Santa Barbara

with the iconic Carol Burnett and Dennis Miller at Lucky’s

MOSAÏQUE SURFACE

Sotheby’s - Dusty Baker

M ARSHA KOTLYA R ESTATE

GROUP

BUILDING PEACE OF MIND

Village Properties - Kellenberger

GOLDEN TAPESTRY

ALONG THE SANTA BARBARA COAST

Photographs by Rainer Hosch

Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter. Photographs by Yoshihiro Makino

Written by Jessica Ritz. Photographs by Dewey Nicks

Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer. Photographs by Sara Prince

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR + CEO

Jennifer Smith

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Gina Tolleson

CREATIVE CONSULTANT

James Timmins

MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Rutledge

DESIGNER

Dean Alari

PHOTO EDITOR

Lauren White

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Anna Ferguson-Sparks

Amelia Fleetwood

Jennifer Blaise Kramer

Lorie Dewhirst Porter

Jessica Ritz

Gabe Saglie

Hana-Lee Sedgwick

Katherine Stewart

Joan Tapper

Caitlin White

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ingrid Bostrom

Blake Bronstad

Sam Frost

Blue Gabor

Tierney Gearon

Michael Haber

Gray Malin

Elizabeth Messina

Dewey Nicks

Victoria Pearson

Sara Prince

Jessica Sample

Mariana Schulze

Trevor Tondro

Sb Foundation - Masthead

Join us to build a thriving community for all in Santa Barbara County.

BY SMITH PUBLISHING

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Santa Barbara Museum Natural History

OPENS OCTOBER 11, 2024

Remarkable animal portraits of the feline and canine families inhabit the gallery this fall. The art of natural history is on display in original hand-colored lithographs by 19th-century artists and naturalists John James Audubon and Daniel Giraud Elliot.

Maximus Gallery 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara 805-682-4711 • sbnature.org

Our annual Culture Issue couldn’t have cast a better cover subject than the iconic Carol Burnett. I’ve been lucky enough to have known the legendary comedian and actor for almost three decades as a dear family friend. She has graced this magazine’s cover more than once, and we are so honored to showcase her again—this time with another talented local, the comedian Dennis Miller. These two are neighbors and regular dinner dates in real life, which makes our exclusive story “Conversations with Carol” (page 82) even more special.

design showcase for “A House that Rocks” (page 92), a fashion veteran created a layered leather studio in “Worn Wisdom” (page 104), and the mother of the farm-to-table movement, Alice Waters, returns to Santa Barbara on a rejuvenated, regenerative mission in “A Delicious Revolution” (page 112).

We celebrate the opening of Godmothers in Summerland, a vibrant new cultural gathering place that brings back the joy of reading and the bond of discovering other people’s stories. In “Got Books?” (page 37), we further explore the deep history and inventory of wonderful bookstores here in Santa Barbara, including the outdoor setting of Bart’s in Ojai, the curated shelves of Tecolote and Chaucer’s, and intimate shops on the Mesa and in Solvang.

‘Tis the season to celebrate with our notto-be-missed Gift Guide (page 50), plan your next holiday getaway with “Sublime Stays” (page 61), and savor new culinary spots in our Taste profiles (page 69).

Edit Letter

Not just a pretty place, Santa Barbara is also a culturally rich community of people who are passionate about what they do, from comedic careers who leave forever memories to artisans who create handcrafted treasures to homeowners who are stewards of architectural gems. In the pursuit of excellence, our town succeeds in spades.

We were thrilled to join them for a seat at Carol’s favorite table at Lucky’s in Montecito. The tony twosome discussed everything from Broadway shows to stellar costars. As I sat there observing them and laughing nonstop, I knew it was a moment I would cherish always. I recalled the dinner I had with Carol and my mother only a month earlier at the same spot. Carol regaled us with amazing stories of the Hollywood of yesteryear and her rise within it, from her first job as a movie theater usher to the fun she had most recently filming Palm Royale with Kristen Wiig. At 91 years old, she doesn’t miss a beat—a lesson for us all!

With this last issue of the year combined with the first of the new year, we highlight more unique creatives in our community. A philanthropic couple revitalized a George Washington Smith treasure into a provocative

Jennifer Smith

ON THE COVER: At Lucky’s Montecito. Photography by Rainer Hosch.

CONTRIBUTORS

RAINER HOSCH

The photographer who shot our cover and story on Carol Burnett and Dennis Miller (“Conversations With Carol,” page 82), Rainer Hosch is a portraitist with a gift for capturing authentic moments beneath public personas. For more than 20 years, he has used his signature ring flash and deceptively simple style to reveal genuine vulnerability in his subjects. He has photographed influential figures across every field, from entertainment and art to politics, creating a dynamic and extensive archive of contemporary culture. S.B. MUST-DOS Stroll the harbor to get the freshest catch. • Enjoy sunrise at Butterfly Beach. • Explore the bespoke design shops in Summerland.

JESSICA RITZ

Jessica Ritz is a freelance writer whose coverage interests explore a range of subjects, including culture, arts, travel, architecture, and design. For this issue she interviewed Montecito resident Terry Pillow for “Worn Wisdom” (page 104), our feature on his foray into handmade leather goods.

Contributors

S.B. MUST-DOS Gather with other families during our annual glamping trip to El Capitan Canyon. • Peruse the shelves and chat with book lovers at Godmothers. • Relax over a casual outdoor lunch and a glass of Pinot Noir at the Hitching Post.

YOSHIHIRO MAKINO

Yoshihiro Makino, who shot Justine Roddick’s and Tina Schlieske’s 100-year-old home for “A House That Rocks” (page 92), was born and raised in Tokyo, where the urban environment and eclectic culture informed and inspired his photography path. Currently residing in Southern California, he works around the world capturing mainly interiors and portraits for an array of editorial and commercial clients.

S.B. MUST-DOS Savor the famous chicken wings by Sama Sama Kitchen. • Drive up the coastline. • Unwind at San Ysidro Ranch.

SARA PRINCE

For this issue, Santa Barbara native, lifestyle photographer, and longtime Santa Barbara Magazine contributor Sara Prince turned her lens on the bookstores in “Got Books?” (page 37) and Alice Waters’ return to Santa Barbara (“A Delicious Revolution,” page 112). S.B. MUST-DOS Go for trail rides with Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company. • Get Dart Coffee at the harbor and take a breakwater walk. • Order one of everything for dinner at Gala.

DEAN ALARI

“I’m a sucker for a fancy meal, so laying out the Taste pages is always fun,” says contributing designer Dean Alari. “I make sure to take mental notes on where to stop next time I’m in Santa Barbara County.” When he isn’t working, you’ll find him surfing, taking pictures, and searching for new coffee shops.

S.B. MUST-DOS Visit friends and hike at Summerland. • Grab a bagel sandwich at Java Station. • Soak up the sunshine on the Santa Barbara County Courthouse lawn.

Sotheby’s - Mcdermut

P R O T E C T I N G

T H E P L A C E S

Y O U L O V E

Wildcoast

WILDCOAST is working with local communities to conserve 38 million acres of globally important coastlines, coral reefs, mangrove forests, wildlands, sea turtle nesting beaches, and gray whale lagoons.

Thank you for keeping us in mind for your year-end giving.

Photo by Ernesto Mendez

From cultural exchange to shopping for gifts, local bookstores are alive with possibilities

IN PARADISE

Books Roundup

“We were excited over the idea of getting people together and creating a cultural and gathering space. ”

From talks by authors to art exhibits and other community events, bookstores are more than the sum of their wares. And with the holidays coming, books make great gifts.

GODMOTHERS opened in September with a star-studded lineup of events and guests that included Oprah Winfrey; Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex; best-selling author Shaka Senghor; and musical artist MILCK—signaling that co-owners Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Victoria Jackson have an ambitious mission for their independent bookstore.

The two women met through a mutual friend three years ago and immediately found themselves on the same wavelength, talking about where their passions lie beyond their well-

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Godmothers bookstore occupies a gorgeously renovated century-old building in Summerland; cozy fireplace seating; “godmother” Oprah Winfrey chats with Tom Freston at the grand opening; the Duke and Duchess of Sussex join co-owners Jennifer Walsh (second from left) and Victoria Jackson (far right); the food truck café; an artistic vignette.

DON'T MISS

Join the GODMOTHERS FOUNDERS CLUB for a bounty of extra perks:

Exclusive events. Holiday and seasonal social mixers, game and cocktail nights, monthly Sunday afternoon tea, movie and margarita nights; monthly kid and young adult book and craft events.

