granted are no longer a given: how we treat each other, how we feed ourselves, how we ensure a future for our children. Everything needs to be fought for in a certain way.”

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Shelton Style

The ARCHITECT creates his signature works with dazzling craftsmanship, flair, and imagination

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TEXT AND IMAGES EXCERPTED FROM THE FIG DISTRICT: SOME BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA (FIG PRESS) BY JEFF SHELTON WITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON RICK

The front facade of El Jardin, a mixeduse residence built in 2015, showcases Jeff Shelton’s brilliant use of plaster, tile, wrought iron, and whimsy.

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Feature - Shelton

An illustrated map (above) marks an easy route past the Fig District buildings, including El Andaluz (below) on Chapala Street.

Opposite: The Fig Street studio; the architect’s penetrating gaze.

T

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he Fig District is a figment.

There is no Fig District. That is, unless your office is on Fig Avenue, and you have been lucky enough to have designed eight buildings within six blocks of your drawing desk.

A city would never name a district after this glorified alley. Fig Ave is an endearingly derelict one-block street in downtown Santa Barbara, behind a handful of State Street’s bars and restaurants. By day, beer kegs are unloaded from delivery trucks, denting the asphalt with friendly smiles and making sounds like hammers hitting an anvil, and at night, intoxicated revelers regurgitate maps on the sidewalk after having had too much to drink.

My office has been on “Fig” for twenty-three years. For fifteen of those years, my brother David’s ironwork shop was one hundred steps from my office door, in the old Hendry Brother’s Steel Shop on the corner. One hundred steps in another direction is the James Joyce pub, where we made our conference table for afternoon meetings. Having designed two buildings only a Frisbee throw from the office, and six more within six blocks, we at some point began referring to this zone as “The Fig District.” Buildings I design within this district

tend to get an extraordinary amount of my attention, as daily walks to the coffee shop inevitably lead to job site visits.

The buildings in this zone are architecturally related as most of them sit within Santa Barbara’s Historic Landmarks District, or “El Pueblo Viejo,” as the City refers to it. This w i n t e r 2 0 2 1 121

I designed each building to maintain an inherent pedestrian orientation and to be sensitive to the community as a whole. design district was created after an earthquake in 1925 destroyed many buildings in Santa Barbara, and it requires buildings to conform in some odd way to design standards based on the historic influences of Andalucia and Southern Spain. Essentially, the buildings need to incorporate plaster, ceramic tile, terra cotta tile, and ironwork, using building proportions that mimic stone or adobe construction. Design Review Committees carefully scrutinize projects in this area to make sure they’re sympathetic to the City’s strict guidelines.

When I moved back to Santa Barbara, I hadn’t worked with plaster on any projects in my early career as an architect. I had worked mostly with steel, glass and concrete block. To begin to understand what this “Spanish thing” was about, I found books with photos of cities and buildings in Spain, and realized the beauty and opportunity that existed in the malleability of plaster.

In 2000, I started designing the Pistachio House, which was the first of my eight projects in The Fig District. Since these buildings are downtown, I designed each to maintain an inherent pedestrian orientation, to react to its neighboring structures and to be sensitive to the community as a whole. Seven of these projects were built by Dan Upton and his crew of talented builders, and my brother, sculptor/ metalworker David Shelton, designed and brought the ambitious ironwork to life on all eight.

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*** Panels painted by various artists (above) adorn the facade of Veracruz (opposite), constructed in 2013. Top: Shelton’s office shelves.

