On the Case – The area’s new Chief of Police Services, Lt. Brittingham, is ready for the job – and to talk about what it entails, P.12 Candidate Questions – The MJ interviews each Montecito Fire Board candidate on what they bring to the table and the district, P.40
Dance, bubbles, the symphony… and Santa Barbara’s gorgeous new Town Square. Michael Towbes Plaza has arrived, page 6
Incredibly, the fight for gender equality continues – and it’s 2024. Feminist Majority Foundation’s Kathy Spillar pointedly discusses over tea at the Coral Casino, page 20
Mira-More
out the community
Caruso
Miramar’s expansion plans, P.10
Dogs, cats, and so much more with Santa Barbara Humane, page 16
photo by Brandon Michael
On Entertainment – Tina Schlieske gets vulnerable about jazz, Maria Muldaur plays past “Midnight,” 30 years of DramaDogs, and more
Beings & Doings – Every community of note needs a town square. Well, guess what?
Montecito Miscellany – Galas and lunch with a cause, the London Philharmonic hits a note, and more miscellany
to the Editor – More community input on the upcoming election
at the CPC – Rick Caruso, All Saints, and the community all showed up to speak their minds – and Miramar plan – with the County Planning Commissioners
Town – New Chief of Police Services Lieutenant Rich Brittingham talks numbers and goals for the position
Society Invites – It’s birdies and (nearly) holes-in-one with St. Vincent’s, and Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation goes for the gold
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024, 7:30 PM
TRAILBLAZERS: MARTÍN + BRAHMS + BAUER
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Jaime Martín, Music Director Thomas Bauer, baritone
Experience the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra—hailed as “one of the world’s great chamber orchestras” (KUSC Classical FM)—under Music Director Jaime Martín, in a program featuring Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer with acclaimed baritone Thomas Bauer This concert is a cultural highlight you won’t want to miss!
PROGRAM: HAYDN: Symphony No. 6 in D Major, “Le Matin” MAHLER arr.SCHOENBERG: Songs of a Wayfarer
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 in D Major
Sponsors: Edward S. DeLoreto • The Granada Theatre • Lois S. Kroc • Nancy & Byron K. Wood
16 The Giving List – Pets… they’re such a loving presence in our lives (and often our beds) and between low-cost veterinary care and adoption services, Santa Barbara Humane is here to help 20 Protecting Equality – Feminist Majority Foundation ED Kathy Spillar discusses the unrelenting fight for gender equality and reproductive rights
22
Elizabeth’s Appraisals – Art Deco styling... with just a hint of uranium...swirl around this classy glass decanter
24
Celebrating History – Back from a night of dancing with the All-Stars, Hattie commemorates the performances and Granada
26 Brilliant Thoughts – Between prophets, peace, and war, these are the movements and moments that change the world
28
Robert’s Big Questions – Can we move forward to a new labor union and economic system that rewards using automation and other technology?
30 An Independent Mind – Jeffrey gets into the numbers around national debt and spending –prepare to see a lot of zeros
32 Crime in the ‘Cito – Attempted burglaries, indecent exposure, and in a stroke of luck the return of some stolen mail
News Bytes – UCSB Black Alumni event, the News-Press archives find a home, Gregg Hart takes on gas prices, and more
34
Your Westmont – Monthly viewing with a comet, theater performs 39 Steps, and golf swings tourney victories
40 MFPD Board At-Large – A Q&A with the candidates running for the Montecito Fire Protection District board positions
44 Calendar of Events – A Masq(p)arade, united lights, fruits of the sea in the harbor and more slated for this week
46
Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads
47 Mini Meta Crossword Puzzles
Local Business Directory
On Entertainment
Tina and Her Jazz Side: Montecito Rocker Embraces Great American Songbook
by Steven Libowitz
Anybody who caught Tina Schlieske’s mini-set closing out the series of six vocalists fronting the “Granada All Star House Band” at the theater earlier this month – where the powerhouse singer belted out her take on The Beatles “I’ve Got a Feeling,” Aretha Franklin’s version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and her own composition “Everyday” – might be stunned to learn that she also sings jazz.
After all, the 20-year-plus Montecito resident has been a dedicated rocker for more than four decades, originally in Minneapolis, where her band Tina and the B-Sides, which released albums independently back in the 1980s and then on Sire Records a decade later, remains a staple of the scene that spawned Prince and The Replacements. Here, Schlieske has mostly played with her West Coast group The Graceland Exiles at clubs, festivals and nonprofit benefits, but still rocks out with abandon, commanding the stage with authority and what can seem at times like a controlled explosion, amping up the audience with her energy and enthusiasm.
So the release of a jazz album called The Good Life last February – issued, appropriately, on Minneapolis’ Shifting Paradigm Records – came as an unexpected pivot, a left turn into territory that stands in sharp contrast to her usual oeuvre. The record is a stunning achievement, with Schlieske taking on eight standards and classics sung by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, and Tony Bennett with themes that express being charmed, captivated, trapped and/or saddened by love with evident warmth, depth and subtleties of phrasing. Backed by a stellar Minneapolist ensemble of Cody McKinney (bass), Peter Hennig (drums), Bryan Nichols (piano) with Jake Baldwin (trumpet), Brandon Wozniak (sax) and Kevin Gastonguay (organ), Schlieske singing comes across as penetrating and poignant.
Schlieske and most of the band will be performing at the Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara’s home for jazz, on October 26, which will likely serve as an introduction for many of her fans and beyond. But it turns out that Schlieske has harbored an affinity for jazz since childhood and started exploring torch ballads and more back before the pandemic. She talked about her journey to jazz and the album late last week.
Q. Let’s start with the obvious: What sparked this decision to start singing straight ahead jazz standards?
A. I loved Billie Holiday and Nina Simone back when I was growing up, and I got exposed to John Coltrane and other greats working in a record store when I was young. So it’s always been in me. It just took a while for me to have the confidence to step into that arena. But I believe that as an artist, it’s important to keep growing and challenging yourself. When I started back in 2018, it was also the dark years when Trump was president and these simple love songs were just so appealing to me.
The Great American Songbook is a vast catalog, and yet four of the album’s eight tracks are Billie Holiday songs, so that tracks. How did you choose what to sing?
I feel attuned and have a real affinity towards the way Billie Holiday sang jazz, which is very bluesy, sounding like she’s had a whiskey or two, and maybe a couple cigarettes. I thought I could tackle those songs while being authentic with myself and not overreaching. I need to not only feel the song but also feel that I can sing it. I can really relate to her. But part of the inspiration was also singing Frank Sinatra
On Entertainment Page 184
Treat yourself to a Classic Pedicure this October and melt away the pre-holiday stress with a free CBD Treatment ($50 value) in luxurious Zero Gravity Loungers. Relax among waterfalls and the scent of jasmine while indulging in complimentary dining from The Stonehouse Restaurant.
Tina contemplating her recent foray into jazz (courtesy photo)
Beings and Doings
Michael Towbes Plaza: SB’s Beautiful New Town Square Comes with a Side of Library
by Jeff Wing
Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie made a lot of money and couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. “The man who dies rich dies disgraced,” he wrote, and lived his credo. His stubbornly stated goal was to give away – in his lifetime –his entire fortune to causes which he felt would raise and edify humankind. His restless philanthropies were innovative and far-ranging. He credited his own rise to the unfettered access to books he’d enjoyed as a youth, so as an outlandishly liquid adult he began throwing his money at civic libraries. Where? Anywhere with the temerity to ask. Between 1883 and 1929, some 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built, from Pittsburgh to Fiji – one of them at the corner of Anapamu and Anacapa streets in a two-horse frontier town called Santa Barbara. The main branch library doors opened in 1917.
A scant 107 years later our beloved Santa Barbara library is stirring restlessly in her chrysalis of public beneficence, and on
November 3 will emerge to yet another new civic chapter in our sun-splashed hamlet. The Michael Towbes Plaza arguably brings to our swanky burg the only thing she has been truly missing: a literal town square. And because SB is not a town that murmurs when a mezzo shout is in order, the Plaza’s ribbon cutting that day will open a planned Pandora’s Box of color and sound and happy civic hollering – just the sort of mayhem that would rightly get you shushed by a remonstrative librarian anywhere in the world. The Michael Towbes Plaza is a big deal, and will be the jewel in the crown of Santa Barbara’s ever-deepening Arts District, and a town square for all of us, forever. Lauren Trujillo is Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Library Foundation – and a Plaza enthusiast whose language leaps business-speak to soar straight into poetry.
“The public library stands as a democratic gathering space for people of all walks of life, all classes, all backgrounds,” she says with the energy of an acolyte, stammering slightly with excitement. These are not prepared remarks. “I’m
most excited about the library magic,” she says. The library magic? “I’m excited to see how the library magic is going to pour out of the doors and into this space, joining people who would not normally experience something together.” The egalitarian twinning of our Carnegie library and town square have put Executive Director Trujillo into orbit. She’s been in the wheelhouse for years helping to steer this unique project. We should take her joy as an insider’s spoiler alert.
Plaza Palooza
Michael Towbes, okay? Whew! A prolific giver, gifted businessman, and radiant human animal, Towbes’ serene
smile and calming demeanor belied his tireless philanthropy – constant forward motion on behalf of the causes, the people, and the town he adored. The man knew the value of a fleeting hour, and in his autumn years hitched his heart to a spirit as electric as his own. His last road trip alongside his wife and best pal, Anne, was to Burning Man. Yeah, that Burning man. The two drank in daily life like the elixir it truly is. So it was that Anne’s breaking ground for the Michael Towbes Plaza in 2022 gave her Partner in Time new wings; and his beloved Santa Barbara a communal place to be. That the inaugural, communally riotous unveiling of the completed Michael Beings & Doings Page 354
All town squares are not created equal. This one – Michael Towbes Plaza – is arriving with a bang. (courtesy photo)
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Montecito Miscellany Junior League Dazzles
by Richard Mineards
The Junior League of Santa Barbara, which is celebrating its centenary, hosted its 14th annual gala “Dazzling Though the Decades” at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara with 135 guests raising more than $100,000.
Martha Townsend, former president of the organization, was among the tony triumvirate of speakers with current president Jenni-Elise Ramirez, and president-elect Jessica Hawley looking ravishing in an impressive red gown, before the Legacy Award was presented to Joan Lindsey, who established the Joan & Jim Lindsey Endowment to support S.A.F.E. House – Saving At-Risk Youth from Exploitation – a six-bed residential shelter for girls who are survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
The award, which was presented by Mayor Randy Rowse, recognizes a community member who has demonstrated unwavering support for the Junior League and the wider community.
The league also founded the Living Arrows project, a housing program 4 Kids 2 Kids that specifically caters to survivors of sexual exploitation aged 18
to 21. It accepted its first survivor in August 2020.
Among the supporters were Renee Grubb , Martha Townsend , Rob Barthelmess, and Isela Trujillo
A night of opulence and sophistication. Quite the blast...
A Successful Lunch
Records were broken at the 16th annual Domestic Violence Solutions lunch when 264 guests descended on the Hilton helping raise $135,000 for the charity.
The frenetic fête was chaired and emceed by Dr. Mark Juretic, who moved to our Eden by the Beach in 2017 to practice internal medicine at Sansum Clinic, and included a welcome from Executive Director Ken Oplinger and Board President Morgan Steffen
Former senator Hannah-Beth Jackson presented her eponymous impact award – created in 2022 to honor a person or group that demonstrates outstanding dedication to empowering survivors – to Marsha Marcoe, a distinguished marriage and family therapist, who has been
CST#1009527
The attendees Dazzling Through the Decades for the Junior League (courtesy photo)
Joan and Jim Lindsey (center) with granddaughters, Alyse Madej and Patrick Lindsey on left, and Sander Brouwers and Kielle Campbell Lindsey on right (courtesy photo)
Past resident Dianne Duva, Nancy Martz, past president Martha Townsend, past president Michelle Piotrowski, and Lisa Burns (courtesy photo)
We’re Goodwin & Thyne Properties
At Goodwin & Thyne Properties we follow a simple, yet powerful principle when representing real estate buyers and sellers- always do what is best for you, our client. We are an integrated team of clientcentered, comprehensive, connected, collaborative, and committed Realtors®, Brokers, and Attorneys servicing Santa Barbara, Ventura, Ojai, the Central Coast, LA and beyond.
We take pride in hearing our clients say we treat them like family, because – we do. It’s at the core of what makes us different.
Operating from that place means there’s nothing we won’t, and can’t, do to get you the property, deal, and overall outcome you’re looking for. No matter how big or small, complex or simple, we’ve seen and done it all. We look forward to working with you.
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Letters to the Editor On Board with Guy Walker
Igive my strongest possible endorsement to Guy Walker for County Board of Education, for the Trustee Area including most of the Santa Ynez Valley, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, and Guadalupe. Guy has worked hard for many years as a volunteer in the field of education and understands the challenges and opportunities our students face. He has a demonstrated history of common sense and strong moral compass, without being beholden to any political machine or special interest group. I know Guy will do what’s best for our kids and our communities. I strongly encourage you to give Guy Walker your vote.
Bruce Porter
Santa
Ynez
SBCC: A Cornerstone of Our Community
The state of California does not have a permanent funding stream for modernizing or replacing outdated facilities on public school, college or university campuses. Funds for school construction projects must come from local bond measures. State matching funds are accessible only if a community passes a bond measure.
In the upcoming November election, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is asking voters to approve the extension of a bond, Measure P, to complete critically needed repairs and infrastructure. An investment in essential upgrades for SBCC will pay dividends for our community in the future – nurses, radiology technicians, first responders, and other skilled workers who will have the advantage of up-to-date facilities. Measure P is needed to modernize SBCC’s classrooms, labs, and job training facilities, ensuring that our
community continues to benefit from high-quality, affordable education and career training without increasing tax rates beyond levels already approved by voters. With strict oversight and accountability, Measure P guarantees that funds are used effectively and transparently.
For over 100 years, SBCC has been a cornerstone of our community, offering affordable education and career training to countless students. Let’s come together to support the future of Santa Barbara. Vote YES on Measure P.
Nancy Harter
Former Trustee, Santa Barbara Unified School District
A Guy You Can Know & Trust
I write this letter of support for Mr. Guy Walker, candidate for a seat as Trustee of the County Board of Education.
I have known Mr. Walker for the last 51 years. During this time, it has been increasingly evident that he is an extremely committed advocate for the education of our youth. He is well versed in both the public education world as well as private education. He is an active member of the Santa Ynez community and has a finger on its pulse with regard to all aspects youth education.
Sincerely yours, Ricardo Flores M.D.
Preserve the Montecito We Love
Regarding All Saints’ Reverend Channing Smith ’s Letter to the
Letters Page 384
Miramar at the CPC Caruso,
the Community, and County Planning Commission Weigh in on Expansion Plans
by Tiana Molony
On October 9, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission (CPC) heard the Rosewood Miramar’s Mixed-Use Housing Development plan, which includes affordable housing for Miramar staff, new retail shops, a cafe, and luxury housing split between the existing East and West parking lots.
The hearing emerged after Caruso’s team sent a letter to the CPC citing county code section 2-25.2, which states that affordable housing projects fall under the jurisdiction of the county commissioners, and not the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC). However, the MPC will now hear the item on October 18th where there will be an additional opportunity for public comment.
Community members, the Miramar team, Miramar owner Rick Caruso, and All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church representatives stepped up to the mic. Those in opposition wanted more studies on traffic and parking impacts. Others spoke of altering the current plans to fit the church’s requests, including switching the affordable housing location to be closer to the church.