Café discounts. 15 percent off merchandise and books; seasonal-menu-change tastings.

Exclusive content. Access to content library, including videos of in-store events you may have missed; a monthly newsletter featuring an early look at the events schedule and early access to tickets.

VIP treatment. Prime seats at ticketed events; reservable patio space for your book club gatherings; gifting services with custom book recommendations and a holiday gift concierge.

Individual ($200 per month) and family ($350 per month) memberships available. GODMOTHERS.COM/JOIN-OUR-CIRCLE.

Books Roundup

established careers—Walsh as a high-powered former literary agent and Jackson as a cosmetics entrepreneur, medical research trailblazer, and philanthropist. “We were excited over the idea of getting people together,” says Jackson, and about creating a cultural and community gathering space.

Located in a renovated 1920s barn (formerly home to Garde and multiple antiques stores), the shop has a chic interior by Martyn Lawrence Bullard that feels perfectly situated in design-focused Summerland. But the stock is serious—a wide selection of fiction and nonfiction, nature, cookbooks, YA and kids’ books— and there’s a spotlighted platform for readings and other events.

Named in homage to the women “who lit our way” (and whose portraits hang in the entry), Godmothers has a full calendar of book signings, panel discussions, and workshops, among other things. “We’re grateful to be providing a container for connection,” says Walsh, adding “godmothers look after people.”

In addition to live and food-oriented events and retreats in the spacious third-floor space, the coowners are underwriting a book club in the Santa Barbara County Women’s Jail, providing books and a guide for discussion. They’ve also created a Founders Circle (see above) to build community and support authors. There’s also a food truck on the patio and a

COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Paintings from Elizabeth Stewart Fine Art add impressionistic atmosphere to Lost Horizon Bookstore, where the offerings include books on art and architecture and vintage editions; fashionable books at Tecolote; a stuffed owl evokes the bookstore’s Aztec namesake; the shop in Montecito’s Upper Village.

café on the horizon—providing welcome nourishment for the body in addition to the mind. 2280 Lillie Ave., Summerland, GODMOTHERS.COM.

In Montecito’s Upper Village, surrounded by antiquarian and antiques shops, LOST HORIZON BOOKSTORE shares its warm atmospheric space with Stewart Fine Art’s collection of California impressionists. Owners Jerry Jacobs and his wife, artist Angela Perko, specialize in books on art, architecture, and design and have added a superbly curated complement of historical prints, maps, etchings, posters, and rare books. For a bit of literary inspiration, there’s even a little Corona 3 typewriter, like the one used by Ernest Hemingway and Graham Greene. 539 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito, LOSTHORIZONBOOKS.COM.

Books Roundup

Poised to celebrate its 100th anniversary, TECOLOTE BOOK

SHOP, which looks out onto the grassy center of Montecito’s Upper Village, is intertwined with local history. Founded in 1925 and originally located in Santa Barbara’s historic El Paseo, the shop— which was named for the Aztec word for owl—survived the citywide cataclysm that year. “I like to think

the owl arose from the wreckage of the earthquake,” says co-owner Mary Sheldon, who has been with the shop for some 30 years. Tecolote caters to its longtime customers with a mix of titles, including stylish coffee table tomes, and frequently schedules signings for local writers. 1470 East Valley Rd., Santa Barbara, TECOLOTEBOOKSHOP.COM.

Bearing testimony to how many books can be tucked into a tiny space is the MESA BOOKSTORE, owned by local writer D. J. Palladino and his wife, Diane Arnold, since 2016. There are 12,000 used volumes in just 90 square feet. “I pretty much know what’s here and what’s not,” Palladino says of the stock, which encompasses lots of genres—thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, recent fiction (since 2000), romance, and westerns. “Classics sell well. We shop for some in thrift stores and have gotten great books by accident. One woman brought in Stephen King hardcovers that turned out to be rare.” 1838 Cliff Dr., Santa Barbara, THEMESABOOKSTORE.COM.

Books Roundup

“Our selection is carefully curated and represents many wisdom traditions. ”

The wares at PARADISE FOUND in downtown Santa Barbara tend toward the metaphysical and spiritual and include books, crystals, jewelry, tarot cards, incense—even a teapot labeled “witches brew.” Says Teresa Taylor, who has stewarded the shop since 2000, “Our book selection is carefully curated and represents many wisdom traditions and contemporary teachings on how to be a happy, inspired, peaceful human being on planet earth. Sometimes I think of our offerings as instruction manuals for living a good life.” 17 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, PARADISEFOUNDSB.COM.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Books do furnish a tiny room at the Mesa Bookstore; the wares at Paradise Found range from astrology and other metaphysical subjects to incense, tarot cards, and more.

NEWS

Books Roundup

“My husband told me, ‘You buy so many books, you may as well own it.’”

In October the SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY inaugurated the Michael Towbes Library Plaza, opening a welcoming, accessible space for the institution’s 21stcentury needs. “All library programs will expand outside—reading, learning, literacy,” says Lauren Trujillo, director of the Santa Barbara Library Foundation, which was responsible for the project. “We imagine events, programs, festivals; we’ll project movies onto the library wall. There’s 10,000 square feet of programmable space that can fit 1,200 people.” On the horizon are local author fairs, job fairs, and galas. “We’ll invigorate the corridor,” Trujillo declares. 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, LIBRARY.SANTABARBARACA.GOV.

Next door, the long aisles of THE BOOK DEN are filled with an even mix of new and used (including out-of-print) books, both hardcover and paperback, on everything from art and literature, to travel, history, poetry, and the sciences. There are even a few shelves of German and French books. Much-loved classics tend to sell well, and there are usually newer editions available, too.

15 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, BOOKDEN.COM.

CHAUCER’S BOOKS’ longtime owner, Mahri Kerley, remembers why she bought what was then a small bookstore in Five Points exactly 50 years ago: “My husband told me, ‘You buy so many books you may as well own it.’” She renamed the shop and moved it to Loreto Plaza, where the cherished institution is packed with more than 150,000 titles. Kerley has retired, selling the store to married employees

Montecito Bank & Trust is spreading holiday cheer

Giving back to the community year after year

We our nonprofits and all that they give They make our communities better places to live

We support local residents and businesses too Volunteer our time and foster penguins at the zoo

We have 16 branches along the Central Coast When it comes to great service, we’re the one with the most!

Montecito Bank & Trust

With so many great clients, there are plenty to thank We’re so proud to be your community bank

So to spread some good tidings and holiday cheer

We wish you Happy Holidays and a joyful new year!

Lemberger and Greg Feitt, who happened to meet there. “We are excited to be carrying on the legacy of Chaucer’s Books,” says Lemberger. “The community can expect to find the same broad and deep selection, great customer service and recommendations, and free author events. In addition, we hope to expand our support and partnerships with schools, literacy organizations, and other education and youthfocused groups.” 3321 State St., Santa Barbara, CHAUCERSBOOKS.COM.

Given Solvang’s Danish heritage, it’s hardly surprising that the well-stocked BOOK LOFT—with new works, a big kids’ section, and lots of puzzles—also contains a museum dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen, whose number of translations is second only to the Bible. It’s a big draw for visitors, who will find books about the writer, lots of Little Mermaid and other Andersen editions, a case of his illustrated tales, and even tools for making wooden shoes. The collection came from bookstore owners Kathy and Gary Mullins, who donated the space when they established the Ugly Duckling Foundation in 1989. 1680 Mission Dr., Solvang, BOOKLOFTSOLVANG.COM.

Books Roundup

KEANE’S ECLECTIC, on the main drag in little Los Alamos, lives up to its name. There’s furniture, lighting, and memorabilia, but used and rare books are the main thing, says

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: At Chaucer’s Books ceiling signs point the way to the subjects you seek; new owners Jen Lemberger and Greg Feitt; a display at the Book Loft in Solvang, where the Danish-inspired influences extends to the shop’s architecture.

Pollaro

owner Denis Keane. A native of Killarney, Ireland, he opened the shop in 1992, and it has carried on through the many incarnations of the town. There’s a wide selection of titles, including lots of Californiana. “We have a good following,” says Keane. Most requested? “The standard classics. People want to read them, and they’ve lost their original copies. And we can’t keep John Steinbeck in stock.” 438 Bell St., Los Alamos, KEANESLOSALAMOS.COM.

