- Discounted pricing through the month of February -
412 E. Haley St. #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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Leader of the Pack – Jaclyn Sicilia and her handful of hounds can be seen at a beach near you
Beings & Doings – When seas were calm all ships alike showed mastership in floating. Calm seas and mastership are, i’faith, yesterday’s relics 8
Montecito Miscellany – Faherty’s first exhibit, Shine on Santa Barbara breakfast, Lobero goes Baroque, and more miscellany 10 Meeting at MA – It’s the MA’s annual meeting with newly elected board members, updates on fire response, a message from Roy Lee’s staff, and more Tide Guide
The Water Column – In response to the L.A. fires, the Montecito Water District discusses the current state of the local water supply
Our Town – It’s a bird… It’s a plane… It’s a hundred volunteers doing the Christmas Bird Count, plus upcoming Black
Jeanine
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Society Invites – Casa del Herrero is ready to forge a path forward with new trustees – oh, and these freshly restored pathways 16
Remembering Erin – MJ ’s founder Jim Buckley reflects on the incomparable Erin Graffy de Garcia after her passing 18
Brilliant Thoughts – Let it be known that Ashleigh has some thoughts on the word “let”
20 The Giving List – Sweet Wheel Farms provides pesticide-free produce and is digging up a whole new plan
22 Spirituality Matters – Celtic spirituality, bioreprogramming, and sound healing Elizabeth’s Appraisals – After an inquiry following the Eaton Fire, Elizabeth weighs in on insurance policies & art appraisers
24 Montecito Health Coach – Tarot readings, tea ceremonies, and home detox at PALMA’s Wellness Faire
27 On Entertainment – SBIFF is loading in for a fantastic 40th, arias with Amante, and more 28 Hot Topics – Montecito Fire at the L.A. fires and some tips to better prepare your own home
29 Your Westmont – Henrietta Holsman Fore imparts life lessons at women’s leadership luncheon, and talk offers art-science collaboration
morganstanleypwm.com
30 Robert’s Big Questions – Why do products and services seem to get worse over time? Enshittification – that’s why.
31 On Sports – UCSB Athletics gets an unprecedented donation to improve its facilities and bring a better experience to both players and fans
33 In Passing – Remembering the life of Patrick Manners Sullivan… surfer extraordinaire
News Bytes – Black Community Happy Hour and new people posted to CADA and Cottage Hospital Board Crime in the ‘Cito
36
Calendar of Events – Pico Iyer talks fire, winter with the Folk Orchestra, Imani Winds and Boston Brass, plus more happenings
38 Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer everything from summer rentals to estate sales
39 Mini Meta Crossword Puzzles
Local Business Directory – Smart business owners place business cards here so readers know where to look when they need what those businesses offer
Leader of the Pack
Jaclyn Sicilia: A Dog’s Best Friend
by Zach Rosen
Sure, the discovery of fire was kind of a big deal for humanity. But little did we know that that was also the moment we discovered a way to light up our life every single day. As early man and woman sat around their newly-invented flame, the enticing aroma of (let’s just assume) woolly mammoth meat on the grill drifting out from the camp, we were also ushering in a relationship that would last millennia… the greatest companions humanity has ever known… our best friend – dogs.
(Cat people, please send any letters or objections to letters@independent.com)
What likely began as a primordial wolf slinking strategically into the scene during mealtime slowly evolved into the unconditionally loving companion that today comes in all shapes, sizes, and degrees of fluffiness. Stroll along Coast Village, or flutter through Butterfly Beach and you’ll see no shortage of
canine companions – Montecito loves its pups. Walk these areas frequently enough and you may even spot one lady who really, really loves dogs. A pack of ten or so following her every move – and word – as she grins and guides them.
This is Jaclyn Sicilia. Some have called her a “dog whisperer” – but if you watch her interact with the pack, this title feels like a misnomer. There’s not much whispering being done. Nor barking. She is more like a dog director lovingly giving orders and instructions to each member of the cast – and these pups really want to put on their best performance.
I first was introduced to Jaclyn after the MJ and CVA, hosted the Dog Days of Summer photo competition, when a photo was submitted with seven dogs sitting perfectly on a playground bench (this is where Jaclyn tips her director’s cap). More recently, I met with Jaclyn to walk along Butterfly Beach and chat pooches, her past, and passion for all things canine. I brought Peluche, my own fluffy, ever-loving, little munchkin (who’s also sitting on my lap as I type this) along for the stroll.
Note: The quotes included in this article have been edited to remove any “Good job, Lou!” “Thank yous,” and pats on the head, for clarity.
As many stories about life changes begin, this one started with the pandemic. Jaclyn had been working a “corporate” job at the time of COVID where she was furloughed and eventually laid off. While initially depressed and stressed, the free time allowed her to explore more intentionally, and eventually find her “true calling.” When a dear friend with a dog walking business
Leader of the Pack Page 244
Jaclyn with the pack
School is in session
Beings and Doings
Four Years Before the Mast
by Jeff Wing
“It wasn’t a mutiny. It was the bone-weary ship’s crew selecting – by voice vote – a new captain, one whose brusque nature and laudable transparency in speech gave them hope of precisely the rigorous captainhood the increasing stormy seas obliged. There were trifling misgivings.
“The gentleman had been captain once before and had acquitted himself with at times mercurial behavior. In one memorable instance he’d commanded the boatswain to walk the length of the ship swinging a cutlass, the better to clear a path to the fo’c’sle where the captain would strike a memorable figure, he clutching the Good Book, and be recorded with pen and paper by the ship’s surgeon thus – posing with the Word and wearing a stern expression. This struck some of the crew as curious, while others loudly celebrated the captain’s demonstrated fealty to Christ our Lord.
“More troubling for some of the crew was the captain’s belligerence at change of command. The gentleman had let it be known that, were he to be replaced as ship’s com-
mander according to centuries-long maritime protocol, that order would issue from a corrupt and dastardly institution bent on his personal destruction. Conversely, were he to be re-posted as captain, the occasion would signal a virtuous outcome, drenched in the sunlight of an approving providence.
Certain of the crew regarded these pronouncements those of a dunce, or a man in the early grip of the mind-twisting beriberi. Other crew saw genius and intransigent bravery in the gentleman’s words.
“In the event, the captain lost his post –by popular vote of the crew – to a successor. At that moment the former captain rallied his supporters on deck and encouraged them with fiery rhetoric to ‘fight like the very dickens!’ To his reported surprise, the men he’d thus infused with flame swarmed the wheelhouse, pouring into its previously sacrosanct confines to seize control of the ship and, in several sorry instances, make off with the sextant, the spyglass, and whatever else could be prised from the walls and carried. The wheelhouse was thus desecrated for several ruinous hours. The outgoing captain arose from his quarters then amid a cacophony of desperate entreaties, and with visible reluctance bade his supporters stand
down. ‘Ye are loved, aye,’ he’d reassured them. ‘I prithee, stand down that we may continue the struggle on another reach.’ Many of the offenders, ultimately found to have violated longstanding maritime law, were grumblingly confined to the brig.
“His successor as ship’s commander, a firm but kindly gentleman of the sea and long engaged with ship’s mastery – interested by his nature in an egalitarian treatment of the crew from cabin boy to First Mate – lacked the shouting vigor of the captain he’d replaced and was thought by some crew too docile by half. The while the former captain, having been put ashore, began a public campaign of declamation, remarking at every turn the deep-seated and cloaked treachery that had stolen from him command of the ship, though his demotion be emergent from the expressed will of his own crew. Another clanging theme was the depthless corruption of his successor in the wheelhouse. Many of the remaining crew threw their lot in with the former captain, whose words seemed to gain purchase through stentorian repetition, though some surmised that the merits of the gentleman’s case were not improved upon by his ongoing and increasingly reckless oratory.
“Now the former captain has regained his position, ascended the gangplank, and ensconced himself anew in the very wheelhouse his advocates, in the name of maritime honor, violently stripped of its hardware. His outgoing predecessor welcomed him graciously aboard according to the rules
of maritime order, the ceremonial juxtaposition with his own failed melee utterly lost on the gentleman. Still, seamen weary of the numbing maritime institutions and hoping for a new day have reappointed the former captain by voice vote.
“Some momentary dismay attended his first public comments as captain, wherein he ordered, as if from the ramparts of creation itself, the renaming of the world’s oceans to ‘William.’ Further, he will be reducing the crew’s pay and sending the savings ashore to the shipyard owners. Lastly, he has disarmed those crew identified as having protested too fitfully his earlier orchestrated disturbance, coincident with releasing from the ship’s brig those marauders who stormed the wheelhouse, and are now, at the moment of release, vowing revenge.”
At this the graying man of honor turned to me, dewy eyed and disconsolate of expression.
“In a fortnight my son puts to sea with this gentleman, and for a voyage of four long years. If this bible-clutching brigand be so mad as to make such pronouncements while anchored at harbor, what does it portend for my son, indeed for my family? For us all?”
Having no ready reply, I placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. From across the quay, carried by that curiously amplifying character of evening dockyard mist, a ragged voice cried out amid a squall of jovial laughter. “Aye! William it is, then!”
Montecito Miscellany In the Papers
by Richard Mineards
t has been a tale of two cities for Riven Rock resident Prince Harry His New Year started with Condé Nast, the giant publishing company in New York and owner of the celebrity glossy Vanity Fair, publishing an excoriating 8,000-word cover story about King Charles III’s youngest son and his former actress wife Meghan Markle
But in London it was a very different story with the Duke of Sussex winning a substantial payment from the publisher of daily tabloid The Sun – $12,333,900 according to Reuters – with an unreserved apology to him and his late mother Princess Diana for intruding into their private lives.
Publishing tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers admitting to using private investigators to snoop on them.
In a dramatic end to Harry’s long-running legal battle in a statement read in open court NGN “apologizes to the duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life, as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.”
Harry had previously chosen not to settle the six-year case out of court...
Post-Inaugural Visit
Former President Joe Biden and his wife Jill lost no time in revisiting the Santa Ynez Valley after the Washington inauguration of his successor Donald Trump
A “no fly zone” was in effect in the airspace around the Vandenberg Space Force base signaling the duo’s arrival in a military Boeing 747, their second visit to the area in five months staying at the
$37 million 8,000 acre vineyard and estate, Kiani Reserve in Los Olivos in the Figueroa Highlands owned by billionaire Joe Kiani, 58, founder of the medical technology company Masimo, which he established in 1989.
When they visited last fall, they were rumored to be purchasing the late singer Olivia Newton-John’s 12-acre estate, which runs along the Santa Ynez River, the rumor quashed by the realtor dealing with the sale.
Baroque Ain’t No Joke
The Golden Age of Baroque was on full display at the Lobero when Britain’s Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and soprano Julia Bullock performed as part of UCSB’s popular Arts & Lectures program. With works by Handel, Vivaldi, Bach, Purcell, Pachelbel, Strozzi, Telemann, Lully, and Rameau, there was something for everybody with the musicians, founded in 1986, using period instruments with music that highlighted Grammy-winner Bullock’s exquisite voice, Juilliard-educated Bullock has performed at myriad international venues including London’s Covent Garden and Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.
It was a truly enchanting evening...
Magnificent Malofeev
Just 72 hours later, Hahn Hall at the Music Academy of the West was brimming for another UCSB Arts & Lectures concert when international Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev showed off his tremendous keyboard talent with works by Schubert, Kabalevsky, Janáček, Liszt, and Scriabin.
Now Berlin-based, Malofeev came to international prominence in 2014 when he won the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians at age 13.
Last year he premiered with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, as well as playing with the San
Miscellany Page 344
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment go for Baroque (photo by David Bazemore)
The young piano prodigy Alexander Malofeev (photo by David Bazemore)
1050 Cold Springs Road / Montecito / 93108
Offered At $44,500,000
Enter the private gates of this grand and wholly reimagined 6.2-acre ocean view coastal estate that is Montecito’s beloved and historic ‘’Ca di Sopra’’ (House Above the Clouds) first built in 1914 by famous architect Guy Lowell and completely redesigned in recent days. The owner spared no expense to fundamentally transform and elevate this 7-bedroom, 8-bathroom Italian Villa’s classical architecture to today’s most rigorous standards and top design. From the meticulous landscaping surrounding the prominent half-moon pool beset by Greek Ionic columns, to the temperature-controlled wine cellar/tasting room, multiple entertainment balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean, home theater, two gracious family rooms, gourmet kitchen, formal dining room, large gym, and a truly impressive primary suite featuring an enviable indoor/outdoor bathroom, walk-in closet, and sweeping sitting areas opening to the stone terraces, there is no shortage of awe-inspiring venues throughout the property. Lending to the versatility and functionality of this compound is a modern two-bedroom guest house above the three-car garage and a carriage house with a bathroom that could be a perfect artist retreat. This rare opportunity is reserved for the most selective buyers.
Thyne
Timeless Grandeur, Modern Luxury
Meeting at MA
The MA’s Annual Meeting
by Joanne A Calitri
The Montecito Association Annual and January meeting was held in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom, Tuesday, January 21.
MA President Doug Black called the Annual MA meeting to order, and held a vote to ratify the 2025 actions of the MA Board. He highlighted what the MA accomplished in 2024, from the Miramar Rosewood projects to homeowners’ insurance presentations, the Village July 4 th event, Holiday Parade, a new MA website and membership portal, and updating of the History Committee’s computer data. Black praised and thanked the departing MA Board Directors, Robert Kemp , Aimee Miller , Inken Gerlach , and Stan Roden
The new Board members voted in are Bill Herting, Greg Prince, Jan Amber Larson Rockenbach, Dorene White, and Leslie Lundgren.
MA officers nominated, voted in, and approved are Doug Black as President, Leslie Lundgren as 1 st VP, Patrice Serrani as 2 nd VP, Andrea Newquist as Secretary, and Bill Macfadyen as Treasurer.
Next, the monthly meeting started with Gallery Leader at Restoration Hardware Patricia Esparza who introduced herself and highlighted the RH’s interior design and hospitality, including their gallery and restaurant. She addressed parking concerns by saying there is a parking lot behind the store and directives for using public parking spaces only for their customers. She added, “I’m local, and love Montecito; this is my home and my town.” She introduced RH Associate Hospitality
Leader Emma Kindschuh , formerly the GM at Caruso’s of Rosewood Miramar Beach.