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The same freewheeling, independent band of local artisans and craftspeople have added an extra layer of life to all of these buildings and at

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Feature - Shelton each location, you’ll find their names listed on ceramic tile plaques. Though the idea of working with a guild is from another time, we have somehow found ourselves in the middle of one, full of people with similar goals and dedication to their craft. We use the term loosely, perhaps romantically, throwing out any cumbersome archaic politics but keeping the interesting and productive ideas of a guild. *** A stroke of good fortune for the buildings in the Fig District, as well as the other buildings I’ve designed, is that we have somehow been united with great clients willing to jump into our world and let a project organically grow from logic and delight. There is an uncommon amount of trust and faith required in this process and for a time, the Guild will be part of the client’s life. One client once described the job site experience this way: “First there is the rough grading, and then the Merry Band of 124 w i n t e r 2 0 2 1

Above: A rounded blue entry at one of the Cota Street Studios. Opposite: The final watercolor elevation of El Zapato shows the full extent of the lobster-design tiles (below right) that edge the front door (below left).

Feature - Shelton All of the people who have worked on the Fig District projects have grown to understand that it is the building, not the architect, that begins to make the design choices.

Artisans shows up.” Our job sites are always joyful, even on the bad days.

Our intention is always to give life to the street and to create a building that invites and brings delight to the pedestrian and the community. The construction of a building should be an enjoyable event. *** When prospective clients come into the office, I first try to scare them off. Some leave right away, perhaps in astonishment, wondering how anyone would want to jump onto a seemingly unruly bus rambling down a narrow mountain road with the seats already full of the Merry Band of Artisans and all of their family members, only to be asked to close their eyes and have faith that the journey and the outcome will be a success.

Over the years, new workers, artists and craftspeople filter into our odd building process, while others move on or retire. One thing is clear; all of the people who have worked w i n t e r 2 0 2 1 125

Greenery graces a courtyard and staircase at the Cota Street Studios, eight live-work spaces designed like a small village.

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Clockwise: The clock and limestone clock keeper at El Jardin; the entry stair at El Jardin; a glass lamp and and concept sketches for the Cota Street Studios. Opposite: The staircase at El Andaluz wraps around a date palm.

on the Fig District projects have grown to understand that as each building emerges out of the ground, it is the building, not necessarily the architect, that begins to make the design choices and we all need to show up and listen to it every day. Sometimes the stars line up and sometimes we need to draw a curvy line to get them to align, then squint and pretend that they’re lined up exactly how we want them to be. Whatever the means, creating a building requires the imagination, perseverance and cooperation of a lot of people who want to go in a similar direction, who are not confined by restraints and norms that seem to stifle thought and keep us from taking big breaths of life.

Buildings are designed with pencils and pens on vellum and tracing paper, and the designs reflect the relationship of a hand-drawn line interpreted by hands in the field. The people building these buildings appreciate the care that goes into the plans and so in turn put in the same amount of thought when they show up each morning to work. Everyone has the desire for beauty and delight, and that sometimes takes a fight and sacrifice to achieve.

Meanwhile, I fiddle with my pencil as I wait for the next Fig District client to knock at my door.

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PHOTOGRAPH: CLOCK: IAN SCHECHTER.

oversize ant tiles at El Andaluz;

NAME HERE IN CAPS NAME HERE IN CAPS the

lowernews case restthe in rest lowerincase news gothic rest in gothic tthe rest tthe in lower lower case news gothic case news gothic typeface theinhamptons thetypeface hamptons New York in New York ypefacein ypeface the hamptons theYork hamptons in New New York

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G REAT SCHOOLS ANACAPA SCHOOL is an independent, co-educational school for grades 7-12.

Anacapa empowers students to excel at critical thinking, creativity, integrity and compassion through academic and experiential learning in a close-knit, diverse community. The school maintains high expectations for personal and academic integrity. The Anacapa approach fosters intelligent and complex discourse between students and their faculty. The learning environment is designed to optimize independent thinkers working together inside and outside of the classroom. At Anacapa, students and faculty adhere to three core principles: To treat everyone with dignity, to always do your best, and to foster a culture of collaboration. 814 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, 805-965-0228; anacapaschool.org

THE HOWARD SCHOOL is a co-educational school serving Preschool through 8th Grade in Carpinteria, California.

The Howard School promotes growth of the whole child including emotional and physical development coupled with the pursuit of academic excellence.

