A Year in Review

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Editorial – On the cusp of 2025 and in the wake of a clamorous election, Gwyn Lurie sees our common North Star in the new

Thoughts – Come on dover to Ashleigh’s musings on the distinctive white cliffs of England and the imagery they’ve inspired

at the Ranch – It’s gingerbread houses, pony rides, stories from Mrs. Claus and oh so much more at San Ysidro Ranch’s holiday

Business Directory – Smart business owners place business cards here so readers know where to look when they need what those businesses offer

More Than Just Wishes for 2025

by Gwyn Lurie

The year’s end always feels monumental – filled with endings, beginnings, stock-taking, plan-making and desk-clearing to create a clean slate for all the positive developments we hope will come along with our next giant circle around the sun.

So, what do we hope 2025 will bring? More importantly, what are we going to do to turn our hopes into reality? Because as Vince Lombardi once said, “Hope is not a strategy.”

Not to be too “tough love,” but it’s not enough to wish for this or hope for that. Thoughts and prayers are great, but they aren’t the cure-all and end-all. The prescriptive we know that works is taking action, which for most people is easier said than done. Because, aside from our personal challenges, those we collectively face are global and enormous and sometimes it feels like kicking a glacier.

I’ve started hearing the phrase tossed around – “Divided States of America” –which naturally raises the question, can we as individuals bridge that divide? It’s useful to note that while Rome wasn’t built in a day, it also didn’t expire in a day and the decline of that empire actually took place over several centuries (finally ending when the last Roman emperor Romulus Augustulus was overthrown by the German warlord Odoacer in 476 AD).

My friend once shared with me an analogy about a relationship they had that at a certain point was like a vase with so many cracks it could no longer hold water. While it’s easy to see our nation as having so many cracks it’s metaphorically leaking, I see it more like cracks we can still repair. As our handyman once said, “a little spackle and a little paint makes a lousy carpenter what he ain’t.”

But where to start?

I hope we can begin to step out of our silos, to open our minds and hearts to the ideas and opinions and journeys of others. More than anything, I hope we can begin to reinvest in the idea of compromise. Because a world with only winners and losers is not one in which we can each feel seen.

How about by listening? Listen to your opponent. Hear what the other side is saying. Is there any validity to what they’re saying? Any? Any insight that might help you better understand rather than demonize them? I make no secret that I’m a longtime registered Democrat, but my party has clearly not done a great job of listening to a lot of people in this country. Like 77 million people.

The fact is, there are leaders and countries and business models that thrive on our growing divisions, binary decision making, and black-and-white position taking; aka “engagement.” But we have the choice to tell them no. And one way to do that is by tricking the algorithm – by busting out of our silos and listening to the “other.” If you get most of your news from the left, try to occasionally listen to the right, and vice versa. What you’ll find is that your algorithm will pivot with you and what you’ll start to get is, dare I say it, a little more of a balance. More human nuance. Which I think is worthwhile, because people are complicated, and many things can be true at once. None of us would want to be judged by the stupidest thing we ever said or the least sensitive thing we ever did.

I’ve heard so many people talk about the importance of fighting for democracy, and in the same breath talk about leaving the country because their team lost. Like human beings, democracy is not perfect. It’s a work in progress. If we want to live in an active democracy, we

Editorial Page 324

Gwyn Lurie is CEO and Executive Editor of the Montecito Journal Media Group

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR AT SANTA BARBARA’S ORIGINAL HIDEAWAY

At midnight, raise a cup of kindness and reflect fondly on the past with loved ones at El Encanto. From fireside cocktails and private dinners to decadent afternoon tea and traditional holiday meals, ring in the new year with extra festive flair.

With its unparalleled location in the American Riviera, breathtaking interiors and captivating views, El Encanto offers an iconic winter retreat for locals and out-of-towners.

AA YEAR IN REVIEW January

s 2024 unfurled along California’s gilded coast, Santa Barbara’s January presented itself as a month of stark juxtapositions – where celebration and loss, preservation and development, tradition and change played out against a backdrop of perpetual sunshine.

The Ritual of Renewal

On New Year’s Day, while most of America huddled under blankets nursing champagne headaches, some three hundred Santa Barbarans – from toddlers to octogenarians – participated in Hugh Margerum’s eighth annual Polar Dip. The event, held at the public beach across from the rainbow arch on Cabrillo Boulevard, featured local celebrity John Palminteri as master of ceremonies, while Harbor Patrol boats offered celebratory water cannon salutes. The decidedly un-polar 64-degree weather allowed participants to linger in the Pacific’s embrace longer than usual, transforming the beach into what one observer called “a Beach Boys beach blanket bingo,” complete with selfies, champagne, and picnicking pooches.

The Speakeasy Renaissance

The San Ysidro Ranch’s Plow & Angel underwent a transformation that would have made Jay Gatsby proud, reopening as a Prohibition Era-inspired watering hole. The renovation maintained the venue’s historic stone walls while introducing rich red banquettes and vintage furniture, creating what management describes as an atmosphere both “escapist and sexy.” The bar now offers elaborate absinthe services and holds the distinction of being the only hotel bar globally with a specific chapter of Balvenie whiskeys.

Crime and Real Estate

Aseries of sophisticated burglaries rattled the community’s sense of security when four high-end homes were

targeted in a single evening. The perpetrators, described by security experts as “very stealthy,” showed a preference for properties backing onto open spaces and demonstrated an unsettling familiarity with safe-cracking. The incidents bore uncomfortable similarities to a pattern of “Chilean tourist burglaries” that have plagued wealthy West Coast communities since 2016.

A Club Reborn

The Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club emerged from an extensive renovation overseen by owner Ty Warner with characteristic attention to detail. The club’s rebirth included the installation of California’s largest glass spa, featuring Japanese one-way glass and underwater music, and a new dining venue showcasing a 32-foot LED sky screen. The renovation honored the club’s history while catering to modern sensibilities, maintaining an impressive 80% membership retention rate since Warner’s 2000 acquisition.

Infrastructure in Motion

The ongoing Highway 101 construction project continued its methodical progress through Montecito and Summerland, with work spanning multiple segments. The project team announced plans for the closure of the southbound San Ysidro off-ramp, a development that prompted both practical concerns and philosophical musings about the nature of progress in a community that values its traditions.

Environmental Advocacy

Environmental concerns took center stage as the Summerland Oil Mitigation Study commenced, funded by a $500,000 grant from State Assemblymember Monique Límon. The project, led by scientists Ira Leifer and Harry Rabin, aims to address the persistent issue of leaking offshore oil wells, a remnant of the area’s industrial past that continues to impact its pristine coastline.

Year in Review Page 164

The crowds take a Polar Dip to start off 2024

San Ysidro Ranch launches The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel

Get out there and earn your hot cocoa

Thank you for shopping small this holiday season

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Montecito Miscellany Nutcracker En Pointe

by Richard Mineards

It was certainly a Nutcracker with a difference when State Street Ballet – alongside the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff, and a chorus of youngsters from the Music Academy of the West’s Sing! Project and the State Street Ballet Academy – joined in the spectacular production at the Granada.

For the first time the Tchaikovsky show featured a Rat Queen rather than a Rat King with the Sugar Plum Fairy danced by Saori Yamashita and Akari Kato, and the Cavaliers by Harold Mendez and Ryan Lenkey

State Street’s energized production was choreographer by founder Rodney Gustafson , a former member of New York’s American Ballet Theatre, where he danced with the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov .

There was also a new pas de deux choreographed by Nilas Martins, son of New York City Ballet icon Peter Martins, who is the ballet’s new artistic associate and former principal dancer with the Lincoln Center company.

As usual, Sergei Domrachev as both Drosselmeyer and perky Mother Ginger, was an absolute hoot, with various performers playing the role of Clara and the Snow Queen during the show, which had also played in Spokane, Washington, and Durango, Colorado, before hitting our Eden by the Beach.

A classic cracker to go justifiably nuts over!

Drink It In

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary Pink Martini brought its signature multi-lingual blend of jazz, classic and pop music to a festive, sold-out Arlington Holiday Show staged by UCSB’s popular Arts & Lectures program.

With a dozen musicians, founder Thomas Lauderdale on piano, and the undoubted vocal talents of leader

Miscellany Page 344

Pink Martini, the perfect musical libation (photo by David Bazemore)

State Street Ballet’s Nutcracker returned to the Granada (photo by Heidi Bergseteren)

The show featured a new pas de deux choreographed by Nilas Martins (photo by Heidi Bergseteren)

Frontman Thomas Lauderdale on the keys (photo by David Bazemore)

Goodwin & Thyne Happy Holidays from

As we wrap up 2024, we want to take a moment to express how deeply grateful we are for our incredible team, valued clients, and trusted community partners. This year has been filled with milestones, and none of it would have been possible without the dedication, trust, and support from those we work alongside every day.

At Goodwin & Thyne Properties, we take pride in treating everyone like family—whether it’s our team members, clients, or collaborators. It’s this shared sense of connection that drives us to provide exceptional service and build meaningful relationships.

As the holiday season continues, we wish you and your loved ones joy, peace, and time to cherish what matters most. We’re so thankful to be a part of this vibrant community and can’t wait to continue serving you in 2025.

-Kevin

Goodwin & John Thyne

Real Estate

Montecito Holiday Real Estate Update

by Mark Ashton Hunt

Without attempting to be a statistical tower of stats and figures, I have attempted here to give an overall look at Montecito’s Real Estate market – and her nuances –through an analysis of homes sales thus far, January 1 to November 30, 2024. To summarize some thoughts about the Montecito and 93108 Real Estate market over the past 11 months (through end of November), I’d like to share some comments I’ve uttered and/or heard in recent months.

- An odd year, fewer sales, prices are still strong though.

- Many homes are selling for five to 10 percent or more below asking price, even after price reductions.

- There are fewer (if any, month by month) multiple offer and over asking price scenarios.

- Off market sales are more common at the highest end of the market.

- Selling prices are high and yet are not meeting Seller’s even higher expectations.

- Buyers complain of low inventory but also that prices are too high. Supply and demand.

- Are prices going to come down, rates going to come down, inventory to go up, etc…?

- I’m seeing off-market sales, but many of those homes have been on the market recently.

- How did that home sell for so much?

- How did that other home sell for so little?

- Why DIDN’T that home sell and Why DID that other similarly priced home sell?

Our market here in the 93108 seems mostly to be driven by the taste and pocketbook of each buyer. With so few homes on the market in each price range, a buyer may only have a choice between a Spanish fixer, a ranch style remodel or an 80s’ style home in their price range. Again, with so few homes on the market, if a buyer wants Spanish in the $3 to $5M range, there might only be 1 choice, so it makes that decision much easier.

With an annual average to date (in 2024) of about three sales per week in Montecito’s 93108 in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), that’s not a huge pool of sales from which to draw conclusions. A $5M fixer may seem high priced, while a smaller done home or ocean area condo at $5M seems a value,

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and we see the fixer sell first. Is that because it was in a more desirable location, had more square footage, a pool or view or not, was it near this or that? Probably one – or all – those variables play a part in each purchase.

Many Sellers who are not achieving the bidding wars of the past, are asking if they missed the high point in the market. I would suggest not, and more – that perhaps we are teetering on the high point of the market right now. If that’s true, and you sold your home recently, you likely did well. Seeing where it might go next is anyone’s guess. What we have seen is Sellers asking top dollar, with an assumed 10 to 20%+ year over year asking and sale price increase for the past four years, which may be slowing, and only time will tell, literally. Some months impress, others offer pause to consider.

Our market is definitely slowing in sales volume, with only 135 home sales recorded in the MLS in Montecito’s 93108 between January 1 to November 30, 2024. I project the year will end up with 150+/- sales, or about 12+ sales per month on average, matching my more recent estimates of what is now our normal market these past 12 months.

A handful of all sales in the first 11 months of this year were major fixers or tear downs. Another dozen or so sales were entry level condos and fixers under $3M, but the majority of homes sales are holding court in that prime center market, the $3 to $8M range (which accounted for well over half of all sales so far this year).

Below I’ve offered a brief description of the types of properties that represent a majority of sales in each price range, but there are always unicorns that don’t fit the stereotype.

The 135 Sales in Montecito’s 93108 in the MLS, from the first of January to the last of November, break down as follows.

- 6 sales under $2M – Condos and cottages / fixers

- 10 sales, $2 - $3M – Condos, Fixers

Montecito Tide Guide

Jan 3

and entry level beach area condos and cottages

- 43 sales, $3 - $5M – Nicer beach area condos, fixers and move-in ready homes in all areas

- 35 sales, $5 - $8M – Remodeled/new homes on top streets, estate fixers, luxe beach condos

- 18 sales, $8 - $10M – Mini estates, views, pools, remodels and new homes, small ocean front homes

- 16 sales, $10 - $20M – 5,000 to 10,000 square foot homes, views, privacy, acreage, or ocean front

- 7 sales over $20M – (4 of which were in the $30’s) – These are done estates on acreage (often 3+ acres) or ocean front, amenities galore, views, settings, privacy, etc.

Here are interesting statistics supporting the demand at our top end of the market and our higher entry level to the 93108.

- Nearly 20% of all sales in the 93108 in 2024 were over $10M, (five years ago this price point was just 5% of our sold market).

- There were more sales over $20M

Executive Editor/CEO | Gwyn Lurie gwyn@montecitojournal.net

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Account Managers | Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Elizabeth Scott, Natasha Kucherenko

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Proofreading | Helen Buckley Arts and Entertainment | Steven Libowitz

Contributors | Scott Craig, Ashleigh Brilliant, Chuck Graham, Mark Ashton Hunt, Dalina Michaels, Robert Bernstein, Christina Atchison, Leslie Zemeckis, Sigrid Toye, Elizabeth Stewart, Beatrice Tolan, Leana Orsua, Jeffrey Harding, Tiana Molony, Houghton Hyatt, Jeff Wing

Gossip | Richard Mineards

History | Hattie Beresford

Humor | Ernie Witham

Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri

Health/Wellness | Ann Brode, Deann Zampelli

Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook

Food & Wine | Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie, Jamie Knee

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Montecito Journal is compiled, compounded, calibrated, cogitated over, and coughed up every Wednesday by an exacting agglomeration of excitable (and often exemplary) expert edifiers at 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108.