For Montecito crime updates, Lt. Rich Brittingham reported as follows, “There was an incident at Casa Dorinda whereby intruders held a gun to the security guard and issued threats, our deputies arrested all three suspects; there was a shooting at Woodley Road where a couple was walking their dog and gunfire struck them in the back of their arm, an arrest made of the suspect. The rash of local burglaries is ascribed to South American SATCHI leagues who have targeted Montecito and surrounding towns. These are daytime bandits, doing two to four burglaries per week, usually between 6:30-9:30 pm. These are quickly executed crimes where thieves break in, cut into safes, steal valuables, and are gone. We made four arrests in Ventura, and things settled down for a few weeks, but it’s happening again. The thieves have cameras that can see and record the house door code. Check your yard for a camouflaged camera and call the sheriff’s dept to remove it. Make sure our dispatch has your gate code so we can get into your property. There are LPRs (license plate readers) used widely in various cities. We need to be proactive; you can put LPRs on your property. We will do a presentation on this at an MA meeting. If you give the Sheriff’s office permission, we can put the LPR on private property. Approx. cost is $3,500/year. In the meantime, lock your doors and windows and keep lights on.”
Lt. Brittingham alongside Mindy Denson provided updates on their search for a Sheriff’s substation located in Montecito. They are looking at the space above the local antique store which may not work. Brittingham, “Our needs
for the substation are IT, two computers, a bathroom, insurance, funding, liability and logistics.”
Montecito Fire Chief David Neels reported in depth on both his team’s firefighting efforts and updates on the Palisades Fire. He said, “For the Palisades Fire we have had 12 firefighters on since the fire started. Through the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept we coordinate with and upstaff resources. I can contact our Chief SBC Officers immediately when we have a need – I don’t wait. We had additional firefighters on duty last night and tonight due to the red flag situation. There are 19 weather stations in red flag conditions from Ventura County to SBC. Even though it is damp out, we always have a risk of fire in red flag conditions. We are going through periods of extreme weather, and working on how to prepare for it by staying engaged in fire-related weather trends. We are out and in constant communication with our law enforcement and Caltrans partners. Call us if you have any questions. The Palisades Fire was a significant wind fire. We are getting ready to do a presentation on the new evac zones, and need time to coordinate with our partners. We are looking at creating one way text groups in evacuation zones so we can push real-time emergency messaging out to those neighborhoods when necessary.”
Neels fielded questions, which included concerns on evacuations using the correct highway entrance/exits given Caltrans’ construction, and a concern about Mountain Drive where people park in front of fire hydrants.
He further stated, “Montecito is one of the most challenging areas in which to do project work, like controlled burns, for instance. My lesson from the Tea Fire is it comes down to this: are you ok with clearing more vegetation around your home? Your home ought to be defendable, and we can’t get to it with the shrubs and trees around it. You have to look at your own residences and local
Montecito Tide Guide
schools. I understand the frustration, 70 mph wind events casting embers. I’m not sure how else to be successful about that other than getting people out and saving their lives.”
Nick Turner from the Montecito Water Protection District updated on current water and fire hydrants in light of the L.A. fires. He said, “Montecito water supply three-year outlook looks favorable, even if we assume drought conditions. Our tanks and service reservoirs are full, attributed to the past few years of rainfall. We’ve received 6/10th water so far this year compared to normally 6 inches. We have 23 million gallons of water in storage in Montecito at this time. There is a regional pipeline that feeds the entire south coast, and we have the ability to pull from that. We have hydrants that are all active and maintained on a regular basis. We have a computerized model of every asset we have. We remain committed to emergency preparedness and communicate with Montecito Fire Dept. and Carpinteria-Summerland fire protection districts.”
Montecito Union School District Principal Nick Bruski reported they have enrolled 20 new incoming students
Account Managers | Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Elizabeth Scott, Natasha Kucherenko
Contributing Editor | Kelly Mahan Herrick
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
The Water Column Water Supply and Fire Protection
by Laura Camp
Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles County Wildfires, and we welcome those who have now joined our community. In light of current dry conditions and ongoing concerns, Montecito Water District would like to reassure the public of its preparedness and commitment to providing adequate water supply for the community. Building on General Manager Nick Turner’s community update at the Montecito Association’s Board Meeting Tuesday, January 21, here are key points:
Water Supply is Abundant and Reservoirs are Full
Robust water supplies are readily accessible in local storage. The District’s well-diversified water portfolio is bolstered by two consecutive years of above average rainfall. Eight fully operational reservoirs keep 10 million gallons at-the-ready during fire conditions, and our access to regional reservoirs more than doubles this capacity. Real-time production capability from combined water sources is as much as 15 million gallons daily. As a point of reference, the entire District’s peak summer demand on a hot day is about six million gallons. In an emergency situation the District could have the capacity to produce and supply more than double this demand.
Infrastructure is in Service, Operational, and Continuously Monitored
This includes reservoirs, pumps, emergency generators, and 880 fire hydrants District-wide that are maintained regularly in collaboration with the local Fire Protection Districts. Consistent modeling and field testing ensures that the water system complies with fire flow requirements. Backup power generators are in place, maintained, and regularly exercised at important infrastructure locations, e.g. pump
stations, treatment plants, and District headquarters. These generators are designed to activate automatically upon power failure, averting water service interruptions.
Staff
A dedicated team of certified and trained professionals carefully monitors the water system and current conditions, including weather events, taking precautions as needed. For example, when forecasts indicate increased fire risk, reservoir levels are adjusted to increase local water storage and availability. Staff are prepared to respond quickly, at all times of day, and have equipment and resources to make timely repairs if needed.
Partnerships
The Montecito Water District is in constant communication with Montecito Fire Protection District, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, and additional regional partners for the safety of this community.
Current Dry Conditions
Santa Barbara County is again in drought. The past three months are nearly the driest first quarter of the water year on record. As of January 24, 2025, we’d received less than an inch of rainfall, compared to 6-8” on average. (You’ll keep hearing from us about rebates and water use efficiency!) Dry conditions increase fire risk, and while we certainly hope it’s not the case, the District is prepared to deliver water. The three-year water supply outlook is favorable thanks to recent rains and planning for resilience.
Individual Preparedness
Serving water to meet this community’s needs is top priority every day. Through planning and actions, the District constantly improves its practices using lessons learned from fires in this and other communities. While we want to encourage some community confidence, it is important to note that public water systems are designed to provide water for fire protection yet may not be sufficient under all conditions. Urban systems are built to supply water for fighting fires in residential areas of limited scale, not large-scale fast-moving wildfires. Community safety is a team effort – please stay alert and take every precaution to stay safe.
Our Town
The 125th Annual Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count 2025
by Joanne A Calitri
The Santa Barbara Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on January 4, 2025. This was part of the 125th National Audubon’s CBC. This year the Santa Barbara CBC Team leaders are:
Libby Patten, Head CBC Compiler and Coordinator/Compiler for North SB and the Boat team; Glenn Kincaid, Scouting Coordinator, Head Data Coordinator, and the Compiler for the Mountain teams; Wim van Dam, Coordinator for the Mountain teams; Linus Blomqvist, Coordinator/Compiler for South Goleta, CBC Web Tool Developer; Conor McMahon, Coordinator/Compiler for South Goleta; Steve Hovey, Coordinator and Compiler for South SB and Montecito; and Andy McGrath, Coordinator/Compiler for North Goleta.
This is an all-volunteer effort. With Patten and the leaders were over 100 volunteers counting birds on land and in the mountain areas, eight volunteers counting night birds, six counting sea birds, and they had ten volunteers from out of town. All the data they amass is part of the national database for the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, and the data is shared globally with universities and research organizations.
For 2025 they counted a total of 213 species, said by Patten to be the highest total in ten years. Rare species found this year were rare flycatchers: Ash-throated, Gray, Western, Vermillion and the Eastern Phoebe; a rare species of the southeastern U.S. Brown Thrasher, and as well a species last seen on the CBC 25 years ago – the Prairie Falcon.
Missing from the count this year were some water birds, including the Caspian Tern. Demographically, the count area is a 15-mile diameter circle, centered at Hwy 154 and Foothill Road in Santa Barbara. Approximate count circle boundaries are San Ysidro Rd. on the east, Paradise Road on the north, Coronado Road on the west, and a southern boundary 5 miles offshore by boat. The count includes sea birding onboard a boat, as well as night birding with volunteers trained in each type of area. I always ask Patten and her team how we can support their efforts and birds in our area. She said, “Plant native plants in your garden, don’t use pesticides and put out sources of fresh water.”
Adding her foundational advice for birding enthusiasts and for all of us to support the SB Audubon, Executive Director Katherine Emery provided the following to me via email interview: “Some of the most rewarding aspects about my work as Executive Director of Santa Barbara Audubon Society include connecting with people, connecting people with birds, and protecting birds and their habitats in the Santa Barbara area. One of my favorite events is the annual Christmas Bird Count
Libby Patten and Steve Hovey at NCOS (photo courtesy of Steve Hovey)
Counting birds at Stevens Park (photo by Coni Edick)
Prairie Falcon at NCOS (photo by Steve Hovey)
Our Town Page 324
Society Invites
Casa del Herrero’s New Paths and Trustees
by Joanne A Calitri
To start the year, Casa del Herrero
Executive Director Rosie Rafferty announced their new Board of Trustees officers and members as follows: Beth Esrey, President; Isabel Wendt, Vice President; Mari McAlister, Secretary; Lily Marx, Treasurer; and new Board of Trustee Members: Susan Budinger , Miles Hartfeld , Marty McDermut, and Kevin O’Toole Esrey replaced Board of Trustees President Heather Biles, who worked tirelessly on establishing their first Capital Campaign, the groundwork for its 2025 Centennial Year events, and was always a delight to interview. Biles remains a Board of Trustees member. I asked her for a statement on shepherding the Casa Board and its hallmark events under her tenure.
Biles, “It has been an honor to serve as President of the Board of Trustees of Casa del Herrero for these last two years. This was an exceptionally busy and rewarding period for the board. We successfully launched a capital campaign to support
the Casa’s centennial anniversary, secured a $750,000 grant from the Department of the Interior’s Save America’s Treasures program for restoration, and completed significant capital improvement projects that will preserve the Casa for generations to come. One of the highlights of the year was hosting the return of Noche de Gala as part of Fiesta, which was a joyous celebration of Santa Barbara’s rich heritage. We also introduced a variety of smaller events, making the Casa more accessible to our community and achieving record-breaking visitor numbers in the process. What I am most proud of, however, is fostering a vibrant and dedicated
network of supporters. From committee volunteers and docents to our talented and experienced board members, the Casa is thriving because of their collective passion and commitment to protecting and preserving this community treasure.”
Casa del Herrero continues to make headway on its Capital Campaign and restorations. This month saw the completion of the estate’s garden paths which were in need of repair and rebuilding. Funding for that project was aided by a $10,000 grant from the Montecito Community Foundation. Last week, they held a private celebration to officially reopen the paths. Attending were Montecito Community Foundation board members Atanas Ivanov, Ambia Clark , Jason Siemens , Chana W. Jackson, and Ruth Green. Rafferty added, “We applied for a grant for the path restoration through
the Montecito Community Foundation and was awarded $10,000 in April 2024. These paths have tangible benefits for the community as they allow greater access to the estate. As a result of this restoration, we are now setting up a new event titled, Creative Tuesdays in the Gardens, where visitors and members can roam the gardens, do art, and have a picnic.”
Adding her thanks to the MCF, Board of Trustees President Esrey said, “It’s wonderful when organizations come together for the greater good of our incredible community. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Montecito Community Foundation, along with so many other amazing people and organizations in Santa Barbara. A huge thank you to all those who support Casa del Herrero.”
411: www.casadelherrero.com
Sincerely,
Milena Hernandez
Montecito Community Foundation members: Atanas Ivanov, Ruth Green, Chana W. Jackson, Jason Siemens, and Ambia Clark (courtesy photo)
Pathway root damage before path restoration at Casa del Herrero (courtesy photo)
Restored pathway at Casa del Herrero (courtesy photo)
another fine property represented by
•Graduate of UCLA School of Law and former attorney (w ith training in Real Estate law, contracts, estate planning, and tax law)
•D edicated and highly trained full-time support staff •An expert in the luxury home market
Remember, It Costs No More to Work with The Best (But It Can Cost You Plenty If You Don’t)
840 IVY LANE • MONTECITO
This stunning Montecito home, in the quiet and welcoming enclave of Riven Rock Park, has been painstakingly updated by the present owners in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie architectural design. Exceptional landscape and stone work, charming walking paths, lawns, fruit trees, majestic oaks, and colorful foliage surround the home. The elegant pool and spa, natural stone fire pit and guest house accentuate the essential beauty of this extraordinary park-like setting.
Remembering Erin
My Friend Is Gone
Downsize
by Jim Buckley
t’s painful to think, to imagine, to realize, that I’ll never experience the joy of being with Erin Graffy de Garcia ever again. She passed away – surrounded by family – at Cottage Hospital at 2:54 am on January 21 after a frighteningly short bout with cancer. To say that she’ll be missed is a misnomer. Of course she’ll be missed. By anyone and everyone who ever met her. Whether it was her mischievous smile and blinking eyes or wagging finger and pouty lips feigning sorrow at some misdeed, she was a joy to be around.
I’ll miss our movie nights, dinners at Crocodile in our special booth, Opera cruises and Hawaiian nights on board
Erin begins coquettishly: “I really can’t stay…” as the two of them sit close to each other on the piano bench, she sidles away… Peter seductively responds: “Baby, it’s cold outside,” and moves ever so slightly close to her again. Erin wide-eyed: “I’ve got to go away.” Peter confidently: “Baby, it’s cold outside.” Later, she asks suspiciously, “Say, what’s in this drink?”
I wish I’d had a camera.
Erin wasn’t just an historian; she was also a lecturer, a Montecito Journal columnist for nearly two decades, and, perhaps most importantly, a singer, and dancer. She and Jim were consummate ballroom dancers, and Erin was part of a small gathering of local women (including Leslie Ridley-Tree) who’d meet regularly in a Pierre Claeyssens-inspired singing group.
(and with) Hiroko Benko’s Condor Express. I’ll miss too the Profant family’s Fiesta Finales where both Erin and her husband dressed to the nines, and where they’d always be the last couple on the dance floor. I’ll miss our telephone repartée: “Graffy, Buckley here.” “Oh,” she’d laugh, “Buckley huh? I’ll have my people get in touch with your people.”