Books Roundup

Opened by Richard “Bart” Bartinsdale in 1964 to house the overwhelming number of his personal volumes, BART’S BOOKS in Ojai may be most famous for its sign by the door: “When closed, please throw coins in slot in the door for the amount marked on the book.” The shop still shelves many of its books outdoors, but there’s an indoor section as well, built from Bartinsdale’s 1937 cottage. The vast selection includes mostly used books, from 35-cent specials to rare and out-of-print editions. A stop here is de rigueur during a trip to Ojai. 302 W. Matilija St., Ojai, BARTSBOOKSOJAI.COM. JOAN TAPPER

COUNTERCLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Built around a 1937 cottage, Bart’s Books in Ojai exemplifies an indoor-outdoor approach to sales; manager Matt Henricksen carries on the legacy begun by Richard “Bart” Bartinsdale.

Groove

Our holiday gift GUIDE inspired by some of Santa Barbara’s iconic music venues

Gold Rush

Embrace the arts with a Midas touch in celebrating 100 years at the Granada Theatre

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Annata Pendant, $12,560, Daniel Gibbings; Joe’s Jeans Mia Gold Wide Leg Pants, $288, Wendy Foster Sportswear; 18th-Century Freemason Mirror, $14,500, Marc Normand Gelinas; HandBlown Grey and GoldLeaf Champagne Flutes, $50 each, Eider Studio; Aura Ring with Pink Nigerian Tourmaline, $7,035, Baxter Moerman; Gilt Floral Metal Candlesticks, $49 each, William Laman.

Owner, Lori Runnfeldt

KELLY FAJACK

Horse

Saddle up at The Maverick Saloon in the Santa Ynez Valley

Style - Gift Guide

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Farfalle Cowboy Boots, $995, Johnny Was; Crossbody Phone Case, $118, Bandolier; Malik Vest, $745, Orlebar Brown; Plaid Lambswool Throw, $275, Eider Studio; Jérôme Dreyfuss Leon Tote, $800, Diani; “Requiem for a Match” Bronze (limited edition of 24), $800, Susan Cronin; Alanui Sweater, $2,875, Wunderkind.

Modern Love

Dance the night away in the Funk Zone at Studio Soundroom

Dec/Jan 2008

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Lapima Martina Sunglasses in Natural White Vintage, price upon request, Occhiali; Lynda Weinman 3D printed bag with plastic filament, $200, Santa Barbara Museum of Art Store; White Table Lamp, $575, Ministry of the Interior; 1960s Bakelite Bangles, price upon request, Peregrine Galleries; Estelle Colored Champagne Flutes, $205, True Love Always; Katy Perry 143 LP, $34.99, Target; Larkspur & Hawk Catherine Round Rivière Necklace, $3,404, Wendy Foster Montecito; Omega Constellation Quartz Watch, price upon request, Bryant & Sons.

Fired Up

OExtras - 805 Recap

NE805, a nonprofit that was born after the Montecito mudflow with its Kick Ash Bash, is still going strong with a mission to raise funds and support all three first responder departments: fire, police, and sheriff. Any donation given to One 805 supports all three together, and the departments can decide to allocate funds toward anything from new equipment to mental wellness services, which are now being extended to family members. “They’ll see more things in a day than we’ll see in life,” says Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, the organization’s cofounder, chair, and CEO. The three departments’ efforts, she adds, are integrated, such as how they arrive together at any accident, so it was sensible to create an organization that integrated support right back. “Every single day they are here for us, and they’re so good at what they do,” she says.

This fall, 4,000 supporters turned up at the annual One805Live!, raising $1.3 million. The event is volunteer-led, from the venue (Kevin Costner donates his estate grounds) to the entertainment—a star-studded lineup including Pink & Dallas Green, Kenny Loggins, and Alan Parsons—to the local wines and food trucks. Among the special guests were Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex; Cameron Diaz; Rob Lowe; Zoe Saldaña; and many first responders. “It’s like a big community barbecue,” Cavendish Weston-Smith says. “Everyone puts on their jeans on and has fun.” ONE805.ORG. JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER

Extras - 805 Recap

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pink; Kevin Costner; Kenny Loggins; Pink and Dallas Green; first responders; Jeff Bridges; 4,000 supporters showed up; Zoe Saldana and Cameron Diaz; Richard Marx; Costner hosted and performed; Alan Parsons and band.

Main Attraction

Every year the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) recognizes actors, directors, producers, and writers for excellence in film. This year it will celebrate the festival’s 40th anniversary February 4–15 with a stellar lineup. To kick things off, Will Ferrell received the prestigious Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at a black-tie event (which is a fundraiser for the festival and its educational programming) on December 11 at the Ritz Carlton. Other key events will honor Angelina Jolie, Ralph Fiennes, Zoe Saldaña, Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, and Guy Pearce, while dozens of films will be screened and panels assembled throughout the city.

Extras - SBIFF

In addition to the festival’s anniversary, SBIFF is celebrating an expansion: a new state-of-the-art film center downtown. In renovating the old Fiesta 5 theater, SBIFF will have an anchor and the ability to serve the community year-round, screening independent and foreign films and documentaries. “People are hungry to go to the movies, but they want different, thoughtful programming, state-of-the-art projection and sound,” says Roger Durling, executive director for SBIFF. “People want an experience and also a sense of community. I feel the festival provides the latter, and now we will have a year-round canvas, a bigger tent in which to welcome everyone. And the fact that we will also be helping with the revitalization of the downtown corridor is icing on the cake.” SBIFF.ORG. J.B.K.

“Comedy is the hardest, and you make it look easy, Will. Congratulations! Dad loved you.” —Michael Douglas

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Angelina Jolie, Ralph Fiennes, Will Ferrell, Zoe Saldaña.

WE GETAWAY IN PARADISE

Sublime Stays

Extraordinary experiences that feel more like new worlds than luxury hotels

Set in the foothills of the Leoganger Rocky Mountains in Austria, Forsthofgut Naturehotel is a ski-in, ski-out resort with breathtaking views and unparalleled slope access.

Getaways - Natursforsghut

What began as a simple forestry station in 1617 has developed into a 400-yearold luxe hostelry in western Austria. Located at the foot of the Leogang Mountains, NATURHOTEL FORSTHOFGUT is still owned and operated by the original founders, the Schmuck family, five generations on. With 109 rooms and suites, this property is a tranquil alpine escape renowned for its direct access to ski slopes during the winter—which transform into excellent hiking and biking trails in warmer months—and its spectacular destination spa.

Forsthofgut translates roughly as “forest farm estate.” That theme, along with the region’s natural splendor, is reflected in almost every part of the property. The serenity and sense of escape found in the forest is a major component of the waldSPA, which is the first of that brand in Europe. Updated in 2021, the expansive facility includes a chemicalfree swimming lake during the summer months, an onsen bathing area, an infinity pool, a Finnish lake sauna, and a 30,000-meter garden. There is an

This property is a tranquil alpine escape renowned for its direct access to ski slopes and its spectacular destination spa.

Getaways - Natursforsghut

adults-only zone and a separate family-friendly area with baby and children’s pools, and three distinct water slides.

The hotel’s culinary philosophy highlights three kinds of cuisine: Alpine-Mediterranean dishes, a vegan menu, and R50 offerings—made with ingredients sourced within 50 kilometers of Forsthofgut. Additionally, Mizūmi is an on-site Japanese restaurant, Restaurant 1617 is reserved for celebrating traditional Austrian specialities, and the hotel’s Botanist Bar is a haven for an elegant cocktail or a nightcap.

With grounds that extend over 1.5 acres, the limited number of rooms ensures an atmosphere of seclusion. Accommodations like the Chalet Suites and the Garden Loft Suites—which come with a private loggia—and the three-bedroom Thoman Alm cottage offer options for families and groups, as well as for couples seeking a relaxing mountain getaway. FORSTHOFGUT.AT/EN/NATURE-HOTEL.COM. CAITLIN WHITE

The snowy landscape at Naturhotel Forsthofgut during the winter offers a stunning juxtaposition to its suite of world-class dining, spa treatments, thermal pools, saunas, and other therapies.

Getaways - Porto Piccolo

A Palatial Sojourn

Each of the 53 private riads that make up the village-like property is unique, outfitted with designs crafted by Moroccan artisans.