How to reach us: (805) 565-1860; FAX: (805) 969-6654; Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108; EMAIL: tim@montecitojournal.net

In Passing

Helen Lucille Warnock

February 1, 1933 – November 11, 2024

Lou was born in 1933, the surprise gift to her mother Clarine, father Fred, 16-year-old brother Fred Junior, and 12-year-old sister Janet. She was beautiful, smart and delightful, a ray of sunshine at a very dark time in America, which was in the depths of the Depression. When she was five she contracted rheumatic fever, the convalescence giving her ample time to explore the imaginative stories and books which informed her life. My Storybook series was an important feature in her creative imagination, and her collection of Storybook Dolls. When she returned to school, her abilities were soon recognized and she was skipped a grade. At 13, she had the pleasure of attending a college preparatory boarding school for girls in Berkeley, California, where she unsuccessfully attempted to learn to smoke and play tennis. It was a very formative time for her and she cherished the experience.

Lou attended UCLA, creating her own major of politics with an emphasis in public relations, and joined Alpha Kai Omega sorority where she made lifelong friends. In December 1954 her roommate, Barbara, asked Lou to join her and her fiancé Stewart for cocktails at the beach, as she was to be maid of honor in their upcoming wedding. Stewart’s handsome older brother Hugh came along, and it was that fateful day that Hugh & Lou fell in love on the beach in Malibu, California, beginning 69 years of marriage, family, and wonderful adventures together. Her first job was in sales with Mary Louise Schmidt of The Building Center, a modern architectural service in West Los Angeles, where she was able to enjoy her passion for design and architecture. The young couple soon moved to Seal Beach where their three daughters Julie, Stacy, and Lexi were born and grew up along the beach. She joined the Junior League of Long Beach, making long-term friendships while engaged in philanthropic work, and was an active volunteer for various political campaigns. In 1967 she fulfilled a dream when she and Hugh designed and built a contemporary home on Davenport Island in the active waterfront community of Huntington Harbor. For 50 years Lou was a cherished member of the tight knit community and was a friend to many.

Having an astute and curious mind, Lou decided to get her real estate license once the girls were all in grade school,

Helen Lucille “Lou” Warnock, February 1, 1933 –November 11, 2024

becoming not only a source of challenge and joy, but a highly successful career that spanned 35 years. Ranked at the top of her field, it brought together her love of people and a desire to help families find just the right home, and allowed her to enjoy her interest in architecture and design. There was always a steady flow of family and friends in their lives, and she was greatly loved for her trademark humor, kindness, and sharp wit. Some of her favorite pastimes were gardening, entertaining, travel, and reading the LA Times from cover to cover.

Finally retiring at age 75, Lou remained active socially, practiced yoga, wrote for the Harbor Lights magazine, travelled, and enjoyed her five beloved grandchildren Mico, Remi, Will, Serafina, and Annabelle in Seattle and Santa Barbara. In 2018 she and Hugh moved close to family in Santa Barbara where they thrived in the community at Maravilla, participating in tai chi, art classes, and especially enjoying the music. As she developed some cognitive decline from mini strokes, her beloved Hugh was always by her side. Throughout their lives they were love birds, holding hands and exchanging sweet I love you’s, inspiring all who knew them. She is survived by her husband Hugh who misses his “Smeed” terribly, and by her loving family Julie Proctor, Stacy Pulice, and Alex Furlong

Her spiritual practice, which included meditation, visualization, and affirmation, sustained her to the very end, and she died peacefully with a beautiful smile on her face. She was an elegant and graceful woman to the very end.

Donations can be made to: The Malala Fund

News Bytes Spend NYE at SYR

by MJ Staff

Usher in 2025 at San Ysidro Ranch’s Stonehouse Restaurant with a sixcourse pre-fixe NYE dinner, live music, and an enchanting ambiance that will form the final, lasting impression of the year and begin the next one in unforgettable style.

Revel around mesmerizing ice sculptures and balloon displays before heading to dine on Executive Chef Matt Johnson’s celebratory cuisine with such indulgent dishes as White Truffle Custard with Calvisius Oscietra Caviar, or a Japanese Miyazaki A5 Striploin. Naturally, there are optional champagne or wine pairings to accompany the evening fare with a little flair. Want to remember this night forever? A photo booth will help you do just that.

Listen to live piano from 7-10:30 pm and keep the party going at The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel where a full band will play the end of year away.

Dinner comes with a takeaway champagne flute. Cost: $375/ per adult, $275 for a vegetarian option, $75 per child.

News Bytes Page 324

Start 2025 off right at San Ysidro Ranch (courtesy photo)

Our Town

Peggy Olwell & Rosie Brand at the Botanic Garden’s 12th Annual Conservation Symposium

by Joanne A Calitri

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s 12 th Annual Conservation Symposium, titled

“Seeds of Change: Conservation Through Diversity,” will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Santa Barbara County Education Auditorium, and online. It is presented by the Nakashima-Rennie Family and sponsored by S&S Seeds.

Two keynotes will be guest presenter and symposium honoree Peggy Olwell – Plant Conservation & Restoration Program Lead for the Bureau of Land Management in Washington, DC. – and Los Angeles based multidisciplinary U.K. artist Rosie Brand, whose ceramic seed sculpture art exhibit recently opened.

Olwell is the 2025 recipient of the John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award. She built the Native Seed Program at the Bureau of Land Management, promotes the use of native plants in habitat conservation and restoration projects, and worked on endangered species and plant conservation issues

for over 30 years with the National Park Service, Center for Plant Conservation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She co-edited an Island Press publication, Restoring Diversity: Strategies for Reintroduction of Endangered Plants and co-authored the Springer book, Seeds of Restoration Success: Wild Lands and Plant Diversity in the U.S.

Our Town Page 234

Randall

Keynote speaker Peggy Olwell (courtesy photo)

Artist Rosie Brand with her ceramic seed sculptures at the SB Botanic Garden gallery (courtesy photo)

An Evening with Esther Perel

The Future of Relationships, Love & Desire

Tue, Jan 14 / 7:30 PM Arlington Theatre

“The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.” –Esther Perel

Lead Sponsor: Heather & Tom Sturgess

An Evening with Tommy Orange

Wed, Jan 29 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

FREE copies of Orange’s new book, Wandering Stars , will be available while supplies last (pick up at event, one per household)

Justice for All Lead Sponsors: Marcy Carsey, Connie Frank & Evan Thompson, Eva & Yoel Haller, Dick Wolf, and Zegar Family Foundation

Tue, Jan 21 / 7 PM Lobero Theatre

Great Performances Suite Sponsors:

G.A. Fowler Family Foundation and The Shanbrom Family Foundation Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Julia Bullock, soprano

Danish String Quartet

Fri, Jan 31 / 7 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

Program includes Mozart, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, O’Carolan and contemporary arrangements of Nordic folk tunes

Event Sponsor: Anonymous

Great Performances Suite Sponsors: G.A. Fowler Family Foundation and The Shanbrom Family Foundation

HAMLET

Society Invites Annual Casa del Herrero Holiday Fundraiser Soirée

by Joanne A Calitri

The most looked forward to holiday party behind the hedgerow in Montecito is the Casa del Herrero Soirée, titled Home for the Holidays, held this year on Saturday, December 14.

BY William Shakespeare

Upon entering, guests were greeted by lovely ballerinas from the State Street Ballet, celebrating The Nutcracker. Spanish guitar études by Chris Fossek filled the atmosphere. New to the party this year was a clear tent with white trim that enclosed the front fountain area, with round cocktail tables, gold chairs, and bar. This was well appreciated given the extra-chill winter air, when a Ralph Lauren Designer wrap simply will not do. The Casa house was open for viewing with docents ready to lead mini-tours. The back patio had two tables with silent auction items and a second bar. Up for bidding were gift baskets from Coast 2 Coast, antique framed oil paintings, and Solvang Bakery’s Gingerbread House. All this – and detailed holiday decorations – were the work of Event Chair Jenna Jobst Reichental

The reception featured signature cocktails with ingredients from the Casa’s garden – Gimel of Lights with gin/vodka, St. Germain, Fresh Lime Juice, Butterfly Pea Flower and Dash of Light; or the White Cranberry Mojito with rum/vodka, coconut cream, fresh lime juice, seltzer and cranberry garnish. Hors d’oeuvres specialties were marinated beef bites wrapped in edible 24k gold, and a gourmet Spanish paella station with fresh mahi-mahi, halibut, sausages, veggies, and rice.

Board of Trustees President Heather Biles introduced keynote speaker Laura Bridley, who was the Founding Executive Director of Casa del Herrero and served as a Trustee, Board President, Ambassador and advisor for the Casa. Bridley is also the former President of the Montecito Association, former chair of the SBC Planning Commission, and a Montecito native. Bridley talked briefly about her work with George Bass – grandson of George Fox Steedman, for whom Casa del Herrero was originally built in 1925. Bass had hired Bridley as a land use consultant to help turn the estate into a museum, and she cited charming acts he did for the community, such as delivering fresh eggs to locals. She said, “I was honored to know George and represent him and the Casa to SB County

Casa del Herrero Board of Trustees (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Heather Biles and Laura Bridley (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Our Town Page 234

A Culinary Evolution

The month welcomed Lilac Montecito to Coast Village Road, where Gillian Muralles and her husband Alam transformed the former Mesa Burger space into a gluten-free fine dining establishment. Their executive chef, Piersimone D’Anna, crafted a menu that included housemade pasta and duck breast sous vide – a culinary feat that suggested the absence of gluten need not signal the absence of sophistication. The wine list, curated by level 3 sommelier Antonio Gerli, featured 70 selections that spoke to both global tastes and local loyalties.

Nature’s Reminder

Mid-month, Miramar Beach closed following a 2,500-gallon sewage spill into Oak Creek, a stark reminder of the delicate infrastructure underlying the region’s pristine façade. The closure coincided with county health officials’ perennial warning about post-storm ocean contact – a familiar February ritual in a community where natural beauty and environmental vigilance maintain an uneasy alliance.

Conversations of Consequence

The Chabad of Montecito hosted disaster management specialist Gavriel Friedson for a sobering discussion about his experiences as a medic following the October 7 attacks in Israel. The event, drawing over 100 attendees from various faiths, highlighted the community’s engagement with global issues. Later in the month, some 60 residents gathered to discuss democracy and public media with NPR journalists Ailsa Chang, Odette Yousef, and David Greene, examining the increasingly complex landscape of modern journalism.

Cultural Celebrations

Black History Month brought a rich tapestry of events, beginning with Dr. Joan Kee’s lecture on “The

Geometries of Afro Asia” at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The young Obsidian Scholars honored the memory of poet laureate Sojourner Kincaid Rolle with original poetry, while the Robey Theatre Company performed Richard Wesley’s The Talented Tenth at Soul Bites Restaurant.

Civic Deliberations

The Montecito Association’s February meetings reflected the community’s ongoing navigation of growth and preservation. A contentious discussion emerged around the Rosewood Miramar Beach’s proposed 50,000-square-foot expansion, with neighbors raising concerns about increased commercialization. Meanwhile, Police Chief Lt. Arnoldi reported on sophisticated burglary operations targeting high-end properties, while debates continued about the management of the increasingly popular Hot Springs Trail.

Artful Affairs

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art transformed into a multisensory experience for its Midwinter Night’s Dream fundraiser, where Japanese screens met Bach sonatas, and Ansel Adams photographs accompanied operatic performances. The event epitomized Santa Barbara’s talent for blending cultural traditions with contemporary sensibilities.

Hearts and Community

T he Friendship Center’s 25th Annual Festival of Hearts fundraiser at the Rosewood Miramar Beach demonstrated the community’s commitment to elder care, raising $20,000 while honoring 97-year-old WWII veteran Robert Antonini, whose testimony to the Center’s impact reminded attendees of the institution’s vital role.

Lilac Montecito opens on Coast Village Road

Friendship Center hosts its 25th Annual Festival of Hearts fundraiser

A Glamorous Holiday Affair

Santa

Barbara Sparkles at Holiday Soirée

by MJ Staff

Santa Barbara’s holiday season shimmered to life at “A Glamorous Holiday Affair,” a dazzling celebration hosted by Michele Janin , Tom Linebarger , Jamie (our own Montecito Journal wine columnist) and Joel Knee . Their 3rd annual Montecito holiday soirée brought together over 70 of Santa Barbara’s beloved residents for an evening of elegance, style, and festive cheer at a breathtaking Riven Rock estate.

The guest list was a perfect mix of familiar faces and new connections, including Adam McKaig , Melissa Borders , Joan and Tim Swift , Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey , Robert Adams , Lisa Osborn , Ken Pfeiffer , Leslie Dinaberg , Miriam Muscarolas , Lisa Amador , and many more – with guests arriving decked out in sparkling gowns, tuxedos, and festive attire. Compliments flowed as friends admired each other’s impeccable style,

fully embracing the evening’s sophisticated, celebratory theme.

The all-white décor, accented with the soft glow of white candles throughout, exuded timeless glamour. Outside, the elegant patio invited guests to mingle under the clear Santa Barbara night sky, seamlessly connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces into one enchanting setting.

Adding to the festive spirit was a carefully curated soundtrack of holiday classics and smooth standards that kept the energy alive throughout the evening. The music filled the estate with warmth and joy, providing the perfect backdrop for guests to sip, savor, and celebrate.

Reflecting on the evening, Jamie shared, “It’s incredible to see how the party grows each year, bringing together such wonderful friends we have made from all corners of our lives here in Santa Barbara. What makes me happiest is hearing guests say they met fantastic new friends and felt the warmth of our incredible community. Of course, I

always love selecting the wines and bubbles for any festivity!”

The evening featured a thoughtfully curated wine list by Jamie and Renegade Wines , perfectly paired with delectable bites provided by Buena Onda and The Cheese Shop . Guests mingled over glasses of fine wine and artisanal fare, savoring every detail of the evening while the music carried the celebratory spirit well into the night. It was a night of connection,

laughter, and celebration – one that reflected the beauty of gathering with friends, both old and new, during the holiday season.

As the evening drew to a close, it was clear that A Glamorous Holiday Affair had become a cherished annual tradition. With its stunning setting, festive cheer, and refined touches, this celebration captured the very essence of the holiday, with joy, gratitude, and the magic of community.