Erin always stressed that her full name was Erin Graffy de Garcia, and that though her professional name was Erin Graffy , her life was entwined with that of her husband, Jim Garcia, a veteran (now retired) Santa Barbara School District psychologist. They had been married since August 25, 1990; it was a first and only marriage for both. They were partners in life, though Jim couldn’t have thought he’d be taking care of Erin as she passed away, much as he had done for Erin’s mom, Jeanne Graffy, some years before.
My favorite memory of Erin is her sliding coyishly away from a lecherous Peter Clark as he canoodled her with Frank Loesser’s devilish “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” on piano during a Christmas party at our house on Middle Road.
Mr. Loesser wrote the song for his wife, Lynn Garland, for a party at their home, and for a while the couple kept it in their own repertoire and no one else’s before releasing it to the public.
The song might as well have been written for Erin and the late Peter Clark (a playful pianist par excellence who also possessed a pair of dulcet pipes). Together they were as good as anyone on any stage or in any film. Their duet was sensational.
Jim Garcia was more than just a school psychologist – he was (and still is) an accomplished musician whose specialty is medieval and Renaissance music and instruments. Jim plays woodwinds, clarinet, flute, saxophone, guitar, banjo, ukulele, and mandolin and other instruments. He’ll only use an authentic period musical instrument, such as a lute, for his medieval and Renaissance gigs. He jokes that when asked, “Do you play Bach?” he answers, “Oh no, we don’t play any of that modern stuff.”
Erin was a woman with a thousand faces, all of them intriguing and all with a dash of humor and a soup Ç on of menace. After graduating from Pepperdine, she enrolled in Occidental and began studying conducting and orchestration, but she suffered a near-fatal car accident resulting in short-term neurological difficulties serious enough to have dashed her dream of pursuing a singing and dancing career. She switched to a marketing and communications degree. Erin’s love of musicals, however, whether high school, college, amateur, semi-professional, or Broadway, never dimmed.
Erin loved (and seemed to know) everything about Santa Barbara. She wrote two books (in addition to halfa-dozen historical tomes) for newbies who’d just arrived in town and were looking for ways to become part of this peculiar culture: “Society Lady’s Guide on How to Santa Barbara,” and a sequel, “The Advanced Course” are two of her most popular books. Both are out of print but if you’re interested, you will find a used copy of “The Advanced Course” for sale at $87.94 on Amazon.
Jim Garcia says a remembrance for Erin will take place near the end of February.
Whether it was as auctioneer at a black-tie fundraiser or a member of the Montecito Journal kazoo contingent during a Village Fourth Parade, Erin Graffy was inevitably (and reliably) up for it.
Jim Buckley is founder of Montecito Journal and served as its editor-publisher from 1995 to 2019.
M ARSHA KOTLYA R ESTATE GROUP
Brilliant Thoughts
Freedom to Pass
by Ashleigh Brilliant
As you probably know, the words in our language have a tendency to change over time; in spelling, in pronunciation, or even in meaning. But there is at least one case in which the word has come to mean the exact opposite of what it once did. To make matters even more confusing, both meanings are still, to some extent, in use today.
That ambiguous word is “LET.” Of course, in ordinary usage, “let” means to allow or permit. But, if you have a British passport – as I still do, having been born in the U.K., you will see that it asks: “All those whom it may concern, To allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance.” Obviously, “let” here means something different from allow. And, if you have an American passport – as I also do, having been a U.S. Citizen since 1959 – you’ll find that the wording is similar to the British, except that instead of “without let,” it has a more modern “without delay.”
But there is a least one more present-day usage, as you will know if you are in any way interested in the game of Tennis – in which a “let” serve is a ball which touches the top of the net, but still gets over it, to land in the proper space. This is a case in which both meanings of “let” seem to apply, since the ball is hindered by the net, but the rules of the game permit or allow the player to serve the ball again without penalty.
There is in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” a much more dramatic instance of the earlier use of this word. It occurs in Act I, Scene 4. At this point, the Ghost of Hamlet’s father has appeared to others who were keeping watch at night, outside on the castle’s battlements. But Hamlet himself has not yet seen it. When he is told about it, he joins those keeping watch, and when the Ghost appears again, it wants him to follow. Hamlet is determined to do so, but his companions try to discourage and restrain him. It is at this point that Hamlet, no doubt brandishing his sword, cries:
“Still am I called – Unhand me, Gentlemen –By Heaven, I’ll make a ghost of him that lets me!”
Of course, in modern English, there are any number of different, generally positive uses of the word “let.” In song, two of my own favorites (both of them as old as, or even older than, I am) are “Let the Rest of the World Go By,” and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.”
There is also the highly ambivalent expression, as celebrated by the Beatles, of “Let It Be,” which of course can be a kind of hopeful prayer – or it can simply mean “Leave it alone – just accept things as they are.” The latter variation would seem to be in line with something called the “Let Them Theory” as propagated by a modern psychological guru named Mel Robbins. This doctrine apparently teaches a souped-up version of the very old notion of “acceptance,” which can be traced back to Buddha, and much earlier.
Monday, Feb. 10 | 5:30 p.m.
And there is the somewhat similar concept of “letting go,” a comforting way of dealing with all kinds of loss, including probably the hardest kind to face – the loss of life itself. This may explain why so many games involve winning and losing, and perhaps why it is never desirable to have a reputation of being a “poor loser.” Somehow this takes us back at least as far as Aesop and his fable of The Fox and the Grapes. In case you’re not familiar with it, the little moralizing story tells of a hungry Fox who sees a bunch of grapes hanging barely within his reach. He tries as hard as he can to get at this tempting morsel, but – despite every effort – he can’t quite make it, and he finally has to give up and leave the scene. Of course, he is terribly frustrated and disappointed. But, as he goes, he conjures up one comforting thought. “Oh well,” he says to himself – “They were probably sour anyway.”
This is, of course, the origin of our expression “sour grapes,” which is closely related to the idea of being a poor loser.
My own “Brilliant Thoughts” have put it this way:
“The answer to many puzzles is that they are not worth trying to solve.”
Thank you, Aesop.
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.
Double Grammy Nominee in 2024 Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix
Fri, Feb 7 / 8 PM
UCSB Campbell Hall
Saxophonist and composer Lakecia Benjamin fuses soul and hip-hop with a strong foundation in the canon of modern jazz. Fans of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Ornette Coleman, listen up – there’s a new horn in town, and she’s ready to roar.
Kayhan Kalhor, kamancheh
Wu Man, pipa
Sandeep Das, tabla
Wed, Feb 19 / 8 PM
UCSB Campbell Hall
Lead Sponsor: Jody & John Arnhold Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, and Sheila Wald
Jazz Series Lead Sponsor: Manitou Fund
Three Masters and Friends in a New Collaboration DoosTrio
The Giving List SBAFE/Sweet Wheel Farms
by Steven Libowitz
For a nonprofit whose main asset is a modest seven-acre farm in Summerland known as Sweet Wheel Farms, the Santa Barbara Agriculture and Farm Education Foundation (SBAFE) has a rather large and lofty goal. Namely, to upend our “modern” food systems and reconnect people to the understanding that our food comes from the land, and needs to be protected and nurtured.
Officially, SBAFE’s mission is to educate, promote and increase awareness on how our food is grown, propagated and distributed to minors and underserved, unrecognized, and fragile populations – particularly in the food scarce areas of Santa Barbara County.
But the driving force is to combat how humans have become more and more disconnected from their food, with most folks buying from grocery stores without any thought of where the food is coming from or the processes required to get nourishment to supermarket shelves. This disconnection has had some severe consequences, including declining human
health, increased use of unhealthy GMOs and pesticides, unequal distribution of food, continued climate change, and a disappearance of agricultural knowledge. SBAFE Foundation wants to reverse the disappearing knowledge of agriculture, thereby feeding communities by educating and promoting awareness of how food is grown and distributed in Santa Barbara County and beyond, in hopes of helping others grow and consume more consciously. The foundation demonstrates and teaches organic farming techniques and provides expert agricultural knowledge that can aid in sustainably and ethically feeding fragile populations and transforming food scarce areas into flourishing food forests. And SBAFE Foundation regularly donates food grown on its farm to those in need.
The whole thing started just seven years ago when CEO Leslie Person Ryan started a green food cart and sold fresh organic produce in Summerland in response to the Thomas Fire and Montecito Debris Flow having effectively cut the community off. After a young employee confided in her that her family was food insecure, Ryan started Sweet Wheel Farms’ food
program for the community’s most fragile, delivering organic produce for free to those in need. It wasn’t long before she needed to create a campaign to save the farm from development.
These days Sweet Wheel Farms – which says it’s the only farm in Santa Barbara County that uses absolutely no pesticides – is continuing to expand, but much more support is needed to further its mission.
“We’re trying to build the farm out and protect what we have,” Ryan explains. “We need fences, and they don’t grow from seeds. Irrigation doesn’t grow from seeds. We have a terrific five-year strategic plan, but it takes a lot of money to make it happen.”
Among the goals is creation of a seed bank in Summerland for Santa Barbara County, one that would save and protect heirloom seeds – such as the phenomenal black corn grown at Sweet Wheel – and would in turn properly protect seed stock from the elements and forces of nature.
“The Altadena seed bank had no fire protection, and they just lost everything, which is horrifying,” she said. “We need to envision, as our board has, that this is a community project and a long-term community asset for Santa Barbara. We’re taking care of food scarcity each and every day, but Sweet Wheel Farms needs to get a whole lot more efficient on our irrigation, something much more professional than what we have, which was cobbled together just last year. That way we can grow 100% more than what we’re growing now.”
Ryan said that the farm is actually wasting water because the system, which is just a hose attached to a hydrant, is broken. “There are a bunch of broken parts and we’re just mending as best we can, but it needs to go under the ground. We need to have sensors so we can tell when the irrigation’s broken.”
SBAFE Foundation’s biggest endeavor is its healthy food security program, which operates as Santa Barbara County’s Healthy Food Bank, providing nonGMO, non-chemically treated produce to those in need.
“We’re a farm that does not grow with herbicides and pesticides or push fertilizers,” Ryan said.
The farm stand, now adjacent to the Farm to Paper stationer on Lillie Avenue, produces income for the nonprofit’s program. Otherwise the bulk of the food distribution is through delivery to those in need, Ryan said.
“Every Monday is food delivery day. Some of our paid staff and a huge number of volunteers disseminate food throughout the county to more than 240 people. Clean food for people who have cancer, leukemia or MS or are waiting for kidney transplants, and to several no parent households, where there just isn’t any food in the house for them to eat.”
While it seems that Sweet Wheel and Santa Barbara Agriculture and Farm Education Foundation have made great strides in their endeavors, Ryan said there’s a long way to go.
“We’re still kind of in that beginning phase, still fundraising for infrastructure,” she said. “Beyond irrigation, we need roadways, we have to have a tractor, and a grain garage to keep the grains safe. We need very, very basic things to be a strong community farm. Eventually we’ll have some farm worker housing and an education center where we can be a little bit more formal about our farm education.”
In the meantime donations of any kind are gratefully accepted. And everyone should feel free to reach out and learn more about the farm and the foundation, to whatever level feels right.
“You can always ask for a farm tour,” Ryan said. “The more you learn, the more you understand what we do here is a very different food system – and the more you are going to want to help a farm that wants to provide people food that’s free from preservatives and pesticides, nutritious and delicious.”
Visit www.SBAFEFoundation.com and https:// sweetwheelfarms.org or call (805) 453-1465
Sweet Wheel Farms provides people food that’s free from preservatives and pesticides, nutritious, and delicious (courtesy photo)
Spirituality Matters
All Saints Sponsors Sacred Earth-Sacred Soul
by Steven Libowitz
Dr. John Philip Newell is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on Celtic spirituality, a self-described “wandering teacher” who follows the ancient path of many lone teachers before him in the Celtic world, seeking the well-being of the world. Newell’s teaching is known for combining the head and the heart, the intellectual and the poetic, and spiritual awareness along with political and ecological concern.
All Saints-by-the-Sea in Montecito will be hosting Newell along with Cami Twilling, the Director of Earth & Soul, for an evening talk on February 14, followed by a half-day retreat with Newell and Twilling the following morning. Both focus on the main themes of Newell’s award-winning book Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, which calls on the modern world to reawaken ancient traditions and wisdom.
“The two essential visions that come out of the Celtic tradition – a lineage of wisdom that traces back to the first century – are consistently about the sacredness of Earth and the sacredness of every human being,” Newell explained to Celtic Life International magazine in 2024. “It is those two principles or visions that we’re tragically out of touch with as a Western world, as nations in this critical time.”
Newell’s teaching is known for combining the head and the heart, the intellectual and the poetic, and spiritual awareness along with political and ecological concern.
The Friday evening talk will be followed by a book signing reception with Newell, while Saturday retreat includes both a teaching by Newell and spiritual practices led by Twilling.
Elizabeth’s Appraisals
The Art of the Appraisal: Questions about appraising art and decorative art for homeowner’s insurance purposes:
by Elizabeth Stewart
LWcalled me while her friend’s house in the Palisades was still smoldering. She asked me this important question: “Elizabeth, W didn’t have an appraisal for his contemporary lithography and modern art collection. He assumed the artwork was insured under the fine art category in his general homeowner’s policy, and he seems to recall the aggregate total coverage for fine art is $60,000, but the art is not itemized. He didn’t request separate fine art rider coverage, for which he would have needed an appraisal (to create an itemized schedule of the art). Now the artwork is gone. Should he hire you – an appraiser – now?”
Here are the top ten factors raised from this one question; a very timely question indeed:
attorney who has used me for years in fire cases if W needs help in reading the fine print. There are two types of personal property – appreciable and depreciable. Generally, art is appreciable, and furniture is depreciable. But my collectors of fine vintage furniture do NOT consider their Eames Chair depreciable. What kind of coverage does W have? Market value typically refers to actual cash value, not replacement cost. The difference can be vast: think of the value of a high end five-year-old TV (market value) versus the replacement of that same TV, but at the cost of a 2025 model. Finding sales in the right market is important, I give you a few tips on market research below.
Friday’s event costs $30, with a $50 fee for the mini retreat on Saturday. Visit https://www.earthandsoul.org/ events for more information. Preregistration at https://allsaintsbythesea. org/sacred-earth-sacred-soul-registration is required; All Saints is located at 83 Eucalyptus Lane. Visit www.asbts.org.