When it comes to elegant hotels, the ROYAL MANSOUR MARRAKESH is the epitome of Maghreb luxury. Each of the 53 private riads—traditional houses with a courtyard or garden— that make up the village-like property is different, ranging from one to four bedrooms and outfitted with local designs crafted by Moroccan artisans. Some of the riads are equipped with roof terraces that offer sweeping views of the Atlas Mountains, while subtle details such as zellige tiles, carved plaster, and custom furniture and rugs ensure the interiors are equally stunning. The Grand Riad in particular is almost 20,000 square feet and includes the ultimate luxury—a private pool and hammam. The hotel’s four signature restaurants mean guests can enjoy elegant international cuisine: La Grande Brasserie from Michelinstarred chef Hélène Darroze offers French fare, La Grande Table Marocaine specializes in traditional foods from the region, Sesamo is the place to indulge in Italian delights, and Le Jardin’s menu is a fusion of contemporary Asian and Mediterranean dishes. Bars and lounges scattered throughout provide myriad opportunities to unwind. For even more relaxation, the Moorish-style spa offers facials, body wraps and massages, hammam treatments, and wellness programs. ROYALMANSOUR.COM. C.W.

Custom plaster, carved cedarwood, silky fabrics, and oversized proportions are all hallmarks of the sumptuous decor and incredible craftsmanship that defines Royal Mansour, a one-of-a-kind property in the heart of Morocco.

Trial Lawyers for Justice

Getaways - Royal Mansour

Italian Gem

Porto

Piccolo’s playground on the Adriatic

Spectacular cliffside views define the PORTOPICCOLO SISTIANA RESORT, which is Tivoli Hotels’ first foray into Italy. Although it opened just last summer, this 58-room resort already has a timeless aura, thanks in part to the car-free environment that’s a hallmark of this area on the Gulf of Trieste, close to the Duino Cliffs Nature Reserve. The private beach and luxury marina ensure guests can slip into a lifestyle that revolves around basking in the resplendent water and sun.

The property’s mixed-use development includes 20 residences, a partnership with Purobeach club, and the soon-to-open 38,000-square-foot spa, part of the distinguished Tuscan wellness brand Terme di Saturnia. For

Portopiccolo includes 58 rooms and suites, tiered on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic coast. Guests can enjoy the PuroBeach Club, village restaurants, and a spa from Terme di Saturnia.

now, a wellness zone in the hotel is equipped with a sauna, a steam bath, a Jacuzzi, and a relaxation area. The fitness center features state-of-theart Technogym equipment, cardio machines, weight stations, and daily group-fitness classes.

And what would any Italian hotel be without food? Within the beach club, the Purobeach Restaurant offers a mix of dishes for lunch and dinner influenced by Marrakesh, Miami, and Melbourne. The Azul Lounge is the place for terrace-side drinks and all-day dining, and Ocyan’s breakfast buffet and fresh Mediterranean cuisine for dinner are additional options. TIVOLIHOTELS

.COM/EN/TIVOLI-PORTOPICCOLO-SISTANA. C.W.

Getaways - Moxi

Enjoy frictionless fun at MOXI’s rooftop sock skating rink.

Kids and adults can kick off their shoes to slide and glide across a specialty tile floor reminiscent of ice, without the chill. Included with museum admission. Don’t forget your socks!

WE TASTE IN PARADISE

WE TASTE IN PARADISE

Restaurant Roundup

A Spicy Vibe

Founded in 2018 by Alejandro Medina and Rajat Parr, BIBI JI is known for its modern take on Indian cuisine and extensive natural wine program. Since relocating to Santa Barbara’s Arts District, Bibi Ji has gotten even better, bringing even more energy to the heart of downtown. Situated across from the Granada Theatre, the expanded space showcases an eye-catching interior, with walls bathed in shades of pink with black accents, creating a dynamic setting that complements the vibrant flavors of the food. Here, diners can indulge in a range of signature items, including spicy Crispy Cauliflower, tender Murgh Tikka, and creamy Dal Makhni, alongside seasonal specials highlighting local ingredients. A rotating selection of no-intervention still and sparkling wines, including those from Parr’s and Medina’s personal labels, only add to the experience. It’s no wonder the space has been listed in the Michelin Guide California for the fourth year in a row. 1213 State St., Santa Barbara, BIBIJISB.COM.

HANA-LEE SEDGWICK

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

LEFT: Modern Indian dishes take center stage at Bibi Ji; the extensive selection of natural wines; an inviting nook showcases the boldly designed interior; coowner Alejandro Medina.

Gastro Bistro

Restaurant Roundup

The newly opened BAR LOU, in the former Oliver’s space along Montecito’s Coast Village Road, adds a California twist to southern French and Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients. The international influences are showcased in shareable dishes like the must-try Vadouvan-spiced cashews, Harissa Beef Kofta with fattoush, and Halibut Almondine. The renovated interior exudes the elegance of a modern French brasserie, with marble tables, dark wood accents, and stylish midcentury touches, and the spacious patio allows guests to enjoy Montecito’s idyllic weather. “Our goal is to create a special place for people to gather over a meal,” says Jessica Schmidt, director of operations. “The style is French bistro, yet it retains the warmth and approachability of a neighborhood gem. The menu follows suit, offering plates that highlight what’s fresh and in season.” 1198 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, BARLOUMONTECITO.COM. H.L.S.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bar Lou exterior; a tomato-avocado salad and creative craft cocktails; caviar with potato chips and herbed crème fraîche; founders Brandon Boudet and Warner Ebbink; the French brasserie-style dining room.

“We wanted to create a bar with an atmosphere that’s dark and moody versus beachy.”

Whiskey a Go-Go

Restaurant Roundup

This tiny neighborhood bar in Montecito might sound like the kind of place where a mechanical bull rules the night, but RODEO ROOM is a high-end whiskey lounge with specialties like wagyu-washed Nikka Days Japanese whisky and fig bourbon. An entire section of the menu is dedicated solely to old-fashioneds; wine, beer, and zero proof selections are available; and a host of elevated small plates are made from scratch in a kitchen that serves until 10 p.m. Pendant lighting and accent wallpaper, a polished animal skull lording over a row of leather booths, and a statement wall hanging of cowboys out on the range complete the room’s rugged, masculine vibe. And if you’re looking for a spot to hit up on the earlier side of the evening, the happy hour runs every day from 5 to 6 p.m. with a selection of drinks and plates that will run you only $8, including Korean-style wings and crispy brussels sprouts with chili honey, lime, and parmesan. 231 W. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, RODEOROOM.COM. C.W.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Rodeo Room has a moody ambiance; co-owners Grace Austin and Dudley Michael under the bar’s longhorn skull; elevated bar food complements whiskey cocktails.

Friendship Center - Visiting Angels Friendship Center

TASTE

Latin Accent

Restaurant Roundup

Chef and restaurateur Ramon Velazquez recently debuted his much-anticipated ALMA FONDA FINA at the Montecito Country Mart, showcasing his innovative Mexican cuisine but with a focus on coastal flavors and local ingredients that celebrate the Pacific’s bounty. The menu strikes a balance between bold and refined, featuring standout dishes like Ceviche Cuixmala, Scallop Aguachile, Rib Eye Chicharron with queso fundido, and branzino topped with mojo verde and pistachio. Further transporting guests is the restaurant’s interior, which features bright magenta booths, crisp white walls and tables, and striking grayand-white-tiled floors, creating a vacation-like ambiance. 1024 Coast Village Rd., Ste. A, Santa Barbara, ALMAMONTECITO.COM.

Ramon Velazquez showcases his signature innovative Mexican cuisine with a focus on coastal flavors.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Coastal-inspired Mexican fare at Alma Fonda Fina; chef de cuisine Alan Alva with owner Ramon Velazquez; the airy interior exudes vacation vibes.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

1 lb fava beans — yielding 4 oz shelled beans

¾ cup whole milk ricotta

¼ cup chopped pistachios

¼ cup finely chopped green onions

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Zest of 1 lemon

½ teaspoon coarse sea salt

4 grinds of black pepper

1 cup assorted microgreens

16 zucchini blossoms

¼ cup lemon vinaigrette

1. Blanch the shelled beans in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into iced water. Peel the skins.

2. Combine the ricotta, pistachios, green onions, chives, olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

3. Cover a serving plate with the microgreens.

4. Carefully remove the stamen from inside the zucchini blossoms. The easiest way to do this is to pinch it off with your fingers. Using a small spoon, stuff the blossoms with the ricottaherb mixture. Twist the flower petals over the stuffing to encapsulate them. Place the stuffed blossoms onto the microgreens.

5. Heat the lemon vinaigrette in a small saucepan. When ready to serve, spoon the vinaigrette over the blossoms. From Pascale Beale, Flavour: Savouring the Seasons ($35), PASCALESKITCHEN.COM.

IT’S THE TIME OF YEAR FOR CELEBRATING WHERE YOU’VE BEEN AND WHERE YOU’RE GOING.