However, Caruso and his team remained steadfast in presenting the plan as is. According to the county’s planning department, if the current project were altered, all county departments would have to do a second review. “And I’m not sure what that would come back as,” said a county staff member.
Before the presentation, Commissioner John Parke assured attendees of his deep knowledge of Montecito and the project.
Montecito Tide Guide
He addressed concerns about the CPC’s expertise compared to the MPC, saying, “To put you somewhat at ease, I have lengthy experience with Montecito and this property.”
Caruso addressed the commissioners first, focusing on the project’s affordable housing element and its positive
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Contributors | Scott Craig, Ashleigh Brilliant, Kim Crail, Tom Farr, Chuck Graham, Stella Haffner, Mark Ashton Hunt, Dalina Michaels, Robert Bernstein, Christina Atchison, Leslie Zemeckis, Sigrid Toye, Elizabeth Stewart, Amélie Dieux, Houghton Hyatt, Jeff Wing
Gossip | Richard Mineards History | Hattie Beresford
Humor | Ernie Witham
Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook Food & Wine | Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie, Jamie Knee
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impact on the Montecito community.
“Honestly, what could be better than providing affordable homes for the people that do so much to make The Miramar a quality and important place in the community?” he asked.
Alongside the proposed 26 affordable housing units are 12 luxury shops, a cafe, and eight market-rate housing units.
The plan has seen many iterations. Katie Mangin , the senior director of development for Caruso, shared with commissioners how the Miramar plan came to be and cited their efforts to listen to what the community wants. One way they did this was by inviting neighbors within a 1,500-foot radius of the resort to share their plans and ask for feedback. “In what we heard, we were able to identify priorities that would provide a sustainable revenue source to create and maintain affordable housing without any public funds,” said Mangin.
Many speakers asked that the mountain view from the church’s parking lot be preserved: “We now humbly ask you to take this matter to your hearts and grant us to continue our spiritual connection and view of the Santa Ynez mountains,” said an All Saints Parish member.
Parking issues were undoubtedly a point of contention. One Miramar neighbor claimed to have seen Miramar
employees struggle to find parking before work. An intern from the law office of Marc Chytilo echoed this claim and spoke of evidence that shows “inappropriate hotel-associated use of public parking lots.”
The project utilizes the state’s Density Bonus Law, allowing certain exceptions for affordable housing projects. One exception the project requests is reduced parking ratios. For the project, the Miramar would typically require 89 additional parking spaces to the already 436 on-site. However, considering the law, the requested exception would reduce the number to 44.
Numerous All Saints representatives echoed approval for the plan’s affordable housing element and disapproval of the luxury apartments and retail shops, worried they would bring more traffic to the area. Public Works approved a traffic study submitted by The Miramar team, though some speakers requested that a separate study be done.
Some speakers were worried about the area’s ability to evacuate, citing Montecito’s past natural disasters, particularly the 2018 mudslides, during which the Church remained an epicenter of support. “I have grave concerns about the public safety of this project,” said former member of the California Miramar Page 394
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Our Town
In Conversation with Lt. Richard Brittingham
by Joanne A Calitri
Our Town news correspondent is happy to report on the recent interview I did with our new Chief of Police Services, City of Carpinteria, Lieutenant Rich Brittingham, South County Operations Division-Coastal.
Brittingham and his team of officers provide law enforcement to the unincorporated county areas of Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria Valley, and to the City of Carpinteria. Since 1992, the City of Carpinteria has contracted with Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services including patrol functions, law enforcement support, traffic enforcement operations, and parking enforcement.
In their press release, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department states, “Lt. Brittingham is a 21-year veteran of the SBC Sheriff’s Office, with over 27 years of law enforcement experience, from criminal investigations to City of Goleta
Chief of Police. His experience, exceptional leadership and managerial skill sets position him well for his new role in Carpinteria. He is highly regarded for his ability to thrive in team environments and has been commended for his leadership, community responsiveness, forward-thinking approach, and outstanding communication skills.”
Lt. Brittingham has been working with his team since July. He and I were on schedule for an in-person interview, however, due to scheduling conflicts and staffing, we opted for an email interview, which is detailed here:
Q. What areas of law enforcement are you first focusing on for the unincorporated Santa Barbara County areas of Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria Valley and to the City of Carpinteria?
A. We will continue with our efforts to remain highly visible in the community with proactive patrols for potential crime reduction efforts. We will focus on community partnership policing by engaging
with community members and businesses, establishing trust and a collaborative relationship on problem solving.
There is some local concern that the SBC Sheriff’s Dept. is understaffed, and the people being hired for these roles are not from the local county. Is this valid, and if so, how is it being handled by your team? Unfortunately, recently staffing has been an issue for all law enforcement agencies. We have a great Human Resources team that is actively recruiting potential deputies. Most deputies working in the South County area reside in Ventura County because of the high home/rent prices here in Santa Barbara. However, this is not a new occurrence. It would be a benefit if deputies were able to afford to live in the community in which they serve, but I have no worries that our deputies will –and do – handle themselves professionally. We have many deputies that have been assigned to this area for many years, and they feel a connection to the community and its members.
How many deputies are on your team for the area? What is the ratio of deputy to citizens? We have units that are dedicated to both the City of Carpinteria and the unincorporated areas of Montecito and Summerland. They often work together as they handle their calls for service. So, there could be anywhere from two dep-
uties to four or five deputies in a certain area, depending on the activity at hand. More resources are available by additional deputies working other parts of the County if necessary (i.e. Goleta, unincorporated Santa Barbara, detectives, etc.)
What are your recommendations for citizens/area residents and businesses to help prevent crime and support your efforts? I recommend that community members take a proactive approach to safety. Make sure your doors are locked when you are away, report crimes in a timely matter, report suspicious activity, and when they have questions, please reach out and ask a deputy or call the station.
Advice for what matters most, when you need it most
Congratulations to Donna Weidl for being named to the Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors
Best-in-State” 2024 list, published on February 8, 2024. Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2023.
The JJD Group
Donna Weidl Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Manager 805.963.6308 donna.weidl@ml.com
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 1424 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805.963.6302 fa.ml.com/jjdgroup
2024 Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client’s experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and should not be considered an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) is a
Lt. Richard Brittingham, Chief of Police Services, City of Carpinteria
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Society Invites
St. Vincent’s 23rd Annual Golf Classic at the Montecito Club
by Joanne A Calitri
Monday, October 7, saw the 23 rd Annual St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara Golf Classic at the Montecito Club. This charity tournament supports single mothers and their young children in the Family Strengthening Program.
Bill Cordero Sr. is one of its founders, and Event Chair for the past 12 years. His dedication to St. Vincent’s began with his mother and father, both orphans, who met at the organization’s home for children.
The 23rd Annual Golf Classic featured 20 teams with 80 players competing for grand prizes in over five categories. The event commenced at 10 am with registration, raffle ticket sales, brunch, getting massaged at the Stretch Lab booth, and a chance to show those golf skills at the putting Hole-in-One contest to win $25,000 cash.
In charge of the putting elimination contest was event emcee Drew Wakefield. Everyone had a free chance at the first hole-in-one. If they were successful, it only cost $5 per try to do the second hole-in-one to qualify for the final round competition. As the tryouts wound down, there were six golfers who went for the final round of qualifying holes-in-one, down to one golfer, Paul Cashman, who tried his best for the
$25,000, 60 foot putt. His golf ball was close but not in the hole.
At 11:45 am the golf teams got in their assigned golf carts for a brief morning program. St. Vincent’s President and CEO Rosa Paredes welcomed the golfers and thanked them for their continued support of St. Vincent’s programs. She introduced and thanked Cordero and his wife Linda Tennyson, son Bill Cordero Jr., Sally Valpredo, and her nephew David Martin and niece Connor Limont representing the Sarah Lee Pascoe Foundation.
Society Page 334
Sr. Caroline, Sr. Arthur Gordon, David Martin, Sally Valpredo, Connor Limont, Rosa Paredes, and Bill Cordero Sr. (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Scoring First Place at the St Vincent’s Golf Classic: Mike Valpredo, Mike Casazza, Colby Lewis, and Bhavik Patel (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Scoring First Place Women’s: PK Mayeux, Asaka Knight Sim, Linda Tennyson, and Sandy Boneck (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
All Santa Barbara County residents can access programs funded by the Cancer Foundation at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center regardless of your physician or treatment location.
Services include: Genetic Counseling, Wellness, Nutrition, Social Services, Patient Navigation and more.
The Giving List Santa Barbara Humane
by Steven Libowitz
Organizations don’t last 137 years if they’re not capable of changing with the times.
For Santa Barbara Humane, the local nonprofit that – despite the mistaken notion that they’re part of a big network – is not affiliated with any national groups, the mission that guides them is that of championing both animals and the people who love them; leading to a vision of creating a healthy and happy community for all animals.
Rolling with the era is what they’re all about.
“Our philosophy as an organization always circles back to ‘How do we get to yes,’” explained CEO Kerri Burns “We want to help as many animals as we can, and we find we are most successful doing that when we address what people and their pets need the most. We’ve been part of the community for a long time, and our goal is to continue to grow with the evolving needs of the times for animals and their owners.”
Those needs nowadays include not only the basics of finding loving homes for cats and dogs but also offering behavioral dog training classes for both the animals and their families, providing pet food and supplies for those who need assistance, and offering accessible medical care for all pets.
“More than ever, we are not just a shelter in this post-pandemic era,” she said. “We play a unique role as a social service agency for pets without people and people with pets, serving a crucial need in our community.”
Access to veterinary care is a huge problem because it’s so expensive, Burns said. But Santa Barbara Humane stands ready to help at every turn.
“Our unique position as a humane organization with veterinary clinics in both Santa Barbara and Santa Maria allows us to serve in a special way,” she said. “We have strong partnerships with our local rescues and private veterinarians, meaning we get a lot of referrals. Last year that enabled us to assist nearly 29,000 animals with our low-cost and free veterinary care.”
But what people may not know is the organization’s clinics also serve as a teaching hospital for vet students hailing from veterinary colleges all across the United States. With eight full-time veterinarians on staff and a large support group, Santa Barbara Humane’s clinics are open seven days a week.
Still, the needs that grew exponentially during the pandemic have not slackened. Demand for services has only increased even as life returned to normal, Burns said.
The statistics show that Santa Barbara Humane facilitated 2,127 adoptions in 2023, a 28% increase year-over-year, while the total number of veterinary procedures spiked 78% to 28,656. Financial assistance rose almost as aggressively, as the nonprofit provided financial assistance through its TLC Fund totaling $515,000, representing a 71% increase, while more than 1,000 animals benefited from dog training.
Pretty impressive numbers, but Santa Barbara Humane knows that additional
These programs and services— made possible by your donations and our funding— impact lives
In addition to adoption services, Santa Barbara Humane provides veterinary care and training (photo by Zach Mendez)
“Itzhak Perlman is a superstar of classical music… No other violinist enjoys his level of recognition.”
The New York Times
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
13 Tongues
Cheng Tsung-lung, Artistic Director Sat, Nov 2 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre
Mixing traditional storytelling with futuristic imagery and shifting between folk, classical and electronic music sources, 13 Tongues delivers an unforgettable experience of contemporary dance at its most innovative and spectacular.
Dance Series Sponsors:
Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, and Sheila Wald
Chamber Music’s
Magnificent
Seven Itzhak Perlman and Friends
Thu, Nov 7 / 7 PM / Granada Theatre
Itzhak Perlman, violin
Emanuel Ax, piano
Program
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano Juilliard String Quartet
Leclair: Sonata for Two Violins in E minor, op. 3, no. 5
Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 493
Chausson: Concert for Violin, Piano and String Quartet, op. 21
Great Performances Suite Sponsors: G.A. Fowler Family Foundation and The Shanbrom Family Foundation
Thu, Nov 14 / 6:30 PM (note special time) / Arlington Theatre
On Entertainment (Continued from 5)
songs. You can’t get any more misogynistic than Sinatra at that time, so I love the irony of a lesbian in a tuxedo singing his songs. Of course, he was also an incredible singer and studying his vocals and phrasing is a complete schooling.
The album really is quite a remarkable departure from how we usually hear you in town. Not because it’s heartfelt, that’s always in your music – but the combination of so understated but still passionate. Was that a deliberate choice?
Well that was the challenge. I come from bar bands, screaming in basements, so my usual vocal performance is like at 11, push it hard. Doing jazz is about going back to the beginning, trying to train myself to calm down and sing softly, to have the confidence that I don’t need to scream to convey pain or anger or frustration. You can also do it in a whisper and access those emotions in a completely different way.
Here you are trying something new, and you decide to cover songs made famous by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, and Tony Bennett. That’s jumping in the deep end, not just sticking your toe in the water. Can you share a little more about that threshold of confidence? Was it just like, yeah, I’m ready, or more ‘screw it, I’m doing it’?
It’s both a curse and a blessing that my personality is that if I get moved by something enough to want to do it, I just jump in. Then I start freaking out and wondering, why did I do this? I remember before my first jazz show at Les Marchands on a Tuesday night I started saying to Justine, “I don’t want to do this. I can’t believe I said I would. What was I thinking? Who do I think I am? I’m a rock singer, I’m not a jazz singer.” She told me it would be fine. And it was. People loved it. And I think it’s because when
TINA SCHLIESKE QUINTET
I’m starting to doubt myself, I just have to remind myself that I’m doing it from my heart. If it’s moving me, then it’s going to communicate to other people too. Don’t get me wrong – rock and blues are still so much easier, and I don’t quite have the full confidence of walking on any stage to bring my best with the jazz stuff. But it’s building… [Performing] jazz has been teaching me a lot about singing, how to deliver a song and just how to be part of an ensemble, which is so different from leading a rock band.
These are iconic songs that have been covered thousands of times over the decades. Did you have a concept of adding something new and different to make them your own, or more just the desire to sing them?
I tried really hard not to overthink it. I had the faith that even if in my mind I was singing exactly like Billie Holiday, it won’t sound like her. It will have my unique interpretation. So the only thing I wanted to really bring was a freshness in the sense that these songs have all moved me. So I wanted my vocal performance with the band to move people with my rendition… All due respect to Rod Stewart but (his versions) are about bending the music to his style. I wanted to bend my style towards the jazz and be authentic and respectful to the songs.
Singing jazz is so different in that I try to be as vulnerable as possible. I can hide when I do rock and blues, jump around on the stage and have lots of other distractions that might cover what I feel are my inadequacies of my vocals and my musical chops. But when it comes to jazz, there’s nowhere to hide. So I try to stand in that vulnerability and just let people see and hear me. It’s incredibly fulfilling when people respond to that.
Visit www.lobero.org for more information and tickets
Maria’s Musical Meanderings Through the Eras
Maria Muldaur’s career has been a 60-year exploration of the music she grew up with as a Greenwich Village native who came of age in the early 1960s, the era of what John Sebastian calls the “folk scare,” when acoustic music of all kinds exploded in the downtown New York scene.
“It was an incredibly exciting time, and being there totally shaped me,” Muldaur said. “People in the urban north were just starting to discover all sorts of American roots music – Appalachian, bluegrass, early blues, gospel music, jug band music. We
with special guest Laura Schlieske
SATURDAY OCT 26 2024
An icon in Santa Barbara and the Minneapolis music scene known for rock and Americana, Schlieske unveils her latest musical journey, The Good Life. Teaming up with a stellar ensemble, the artist embarks on a transformative jazz odyssey. This album, featuring renowned musicians Cody McKinney, Pete Hennig, Bryan Nichols, Brandon Wozniak, and Jake Baldwin, is a departure into uncharted jazz territory – a nod to the lasting allure of jazz, ushering in a new era yet paying homage to its timeless roots.