Unwinding at Unity
1. W must understand his policy. I gave LW the name of a great insurance
Unity of Santa Barbara hosts a meditative evening of sound healing led by Amy Bacheller every first Tuesday of the month. All are invited to drop in to dissolve the stress of the day with the soul-soothing tones of the crystalline bowls blended with Bacheller’s non-verbal vocalizing to produce a
2. An appraiser after a loss might be helpful (read on...). However, since W had blanket coverage for $60k of art, to itemize the artwork would only be helpful up to the aggregate market value of $60k. Once he reaches that limit in terms of market value, he needs a certified appraiser to itemize art and set values if he plans on claiming anything over the aggregate amount. This effort may be too late.
3. Since the collection is gone, to make a claim W will have to prove ownership and the former location of the art, and indeed the collectible furniture in the home. Social media provides ways he can prove ownership. He’ll be surprised how many photos he’ll find on social media that show a work of art in the background. Look for shots of interiors “behind” family, dog, or friend.
The destruction of the Palisade fires affected many homes that had valuable art and object collections
It can be tough to recall what valuables were in the home after a fire
developed a chronic foot problem, she asked if Jaclyn would like to take over the business.
“My whole life had been right in front of me. People have always said, ‘You’re so wonderful with dogs,’ and yet I knew that was with my own dog, and I would never have thought to start a dog business. I started off with literally one dog besides my own two, and then that one dog client turned into two, two turned into four. Four turned into –“ I looked at the pack of 10 dogs hanging on Jaclyn’s every word – they collectively nodded in confirmation of her statement.
Jaclyn originally taught high school English before tutoring at the college level and privately in English and writing. Eventually she began teaching younger and younger students, but it wasn’t until coming to Santa Barbara in 2018 to work at Trinity Preschool that she picked up her preferred lesson plans for pups.
What are the similarities between leading a pack of dogs and a gaggle of preschoolers? Which group bites more?
“At Trinity, there was a lot of structure. There was guidance, and there were obviously boundaries. But other than that, it was a very holistic, organic way of teaching, where you let the kids just be and figure it out for themselves.”
And it’s that philosophy she brings to her canine companions. Jaclyn focuses on letting each dog have their own personality and just be themselves. Her
role is to guide and direct them based off that, which ultimately is about getting to know your dog first. Her overall lesson plan?
“Number one: Understand your dog. Number two: We have to have clear expectations. Number three: We have to create a pack.”
Throughout our conversation, Jaclyn emphasizes the role of the pack. Dogs are social animals and don’t just thrive, but learn, from those they’re around. A
Leader of the Pack Page 304
Montecito Health Coach
When the Wellness Faire Came to Town
by Deann Zampelli
The splashing of the fountains and the stunning backdrop of Santa Barbara created the perfect setting for PALMA Colectiva’s Wellness Faire on January 18, held on the rooftop of the Kimpton Canary Hotel. I had the good fortune of being there not only as a writer covering the event, but also as an exhibitor offering microsessions; which felt kind of like speed dating for health coaching. PALMA was founded in 2022 by Meredith Markworth-Pollack. After 20 years as a costume designer in the entertainment industry, Meredith “wanted to create a space to offer and integrate the modalities [she] had sought out to keep me grounded and mentally well while working long hours and in a high stress environment. I had always felt a deep spiritual connection to Santa Barbara and had lived here on and off over the years.” Now in its third year, “PALMA Colectiva is a Spiritual Wellness platform based in the principles of community, education, and healing arts. We create meaningful and integrative events, workshops and treatments to deepen our connection of plant, body and spirit. PALMA is a collective for seekers, mystics, curious souls, and anyone looking for connection in a space of beauty, integrity and expansiveness. We currently are focused on pop-up style events at a variety of locations in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez including Lotusland, El Encanto, Canary Kimpton Hotel, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Coral Casino, Mattei’s Tavern, and Zaca Lake. We will continue to expand our programming to retreats and long-term residencies in 2025.”
Since their inception, PALMA has put on yoga retreats, inner child healing, full moon rituals, tea ceremonies, sound baths, massage, facials and even past-life regression. Some may be skeptical, but those that have experienced what PALMA has to offer find it transformational. One guest I spoke to said that before she attended a past-life regression, she was caught in a loop of destructive relationship patterns. “I kept going after the same kind of man, who I knew in my heart was going to hurt me. After I experienced the past life regression, something I never would have considered doing as it sounded so farfetched, I understood why I had been doing it and began to be more aware of what I was attracting and what I was seeking.”
The Wellness Faire was the epitome of what PALMA brings to Santa Barbara. For $33, guests could get mini sessions such as tea ceremonies, astrology readings, sauna, Tarot cards, health coaching (that would be me), and sample the wares
of the various vendors which included Earth Tonics Botanicals, Julie Anderson Astrology Readings, Biocharger energy healing, Natural Haven home detoxification, Dryshtea tea ceremony, Self-Love Tea, Swoon Clothing and much much more.
While the blustering wind proved to be a bit of a challenge, the blue skies welcomed PALMA and the 100 guests to the hotel rooftop. An organic lunch was on offer, with guests squeezing in bites between the sessions they signed up for. In just four hours they could get their futures forecast, their energy healed, their houses detoxed (ok, maybe not detoxed, but certainly astrologically put in order), their inflammation lowered, and look great in some new organic clothing. The vendors and the guests alike seemed primed for a January kickoff to a new, healthier version of themselves. There was a lot of laughter and camaraderie in the group of mostly women.
We even had a few dogs stop by, but something tells me they were more interested in the tacos on offer than having their astrological chart done.
For me, the most interesting part was hearing everyone’s stories. How the vendors got into their field, how the guests came to be there, and how the event came to be. As my little booth was busy, I only got to speak to the other exhibitors at the beginning of the event but was moved at how many entered their fields to help others. As is often the case in wellness, many began their ventures after their own struggles with their health. I spoke with one woman who had battled mold exposure, another who suffered from a binge eating disorder, and another who got into energy healing after her own bout with depression. This was a powerful reminder of how so many turn their own challenges into the betterment of those around them.
Open your minds to the new Wellness Faire, as it plans to return every quarter. But as you had your Tarot cards read, you already knew that didn’t you?
The bustling rooftop of the Kimpton Canary Hotel was the scene of the PALMA Colectiva’s Wellness Faire (photo by Jill De Pol)
How does she do this?
Discover newly renovated executive suites at 314 E. Carrillo Street, where European oak floors, premium natural stone accents, and top-of-the-line fixtures come together to create an inviting, professional environment. Enjoy private o ces, a dedicated reception, a refined conference room, a fully stocked kitchen, and secure on-site parking—all designed to meet the needs of discerning professionals in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. For more information scan the code above, call (805) 617-0432 or vist: www.CarrilloO ceSuites.com
from the Pacific Palisades and Pasadena areas, and another 25 in process to start. The students have to live within district boundaries. Bruski also presented on scholastic updates such as AI and literacy. The drummer Sowah from Ghana will be starting his yearly residency soon, during which he teaches the students all about the music of Ghana.
Cold Spring School District Superintendent & Principal Amy Alzina thanked everyone for their support. She shared about CSS Project Camp, MOXI, and SB Wellness, spawned by a call to her from the GM of San Ysidro Ranch who was housing the families who evacuated the L.A. fires. Seventy students enrolled, with 45 on waitlist. They have some families moving in and expect enrollment to increase, they went from 190 students to 194 students, and CSS has a few more spaces for those who moved here from the fires. It was 157 when Alzina started at CSS.
Aida Thau, staff from SBC 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee’s office, introduced herself and provided her background of three years working for Lee and 14 working for the City of Beverly Hills. Thau stating, “I am looking forward to how I can be an advocate and the voice supporting the needs of Montecito community.”
MA Executive Director Houghton Hyatt reported the second Hot Springs Rd. Stakeholders meeting with Congressman Salud Carbajal is scheduled for February 3. Thau added that Supervisor Lee wants the Montecito residents informed about the stakeholders meeting with Carbajal and is looking at February 8 for a town hall.
Andrea Newquist, Chair for Hands Across Montecito, hopes to get Congressman Carbajal’s help in getting Union Pacific Railroad to grant permission for them to do clean outs.
MA Board Director Joseph Pennino asked the MA to have a Mayor of Montecito, and to sponsor community classes for personal protection and home invasion protection.
411: www.montecitoassociation.org
artraks@ yahoo.com
transcendent experience. Bacheller, who boasts more than 30 years of experience in holistic health practices, offers spiritual, lifestyle, clinical guided imagery, aromatherapy, energy work, and nutritional guidance in her private practice known as Scent from Heaven. The sound healing session slated for 6-7:30 pm on February 2, has a suggested offering of $20.
Isabelle Benarous – neuro-linguistic programming trainer, author of Break the Code of Your Illness, and founder of the Bioreprogramming Institute – is coming to Unity for a special twohour event on February 5. In “The Bio Breakthrough: From Limitation to Liberation,” Benarous, who is on staff at the Esalen Institute, will share methods for freeing yourself from unwanted subconscious imprints and ancestral traumas, in order to more deeply experience the freedom of creating your ultimate life path. The intro is meant to uncover the biological essence of being human and see how relationships, career, life path, and emotional wellness can significantly improve as you reveal the underlying causes of your challenges. Participants will take steps toward developing essential skills to manage their health and overall lives by overcoming personal challenges to achieve real transformation. There is a $20 suggested donation for the 7-9 pm event.
Montecito’s Ragan Thomson is leading “Rapid Healing with Mantra and Meditation” on the second Tuesday of every month, with the next session scheduled for 5:30-7 pm on February 11. The suggested donation of $20 benefits Unity directly. Unity is located at 227 E Arrellaga St. in Santa Barbara. Visit https://unitysb.org/event.
Sound Healing-plus at the Soup
Yoga Soup’s Friday Fundraiser Series, the studio’s effort to support Los Angeles in the aftermath of the fires, sponsors a special sound healing event at 7 pm on February 7 that starts with a stretch session before “melting” into a sound bath. Led by Cristy Candler – a former professional performer on Broadway who is
certified with White Lotus, Laughing Lotus, The Jivamukti Yoga School and in Therapeutic Yoga – the onehour event will feature multiple crystal singing bowls, koshi bells, essential oils and more to sooth the body and soul. Revenue from donations ($25 suggested, free to those displaced due to the fires) will benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who are supporting wildlife through the ongoing emergency. Yoga Soup’s ongoing Sunday Sound Series reconvenes on February 7 at 4 pm for Gong Yoga Nidra with Mitsuko, who leads the practice that can create new neural pathways in the brain and reduce the impact of deep emotional associations from past experiences on the nervous and immune system. The explorative journey is meant to be approached with a child-like curiosity to amplify the natural balance of body, mind and spirit. Suggested donation of $35. Yoga Soup is at 28 Parker Way in Santa Barbara. Details and registration at www.yogasoup.com/events.
Pacifica Publishes Periodical
Pacifica Graduate Institute has launched Insights, a newsletter for Pacifica Extension’s Lifelong Learner and student members. But all are invited to investigate the inaugural issue of the exclusive quarterly magazine, full of thought-provoking articles, exclusive interviews, and creative imagination exercises meant to serve as a portal to profound personal discovery. The inaugural issue with a focus on Individuation can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/pacificanews
Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage
Joanne A Calitri is a professional international photographer and journalist. Contact her at:
William Shakespeare
The cast of Hamlet
Photo: Zach Mendez
On Entertainment
SBIFF Turns 40: Out of the Fire into the Festival Fryer
by Steven Libowitz
The glittery path from Hollywood to Santa Barbara for the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival got covered with ashes earlier this month from the devastating Los Angeles area wildfires that are still wreaking havoc on the greater community. The concept of rolling out the red carpet might have lost some of its luster, with the fiery color perhaps just a bit too reminiscent of the flames of the last several weeks.
Announcements both local and Academy Award-related were delayed, schedules slowed down, and there was even a brief consideration of pulling the plug on SBIFF. But organizers wisely decided that there’s no doubt that the 40th anniversary of the festival is well worth celebrating, an artistic and entertaining elixir for our friends and neighbors here and to the south, and a chance for the film industry to escape the smoke and ruins to romp in our seaside burg once again on the American Riviera. The event that started four decades ago as a little weekend gathering to bring visitors to town in mid-winter has become an icon on the now crowded, year-round festival circuit. In the spirit of the entertainment industry’s credo “the show must go on,” SBIFF has put together a festival that will again be a singular highlight on both the cinematic and social calendar.
The festival gets underway a day early this year, opening at the Arlington on Tuesday, February 4, with the U.S. premiere of Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, a French and English-language romantic comedy written and directed by Laura Piani that previously played at the prestigious Toronto Festival. Agathe is a charmingly clumsy young woman who works at the legendary Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris and dreams of becoming a successful writer as well as experiencing a Jane Austenlike romance. But struggles with writer’s block and being single, both of which get a boost when she gets invited to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England.
“It’s funny, clever and witty, and also romantic as well as beautifully shot,” said Claudia Puig, the film critic who took over as SBIFF’s Programming Director for the 2022 festival. “I think it’s going to be a big crowd pleaser, which is what you want in an opening night film. It fires on all cylinders, the kind of film an audience is drawn to that they might not see elsewhere, but that they end up completely enraptured and enchanted by. The entire programming team saw it and we were all just swooning.”
The Closing Night film, A Missing Part, which plays at the Arlington on February 15, is also a partly French language film that gets its first U.S. screening after premiering at Toronto. Shot in Japan, the movie is about a French father who has been forcibly separated from his young daughter after a divorce from his Japanese wife due to the country’s custody laws, Puig said. The protagonist is a cab driver (Romain Duris, The Beat That My Heart Skipped) who has taken the job just to drive around hoping to eventually see his daughter. After nine years, she actually gets in the back of his cab one day, but she doesn’t recognize him.
“It’s a very touching and oftentimes funny and heartfelt film, very well acted and beautifully directed by Guillaume Senez (whose two previous films won Magritte Awards, aka Belgium’s Oscars),” Puig said. “It’s a very artistic, Oscar-caliber film, the kind you might see at a really great art house theater. It ends the festival on a high note as a reminder that you’ve been watching top quality films.”
In between, Puig said, are scores of “amazing” documentaries, features film, shorts from both the United States and around the world that should captivate, inspire and entertain audiences for the 10-day span. But what she’s most proud of is the fact that
more than half of SBIFF’s movies have been directed by women.
“Fifty-two percent!” she exclaimed. “We’ve never had the majority of films directed by a woman before, and it’s very exciting for all of us.”