Feeling strong, passionate, and purposeful is easier to achieve in a stimulating and supportive setting. That’s where Maravilla shines— where premium amenities, gourmet dining, and innovative programs create an environment for abundant and immersive experiences.

Book a tour and see what the new year can bring.

SANTA BARBARA MAGAZINE

GREAT WINES

Great Wines

ANDREW MURRAY

VINEYARDS is a pioneering winery that shaped the modern era of Santa Barbara County Winegrowing. As a family-owned winery, we are dedicated to crafting exceptional wines from our highly acclaimed Los Olivos estate. Our determination to grow and craft the world’s finest expressions of Rhône varietal wines still guides and defines Andrew Murray Vineyards today. To visit Andrew Murray Vineyards is to experience a narrative of history, legacy, and passion. We welcome you to our estate for an intimate seated tasting experience on our beautiful terrace overlooking our estate vines or within our state-ofthe-art winery on Foxen Canyon Rd. Soak in the surroundings, delve into the terroir, and explore some of the finest and most exclusive Rhone driven varietals California has to offer.

AndrewMurrayVineyards.com

Located on the iconic Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, KOEHLER is a familyowned and operated winery dedicated to the sustainable farming of our old-vine estate. By minimizing our footprint in the vineyard and maintaining a light touch throughout the winemaking process, we craft wines that are fresh, vibrant, and elegantly layered. Koehler offers walk-in tastings daily. Savor a delightful assortment of wines with our friendly, sociable tasting room staff, and enjoy an easy-going family and pet-friendly outdoor experience in our bucolic vineyard setting. Koehler Winery is also available to host your wedding, corporate or other special event.

Nestled in an oak tree-studded 21-acre vineyard located in the heart of Santa Barbara County, ROBLAR reflects the spirit of Santa Ynez Valley—rustic, authentic, and bold. Our philosophy is to foster a unique visitor experience of bringing together great wine, great food, and great friends. Our Executive Chef curates a beautiful menu created from the fresh produce we harvest weekly off our 5-acre organic farm, located next door to the winery. Enjoy delicious dishes alongside our estate wines, showcasing the natural bounty of the Santa Ynez Valley. Our menu changes regularly to include the freshest, seasonal ingredients. At Roblar, we truly are Farm to Fork and Vine to Glass!

Great Wines

SAMsARA produces limited releases of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache and Chardonnay from carefully selected micro-sites within Sta. Rita Hill’s most highly regarded vineyards. Our wines showcase the distinctive natural elements at play on each vineyard, harnessed through a low intervention winemaking style. Winegrowing at SAMsARA starts with selecting special sections within each vineyard where soils, altitudes, slopes, and elevations will bring the best out of the vine. At SAMsARA, we focus on sustainability in every aspect, from our harmony with nature, to our vineyard workers, to the respect we show for our guests, employees and industry partners. Please visit us in Goleta where you can taste and then tour our working winery or in Los Olivos for an unforgettable wine country experience.

SHOKRIAN VINEYARD is an organic vineyard with biodynamic farming practices. Our mission is to farm wine grapes in a natural, ecofriendly environment by enhancing the balance between the fruit and the vines. We grow fruit for handcrafted, boutique wineries as well as our own estate made wines. All handpicked in small batches, all-natural winemaking and organic farming. Shokrian Vineyard is conveniently located at the heart of the Los Alamos Valley, just two miles from downtown Los Alamos. Purchased from the Melville family in 2013, the vineyard has added many varietals — including Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah. Come learn about agriculture and farming in California’s central coast. Contact us for a vineyard experience at (805) 250-9363.

CULTURE

ISSUE 2024

Lucky’s in Montecito salutes Hollywood greats.

Feature - Burnett

DENNIS MILLER chats Broadway, Bradley Cooper, and what’s next for this iconic comedian at Lucky’s, their Montecito hang

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RAINER HOSCH

Feature - Burnett

“There are things happening for me that I never dreamed would happen at my age.”

Routinely, a quiet, dimly lit table near the back window at Lucky’s old-school chophouse is reserved for a petite, smartly dressed woman with a well-coiffed strawberry blonde bob. The hour is early when her companion, a kind-looking man with a mischievous smile, joins her for dinner. The pair greet as longtime pals and talk animatedly throughout their sometimes-weekly rendezvous, clearly delighting in each other’s company.

She could be any sophisticated woman, in any picturesque Southern California suburb, but this is Montecito, and Lucky’s patron of honor is none other than Carol Burnett, one of the greatest comedic figures of the 20th century—and the present day. Her dinner date? Another local, Dennis Miller, who is a force of nature in his own right in the comedy and commentary scene—and, more recently, Burnett’s neighbor.

Feature - Burnett

Their standing dinner reservation recently came to light as one of the more fascinating odd-couple date nights in the neighborhood, and eavesdropping on their conversation for just a few minutes was irresistible.

As this issue goes to print, Burnett is 91 and has just become the oldest woman ever nominated for an Emmy, her 26th, for her portrayal of Norma Dellacorte in the Apple TV comedy-drama Palm Royale. Her career has spanned nearly seven decades. One of her acolytes, Miller, wonders what could be left for Burnett. Turns out, she thought he’d never ask.

DENNIS MILLER: I’m talking to somebody who has done it all. What do you still want to do? What do you see coming down the road?

CAROL BURNETT: Bradley Cooper. [Laughs] Before him I would say George Clooney. That kind of answer always gets a good response.

DM: Seriously, though, is there anything that’s still an unchecked box?

CB: There really isn’t, Dennis. There are things happening for me that I never dreamed would happen at my age. It started when I did a guest spot on Better Call Saul. After that aired, my husband and I would go out to dinner and people who didn’t know me from my variety show would recognize me from Saul. It just took off! I thought, Well, that’s really kind of wonderful. Next thing I know, I get a call from Abe Sylvia, who is a producer and writer of a series called Palm Royale. He said, ‘We’d love you to be on it. And it stars Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Laura Dern, Ricky Martin, Leslie Bibb, Julia Duffy,’ and on and on. I said, ‘I’m in. I don’t care what you want me to do.’ Then I found out I’d play this matriarch of high society in Palm Beach in the ’70s, but I’d be in a coma for a few episodes.

DM: It’s a funny idea. Continued on page 124

Burnett is 91 and has just become the oldest woman ever nominated for an Emmy, her 26th.

The standing dinner reservation recently came to light as one of the more fascinating odd-couple dates in the neighborhood, and eavesdropping was irresistible.

A House That Rocks

Decorative tiles frame the colorful dining room at Casa del Greco, a 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival style home designed by George Washington Smith.

Imagine owning a 100-year-old house designed by a famous architect. How do you make it your own? Often the best solution is finding an interior designer skilled at combining iconic architecture with a client’s personal taste and lifestyle. Just ask Justine Roddick and Tina Schlieske, who enlisted interior design maven Tamara Kaye-Honey to apply glam-rock magic to an iconic George Washington Smith house—with spectacular results.

needs and describing their aesthetic: “We don’t want to take anything away from what was originally here; we just want to make it feel like our home. Tina’s vibe is very ’60s, and I’m all disco ’70s. What can you do with that?”

Quite a bit, as it turned out. Roddick’s fondness for the swinging ’70s—an era she experienced in her native England—appears in Kaye-Honey’s treatment of the dining room, with its glamorous dark green walls and elegant starburst chandelier suspended over an elliptical dining table surrounded by streamlined vintage metal-and-leather chairs. As Roddick says, “London is still very much part of my DNA.”

Feature - Roddick

Speaking of DNA, Roddick gleaned her business experience early on, working for her parents, who founded The Body Shop, the natural beauty-product company that helped shape ethical consumerism worldwide. Working for The Body Shop brought Roddick to California. She eventually settled in Santa Barbara, creating an international chain of retail shops—Coco de Mer—with her sister, Sam. (They sold the company in 2011.) Currently Roddick is copresident of AHA!, a local nonprofit that helps teenagers, educators, and parents tackle apathy, prevent despair, and interrupt hate-based behavior. She’s also a trustee of The Roddick Foundation, a charity that supports projects involving human rights and social and environmental justice.

Built in 1920, Casa del Greco is the second house Smith designed and built for himself in Montecito, and is a classic example of Spanish Colonial Revival style. Following Smith’s death in 1930, Casa del Greco passed through several owners’ hands before Roddick and Schlieske discovered it in 2004. For at least a decade after moving in, the couple were torn between reverence for Smith’s creation and the desire to feel at home. “We just weren’t really ready to do anything for a long time,” Roddick says.