A few of the guests at A Glamorous Holiday Affair

Julie Ross, Lisa Osborn, Claudia Dunn, Heidi Stilwell, Sandy Kelley, Jamie Knee, and Michele Janin

Food by Buena Onda and The Cheese Shop

Adam McKaig, Rick Oshay, Tom Linebarger, and Joel Knee

Heal the Ocean extends our deepest appreciation to our Supporters

$150,000

Mericos Foundation for the Summerland Oil Mitigation Study

$105,000

The Manitou Fund

$20,000-$29,999

Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall

Henry & Nanette Nevins/ The Nevins Family Fund

$15,000-$19,999

Brittingham Family Foundation

Cheryl Tomchin/ Tomchin Family Foundation

Dan & Rae Emmett/ Emmett Foundation

Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment

Funding the Survey of Abandoned Homeless Camps in the Santa Ynez Riverbed

Sam and Sherilyn Scranton Rev. Trust

Pam & Jon Shields

$10,000-$14,999

Jeanne & Robert Anderson/ RJA Foundation

Sandy & Tim Armour/Tim and Sandy Armour Charitable Fund

Charles & Brynn Crowe/ Kirby-Jones Family Foundation

Roy E. Crummer Foundation

Diskant Family Foundation

Steve Starkey & Olivia Erschen

Holdfast Collective

La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation

La Cumbre Animal Hospital for the HTO Dog Bag Program

James J. Mitchell/ James J. Mitchell Trust

Cece, James, & Caitlyn Morton/ Morton Family Foundation in memory of Hughes Morton

Jillian & Pete Muller/ Dancing Tides Foundation

Poehler-Stremel Charitable Trust for Newsletter and Public Outreach

Adam & Kara Rhodes/ WWW Foundation

Robin Tost in honor of Nora & Michael Hurley

$5,000-$9,999

Anonymous (2)

Anonymous in honor of Heather Hudson

John & Caron Berryhill/ Agnes B. Kline Memorial Foundation

Rinaldo & Lalla Brutoco/ Omega Point Institute

Thomas & Nancy Crawford

Tom & Sheila Cullen

Kathryn Denlinger

The Dolotta Family Charitable Foundation

Steve Starkey & Olivia Erschen in honor of Peter & Nini Seaman, Dave & Pam Peterson, Bill & Dani Hahn, Bob & Ann Diener, Valeria Hoffman, Art & Heather Tiddens, and Duke Howard

Greg & Elisabeth Fowler/ G.A. Fowler Family Foundation

Nancy Gunzberg/Nancy Gunzberg Fund

Johnson Ohana Foundation

Susan Baerwald & Marcy Carsey/ Just Folk

Kent Lind

Judith Little/William B. Little & Judith A. Little Charitable Trust

Jack & Sheri Overall/ Overall Family Foundation

The Padaro Association

Pat & Maire Radis

Garland & Brenda Reiter/Garland and Brenda Reiter Family Foundation

The Roberts Bros. Foundation

Peter & Nini Seaman

Susan B. Schmidt & Janet Vallee/ Frank & Joseph Gila Fund

$3,000-$4,999

Thomas & Nancy Crawford

Marla Mercer & Frederick C. Herzog III/ Herzog & Mercer Living Trust

John & Gloria McManus

Montecito Pet Hospital for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Caleb Overton in honor of Laura Vandracek

Travis Turpin

Alex & Gina Ziegler

$2,000-$2,999

Anonymous

Lee Parker Bacon

Donald & Noelle Burg

Zora & Les Charles/ The Cheeryble Foundation

Jim & Jolene Colomy

Elizabeth B. (Betsy) Denison/ Denison Family Foundation

Brad Fiedel & Ann Dusenberry/ Dusenberry Fiedel Family Fund

Chris Baker & Jodie Ireland/ LOJO Foundation in memory of Frank Louda

Jill Taylor & Raymond Link

Nomadix*

Opal Fund at Spur Community Foundation

Ellen L. & Thomas Orlando

Oran Young & Gail Osherenko in honor of Hillary Hauser

Ann Linnett Pless

Blair & Steve Raber

Charles & Eileen Read

Schaff Family Foundation

Nancy Glaze Schaub

Janette C. & Robert W. Smart and Cynthia A. Spiess/ Smart Family Charitable Trust

Rob & Pru Sternin/ Sternin Family Fund

Felicia Sutherland in memory of Dan C. Sutherland & Eric C. Sutherland

Patsy Tisch

Hunter & Casey Turpin

Jonathan & Elise Wygant

$1,000-$1,999

Anonymous Anonymous/Spur Community Foundation

Murray McTigue & Whitney Abbott

Advanced Veterinary Specialists for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Kent & Brier Allebrand/ Turpin Family Charitable Foundation/ B&B Foundation

Belita Ong & Gordon Auchincloss in honor of CA

Larry & Wendy Barels

Rodney & Sharon Berle/ Contract Carpet Corporation

Phil & Leslie Bernstein/ Bernstein Family Fund

Ronald & Marlys Boehm/ Boehm-Gladen Impact Fund

Frank & Marlene Bucy

Ani Casillas

Coastal Byproducts for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Marcia & John Mike Cohen

Adrian Dagnachelle

Curren DeJonge in honor of Isla Vista Surfrider from Concert for the Coast

James & Wendy Drasdo

Eric Engmyr/Mosher Foundation

Jessica & Bill Frost

Devon Geiger Nielsen/B & B Foundation

Dodd & Beth Geiger/B&B Foundation

Richard & Lois Gunther/ Richard S. & Lois Gunther FundJewish Community Foundation of LA

Trip & Lisa Proctor Hawkins/ The Hawkins Foundation

Fred Herzog/Zog Industries

Karen & Philip Ingram

K. Leonard & Melanie Judson

David Kalt

Barbara Kamps

Rebecca Kapustay/The Rebecca Ann Kapustay Charitable Fund for the Padaro Lane Boat Wreck Cleanup

Dick & Peggy Lamb

Gary Larson in memory of Robert “Bob” H. Larson

Ginger Salazar & Brett Matthews/The Matthews Salazar Imagitas Foundation

Marcy & Kevin OHara/ OHara Family Fund

William J. Otto, DVM

Luise Phelps

William Prothero, Jr.

Ron & Stacy Pulice/Pulice Trust

Melissa & Christian Riparetti-Stepien

Page Robinson

Bryant & Elvira Rose

Angelo Salvucci

Deacon Shorr

Evan Turpin/Turpin-Allebrand

Family Charitable Foundation in memory of Paul Turpin

William & Janet Underwood

William & Janet Underwood/ Underwood Foundation in honor of Underwood Family Charitable Foundation

Alan & Kathryn Van Vliet in honor of Taryn Van Vliet

Wendy Vos/Vos Family Foundation

Kathy Snow & Bendy White

Alice Willfong/Willfong-Singh Family Fund

Jay Winford/J.A. Winford Charitable

$500-$999

Peter & Rebecca Adams

All Above Aviation for the HTO Dog Bag Program

MJ & Brad Bakove

Stephen & Maria Black

Stephen & Christina Brown in memory of Eric Brown

Stephen & Christina Brown

Mary Bucholtz

James & Julia Burge/The Burge Family in honor of CA

Darlene & Savelly Chirman/ Chirman Family Fund

Sallie & Curt Coughlin

Mil Duncan

Robert & Christine Emmons/ Emmons Foundation

Ray Ford*

Chris & Diane Gabriel/ Gabriel Family Charitable Fund for Channel Drive Sweeping

Hermine & Gary Gallup

Dorian Hirth

Impact.com for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Gary Justice

Tom & Ami Kearns/ Kearns Family Giving Fund

Richard & Connie Kennelly

Marc & Julie Kummel/ Kummel Family Fund

Joy & John Kunz in honor of CA

Chris & Connie Lambert

Lyn Price & Jim Marshall

Dr. Mark & Shira Musicant

Andy & Yvonne Neumann

Penny Mathison & Don Nulty, AIA

John D. Olsen

Lisa & Alan Parsons

Paws 4 Poop for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Susan Petrovich for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Tanya Ragragola in honor of SC

Melissa & Christian Riparetti-Stepien in memory of Jim Riparetti

We

Margot Roseman for the HTO Dog Bag Program, in memory of Minuette

Christine Ryerson/The Jim Ryerson Environmental Foundation Fund

Anthony Allina MD & Christiane Schlumberger

James & Ingrid Shattuck

Ed & Karen Shiffman

Ron & Jeanie Sickafoose

The Surf Connection for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Gebb Turpin

VCA Veterinary Care for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Tracey Willfong/Willfong-Singh Family Fund

James Winter

Bob & Leslie Zemeckis/The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation in honor of Steve Starkey’s Birthday

$250-$499

Anonymous

Maria Belknap

Heidi Bigelow in memory of James (Jamie) Clement

Elizabeth & Dennis Boscacci

Mike & Lynne Cage in honor of CA

Anne Carty

Sallie & Curt Coughlin in memory of James Harvey Clement

Natalie Cutler in memory of Chris & Tim Cutler

Mimi deGruy in memory of Mike deGruy

Wendy Foster

Andrew Foxwell

Teddy Gasser

Jessica Scheeter & Zach Gill

Charlie Graham in memory of Jimmy Robinson

Robin Hennessy

Sue Hollingsworth

Virginia Castagnola Hunter/ Castagnola Family Foundation in memory of Dr. Don Walsh

Alex Katz

Lori Lewis

Vesta McDermott in honor of Lt Col John A. McDermott

Meridian Group REM, Inc.

Donley Olson

Jeanene Pierce in honor of Kent Pierce

Marsha & Al Roberson

John & Cynthia Sanger

Peter & Nini Seaman in honor of Bob & Leslie Zemeckis, Bob & Tina Gale, Frank & Kathy Marshall

Stephen Segal/Stephen Segal Construction

Gene Urban

Libe Washburn

Hank Yeiser/Johnson Charitable Gift Fund

David & Mary Beth Yudovin

wish you all

a very Peaceful New Year!

$200-$249

Anonymous

Charla Bregante from the children of the Unitarian Society of SB

Suzanne Brown in memory of Stella Stanczyk

Manuela & Rob Cavaness

Manuela & Rob Cavaness for the HTO Dog Bag Program

Colby Centrella

Deborah Donahue in honor of CA

Goldenline Coffee

Charles Graham in memory of Glenn Miller

Frank Hood

Carole Rollins & Christopher Roderick

Carol Sawyer in honor of CA

Scott & Laurie Waters

$100-$199

Anonymous

Anonymous in memory of Eric & Danny Sutherland

Audrey Austin

Baja Sharkeez

Chipper & Kelly Bell/Surfclass.com 1% For the Planet

Ron & Lynnda Blitzer

Jeffrey Boyle

Lois Capps

Robin & Reid Cederlof

David & Jeannie Clark in memory of Maxine Clark

Gregory & Della Cook

Jane Craven in memory of Pat Canning

Christina Criswell

John Cunningham

Hilary David

Andrew & Adrianne Davis

Karla Shelton & Bruce Dobrin

Matt & Karen Dodson

Connie & Dennis Doheny in memory of Brandon Yates

I. Eden

Ann Dundon & Robert Else

Julia Emerson

Cinda & Donnelley Erdman

Janet Eyre

Tomaso & Irene Falzone

Paul Feinstein

Kevin & Shelley Fitzpatrick

Nancy Forster in honor of Harlah Pedersen

Ronald & Carole Fox

Jennifer Fry

Charles Roehm & Tish Gainey

William & Karen Gallivan in honor of Heather Hudson Crummer

Cliff & Nicola Ghersen

Andrew & Penelope Gottlieb

Michael Hamman in honor of CA

Thomas Harrington in honor of neighbors and friends who grew up together on La Espada Drive

Barbara & Roy Harthorn

Hall & Anne Healy in honor of Dylan Henderson

Joe & Barbara Howell

Susanne Humbel-Heierling

Sue Irwin

Mike Kenny

Linda Krop in honor of Hillary Hauser

Lori Lenz

Sally Leon-Tondro in memory of Captain Don Tondro

Jon & Sue Lewis/Jon & Sue Lewis

Charitable Fund

Betty Little

Kristin Llama in honor of James Harvey Clement

Sheila Lodge MacFarlane, Faletti & Co. LLP

Amy Magee

Phillip McLendon

Linda & Robert Meyer

Suzanne Muller in honor of Deb Abe

Dennis & Carolyn Naiman

Marilyn Nelson

Heather Newman in honor of Guy Joseph

PayPal Giving Fund

Valerie & David Powdrell

Susan M. Powers

Susanne & Randall Roberts

Daniel & Belinda Sarich/ American Modular Systems Inc.

Peter Sawyer in honor of CA

Pamela Scott

Alix Seeple in honor of CA

Heather Silva

Shirley Soper in memory of Tim Cutler

Joan & Gary Stauffer

Evans Thomas

Hugh & Karen Twibell

Daniel Waas in honor of Vincent Waas

William H. Wellman

Dorene & Gilbert White

Robert & Carolyn Williams

Laurie Hannah & George Witter

Galen Wood

Susan Yates Anderson in memory of Brandon Yates to $99

Connie Barro in honor of David Voorhees

Dr. Roger & Polly Bookwalter

Travis & Debra Bower

Deborah Burns

Samantha Cao

Dr. & Mrs. John A. Clark

Margaret Cota

Joyce Dendo

John & Marsha Elleston

Brian Felix

Teresa Fountain in memory of Donald Cowan

Carla Frisk

Eugene Geller

Amanda & Bob George

Marilyn Goldman

Julia Huffman in memory of James Robinson

Frederick Johnston

Gretchen & Jeff Jones in honor of CA

Kat Katsapetses

Kim Katsapetses

Eric & Francine Kirsch

Wendy Lee in memory of Lanny Wright, Kemp Aaberg, Zeuf Hesson, & Shelly Merrick

Barbara Loebman

Linda & Ernie Lugdon in memory of Frank Louda

Amanda Machleit

Eileen Malley

Tom McFaul

Gary & Gerda Meyer

Sally Mobraaten in memory of Cynthia Mobraaten

Anne Neubauer in memory of Charles Neubauer

Daniel Ovadia

Lynne Sherman & William Paxson

Alan & Lisa Piltz in memory of Elwin O. Swint Jr.