Among the female-helmed highlights of the festival is Lilly, starring former Academy Award-nominee Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April) as Lilly Ledbetter, the Alabama tire factory worker who tenaciously fought monolithic patriarchies for employment justice for women, resulting in landmark legislation. “It’s been getting standing ovations at other festivals, and the director is also a first-time filmmaker, which is very impressive,” Puig said.
All God’s Children has drawn attention both because of its inspiring subject –chronicling an unprecedented endeavor to heal centuries of racism and antisemitism in Brooklyn communities by attempting to unite the congregations of the largest reform synagogue and the oldest black Baptist Church – and the tragic fact that its director, Ondi Timoner, a two-time winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, just lost her house as well as footage and equipment in Altadena’s Eaton Fire.
“She’s been the subject of lots of coverage (rather than the film she’s making) recently, but she’s still coming to town to talk about the movie,” Puig said.
Beyond the screening rooms – SBIFF’s new Film Center at the former Fiesta 5 and, for the first time, its Riviera Theatre – the festival has a plethora of panels, tribute evenings and free seminars, starting February 5 with Modern Master honoree Maria star Angelina Jolie, one of the few award recipients who didn’t claim an Oscar nomination earlier in January. (By our count, 11 of the 20 acting hopefuls, along with a high percentage of writers, producer, director and “below-the-line” filmmakers are coming to SBIFF.)
Another huge “get”: both Neil Young and the rock singer-songwriter’s wife, actress Daryl Hannah, will be on hand when the Hannah-directed documentary Coastal – a personal, behind-the-scenes road trip and musical journey of Young’s recent solo tour along the coast – premieres at the Riviera on February 7.
Some events are already sold out for single tickets. Visit www.sbiff.org to secure your passes and plan your festival.
Chamber Players Highlight Arias with Amante
April Amante hasn’t had a whole lot of opportunities to sing in Santa Barbara since earning her Doctor of Musical Arts at UCSB in June 2023. There was the concert in May 2024, where the soprano returned to campus for the UCSB Opera Gala, directed by her mentor Isabel Bayrakdarian, the soprano who heads the school’s voice program.
Amante performed in master classes on campus and sang a solo role in the Santa Barbara Choral Society’s Messiah, as well as a solo with the Adelfos Ensemble while still working toward her DMA. Soon she’ll be making her first appearance in town since performing in UCSB Opera’s English-language production of The Magic Flute, also helmed by Bayrakdarian. The Simi Valley-raised soprano will serve as the soloist centerpiece of the Santa Barbara Chamber Players’ winter concert, slated for February 1 at First United Methodist Church.
Amante will sing a varied program that features Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne, the first section in the series of evocative French folk songs from the Auvergne region, and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables. Those pieces will bookend two of Puccini’s most famous and beloved arias in “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi, and “Quando m’en vo” from La bohème
“Having earned a DMA, I am familiar with a lot of repertoire, but I don’t know that I had heard of the Canteloube pieces before,” Amante said. “But when I looked them up and started learning them, they fit like a glove. They’re folk songs that are a little bit flirtatious, talking about the shepherdess and where they should go to graze the flock. I’m excited to sing them.”
Amante premiered Matthew Aucoin’s Eurydice at Los Angeles Opera back in 2020 and recently made her Carnegie Hall debut as Mrs. Sinclair in Eric
On Entertainment Page 344
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life opens the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival this Tuesday, February 4th
April Amante and the Santa Barbara Chamber Players will fill First United Methodist Church with music and song this Saturday, February 1 (courtesy photo)
Hot Topics
‘Community’ is Montecito’s Strength in Wildfire Prevention & Preparedness
Montecito Fire Department Leans into Proactive Wildfire Mitigation Efforts
by Christina Atchison
We are in the middle of winter. January is not even over, yet over the past three months, we have seen multiple extreme, wind-driven wildfires devastate Southern California communities.
The Mountain Fire in Camarillo in November burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed over 240 structures.
The Franklin Fire in Malibu in December burned 4,000 acres and damaged or destroyed nearly 50 structures.
On January 7, two wildfires broke out that none of us will soon forget. The Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and Malibu burned over 23,000 acres, damaged 1,017 structures, destroyed 6,837 structures and claimed 12 lives. The Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena consumed more than 14,000 acres, damaged 1,073 structures, destroyed 9,418 structures and took 17 lives.
The full scope of these disasters is still being realized and as Californians living in a wildfire-prone environment, now is the time to lean in, learn and prepare.
Montecito Fire Department was engaged in all of the above incidents, deploying our personnel as part of California’s master Mutual Aid system. Simply put, mutual aid is an agreement between fire departments that we will offer help to a community facing crisis, and out-of-town agencies will offer support to our community when needed.
During the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow, mutual aid resources from all over the state and nation came to the South Coast. The mutual aid system allows Montecito Fire to pay it forward, help our neighbors in need, and take comfort in knowing others will be there for us if a major incident occurs at home.
“Our first priority is to protect our community, and our partners across Santa Barbara County have that same priority,” Montecito Fire Chief David Neels said. “Fortunately, we have sufficient resources to protect our community, and also provide mutual aid.”
Our ability to immediately support our neighbors in Southern California earlier this month was due to pre-planning by our department. In advance of Red Flag fire weather conditions, Montecito Fire Department calls additional firefighters
back to work to staff engines, enhance dispatch capabilities and provide incident command support. This positions us to be on standby to respond to incidents locally and regionally.
At the time of the Palisades and Eaton fires’ ignitions, we were experiencing similar elevated fire weather conditions in Montecito. As a result, we had four extra firefighters on duty, staffing one of our wildland firefighting engines, Engine 391.
When the request came in to help at the Palisades Fire on the afternoon of January 7, we were able to immediately deploy Engine 391 down south and brought four more firefighters back to work to fill in behind those heading to L.A. This is done strategically to maintain our increased resources locally so that we have a robust response available if an incident occurs here.
Elevated fire weather conditions fortunately subsided in Montecito by January 8. Consequently, we were able to fulfill additional requests for help in L.A., this time at the Eaton Fire.
In total, we deployed 12 of our personnel to the Palisades and Eaton fires. We are happy to report that the last of our personnel who were still assigned to those incidents returned home this week on Monday, January 27.
The destruction in Los Angeles is nothing short of astonishing and heartbreaking. Our sincere condolences go out to everyone impacted by these historic incidents. Our community of Montecito remembers how it feels to lose absolutely everything except, perhaps, our sense of community.
In the weeks following these fires, we have fielded dozens of calls, emails and requests from residents to better understand how everyone can be prepared for wildfire here.
To each of you who have contacted Montecito Fire Department to have these conversations, we want to say, thank you. We genuinely appreciate your concern and interest in taking proactive measures to be ready for the next wildfire.
That sense of community is what truly makes the difference in our ability to mitigate wildfire here. We are encouraged by the momentum and motivation we have seen from our residents and those taking additional preventative measures now.
Due to the forward-thinking of Montecito Fire’s Board of Directors, a significant portion of your fire depart-
ment’s budget is invested in fire prevention. It’s a worthwhile investment that produces exponential returns.
Many of you have recently requested visits from our two Wildland Fire Specialists, Maeve Juarez and Nic Elmquist. Their days have been busy with Defensible Space Surveys where they walk properties with homeowners to provide feedback on their 100 feet of brush clearance and offer suggestions on how to improve their property’s resilience to wildfire with home hardening techniques.
“Our community does an excellent job of taking the necessary wildfire preparation precautions, in large part because of their familiarity with wildfires here,” Montecito Wildland Fire Specialist Nic Elmquist said. “Due to the lack of rainfall and snowpack, we’re seeing that the fuels are much more receptive to burning than what we would consider normal for this time of year.”
“The last thing you want to do is to start preparing when there is already smoke in the air. Now is the time to focus on your defensible space, harden your home, and ensure you have a plan to be ready for wildfire,” said Montecito Wildland Fire Specialist Maeve Juarez. “Wildfire has happened here before and it will happen again. We must shift our mindset to preparedness. Get to know your neighbors and prepare together.”
Our Neighborhood Chipping Program starts February 18. This vegetation management project has become a great tradition in Montecito. Last year, nearly 700 tons of excess vegetation were removed through this program.
Neighborhood Chipping is offered to 1,700+ properties in the Montecito Fire District. Each property that cuts and stacks brush for chipping makes an incremental improvement in our entire community’s resilience against wildfire.
As your Montecito Fire Public Information Officer, I often think of John Donne’s poem “No Man Is an Island” when talking about wildfire preparedness. No one person’s actions to prevent wildfire is enough to stop the next conflagration like what we saw in Los Angeles.
However, if every community member takes steps to prepare by maintaining defensible space, hardening their homes, signing up for emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org and practicing multiple ways to evacuate in a dynamic emergency, we stand a much better chance of surviving the next major wildfire.
As part of our annual community outreach programs, we will host a Wildfire Preparedness Community Meeting this spring in partnership with First District Supervisor Roy Lee and his staff. We look forward to this in-person opportunity to answer your questions and will share event details in the weeks to come.
We invite the community to review our wildfire preparedness resources on montecitofire.com, including short videos explaining how to harden your home
with simple do-it-yourself options and what you can expect if you are asked to evacuate due to a wildfire.
The wildfire outlook for this year is undeniably concerning due to severe weather. Yet, the collective efforts by our community, combined with Montecito Fire Department’s proactive, holistic approach to wildfire prevention, is reassuring when considering the realities of wildfire here.
We are grateful for your collaboration and commitment to being a resilient community.
A Note from Houghton Hyatt, MA’s ED
Fire Preparedness & Prevention Measures
At our January Board meeting, Chief Neels provided an update on the Palisades and Eaton fires and detailed steps the Montecito Fire Department (MFD) is taking to enhance fire prevention and community preparedness.
Key points from the presentation included:
Evacuation Planning: Two recent studies led to revised evacuation zones, developed in partnership with emergency management. Residents in mountain areas were urged to evacuate early. A community presentation on the new zones is forthcoming. Red Flag Warning Measures: MFD is working on implementing no-parking days during Red Flag Warning events. They continue to focus on increased staffing and community fire prevention efforts.
Fire Safety Tips: Chief Neels emphasized the importance of vigilance and shared actionable steps for residents:
Learn alternate evacuation routes. Sign up for emergency alerts. Organize neighborhood phone trees. Participate in MFD’s chipping program. Report cars blocking fire hydrants to the sheriff’s non-emergency number at (805) 683-2724.
Clear driveways of branches and hedges to ensure fire engine access.
Download the Watch Duty App for real-time fire updates.
The presentation reinforced the critical need for community-wide cooperation and preparedness to ensure Montecito’s safety during fire season.
Montecito firefighters helping out at the harrowing L.A. fires (courtesy photo)
Your Westmont
Lifelong Champions for Women Gather, Celebrate
by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott
The eighth annual Westmont Women’s Leadership Council Luncheon reached new heights with a goal of encouraging and empowering female students with scholarships and networking connections to help them thrive in their future careers. The event, which featured Henrietta Holsman Fore, a Santa Barbara native who served as executive director of UNICEF and USAID administrator, has grown so popular, organizers moved it to the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to accommodate additional supporters.
Fore, who grew up in Santa Barbara attending Cold Spring and Crane Country Day schools, spoke to students about her inspiring career that seamlessly melded business, government and the nonprofit sector.
She urged students to enroll in finance, STEM and entrepreneurship courses. “Eight out of 10 of this generation are going to have to be entrepreneurs,” she said. “They’re not going to be jobs made for you, so you’ll need to make your own. Learn to love technology and machines for they will be your partners. Times will change rapidly. Technology and digital skills will evolve at rates that you cannot imagine.”
Secondly, she encouraged the students to not be afraid of failing or concerned with how their parents, friends or teachers will see them if they fail. “Every one of them has failed at something too, and you learn from failure,” she said.
She shared one of her early business’ failures, creating greeting cards
designed around the theme of tennis.
“While we were excited about our cards, our buyers were not seeing as many reorders,” she said. “We realized that maybe we didn’t know enough about our markets, and we weren’t covering our gas or our time.”
She said she learned from the failure and didn’t dwell on the demise of her tennis greeting card company.
Next, she worked for her dad’s steel wire lath company, meeting construction customers and suppliers. She learned about corporates, welding, transformers and ordering carbon tensile strength steel wire. “I told my father I would stay two weeks, but I stayed 12 years, and I learned to love it,” she said. “Try new things, even something like steal lath that you don’t think you’d like, you will learn from it, and you will get roles where you will be the first. It’ll be lonely, but be confident that you can make things work. Women can do anything. Just set out to do the job and be curious. There’s beauty in the world. Go find it.”
Later, when Fore sought to serve her country, help the planet and serve others, she discovered USAID, the business arm of the State Department. This was the first of five Senate confirmations in the years to follow. She oversaw 14 people with a $14 million budget focused on private enterprise. “A business knowledge is enormously powerful in government,” she said. “It gives you a fiscal discipline to earn your way to sustainable social services. It gives you models of fairness for employees and services for citizens. In business, you must see benefits for your customers, for society and for your business. The morals and values that you’ve learned at
Westmont Page 314
4. W might want to research market value of works of art on websites that list completed SALES at auction. I find comparable sales from PAST sales – not the offered price, the “would you take it” price. Here are some sites I use:
a. P4a (antiques, decorative art, fine art)
b. Askart (American artists SOLD prices)
c. Artprice (great for European works, SOLD prices)
d. Mutualart (good for the modern/ contemporary art market; this website reports on artworks which have SOLD (consummated prices paid), but they also carry dealer’s offers to sell)
e. Artnet (a full-service site for decorative art and fine art that has SOLD)
f. Worthpoint or the Invaluable site
5. Although in most cases a valuation is based on prices PAID in the market, insurance companies will also accept offered prices as comparable research, but they will depreciate those prices. There are two ways of researching comparable furniture or fine art: one is to gather sales based on an auction or gallery result, the other is to find three or more OFFERED prices asked that are fairly consistent in the market.
6. Before W hires me and pays out of pocket, insurers may hire an appraiser if stated in the “appraisal clause” in the policy. Later, W might hire his own appraiser if he disagrees with the insurance company’s adjustor or appraiser. However, if an agreement is not reached, a third appraiser is hired as an umpire. It can drag on forever and become expensive. Since he did not have scheduled rider coverage, this may be a moot point; art values were not set forth so values can’t be argued over. But the furniture is another story, as it might be argued that designer furniture from the 1960s is appreciable...