But like many homeowners who suddenly found themselves in lockdown, the owners found that the pandemic provided the impetus they needed to personalize their environment. They contacted Kaye-Honey, founder of House of Honey (HOUSEOFHONEY.COM), whose work Schlieske had admired online. At their initial meeting, Roddick recalls outlining their

The Roddick-Schlieske household is a musical one. “Music is at the heart of the family’s passions,” Kaye-Honey says, “and a through line of the design and approach of the home.” It could hardly be otherwise, when you consider that Schlieske is an actual rock star. With her bands, Tina and the B-Sides and the Graceland Exiles, her musical repertoire includes Americana, blues, punk, and her latest passion, jazz. Locally, Schlieske has performed at the Lobero and the Granada Theatres; her annual shows at Cold Springs Tavern on Memorial Day and Labor Day have thrilled audiences for a dozen years. She often performs in her hometown of Minneapolis, where she has a dedicated and passionate following. (Prince, another Minneapolis native, was a fan; Schlieske appeared as an extra in the film Purple Rain.) “I’m so thankful that people still want to hear me sing at this age,” she says. “I’ll go anywhere I get invited to play.”

Kaye-Honey followed her clients’ musical mandate by transforming their formerly staid living room into a serene listening salon. Anchored by an inviting circle of six swoon-

The dining room’s hand-painted ceiling and tile floors are original; the colorful curtains are House of Hackney Artemis fabric; a Star 14 Star Rock Chandelier is suspended above a vintage dining table and chairs.

OPPOSITE: The formerly staid living room is now a listening salon anchored by a circle of vintage Milo Baughman swivel tub chairs upholstered in emerald green velvet; Schlieske’s vintage sound equipment is displayed on a custom-built Colonnade shelving system by Jason Koharik.

The bedroom walls are covered in House of Hackney’s Indienne wallpaper in homage to Roddick, who is from the UK; a vintage Franco Luce Seguso art glass chandelier illuminates the ceiling painted in Farrow & Ball’s Bancha; West Elm Vella nesting nightstands flank the Lulu & Georgia Clementine platform bed. OPPOSITE: The couple’s favorite part of the home, the original tile-clad staircase, is a perfect example of architect George Washington Smith’s design talent; a colorful portrait of Elvis Presley by James Holdsworth is a reminder that music is at the heart of the family’s passions.

The former playroom of the couple’s now-grown children has been transformed into a bar and performance space with deep midnight blue walls; the performance stage was fashioned from 100-year-old Persian rugs from Blue Parakeet; the glass pendants and Monomer coffee table were created by Jason Koharik.

OPPOSITE: The bathroom walls are covered in Trans Power Toile by Voutsa x Grant Shaffer.

The home represents a peaceful coexistence of Spanish Colonial Revival and urban style.

worthy tub chairs upholstered in emerald green velvet, the space features Schlieske’s impressive vintage sound equipment displayed on a custom-built shelving system by Jason Koharik. A colorful portrait of Elvis Presley by James Holdsworth presides over the surroundings. But distinctive Smith trademarks remain intact: the original wood-beam ceilings painted by Lutah Maria Riggs, the rough plaster walls, and the magnificent tile-clad circular staircase leading to the second floor. The home represents a peaceful coexistence of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and sophisticated urban style.

Feature - Roddick

The pièce de résistance—and likely the most beloved room in the house—is a former playroom that Kaye-Honey remade into a bar–performance space with midnight blue walls. “The best thing we did, without question, was the back bar,” says Roddick. “It used to be our kids’ playroom, and when [Mayla and Atticus] moved out, we’re like, Now we want a big kids’ playroom.” The bar itself, with four graceful stools, is indeed a star. The scalloped marble top and sleek brass base were also created by Koharik, as were the dramatic glass pendants illuminating the room. There’s even a performance stage fashioned out of vintage rugs. As Kaye-Honey says, “We playfully pushed the period home to its rock ‘n’ roll limits.”

Built in 1920, Casa del Greco is the second home that architect

George Washington Smith designed and built for himself in Montecito.

Homer Maker founder Terry Pillow’s 1956 Jaguar XK140 parked outside the brand’s downtown Montecito garage atelier and boutique.

OPPOSITE: The signature Terry Tote and heritage

American leather goods by Homer Maker.

Worn Wisdom

Industry veteran Terry Pillow honors a family legacy with Homer Maker

WRITTEN

BY

JESSICA RITZ

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEWEY NICKS

After decades of shaping other brands’ narratives, Terry Pillow is ready to share his own story. The fashion veteran has also learned that work-free retirement is not for him. “I had to do something,” says the Montecito resident, who stepped down as CEO of Tommy Bahama in 2016. He was used to the demands of the executive positions he held at other leading companies, including Chaps Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange, and COACH, when he lived in New York City and Seattle before relocating to California.

Feature - Homer

Pillow has launched a project that combines his expertise, personal interests, and the skill of the region’s master craftsmen, based in a 600-square-foot garage in Montecito. Homer Maker (HOMERMAKER.COM) was born of Pillow’s creative instincts and the talent he discovered in his own proverbial backyard. Although he wasn’t eager to return to a high-pressure professional life, “I thought I’d do something I enjoy, which is leather goods,” he says, while holding court in the multifunctional Homer headquarters that is a combination atelier, showroom, and clubhouse of sorts. He had been working on sketches that could be turned into a collection with the help of nearby skilled makers. Visiting the saddles on exhibit at the Carriage and Western Art Museum of Santa Barbara inspired him to explore other uses of the material.

Working with leather proved to be an apt vehicle to support Central Coast industries and traditions.

The medium proved to be an apt vehicle to support Central Coast industries and traditions. “I started making wine carries because we’re in wine country,” Pillow explains. “When Covid hit, in the horse country there were a lot of saddle makers and leather workers who got hit pretty bad.” Crisis begot opportunity—with optimal outcomes. “I was shocked with the beauty of the workmanship they could produce,” he says.

Homer Maker’s Vintners Collection of single, double, and triple wine carries and multiple bag styles showcases a strain of

Feature - Homer

The brand’s vegetable-tanned leather goods are handmade by master craftsmen like Rafael Adon (top right). Meticulous details include saddle stitching and stamps that pay homage to Pillow’s grandfather.

OPPOSITE: Homer Maker founder and fashion industry veteran Terry Pillow.

Pillow’s bespoke alligator driving mocs made in Italy two decades ago reflect his love of craft and tradition. OPPOSITE: The Montecito resident in Homer Maker’s garage headquarters, where he welcomes clients.

America’s heritage, but it also reflects Pillow’s understanding of product development. More important, Homer Maker is about the power of storytelling, which the seasoned executive has learned throughout his career—which has taken him from a men’s clothing shop in Conway, in Pillow’s native Arkansas, to Stanley Marcus’ legendary executive training program at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, and eventually to the C suite. “That’s the magic behind those brands: They have a story to tell—not just a product you can market and sell,” he says.

Homer Maker celebrates Pillow’s grandfather, Homer Jackson Pillow, who was a mail carrier in Arkansas for the U.S. Postal Service’s rural delivery. Modest means prompted the elder Pillow to craft his own harness and bridles so that he could make deliveries by horse-drawn coach. He developed a distinctive double-H stamp that stood for Homer Harness, which grew into a cottage business dedicated to quality and community.

More than a century later, those values have been newly synthesized in Homer Maker. “Each country has its signature, and I wanted to make a very American product,” Pillow says. “I can’t make what Hermès makes, but Hermès can’t make what I make. It’s a different look.

American saddle makers’ stitching is pronounced, compared to the French. Both have a place in the world.”

Pillow, shares the aforementioned French company’s zero-compromise approach. Pillow sources raw materials from Hermann Oak Leather in St. Louis, one of the last domestic suppliers and tanneries that uses the yearlong vegetable leather-tanning process. The genderneutral multipurpose bag is “the finest tote in the market today,” he says.

Homer Maker offers another version dubbed the Terry Carry and an evolving line of smaller accessories such as eyeglass lanyards, belts, and saddlebags. Each product follows an iterative process to meet Pillow’s exacting standards and serve as an antidote to fast fashion. The leather’s natural cognac-hued glow is meant to soften, acquire patina, and improve with age. And while Central Coast–based know-how is key, thanks to team members including Steven Soria, Jeff Brierly, and Rafael Adon, Pillow seeks out experts elsewhere as needed; for instance, the wine carries are handcrafted in Montana and Los Angeles.