Imagine Having a Whole VILLAGE Behind You.
Protecting Equality
Kathy Spillar and the Fight for Equal Rights
by Jamie Knee
On Monday, October 14th, an energized and diverse crowd gathered at the Coral Casino for a powerful event, Feminist Equali-tea, highlighting the unrelenting fight for gender equality and reproductive rights. The event was organized and hosted by Stacy Pulice, who had re-encountered Kathy Spillar, editor of Ms. Magazine and Executive Director of the Feminist Majority Foundation, at the Giving List Women summit. Pulice had Spillar on as her very first guest for Pulice’s revamped podcast, Regnerative Mindset After the two reconnected, they began planning this event with Natalie Orfalea joining along the way.
Spillar delivered a keynote that struck at the heart of the current struggle for equality in the U.S. With the pivotal 2025 election on the horizon, her message was clear: The fight for women’s rights is still ongoing, and the stakes have never been higher. What happens next
will shape the future of gender equality in this country – now is the time to act.
As Spillar took the stage, the gravity of the discussion was clear; this wasn’t just about one policy or one issue, it was about the very fabric of our democracy. Ms. Spillar emphasized the importance of education in driving social change and explained the role of the Feminist Majority Foundation in advocating for women’s rights across all facets of life. The foundation, established in 1987, has been pivotal in its work for gender equality, pushing for legislative changes, organizing grassroots movements, and ensuring women’s voices are heard.
A central theme of the event was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a long-sought piece of legislation that promises to enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. Despite the ERA having been ratified by the necessary number of states, political roadblocks have kept it from being fully implemented. Spillar reminded the audience that the ERA is not merely symbolic – it is a
tool for ensuring that women and men receive equal protection under the law in critical areas such as employment, education, and healthcare. Its passage would be a monumental victory for women’s rights and for society as a whole.
Reproductive rights, particularly abortion access, were another focal point of the event. Spillar addressed the current wave of anti-democratic legislation sweeping across the country, with 22 states already implementing some form of abortion ban. Many of these laws are the result of coordinated efforts by Republican governors and lawmakers determined to dismantle reproductive rights. If measures like Project 2025 succeed, they would not only outlaw abortion but also limit access to IVF, contraception, and other essential reproductive healthcare services. Spillar stressed the devastating social and economic consequences of such actions, particularly for low-income women and marginalized communities.
Tragically, these restrictive laws are already having fatal consequences. Reports confirm that at least two women in Georgia, both mothers who left behind children, have already died after being denied timely access to legal abortions and critical medical care. Their deaths are not just isolated incidents, but part of a growing national crisis where women’s lives are being sacrificed due to political decisions. The consequences of these
restrictive laws are clear, in that they not only impact the autonomy of women but put their lives in immediate danger.
The stakes of the upcoming 2025 election were made clear, that reproductive rights, economic stability, and healthcare are all on the line. Voting isn’t just about protecting individual freedoms – it’s about safeguarding the future for our daughters, wives, elderly mothers, and the health of our country. Young voters, especially, must be aware of how much their vote matters. Recent polling shows that 70% of young women, and over half of young men, plan to vote in the 2025 election, driven in large part by the
Kathy Spillar speaking at the event (photo by Kim Rearson)
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Elizabeth’s Appraisals
Art Deco
Decanter
by Elizabeth Stewart
has an elegant Art Deco green glass decanter trimmed with gold leaf and topped by an 11-inch clear glass stopper. It is likely of
or Czechoslovakian origin, because in the 1930s to 1940s Art Deco glass with gold was a signature of these two glass making centers.
The shape is not the kind we associate with wine decanters used for fine reds, but instead this shape held spirits – likely clear spirits such as gin or vodka – and was probably part of a bar set that included matching glassware. Sets like these
exploded onto the American scene after Prohibition ended in 1933. Happy to be drinking again, Americans enjoyed fancy barware, and home bars appointed in custom bespoke fine furniture cabinets. Seeing a decanter like this makes me think of Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You,” first performed on Broadway in the show Anything Goes a year after the end of Prohibition: “I get no kick from champagne/Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all/So tell me why should it be true? /That I get a Kick out of you........”
The decanter has a history that stretches back to Greece and Rome, when your servant could not lift the heavy clay wine amphora to the reclining dining couches, so (in the best households) a smaller vessel made of glass was used. Of course, the shape mattered because the wine needed to breathe and aerate. The difference between a decanter and a carafe is that a decanter has a stopper, which is useful during a long Classical Roman dinner party to keep the wine fresh. The distinction is made today of the two types of wine vessels.
As wine grew in popularity in England in the 17th century, it was shipped from Italy or France, and because of the travel rigors, stirred up wine needed to be cleared of sediments before serving.
A British inventor who loved Venice, George Ravenscroft, brought a glass making formula over from Murano in 1676 to make crystalline glass (leaded glass) that was clear, so the wine’s sediments and residues could be seen when decanted. That sediment was bitter to the taste. The Venetians also rediscovered the shape of the glass decanter in the 15th century period, the Italian Renaissance, in which the wide-bodied bowl exposed the wine to air and the long neck kept scents inside. The Venetians invented types of necks for types of wines: the Standard neck, and the Cornett, Duck, and Swan necks. Ravenscroft also “borrowed” this shape and brought his “invention” to London where it changed the marketing of wine.
Previously, wine “lived” in dark glass bottles. Suddenly wine that had been cloudy could be sold. Decanters today are still used as both a symbol and, for some heavier bodied reds, as a preference. The shape has remained the same since the 17th century: a narrow neck and a wide bodied bowl. The narrow neck of the decanter keeps the aromas in the wine, but lets the tannins dissipate when exposed to oxygen across the expanse of the bowl.
Experts say that the use of a decanter has much the same result as that ostentatious but functional “swirl” of wine in a
properly shaped wine glass, where a wine snob might swirl a glass to stimulate the oxidation process, and to trigger the release of aromatic compounds in the wine.
JE’s decanter probably did not hold colored spirits because the green glass was prized and displayed as pure green because it contained traces of uranium, popular until World War II when it became critical for the war effort. If the following spirits were poured into green glass, the glory of the green color would not shine through. But all these spirits were decanted in the mid-20th century for your 1930s classy home bar: rum, cognac, bourbon, whiskey, tequila, rye, brandy, and Armagnac.
Spirits can be stored in a stoppered decanter for up to two years, as opposed to wine which should be served after two hours from a decanter. In fact, light bodied reds such as zinfandels only need 20-30 minutes exposure to oxygen. It is the full-bodied wines like cabernet sauvignon which may require an hour or two in a decanter – but wine experts differ on this. JE’s decanter, because of that fabulous stopper, is worth $300. But I bet you can picture it on an Art Deco-style booze cabinet as it helped pour out that long awaited post-Prohibition gin.
Elizabeth Stewart, PhD is a veteran appraiser of fine art, furniture, glass, and other collectibles, and a cert. member of the AAA and an accr. member of the ASA. Please send any objects to be appraised to Elizabethappraisals@ gmail.com
This Art Deco decanter has a stopper that stretches on through time
By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen
Torcellini
Celebrating History The Granada’s All-Star Centennial Celebration
by Hattie Beresford
Back in 1924, when Edward A. Johnson celebrated the opening of his spectacular Granada Theatre, he arranged for a program that highlighted the flexibility of the new venue. In addition to one of the first-ever 3-D movies, cartoons, a ballet performance, and the world premiere of Mae Murray’s Mademoiselle Midnight, he hired Antonio P. Sarli to organize the Granada Grand Orchestra. Sarli, the former director of the Greater Los Angeles Municipal Band, became “The Great Sarli” in Santa Barbara. Though he presented a mixed program of classical, popular, and syncopated (jazz) music for the opening, Sarli didn’t stay long. Local conductor Raymond Eldred took over the leadership of the orchestra which was made up of local talent. Eldred was well-known for his insistence that local musicians be hired for Santa Barbara and had protested vehemently when Max Fleischman
hired an out-of-town-band to serve as Santa Barbara’s municipal band.
By the mid 1930s, however, the thennamed Greater Granada Orchestra, like so many other cultural riches at that time, had disappeared. It is fitting, therefore, that 100 years later, the newly formed Granada All-Star House Band, under the direction of master guitarist and Granada board member Tariqh Akoni, took to the stage on Saturday, October 5, to present a program of mixed musical genre using local vocalists and musicians.
And what a program it was! (Simon Cowell, eat your heart out because Santa Barbara’s got talent!) From the opening set by versatile singer/songwriter Miriam Dance – whose rocking rhythm and blues inspired the audience to take to the dance floor – to the finale led by premier rocker Tina Schlieske (who got a little help from her friends), the high energy show proved once again that Santa
is blessed with exceptionally
Regina Fernandez and Adam Hagenbuch
Photo: Zach Mendez
Directed by Jamie
Barbara
Master guitarist Tariqh Akoni with beloved bassist Randy Tico (in background) organized the Granada Centennial All-Star House Band and put together the exciting musical evening (photo by Baron Spafford, courtesy of The Granada Theatre)
Hunter Hawkins brought her beautiful voice and songwriting talents to the stage (photo by Baron Spafford, courtesy of The Granada Theatre)
Trumpeter Jim Mooy and saxophonist Tom Buckner brought down the house (photo by Baron Spafford, courtesy of The Granada Theatre)
Brilliant Thoughts
Motion and Emotion
by Ashleigh Brilliant
According to the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, Jesus taught his followers that nothing – even moving a mountain – is impossible to those who have faith. Some 600 years later, the Prophet Mohammed apparently had a very different take on this idea. He knew that no amount of faith would bring a mountain to him. So, when challenged by disbelievers, he himself went to the mountain. This, it was said, proved his faith in submission to Allah. That concept of submission is basic to the creed of Islam. It is theoretically acted out five times a day by devout Muslims. Whether or not they hear the actual call to prayer, which is now often broadcast electronically from the tops of Minarets, they are obliged to stop whatever they are doing, and bend their bodies upon the ground in an attitude of profound obeisance
In modern times, mountains are moved by more practical means. We have highways, tunnels, bridges – but, as far as mountains are considered obstacles, we have the miracle of human flight, enabling us simply to go over them (giving a whole new dimension to the word “surmount”).
But there are other things we wish to move, in other ways. We organize to change society by means of “movements,” such as what at various times has been called the “Peace Movement,” to keep or get our country out of different wars. Interestingly, in the case of both World War I and World War II, there were peace movements which were powerful enough to keep the United States “at peace” for as long as two years while most other major nations were embroiled. What finally made the difference? The first time, President Woodrow Wilson (who had actually won re-election with the slogan, “He Kept Us Out of War”) could not resist the pressure of the War Movement after Germany – which had refrained from sinking “Neutral” American ships despite their cargos being vital to Germany’s chief enemy, Britain – began implementing a new policy of “Unrestricted U-Boat Warfare.”
The second time around, hardly more than 20 years later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was more successful in resisting the “warmongers,” despite a similar situation in the Atlantic war zone. Short of actually entering the conflict, FDR made formal agreements to help Britain. But the whole picture was changed dramatically, virtually overnight, by events in an unexpected quarter. The U.S. had a large naval base in Hawaii, against which Japan, which had become an official ally of the “Axis” (mostly Germany and Italy) suddenly mounted a surprise attack by carrier-based bombers. There could now be no question of America being at war – and the whole U.S. peace movement soon fizzled. Emblematic of this change was Charles Lindbergh, the heroic “Lone Eagle,” who had visited Germany and became a leader and spokesman of the American anti-war movement. He now “changed course,” and flew with his country’s Air Force.
Incidentally, you may be interested to know how I myself was personally involved in all this, particularly in that crucial year of 1941. I was only seven years old, but my family had been separated by the war. My mother had taken my sister and me to visit her family in Canada. But my father, Victor Brilliant, a British Government employee, had remained behind in England. That year saw the so-called “Battle of the Atlantic,” in which, just as in the previous War, British ships were a prime target of German submarines. My father was on one of those British merchant ships, hoping to come across and join his family.
Sure enough, his ship was one of those torpedoed and, according to his own account, he was lucky to be one of the survivors. His destination was Washington, D.C., capital city of a still neutral U.S.A., where our whole family were finally together again. It was there, near the end of that year of 1941 – and only about a day before my eighth birthday – that we heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Many years later – and thanks to careful German government records – that the crew of that particular submarine (although theirs was itself an extremely dangerous job) had been captured and taken to Canada, where they spent the rest of the war in a safe, comfortable, prisoner-of-war camp. The Captain eventually returned to his job and family in Germany, and actually outlived one of the men he had tried to kill – my father – by some years.
Such are the Fortunes of War.
Ashleigh Brilliant born England 1933, came to California in 1955, to Santa Barbara in 1973, to the Montecito Journal in 2016.
Best-known for his illustrated epigrams, called “Pot-Shots,” now a series of 10,000. email: ashleigh@west. net. web: www.ash leighbrilliant.com.
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Robert’s Big Questions Win-Win Unions?
by Robert Bernstein
As I finish this, dock workers have paused their strike in the East and Gulf Coast. Workers have won a bigger cut of the massive profits of the shipping industry. But they are still demanding a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks used for loading and unloading freight.
Two years ago, I wrote a relevant article “In Praise of Idleness” (from a Bertrand Russell piece) about this type of irrationality in our economic system. In a rational economic system, automation and labor-saving equipment should be a benefit to all. It should bring lower costs, and a raising of hourly worker pay, as workers become more productive.
In 1930, economist John Maynard Keynes published a short essay “Economic possibilities for our grandchildren.” He predicted that the standard of living in 100 years would be 4-8 times higher. That has come to pass. But he also predicted a 15-hour work week. Why are we stuck with the same 40-hour work week, despite orders of magnitude gains in productivity?
Because our economy is not rational. We have an adversarial system where only six percent of private sector U.S. workers are in unions. They fight to survive against powerful corporate interests who would happily put them all out of work.
A New York Times article by economist Clifford Winston explained how protectionist regulations from over 100 years ago compound the problems of the shipping industry. Laws like the 1906 Foreign Dredge Act and the 1920 Jones Act, which also were created for national security reasons. These laws serve no modern purpose and neither party has repealed them. Though Biden did sign the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 that reins in some excessive shipping charges.
Germany has a totally different union system called “Social Partnership” (Sozialpartnerschaft). This is a truly winwin system for business, labor, and consumers. Entire industries are unionized, rather than individual businesses. One notable provision: Corporate boards are required to include labor representatives.
Instead of an adversarial relationship, labor and business work together to maximize productivity for mutual benefit.
Another surprising rule: Individual workers and individual businesses can opt out of the union arrangement. You might wonder why any business would voluntarily opt in. Because the cooper-
ative system increases productivity. And it avoids conflicts that can shut down operations or lead to lawsuits.
In the U.S. union system, individual workers in most states cannot opt out if their company is unionized. This is justified by the fact that all workers benefit from union protection, so all workers should pay into that system.
But it can lead to accusations of corruption, where the union leaders are working for their own benefit, rather than for the benefit of rank-and-file workers. In the German system, the union has to keep each worker happy or else each worker can opt out.
We are entering a new era of automation and artificial intelligence on an unprecedented scale. Clifford Winston pointed out that the port of Los Angeles ranks 375 out of 405 ports globally, in a World Bank ranking. Can the U.S. compete in the world by unilaterally banning modern technology? Just to create unnecessary work to keep people unnecessarily employed?