The Carden Method® provides a strong academic training that stresses the interrelationship of subject matter. The method is based upon the principle to “teach a child how to think, not what to think.” Small class sizes allow teachers to work closely with each child to develop strengths and target areas of weakness. The Howard School is proud to be Santa Barbara’s oldest continually operating independent school, serving both Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. 5050 El Carro Ln., Carpinteria, 805-745-8448; thehowardschool.org

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL is a coeducational Kindergarten– 8th Grade independent school located on 11 beautiful acres in Montecito, California. Founded in 1928, Crane delivers an experiential education characterized by a thoughtful balance of academic challenge and creative expression. Our time-tested tradition of active and collaborative learning challenges students to think critically, find their voices, and care for one another and the world around them. At Crane, we understand that how we teach is just as important as what we teach. 1795 San Leandro Ln., Montecito, 805-969-7732; craneschool.org

THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA for Gifted and Talented Children serves children in grades Pre-kindergarten-8th.

Our highly individualized curriculum meets students at their ability level to optimize their intellectual and academic development. Small class size, high teacher to student ratios, hands-on learning, and differentiated, meaningful instruction all ensure students thrive. Valuing the children’s deep intellectual curiosity, high ethical standards, and emotional sensitivities, the School provides a receptive, nurturing, student-centered environment encouraging inquiry and independence. Core classes are supplemented by a comprehensive STEAM program, Fine Art, World Language, Performing Arts, Phys Ed, and Mindfulness. Located in downtown Santa Barbara. 1525 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, 805-991-9681; knoxschoolsb.org

Great Schools

SPE C I AL SE C T I O N

Since 1965, MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL has been developing children ages 18 months through sixth grade into independent, self-motivated, confident, life-long learners. Our educational philosophy fosters a love of learning by encouraging children to work at their own pace while offering an adaptable curriculum responsive to students’ interests and needs. Our beautifully prepared environments are equipped with multisensory, self-correcting materials unique to Montessori which supports students’ comprehension from the concrete to the abstract. Enrichment programs include Spanish, music, art, drama physical education, computer technology, and a STEAM, extracurricular, after-school care, and summer camp program. Come see why an MCS education is an investment in your child’s future. 401 N. Fairview Avenue #1, Goleta, 805-683-9383; www.mcssb.org

THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL provides student-centered, inclusive and individualized learning opportunities for every student.

Focused on academic excellence from Junior Kindergarten through the 8th grade, our students are inspired to develop their individual potential, seek purpose beyond themselves and are prepared to embrace the next phase of their journey with a uniquely diverse and global perspective. The Riviera Ridge School is a place where every opportunity is realized, every dream has potential, and every student matters. Our world-class faculty and staff partner with families to provide an education that nurtures every student’s academic, social, ethical, and creative potential. Since 1938, we have celebrated the Everyday Amazing at The Riviera Ridge School. JK-8th grade, 2130 Mission Ridge Rd., Santa Barbara, 805-569-1811; rivieraridge.org

OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL is an independent boarding & day school for 290 students — Pre-K through 12th grade — on two campuses in Ojai. Our dedicated staff provide a balanced program of college-preparatory academics, fine & performing arts, sports, outdoor education, environmental studies, equestrian & character development. Students are encouraged to explore their interests, seek new ways to learn, & discover the complexity of the world around them. By the time they graduate, they will have developed the academic strength & intellectual curiosity to succeed in college and beyond. More importantly, they will have gained the confidence & character to meet life’s future challenges. 723 El Paseo Rd., Ojai, 805-646-1423; ovs.org

Founded in 1976, SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL is an independent coeducational day school for grades 6-9. Immersed in stimulating Academics, Creative Arts and Sports, Building Community and Outdoor Education, we prepare students for their future by providing a defining educational experience. Our saying “Carpe Diem” could not ring more true. State standards and project-based learning guide our academic instruction. Students bike, camp and explore the outdoors. They become difference makers by giving back to the local community. And they cultivate a love for arts and sports through electives. Our school is based on mutual respect and a unique understanding of the adolescent years. SBMS graduates are admired for their intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, creativity, and “can-do” confidence. 1321 Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara, 805-682-2989; sbms.org