Feature - Homer

The structured, multipocket Kelley Carry tote, which Pillow named for his wife, Kelley Wall

After all his accomplishments, Pillow embraces this special chance to be involved in every aspect of a personal enterprise that’s the result of hard-earned wisdom. “When I started in the apparel business, there weren’t so many specialists. We used to do it all,” he says. “The happiest I am is when I’m creating and developing product.” •

Homer Maker is about the power of storytelling, which the executive learned over the long course of his career.

Philanthropist Belle Hahn in the garden with chef Alice Waters.OPPOSITE: Sunflowers bloom at Skyfield Ranch in Ojai.

Revolution A Delicious

alice waters returns to Santa Barbara with her sustainability movement

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER

Jesse Smith, the director of land stewardship for While Buffalo Land Trust, walks Skyfield Ranch with owner Mary Ta (right) and Alice Waters. OPPOSITE: Waters enjoys the Santa Barbara sun.

Alice Waters has been spending significant time in Santa Barbara. It’s not just for the sunshine; it’s a full-circle moment for the chef to be visiting restaurants and ranches on the American Riviera, where she started her academic career at UCSB before transferring to Berkeley. That move altered her life, igniting a love for food and politics that would turn the student into a lifelong restaurateur, author, and activist.

“I was just having too much fun in Santa Barbara, and my friend said there’s something going on at Berkeley—let’s transfer. We walked right into the Free Speech Movement, and it changed my life. I really understood the power of a group of people who were committed to making change,” Waters says, adding that from a very tender age, activism was tied up with her love of food. “Then I went to France, and the rest is history.” Waters opened Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley in 1971. In 1995 she started the Edible Schoolyard Project, which fused her passions—food, education, and equality—and eventually created change.

“I had a vision of how we could plant a garden over in a vacant lot and build the cafeteria on the asphalt and use these portable buildings for kitchen classrooms, but I never imagined teaching gardening or cooking,” she says. The concept caught on quickly, and kids loved cooking the food of, say, the Middle East while studying geography. “I understood again the power of food, the power of nature, to be outside where you can grow your own food,

Feature - Alice Waters

and how calculations in math class could help you plant seeds. It was hugely successful, but I didn’t know it was going to grow to 6,500 schools around the world,” she says.

“So many people in Santa Barbara care about the environment—I just might have to move back!”

Now celebrating 30 years of the Edible Schoolyard, Waters is shifting her focus to school lunches. School-supported agriculture is her current passion, bringing her to fundraising events and farmers markets nationwide—in Washington, D.C., she recently won the Julia Child Award and Kamala Harris showed her around—to raise money and awareness. It’s a concept that could also make waves, benefiting both the students (by offering them healthier options and locally grown food) and the farmers (by boosting their economy).

“The idea is for the schools to buy directly from farmers, because when you buy directly, you leave out the middleman, and the farmer or the rancher gets the money,” says Waters, whose next book, School Lunch Revolution, will be published in 2025. “We did this at Chez Panisse, and I know it will stimulate local farming in a way that will build the community.”

In Santa Barbara, Waters met with farmers, growers, and thinkers, such as Mary Ta. She’s a kindred spirit who’s combining regenerative farming with biophilia (an expanded appreciation for nature) at her Skyfield Ranch,

Waters gets her hands in the soil and on a yellow seedless watermelon.

OPPOSITE: Belle Hahn

hugs “the most beautiful fennel she’s ever seen.”

some actual farmers to the tables where big changes take place.

“Everyone gave generously to the cause because of Alice. She is pure heart,” says Gina Andrews of Bon Fortune, who oversaw the garden party at a private estate in Montecito. In addition to arranging strategic lighting and decor, Andrews made thoughtful decisions that aligned with the chef’s philosophies. In lieu of florals, Truman Davies opted for vegetable centerpieces that wouldn’t distract from the food. Upon hearing of Waters’ love for sea urchins, Andrews got local commercial fisher Stephanie Mutz to bring the seafood, which the Gala restaurant team prepared for the party. And in true Waters fashion, Andrews made sure Mutz also had a seat at the table. “We wanted to tether that localism and celebrate our biodiversity and the gifts from the sea that make our area so rich,” Andrews says.

Guests also enjoyed heirloom tomatoes from Tutti Frutti Farms, pan-roasted Liberty duck, and Santa Barbara black cod with local wine pairings. “While every element of the decor was intentional and lovely, it was never about the design,” Andrews says. “The focus was on the food and honoring the people and sources that contribute to the message that Alice has championed for decades.”

Feature - Alice Waters

which boasts 80 acres of organic farmland in the Los Padres National Forest. Waters then ventured up to Santa Ynez, over to Lotusland, and downtown to the Saturday morning farmers market. “I just couldn’t believe the biodiversity of the produce, all different colors of raspberries, and children everywhere,” she says. She reunited with an organic farmer she knew in the ’60s and told him what she’s been up to, and he quickly volunteered to help.

“So many people in Santa Barbara care about the environment—I just might have to move back!” she says. “I love the proximity to the ocean, the care everybody feels to the land. And the whole UC system could be critical to this idea of school-supported agriculture. And what better place to do this than the whole state of California?”

The city showed up for Waters on one fall evening, when she captivated the community at a dinner hosted by sisters Belle Hahn and Lily Hahn Shining of the Twin Hearts Foundation. The event benefited the chef’s school-supported agriculture mission in Washington, D.C., where Waters hoped to raise awareness and bring

Cohost Belle Hahn continues to be inspired by Waters. “Alice was a hero of mine from early childhood, as I believed that she was the original, all-time goddess of the slow-food movement,” says Hahn. “It’s extraordinary how one woman can plant a seed for an edible schoolyard and for that to grow and carry to feed children all over the world, including this mission now for school lunches and edible classrooms.” Hahn, who shares a passion for regenerative farming as executive producer of Feeding Tomorrow, bonded with the chef around creating opportunities where children can learn and grow.

“The education around regenerative agriculture and this shift back into the simple abundance of life is the catalyst of the delicious revolution Miss Waters talks about,” says Hahn. “And those are the waters that I want be a part of.”•

Smith and Waters talk regenerative agriculture at Skyfield Ranch. OPPOSITE: Sustainable farming is everything for Skyfield owner Mary Ta, who says, “Nature is our religion, our belief, our faith.”

Artwork from the Chez Panisse cookbook graced the menus.

OPPOSITE: Vegetables became centerpieces, designed by Truman Davies, for the “Time is Now” dinner.

“It’s extraordinary how one woman can plant a seed for an edible schoolyard and for that to grow and carry to feed children all over the world.”

with a

and

A party

passion for food showed up to propel sustainable agriculture

what Waters calls, “a delicious revolution.” OPPOSITE: Tables sunk into the garden were fitting for the chef’s call to action, as Gina Andrews of Bon Fortune wanted it to be all about Waters, not the decor.

of windows and was surprised to find there was a mattress there to catch me. I learned how to walk into walls and get pies in the face. The secret was to go slow and not stiffen up, and just go with it.

DM: Some of the old pros from the variety show—I have so many memories. Tell me about Mickey Rooney coming on your show.

CB: I grew up loving Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland movies. When he was a guest, it was a ‘Wow!’ moment. Mickey was fabulous. He was on, he was funny, he was adorable—just sensational.

DM: We’re having dinner here at Lucky’s, which is one of our favorite places, and one of the themes here is they always curate beautiful pictures of great stars. I love the one right over your shoulder, Carol, because you’re with Ed Sullivan.

Runover Burnett

CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROL

Continued from page 86

DM: I was hoping that when they first showed you supine in the bed and completely out of it, you would pull on your ear.

CB: I should have done that!

When these two dine (most often with their spouses, Carolyn Espley-Miller and Brian Miller—no relation), it usually begins with a cocktail. The devoted Lucky’s staff knows the order well, with no hesitation. Burnett is served a chilled cosmopolitan, the classic pink drink that has been her signature for decades. Miller orders his usual martini, and the conversation continues.

DM: I always think of you as such a feminine figure. You’re so proper and you have such great manners. But inside, you’re a stone killer when it comes time to get to business. And when I think back on your heyday at The Carol Burnett Show, at that time you were known in New York and the theater scene, but you exploded on that show.