Chuck Place

Craig & Merrie Rice

Steve Ruggles

Rebecca Ryan in honor of Anabelle Muralles

Joyce Gauvain & Mark Schildhauer

Maida & Duffy Smith in honor of CA

Nora Gallagher & Vincent Stanley

Matthew Steinhaus in honor of Annabelle’s 7th Birthday

Mark Stimson

Tom & Deb Trauntvein

Susanna Vapnek in honor of Annabelle Muralles

Phillip & Sarah Vedder

Nancy Vogel

David Voorhees

Rick & Laura Vopatek

Barbara Wann in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Zane & Chelsea Wann

CJ & Beth Ward

Kristiann Wightman

Laury & Sheridan Wolfe in honor of Susan Goggin

HTO thanks the Phyllis S. Poehler/Walter E. Stremel Charitable Trust, St. Paul, Minnesota, for the funds for our public outreach, including this tribute to our supporters.

*In Kind Donations received as of 12/18/2023-12/12/2024. Full donor list to be published in the HTO Annual Newsletter.

Institutional Evolution

The venerable Biltmore Hotel’s proposed renovation plans met with characteristic Santa Barbara scrutiny when presented to the Montecito Board of Architectural Review. The 136,126 square-foot overhaul sparked debate over the preservation of the property’s romantic atmosphere.

Civic Infrastructure

Coast Village Road embarked on an ambitious improvement project, addressing years of wear from natural disasters and neglect. The undertaking, scheduled to begin March 25th, promised new loading zones and infrastructure upgrades – a physical manifestation of the community’s resilience and adaptation following years of environmental challenges.

Cultural Celebrations

The Granada Theatre demonstrated its own resilience, reopening just six weeks after a sprinkler mishap to host the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Under the baton of Nathalie Stutzmann – only the second woman to lead a major American orchestra – the performance featured Chinese pianist Haochen Zhang in a program that seemed to underscore the venue’s sustained cultural significance.

Women’s History

March’s designation as Women’s History Month found particular resonance in an exhibition at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Women of the Santa Barbara Harbor showcased 13 pioneers who had shaped

the waterfront community, from commercial fishing to marine ecology. The narratives of these women – including Hiroko Benko, Holly Lohuis, and Lieutenant Christina Sandstedt – revealed the intricate web of relationships binding the harbor community.

Artistic Revelations

In the Funk Zone, Cecily Barth Firestein’s work found a home at Art & Soul gallery, offering a meditation on the intersection of domesticity and artistic creation. The exhibition, housed in Kim McIntyre’s “warehouse chic” space, suggested that the demands of family life and creative expression need not be mutually exclusive – a particularly resonant message in a month celebrating women’s achievements.

Environmental Aesthetics

Lotusland continued its olfactory exploration with the launch of a new fragrance, “Lemon Arbor,” created in collaboration with Heretic Perfume.

The scent, drawing inspiration from the estate’s historic lemon arbor, represented a tangible connection to founder Ganna Walska’s own perfume-making ventures in 1930s Paris.

Civic Discourse

At the month’s close, Richard Haass , veteran of four presidential administrations, addressed a sold-out crowd at the Westmont President’s Breakfast. His message about putting country before party resonated through the Hilton’s ballroom, though perhaps not as loudly as the unspoken anxieties about domestic politics that he admitted kept him awake at night.

Spring’s Tempestuous Arrival

April announced itself with meteorological drama – a storm system that brought not just rain but hail to the Sheffield Drive undercrossing and, more alarmingly, a sinkhole on Sycamore Canyon that triggered a gas line break. The Montecito Fire Department fielded 74 calls while South Coast Dispatch managed roughly 250, a symphony of emergency response that has become increasingly familiar to residents. At Lucky’s restaurant, the evening took an almost theatrical turn as staff members carried patrons through flood waters to safety – a scene that might have appeared in a disaster film if not for its distinctly Montecito touch of elegance.

Cultural Transitions

The community bade a forever farewell to Lynda Millner, whose “Seen Around Town” column in the Montecito Journal had, for over two decades, chronicled the intricate social tapestry of Santa Barbara. More than merely a social columnist, Millner had served as both documentarian and advocate for countless local nonprofits, wielding her pen and camera with equal measures of glamour and gravitas.

Institutional Heritage

The month saw Susan and Palmer Jackson Jr. step forward to chair Casa del Herrero’s first comprehensive capital campaign, an $18 million endeavor dubbed “Preserving our Past, Protecting Our Future.” The announcement carried particular resonance given their family’s deep connections to the estate – Joan Jackson had worked with George Steedman Bass in 1993 to establish the property as a nonprofit foundation, a pivotal moment in preserving Santa Barbara’s architectural heritage.

Culinary Evolution

The local food scene continued its expansion with Oat Bakery opening

its third location at Montecito Country Mart. The Danish-inspired venture of Lou Fontana and Louise Ulrich-Fontana, which began with FaceTime baking lessons from Louise’s mother in Copenhagen, has grown from pop-up demonstrations in Montecito living rooms to a three-location enterprise producing some thousand loaves each Saturday.

Papal Diplomacy

In a remarkable convergence of local and global influence, Montecito Bank & Trust’s President George Leis secured an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. His gift to the pontiff – a book documenting the Santa Barbara Mission’s history – represented a thoughtful connection between the community’s spiritual heritage and its contemporary institutions.

Environmental Advocacy

H arry Rabin and Joey Szalkiewicz’s documentary Greetings from Summerland, Birthplace of Offshore Oil caught the attention of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in Washington, D.C. The 22-minute film, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, provided a sobering examination of methane gas emissions and their impact on global warming, featuring archival footage of early well-sealing efforts from 1968.

Educational Innovation

At Montecito Union School, neon artist Rod Lathim collaborated with second-grade students on a unique art installation combining damaged musical instruments with neon elements. The project, bridging visual arts and music education, exemplified the school’s commitment to creative interdisciplinary learning. Meanwhile, the school’s foundation gala, themed “Côte d’Azur,” raised a record-breaking $230,000 for various educational initiatives.

Culinary Consciousness

Caruso’s restaurant at the Rosewood Miramar Beach celebrated Earth Day with characteristic thoughtfulness. Executive Chef Massimo Falsini, fresh from securing both Forbes 5-Star and Michelin star recognition, hosted a James Beard Foundation benefit dinner that brought together local purveyors and their families, emphasizing the restaurant’s commitment to sustainable, locally sourced cuisine.

March celebrated Women’s History Month along with Cecily Barth Firestein’s exhibiting at Art & Soul gallery

Lotusland launches “Lemon Arbor” fragrance

Lucky’s customers weathered the April storm with a little staff care

Olwell holds a M.S. in Biology from Southern Methodist University. Brand’s ceramic seed sculptures are in the SB Botanic Garden Pritzlaff Conservation Center Gallery, her exhibit titled Seed: A Living Dream. She worked with the botanists at the SB Botanic Garden, interpreting their research into large scale ceramic sculptures. On her Instagram account Brand shares, “It’s been a dream working with the botanists of the garden, and I’m so grateful for curator Kevin Spracher’s enthusiasm and support.” She is certified as a California Naturalist via the University of California’s Environmental Stewards program, and teaches interdisciplinary workshops combining sculpture, storytelling, and naturalism.

The Symposium speaker list includes:

- Naomi S. Fraga, PhD, Director of Conservation Programs, California Botanic Garden: Highlighting the importance of collaborations for regional seed initiatives.

- Heather Schneider, PhD, Senior Rare Plant Conservation Scientist, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: Discussing the Garden and its partners’ efforts to protect California’s rare plants via seed banking.

- Amy Vandergast, PhD, Supervisory Research Geneticist, U.S. Geological Survey: Exploring how local genetics inform our biodiversity conservation strategies.

- Antonio Sanchez, Nursery Manager, Santa Monica Mountains Fund: Sharing the importance of indigenous knowledge and the need for a larger native seed supply.

- Tom Kaye, PhD, Chief Scientist, Institute for Applied Ecology: celebrating the partnerships that are working to bridge the seed supply gap.

- Genevieve Arnold, Seed and Conservation Manager, Theodore Payne Foundation: Highlighting how everyone can get involved to help achieve our regional restoration goals.

The Director of Conservation and Research at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Denise Knapp, PhD, stated, “Peggy Olwell’s work has laid the foundation for a nationwide movement towards seed-based native plant restoration. By collecting, producing, and safeguarding a rich diversity of seeds, we can secure a future where habitats recover, species endure, and ecosystems flourish.”

411: https://sbbotanicgarden.org https://rosiebrand.com

and the Planning Commission, to get their Conditional Use Permit, and to serve as its Board of Trustees President and Executive Director. I’m thrilled that the Casa received the California Missions Foundation grant, a testament to all the work being done.” She was followed by Board President Heather Biles who thanked the guests for their contributions towards the renovations and preservation of the Casa.

Seen at the event were Casa Executive Director Rosie Rafferty and staff, along with David Bolton, Carol

and Mike Linn, Katherine Pharibe Wise , Cookie and Jay Feinberg , Dinah and Ricardo Calderon, Louise and Timothy Casey , Elizabeth Storm McGovern , Nanette and Henry Nevins, Avi Reichental, Jami Voulgaris, Leslie and Harrison Bains, Betsy and Kenneth Coates, Monica Safapour, Elizabeth and Bill Esrey, Nathan Vonk, Chris Biles, Mari and Patrick McAlister, Marc Gelinas, Isabel and Paul Wendt, Lily Marx, Carolyn Williams, and Albert P. Hinckley, Jr.

Society Invites suggests for the community to be on the list for Casa del Herrero’s upcoming parties in 2025 to celebrate their 100th Anniversary!

411: www.casadelherrero.com

Joanne A Calitri is a professional international photographer and journalist. Contact her at: artraks@ yahoo.com

S ON K

MERCI BEAUCOUP

Maison K extends a heartfelt thank you to our cherished clients, friends and community for a marvelous 22 years on Coast Village Road.

We’re grateful for your business, support and appreciation of our boutique.

As the business has evolved over these many years, we’ve decided to lean into our own label and one of a kind pieces along with favorite brands.

We look forward to a new beginning and welcoming you to another Montecito location in 2025.

WISHING YOU AND YOURS HAPPIEST HOLIDAYS AND A BEAUTIFUL NEW YEAR!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM WHILE WE LOOK FOR OUR NEW HOME @MAISONKSTYLE

Jenna Jobst Reichental and Rosie Rafferty(photo by Joanne A Calitri)

A Month of Milestones

May opened with a peculiarly Santa Barbara moment: the $18.3 million San Ysidro Road and Olive Mill Road roundabouts received their ceremonial unveiling, complete with speeches, certificates, and – in a moment of unscripted poetry – a cyclist whizzing past the podium during County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino’s remarks. The completion of these traffic circles, ahead of schedule, marked more than mere infrastructure; they represented the community’s ongoing negotiation between preservation and progress.

Institutional Evolution

The Biltmore saga continued its slow unfolding as Four Seasons employees received their settlement packages, marking another chapter in the historic hotel’s four-year closure. Through spokesperson Sean Lavelle, owner Ty Warner outlined an ambitious vision for the property’s future, including multigenerational accommodations and new pool amenities. The projected reopening promised $15.7 million in tax revenue for 2025 – a figure that seemed to underscore both the economic and cultural stakes of the renovation.

Community Discourse

T he Montecito Association’s May board meeting, held in Cold Spring School’s auditorium to accommodate unprecedented attendance, became a forum for debate over the Rosewood Miramar Beach’s proposed expansion. The discussion pitted preservation against progress, with All Saints-by-theSea Parish expressing concerns about historic views while Miramar supporters praised owner Rick Caruso’s contributions to the community.

Civic Celebration

I

n a charming nod to tradition, the Montecito Fire Department hosted a

“push-in” ceremony for their new Engine 92, drawing more than a hundred community members, including children from local schools who helped wash and ceremonially guide the vehicle into its bay. The 2023 Pierce Enforcer, with its 500-gallon water tank and sophisticated “pump and roll” capability, represented both technological advancement and community continuity.

Infrastructure Renaissance

Coast Village Road emerged from its spring makeover with new curbs, gutters, and loading zones – a transformation that prompted a community-wide celebration over Memorial Day weekend. The project’s completion, achieved through the coordination of multiple civic entities, demonstrated Montecito’s capacity for renewal while maintaining its essential character.

Musical Horizons

The announcement that Pink would join Kenny Loggins at the One805LIVE! gala at Kevin Costner’s oceanside estate added contemporary star power to an already illustrious lineup. A preliminary event at Sunstone Winery featured an impressive assembly of musical talent, including Alan Parsons and members of the Night Train Music Club, raising $80,000 for First Responders.

Artistic Legacy

At Casa Dorinda, a poignant exhibition showcased the works of resident Michelle Joanou alongside those of her late husband Phil, who began painting at age 62 – a reminder that artistic expression in Santa Barbara knows neither age nor conventional boundaries.

A Century-Old Tradition Resurfaces

The Miramar Swim Raft, that enduring symbol of Santa Barbara summers, returned to its ancestral waters on June 1st. The platform, first launched in 1917, resumed its position off Miramar Beach with a lifeguard stationed daily – a reassuring nod to traditions that predate the resort’s five-star designation.

Infrastructure’s Ongoing Saga

At the Montecito Association’s Land Use meeting, Kirsten Ayars outlined plans for Highway 101’s transformation through summer 2025. The project introduced orange channelizer cones and divided lanes – temporary inconveniences in service of long-term improvements. Notably absent from the plans were sound walls, their omission a concession to flood control concerns.

Insurance Anxieties

The month’s most sobering discourse centered on homeowners’ insurance, as industry experts Kelly Weiser and Grace Neumann fielded questions about California’s increasingly complex coverage landscape. The discussion revealed a market in flux, with some carriers departing the state entirely and others implementing sophisticated layering strategies for high-value properties.

Retail Disruptions

Coast Village Road experienced an unwelcome reminder of urban realities when thieves made off with approximately $2,000 in clothing from a local boutique. The June 12th incident prompted renewed vigilance among merchants in the typically serene shopping district.