I recently read that the California and U.S. governments are offering billions of dollars in subsidies for electric trucks to replace polluting trucks that serve our congested harbors. This does have some environmental benefits. But maybe there is a better solution: An automated electric rail system to transport the shipping containers out of the congested harbor to a less congested area. From there, the containers could be placed on railroad cars or trucks that get the freight moving, instead of sitting in a traffic jam.
Local company LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions gave me a tour of their proposed solution about 20 years ago. Sadly, they gave up and switched to a different line of work. Because their system would have created efficiencies that are opposed in our irrational economic system.
Can we move forward to a new union and economic system that rewards using automation and other technology? In a win-win benefit for workers, businesses and consumers?
Robert Bernstein holds degrees from Physics departments of MIT and UCSB. His passion to understand the Big Questions of life, the universe and to be a good citizen of the planet. Visit facebook. com/questionbig
An Independent Mind
Major Policy Issue No. 3: The Debt Bomb
by Jeffrey Harding
Deficit spending has significant harmful long-term economic effects but neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump are talking about it. The growing deficit will lead to more borrowing by the government, higher interest rates, a “crowding out” effect on private debt markets, force cutbacks on entitlement programs, jeopardize the standing of the U.S. dollar, and slow economic growth. It’s a debt bomb that will go off.
Deficits are caused because Congress spends more than what the government takes in. They borrow the shortfall which is what increases federal debt. We, of course, have to pay interest on this growing debt which is the problem. With increasing debt, interest payments take more and more of the government’s budget.
There is only one cure for growing deficits and that is to cut spending.
Presently the level of federal debt is about 120% of GDP. GDP is a measure of the total output of the U.S. economy. This is what it looks like (in trillions):
Entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are fiscal time bombs. Social Security is running out of money because shortfalls in funding are draining the Social Security trust fund. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), if the problem isn’t fixed, by 2033 there will be a mandatory 23% cut in benefits. Medicare Part A also faces the same problems and will face insolvency by 2031.
I’m going to throw some numbers at you, so please bear with me because deficits are about numbers.
The CBO’s recent economic forecast for 2025 to 2034 sheds some light on the future impact of growing federal deficits, and, even with very optimistic assumptions, it’s not reassuring.
Here are the CBO’s projected cumulative totals for the years 2023 to 2034:
Total Spending: $84,897,000,000
Total Revenues: $62,814,000,000
Total Deficit: $22,083,000,000
Of those amounts, $64,379,000,000, or 74% of revenue will be spent on mandatory programs like Social Security
and Medicare and interest on the debt. That leaves 26% for nondiscretionary items like defense, law enforcement, transportation, national parks, disaster relief, and foreign aid.
The CBO calculates that total federal debt will be $50,664,000,000 by 2034, up from the present amount of $34,831,634,000. There is not a lot holding politicians back, so assume there will be even more spending over the years.
Our presidential candidates are not helping. The Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), a nonpartisan think tank, analyzed the impact of Harris’s and Trump’s tax and spending plans (as of October 7). They gave each candidate a low and high estimate of how much they would increase the deficit from 2026 to 2035 (in trillions):
Harris:
Low: +$3,500,000,000
High: +$8,000,000,000
Trump:
Low: +$ 7,500,000,000
High: +$15,000,000,000
These numbers are on top of existing built-in deficit-inducing spending programs.
Numbers in the trillions are difficult to grasp. A few years back a trillion was a stupid number like quadrillions or septillions. But here we are. The reason we have stupid numbers is because of inflation. Inflation is caused mainly by deficit spending. The Treasury borrows money on the financial markets to cover the deficit. Because the amounts financed are so huge, the Fed has to offset the impact of the debt gusher on interest rates by buying some of this debt, mostly by increasing the money supply (money “printing”) to suppress interest rates. Money printing causes inflation and Inflation eventually leads to higher interest rates. Because they’ve been doing this for many years, we have stupid numbers.
What will happen? There is a point where revenues and expenditures reach a point where the debt can’t be sustained. A recent study by the American Enterprise Institute examined the debt limits of 27 OECD countries (Europe and North America). Based on recent historical data they determined the point where debt levels would “impair a country’s ability to manage public spending and deficits.” Such debt levels would be unsustainable which means it would be very difficult to finance or refinance a country’s debt. This is why Greece went bankrupt. For the U.S. that point is when debt is 154% of GDP, only 30 points away from current levels.
There is a way out: government has to cut spending. But the odds of our politicians going there is unlikely. They can’t balance the budget by raising taxes high enough to offset spending without cratering the economy. They can’t “print” enough money to pay for it without bringing back inflation and stagnation.
The CBO projects total deficit spending for 2025-2034 to be $22.083 trillion. I think that is optimistic nevertheless by reducing spending each year they could get to the $22T and have a balanced budget by 2035. There are many ways to do this and it is feasible. Once we get spending under control, then we can come up with strategies for dealing with the debt and enact government spending limits like Switzerland’s “Debt Brake” or Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
We can’t stick our collective heads in the sand and ignore this issue. Or by 2034 we’ll be in tears and near bankruptcy.
Jeffrey Harding is a real estate investor and long-time resident of Montecito. He previously published a popular financial blog, The Daily Capitalist. He is a retired SBCC adjunct professor.
Montecito Journal
Debt v. GDP (courtesy of https://fred.stlouisfed.org)
Pulitzer Prize Finalist An Evening with Percival Everett
Fri, Oct 25 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall
FREE copies of Everett’s new book, James, will be available while supplies last (pick up at event; one per household)
“The times are finally catching up to the satirical genius of this cult literary icon. Everett is a true American genius, a master artist.” Oprah Daily
No. 1 New York Times
Bestselling Author and Poet Yung Pueblo in Conversation with Pico Iyer
Tue, Oct 29 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall
Yung Pueblo is a writer and poet whose focus on self-knowledge and radical selfacceptance has made him a source of inspiration and wisdom to millions.
Event Sponsor: Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli
Bestselling Novelist and Essayist Anne Lamott Somehow: Thoughts on Love
Wed, Nov 13 / 7:30 PM / Arlington Theatre
“Every writer, truth seeker, parent and activist I know is in love with one or more books by Anne Lamott.”
–Gloria Steinem
A lyrical writer who takes on the most complex, intimate parts of life with grace, humor and precision, Anne Lamott discusses finding love late in life, the changing ways we love our children and how love can keep us going in a painful world.
Lead Sponsor: Lynda Weinman & Bruce Heavin
CRIME IN THE ‘CITO
93108 . . . .
Stolen Mail Returned /Sheffield-East Valley Rd
Monday, Sept 30, 2024, at 12:00 hrs
Birnam Wood security located a couple of piles of lost/stolen mail and turned the purloined letters into law enforcement.
Attempted Break In / 2100 Block, Forge Rd
Monday, Sept 30, 2024, at 13:00 hrs
Between 09/27/2024 at approximately 14:00 hours and 09/30/2024 at approximately 13:05 hours, an unknown suspect(s) attempted to break into the residence. The suspect(s) were unable to get into the residence, but the suspect(s) caused major damage to multiple windows and window frames. The unknown suspect(s) are in violation of 664/459 PC – Attempted Residential Burglary and 594(b)(1) PC – Vandalism over $400.
Attempted Force Entry / 2200 Block, Featherhill Rd
Monday, Sept 30, 2024, at 12:09 hrs
Unknown suspect(s) attempted to force entry through the victim’s garage door. While unsuccessful in making entry, the door was damaged and now needs repair.
Indecent Exposure / Butterfly Beach
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024, at 17:44 hrs
Deputies responded to Butterfly Beach for a call of indecent exposure. Deputies contacted the victim who stated he was walking his dog on the beach when he encountered an individual. When he approached, the individual exposed and grabbed his penis, offending the victim and making him feel uncomfortable, a violation of 314.1PC – Indecent Exposure. The victim was able to positively identify the individual during an infield show up and signed a citizen’s arrest form. The individual was arrested and taken to SBJ for being in violation of 314.1PC – Indecent Exposure.
Burglary / 400 Block, Alcala Ln
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024, at 11:28 hrs
Unknown suspect(s) made entry through one of several unlocked doors at a residence. The entire residence had been gone through and several items were missing, mostly jewelry and contents of a safe (which was empty). The unknown suspect(s) were in violation of 459 PC – Burglary.
Burglaries / Sandy Pl and Birnam Wood Area
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024, at 21:08 hrs
Deputies responded to an interrupted residential 459 PC. The victim stated a male suspect had broken a rear window to the residence and was discovered going through drawers. When confronted, the suspect fled the residence out of a back door. Birnam Wood security responded and advised the suspect was possibly last seen running in the vicinity of the 17th hole of the golf course. Deputies arrived on scene, set up a containment, and waited for Sheriff’s K9 to respond. The suspect was described as a male, very small in stature, wearing tight fitting black clothing, with a hood and a mask. K9 arrived and a track was attempted, however it yielded no results. A search of the area revealed an additional home had been burglarized. There, the suspect pried off a dog door and opened a French window, to gain access into the residence. The suspect(s) appeared to be in this residence for some time, as some of the rooms were ransacked. The suspect left a tool on scene, which was collected as evidence. It is also apparent the suspect utilized gloves during the commission of the crimes, from the hand smudges located on scene.
News Bytes UCSB Black Alumni Invited to Attend the Legacy Reception
by MJ Staff
Attention all Black UCSB alumni from 1965 through 2024! Register to join the UCSB Black Alumni Legacy Reception on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Mosher Alumni House, UCSB Campus, from 5-8 PM.
UCSB Black Alumni Affinity Group is in charge of the event which will have a Social Reception with alumni, faculty, and staff; and a farewell to Chancellor Henry Yang. Send in any photos you have of your time at UCSB to be part of the slideshow. Join Black alumni leaders for a cross-generational celebration of Black Gauchos and reconnect with fellow alumni, influential faculty, and dedicated staff to share stories, build new connections, and reflect on the rich legacy and achievements of UCSB’s Black alumni.
411: www.campuscalendar.ucsb.edu/event/legacy-celebration-of-ucsb-black-alumni Send UCSB photos to: mcpatax@gmail.com
State of the Black Community Survey for SB County Due November 1
The confidential survey consists of questions about your experiences and perceptions of life in Santa Barbara County. The survey opened on June 15 and the deadline to complete has been extended to November 1, 2024. Complete the survey and enter to win $200 gift card.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum Receives News-Press Archive
Executive Director of the SB Historical Museum Dacia Harwood announced on October 2nd that the museum will be acquiring the archives of the defunct local daily newspaper, the Santa Barbara News-Press.
This comes after months of questioning from local organizations, communities and citizens concerned with the magnitude of historical news stories and photographs contained in said archives since the beginning of the newspaper, including files on microfiche through its digital archives. As we wait for more updates, it is expected these files will be available for free as historical reference and serve as a catalog of the history of the area.
411: www.sbhistorical.org
Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s Bill on Gasoline Prices
In October, Assemblymember Gregg Hart has a bill to prevent gasoline price spikes for California consumers. Assembly Bill X2-1 (Hart, Aguiar-Curry) requires refineries to maintain sufficient fuel reserves to prevent the supply shortages that the politician asserts drive up gas prices. The measure advances California Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal with legislative amendments to protect consumers, the workforce, and frontline communities from any unintended consequences. It passed in the CA Assembly and will go to the CA Senate.
Employee Housing Win for Cottage Health
Cottage Health is creating new homebuying opportunities for its employees by planning two new options that will offer 204 new homes in the Santa Barbara area for local healthcare professionals to purchase at below-market prices. Cottage Health’s new workforce homes will follow in the footsteps of a program proven successful with its Bella Riviera location, built more than a decade ago with 81 affordable homes for its healthcare workforce. The first location for the new workforce homes is the site of the current Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital. The second location is near Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital on South Patterson Avenue. Construction on both sites is set to begin in 2028.
Businesses should have updated surveillance equipment and know how to operate it. Good communication between law enforcement and community members is important.
Are there programs with your team and local schools? If yes, please name a few coming up. At this point, we do not have any specific program with our local schools. We do provide deputies for the local high school football games and dances. Our Community Resource Deputy (CRD) had an active role in partnering with the schools in Carpinteria. However, this position was recently unfunded by the City.
Are there statistics you can share about the crime rate, or specific crimes that increased in the area? And how are they being abated?
I have included statistical information [see Burglary and Crime tables]. We will continue to provide high visibility patrols, and provide extra patrols to those areas that are experiencing a higher number of incidents. We will also continue to prioritize calls for service, with in-progress calls taking priority.
Anything else you want the readers/citizens to know?
The SBSO/Carpinteria Police Department is dedicated to forming a community partnership with community members and local businesses. We value citizen input and look forward to a collaborative effort in ensuring public safety.
The MJ staff thanks and welcomes Lt. Brittingham to our town.
A Calitri is a professional international photographer and journalist. Contact her at: artraks@ yahoo.com
There was a touching and candid share by one of the single mothers who graduated from the St. Vincent’s Family Strengthening program and is now working there helping other single mothers. The blessing was led by Sr. Arthur Gordon . After the rules were reviewed by the Montecito Club, the golf teams drove off for the 18-Hole competition at the club’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course from 12 pm to 4:45 pm.
Upon return, the golf teams met up with their families for a full-on Mexican buffet dinner. Raffle winners and silent auction winners announced. Wakefield emceed the golf competition winners, who each received a gift basket with wine.
Award Categories and Winners:
Closest to the pin on holes: Shereef Moharram , Dallas Haun , Erica Kanca , Asaka Knight Sim , and Darrel Mayeux
Longest Drive Women: Asaka Knight Sim
Longest Drive Men: Dallas Haun
First Place Women: Sandy Boneck, Asaka Knight Sim , PK , Linda Tennyson
First Place Net: Nolan Nicholson, Jeff Spinelli, Dave Hay, Dallas Haun
First Place Gross: Bhavik Patel, Mike Valpredo, Mike Casazza, Colby Lewis
60-foot Putting Finalist: Paul Cashman
Honored at the event for their dedication and continued support were Cordero, who was presented with the naming of a pine tree after him at St. Vincent’s Legacy Community Garden, and Sally Valpredo by the children at St. Vincent’s Children Center, who made decorative stepping stones for Valpredo’s garden.
The sponsors and in-kind gifts
included presenting sponsor Sarah Lee Pascoe Foundation, Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Caruso’s, Lucky’s Restaurant, Tre Lune Restaurant, Bettina, Montecito Barbers, Brander Winery & Vineyard, Condor Express, The Ritz-Carlton, SB Polo & Racket Club, David and Louise Borgatello, American Riviera Bank, Bako Sweet, CMG Home Loans, Community West Bank, Cordero Painting Company, Cordero Real Estate, Cox Communications, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Lash Construction, Montesano Group Inc, Paul Cashman State Farm Insurance, Taylor Farms, and The NewtMont Foundation.
411: To learn more and donate – www. stvincents-sb.org/donate
TBCF
Golden Gala 2024
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Golden Gala 2024 was held on Saturday, October 5, at the Montecito Les Belles Fontaines Estate of Alastair and Ann Winn, co-hosted with their daughter Amanda and her husband Travis Twining
The TBCF team asked the more than 300 attendees to wear gold – the internationally acknowledged Society Page 434
Breakdown of Burglaries chart provided by Lt. Brittingham
Montecito Summerland Part 1 and Part 2 Crime Breakdown 2019-2024, chart provided by Lt. Brittingham
Joanne
Alastair and Ann Winn (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Your Westmont
Get Spaced Out at Monthly Star Party
by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott
Westmont’s powerful Keck Telescope takes aim at Saturn and a supermoon at this month’s free public stargazing event on Friday, Oct. 18, beginning about 7 pm and lasting several hours at the Westmont Observatory. The college hosts a monthly star party on the third Friday of each month in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.