PROVIDENCE, Santa Barbara’s only Christian, college-preparatory school (preschool-12) integrates faith with strong academics to equip students to pursue lives of purpose. Dedicated and dynamic educators teach students in a mentoring environment that nurtures and promotes critical thinking, clear communication, and whole-hearted service. In addition to stellar academics, arts, and engineering programs, students enjoy opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Robust athletics, educational travel, ski/surf/river trips, ample service opportunities, and spiritual retreats foster character development and deepen relationships. Equipped for challenge and success, Providence students graduate prepared to engage culture and impact our communities through service, leadership, and civic duty.

Preschool through Grade 6: 3225 Calle Pinon, 805-962-3091. Grades 7 through 12: 630 E. Canon Perdido, 805-962-4400; providencesb.org

SOUTH COAST MONTESSORI offers an authentic Montessori program for children 3 months through 12 years old. We are opening our new elementary program, for first through sixth grade, in fall 2022! Our masterful teachers guide children in becoming the best versions of themselves. Learning is individualized per student, with all lessons given on a oneon-one basis or in small groups. At SCM we teach the whole child; social and emotional learning is as important as academic excellence. We instill love for learning, independence and selfawareness. Please come join us to experience a truly unique educational journey for your child and your family. 7421 Mirano Dr., Goleta, 805-845-6555; southcoastmontessori.org

Great Schools

SPE C I AL SE C T I O N

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, PS Form 3526 1. Publication title: Santa Barbara Magazine. 2. Publication number: 1129-90. 3. Filing date: October 1, 2021. 4.

Issue frequency: Quarterly. 5. Number of issues published annually: 4 (four). 6. Annual subscription price: $19.95. 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication (not printer): 2064 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 120, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103; Contact Person: Amy Lipson; Telephone: 805-965-5999. 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher (not printer): Same as above. 9. Full names and complete mailing addresses of the publisher, editor: publisher: Amy Lipson; editor: Gina Tolleson. 10.

Owner: Smith Publishing Group, LLC, 2064 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 120, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103. 11.

Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None. 12. Nonprofit tax status: Has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication title: Santa Barbara Magazine. 14. Issue date for circulation data below: October 1, 2020. 15. Extent of nature of circulation: Lifestyle magazine; Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: a. Total number of copies (net press run): average: 25,000; actual: 25,000. b. Paid circulation: (1) Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions (including paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies): Average: 9; actual: 6. (2) Mailed in-county paid subscriptions: Average: 10,447; actual: 10,237. (3) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS: average: 3,711; actual: 3,510.

(4) Paid distribution by other classes mailed through the UPSP: Average: 0; actual: 0. c. Total paid distribution (sum of 15b(1), (2), (3), (4): average: 14,167; actual: 13,753. d. Free or nominal rate distribution by mail: (1) Free or nominal rate outside county copies: Average: 0; actual: 0. (2) Free or nominal rate in-county: Average: 0; actual: 0. (3) Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes: Average: 396; actual: 467. (4) Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail (carriers or other means): average: 10,353; actual: 10,642. e. Total free or nominal rate distribution (sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4)): Average: 10,749; actual: 11,109. f. Total free distribution (sum of 15c and 15e): Average: 24,916; actual: 24,862. g. Copies not distributed: Average: 84; actual: 138. h. Total (sum of 15f and 15g): Average: 25,000; actual: 25,000. i. Percent paid (15c/15f x 100): average: 59%; actual: 59%. 16. Electronic Copy Circulation. a. Paid electronic copies: Average: 0; actual: 0. b. Total paid print copies (15c) + paid electronic copies (16a): Average: 14,167; actual: 13,753. c. Total print distribution (15f) + paid electronic copies (16a): Average: 24,916; actual: 24,862. d. Percent paid (16b/16cx100): Average: 59%; actual: 59%. 17.Publication of statement of ownership: Publication required. Will be printed in the Winter 2021 issue of this publication. 18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.