Cultural Celebrations

The Music Academy of the West launched its 77th summer festival with cellist Joshua Roman performing in Hahn Hall. Roman, who first attended the academy in 2002, offered a program that included Bach, his own composition “Immunity” (inspired by his COVID experience), and a surprisingly affecting rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Educational Excellence

C old Spring Elementary School District’s Superintendent Amy Alzina received the Superintendent/

Principal of the Year Award from the Association of California School Administrators. Under her seven-year tenure, the school has maintained the state’s highest performance metrics in mathematics and language arts, despite navigating multiple environmental disasters.

Culinary Evolution

The San Ysidro Ranch unveiled its new lunch service at the Veranda cottage, transforming a former private event space into an intimate outdoor dining venue. The prix-fixe menu, featuring ingredients from the chef’s garden and wines from local vintner Doug Margerum , represents another calibration of the property’s high-end offerings.

Literary Moments

At Tecolote bookshop, Steven Gilbar ’s signing for Montecito Noir: True Tales of Murder and Mayhem in Paradise drew an unexpected guest in comedian Steve Martin. The book, exploring the darker corners of local history, offered a counterpoint to the community’s carefully maintained veneer of tranquility.

Institutional Transitions

T he month brought updates on several institutional changes, including progress at Casa del Herrero, where a new class of docents graduated to lead tours of the George Washington Smith-designed estate. Meanwhile, UCSB’s Arts & Lectures program announced its 65th anniversary season, promising 47 events featuring both established artists and emerging talents.

Year in Review Page 284

In April, Four Seasons employees received their settlement packages from the Biltmore

Montecito Fire and the community welcomed Engine 92 with a “push-in”

Miramar’s Swim Raft came back!

Elizabeth’s Appraisals

This Is Bananas

by Elizabeth Stewart

In November of 2024, a banana that had been duct-taped to a white plaster wall sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Auction. Conceived as an edition (a series) of 5, titled “Comedian,” the artist Maurizio Cattelan had instructed buyers to change the banana and duct tape when the banana gets brownish, or, conversely, to replace the banana as quickly as possible if it is eaten. Three such banana installations, living pieces of fruit/banana sculptures, HAVE been eaten, including the $6.2 million banana, by the buyer himself, shortly after the hammer came down at Sotheby’s. It sold to a Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur. A Korean student peeled and ate one of the series of banana fruit sculptures, still taped to the wall, at a museum.

As always in the dollar-hungry art world, marketing moguls at Chiquita Banana conjectured that the most fashionable and famous art show in the world – Art Basel Miami Beach (which closed last week) – was an opportunity to capitalize on the uproar engendered by Sothebys’ sale of a $6.2 million living/piece of fruit/banana installation two weeks before Art Basel Miami Beach opened in early December. Chiquita’s cute yellow and blue pair of banana carts – offering free bananas, swag, and photo ops – promised something “fun.” This caused a critical uproar in the Press and particularly among activists, who sought to direct the public’s attention to the world’s nearly one billion malnourished people, and to Chiquita’s history of questionable labor practices. The banana shaped/themed prizes, such as a 1970s style bright yellow and blue logoed gym bag, however, won over the 80,000 attendees; banana food samples added to the “fun,” and soon long lines formed for the Chiquita blue and yellow street-vendor bikestyle banana stations. The labels on each of the free bananas combine the coiffed, fruit-bowl hatted Carmen Miranda style figure with the copy “Chiquita! Proud Partner to Art Basel Miami Beach.”

Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Art Basel Switzerland, Art Basel Miami is the world’s premier Modern and contemporary art fair. I attended first in 2005 and saw the glitterati artists, gallerists, and fashionista celebrities in fabulous outfits, which all had become more ostentatious when I returned in 2017. Not only does each international large

bank/design corporation/financial institution have a wine, chocolate, or coffee booth manned by super-good-looking types in Gucci, but the event takes over the entire city of Miami.

For example, at Florida International University, the Wolfsonian Museum has restored the scandalous 1928 stained glass window created by iconic Irish artist Harry Clark (1891-1931). Called the Geneva Window, it was commissioned to celebrate the newly formed Independent Irish Free State as a gift to the League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. When unveiled in Ireland, the Irish Government, highly nationalistic and Catholic at the time, turned it

down because the likenesses of celebrated Irish literary figures portrayed characters who were drunk, sexualized, naked, and Protestant (many writers at the time in Ireland were not Catholic).

The 2024 art fair was not the first time Art Basel has witnessed the “Banana Connection” with historical branches into Art Basel Miami’s past. In 2019, the artist Maurizio Cattelan’s first living banana-and-duct-tape installation sold for $120,000 at the fair. Surprised they could get so much for a piece of fruit, the gallery increased the price for the second “edition,” another duct-taped banana, to $150,000. The piece sold within hours (the second installation was purchased for the Guggenheim Museum). Sensing a fantastical opportunity, the gallery sent a rep out into the streets of Miami to buy the first available banana: a piece of fruit purchased for $0.25 from Alum, a Bangladeshi immigrant street vendor. The inequities of the situation could not have been more poignant. Until, that is, the final installation of the “Comedian” sold for $6.2 million last month.

Cattelan’s banana installation fetching a landmark $6.2M for conceptual artwork of this kind is highly controversial. More to the point, it shows the decadent, egocentric dealings of an elitist art world which assigns random values to whatever. It seems that the Chiquita corporation also has partaken of similar elitist colonization. In June, a Florida court ordered the company to pay $38 million to the victims of a marauding Colombian paramilitary group – the United Self Defense Forces – whose actions were sponsored in part by Chiquita, most of whose fruit is harvested in Columbia.

This week in Miami a more benign event continues with ‘Design Miami,’ which also promises to take over the town with shows such as “Disco and Design,” sponsored by Future Perfect at the Standard Hotel and Spa. If you are in Miami, stop by and see how disco influenced the design world beyond the mirrored disco ball. The 1970s are baaaack...

The special edition Chiquita® banana logo… soon to be an NFT

Brilliant Thoughts Thinking Over Dover

by Ashleigh Brilliant

Allow me to share with you some thoughts and memories about a place called Dover, a town on the south coast of England. As you may know, it’s the closest land to France, across the English Channel which, at that geographical point, has the name of the Strait of Dover.

The Channel between the two countries is only 20 miles wide at the Strait. But when I was living in England, there was still no tunnel under it – and unless you were willing to pay for a relatively expensive passage by air, the only regular way to cross was on one of the large vessels called “Ferries,” which took both cars and people.

The crossing took about three hours, and, depending on the weather, it might be pleasantly smooth, or sickeningly uncomfortable. The shortest route was between Dover and Calais – but there were other regular crossings, as between Folkestone, on the British east coast, and Antwerp, in Belgium.

But Dover, and its white limestone cliffs, were often the last any traveler saw of England, especially if they were on a ship which was not sailing across the Channel, but starting on a much longer voyage – perhaps heading across the Atlantic to what was known, long after the discoveries of Columbus, as the “New World.” (And of course, they were the most visible landmark to people coming the other way, from The Continent.)

During World War II, especially in the two years before America became directly involved, Britain stood alone as a beacon of Democracy against the Nazis and their “Axis” partners, who dominated practically the whole “Continent” of Western Europe. It was then that the White Cliffs of Dover came to symbolize resistance to humiliation and oppression. This feeling was exploited by propagandists who sought to win American sympathy and support for Britain. One popular song, in particular, embodied that feeling.

It started with these words:

“There’ll be Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover Tomorrow, just you wait and see. There’ll be love and laughter And peace ever after Tomorrow, when the world is free.”

Those lyrics were written by an American, Nat Burton, to a melody by another American, Walter Kent. Neither man had ever been anywhere near Dover. The song came out in 1942, when America was only beginning to mobilize for a war which was to last another three years. It was popularized by a young English singer named Vera Lynn, who traveled widely during the war to entertain troops, and became known as the “Sweetheart of the Forces.”

The second part of the song became rather sweetly sentimental:

“The shepherd will tend his sheep, The valley will bloom again –And Jimmy will go to sleep In his own little room again.”

Actually, many English children were “evacuated” inland from what were considered the more dangerous south coastal areas. This gave a new word to our language. Those children were known as “evacuees.”

And, in a way, I personally can identify with them, because I was just their age (I was five years old when the war started in 1939, and it didn’t end until I was 12). I was fortunate in being evacuated – as some other children were – across the Atlantic. But I still remembered my “own little room,” which, despite the song, and although our house survived the bombing, I was destined never to sleep in, or even to see again. What happened was that the bombing did force other families from their homes, and the Government provided other housing for them, sometimes by “requisitioning” any house which happened to be unoccupied. Ours was one of those available houses, and, even when we went back to England after the war, another family was still living there, and we were unable legally to evict them. Ultimately, we had to buy another house in a different district.

As for the other post-war benefits promised in the song, if we discount the “love and laughter,” I don’t have to tell you how much we ever saw of “Peace ever after.”

And what about “tomorrow, when the World is free”? What would a free world be like, anyway? I suppose it would have to be free of all the nastiness of evil regimes. But they still keep popping up, sometimes in places we have hardly ever heard of before, like the middle of Africa.

In conclusion, I am sorry to have to tell you that there are not now, and never have been, any Bluebirds anywhere near the White Cliffs of Dover.

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.

Holidays at the Ranch

San Ysidro Ranch Festive Holiday Family Event

by Joanne A Calitri

It’s Merry and Bright at the San Ysidro Ranch now through New Year’s, with festive décor, music, and twinkling lights from the resort entrance and throughout the restaurants, cottages, and outdoor gardens. Holiday trees colorfully decorated were placed in key locations and the Speakeasy has an array of 2,500 twinkling ornaments cascading from the ceiling.

Their annual Family Holiday Event was held on Friday, December 20. Here children were treated to rides on decorated ponies around the courtyard. Next, in the garden were colorfully decorated tables with box kits to decorate a gingerbread house. Mrs. Claus was walking around greeting everyone and later read holiday stories.

Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by Director of Food and Beverage Andrew Caine. We toured the family event for photo ops. General Manager Ian Williams personally invited Ashley Woods Hollister and her daughter Hannah, who were accompanied by renowned celebrity chef Valeska Voiges and her daughter Charlie Also attending were Rebecca Damavandi and her daughter Ava

There was an afternoon tea with light sandwiches and desserts, hot cocoa, specialty cocktails and assorted hot teas. The menu was by Executive Chef Matthew Johnson. Desserts were by Pastry Chef Sebastian Ziebarth – who was recruited by Caine from the Napa area to the resort in July. Also new is Winemaker David Fainberg, who had worked in the wine service at the SYR and was promoted to the head position.

411: www.sanysidroranch.com

GM Ian Williams with Rebecca Damavandi and daughter Ava, Ashley Woods Hollister with daughter Hannah, and Valeska Voiges with daughter Charlie (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

San Ysidro Ranch holiday ponies (photo by Joanne A Calitri) San Ysidro Ranch lounge area decorated for the holidays (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Charlie Voiges and Hannah Hollister at the SYR Family Holiday event (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Independence Day Revival

The month opened with the Village 4th parade drawing over 2,000 attendees to San Ysidro Road. David Boyd, longtime volunteer for multiple community organizations, served as Grand Marshal, while Woody Barrett claimed Most Patriotic honors and La Boheme earned Most Entertaining. The day culminated in Montecito Union School’s victory in the traditional tug-of-war.

Retail Renaissance

Coast Village Road witnessed several notable openings and collaborations. J. McLaughlin partnered with local designer Kate McHale Jensen for a limited-edition collection crafted from vintage men’s shirts, while Drybar Montecito celebrated its official ribbon cutting. Emily Joubert Home & Garden, named after owner Judy Cottingham-Sieber’s grandmother, opened in Montecito Country Mart, bringing coastal-inspired furnishings and local artworks.

Cultural Legacy

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art unveiled A Legacy of Giving, featuring works from Leslie and Paul Ridley-Tree’s collection. The exhibition, including pieces by Monet, Cassatt, and Rossetti, highlighted the couple’s quarter-century of cultural philanthropy. Curator James Glisson organized the works around five themes, from “Brand Management Circa 1870” to “History and Fantasy.”

Lotusland’s Milestone

T he botanical garden’s 30th annual gala, “The Way of the Lotus,” raised

$1 million, with actress Jane Lynch hosting and Alice Waters among the guests. An accompanying exhibition, Grounded, featured works by local artists created from fallen wood found on the estate’s grounds, with pieces ranging from $2,000 to $28,000.

Spanish Traditions Return

After a 30-year hiatus, the “Noche de Gala” celebration of Old Spanish Days returned to Montecito, hosted at Casa del Herrero. The event featured performances by Spirit of Fiesta Georgey Taupin and Junior Spirit Aleenah Soriano , alongside an exhibition of historic costumes from the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

Musical Alignments

Alan Parsons, the 13-time Grammy nominee who engineered albums from The Beatles and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, was named musical director for the upcoming One805LIVE! concert at Kevin Costner’s estate.

Polo’s Poignant Moment

The Santa Barbara Polo Club honored the memory of Glen Holden , former U.S. ambassador to Jamaica and polo patriarch, who passed away in April at 96. His memorial service drew 600 guests to the eponymous Holden Field, where his longtime fieldside box was decorated with white roses in tribute.

Environmental Alert

The month concluded with the discovery of red imported fire ants in Montecito, traced to nursery stock from Riverside County. Agricultural officials launched immediate eradication efforts, though monitoring may continue for up to five years.

Coast Village’s Carnival

The month opened with Coast Village Week, transforming the popular shopping district into a weeklong celebration complete with ice cream socials, rosé gardens, and art walks. The event culminated in a “Dog Days of Summer” photo contest that saw more than 100 canine contestants vying for recognition, with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sadie claiming the editor’s choice award.

Golf’s Pilgrimage

The Montecito Club received an unexpected benediction when six representatives from St. Andrews Links arrived to inspect the grounds. Under the stewardship of Tennessee McBroom, whose title “Director of Agronomy” suggests the facility’s meticulous approach, the club’s Platinum TE Paspalum turfgrass and bentgrass greens impressed even these visiting emissaries of golf’s ancestral home.

Local Institution Returns

Little Alex’s, beloved for its chicken soup and warm hospitality, reopened at Five Points Shopping Center after departing its 32-year Montecito location. Brothers Aaron and Josh Briner maintained their signature menu while adding new items like Rajas Veggie Soup and chilaquiles, though the famous chicken soup remains unchanged.