The ringed gas giant Saturn will be in the southeastern sky which will be dominated by a full moon. “This month’s supermoon has been dubbed the Hunter’s moon,” says Jen Ito, Westmont assistant professor of physics. “While this is not a scientific term, it is still a neat way to distinguish between the supermoons we have each year. The supermoon is happening on Thursday so if the moon looks particularly larger that evening, you know why.”
Another exciting expected guest is the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-
ATLAS), which has started to become more visible this week. “If you look just south of west after the sun sets, you might be able to catch a glimpse of this long-period comet,” Ito says. “It’s predicted to come back around in 200 years or so, so seeing this comet is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity.”
Theater Performs ‘39 Steps’ at Speed of Fun
Westmont theatre offers The 39 Steps – a fast-paced murder mystery and international espionage plot, encompassing numerous characters played by just five actors – from October 25-26 at 7:30 pm and October 31 at 9 pm, November 1-2 at 7:30 pm and November 2 at 2 pm, all in Porter Theatre. Purchase tickets, which cost $20 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors, through westmont.edu/boxoffice.
The show features a riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, according to direc-
tor Mitchell Thomas. “The 39 Steps lives in a universe of laughter, drama, sparkle, danger and joy, which I think audiences of all ages can appreciate and delight in,” he says.
The 1915 John Buchan novel inspired both the play, which Patrick Barlow adapted for the stage, and an Alfred Hitchcock film.
“I’ve been wanting to do a production with accents and dialects for quite a while, which The 39 Steps has in abundance,” Thomas says. “The story and style of the show require broad comic timing, with clown and vaudevillian energy throughout.”
Thomas has employed new costume designer Stacie Logue, who’s worked extensively with Opera Santa Barbara and Music Academy. “With all the quick changes and raft of characters, we’re lucky to have such a pro at the helm of the costume world!” Thomas says.
PacWest Conference after outstanding performances at the Westmont Invitational earlier this month at Sandpiper Golf Club in Goleta.
The women’s team was named the PacWest Women’s Golf Team of the Week after capturing the tournament title with a four-stroke victory over both Point Loma and Westminster (Utah), who tied for second. The Warriors also beat out conference opponents Menlo and Dominican by 10 and 31 strokes, respectively.
Three Warriors finished in the top 10 to lead the women’s team to victory: Hannah Camara, who placed third at 11-over for the two rounds, and Kyla Layman and Sydnee Magpoc, who both tied for fourth at 14-over.
Likewise, the men’s team was named the PacWest Men’s Golf Team of the Week after they took first at the tournament by three-strokes over ClaremontMudd-Scripps. The Warriors outpaced conference opponents Menlo, Dominican, and Chaminade (Hawaii) by 15, 20 and 31 shots.
These were the first tournament wins this season, and for first-year head coach Leo Maes.
Additionally, Nicolas Rocha was honored as the Co-PacWest Men’s Golf Player of the Week. Rocha shot rounds of 70 (-2) and 71 (-1) to finish atop the men’s leaderboard and claim his first collegiate championship in just his second collegiate start.
Also finishing in the top ten was Blaze Rader (tied for fourth at +2), who carded the tournament’s lowest score of 69.
Golf Teams
Swing Early Wins
Westmont men’s and women’s golf received multiple honors from the
An evening of galactic proportion awaits Oct. 18
Director Mitchell Thomas, “The 39 Steps lives in a universe of laughter, drama, sparkle, danger and joy…”
Tourney Champs: Westmont’s golf teams earn honors
Scott Craig is manager of media relations at Westmont College
talented musical performers.
In between, trumpeter Jim Mooy blew our socks off, singer/guitarist Jackson Gillies’s screaming guitar blew the roof off, and Lois Mahalia’s beautiful, sustained opening note before a high-energy performance blew our minds. (It was lucky the 100-year old building was still standing afterwards!) Others who contributed to an amazing evening were singer/ songwriter Hunter Hawkins and jazzman Morganfield Burnett with his bluesy harmonica. Backup singers Leigh Vance and Angela Michael, bassist Randy Tico (co-organizer with Akoni), David Delhomme, Tom Buckner, George Friedenthal, Herman Matthews, and Miguelito Leon completed the remarkable band. The evening was made possible because Santa Barbara is also blessed with an incredible theater organization and philanthropic supporters who have made this rich and inventive centennial year both possible and accessible. Jill Seltzer, Vice President of Advancement for The Granada Theatre, said that the centennial year has focused on celebrating Santa Barbara talent and programs that surprise Santa Barbara audiences. One surprise was that tickets for the October 5th concert cost $20 and came with a free drink ticket. Unheard of! Let’s hope that the newly formed Granada All-Star House Band will continue on to celebrate the 101st year of the Granada. The centennial year is not over, however, and more surprises await Santa Barbara audiences.
On November 9, sponsored by The Whittier Trust, the Granada Theatre and Earl Minnis will present The Doublewide Kings in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Symphony as they “rag, roll, and ramble” through the sound catalog of The Band. This unusual and inventive blending of musical groups was a rousing success last season and promises to be the next performance “not to be missed” at the Granada. And don’t forget $5 Home Movie nights that feature films by artists and performers who call Santa Barbara home. There are still two more films to look forward to as part of this series: The Fugitive on November 23 and The Polar Express on December 3. For The Polar Express, kids of all ages are encouraged to arrive in their best PJ sets – bonus points if they are holiday-themed!
Check out the full lineup of remaining Granada Centennial events at www.granadasb.org/ centennial-celebration
Beresford has been writing a local history column for the Montecito Journal for more than a decade and is the author of several books on Santa Barbara’s historic past
Towbes Plaza is an event called Plaza Palooza? It suits the occasion.
“Our goal was to raise $2 million in his name and in his honor,” Trujillo says. “And gifts of all sizes came in to acknowledge Michael with this space. So we can’t really point to just one entity, but a multitude of community coming together. While we could have opened the space with a prominent ribbon cutting or had an exclusive gala – that doesn’t speak to the meaning of the library.” You can almost hear an Aaron Copland score gently swelling behind these sentiments. The egalitarian theme is strong and heartening. “The library welcomes everyone in our community and provides resources for all,” says Library Plaza Campaign Co-Chair Janet Garufis . “This is our opportunity to recognize Michael Towbes and his legacy of community building for all the citizens of the city of Santa Barbara.”
And what exactly can Michael Towbes Plaza’s new owners – us, that is – expect on November 3, birthday of our new town square?
“We’re closing off Anapamu Street to traffic … We’re going to have two stages on the main plaza with eight performing groups,” Trujillo says, “all local organizations. The symphony will be performing, the ballet will be performing, CAMA, the Franklin Elementary School Folklorico Academy, Flamenco Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Jazz High School jazz band…”
Also on hand will be the nonprofits at their colorful tables, they who are the heart and soul and octane of our town. And what are misleadingly called ‘activities’ – that beige term that never sufficiently describes the nutty variety of a community party like this – will be swarming the space. You know – bubbles the size of compact cars and so on. “The bubble guy will be there,” Trujillo confirms. “Also face painting, magic, Touch a Truck...” – an activity that needs no
deep parsing – “…C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile clinic will be there offering services to people who have animals and want to bring them that day. Oh, and there’ll be historic tours showing the work that’s happened on the interior as well. We’ll show off the new elevator...” (possibly not for riding that day) “…and the Faulkner Gallery has been completely redone…”
Okay, then. What would you –
“…and beyond the Michael Towbes Plaza space, there’s the Woodward Grove honoring Taylor Woodward in our community, who was a huge advocate in the education space. There’s the McCune Storytime Square. And people will be able to come and see how they contributed. There’s over 275 bricks with personal inscriptions or names, which really shows the range of community members that participated in the development of the plaza. We’ll have people on that day called Brick Finders so they can help you find your brick if you have one there.”
The unveiling of the Michael Towbes Plaza provides to Santa Barbarans –forever – the central gathering place they’ve been missing, and just incidentally burnishes Santa Barbara’s surrounding Arts District and retailers. “The new Library Plaza will provide a catalyst to the revitalization of downtown Santa Barbara,” says Jim Jackson, Library Plaza Campaign Co-Chair.
“We want the community to own this space,” Trujillo adds. “That’s why we’re opening it with a block party.”
Jeff Wing is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast. He has been writing about Montecito and environs since before some people were born. He can be reached at jeff@ montecitojournal.net
For the dynamic finale, Rocker Tina Schlieske got “a little help” from her friends. (photo by Baron Spafford, courtesy of The Granada Theatre)
Miriam Dance’s high energy opening set sent the audience to the dance floor (photo by Theatre)
Hattie
holistically in one space.
On Entertainment (Continued from 18)
were enthralled to hear this very soulful, authentic music after the fifties where the music on the radio had become very bland and insipid. All these wonderful and unique pioneers of American music were coming up and playing coffeehouses and festivals, and I was right there in the thick of it.”
Muldaur (then Maria D’Amato) learned how to play Appalachian fiddle from Doc Watson and formed a bluegrass group with David Grisman called Maria and the Washington Square Ramblers, hobnobbed with Sebastian and Bob Dylan among others of the era. She joined Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band as a featured vocalist, and soon married member Geoff Muldaur , and the couple produced two post-band albums together before the marriage dissolved.
That’s when Muldaur launched her solo career with a self-titled album that drew on all of her influences, veering from a New Orleans blues song “Don’t You Feel My Leg,” to Dolly Parton’s “Tennessee Mountain Home,” Dr. John’s “Three Dollar Bill,” country legend Jimmie Rodgers’ “Any Old Time,” cowboy folkswing cult hero Dan Hicks’ “Walkin’ One and Only,” Kate McGarrigle’s “The Work Song” and two tracks by singer-songwriter Wendy Waldman. Grisman, Dr. John, Clarence White, Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Bettye LaVette, and Freebo are among the three dozen musicians who appeared on the album.
“It was very eclectic, just based on music I loved and songs that move me, whatever style they were,” she said. “Someone later told me that I single handedly invented Americana music but I was doing it decades before anybody gave it a name.” (Years later, the Americana Music Association gave her a lifetime achievement award for her body of work, some 43 albums strong.)
But the song that caught fire was a throw-in, “Midnight at the Oasis,” by her rhythm guitarist David Nichtern, added when the producer said the record needed another mid-tempo song.
“He ripped out his guitar and we did it for the producer, who thought it was cute but wasn’t crazy about it,” Muldaur recalled. “But I wanted to use it as a thank you to David, because he had been very supportive while I was in way over my head doing this first solo project.”
Graced by Amos Garrett’s sensuous slide guitar solo over the song’s ahead-ofits-time chord progression and lyrics about seducing a sheik at a desert rest stop, “Midnight at the Oasis” made it to No. 6 on Billboard’s single chart, was nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys in 1974, and has remained a classic rock staple ever since.
It’s also been responsible for bringing a bunch of babies into the world.
“For years, people would show me pictures of their children they’d conceived while listening to ‘Midnight at the Oasis,’” Muldaur said. “I’d just say, well, gee, I’m glad to have been of service.”
In the decades since, Muldaur has dabbled in jazz, found a home in New Orleans swamp blues, and otherwise continued to offer an eclectic mix of music drawn from writers famous and obscure.
“I don’t compose my own songs, but I guess I do have a knack for choosing them, which has served me well for 50 years,” she said.
Now, at 81, Muldaur, who hasn’t stopped performing or recording, is coming to SOhO on October 21 as part of her multimedia retrospective show Way Past Midnight, which highlights her debut solo album in a chronicle of her decades journeying through American roots music.
“Fifty years is a major milestone and it is way past ‘Midnight,’ and I’ve done so much since, so I’m telling the story in the show, with photos and a few videos to illustrate the narrative,” she said. “I stop along the way to do some of the signature songs with my Red Hot Bluesiana band. There are some great stories like when I got to sing a duet with Hoagy Carmichael in the studio, of having Linda Ronstadt warbling away in harmony on a new recording of “Tennessee Mountain Home.” It’s nothing formal, just having people come check out my musical scrapbook and help me go down memory lane, enjoy these songs that my fans have cherished for 50 years.”
Visit www.sohosb.com for more information and tickets
Maria Muldaur will (possibly) be playing past “Midnight” at SOhO on October 21 (photo by Alan Mercer)
Doggy Bag of Drama: Theater Company Turns 30
DramaDogs Theater Company is celebrating three decades of presenting compelling and largely offbeat theater with a new production called HERE! This Moment for Women, featuring a series of dramatic short plays and monologues by contemporary playwrights E. M. Lewis and James Still. The pieces highlight women’s grit, resiliency, longing, sorrow and wonder, such that, collectively, the works endeavor to alternately light the everyday moments that define us, shake our foundations, and demonstrate the mettle of our humanity. DramaDogs co-founders/artistic directors Ken Gilbert and E. Bonnie Lewis direct the performances that feature Santa Barbara actors Samantha Bonavia, Candice Goodman, Meredith McMinn, Kathy Marden, and Isabel Watson at Center Stage Theater in six shows October 17-20. The October 18 evening is preceded by a “mini gale” while October 19’s late show is dedicated to the late Montecito lawyer/theater producer Jerry Oshinsky, with a video montage and brief memorial tribute before the performance. Visit www. centerstagetheater.org.
Focus on Film: Denis Villeneuve Retrospective & Positive-ly Go to Hale
Academy Award-nominated French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve gets SBIFF’s superstar treatment via a curated career retrospective of seven of the director’s important movies, including Incendies, Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and Dune Parts One & Two. The films – which have garnered a collective 28 Oscar nominations (with Dune 2 still pending) will screen in repertory October 18-24 at SBIFF’s Riviera Theatre, and Villeneuve will do a Q&A session with SBIFF executive director Roger Durling following the 2:15 pm screening of Dune: Part Two on Sunday, October 20. Visit https://sbiffriviera.com/denis for the details, schedule, and tickets.
increases are coming, not least due to the continually-evolving relationship between the domesticated pets and their human families.
Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage
The umpteenth edition of “Go to Hale: Quips & Clips” – the long-running series featuring film clips, stories and more from former Capitol Records CEO Hale Milgrim and, more recently, local music lover Richard Salzberg – is set for October 19 at the Lobero. Dubbed “Positive Vibrations” this time – in recognition that “music possesses a special power to raise our spirits and create uplifting shared experience” – the show boasts even more rare concert footage curated from the producers’ private archives, with Milgrim also sharing personal stories from his years in the music industry and his relationships with many of the artists. Got to have a good vibe! Visit www.lobero.org.
“Humane organizations used to be the dog pound, where you’d go to drop off a dog or cat, or find your own stray there,” Burns said. “But we’re so much more now. When we started in 1887, dogs were out in the fields and cats didn’t even exist in our lives as we know them today. Dogs finally started coming up into our yards and then they came onto our porch, then both dogs and cats came into our homes and now they’re in our beds. Now through research we know that animals do so much for us, helping us with our emotional and mental health, being used in search and rescue, and as guide and therapy animals. They have so much to offer humans all across the board. So we need to continue to evolve with what we do for the animals and their people. We need to be modeling what humane organizations can be for their communities in today’s world.”
These days, Santa Barbara Humane’s pillars of service include adoption services and affordable veterinary care, but also education. This includes everything from dog training to outreach in the schools, senior living facilities, and at events around town. As it happens, this includes the Halloween Boo Bash Fall Family Fun Fest at Pershing Park’s Band Shell on October 26, and Plaza Palooza, the festival celebrating the opening of the Michael Towbes Library Plaza on November 3.