I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties). Signature and title of editor, publisher, business manager, or owner: Amy Lipson.

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The Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara is home of the signature Vibrant Life program, specializing in unique activies such as gardening, walking clubs, scenic drives and more. Designed to connect residents with family, friends, and the local community, our Vibrant Life program truly inspires.

Oak Cottage is specifically designed for residents with cognitive impairment including Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia. Call now to join us for our next virtual “lunch and learn.” Lunch will be delivered to your door!

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WE LIVE IN PARADISE

Ideally, the energies of Saturn in Aquarius squared by Uranus in Taurus will promote divine possibilities: inspiring us to come together to invent new ideas of community and to creatively solve widespread economic and ecological problems.

Most importantly, we need to focus on empowering the wisdom of elders to help us avoid reckless or impulsive choices and to make value-based changes with the past and the future in mind.

CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

2022

BY JENNIFER FREED

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022 will be a year filled with welcome and unwelcome surprises, phenomenal discoveries, galactic intensity, and clashes between extreme ideologies. It will be an opportunity for each of us to radically change our perspective about what is enough and how to conserve what we have.

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The biggest planetary cycle of 2022 is what we call Saturn squared by Uranus. In the tension of a 90-degree angle, these two archetypes will reveal stress fractures in our political and financial systems. Saturn represents the need for stability, tradition, authority, and conservatism—and sometimes unbridled ambition. Uranus reflects our capacities for rebellion, innovation, and revolution.

When these two archetypes face off, we can expect a true conflict between institutional authority and radical revolutionary behavior.

Saturn is currently in the sign of Aquarius, which is about authority within community and tradition within groups and organizations.

Expressed skillfully, this placement is about taking responsibility for every single person in our community, regardless of status or identity. The unskillful side of Saturn in Aquarius is a sense of moral righteousness and a dictatorial certainty about who in our community should and should not be honored.

Uranus is in the sign of Taurus, which is about an upheaval in our sense of security and real challenges to rigid, stubborn unyielding tendencies. We are invited to let go of our own material greed in favor of supporting others in having the basics of what they need to survive.

The downside of this energy can be destruction of property, materials, even social order—just to feel the juvenile thrill of anarchy.

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Jupiter will be conjoined with Neptune in Pisces off and on throughout 2022. Jupiter is the archetype of abundance, higher learning and the search for meaning. It also points to spiritual learning, and the quest for compassion and true understanding.

Neptune is the archetype of the collective dream; it represents our unlimited and undivided nature. Jupiter dancing with Neptune means a magnification of our capacity to dream a new world into being, together: a world where everyone belongs and has what they need.

Because both these planets will be in the sign of Pisces—a water sign ruled by Neptune—we should expect an outpouring of love and compassion and empathy previously unseen. This combination will also support an outpouring of collective music events and artistic inspirations.

This infusion of tidal energy in the water sign of Pisces will also mean some big news around water and water events.

IN SUMMARY

Get ready for a Class 5 river-raft ride! As any of you who have ridden the rapids know, an advanced ride like this one means you need all hands on deck. Everyone must be ready and willing to flow and move with the big waters rushing in. You’ll need to be able to scream and shout and release tension when you’re scared. The trick is to not aim your upset at anyone else and to realize that big feelings need to be acknowledged without adding more drama or trauma to others. You can also aim to feel the rapture and exhilaration that come from being part of a magnificent and thrilling ride of history filled with twists and turns.

We can feel much closer and unified once we move through these epic waves of social change and amplified feelings. If we lean into listening and learning instead of certitude, we can create innovative, wise, heartfelt solutions to many of our existing problems.

There will be a few periods of calmer waters throughout this year. That’s when we will need to hold everyone close in the lifeboat and reassure each other that we can do hard things. Deep appreciation for what each of us brings to this wild journey will provide great solace in 2022.

PHOTO: GARY SCOTT

SQUARING OFF

JUPITER DANCING WITH NEPTUNE

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