Environmental Concerns

Miramar Beach residents raised alarms about erosion at the Eucalyptus Lane entrance, where high

tide forces beachgoers to navigate a precarious rock formation. While Carpinteria secured $1.62 million from the California State Coastal Conservancy for its Living Shoreline Project, Montecito awaited the attentions of BEACON (Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment) at its September meeting.

Institutional Changes

T he Montecito YMCA welcomed Ryan Power as its new Executive Director, bringing experience from La Costa Beach & Tennis Club and various recreational management positions. Meanwhile, the Montecito Water Protection District announced rate increases – ranging from $6 to $28 monthly – to address infrastructure aging and water procurement challenges.

Historic Preservation

The month saw legal action regarding the demolished Moody Sisters cottage, with Supervisor Das Williams filing a civil lawsuit against the property owners. The case highlighted ongoing tensions between preservation and development in a community where historic structures often carry both cultural and architectural significance.

Educational Excellence

Both Montecito Union School and Cold Spring School District reported increased test scores as they prepared for the new academic year. Cold Spring’s Superintendent Amy Alzina noted scores in the high 90th percentile, while both institutions addressed contemporary challenges including AI integration and security protocols.

J. McLaughlin partnered with local designer Kate McHale Jensen

Montecito’s own Fiesta celebration, Noche de Gala, returned

Coast Village Week was a success!

Montecito’s beloved Little Alex’s reopens at Five Points Shopping Center

September October

Administrative Transitions

The Montecito Association meeting marked significant changes in local governance, with Roy Lee being voted in as First District Supervisor and Lt. Ugo “Butch” Arnoldi receiving recognition for his 51 years of service to the Sheriff’s Department. The gathering also addressed ongoing concerns about beach erosion and new parking restrictions near Hot Springs Trail.

Rosewood’s Regulatory Dance

The Rosewood Miramar Beach expansion plans encountered procedural complexities when the project shifted from Montecito Planning Commission review to County Planning Commission jurisdiction. The move, prompted by the project’s affordable housing component under SB330, sparked debate about local control versus state housing mandates. The proposal, including 26 affordable employee units alongside luxury apartments and retail spaces, highlighted tensions between development and community character.

Historic Preservation Victory

Casa del Herrero secured a $750,000 matching grant from the Department of Interior’s Save America’s Treasures program—the largest one-time grant in its history. The award, administered through the California Missions Foundation, will support preservation work at the National Historic Property, provided matching funds are raised within three years.

Literary Innovation

G

odmothers bookstore opened in Summerland, transforming a 1920s gambrel barn into what its founders Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Victoria Jackson envision as more than just a retail space. The venture, complete with a planned café food truck and outdoor reading areas, aims to create a literary salon atmosphere in keeping with the area’s cultivated casualness.

Culinary Evolution

Executive Chef Ramon Velázquez, fresh from receiving a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand designation, opened Alma Fonda Fina at Montecito

Country Mart. The restaurant, positioned as a sister establishment to his acclaimed Corazon Cocina, promises weekly menu changes featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Royal Recognition

One805LIVE! at Kevin Costner’s Carpinteria estate drew unexpected royal participation when Prince Harry presented an award to helicopter pilot Loren Courtney. The Duke of Sussex, celebrating his own 40th birthday, joined a star-studded lineup including Pink, Kenny Loggins, and Alan Parsons, helping raise over $1 million for first responders.

Cultural Milestones

State Street Ballet marked its 30th anniversary with a gala at the Music Academy featuring the UCSB Middle East Ensemble and previews of upcoming productions of Scheherazade and The Firebird . The event raised more than $150,000 while showcasing the company’s artistic evolution.

Trail Blazing

The Montecito Trails Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary with its first fundraiser since 2019, featuring local band The Doublewide Kings led by Palmer Jackson Jr. The event highlighted the organization’s ongoing work maintaining the area’s extensive trail network.

Local Fashion Launch

Andrew Schmoller and Eli Gill introduced Esbee, a new fashion brand named after Santa Barbara’s initials. The venture, focusing on California-manufactured basics and accessories, includes specialized sizing for taller customers – a nod to Schmoller’s own 6’8” frame.

Biltmore’s Return

The Four Seasons Biltmore received preliminary approval for its renovation plans, though with conditions including a 5% reduction in the family pool size and additional landscaping requirements. The historic property, closed since 2020, aims for a Summer 2025 reopening, with projected annual tax revenues of $15-18 million.

The Miramar Saga

October brought heightened drama to the Rosewood Miramar’s expansion plans as the project navigated county and local jurisdictions. A contentious County Planning Commission hearing on October 9th gave way to further complexity when the Montecito Planning Commission lost its quorum after Commissioner Sandy Stahl’s recusal over questions about document authorship.

Feminist Focus

The Coral Casino hosted “Feminist Equali-tea,” featuring Kathy Spillar, editor of Ms. Magazine, who addressed the current state of gender equality and reproductive rights. The event, organized by Stacy Pulice, highlighted the ongoing struggles for women’s rights.

Artistic Transitions

When Via Vai lost its Upper Village lease after three decades, artist Carlos Pillado’s works found a new home at Studio 44, directly across the street from their original location. The gallery, curated by Stephanie Kaster, hosted a reception that transformed displacement into celebration.

Culinary Conservation

Caruso’s Restaurant’s Chef Massimo Falsini was appointed Ambassador for Project Zero, recognizing his commitment to marine conservation through sustainable kitchen practices. The appointment, celebrated at an intimate gathering, aligned with the restaurant’s MICHELIN Green Star designation.

Cultural Celebrations

G host Village Road marked its 22nd anniversary with expanded participation from local schools and businesses. The event transformed Coast Village Road into a festive thoroughfare, with the Montecito Country Mart hosting costume contests while local establishments offered their own theatrical interpretations of Halloween hospitality.

Golf for Good

St. Vincent’s 23rd Annual Golf Classic at the Montecito Club drew 20 teams competing across five categories, raising funds for single mothers and their children. The tournament, chaired by Bill Cordero Sr., whose own parents met as orphans at St. Vincent’s, exemplified the community’s commitment to social services.

Musical Evolution

Local rocker Tina Schlieske revealed a surprising pivot with her jazz album The Good Life, performing standards at the Lobero Theatre. The transformation from rock powerhouse to jazz interpreter demonstrated Santa Barbara’s capacity for nurturing artistic reinvention.

Fragrant Notes

Lotusland expanded its botanically-inspired fragrance collection with “Sacred Lotus,” created by Los Angeles perfumer Douglas Little. The scent, drawing inspiration from the garden’s annual lotus bloom, continued the estate’s tradition of translating horticultural heritage into olfactory art.

Rob Lowe speaking at One805LIVE!

Ghost Village Road saw another year of CVR filled with candy and crowds

Tina Schlieske brought her rocking voice to jazz and standards at the Lobero

than there were sales under $2M, (the entry level went up and the sky’s the limit).

- The under $3M market held the most sales for many years, now it is the $3 to $5M range sporting the most sales, (what was $2.4M is now $4.2M, and on and on; regardless of the small drop in median price, it’s still way up over time).

Based on this year, looking ahead I see more of the same. Lower inventory, disparate sales prices on similar range homes, done homes reaching top dollar, and fixers remaining at elevated prices for those who want to add their own touches. Please let me know if you would like more information about our area’s Real Estate market, or if you are looking for a home or need a price evaluation on your current home. I’m here to help as needed.

Happy Holidays and please, Keep Montecito Friendly.

The following is a wide variety of sales that occurred thus far in 2024 in the Multiple Listing Service in Montecito’s 93108.

Lowest Priced Sale – 1930 N. Jameson Lane Unit A (condo) – $1,270,000

Montecito Union School District, entry-level, two-story condo near the 101 and N. Jameson Lane. Community area, pool, carports, etc.

Top Priced Sale – 875/885 Park Lane (estate) – $36,800,000

Incredible estate on multiple acres with an amazing main home and second home on second parcel within the Montecito Union School District.

an example of

909 Chelham Way (done home on a smaller lot in the Cold Spring School District) – which sold for $3,920,000 and offered three bedrooms and three-and-ahalf bathrooms, in just under 2,000 square feet of living space with lovely grounds.

In that same,

price range we had a fixer on a prime street in the Montecito Union School District sell:

1180 Mesa Road – $4,050,000

With just two bedrooms and three bathrooms and nearly 1,600 square feet of living space on a third acre lot, this was a big number for an entry level home in the Middle Road area, just blocks to Coast Village Road and the beach.

Sales within the Ennisbrook gated community were strong with casitas’ selling around $5M and a couple of estate homes selling over $15M, such as:

416 Meadowbrook Drive selling off-market for $16,780,500

Incredible estate on 2+ acres, formal, seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, etc… impressive and within the Montecito Union School District.

Sale prices are also strong and keep going up and up in the Birnam Wood community where we saw a couple of sales over $10,000,000, including:

2039 Boundary Drive – Sold over asking and quickly for $11,050,000

A completely done home with amazing finishes and volume/space, in a prime and desirable-sized residence of 3,800 square feet (nearly $3,000 per square foot – if you are a price per square foot fan, that’s a big number).

Many homes that had been on the market finally found buyers and cleared the way for new inventory. Notable sales at and around $10M that had been on and off the market over time, or had been on for a while then taken off, included:

615 Hot Springs Road sold for $10,650,000

As

a smaller done home in the foothills – a smaller home with upside potential on a nice lot on a top street near town – I present:

$4M

167 Pomar Lane went for $10,600,000

303 Meadowbrook Drive found a new owner at $9,650,000.

Just a few blocks from each other in prime Upper Village and San Ysidro Ranch area homes, we have a fixer on over an acre at:

690 San Ysidro Road that sold for $8,400,000 after a price reduction or two (a highpriced sale for a fixer but once redone has potential of being a $12.5M+/- property).

While just a few blocks away on the other side of the Ranch we saw a nicely redone pair of homes sell at:

1839 East Mountain Drive that sold for $8.3M as well as its neighbor, 1845 East Mountain Drive that sold for $8.9M

As for Beach area condos, an ocean front unit at Bonnymede found a new owner. 1385 Plaza Pacifica sold for $6.4M with a private garage and ocean front Primary suite.

Flips and new construction did well in 2024 also. Note sales at:

734 El Rancho Road Sold as a fixer in March for $3,210,000 – followed eight months later with a sale of that same home (in the wake of an incredible remodel) that closed the other week for $5,620,000.

172 Santa Elena Lane – A single level home with a great remodel that included a pool, private grounds, and a lot of bedrooms in a close-to-the-beach and Coast Village Road location within the Montecito Union School District – sold for $8,470,000, an area price record, I believe, for the Montecito Oaks Neighborhood.

1480 Monte

– $4,250,000 (would have been $2.4M just five years ago)

1666 San

Lane – Came on at $5M but had tons of upside potential and sold 20%+ over asking for

Other high priced fixer sales included:

Vista

Leandro

$6.2M

Happy House Hunting!

each need to take an active role in that democracy. Our electeds are flawed humans like all of us, and they can’t and won’t fix this by themselves. So, let’s not build them up too much, but let’s not be so quick to cut them down, either. We can’t just elect leaders and expect they’ve got this. They don’t. They need us. Don’t underestimate the part we each can play in bringing change.

Here are my hopes for all of us for 2025: I hope for peace, in the world and in our lives. I hope we can somehow find our way to a place where civility and integrity and compassion are not just platitudes but become more prominent and more prevalent. And I hope that we will demand the same of our leaders.

I hope we can begin to step out of our silos, to open our minds and hearts to the ideas and opinions and journeys of others. More than anything, I hope we can begin to reinvest in the idea of compromise. Because a world with only winners and losers is not one in which we can each feel seen. Who said we all have to agree on everything in order to work together, or even play together? It’s not true and it’s not helpful. Remember, the U.S. Constitution was drafted by arch philosophical and political opponents. Look what they created.

The thing I love most about the new year is that it’s another chance to get it right. None of us knows how many of those we get. So, let’s make this one count. Please engage with your democracy. It needs you; and certainly, it beats the alternative.

On behalf of the entire MJ team, I wish you all a wonderful holiday filled with love and laughter and good health.

COME JOIN US

Holiday Hiking Updates from Los Padres Forest Association

December 1 typically means the annual seasonal forest gate closures, however the Los Padres National Forest gates are still open. This allows road access to campgrounds over the holidays.

The LPFA cautions campers and hikers to watch for weather related closures that can occur at any time due to heavy rains and fires. Fire Restrictions are in effect. Campfires are only allowed in designated campfire use sites (i.e. car campgrounds). Stoves are still allowed while backcountry camping. Make sure you have a valid California Fire Permit.

There are a few 2025 Los Padres Calendars left. Get them before they’re gone! All proceeds go directly toward trail maintenance in the Los Padres.

For volunteer opportunities, and more info: 411: https://lpforest.org

Carpinteria’s New Mayor, Natalia Alarcon

As of December 9, Carpinteria has a new mayor, Natalia Alarcon . Also sworn in at the City Council meeting were new Councilmember Julia Mayer and returning Councilmember Wade Nomura, both for four-year terms.

Councilmember Monica Solorzano was appointed Vice Mayor.

BREAD

Leapfrog Group Awards “A” for Safety to SB Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Hospital

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital received an “A” in Hospital Safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

Leapfrog assigns an “A,” through “F” grade to hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“We are incredibly proud that both Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital have earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group,” said Ron Werft, President & CEO of Cottage Health. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team to ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care.”

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Kansas Storage & Containers, 1027 E De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103. PM & JM LLC, PO Box 1391, Summerland, CA, 93067. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 10, 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. 2024-0002885. Published December 19, 26, 2024, January 2, 9, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: M.L. Solutions, 515 Newport Dr, Lompoc, CA, 93436. Moriah H Roberts, 515 Newport Dr, Lompoc, CA, 93436. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 1, 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. 2024-0002579. Published December 19, 26, 2024, January 2, 9, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Thyne Berglund & Co, 205 E Carillo St, 100, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. Thyne Berglund LLC, 205 E Carillo St, 100, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 2, 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. 2024-0002820. Published December 12, 19, 26, 2024, January 2, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Mindrite; Mindrite Counseling & Wellness; Mindrite Counseling; Mindrite Mental Health; Mindrite Mental Wellness; Mindrite Counseling Center; Mindrite CW, 1187 Coast Village Rd, STE 1-360, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108. Mindrite,

A Mental Wellness and Counseling Corporation, 1187 Coast Village Rd, STE 1-360, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 13, 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. 2024-0002656. Published December 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Materiales De Construccion, 784 Chelham Way, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108. George E Davidson, 784 Chelham Way, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 14, 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. 2024-0002679. Published December 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

New Mayor and councilmembers for Carpinteria: Wade Nomura, Julia Mayer, and Natalia Alarcon (courtesy photo)

The Miramar’s Victory

After months of procedural wrangling, the County Planning Commission unanimously approved Rosewood Miramar’s mixed-use development plan. The decision came after All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church withdrew its opposition following compromises on building height. While some neighbors continued to voice concerns about parking and traffic, the approval marked a significant step in Rick Caruso ’s vision for the property’s evolution.