But in order to “get to yes” for as many pets and their people as often as possible, Santa Barbara Humane
has a few of its own needs, the largest of which is the continued generosity of the Santa Barbara philanthropic community in supporting the organization. That includes not only ongoing support for its programs, but also a capital campaign to build a new campus for Santa Barbara, to upgrade the facility that dates back to the 1960s – to move more fully into modern animal welfare capable of the compassion and care our community has for our pets.
“As we continue to grow, there is an increasing need for our programs and services, and your involvement is crucial to our success and the well-being of the animals and people we serve,” Burns said. “Pets will always be a part of our lives. So we need to make sure that we are here for another 100 years for the community.” Giving List (Continued from 16)
Santa Barbara Humane helps animals find their forever homes (courtesy photo)
Richard and Hale prepare their Quips & Clips to “Go to Hale” one more time (courtesy photo)
Editor in the last issue, I think his idea of switching the planned location of affordable housing and Mr. Caruso’s retail shops is brilliant. He must have received inspiration from those mountains we all love to see.
The essence of Montecito lies in its natural beauty, and no part of it should be obliterated by commercial buildings.
Let Mr. Caruso’s shops be built within his hotel property and let the citizens living in affordable housing be a part of the community, where they belong.
Reverend Smith’s concept would save this particular neighborhood and honor the Montecito that we love.
Daphne Moore
Who Am I Voting for and Why?!!
That moment when someone says, “I can’t believe you would vote for Trump.” I simply reply, “I’m voting for Trump because:”
I’m voting for the First Amendment and freedom of speech.
I’m voting for the Second Amendment and my right to defend my life and my family.
I’m voting for the next Supreme Court Justice(s) to protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I’m voting for the continued growth of my retirement fund and reducing inflation.
I’m voting for a return of our troops from foreign countries.
I’m voting for the Electoral College and for the Republic in which we live.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: AUTONATION FINANCE, 6 Executive Circle, Suite 100, Irvine, CA, 92614. CIG Financial, LLC, 6 Executive Circle, Suite 100, Irvine, CA, 92614. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on October 7, 2024. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL).
FBN No. 2024-0002344. Published October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Vons #3326, 163 S. Turnpike Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93117. 1918 Winter Street ABS LLC, 7 Corporate Drive c/o
I’m voting for the Police to be respected once again and to ensure Law & Order. I am tired of all the criminals having a revolving door and being put back on the street.
I’m voting for the continued appointment of Federal Judges who respect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I’m voting for keeping our jobs to remain in America and not be outsourced all over the world – to China, Mexico and other foreign countries. I want USA made.
I’m voting for secure borders and to have legal immigration.
I’m voting for the Military & the Veterans who fought for this Country to give the American people their freedoms.
I’m voting for decreasing the number of late term abortions.
I’m voting for peace progress in the Middle East.
I’m voting to fight against human/ child trafficking.
I’m voting for Freedom of Religion.
I’m voting for the right to speak my opinion and not be censored.
I am voting for the return of teaching math, history and science instead of indoctrination of our children and pronouns.
I’m not just voting for one person; I’m voting for the future of MY Country. I’m voting for our children and grandchildren to ensure their freedoms and their future.
What are you voting for?
Trump and Vance – Give Them a Chance!!
B.D. Barnes – S.B.
Legal Department, Keene, NH 03413. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on September 5, 2024. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2024-0002119. Published October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Sea Smoke Cellars; Seasmoke Vineyards; Seasmoke Cellars; Sea Smoke VIneyards; Sea Smoke, 1604 N O Street, Lompoc, CA, 93436. CB Coastal, LLC, 50 East Broad Street, Rochester, NY, 14614. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on September 20, 2024. This statement expires five years from the
date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2024-0002247. Published September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Clutch Engineering, 3001 Vista Linda Lane, Santa Barbara, CA, CA 93108. Fearless Design, LLC, PO Box 5292, Santa Barbara, CA, CA 93150. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on September 17, 2024. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2024-0002210. Published September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 2024
(Condensed Notice for Publication)
NOTICE INVITING SEALED BIDS
2024 MANHOLE REHABILITATION
BID NO. 2024-03
MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Montecito Sanitary District (“District”) will receive sealed bids, electronically, for its BID NO. 2024-03, 2024 Manhole Rehabilitation (“Project”), by or before Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. through its PlanetBids portal All associated documents, including bonding information, shall be submitted with the bid. Bidders must be registered on the District’s PlanetBids™ portal in order to submit a Bid Proposal and to receive addendum notifications. Each bidder is responsible for making certain that their Bid Proposal is actually submitted/uploaded with sufficient time to be received by PlanetBids prior to the bid opening date and time. Large files may take more time to be submitted/uploaded to PlanetBids so plan accordingly. The receiving time on PlanetBids’ server will be the governing time for acceptability of bids. Telegraphic, telephonic, electronic, and facsimile bids will not be accepted. Bidders are responsible for obtaining all addenda from the District’s PlanetBids portal. If any Addendum issued by the District is not acknowledged online by the Bidder, the PlanetBids system may prevent the Bidder from submitting a Bid Proposal.
The date and time for receiving bids shall be extended by no less than 72 hours if the officer, department, or Project Manager issues any material changes, additions, or deletions to the invitation later than 72 hours prior to the bid closing. Any bids received after the time specified above or any extension due to material changes shall be returned unopened.
Bids shall be valid for sixty (60) calendar days after the bid opening date.
Project Description: The Project entails the rehabilitation (lining) of 93 existing sewer manholes All locations of the manholes are within the Montecito Sanitary District Boundary and the County of Santa Barbara The rehabilitation schedule is broken into “Schedule A” and “Schedule B.” The manholes for “Schedule A” are intended to be completed as soon as possible, whereas the Contractor may demobilize and return in the dry season to complete “Schedule B” if desired. All “Schedule A” manholes are located within or directly adjacent to roadways
Project documents for the work are available to prospective bidders through the District’s PlanetBids Portal website at www.montsan.org/bids.
In accordance with the provisions of California Public Contract Code § 3300, and Business and Professions Code § 7028.15(e), the contractor and any subcontractors shall be licensed by the contractors’ state licensing board and registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations at the time the contract is awarded. Failure to possess the specified license shall render a bidder’s bid as non-responsive and shall bar award of the contract to any bidder not possessing the specified license at the time of the award.
Pursuant to California Civil Code § 9550, a payment bond is required to be submitted for all projects estimated in excess of $25,000.00.
The proposed project is a public works project subject to the provisions of Labor Code § 1720 thereby requiring the Contractor to pay the prevailing wage rates for all work performed under the Contract. In addition, the Contractor shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of Section 1777.5 of the California Labor Code relating to apprentice public works contracts.
The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
There will be a mandatory pre-bid conference held on Tuesday October 29th at 10:00 a.m. at the Montecito Sanitary District Board Room, 1042 Monte Cristo Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Bidders must attend the pre-bid conference as a requirement for submittal of a bid proposal. Virtual attendance of the pre-bid conference is acceptable, virtual meeting link can be provided upon request. Following the mandatory conference, there will be an optional site visit, with guidance by District Staff, to select manholes located within District Easements that would otherwise not be accessible to the Contractor RSVP for the pre-bid conference no later than Friday October 25th on PlanetBids.
If you have any questions, please contact the District’s Engineering Manager, Bryce Swetek, P.E., at bswetek@montsan.org
MONTECITO SANITARY DISTRICT John Weigold General Manager
PUBLISHED:
• PlanetBids: October 16th, 2024
• Montecito Journal, October 16, 2024, and October 23, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
Invitation to Bid No. 2024-004
Dry Stack Rock Wall and Paver Patio 1257 East Valley Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
The Montecito Fire Protection District hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for:
ITB# 2024-004 – Dry Stack Rock Wall and Paver Patio
Bid Opening – Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 2:00 p m in the conference room at Montecito Fire Station 91, 595 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara.
ITB documents may be viewed on the Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) website at www.montecitofire.com or a copy may be secured from MFPD at 595 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara CA between the hours of 8:00 a m and 5:00 p m , Monday through Friday. Responses must be sealed, clearly marked “1257 EVR Wall & Patio – General Contractor Bid” and returned to:
Montecito Fire Protection District
Attn: Anthony Hudley Battalion Chief 595 San Ysidro Road Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Bids will be accepted until 2:00 p m on November 12, 2024. Bids received after this time will be returned unopened. Faxed bids will not be accepted.
Published October 17 & 24, 2024 Montecito Journal
State Senate Hannah-Beth Jackson . “We need to know if this project will have an incremental effect on our ability to evacuate.”
Miramar supporters – some clad in blue Miramar shirts – believe the plan will only enhance the Montecito community and noted Caruso’s impressive track record: “Rick Caruso has been a great partner to our community and county, bringing in millions of dollars in sales property and [Transient Occupancy] tax,” said one speaker. (The Transient Occupancy Tax in Santa Barbara County is 12%, according to the county website).
Caruso appeared again before the commission for 8 minutes to address some “misinformation” from the public comment, particularly the Miramar’s communications with All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. He shared that he met with the pastor and members of the congregation to learn about the church’s priorities and discovered the importance of preserving the columbarium view. “I was very much told that when they’re in there, they want to be able to see the mountains,” he said. So, Caruso worked with All Saints to create a design that preserved the view from the Columbarium. That is until the Church decided that the view of the mountains from their entrance took precedence over the Columbarium’s view, according to Caruso.
Ahead of a recent presentation to the church, Caruso claimed he mistakenly received a text message from a church member that read: “Let him go ahead and present it,” he said as he recited the message. “We’re going to go back after our meeting and just tell them that it doesn’t work. And then we’re going to come and testify against the project.”
After receiving this message, Caruso felt that the church “had no intention to solve this problem; they had every intention to kill this project,” he said. Caruso and his
team then cut off communication with the church. He said they may consider reversing that decision. Nevertheless, he remained firm on keeping the project proposed as is. “It has to be looked at as proposed, not because we’re stubborn, not because we’re arrogant, not because we’re not willing to compromise. We have done all that,” he said.
After over five hours of public comment, some commissioners shared their thoughts with Commissioner Parke, questioning the ambiguity of existing state law: “If you oppose this project, you’ve got to realize there’s some very important state law that may provide very strong boundaries on what your opposition can be,” said Parke. “...and if you’re the applicant, you’ve got some law that’s in your favor, but it’s ambiguous, it’s untested, and you can’t rely on it, maybe as much as you think you can.”
What makes this project particularly interesting is the consideration of the Housing Accountability Act, or Senate Bill 330. According to the law, protection occurs with “Mixed-use developments consisting of residential and nonresidential uses with at least two-thirds of the square footage designated for residential use.” [SB330.3.H.2.B] If the project is deemed to have health or safety concerns, it might be disapproved or set to a lower-density project. It also prevents local government from disapproving the project and streamlines it limiting it to no more than five county hearings.
Chair Vincent Martinez reiterated concerns about the “parking situation” and requested more information regarding the parking plans. He invited both parties to submit “whatever clarifications you want.” He also reminded everyone that the MPC will hear the item on October 18. “They’re going to come back with recommendations,” said Martinez. The CPC will hear the item again on November 1st and vote whether to pass it to the county Supervisors. “That’s the big day,” he noted.
issue of abortion access. This is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue that affects families, communities, and the very structure of society.
One of the most urgent challenges discussed during the event was the Supreme Court’s current makeup. Dominated by originalists, justices who strictly interpret the Constitution based on its original meaning and intent, the Court is a significant barrier to progress on gender equality. These justices often refuse to take into account the societal and technological advancements of today, putting critical rights such as those secured under Title VII and Title IX at risk. Spillar highlighted the need for legislative action to pass the ERA, which would solidify protections for women, and ensure equal rights for all under the Constitution.
Throughout the event, Spillar and other speakers underscored the urgent need for collective action. Spillar cited staggering statistics, such as the fact that less than 2% of philanthropic funding goes towards women and girls, despite overwhelming evidence that investing in women creates the most significant social change. The era of passive observation is over, and it is time that we act individually, and as a collective, and protect fundamental rights.
Abortion rights are not just a progressive issue – they are a human issue, affecting gender equality, poverty, and the nation’s economic future. Despite what some media portray, abortion consistently ranks as the top concern among voters, particularly younger generations, when they are directly asked about their voting motivations. States like Florida, New York, Nevada, and Arizona will have reproductive rights on the ballot, making it critical for voters to understand the stakes involved.
The ERA’s ratification has been long overdue. While the necessary 38th state to pass the amendment was secured during the Trump administration, political interference prevented the archivist from adding the ERA as the 28th amendment. Now, it will require an act of Congress to ensure that equal rights are enshrined in the Constitution. This is a fight that must be won. Gender equality is not just good for women, it’s good for men, for families, and for society as a whole.
As we move forward, we must continue to advocate, organize, and most importantly we must vote. The stakes are simply too high to sit on the sidelines.
MFPD Board At-Large
Q&A with the Candidates
by MJ Staff
As the concern for wildfire is a major topic in the area and considering the role that the Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) plays in our community, the Montecito Journal wanted to reach out to each of the five candidates running for the three open seats in the November 5th general election. The MFPD is a progressive organization committed to the protection of people, property, and the environment. As part of the community, they exist to provide professional and timely service through preparation for, response to, and recovery from emergencies. The Board of Directors is responsible for governing the MFPD. The Board currently consists of five members, each of which serves a four-year term. (Source: montecitofire.com)
Jason Copus
Q. What is your vision for the future of fire protection and emergency services in Montecito, and how do you plan to address the specific challenges our community faces?
A. My vision is to ensure that Montecito remains one of the most fire-resilient and disaster-prepared communities in California. To achieve this, I would prioritize wildfire prevention measures, expanding community education on fire preparedness, and ensuring our fire district continues to adopt the latest technologies for fire responses and medical emergencies. Additionally, I believe we must continue to work closely with other local and state agencies to create a unified response for regional disasters, including floods and earthquakes. With the increase in frequency of wildfires and other natural hazards, our board must remain proactive and innovative in safeguarding our community.
Q. Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a high-pressure or crisis situation? What did you learn from that experience?
A. One significant experience that stands out is the morning of the 2018 Montecito Debris Flow. Around 4 am, just before the debris reached Coast Village Road, I was called to the Montecito Inn after an alarm went off in our ground-floor suites. Guests were being evacuated to the main lobby, and I arrived to assist. By the time I reached the property, the debris flow had already inundated the hotel, flooding the area. It was a terrifying moment, and I suddenly found myself responsible for the safety and well-being of over 100 people trapped inside.
For the next several hours, I focused on ensuring that our guests were safe, had access to food and water, and that those who had evacuated quickly were provided with blankets to stay warm. At daybreak, the scale of the disaster became clear. The debris flow had settled, and I could see survivors coming from Olive Mill, North Jameson, and the 101, seeking safety and shelter.
With seven years of emergency response, search and rescue, and first aid/CPR experience from my time with the Coast Guard, I was able to assist those in need and guide them to safety. As more good Samaritans arrived, many were unsure of how best to help. Drawing on my crisis training, I quickly developed an effective plan, delegating tasks in a way that allowed others to contribute meaningfully to the rescue effort.
This experience taught me the importance of remaining calm and organized in the face of chaos. It reinforced the value of preparation, adaptability, and strong leadership during a crisis. Most importantly, it highlighted how crucial teamwork and clear communication are when lives are at stake, and it deepened my understanding of how to effectively lead others in high-pressure situations.
Q. How would you balance fiscal responsibility with ensuring the Fire Protection District remains well-equipped and prepared for future emergencies?