7. A professional appraiser would have been helpful before a loss for the itemization and documentation needed for rider or scheduled coverage. I might be helpful to W to spur his memory of the objects in his lost home, however. Because I have seen thousands of households and thousands of different collections of art, or furniture, silver, glass, musical instruments, porcelain, books, or toys, I can often regain a memory. After a loss, I am often hired by law firms to ‘find’ objects of value that a client might have forgotten. For example, if you collect Chagall you might also collect Dali prints. Much of my “fire victim” work is done by providing a conversation space from which I can “see” the interior of an imagined room setting or a fine collection. The conversation sounds like this: “Oh, you had your grandmother’s tiny diamond cocktail watch, your mom’s Bulova, you dad’s Rolex – did you also have your grandfather’s gold pocket watch?” I am
well-versed in the associative rebuilding of a lost collection or a lost living space.
8. A prominent attorney who is working on client losses in the Eaton Fire tells me that some insurance attorneys who are representing claims of the megawealthy will act as a ‘public adjustor’ for 10% of the claim’s settlement, a clever way to capitalize on just how bewildering insurance losses can be…
9. Your very best method of proving ownership and location is to do two things with your phone this weekend. Have someone film a video of YOU going through your home and narrating what you know about each items of importance. “Importance” might mean of family relevance, or it could mean an object over $1,000 or BOTH. This proves location and ownership and provides a record for heirs as well. Second, take STILL photos of the objects you would HATE to lose. Still photos can be manipulated in a way a video cannot; a skilled researcher can find MUCH information with a good zoom. MAKE COPIES OF BOTH VERSIONS. This matters far more than a collection of receipts.
10. A simple thing no one does is to raise art off the floor of a closet! In fighting a fire or in a flood, objects close to the floor will be soaked.
Email me if you have questions at elizabethappraisals@gmail.com or call 805 895 5005
Elizabeth Stewart, PhD is a veteran appraiser of fine art, furniture, glass, and other collectibles, and a cert. member of the AAA and an accr. member of the ASA. Please send any objects to be appraised to Elizabethappraisals@ gmail.com
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Henrietta Holsman Fore
President Gayle D. Beebe offers the Ridley-Tree Award to Anne Smith Towbes.
Robert’s Big Questions
pack doesn’t have to be all of the neighborhood pups ganging up – it can be as simple as one other dog, or even just you and your single furry friend. Really, they just need companionship. (I mean, don’t we all…?) Of course, each dog is its own character and has its own sociability.
“I really make it a priority to understand each dog and understand what they need and what motivates them, what triggers them. Where are they going to be successful? Where are they not going to be successful? And every dog is different, just like kids. Some of these dogs can go to restaurants, movie theaters, special occasions, weddings, they can do everything, yeah?” This time I nod obediently – having absolutely snuck Peluche into movie theaters, late night shows, and other places he probably shouldn’t go but always seems so happy to join in on.
“I’m finding now there’s a lot of over training. We think training is like number one. We rescue, adopt, whatever the case may be – we bring a dog into the family. We immediately think we have to find a trainer, or we have to train the dog.”
Throughout our walk Jaclyn emphasizes that she doesn’t “train” dogs. “It’s simple, I spend time with them, and I learn them, and they learn me. They learn what my expectations are, and they learn what the boundaries are that I need for them to have if they’re going to thrive in a human world, because they’re in a human world a lot of the time.”
One of the key techniques to letting a dog know they have not met your expectation is to take away a privilege –this can be getting put back on a leash, removing a toy, or moving them to a
separate space. “It can be five minutes, three minutes, just enough for them to realize, ‘Okay, I lost something.’ And when they emerge from that time out – you make sure that they sit, they make eye contact with you. You say, ‘Sit– Stay– And wait.’”
As we walk, a couple stops us so they can photograph the spectacle of Jaclyn with ten dogs. Which leads me to ask about her photography, and how she can possibly get all of the dogs to pose so perfectly. “It happens organically.” It’s hard to believe. Take a look at her Instagram and you will see photo after photo of the pack in line, or taking silly positions, staring directly at the camera. Many of these are snapped during her daily “pooch camps” that take a bakers’ dozen or fewer pups to the beach, or on hikes… it all depends on which group she has that day. But before you start packing a brown bag lunch for your pup and get ready to send ‘em off to camp, know that these sessions are pretty much full. Jaclyn does, however, offer “connecting sessions” where she teaches owners how to better understand their dog. (Remember lesson number one?)
As we wrap up our 90-minute walk –myself getting a little tired but neither Jaclyn, Peluche, nor any of the other pups showing an ounce of wear – we start walking towards her car. What kind of vehicle could possibly carry this many dogs? Walking up Butterfly Lane, I half expect to see a furry Ford Econoline adorned with a Mutt Cutts sign á la Dumb and Dumber. Nope, it’s a Dodge Charger – the back seats pulled out to make one long, towel-lined doggy bed. “It wouldn’t matter at this point if I had a bus or if I had a car smaller than this, they all – except for Sunny [patting his head] – want to be next to one another so they’re all touching at all times. Even when I’ve borrowed a friend’s SUV in the past.” Once again, we’re all just looking to be part of Jaclyn’s pack.
Visit Jaclyn’s Instagram (@palmtrees_n_ pooches) for plenty of “awwws” and puppy pics or email her at jcsicilia923@gmail.com for more information on a connecting session
Zach Rosen is the Managing Editor of the Montecito Journal. He also enjoys working with beer, art, and life.
Epson, Enshittification, and the Environment?
by Robert Bernstein
Ido a lot of scanning for my work. My Microtek scanner of many years died and could not be repaired because Microtek went out of business. The only replacement option was an all-in-one printer and scanner. I chose Epson.
The software that comes with these all-in-one devices is not usable for anyone doing serious work. I was grateful to find VueScan software that was about as good as the free software that came with the Microtek. VueScan cost $100 but at least I could get back to work.
That was in 2021 and all was well. Until a few days ago when Epson recommended a firmware update. I tend to be a trusting person, and I did the update. Bad move. The scanner still worked, but the VueScan software would no long work with it.
I searched online for how to roll back the firmware. It looked grim. I dread calling tech support. But within minutes I was actually talking to Ian who was obviously in the Philippines. He assured me that I did not have to waste time figuring out how to roll back the firmware: It is simply not possible.
And Epson does not care if their update killed VueScan. They said it is not their problem. Even though obviously it is their fault. After a couple of rounds of “escalating” my case and long waits on hold, I managed to speak to Milton in the U.S. He did something the others could not: He explained exactly how diabolical Epson was in making sure that problems like this cannot be solved.
I asked what would happen if I offered a million dollars for the previous firmware version. He said it would not help. Because even if I got a copy somehow, Epson designed the printer to refuse to install previous versions of firmware. In other words, they actually hired someone with the specific goal to make it impossible to fix problems like this. They knew exactly what they were doing.
I told Milton that Epson is sending a message to the world: “We are evil. We want your Epson devices to become unusable. We want you never to buy our products again.” I told him I am a journalist and I promised to write this up.
I told this to a friend and she said there is a name for this: “Enshittification.”
Another friend had told me this term a week earlier in another context. It really is a thing you can read on Wikipedia. Please do. They credit Canadian writer Cory Doctorow for coining the term in 2022.
They give many examples of businesses who get you hooked then try to squeeze you for their gain. In the case of Epson, their updates claim to be bug fixes. But they really seem to be to prevent people using third party supplies.
Windows diabolically invented the “registry,” which requires you to reinstall every single program when buying a new computer. With Linux or even the old DOS operating system you could just copy everything over from the old computer.
I would be OK still using Windows 2000, but Microsoft forces you to switch to new versions. Which in turn forces you to switch to buying new computers. Apple also periodically obsoletes their iPhones.
Can you imagine the environmental impact and waste caused by enshittification? Complex devices now are trashed after little use.
My mentor Virgil Elings sold our scientific instruments with a lifetime guarantee and support. The new owner immediately turned support into a “profit center.” Meaning their interest is opposite to the user’s interest.
Four years ago, I wrote about how fashion is the opposite of progress, giving many examples. Here are a couple more: cookware without insulating handles so you have to use an oven mitt, and complex touchscreens in cars instead of simple knobs and switches.
A year ago, I wrote about the evil subscription model that replaced ownership. This forces endless spending to keep using what you already have; with new versions often enshittified.
What is to be done? We have banned single use bags. Perhaps we need to charge companies for enshittification?
Robert Bernstein holds degrees from Physics departments of MIT and UCSB. His passion to understand the Big Questions of life, the universe and to be a good citizen of the planet. Visit facebook. com/questionbig
The pack ready for another day of play
Westmont will help in both sectors, particularly the value of respect.”
At the U.S. Mint, she put her college degree to use, recalling knowledge learned about history, art, and economics. “We turned in a billion dollars into the U.S. Treasury from our coin products profits,” she said. “We launched the 50-state quarter program and sold coin products online.
“And it’s an example of never knowing what you are studying now or learning now or working at now that will be useful later, but you will use everything you learn at one point or another in your life.”
She worked in the Department of State as the chief operating officer, served in the United Nations and ran UNICEF globally.
“In closing, be a lifelong champion for girls, all girls everywhere,” she said. “Girls can do anything they dream of doing. Studying is not just to get a job, it is to make you a better person. Studying is a pleasure, and there’s a joy in learning. So, explore a wide range of disciplines. Westmont women, then, step out into the world as creative thinkers, thoughtful business and government leaders and community servants, making a promise to make a difference in the world.”
The event included President Gayle D. Beebe giving Anne Smith Towbes the 2025 Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree Spirit of Santa Barbara Award, which recognizes people who exemplified the life and spirit of Lady Ridley-Tree. Towbes, cofounder of the Women’s Fund and the Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative, recounted her friendship with Lady RidleyTree, praising her generosity, style and influence. “Perhaps it was because of her fragile childhood that Leslie had the sensitivity, heart and dedication to serve the less fortunate,” Towbes said. “She truly felt, the more you have, the more incumbent it is upon you to give.”
Current Westmont student Whitney Alpher (‘27) shared her story of faith and education, expressing gratitude for her supportive family and the women’s leadership council’s generosity. “You may feel burnt out, stressed for what’s next in your life, or maybe you just simply have lost your spark,” she said, “but I am here today to tell you that God is working day in and day out, to prepare for you the most beautiful, unimaginable life planned for you.”
Alumna Drew Parisi (‘05) explained the council’s mission to help women students flourish by connecting them with the business professionals in attendance. “You can share your networks, internships and job opportunities with our students,” she said. “This event serves to inspire and celebrate women of excellence, and it’s our hope that our students become the inspiring leaders of tomorrow.”
The council includes incoming Vice chair Parisi, incoming Chair Sherry Nasseri (‘00), Kim Crawford (‘00), Courtney DeSoto (’94), Amy Eddy (‘02), Chair Denice Fellows, founding member Anna Grotenhuis, Cheryl Miller, Vice President and CIO of Westmont Reed Sheard, and Karen Yonally Renee Curtis and Grotenhuis sponsored the luncheon. Westmont’s female leadership is also highly involved in planning and supporting the annual event and hosts women leaders in the Santa Barbara community.
Talk Explores Art, Science of ‘WILDLAND’
Artist Ethan Turpin and scientist Naomi Tague explore their combined work for WILDLAND in a free public lecture, Beyond Data Visualization: ArtScience Collaboration with Ethan Turpin and Naomi Tague, on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 5:30-6:30 pm in Westmont’s Porter Theatre. No RSVPs are needed and light refreshments will be served.
Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art exhibits WILDLAND: Ethan Turpin’s Collaborations on Fire and Water through March 22.
Turpin, a local Santa Barbara artist and Tague, an earth system scientist at UCSB’s Bren School, have been collaborating for the past decade. The current WILDLAND exhibition includes several pieces from the collaboration, including Future Mountain and TreeWater. Turpin and Tague will share about their collaborative efforts, and more broadly about using art and science to help make sense of our changing environment and humanity’s relationship with it.
“Earth system science is complex, requiring the integration of multiple lines of evidence from observation technologies, physical theory, and computational data science,” Tague says. “Confronted with converging global concerns, artists are less content to operate within aesthetic pursuits and elite cultural dialogue, but need ways to access emerging content.”
“Art-science collaborations can address both of these needs and help us make sense of a rapidly changing world,” Turpin says. “Art and science both seek to discover new ways of seeing and understanding, and as such are natural collaborators.”
On Sports A Game-Changing Boost for UCSB Baseball
by Jamie Knee
Santa Barbara has always been a community rooted in pride and a spirit of giving back. Its love for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos runs deep, and nothing embodies that connection more than the recent announcement of a transformative $15 million donation to UCSB Athletics. This incredible gift, the largest ever for the university’s athletic department, promises to revitalize facilities, including Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, and propel Gaucho baseball to new heights.
For decades, UCSB Baseball has represented the grit and determination of the Santa Barbara community. Under the leadership of head coach Andrew Checketts, the Gauchos have risen to prominence on the West Coast, earning accolades and consistently outperforming their competition. But even with a track record that boasts Big West Conference titles and NCAA Regional appearances, the facilities lagged behind the team’s performance. This groundbreaking donation changes that narrative.
The funds will spark a comprehensive upgrade of Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, the heart of Gaucho baseball. For fans who have cheered the team through sunny days and thrilling night games, this investment signifies more than just brick and mortar – it’s a promise of brighter days ahead for UCSB Athletics. Community members who gather to support the Gauchos can look forward to a first-class environment, one that matches the caliber of the players on the field.
The Gauchos have long been a force in collegiate baseball. Their 44-14 record last season is only the tip of the iceberg. Since 2012, when Checketts took the helm, UCSB has led the Big West in wins, produced 67 Major League Baseball draft picks, and even celebrated an American League Cy Young Award winner, Shane Bieber. The team’s success has been a testament to the talent and dedication of the student-athletes and coaching staff, but their achievements have often been overshadowed by the need for better facilities.
Historically, UCSB has had to get creative to accommodate high-stakes games. In 2015, when the Gauchos hosted NCAA Regionals, they rented a minor league stadium in Lake Elsinore – a 175mile trek from campus – because Caesar Uyesaka Stadium wasn’t equipped to handle the event. Even in 2024, when UCSB hosted a Regional on campus for the first time, it required temporary installations and rentals to meet the
standards. These logistical hurdles have only fueled the program’s determination to push forward.
The planned upgrades at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium include significant enhancements to the fan experience, player facilities, and infrastructure. A new video board will replace the outdated scoreboard, offering a modern touch to the game-day atmosphere. Expanded seating, improved bathrooms, and better concessions will transform the stadium into a welcoming hub for both the UCSB community and visiting fans. And for the players, the renovation promises to elevate their training environment, giving them access to state-of-the-art amenities that support their development both on and off the field.