CB: And I taught myself how to fall! I tumbled out

CB: I remember the first time I got on his show. Relatedly, when I first got to New York, I thought, Should I change my name? Because there was another actress named Carol Bennett. I thought maybe they were going to get us mixed up. My middle name is Creighton, which was my mother’s maiden name, so I could’ve been Carol Creighton. But then I thought, No, if I ever make it I want to be Carol Burnett, because I want my crush from junior high school, Tommy Tracy, to know. I want him to know it was me. [Laughs]

DM: When I think back on your show, you were the hostess with the mostess. But I also love the fact that for all the young comedians and comedic actors, you’re a lodestone for them. Tell me about all the Palm Royale girls who are coming up.

CB: They’re all so great. Most of my scenes were with Kristen Wiig and Ricky Martin. But then you look at Allison Janney and, I mean, Laura Dern! They couldn’t be sweeter. It was a gang. It was a party. I was really lucky both with Saul and with this one, Palm Royale—there was no temperament, there were no divas.

DM: There was a beautiful esprit de corps on those shows.

CB: Everybody was on time. We knew our lines. We laughed in between scenes. I really feel blessed. And for a second season!

Check out Season Two of Palm Royale on Apple TV, coming soon. In the meantime, watch the full conversation between Dennis Miller and Carol Burnett at sbmag.com •

GREAT SCHOOLS

At ANACAPA SCHOOL, learning starts with community. Our inclusive, tightknit community fosters close relationships, community involvement, and diverse opportunities for personal growth. With a remarkable 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, we encourage intellectual discourse between students and faculty. Our holistic approach empowers students to excel in critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and compassion through experiential and project-based learning. Anacapa nurtures independent and collaborative thinkers who engage with Santa Barbara’s vibrant art, culture, and government organizations. Join us for a tour to see our resilient, confident, and caring students in action, ready to transform their world. Ask about our robust financial assistance package. Grades 7th-12th. 814 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, 805-965-0228, anacapaschool.org

Great Schools

LAGUNA BLANCA Thriving Together. From your fi rst year to your senior year, Laguna Blanca is fully invested in your success. Academics are individualized, allowing you to pursue your passions and learn through experience. Our school’s intimate scale ensures every student is seen, valued, and known; everyone can be a leader in their own unique way. We prioritize character, compassion, and collaboration. The outcomes are impressive. Students not only attend colleges that match their ambitions, but they also become people of integrity who make meaningful contributions to the world. Intercampus bus and tuition assistance are available. Grades Early Kindergarten through Gr. 4: 260 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito; Grades 5 through 12: 4125 Paloma Dr., Santa Barbara, 805-687-2461, lagunablanca.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, fi nd 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

Since 1965, MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL has developed children ages 18 months through sixth grade into independent, self-motivated, confident learners. Our beautiful garden campus and child-centered learning environments are tailored to the needs and interests of students. Our teachers hold Montessori credentials at their academic level and are developmental experts in the age group they teach. In our weekly specialist classes, students explore Spanish, Mandarin, music, art, drama, computer science, and physical education. A Spanish immersion program is offered, along with extracurricular activities, aftercare and summer camps.Contact us today to learn more about how MCS empowers students at each stage of their academic journey. 401 N. Fairview Avenue #1, Goleta, 805-683-9383; www.mcssb.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, fi ne & 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

THE KNOX SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA for Gifted and Talented Children serves children in grades Junior 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, Phys Ed, Mindfulness, and Electives. Located in downtown Santa Barbara. 1525 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, 805-222-0107; knoxschoolsb.org

Founded in 1976, SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL is an independent co-educational day school specializing in grades 6-9. Our balanced approach to Academics, Creative Arts and Sports, Building Community, and Outdoor Education prepares students for their future by providing a transformative middle school experience. Our saying “Carpe Diem” could not ring more true as students embrace what it means to live in the moment. State standards, project-based learning, and experiential learning guide our academic program, supported by our unique outdoor educational program, which includes biking, camping, exploring the outdoors, and much more. Students become difference-makers by giving back to the local community and cultivating a love for arts and sports through daily electives. We base our approach on mutual respect and an exceptional 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

Great Schools

THE RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL provides studentcentered, 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

SOUTH COAST MONTESSORI

offers an authentic Montessori program for children 3 months through 12 years old. Our dedicated teachers nurture children to thrive as their best selves, promoting collaboration, community, and harmony. We focus on individual learning with lessons given oneon-one or in small groups. The campus at South Coast Montessori features thoughtfully appointed indoor and outdoor classroom environments, where children can move freely within the environment, following their own unique interests and curiosity. At SCM, we embrace a holistic approach, valuing social and emotional growth as much as academic achievement. Enrolling at South Coast Montessori is an investment in your child’s future. 7421 Mirano Dr., Goleta, 805-845-6555; southcoastmontessori.org

THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF

SANTA BARBARA is committed to providing a healthy, broad, reverent education that honors the head, heart, hands—the whole— of the child. Drawing on a rigorous, developmentally appropriate, and beautyattuned curriculum, our Waldorf education cultivates the full flowering of the individual student and the community at large, understanding the profound interdependence of both. WSSB seeks to not merely reflect society but help guide and shape it. What distinguishes us from other schools in the Santa Barbara area is our holistic education. Our education is technologically prudent and arts-oriented. It is rigorous yet developmentally appropriate. Our education is spiritual, earth-honoring, and employs a “One-Teacher Paradigm”. Our education is rich with festivals, and strives to protect childhood, to let children be children. Come take a tour and see for yourself. 7421 Mirano Drive, Goleta, 805-964-6656; waldorfsantabarbara.org

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation PS Form 3526

Pet Shop - Runover

1. Publication Title: Santa Barbara Magazine 2. Publication Number: 1129-90 3. Filing Date: October 1, 2024 4. Issue Frequency: Quarterly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 4 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 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2064 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 120, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Amy Lipson; Editor: Gina Tolleson; Managing Editor: Sarah Rutledge. 2064 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 120, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103 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. Company Name/Publication Title: Smith Publishing / Santa Barbara Magazine 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: 9/3/2024 15. Extent of Nature of Circulation: 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; Nearest: 25,000 b. Paid Circulation: (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions: Average: 9,368; Nearest: 8,779 (2) Mailed in-county paid subscriptions: Average: 0; Nearest: 0 (3) Paid Distribution

Outside the Mails: Average: 4,396; Nearest: 4,250 (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail: Average: 82; Nearest: 18 c. Total Paid Distribution: Average: 13,846; Nearest: 13,047 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: (1) Outside-County: Average: 1,872; Nearest: 3,000 (2) In-County: Average: 0; Nearest: 0 (3) Other Classes Mailed: Average: 0; Nearest: 0 (4) Free Distribution Outside the Mail: Average: 9,095; Nearest: 8,952 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate

Distribution: Average: 10,967; Nearest: 11,952 f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): Average: 24,813; Nearest: 24,999 g. Copies Not Distributed: Average: 187; Nearest: 1 h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g): Average: 25,000; Nearest: 25,000 i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100%): Average: 56%; Nearest: 52% 16. Electronic Copy Circulation (if applicable): a. Paid

Electronic Copies: Average: 0; Nearest: 0 b. Total Paid Print + Paid Electronic Copies: Average: 13,846; Nearest: 13,047 c. Total Print Distribution + Paid Electronic Copies: Average: 24,813; Nearest: 24,999 d. Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies): Average: 56%; Nearest: 52% 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership: This statement of ownership will be printed in the 11/26/24 issue of this publication 18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Amy Lipson, Publisher, 10/1/2024

Vast Viticulture

From cool-climate darlings like Pinot Noir to warm-weather stalwarts like Cabernet Sauvignon, and from Montecito to Lompoc and Solvang to Santa Maria, here’s your ULTIMATE GUIDE to Santa Barbara’s premier wine destinations

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WE LIVE IN PARADISE

Crystal Blue Sensation

Imagine being entirely immersed in the ocean and not getting wet. It’s possible, thanks to the AlloSphere Research Facility at University of California, Santa Barbara’s NanoSystems Institute, a virtual reality space housed inside a heavily insulated three-story sphere. It is one of the largest echo-less chambers in the world, with 26 video projectors and a whopping 54.1 channels of sound.

SKETCHES FOR SENSORIUM, an installation incorporating immersive audiovisual scientific climate and ocean data, is on view as part of the PST Art: Art and Science Collide initiative. The installation honors the legacy of environmental artist Newton Harrison, a founder of the eco-art movement, and his long-term project, Sensorium for the World Ocean

Says JoAnn Kuchera-Morin, AlloSphere’s director and a professor of media arts and technology, “Through interactive, immersive visualization and sonification of these complex systems, we may discover the most intelligent and wise directions to pursue for a healthier, united world.” ALLOSPHERE.UCSB.EDU. L.D.P.