A. Fiscal responsibility is crucial, but public safety must always be the top priority. I would work to strike a balance by closely reviewing the district’s budget to ensure we are maximizing the efficiency of every dollar spent. This might involve finding cost-effective equipment upgrades, identifying grants and state funding opportunities, or forming partnerships with other agencies to share resources. However, I would also advocate for an ongoing assessment of our district’s needs – cutting costs should never come at the expense of readiness. I believe we can be both financially prudent and fully prepared by continually evaluating and optimizing our investments in training, personnel, and technology.
Sylvia Easton
Q. What is your vision for the future of fire protection and emergency services in Montecito, and how do you plan to address the specific challenges our community faces?
A. The Board of Directors sets policy for the Fire District. We work closely with the Fire Chief. The Board enlisted studies which include a Strategic Plan, Evacuation Study, Fire Station Location Study that includes a Standard of Cover and Community Risk Assessment, a robust Vegetation Management Program along with communication upgrades, and support of a Regional Fire Communications Center. Based on recommendations from the studies and staff reports, the Board implements policies to prepare the Fire District for current and future life safety events.
I believe that the Fire District must meet the challenges that are unique to our community. I serve on the Strategic Planning Committee, which assesses those risk factors. The strategic goals and objectives, both short and long term, are designed to protect “people, property and the environment” in a professional and efficient manner through “preparation, response and recovery from emergencies.”
Q. Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a high-pressure or crisis situation? What did you learn from that experience?
A. I served on the Board of Directors during the Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flow, including the aftermath of those disasters. I had the opportunity to see our highly trained fire professionals serve the community with the upmost expertise and compassion.
Additionally, they worked with our mutual aid partners from near and far, organizing and coordinating the entire operation in the most effective way. They truly saved lives in the process. I also served during the COVID-19 pandemic. l learned how important it is, as a board member, to support upgrading vehicles, equipment, communication systems, medical supplies and more to serve our community in emergencies.
Q. How would you balance fiscal responsibility with ensuring the Fire Protection District remains well-equipped and prepared for future emergencies?
A. The Board of Directors works with the Fire Chief to ensure standards set by industry best practices are observed. The Board approves the annual budget with both short- and long-term goals. This includes vehicle and equipment upgrades, fire station maintenance, funding reserve accounts, meeting payroll and retirement obligations. We review all financial income and out flow every month. The Board of Directors approved a Pension Obligation Bond in 2021 that will substantially reduce the Pension liability. The bond will be fully paid off in 2029.
Cliff Ghersen
Q. What is your vision for the future of fire protection and emergency services in Montecito, and how do you plan to address the specific challenges our community faces?
A. My response here is that I see the responsibility of the MFPD Board to further extend fire prevention awareness and preparation to all the residents of Montecito, and to provide the fire department with up-to-date, reliable equipment that they feel best meets their needs. Communication is, of course, the key. With the Fire District’s new website, reports to the community, and constant interaction with residents, we are moving forward with that goal. Folks in Montecito live in an area surrounded by chaparral, trees, and brush, and residents must be alert to do as much as they can to make their properties more fire resistant – for example, clearing brush near their structures, each spring.
Regarding rain and runoff, I believe we need to monitor and periodically clean out our creek beds to make them ready for winter rains, and also to ensure good drainage systems at our homes and in our neighborhoods. I was in favor of the ring nets when they were up. I have heard that there are drainage issues in and around the Hedgerow area and I would like to work with the neighbors there, the County Roads Dept and County Flood Control to improve the situation in that part of town.
There is also at the present time controversy regarding the providers of ambulance services to the south county, which I hope to learn more about. I will work with the other directors and the fire department officers to discover more about this situation. Lastly, in our community, we need good evacuation plans from different parts of the area. I’m concerned about the growing traffic-related problems that may be caused by additions to the Miramar and the Biltmore, as well as expansion proposals by the Music Academy, the Coral Casino, and the Y. These expansions may have an impact on safe routes for evacuations, so with the help and leadership of Chief Neels and my colleagues, I am confident that we can make continued progress in keeping Montecito prepared and safe.
Q. Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a high-pressure or crisis situation? What did you learn from that experience?
A. Other than earthquake drills, fire drills, and lockdowns at my school when I was teaching, I would say the best example in this regard was in 2016 while I was on the board of the Montecito Association. I was the cochair of the Montecito Fourth of July celebration. Although it was not a crisis, there were certainly myriad things to arrange, people to contact, equipment to secure, funds to raise, and logistics to organize! In order to pull off the grand parade with jeeps and antique cars and hold a successful community picnic with games and booths where 1000+ people attended, there were many things that needed to be done! From printing T-shirts to ordering hotdogs, tasks needed to be accomplished within a tight time frame!
Without the help of a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and energetic group of coworkers from the community, this would’ve been an impossible task! But all those people working together made it fun and doable. I learned that there are many dedicated and skillful people who volunteer their time and intelligence – and muscle – here in Montecito, and I also learned that we have to work together to accomplish great things, especially a good old Montecito Fourth of July celebration!
Q. How would you balance fiscal responsibility with ensuring the Fire Protection District remains well-equipped and prepared for future emergencies?
A. This I must humbly say will certainly be part of my learning curve when I am elected to the board! The MFPD is blessed with a reliable source of income, and the chief financial controller, who reports to the board, has been doing a top-notch job at her duties for several years now. She is somewhat of an unsung hero, extremely accurate, trustworthy, frank with the board, and realistic.
The team of firefighters under the leadership of Chief Neels maintains their physical fitness and their equipment to a high-level, and frequent drills, ongoing training, and equipment testing ensure that it is operational and effective.
I have also seen where the chief and battalion commanders are often attending workshops with their peers, where they learn about and share information on the latest firefighting strategies and emergency equipment. We are blessed to be in such good hands here in Montecito.
Michael N. Lee
Q. What is your vision for the future of fire protection and emergency services in Montecito, and how do you plan to address the specific challenges our community faces?
MFPD’s vision for the future includes risk assessment of clearing and treatment of front-country mitigation, an improved response to eastern district and the possibility of a partnership with Summerland Carpinteria District as well as the ongoing coordination of fire and ambulance programs.
Q. Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a high-pressure or crisis situation? What did you learn from that experience?
A. Though, not a crisis situation, my involvement with the Board’s support of our latest Fire Chief, David Neels was extremely important to insure a smooth transition of leadership and continued excellence.
Q. How would you balance fiscal responsibility with ensuring the Fire Protection District remains well-equipped and prepared for future emergencies?
A. My time and attention to detail of the Board’s Finance Committee gives me a unique perspective on personnel, retirement, equipment and training with a special attention to future needs of MFPD’s responsible balanced budget.
I appreciate your vote!
Joseph Michael Pennino
Q. What is your vision for the future of fire protection and emergency services in Montecito, and how do you plan to address the specific challenges our community faces?
A. As someone who spent 31 years as a firefighter and Fire Marshall in Santa Monica, CA, I spent my entire professional career working to improve the preparedness, responsiveness, and overall fire life safety for my community. Montecito faces a unique set of challenges, and we need experienced leadership willing to go the extra mile to challenge the norms and do what’s necessary to keep us all safe. Here are a few key items that I would propose we prioritize and address:
- Montecito is an amazing place and its beauty continues to attract more visitors each year, which is leading to an increase in the use of our natural habitats and natural scenic trails. On any given weekend or holiday, we are now experiencing hundreds of day hikers and some illegal overnight campers. This inevitably puts
strain on our limited resources. A sound fire prevention strategy should include increasing amounts of preventative and educational measures. Policies that push to increase signage at trailheads as well as on the trails would be effective. Additionally, deploying a patrol presence of uniformed personnel at and around our trailheads and parking areas during these peak usage times would assist in educating and reminding the public of the increased fire life safety hazards. This burden should be shared throughout our community and assets.
- Another critical and important challenge facing our community is our emergency and ambulance services. I realize this issue is currently in the courts. However, I do believe our current response time (on-scene) for ambulance service is ranging around the 9-minute mark. I believe we need to do better. I personally know how crucially important the initial on-scene patient stabilization and trauma center arrival time is to the outcome in most medical cases. We need to have a community housed ambulance station-type location within our community. This is essential in augmenting the move-up type of transportation model we currently share today. Additionally, the community staging of these ambulance units simply means increased ambulance availability for our community needs. Also, if we elect to add a “Montecito” exclusive ambulance designation, the logistics of placing and housing this unit would be a non-issue. The complexities with my vision are many, but prior to my retirement in 2008 there were community exclusive designated first responding units through the nation.
- Lastly, we are facing the potential expansion of our community with the addition of the Miramar project and the re-opening of the Biltmore. This will also affect our current fire life safety resources in several key areas. First, the location of these projects. Increased traffic will impact response times and response patterns, as well as the added use of our first responding assets. I believe a reassessment of how resources are allocated in the most efficient ways in deploying them should be a top priority.
Q. Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a high-pressure or crisis situation? What did you learn from that experience?
A. On July 16, 2003, while working as the Senior Fire Prevention Inspector for the City of Santa Monica I responded to a mass-casualty incident at the 3rd Street Promenade’s Farmers Market.
As part of the first response support team on the scene, I quickly assessed what was a devastating two to three blocks of mowed down displays, vegetable and fruit tables, tents, many injured and confused people, several mutilated bodies. I reported to the IC and quickly worked to establish a stationary Command Center, which I did using an on-site city project trailer. As resources arrived, I worked to coordinate across local, county, and state levels. This was a highly chaotic incident that through quick organization and teamwork led to the immediate treatment of the injured and mitigating factors, such as (gasoline leaks, natural/LPG gas leaks, water run-off and human bio-waste).
While at the Command Center I realized the importance of the Incident Command Organization. There must be experienced leadership and staff and personnel must be well trained and able to function at all levels under pressure. That day, I acted in a wide variety of capacities from communications, logistics, staging and deploying of incoming resources and anything else that was required to stabilize the situation. My final assignment was to decontaminate the scene. Reflecting back, I can say unequivocally that a solid Incident Command model is vitally important for successful organizations emergency services incidents. And in my experience, it all starts and ends with leadership.
Q. How would you balance fiscal responsibility with ensuring the Fire Protection District remains well-equipped and prepared for future emergencies?
A. Fiscal responsibility is always challenging. During my 31-year career with the City of Santa Monica Fire Department I operated a family-owned property management business and ran and operated a small, residential construction business, JMP Construction. After years of managing budgets and resources I’ve learned to be fiscally sound and learned to operate nimbly and creatively getting the absolute most out of every budget. I plan to bring this mentality to Montecito and believe that through planning and prevention, appropriate resource allocation, and forward-looking strategic leadership we can mitigate risks and respond to the dynamic challenges our community faces today.
We live in a special community. In my opinion, our community deserves the very best, fire and life safety, general services, everything. I had the opportunity and attended a Fire Board meeting and left with this impression. The current board is a high functioning board of directors with good personnel and good leadership. I’m new to the community (four to five years), made some wonderful friends and absolutely believe I’ve extended my life because I love this place. So, I was approached to run for the board and felt it was a good way of me giving something back.
Whatever the results of this election. I wish the best for all candidates.
instrumental in supporting organizations such as CALM, UCSB, the Braille Institute, and Domestic Violence Solutions.
Graham Crow flew in from Seattle to conduct the live auction and paddle raise for DVS, which had a revenue of $2.44 million last year and an expenditure of $2.49 million, while running two emergency shelters for victims, providing safety, shelter and support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
Supporters packing the Reagan Room included Gretchen Lieff, David Selberg, Gregg Hart, Das Williams, Julia McHugh, Oscar Gutierrez, Ryan and Carly Hughes, Javier and Kristin Quezada, and Cristina Caratachea
An Evening with the London Phil
One of the world’s most historic orchestras, the London Philharmonic,
Led by principal conductor Edward Gardner the entertaining performance featured “Raices, (Origins),” a new piece by Pulitzer Prize-winning Cuban American composer Tania León. Shostakovich’s “Concerto No.1 in A Minor” featured violinist extraordinaire Patricia Kopatchinskaja, with Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No.4 in F Minor” concluding the rousing show.
An enchanting evening...
Harry on Hair
Prince Harry has revealed daughter Princess Lilibet has inherited her mother Meghan Markle’s “thick hair” and it is now so long “she can almost sit on it.”
The Duke of Sussex, 40, made the rare comment while attending the WellChild Awards in London.
“Archie and Lilibet have been blessed with their mother’s thick hair,” he observed. “Lilibet can even sit on hers!”
Maybe a shampoo commercial in due course?
‘Dracula’ Doesn’t Suck
count portrayed perfectly – not to mention amusingly – by muscle-bound hunk Adam Hagenbuch, with a fair share of disco classics to match his ab gyrations, putting me in mind of the equally hilarious Rocky Horror Picture Show, which I’ve seen dozens of times, including the show’s London debut near my home in Chelsea.
founded in 1932 by the legendary conductor Sir Thomas Beecham, showed off its talents at the Granada, part of the popular UCSB Arts & Lectures program.
Ensemble Theatre Company opened its latest season at the New Vic with Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, directed by veteran actor Jamie Torcellini and written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen.
The five-member cast played a variety of characters with the blood-sucking
Casey J. Adler as the bisexual realtor Harker, lover of both Lucy –played by Regina Fernandez – and the Transylvanian aristocrat; and Josh Odsess-Rubin as the dual character of Dr. Van Helsing and Mina (complete with a delightful dash of Mae West), were a hoot, as was Janna Cardia as the bug crazed gourmand Renfield.
All in all, the 90-minute show, which runs through Oct. 27, is bloody hilarious and well worth getting your teeth into!
Ice Cream Is the Key
Montecito philanthropist Anne Smith Towbes hosted a decidedly chilly reception at her Birnam Wood home when she organized an ice cream social for John Daly’s Key Class which helps to support and educate at-risk youth with basic life skills, including social etiquette, resume building, and the basics of dining.
The curriculum is taught from eighth grade through college and entered local high schools in 2012, one year after Key Class’ founding, to become an immediate success.
More than 9,000 students to date have completed the program, which has an annual budget of $120,000.
Front: Morgan Steffen, Marsha Marcoe, and Hannah-Beth Jackson; Back Row: Gregg Hart, Das Williams, Laura Capps, and Dr. Mark Juretic (photo by Isaac Hernandez de Lipa)
Candice Tang Nyholt facilitated a Q&A session featuring local domestic violence survivor Lala and clinician Carolina Najera-Magaña (photo by Isaac Hernandez de Lipa)
London Philharmonic Orchestra excels (photo by David Bazemore)
Lala (Center), DVS Keynote speaker and Local Survivor with her son Gabriel, and Marsha Marcoe, recipient of the Hannah-Beth Jackson Impact Award 2024 (photo by Isaac Hernandez de Lipa)
Dracula making his big entrance (photo by Zach Mendez)
Regina Fernandez and Josh Odsess-Rubin as Lucy and Mina (photo by Zach Mendez)
Among the 53 supporters turning out for the boffo bash, emceed by KLITE radio host Catherine Remak – to gobble the McConnell’s ice cream and cookies and drink the iced tea and lemonade
– were Judi Weisbart, Hiroko Benko, Jesus Terrazas , Marcia Constance , Daniel and Mandy Hochman, Judy Foreman, and Rod Lathim
Ignacio Lopez entertained on a Mexican harp.
Girls Inc. Gets a Visit
Meghan Markle visited Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara last week to talk about a new “digital wellness” program co-founded by the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation.
At the event, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, told the tweens she was “one of the most bullied people in the world” as the gathering used emojis to describe different “online scenarios” that impacted emotionally.
It was her second public appearance without Harry since her visit to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles on Oct. 5 – as British royal experts continue to speculate the Riven Rock twosome “are going their separate ways” as they live “increasingly separate lives.”