Beyond the immediate impact on baseball, this donation represents a broader commitment to UCSB Athletics as a whole. With 20 sports programs uniting the campus and Santa Barbara community, the ripple effects of this transformative gift will be felt far and wide. From the construction of new tennis courts to upgrades at the soccer stadium and the Thunderdome, UCSB has been steadily building an athletic legacy. This $15 million donation serves as the cornerstone of that legacy, inspiring others to invest in the future of the Gauchos.
This extraordinary gift also underscores the deep connection between UCSB and its supporters. It’s a reminder that the Gauchos’ success isn’t just about the players on the field – it’s about the alumni, donors, and fans who show up and give back. In Santa Barbara, the Gauchos are more than a team; they’re a community treasure. With this historic donation, UCSB Baseball is poised to continue its rise, strengthening its place as one of the top programs on the West Coast and bringing even more excitement to the Santa Barbara community.
As construction plans take shape and upgrades roll out, one thing is clear: the Gauchos are ready to shine brighter than ever. And for the fans who have cheered them on through every inning, this is a moment to celebrate not just a team but a shared commitment to excellence and community pride. UCSB Baseball’s future has never looked more promising.
The Caesar Uyesaka Stadium is ready for some renovations
Naomi Tague’s TreeWater
Birders at the CBC Compilation of Data dinner (photo by Janice Levasheff)
(CBC). It’s inspirational to have so many community members get together to count bird species. On sunny January 4th, I joined two birding groups. One of the groups had 30 birders, and it was a first Santa Barbara CBC experience for seven of them. What a fun and friendly way to become involved in doing community science. Afterwards, it’s informative and lively to join at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH) for the annual Compilation Event and Dinner. We share a meal and observations of common and unique birds and tally results of species of birds recorded. Working together, we provide science data to better understand changing trends in bird species locally and across the nation, and then can work to protect birds and their habitats. Thank you, CBC bird walk guides, compilation data and IT leaders, SBAS webmaster, event and dinner organizers, and SBMNH staff for making the 2024 CBC a huge success. The CBC is good for the birds, community, and community science.”
411: www.santabarbaraaudubon.org
SB Black Culture House Events for Black History Month
Santa Barbara Black Culture House, founded and headed by Darrell M. McNeil and Sally A. Foxen McNeill, are inviting all community to their monthly series of cultural events, music, programs, community talks, exhibits, and poetry, for Black History Month 2025.
The events are at their pop-up location, Soul Bites Restaurant (423 State Street), and two events will be offered in partnership with Chaucer’s Books (3321 State
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Bids open at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025 for:
MARCUM STREET IMPROVEMENTS FROM SOUTH END TO W CLARK AVE IN THE 4TH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY PROJECT No. 830358
General project work description: Widen Roadway, install parking stalls, and install pedestrian path
The Plans, Specifications, and Bid Book are available at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43874
The Contractor must have either a Class A license or any combination of the following Class C licenses which constitutes a majority of the work: C-8, C-12, C-31
Submit sealed bids to the web address below. Bids will be opened and available at the web address below immediately following the submittal deadline. PlanetBids https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43874
Complete the project work within 30 Workings Days
The estimated cost of the project is $ 454,000
This project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).
A contractor or subcontractor shall not be qualified to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, subject to the requirements of PCC Section 4104, or engage in the performance of any contract for public work, as defined in this chapter, unless currently registered and qualified to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code (LAB) Section 1725.5. It is not a violation of this section for an unregistered contractor to submit a bid that is authorized by Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 7029.1 or by PCC Section 10164 or 20103.5 provided the contractor is registered to perform public work pursuant to LAB Section 1725.5 at the time the contract is awarded. Prevailing wages are required on this Contract. The Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations determines the general prevailing wage rates. Obtain the wage rates at the DIR website https://www.dir.ca.gov/ Inquiries or questions based on alleged patent ambiguity of the plans, specifications, or estimate must be submitted as a bidder inquiry by 2:00 PM on 02/14/2025. Submittals after this date will not be addressed. Questions pertaining to this Project prior to Award of the Contract must be submitted via PlanetBids Q&A tab.
Bidders (Plan Holders of Record) will be notified by electronic mail if addendums are issued. The addendums, if issued, will only be available on the County’s PlanetBids website, https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43874
By order of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara this project was authorized to be advertised on 07/16/2024
Christopher Sneddon Director of Public Works
Published January 30, 2025 Montecito Journal
Street). Soul Bites is owned and run by Stirling and Rose Nix-Bradley
Saturday, February 1, at 1 pm at Soul Bites – Live Poetry Slam hosted by Ademola Oyewole-Davis and Tayllor Oyewole-Davis, featuring up-and-coming Santa Barbara area Black poets.
February 1 through February 28, at Chaucer’s Books – Photo exhibit of noted Black music icons taken by Sally A. Foxen McNeill.
Saturday, February 8, 1 pm at Soul Bites – Community Discussion: “Coffee with a Black Guy” with James Joyce III. Journalist and community leader James Joyce III returns to discuss matters centered around race in America. This edition will focus on the current political climate and what it will mean for people of color.
Sunday, February 15, 1 pm at Soul Bites – Book Talk: Professor Christopher McAuley of UCSB’s Black Studies Department will be in conversation with Professor Gregory Freeland of Cal Lutheran’s Political Science Department about Freeland’s book Music and Black Community in Segregated North Carolina: It’s All Right
Saturday, February 22, 1 pm at Soul Bites – Live Music: BFunkn. The return of in demand Los Angeles-based funk band, playing crowd favorites.
Sunday, February 23, at 3 pm at Chaucer’s Books – Talk by Darrell M. McNeill about his book, The Isley Brothers: 3+3
The McNeills shared in their press release that, “With so much distress over reducing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and pushing people of color, women, LGTBQIA and other groups into the background, Black History Month and Black Culture House are needed more than ever. The political climate is exactly why we’ve been doing this since 2020. Soul Bites has been like family to us. They are an amazing partner and passionate community advocates.”
The Santa Barbara Black Culture House is sponsored by the Black Rock Coalition and made possible by a grant from the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture.
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: All Booked Up, 5659 Stinson Way, 101, Goleta, CA 93117. All Booked Up, 5659 Stinson Way, 101, Goleta, CA 93117. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 16, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000157. Published January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Evoke Design Studio; Evoke Design; Evoke; Evoke Studio, 636 West Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Evoke Interiors, PO Box 1104, Santa Barbara, CA 93102. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 7, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000042. Published January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Santa Barbara Senior Real Estate Planners; SB Home Prep; Santa Barbara Senior Move Manager; Your SB Rentals, 5276 Hollister Avenue, Suite 263, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Rachel A Quittner, 5276 Hollister Avenue, Suite 263, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 18, 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. 2024-0002957. Published January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Dr. Greenthumb’s Orcutt, 1604 E Clark Avenue, Suite 101, Orcutt, CA 93455. Citrus Real Property, LLC, 4675 MacArthur Ct FL 15, Newport Beach, CA 92660. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 3, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000091. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Secret Garden Inn and Cottages, 1908 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. Inn Paradise Inc, 2821 Ben Lomond Drive, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 3, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000029. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Reillie Beauty, 4004 Modoc Rd, B, Santa Barbara, CA, 931101807. Idolina Guinto, PO Box 22736, Santa Barbara, CA, 93121-2736. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 2, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000012. Published January 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 24CV05504. To all
interested parties: Petitioner Marla Witcher filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name of minor from Ruby Grace Gomez Witcher to Ruby Grace Witcher The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed January 8, 2025 by Preston Frye. Hearing date: February 19, 2025 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 24CV07309. To all interested parties: Petitioner Carly Elizabeth Richardson filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to Carly Elizabeth Hughes The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed January 10, 2025 by Preston Frye. Hearing date: February 26, 2025 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025.
In Passing
Patrick Manners Sullivan:
February 27, 1947 – December 11, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patrick Manners Sullivan, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and loyal friend who left us on December 11, 2024, at the age of 77.
Patrick was born in Seattle, WA, to parents Morris and Rose Sullivan. He was the fourth child born in a family of 10 children and grew up in La Canada-Flintridge, California. His youth was spent chasing waves as he was a dedicated surfer spending countless days in the 1960’s exploring the beaches of California, Baja Mexico, and Hawaii, looking for that perfect wave, a passion that continued throughout his life. One of his favorite surf stories described how in 1965 as an 18 year-old, he had lost a screw in his surfboard fin at Hammond’s reef which was pumping overhead and so he needed a quick repair. He went over to the Chevron gas station on Coast Village Road and met a young surfer guy named Bill who immediately sensed the gravity of the situation. Bill put Pat’s longboard up on the car hoist, found the right screw size and sent Pat rushing back to Hammond’s. A few days later, Patrick was hitchhiking down the coast and the same Bill happened along, picked up Patrick and off they went to surf Rincon together. That was the beginning of a friendship that continued for the rest of their lives as they traveled the world together looking for surf. Once you became a friend of Pat’s, he was as dedicated and loyal as they came, and that friendship was for life.
Patrick was a dedicated father of three children, Isra, Dali and Sierra, raising them on the Santa Barbara Mesa on San Rafael Street. Patrick’s life was defined by his love of the ocean, the outdoors, and traveling to new places, a lifestyle that he eagerly shared with his children. He took memorable surf trips with his son Isra to the Channel Islands, Bali and Hawaii. He had cherished memories of sailing the Mediterranean Sea with his daughter Dali and exploring Mexico with his youngest daughter, Sierra. Patrick loved packing up his RV and taking his four granddaughters on road trips across the West visiting his large family along the way. Patrick’s love for life, adventure, family and friends will always be remembered.
Patrick is survived by his two daughters, Dali Sullivan Pyzel of Rocky Point, North Shore, Oahu; Sierra Sullivan Oshita of Wailua, Kauai; four granddaughters: India, Siena, Alia and Atea, and a great-granddaughter, a baby girl named Rocky; two sons-in-law, Jon Pyzel and Isaac Oshita. He is also survived by his eight Sullivan siblings: David, Kathleen, Michael, Kelly, Mary, Tim, Terry and Danny and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Maureen and his beloved son Isra who Patrick said he will be meeting at St. Peter’s Bar and Grill. Patrick never lost his sense of humor or great attitude. He was funny to the end. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him, but his spirit will live on in the waves he surfed, the trails he blazed and the love he shared.
Two celebrations of life will be held to honor Patrick’s memory: Pagosa Springs, Colorado on Saturday, February 1st; Santa Barbara, California on Saturday, March 15th. For more details, please contact a family member or friend.
News Bytes Black Community Happy Hour Jan 30!
by MJ Staff
Join Juneteenth Santa Barbara for a low-key, family friendly happy hour at The Mill (Third Window Brewery/Potek Winery) at 406 E. Haley Street in Santa Barbara on Thursday, January 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
This is a great event for newly arrived townsfolk to come and meet our wonderful Juneteenth community.
Karen Ortiz is the New Director of Development for CADA
CADA announced this week the appointment of its new Director of Development, Karen Ortiz. In her press statement Ortiz writes, “CADA’s commitment to serve, uplift, and empower those around me for the last 75 years creates an excellent fit for me on many levels … Driven by a deep desire to create positive change, I am committed to joining a nonprofit organization in my community that is creating brighter futures. CADA is doing exactly that!”
Ortiz comes with 30-plus years in development, fundraising, community engagement and strategic leadership, and is a third generation Santa Barbara native. 411: www.cadasb.org
Jim Owens Joins SB Cottage Hospital BOD
Jim Owens, Esq. has joined the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Board of Directors. He is a 35-year-plus health care attorney and is a partner with the global law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP. His counsel includes health care clients in California and across the U.S., primarily focusing on representing nonprofit hospitals and health systems in mergers and acquisitions. Owens has expertise in clinical integration, physician contracting, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and joint ventures. He holds a JD from Stetson University College of Law and BA in PoliSci from Emory University. 411: cottagehealth.org
Burglary / 1100 block Dulzura Drive
Thursday, January 16, at 20:54 hours
A burglary occurred at a residence between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm, during which forced entry was made into the home. The suspects stole a safe containing jewelry.
Theft From a car / Eucalyptus Lane
Friday, January 17, at 11:30 hours
Victim called to report an unknown suspect(s) stole her purse from her vehicle. Her front passenger window was rolled down and the purse was taken. The theft was a violation of PC 488, Petty Theft.
Break-in / 700 block Knapp Drive
Friday, January 17, at 21:39 hours
Unknown suspect(s) attempted to break into the victim’s residence while she and her husband were asleep. A broken window was found at the scene. The suspect fled in an unknown model SUV.
Public Intoxication / Westmont College
Saturday January 18 at 0026 hours
Subject was heavily intoxicated & unable to locate their dorm room. Security was contacted and they attempted to assist subject who then attempted to punch the security officer but was unsuccessful. Security was able to hold subject down on the ground until deputies arrived on scene. Subject was ultimately arrested for being in violation of PC 647(f), Public Intoxication.
Patrick in his natural habitat
Whitacre’s The Gift of the Magi. When the producer of the community orchestra realized they wanted to expand the vocal part of the program – which also includes Emilie Mayer’s “Overture No. 2 in D Major” and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony under the baton of conductor Emmanuel Fratianni – Amante suggested the Puccini pieces.
“They’ve been part of my aria repertoire for many years and they’re both fun to act, even though they’re very different,” she said. “And ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ is such a classic for a soprano singer. I am thrilled for the chance to be able to perform them in front of an orchestra.”
Tickets for the concert are $20 for general admission, free for students 18 and under. Visit https://sbchamberplayers.org.
Of Note: Fêting Fruin and Rockin’ Responders
SOhO serves as host of a celebration of life and musical tribute to Gary Fruin, the longtime K-LITE Morning Show co-host who passed away in January. The event, at 1 pm on February 2, is an opportunity for listeners, fans, community members and all those whose lives were brightened by Fruin to remember and celebrate his more than three decades on the air and deep contributions to the community. Musical guests have not yet been announced, but one can imagine a solid set of songs from locals with longtime connections. Visit www.sohosb.com.