Music Academy Prevails

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0-1 to deny an appeal against the Music Academy of the West’s revised Conditional Use Permit. The decision allows the institution to host up to 15 “Significant Life Events” annually, though with restrictions limiting these to one per day. The ruling balanced the Academy’s need for additional revenue streams against neighborhood concerns about noise and traffic.

Civic Recognition

Lt. Ugo “Butch” Arnoldi received the Montecito Citizen of the Year award during the Association’s Beautification Day celebrations. His 51 years of service with the Sheriff’s Department, particularly his work during disasters and with the homeless population, earned praise from officials including Das Williams and Fire Chief David Neels

Literary Landmark

The Michael Towbes Library Plaza opened with “Plaza Palooza,” transforming Anapamu Street into a vibrant community space. The $5 million project, supported by a $1 million endowment, featured performances by local groups and interactive booths from 50 nonprofits, marking a new chapter in the library’s century-long history.

Artistic Milestones

Waterhouse Gallery celebrated its 40th anniversary, a testament to the enduring romance that began when Diane met British gallery owner Ralph Waterhouse on a blind date in 1983. Their expansion to a second location in Montecito reflected both their success and the evolution of Santa Barbara’s art scene.

Hollywood Returns Home

Actor Josh Brolin’s memoir reading at Godmothers bookstore brought a touch of Hollywood introspection to Summerland. In conversation with Rob Lowe, Brolin reflected on his turbulent youth in Santa Barbara, including his time with the notorious “’Cito Rats” skateboarding gang.

Retail Evolution

T he Mate Gallery scored a retail coup by becoming the first California store to carry L.L. Bean products, while Bunny Shapiro Beads collaborated with La Californienne for a pop-up at Poppy Marché, demonstrating Coast Village Road’s continuing appeal to unique retail ventures.

Major Developments Advance

The Miramar expansion plan cleared its final local hurdle as the Board of Supervisors unanimously denied all appeals, approving the project that includes 26 affordable housing units and retail space. While environmental concerns persisted regarding the floodplain location, supervisors praised the project’s commitment to workforce housing and community integration.

Music Academy Resolves

The Land Use Committee meeting brought updates on the Music Academy’s new Conditional Use Permit, allowing 15 “Significant Life Events” annually and confirming plans for additional employee housing. While neighbors expressed concerns about traffic and noise, the institution emphasized its commitment to transparent operations.

Sweet Arrivals

Marley Confections opened its intimate 215-square-foot chocolate shop in the Upper Village, offering artisanal chocolates crafted with local ingredients. Owner Margaret Van Sicklen’s transition from advertising executive to chocolatier personified Montecito’s rich entrepreneurial spirit.

The Post Debuts

The Las Aves complex near the Bird Refuge transformed into The Post, a boutique retail center featuring carefully curated shops and restaurants. Developers David Fishbein and Joseph Miller preserved historic elements while creating a modern gathering space.

Retail & Restaurant Expansion

F aherty Brand chose Coast Village Road for its 76th location, while Bar Lou brought French-Mediterranean cuisine to the former Oliver’s space. The arrivals reflected the area’s growing appeal to established brands seeking community connection.

RH Makes History

T he Old Firehouse reopened as RH Montecito with a gala benefiting local firefighters. The 1931 Alexander Bertrand Harmer structure’s transformation into a luxury lifestyle destination maintained its historic character while introducing contemporary retail concepts.

Environmental Dialogue “F

rom Soil to Soul” brought together environmental leaders including Dr. Zach Bush for an evening exploring sustainable agriculture through multi-sensory experiences and cultural traditions.

Holiday Spirit

December’s

festivities included the traditional decoration of the Hathaway Tree at Manning Park, Coast Village Association’s second annual tree lighting, and the fourth annual Holiday Car Parade. Richie’s Barber Shop continued its 13th annual charity drive supporting domestic violence survivors, the homeless, and pet welfare.

Light Up a Life

Hospice Santa Barbara’s annual remembrance ceremony featured singer-songwriter Lois Mahalia, offering the community a moment to honor lost loved ones while strengthening communal bonds.

At the MA’s Beautification Day, Lt. Ugo “Butch” Arnoldi received the Montecito Citizen of the Year

Josh Brolin at Godmothers with his new memoir

The demure-yet-delicious Marley Confections opened in the Upper Village

singer China Forbes (a fellow student at Harvard University), the two-hour intermission-free concert kicked off with a rousing version of Ravel’s “Bolero” before segueing to traditional Christmas fare like “White Christmas.” A Chinese language version of “Auld Lang Syne” signaled the finale - a medley of the tony troupe’s popular songs sung in 18 languages, including Mandarin, Flemish, Arabic and French.

It was the perfect musical libation with Pink Martini, who have performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and sold more than three million albums worldwide, leaving us, as ever, shaken and stirred.

ShamWow Warriors

Montecito political pundit Dennis Miller has signed up for a new docuseries for the Fox News streaming service Fox Nation.

The series, The Infomercials That Sold Us, is steaming on the platform now and takes “a nostalgic and poignant look back at the years when infomercials ruled late night TV, featuring interviews with the colorful characters who made the ads so entertaining.”

“I’m very proud to be part of this project,” says Miller, a former cast member on Saturday Night Live. “It’s easy to dismiss the Willy Lomans who hawked products on late night TV as nothing more than easy punchlines.

“But The Infomercials That Sold Us shows us the humanity of these pitch people, who came from nothing and, armed with self-belief and perhaps a fine mop, made themselves wealthy and famous. It’s the ultimate American success story.”

The three-episode series includes interviews with some of those pitch peo-

ple, including actress Suzanne Somers, who was interviewed shortly before her death last October.

Others featured in the series include Tony Robbins, Brooke Burke, Leeza Gibbons – on whose L.A.-based TV talk show I used to regularly appear –and others.

Foundational Environment

The Santa Barbara Foundation has awarded nearly $610,000 in grants to 26 nonprofits across Santa Barbara County for their work in conservation, environment and public trails.

The CEPT grant program was launched in 2021 and awarded $222,000 in grants to ten organizations.

The projects range from preserving and expanding pollinator habitats in Carpinteria to rehabilitating fire and storm-damaged trails in the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Figueroa Mountain and surrounding areas.

Refreshing Roots

become holiday sensation.

The Ty Toy has gone wild on X, formerly Twitter, and is selling out in stores.

The plush toy dubbed ‘Cookie,’ features the signature Beanie Baby large eyes, with a thinly drawn smile and a red button nose just above.

The toy’s round face has a frosted border as well as round hands and feet.

Yummy....

Fleeing Questions, Dropping Names

Prince Andrew’s ex, the Duchess of York, walked out of an interview with the Australian version of 60 Minutes when the reporter had the audacity to ask her about her “cash to access” scandal revealed by Rupert Murdoch’s now defunct weekly News of the World 25 years ago.

I also faced her fury when I was invited to Manhattan’s Helmsley Palace Hotel for a lunch celebrating her multimillion deal promoting Wedgwood china and Waterford crystal.

While other hacks were peppering her with inane questions – What’s your favorite tea? What’s your favorite Wedgwood pattern? – I asked Fergie , given her new contract, if she would at last be moving out of Royal Lodge, the Queen Mother’s former home near Windsor Castle, having said previously she couldn’t afford to run any of the homes offered her by her mother-inlaw Queen Elizabeth.

She was clearly not amused by my query and walked out of the room.

Lord Piers Wedgwood, with whom I had appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Chicagobased show four weeks earlier, said I had asked a perfectly reasonable question given her new contract. Other TV guests on that program included fashion designer Princess Diane von Furstenberg, Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia (mother of Dynasty actress Catherine Oxenberg), and an old friend, Prince Egon von Furstenberg, Diane’s ex husband.

for our climate, with temperatures regularly between 55 and 65 degrees and as many as 329 rain-free days a year meaning it’s the ideal location for outdoor activities.

However, experts warn the area is increasingly vulnerable to climate change-related threats, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, landslides, shifting rainfall patterns, and wildfires.

ClimateCheck, which tracks the figures, estimated 85% of Santa Barbara’s buildings are at a very high risk of wildfire.

Despite these problems, our Mediterranean climate continues to attract celebrities and affluent residents, with stunning scenery and grand estates.

The median home price is a hefty $1,789,765.

Families Still Using Mail Service

Prince Harry has been sent a scathing letter by the family of Carl Westcott, the former owners of Katy Perry’s Montecito estate, asking him to rescind the singer’s invitation to sing at the Invictus Games in Canada next year.

Westcott has been embroiled in a lawsuit with Perry, 40, for four years and after the latest chapter of her countersuing for $6 million in damages, the family is not backing down.

In a letter sent to the Riven Rockbased Duke of Sussex, revealed by the London Daily Mail , Carl’s son Chart Westcott details his family’s concerns regarding the former Dos Pueblos High student being invited to headline the Vancouver event, set to kick off Feb. 8.

Harry, 40 has been dragged into the feud since he is the founder of the games, an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick men and women, both serving and retired.

Gwyneth Paltrow is back to her modeling roots.

The Goop founder, 52, has returned to the luxury fashion scene as the new face of French designer Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring 2025 campaign.

The Paris-based company has just released the Montecito resident’s edgy new shots taken by David Sims

It has been more than a decade since the Goop founder teamed up with a luxury designer.

Holiday Sweets

A festive treat with a wonky smile and giant eyes, part of Beanie Baby billionaire Ty Warner’s latest collection, has

By coincidence later that evening I was covering Fergie’s charity bash for her Chances for Children, with James Ogilvy – the jeweler-son of Princess Alexandra, sister of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, grandson of King George V – at the Regency Hotel on Park Avenue.

She was glad handing everybody in the room – that is until she saw me and darted to the other side of the room.

James noticed and asked me what had happened. I explained the lunchtime walkout and he rolled his eyes.

Such are the joys of covering the Royal Family...

Double Edged Weather

Our Eden by the Beach has been ranked the best place to live in the U.S. for its “near perfect weather.”

U.S. News reports that we’re renowned

He and wife Meghan Markle are also friends with Perry and her British actor fiancé Orlando Bloom , who will soon be forced to testify in court over the legal battle over the $15 million estate with Westcott, a U.S. Army veteran who had been bedridden for more than a year battling Huntington’s disease.

“As our father’s health declines my brother and I are fighting to preserve his legacy, as a man and veteran, yet this legal struggle has been a source of immense pressure for our family.

“The choice of Ms. Perry at the Invictus Games feels at odds with the event’s mission to honor veterans and their sacrifices. While her participation may be seen as a gesture of support for veterans, her relentless pursuit of our father in court tells a different story – one that deeply undermines the values the games stand for.”

Harry is being asked to reconsider his decision to have Perry in the Vancouver lineup.

Stay tuned…

Montecito

Dennis Miller sells the audience on infomercials (photo by texas mustang via Wikimedia Commons)

Gwyneth is the new face of Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring 2025 campaign (photo by Andrea Raffin via Wikimedia Commons)

Singing Praises

Quire of Voyces under founder and musical director Nathan Kreitzer was in fine form at St. Anthony’s Chapel for its annual Yuletide concert.

Traditional favorites like “Away in a Manger” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” were on the menu with the 11-part concert wrapping with “Silent Night.”

A joyous afternoon full of Christmas spirit.

Ambassador Barrack

Santa Barbara Polo Club patron Tom Barrack is the new U.S. ambassador to Turkey.

The Santa Ynez Valley vintner, owner of the Piocho Ranch and venture capitalist, formerly owned the late Michael Jackson’s 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, paying $22 million for the estate, which he wound up selling to magazine magnate Ron Burkle for the same price after initially listing it for $100 million.

Each year he lends his sprawling ranch to the local charity, People Helping People, for their annual fundraiser.

Remembering Polly Mellen

I remember fashion expert Polly Mellen, who has died in Manhattan at the age of 100.

The consummate New Yorker worked as fashion editor for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and creative director for Allure

We would often meet each other when I was an editor at New York Magazine in the ‘80s.

She worked at Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor before breaking into magazine journalism as a lifestyle writer at Mademoiselle before moving to Harper’s Bazaar in 1950 working with the legendary Diana Vreeland before moving with her to the iconic Condé Nast fashion bible Vogue

My former New York Magazine colleague Anna Wintour, now longtime editor of Vogue, described Polly as “a mercurial grand dame with bundles of energy, a deep love for her work and the creative processes.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Sightings

Warbler Katy Perry at the Jingle Ball in Philadelphia... Oprah Winfrey celebrating her friend CBS anchor Gayle King’s 70th birthday bash with Stephen Colbert in Manhattan... Dennis Miller checking out Restoration Hardware (RH).

Pip! Pip!

County of Santa Barbara County Planning Commission

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Highway 101 Widening Segments 4D Amendment

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Planning Commission Hearing Room 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Hearing begins at 9:00 A.M.

Proposed Project: Changes to the approved Highway 101 Widening Segment 4D project (21DVP‐OOOOO‐00022) that includes installing new bridge abutments and keeping the existing creek channel in place instead of installing temporary bulkheads, increasing the freeway elevation by a maximum of 2.8 feet, constructing a new guardrail and Type 85 barrier instead of a solid wall along 1,650 linear feet, and modification of the planting plan to adjust species quantity and type near the new Type 85 barrier and guardrail and in other select locations.

The County Planning Commission hearing begins at 9:00 A.M. The order of items listed on the agenda is subject to change by the County Planning Commission. The staff analysis of the proposal may be viewed at the Planning and Development Department website, located at https://www.countyofsb.org/1625/County‐Planning‐Commission prior to the hearing. For further information about the project, please contact the planner, Chris Schmuckal, at (805) 568‐3510 or via email at cschmuckal@countyofsb.org

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The following methods of participation are available to the public.