Surf’s Up Next
Kevin Costner is making a move to a new genre with his next project, Headhunters; a surf thriller set against the backdrop of Bali.
The Carpinteria actor, 69, known for Westerns like Yellowstone and his underwhelming Horizon, will star in, produce, and cowrite the surfing movie under his Territory Pictures.
Costner, who worked on the script with Steven Holleran, will direct the film based on an idea he originated, according to the Hollywood Reporter
The forthcoming project, which also stars Costa Rican actor Daniel Zovatto, incorporates “the kinetic energy of surf culture with the suspense of horror,” according to the glossy.
Sightings
Katy Perry, Cameron Diaz and husband Benji Madden noshing at Tre Lune... Oprah Winfrey at Godmothers bookstore in Summerland for an Ozempic book event... Actor Orlando Bloom at Pierre Lafond.
Santa Barbara Symphony Principal Pianist, Natasha Kislenko, showed a video and performed a live piano tribute to her son who passed from cancer.
From musings on the Royals to celebrity real estate deals, Richard Mineards is our man on the society scene and has been for more than 15 years
color of pediatric cancer awareness. The formal black tie-ish event saw women in gorgeous gowns with matching Jimmy Choo’s; the updated e-vite’s caveat mentioning the event was outdoors on grass and cobblestones having possibly escaped their attention. The men wore gold sequined tux jackets alongside Andrew Firestone , the ever-dedicated emcee-auctioneer to nonprofit events.
Firestone provided the welcome remarks, followed by newly-appointed Executive Director Brittany Avila Wazny , from her prior position as Sr. Development Director. Nikki Katz (née Simon) – founder of TBCF in 2002 – gave a brief talk on the organization and Wazny’s appointment. Honorees were Danny Molina for the Pay It Forward award, and Sunstone Winery and winemaker Brittany Rice for the Humanitarian Award. Molina and Rice gave their thanks for the honor. With dinner delayed, Firestone shared about the work of the TBCF and started the live auction, raising over $35,000. He did the Ask post dinner, walking the guest area to see the paddle number. Firestone: “This is the highest Ask I have ever been requested to do, let’s start at $21,000.” To which in five minutes he had five donors. The final total he raised with all levels of the Ask was $171,000. The winning raffle tickets were drawn by Wazny and her event chairs Jamie Hansen , Giana Miller , and Angel Speier , oddly with one of the TBCF event team winning the trip to the French Riviera. Guests were invited to stay on for dancing.
The Event Committee members were Brittany Arntz, Taylor Fuller, Sheela Hunt, Kerry Kelly, Terre Lapman , Gary Lapman , Debbie Neer, Stacey Polo, Susannah Rao, Lisa Solana, Brigitte Welty, and Ely Wolfe
The Golden Gala’s Presenting Sponsor is Earl Minnis, with a Gold Champion Sponsorship provided by Michael and Kathy McCarthy of Nurture Foundation. Additional sponsors include Virginia Benson Wigle, Alan and Mary Jane Miller, Sansum Clinic (now Sutter Health), the Leifur Thordarson Living Trust, AIMdyn Inc., Ray and Michelle Avila, James and Vanessa Bechtel, Tom and Misook Burk, Kate and Art Coppola, J. Paul Gignac, Martin and Kerrilee Gore, Herring Imming Family Law, Pati Kern and Andrew Pfeffer, Diane Kees, Peter and Kathryn Martin, Pacific Premier Bank, Studio Engineers Inc., Mark and Nicole Romasanta, Village Properties, Arlington Financial/Michael Yang and Wells Hughes, Martin and Gina Bell, BrightStar Care, Cheryl DeSimone and Scott Goodman, Hearts Aligned, Sarai Anderson at Morgan Stanley, and Trudi Timm.
411: www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org/
Pip! Pip!
Moises Contreras speaking at the Key Class event (courtesy photo)
Anne Smith Towbes hosted the ice cream soirée (courtesy photo)
John Daly’s Key Class helps to support and educate at-risk youth with basic life skills (courtesy photo)
Winemaker Brittany Rice (center) with Sunstone owners Djamila and Teddy Cabugos, recipients of the Humanitarian Award (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
Pay It Forward Award winner Danny Molina (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Calendar of Events
by Steven Libowitz
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Masq(p)arade! and More – As Pianos on State heads for its final weekend, the fourth annual Masq(p)arade! progressive promenade of performances puts the focus on five locations over a three-block section of State Street to showcase a series of dynamic piano-centric players. The audience is encouraged to join the artists in donning festive masks for the evening’s entertainment with a decided bent toward whimsical and fun, traveling to each new location for 15-minute offerings. Performers include the ubiquitous singer-guitarist Jackson Gillies joined by his mother Connie, the bold and boisterous Brasscals, the Gay Men’s Chorus, Out of the Box Theatre Company, and Zach Gill & Friends. Meanwhile, the ARTS District Santa Barbara’s Fall for the ARTS takes place at the same time and in the same general area, sporting a showcase to offer something new or special about businesses.
WHEN: 5-8 pm
WHERE: State Street between Anapamu and the Arlington Theatre COST: free INFO: www.masqparade.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Harbor & Seafood Festival – Celebrate Santa Barbara Channel’s bounty and the commercial fishermen who harvest the ocean’s offerings at this 21st annual
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Unite to Light the Night – The Santa Barbara-based nonprofit with a mission to shine a light in the darkest corners of the globe (and our own community) illuminates its third annual flagship fundraising event. The two-day event that started as a scrappy art exhibition at The Community Arts Workshop has grown into a luminous spectacle, boasting glowing art, dazzling live performances and light-infused parties, highlighting the work of more than 40 local artists to bring attention to the importance of light in all of our lives. Among other offerings, guests over the weekend will experience Breathing Space by Jonathan Smith, Alan Macy, and Tai Rodrig, where your breath becomes one with the planet; Carlos Grasso’s COLORSPACE, which uses simple changes in light to upend perception of reality; and Louise Gerber’s Colored Shadows, which may have you rethink the power of a simple shadow. Tonight’s Glow Gala is an immersive art tour that includes a series of vibrant performances and activities including interacting with the artists, viewing a special performance by the State Street Ballet, creating your own light painting, having your makeup done by a professional body painter, and dining on culinary delights and sipping on craft cocktails from Pearl Social. Tomorrow’s free early evening Community Showcase finds MOXI facilitating a playful learning activity where curious minds of all ages can build circuits, play with magnets, and contribute to a collaborative LED display of light and color. There will be art activities from Children’s Creative Youth Project and Explore Ecology’s Art From Scrap, and an artist talk moderated by Sullivan Goss’ Nathan Vonk delving into the stories behind the various creations and their connection to Unite to Light’s mission. After dark, it’s the Bright Bash multi-sensory dance party with live DJs spinning electronic music, art carts that you can ride, a glitter station, tutorials on how to use illuminated objects to create “flow art,” and a dance performance by the Selah Dance Collective.
Tchaikovsky Immersion – The Santa Barbara Symphony opens its new season with a deep dive into Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony that begins with edifying words from Music & Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti, who will be going “behind the notes” to share with the audience how the piece was inspired, and the meaning of its motifs. But the ensemble’s entry into the composer’s world actually commences with the evening’s opening work – the late local composer and UCSB professor Emma Lou Diemer’s “Homage to Tchaikovsky,” originally commissioned by The Symphony in 2001. The work by Diemer, who passed away earlier this year, offers a reflection on Tchaikovsky through her contemporary, innovative lens. Also, world-renowned Pablo Sáinz-Villegas delivers the intoxicating, seductive sound of the classical guitar via his take on Joaquín Rodrigo’s genre-defining “Concierto de Aranjuez.”
WHEN: 7:30 pm tonight, 3 pm tomorrow
WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street
COST: $45-$195 (season subscriptions available)
INFO: (805) 899-2222 or www.granadasb.org
event that typically lures thousands of seafood lovers to our beautiful boat basin. The festival features dockside tours and demonstrations of local vessels, complimentary boat rides on the Azure Seas and Whisper, fresh regional seafood (clam chowder, BBQ albacore, lobster rolls, raw oysters, uni butter toast, Louisiana jambalaya and more), live music including long sets from local faves Spencer the Gardner and Cornerstone, maritime education, children’s activities, and the chance to chat up the folks who fish the channel every day. WHEN: 10 am-5pm
WHERE: 132-A Harbor Way COST: free
INFO: (805) 897-1962 or www.HarborFestival.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Still Speeding Along at 55 – Over its 55 seasons, the Santa Barbara Music Club has added and dropped venues and changed its frequency, but the series of complimentary classical music chamber concerts keeps plugging along with astonishing accomplished artists playing a wide variety of programs. The new season officially launches this afternoon with two pianists, Myroslava Kisilevitch and Natasha Kislenko – who hail, respectively, from Ukraine and Russia – performing 19th century European compositions. The program runs from fantasy to variations, serving as a journey of transformation from light to dark, from turmoil to peace, featuring Schubert’s “Fantasia in F minor D. 940, Op. Post. 103;” Tchaikovsky’s “October, Autumn Song,” from The Seasons; Cécile Chaminade’s “Thème Varié in A Major, Op. 89;” Ravel’s “Ma mère l’Oye, M. 60;” and M. Lysenko’s “Taras Bulba: ‘Overture.’” WHEN: 3 pm
WHERE: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 4575 Auhay Dr. COST: free INFO: or https://sbmusicclub.org
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Song Circle with MaMuse – Community singing has grown in popularity locally over the last half decade-plus as several teachers – including Toad the Wet Sprocket singer-songwriter Glen Phillips – have taken to regularly leading song circles around town. Tonight, MaMuse, one of the artists who have greatly influenced all of the local leaders, comes to town for a special event at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. MaMuse is the longtime vocalist/multi-instrumental duo of Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker, who together create uplifting music to inspire listeners by interweaving haunting harmony with lyrics filled with honed emotional intelligence. Their stated goal is to invoke a musical presence that inspires the opening of the heart, as evidenced by their songs “Power of
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Día de los Muertos Downtown – The Santa Barbara Museum of Art teams up for a second year with the Museum of Contemporary Art for a variety of family festivities – a three-part celebration that honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead. SBMA’s art activities include Alfredo Ramos Martínez-inspired Still Life Collage & Skull Charms, Rufino Tamayo-inspired newspaper Nichos and Paper Flower Headdresses – the latter intended for participants to wear in the post-activity procession down State Street from SBMA to the MCASB. The Calenda in Oaxaca parade – which winds up in the plaza at Paseo Nuevo – represents the expression of joy, the strengthening of family, community, and personal bonds, and features a range of traditional music and dances from the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero performed by several ensembles. The finale upstairs in the Arts Terrace and inside MCASB boasts an altar of the dead, authentic Oaxacan cuisine, art vendors and a dance party by the group Los Hijos de San Juan Mixtepec.
WHEN: 11 am-4 pm at SBMA, 4-5 pm procession; 5-7 pm at MCASB
WHERE: 1130 State St. & 653 Paseo Nuevo
COST: free
INFO: www.sbma.net/www.mcasantabarbara.org
Kindness” and “We Shall Be Known,” which Phillips and the other locals have all led in their circles. While MaMuse is actually on tour to promote a new album called ReMuse, their event here is a song circle – meaning everyone is encouraged to join in, choir-style, on the three-part rounds that the leaders will teach. All voices are welcome, from novice to expert singer or anywhere between.
WHEN: 6:30-8:30
WHERE: Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara Street COST: $40-$60 sliding scale (email mamuseinfo@gmail.com for scholarships) INFO: www.mamuse.org
‘Move’ It on Over – Lil Buck and Jon Boogz return to UCSB tomorrow night to perform an original piece created for Arts & Lectures that draws on their combined repertoire – which spans Memphis Jookin’, hip hop, ballet, and contemporary dance – and to hold a conversation/Q&A with the audience. But tonight the pair are plopping down at Pollock Theater for CWC’s screening of the first episode of the 2020 documentary series Move, which explores Buck’s & Boogz’s vision to bring street dance to a broad audience, before participating in the post-screening discussion.
LACO @ CAMA – The Los Angeles Philharmonic has performed for CAMA every year since their (coincidentally shared) founding more than a century ago, in 1919. But tonight marks the 56-year-old Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s debut under CAMA’s aegis and kicks off the International Series at the Granada. Music Director Jaime Martín conducts the premiere performance, which also wraps up LACO’s own season-opening weekend, with Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2 in D Major” serving as the anchor. Haydn’s “Symphony No. 6 in D major, ‘Le matin’ (Morning)” opens the concert – the first in a triptych of early Haydn symphonies portraying the times of day – followed by Mahler’s song cycle Songs of a Wayfarer, arranged by Schoenberg, featuring the great baritone Thomas Bauer
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street
COST: $41-$123 (season subscriptions available)
INFO: (805) 899-2222 or www.granadasb.org
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860
ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES
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TRESOR
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AVAILABLE FOR RENT
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Trusted, Experienced Caregiver, CA State registered and background checked. Vaccinated. Loving and caring provides transportation, medications, etc. Lina 805-940-6888
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I had been living at the area for 25 years. CA State registered and background checked.
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PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY
Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance Motivation, and Consistency
John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness 805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com
GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? WE CAN HELP
At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session! Call Now (805) 453-6086
AUTOMOBILES WANTED
We buy Classic Cars Running or not. Foreign/Domestic Chevy/Ford/Porsche/Mercedes/Etc. We come to you. Call Steven - 805-699-0684 Website – Avantiauto.group
ELECTRICIAN
Montecito Electric Repairs and Inspections Licensed C10485353 805-969-1575
TILE SETTING
Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.
LANDSCAPE
Casa L. M. Landscape hedges installed. Ficus to flowering. Disease resistant. Great privacy. Licensed & insured. Call (805) 963-6909
PET/ HOUSE SITTING
Do you need to get away for a weekend, week or more? I will house sit and take care of your pets, plants & mail. I have refs if needed. Call me or text me. Christine (805) 452-2385
CARPET CLEANING
Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304 Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117
Ocean view plot off of Bluff Ave. Island Edition-C #83 $39,000 For info (805) 455-0731
Mountain Facing Plot in Santa Barbara Cemetery
$16,000 (805) 455-3021
BURIAL CRYPT
Burial Crypt, SB Cemetery, Mausoleum in the Pines Courtyard, Tier 6, Crypt 34. Holds full size coffin. Premium location, visit cemetery to view. Will work with buyer and cemetery to transfer ownership, $19,000 or best offer, plus $500 transfer fee, negotiable. Call or text (805) 698-2165
$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD
It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)
KNIFE SHARPENING SERVICES
EDC Mobile Sharpening is locally owned and operated in Santa Barbara. We specialize in (No-Entry) House Calls, Businesses, and Special Events. Call (805) 696-0525 to schedule an appointment.
PRIVATE WINE CURATOR
LA
“Private Barolo Collection Experts” Routine shipments direct from Italy. Contact: nash@labarolo.com
Oct.19. 9-3 7035 Gobernador Canyon Road
harvest.” – Orison Swett Marden
Respectful Australian American seeking full-time live-in, property/pet care opportunity. Excellent local references. Chris 805-705-8622 DONATIONS
Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2430 Lillie Avenue Summerland CA 93067 (805) 969-1944
Donate to the Parrot Pantry! At SB Bird Sanctuary, backyard farmer’s bounty is our birds’ best bowl of food! The flock goes bananas for your apples, oranges & other homegrown fruits & veggies. Volunteers
Do you have a special talent or skill? Do you need community service hours? The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
K-9 PALS need volunteers to be foster parents for our dogs while they are waiting for their forever homes. For more information info@k-9pals.org or 805-570-0415