1. You may observe the live stream of the Montecito Planning Commission meetings on (1) Local Cable Channel 20, (2) online at: https://www.countyofsb.org/1333/CSBTV‐Livestream; or (3) YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/CSBTV20

2. If you wish to provide public comment, the following methods are available:

 Distribution to the County Planning Commission ‐  Submit your comment via email prior to 12:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the Commission hearing. Please submit your comment to the Recording Secretary at dvillalo@countyofsb.org. Your comment will be placed into the record and distributed appropriately.

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

 Attend the Meeting In‐Person: Individuals are allowed to attend and provide comments at the Montecito Planning Commission meeting in‐person.

 Attend the Meeting by Zoom Webinar ‐ Individuals wishing to provide public comment during the County Planning Commission meeting can do so via Zoom webinar by clicking the below link to register in advance. Register in advance for this meeting: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing important information about joining the webinar.

When: January 8, 2025 at 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Topic: Montecito Planning Commission 01/08/2025

Register in advance for this webinar: https://santabarbaracounty.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_yIGiRQ0GQjuqt6Ssd74wEg After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

OR PARTICIPATE VIA TELEPHONE:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

Webinar ID: 161 544 0120

The County Planning Commission’s rules on hearings and public comment, unless otherwise directed by the Chair, remain applicable to each of the participation methods listed above.

Attendance and participation by the public is invited and encouraged. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Hearing Support Staff (805) 568‐2000. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Hearing Support Staff to make reasonable arrangements.

If you challenge the project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence to the Planning Commission prior to the public hearing.

Quire of Voyces excels (courtesy photo)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Calendar of Events

by Steven Libowitz

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

Family Comedy Night – Shake off the holiday stress and welcome the New Year a few days early with a good bout of laughter at The Alcazar Theatre’ special South Coast Comedy show that promises to be purely family-friendly, as in rated PG-13. Looking for a way to shake off the holiday stress and welcome the New Year with a good laugh? Join on Saturday, December 28, at 7 pm for an unforgettable evening of comedy at The Alcazar Theatre! This family-friendly event is perfect for a night out with loved ones, friends, or even a fun date night. The four featured comics include Laura Hayden , whose unique twist on the funny stuff draws on her background as a physical therapist and her knack for finding humor in life’s challenges, which she’s honed over performances at major comedy festivals in New York, Boston, and international cities. Comedy circuit veteran Tom Clark is known for his sharp observational humor and quirky physical comedy as seen on Conan , Comedy Central and the hit TV series Euphoria Samantha Hale mixes wit and personal storytelling with a dash of Hollywood nostalgia, the latter of which she comes by naturally as the granddaughter of actor Alan Hale Jr. who played The Skipper on the classic TV show Gilligan’s Island . Hale’s debut album, Only Happy When It’s Raining Men , hit No. 1 on iTunes, and she’s been featured on FOX, Hulu, and EPIX. Also performing: An Embarrassment of Pandas , a local “long-form” improv troupe that delivers an energetic, interactive experience full of mischievous and creative storytelling. And if that’s enough to draw your interest – there’s brand new carpeting installed in the Alcazar’s aisles. So please – if you laugh so hard that you feel you might puke, head to the restroom.

WHEN: 7 pm

WHERE: Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria COST: $15 general

INFO: (805) 684-6380 or www.thealcazar.org/calendar

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28-TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Frankenreiter for New Year’s Eve eve – Donavon Frankenreiter , the SoCal surfer-singer-songwriter (sound familiar) who started to stand out when he joined sometime Santa Barbara resident Jack Johnson on the latter’s

ENDING THIS WEEK

‘Luscious Moments’ – The holidays are brimming with seasonal beauty, color, shapes and the love for visual expression in the current exhibition at the Voice Gallery in La Cumbre Plaza – but only for a few more days. Several dozen artists have pieces on display in the bright and cheery gallery space smack in the middle of the burgeoning art scene at the outdoor shopping space, including Goleta photographer Frank DiMarco. His two images on display are both arresting, particularly one he calls Strike Up the Band, which depicts a marching band holding up traffic – including cars of both the automotive and cable variety – on a busy San Francisco street years ago. Rod Lathim, Fred Lehto, Sophia Beccue, Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s marketing manager Katrina Carl, and Voice Gallery co-owner Kerry Methner are among some of the other notable artists participating in Luscious Moments in the dwindling moments of the show.

WHEN: Through December 28

WHERE: La Cumbre Plaza, 110 S. Hope Ave., Unit H-124

COST: free

INFO: (805) 965-6448 or https://voicesb.art

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28-TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Stinkerbell & Spam – What could possibly evoke the holidays more than an over-the-top parody (aka pantomime in Britain) of Peter Pan, the timeless tale of the kid who doesn’t want to grow up. Especially one that has all of the characters, including the crocodile and fairy, played by full-fledged adult actors – some of whom have lots of stages experience at such venues as SBCC’s Garvin Theatre and beyond. Peter Spam comes to you courtesy of Kerfuffle Theater Co., a brand new group put together by longtime local (and English export) Emma-Jane Huerta, who revived the spoof script that she wrote for a youth theater company more than a decade ago. Fifteen actors bring the 19 characters to life in this retelling of the much-loved classic, as well as the not so loved luncheon meat.

WHEN: 7 pm December 28-30, 6 pm on New Year’s Eve

WHERE: Center Stage Theatre, 751 Paseo Nuevo, second floor

COST: $25, students & seniors $18

INFO: (805) 963-0408 or https://centerstagetheater.org

Brushfire Records back in 2004, heads up from last night’s gig in surf haven Hermosa Beach to Santa Barbara’s SOhO yet again for his last local show of the year. The laid-back but upbeat sounds of the laconic Frankenreiter would seem to fit perfectly for the night before the big party time tomorrow. And the singer-songwriter also has something else to celebrate – the release of his first studio album in about a decade, with September’s Get Outta Your Mind – also a good concept for closing out 2024 and ushering in 2025.

WHEN: 8 pm

WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court

COST: $30

INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Kings of New Year’s – Here’s an interesting tidbit: the last time the Doublewide Kings, the classic rock-cowboy band originally from Montecito, played a regular gig in town was last month at the Granada. Yes, the Kings were joined at that gig by the Santa Barbara Symphony in the group-and-orchestra’s second annual tribute show honoring, at that outing, The Band with The Next Waltz. Now they’re heading directly across the street to their old stomping grounds at SOhO, where the dad-rock denizens will do it up sans anybody but the usual rock and roll lineup. The Kings’ acoustic dinner set is already sold out, but here’s a thought – you can catch the Symphony at the Granada, then head over to catch the SOhO late set where the Kings will forgo the unplugged dinnertime acoustics, crank up the energy, and play favorite dance tunes from 10 pm until after 2025 arrives.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court

COST: $50

INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

Comedy Hideaway Emerges –Starting in 2009 and for a decade thereafter, Santa Barbara Comedy Hideaway hosted some of the most contagiously funny comedy club shows in town every weekend, even as its location moved from downtown to the airport and back to midtown. The pandemic put the kibosh on continuing, before Ukraine-born founder-producer Andrey Belikov, a stand-up comic himself, brought the concept back as special event shows. New Year’s Eve is one of those special occasions, and Belikov is bursting with excitement at having booked some especially exciting entertainers to usher in 2025. A full bar and small bites are available in the lobby before the shows, plus a free champagne toast for the late show.

WHEN: 7-9 pm & 10 pm-12 midnight

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Noon Year’s Eve – What better place for pint-sized party animals (and their parents) to celebrate the transition to 2025 a full 12 hours before it actually happens? Yes, it’s Noon Year’s Eve once again at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, where the little ones can laugh while they learn in the annual noontime nestled in the three-floors of fun to await next year. Enjoy a museum-wide celebration throughout MOXI’s interactive exhibits, including the newly reimagined Light Track, and enjoy a bevy of activities leading up to the lively countdown to 2025 with games, noisemakers and a dance party with DJ Gavin Roy on the rooftop, site of MOXI’s Seaside Sock Skating Rink. But don’t dilly-dally darling: tickets for Noon Year’s Eve sell faster than falling confetti.

WHEN: 9:30 am-12:30 pm

WHERE: MOXI, 125 State St.

COST: $20 adults, $16 children age 3-17, free for 2 & under (discounts for members) INFO: (805) 770-5000 or www.moxi.org

WHERE: New Vic Theatre, 33 West Victoria St.

COST: $49.87

INFO: (805) 364-2912 or www.sbcomedy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2

Comedy Coming and Going – Maybe it’s the holidays, or maybe malaise, or maybe post-election terror (for some of us, at least). Whatever the reason, the first event of the new year is another comedy show, this one starring Steve Hofstetter, a YouTube sensation with over 225 million views and half a billion more on Facebook. The host of Finding Babe Ruth on FS1, Hofstetter was the host and executive producer of FOX’s Laughs, and has appeared on CBS’ The Late Late Show, E! True Hollywood Story, and Comics Unleashed, to name just a few. Kill the Butterflies is his new no-holds-barred stand-up performance, featuring some of his unfiltered observations about life.

WHEN: 7 pm December 28-30, 6 pm on New Year’s Eve

WHERE: Center Stage Theatre, 751 Paseo Nuevo, second floor COST: $28 & $53 ($153 VIP tickets include front row center seating and a meetand-greet with Hofstetter.)

INFO: (805) 963-0408 or https://centerstagetheater.org

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Lipke Leads the Symphony for NYE – Ring in the new year at the elegant Granada Theatre with the ensemble known as the Santa Barbara Symphony donning their pops orchestra duds.

This year’s 90-minute concert carries a celestial theme, showcasing a sparkling program of beloved hits across pop, rock and classical genres after patrons enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling champagne. Conductor Andrew Lipke –who captivated the audience at last year’s concert both in his conducting role and when he traded his baton for an electric guitar for a few pieces –will once again add a fiery flair to the symphonic performance, as the musician who spent many a year in the renowned Led Zeppelin tribute band Get the Led Out shares more songs on the six-stringer. Highlights include Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” Henry Mancini’s “Moon River,” Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” and John Williams’ Star Wars Theme, some of which will feature singer Micaela McCall, a former American Idol contestant who earned plaudits from judge Katy Perry. Plus, Dr. Bob Weinman returns as Honorary Conductor Sponsor to lead the orchestra in the rousing “Thunder and Lightning Polka.” Festive party hats and free noisemakers round out the fun.

WHEN: 8:30-10 pm

WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street

COST: $72-$267

INFO: (805) 899-2222 or www.granadasb.org

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WATERGARDEN CARE

SBWGC

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

Longtime Santa Barbara resident, retired, active woman. experienced with house sitting and dog sitting prefer small dogs or cats. Trustworthy, tidy, kind pet lover. Excellent local References upon request. (805) 451-3415

Ocean view plot off of Bluff

$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

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.

LOANS SOUGHT

Bridge Loan of $37,500 sought for business purposes.

120 – day term. Interest / Points / Fees of $10,000.

Loan secured by valuable real estate. Call (805) 845-9289

CARPET CLEANING

Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304

Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117

PAINTINGS FOR SALE

3 Kasandra Martell Still Life Framed floral paintings, approximately 1985 or earlier.

Peonies 24’’ by 20”

Peonies 25” by 29”

Hydrangeas 27” by 31.25” Call Allen Braithwaite (805) 745-5533

HELP WITH VARIOUS/BABYSITTER

Bilingual, responsible and honest retired senior is looking to help with organization of a home, driving to doctor’s apts & errands. Babysit children/pets. Teach Spanish. (760) 968-7101

DONATIONS NEEDED

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

www.shopglamourhouse.com 805-969 5285 Ann@shopglamourhouse.com

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)

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

SANTA BARBARA CEMETERY PLOT

MiniMeta

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

Foreachofthefirstfiveminicrosswords,oneoftheentriesalsoservesaspartofa five-wordmetaclue.Theanswertothemetaisawordorphrase(sixlettersor longer)hiddenwithinthesixthminicrossword.Thehiddenmetaanswerstartsin oneofthesquaresandsnakesthroughthegridverticallyandhorizontallyfrom there(nodiagonals!)withoutrevisitinganysquares.

Nolongerplaguedby

Centersofearlylife-support systems?

Mainideas

"Uhh___"(1991hitfor BoyzIIMen)

1 With1-Down,attheendof theday

6 Spanishwordbothfora certainmammalandthe verb"calls"

7 Theyfrequentlygetturned onatnight

8 Followerofpartorplay

9 Likeafox

Cat sadmonisherin"The CatintheHat"

1 See1-Across

2 Chipsonaplate,say

3 LikeKamalaHarris sIndian ancestry

4 Dangerousthingtorunon?

5 Whatyoumighthavewhen youindulgeitchyfeet?

Across

1 Whatthe"D"standsforin the2021film"CODA"

5 Firstnameofacharacter depictedonacertain chewablevitamintablet

6 Resultofmanyahurricane

7 With8-Across,theydon't reactwell

whoisn'tstandingina casino? 3 Likelandlubbersoutoftheir element

NadiaComaneci's collectionatthe1976 SummerOlympics

Flagbearer

8 See7-Across Down

1 PhoenixMercurypoint guardTaurasi

2 Speakersofthelanguage Sindarinin"TheLordofthe Rings"

3 Subjectofunaserenata

4 They'resometimeshardto face

5 TylerorTaylor,politically

Textingformat,forshort

Admissionticket,informally 6 PitcherHideoNomo's birthplace 7 Oneonwhomatabloid keepstabs 8 BrandknownasDreyer'sin theWest

Likelizardsandsnakes

Throwstogether,say

Wildguess

Onemorethanonce 5 LikealotofeBayofferings

Across 1 Foldingannouncement

6 Itcangiveachipzip

7 Whatagreenmushroom givesinMariogames

8 "EasterSunday"actress Carrere

9 SomethingtornbyTom Brady(in '08)andMegan Rapinoe(in 15) Down

1 Personal-adabbr.that means"seeking"

2 Raycuttingthroughwater

3 ___acid(fatcompound)

4 Sameoldorder,say

5 Danceveryaudibly