One805, the local nonprofit that supports first responders throughout Santa Barbara County with equipment, mental health services and more, is responsible for the annual blowout benefit every autumn now happily ensconced in Kevin Costner’s seaside estate off Padaro Lane. Now, One805 has announced a special concert to raise funds for Direct Relief and both local first responders and those in Los Angeles counties affected by the recent fires. 1980s hitmakers Hootie and The Blowfish are the headliners of Rock for First Responders, with the rest of the lineup loaded with local legends, including Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Toad the Wet Sprocket, with more names expected to be added. A venue hasn’t been officially announced yet for the March 8 concert. But the nonprofit has announced September 25 as the date for One805LIVE! 2025, the fourth benefit festival for SBC first responders. Visit www.One805.org for updates.
Miscellany
(Continued from 8)
Diego Symphony, the Philharmonie Berlin, and is scheduled to play in due course with the Stavanger and Jerusalem symphony orchestras, and Stuttgarter Philharmoniker.
Party at Faherty
Faherty Montecito, the eclectic clothing store on Coast Village Road that opened in December, is accentuating the negative.
It has launched its first photographic exhibition displaying works by local lensman Paul Greene, with 15 of his shots dotted around the shop’s two floors showing keen surfer Greene’s love of the ocean with impressive black and white and color shots.
The show was also coupled with Jenavi wine, made by Jenna Reichental and her husband Avi, who flew in from Telluride, Colorado, for the socially gridlocked bash.
Manager Michael Holden says the store, the 76th Faherty opened across the U.S., is hoping to stage more exhibitions in due course.
“Maybe even monthly,” he said. Among those turning out for the
launch party were Linda Borkowski, Gail Kvistad, Joveth Jorquia, Laurie Kirby, and Michele Higgins.
SB Shining
The Cabrillo Pavilion was socially gridlocked for the second annual Shine on Santa Barbara breakfast supporting Our Lady of Grace Senior High School in Mamponteng, Ghana.
Hosted by Rise & Shine in collaboration with local philanthropists Mary Lynn and Warren Staley, the bash highlighted the transformative power of education and OLAG’s impact on Ghanaian youth.
Guests were welcomed by Regina Neville, Executive Director of Rise & Shine, before a panel discussion “Why It’s Important to Invest in Education in Africa” with panelists including Joanna Bargeron of the Ashesi University
– Carol Moseley-Braun
OLAG Champion, Mary Lynn Staley (photo by Ivette Martinez)
Faherty Manager Michael Holden, Tina Ballue, Duane Henry, and surfer/photographer Paul Greene kneeling (photo by Priscilla)
Avi Reichental, Craig Paul Greene, Mark and Sheela Hunt, with hostess Jenna pouring her Jenavi Cabernet (photo by Priscilla)
Fest Forum’s Laurie Kirby and photographer Paul Greene with hosts Jenna and Avi Reichental (photo by Priscilla)
Foundation, science department chair at Laguna Blanca Zack Moore, Staley, and former Cargill CEO, and OLAG advocate moderator Jeff Dykstra
A special guest was Frederica Aboagye, a recent OLAG alumna, now attending Pitzer College in Claremont on a full scholarship, who introduced Inspiring Change, a documentary that shared the OLAG experience through two current students.
Among the supporters were Roger and Julie Davis, Jack and Gretchen Norqual , Sese and Heather Ntem , Steve and Nicole Hodges, Christopher Toomey , and Kurt and Nancy Ransohoff
Flowers on Board
U.S. Marine Corps veteran and principal consultant with Zensights, Michael Flowers, has joined the advisory council of the Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans Program.
Flowers served in the Marine Corps for 24 years retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He has since held various leadership and management positions within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
Flowers has also served on numerous boards, including the USAA Insurance and Financial Services Advisory Panel, and the American Lung Association of the Southeast.
Play-ing Downhill
Gwyneth Goes Skiing, a musical comedy about the Montecito actress’s infamous Park City, Utah, ski accident and the ensuing courtroom drama, has made its New York debut.
Glee ’s Darren Criss and drag queen Trixie Mattel are straddling the T-bar in the Off-Broadway show, which stars its writers Linus Karp and Joseph Martin as the Oscar-winner and her adversary, retired optometrist Terry Sanderson
The show has already had runs in London and the very scene of the on-slope drama in Park City, Utah (the town’s Egyptian Theatre) before its debut last week at the Soho Playhouse in Manhattan.
When asked about what the impact was of her encounter with Sanderson, the Goop founder uttered the iconic line: “Well, I lost half a day of skiing!”
In 2019 Sanderson sued the actress for $300,000 claiming she’d left him with a brain injury after crashing into him in 2016 in the Deer Valley ski resort.
Paltrow countersued for just $1 in damages, plus legal fees, claiming Sanderson had crashed into her first. She prevailed.
Hopper Over to the Zoo
Charles Hopper is the new president and CEO of the beloved Santa Barbara Zoo.
Hopper served as COO at the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and as senior business operations manager at the Seattle
Aquarium.
He also served in the U.S. Air Force and holds an MBA and BA from Seattle Pacific University.
Hopper succeeds the affable Rich Block, who started his tenure at the 30-acre menageries in 1998. He ends his job at the end of the month.
Remembering the Remarkable Erin
On a poignant personal note, I mark the move to more heavenly pastures of the delightful journalist, author and lecturer Erin Graffy, who succumbed to cancer after a valiant battle at the age of 69.
Historian Erin, who became a good friend after I moved to our rarefied enclave from Hancock Park 17 years ago, wrote for many of our Eden by the Beach’s publications, including latterly her Talk of the Town column for Noozhawk
She also authored How to Santa Barbara and two sequels, and gave frequent lectures at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club on the history of our tony town.
A helluva gal who will be much missed.
Banker & Local Polo Legend Passes
I also mark the passing of banker Ken Walker, one of the founding members of the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, at his Buena Park home at the age of 97.
He took the helm of his family’s Farmers & Merchants Bank in Long Beach in 1979 having started at the age of 11 as an elevator operator.
A former U.S. Navy officer, his two sons, Daniel and Henry, are both Santa Barbara Polo Club patrons, and Henry is currently president.
Ken began playing polo as a teenager in 1953 and would occasionally ferry his family up the coast from Long Beach on his 83 foot boat and ferry them on shore for the matches.
In 1976 Ken, along with the late U.S. ambassador to Jamaica Glen Holden and the late Dr. Norman Ringer, rescued the Carpinteria club from financial disaster by completing a failed condominium development and purchasing parcels of contiguous land for stabling and a tennis club.
By 1979 the Walker family deeded all the land and all improvements back to the club at no benefit to themselves.
An enormous character....
Sightings
Prince Harry at the University Club... Actor Chris Pratt at Pierre Lafond... Author T.C. Boyle at Lucky’s.
Pip! Pip!
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
Michael Flowers joins Dream Foundation’s advisory council (courtesy photo)
Charles Hopper, new president of Santa Barbara Zoo (courtesy photo)
Ken Walker has passed at 97.
Erin Graffy will be forever missed (photo by Joanne A Calitri)
David Jackson and Zack Moore (photo by Ivette Martinez)
Bev Morrow, “Rica” Aboagye, Barry Morrow, and Sese Ntem (photo by Ivette Martinez)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Calendar of Events
by Steven Libowitz
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
String Quartet Segues to Shostakovich & Stravinsky – The Danish String Quartet has made multiple visits to town as part of its ongoing tours of the ambitious Doppelgänger initiative, a multi-year commissioning project that pairs world premieres by four composers with major quartets and quintets by Schubert. Having completed performing all four programs locally last year, the DSQ now returns to the UCSB Arts & Lectures Great Performances series to offer canonical music for string quartet by Shostakovich (“String Quartet No. 3 in F Major, Op. 73”), Mozart (“Divertimento in F Major, K. 138”) and Stravinsky (“Three Pieces for String Quartet”). The fearsome foursome, who celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2024, will also tackle Irish melodies by 18th century Celtic harpist and composer Turlough O’Carolan and Nordic folk music that they have arranged themselves. Praised by Gramophone magazine for “intense blend, extreme dynamic variation (in which they seem glued together), perfect intonation even on harmonics and constant vitality and flow,” the Danish String Quartet will also endeavor to impart some of their wisdom to UCSB music students in a masterclass on campus at 4:30 pm on January 30.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Campbell Hall
COST: $27.50-$67.50
INFO: (805) 893-3535 or https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
ALO’s Tour d’Amour – The annual extravaganza from the jam-pop band usually manages to play SOhO a bit closer to Valentine’s Day, but the 18th edition is working its way north instead. Each year, Tour d’Amour celebrates love while marking the ongoing journey that began in Saratoga in the late ‘80s when Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz (guitar/vocals), Zach Gill (keyboards/vocals) and Steve Adams (bass/ vocals) met in middle school, and later coalesced here at UCSB where Animal Liberation Orchestra played a Del Playa gig. Positivity is a special trait for the band and the tour. This may be in particular evidence at SohO, where the members enjoy roots and long-standing connections, enabling even deeper explorations and camaraderie. Portland indie band Glitterfox opens the show.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
Prescient Pages from Pico – Prolific Santa Barbara author, travel writer and spiritual seeker Pico Iyer couldn’t have known that the Los Angeles wildfires would break out just one week before the publication date of his latest book, Aflame: Learning from Silence. But as those afflicted families grapple with having lost everything and face the prospect of starting over, they might find some solace and companionship in Aflame. The memoir’s catalyst is the 1990 Painted Cave Fire in Santa Barbara that destroyed his mother’s home along with many mementos from his youth, as well as a book he was working on, the writer barely escaping in time. The bulk of the book is about his visits to a Benedictine monastery above Big Sur, where he found a retreat after the fire, and to whose calming environs he has returned 100 times over the decades. Iyer writes about his experiences and the power of silent meditation. Aflame is this winter’s UCSB A&L’s Thematic Learning Initiative book, and free copies will be distributed at a special event at Santa Barbara Wine Collective, where Iyer will also engage in brief conversation – his eloquent moderations of UCSB A&L events are legendary – and sign copies.
WHEN: 6 pm
WHERE: SB Wine Collective, 131 Anacapa St., Ste. C
COST: free
INFO: (805) 893-3535 or https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
New Paintings from Perko – Long time Santa Barbara artist Angela Perko, who has been represented by Sullivan Goss since 2005 and has had seven previous exhibitions at the gallery, has a new solo show opening today. Imagined Landscapes & Other Stories features 17 paintings Perko completed over the last two years, plus a single work from 2017. The landscapes feature familiar iconography, intermingled with compositions more typical of the artist’s recent interest in entangled symbolic narratives that weave together disparate historical and mythological stories. Perko will be on hand for the official opening reception at next week’s 1st Thursday gathering.
WHEN: Today-March 24
WHERE: Sullivan Goss, 11 E. Anapamu St.
COST: free INFO: (805) 730-1460 or www.sullivangoss.com
WHEN: 8 pm
WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street
COST: $35 ($110 VIP package includes pre-show meet & greet and photo opportunity with the band, posters, laminate and early entry)
INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Imani Winds and Boston Brass – Two powerhouse ensembles join forces, creating an all-star collaboration to perform a new piece by yet another powerhouse – the iconic, multi-Grammy-winning musician and composer Arturo Sandoval The woodwind quintet Imani Winds, winner of the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium (and nominated again this year), teams up with Boston Brass – the boisterous horn quintet that blows up boundaries – to debut Sandoval’s “Metales y Maderas,” which premiered last week in Florida. The program, part of UCSB A&L’s Hear & Now series, will also include popular favorites by Stevie Wonder and Leonard Bernstein, along with music by Dmitri Shostakovich, J.S. Bach, Astor Piazzolla and modern masters Paquito D’Rivera and Lalo Schifrin, with pieces performed by the individual bands and several together. WHEN: 4 pm
WHERE: Hahn Hall, Music Academy of the West campus, 1070 Fairway Road COST: $52.50
INFO: 893-3535 or www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Cahill Croons at Church – It was just last September that Celtic Thunder, the all-male vocal quartet known for both its strong singing and dynamic production, performed at the Granada Theatre, the second-largest indoor venue in town. That September performance had been their first in several years – but it was just another Santa Barbara stop for group principal singer Emmet Cahill, the tenor who has performed a pair of solo concerts as part of his “Christmas in Ireland” tours at Trinity Episcopal Church the previous two winters. Cahill didn’t sing in town this December, but he is heading here instead for a midwinter Monday night concert to share his ever-maturing voice and presentation in the smaller hall, with its enviable acoustics and ambience. At Trinity Episcopal he’ll perform traditional Irish songs, beloved church hymns, and more. Accompanied by pianist Seamus Brett, Cahill will also offer Broadway and pop classics.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St.
COST: $45 ($60 VIP tickets include a pre-concert meet and greet with Cahill INFO: https://emmetcahilltours.ticketleap.com
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
It’s Nye Time – The award-winning Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye has spent more than 40 years traveling the country and the world as a self-de-
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 2
Eighth Wonder of the Folk World – It’s close to a modern miracle: Adam Phillips has managed to not only create the adventurous and elegant ensemble known as the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara, but to keep it going and growing for eight solid years since its January 2017 founding The Orchestra comprises a cohort of local musicians some 25 strong, who come together to play music drawn from folk traditions around the world and arranged by Phillips, constantly expanding its horizons. The orchestra’s Winter Concert explores how people around the world reflect on the beauty, community and power of the season, from Chinese folk songs to Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia” to songs by Bob Dylan and many others. The haunting sounds of the nyckelharpa – a traditional Swedish instrument – join with Chinese flutes and penny whistles, augmenting the Folk Orchestra’s signature harps, accordions, assortment of bagpipes and classical strings and winds.
WHEN: 7 pm Friday, 4 pm Saturday, 2 pm Sunday
WHERE: St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos Friday, Live Oak Universalist in Goleta Saturday, Trinity Episcopal Church in Santa Barbara Sunday
COST: $30-$35
INFO: (805) 260-3223 or www.folkorchestrasb.com
scribed “wandering poet.” Born to a Palestinian father and an American mother, Nye has produced an important body of work that touches on many subjects. Now, as the tragic conflict between Gaza and Israel is apparently undergoing a cease-fire perhaps leading to a permanent resolution, Nye comes to UCSB to share her poetry and her thoughts as part of Arts & Lectures ongoing Justice for All series.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Campbell Hall
COST: $20
INFO: (805) 893-3535 or https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Going up to SOhO – Canned Heat – the ‘60s band that blended blues with rock ‘n’ roll way back when – long ago secured their niche in history with their performances at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and a headlining slot at the original Woodstock Festival in 1969. The band enjoyed three worldwide hits with the rock anthems “On the Road Again,” “Going Up The Country,” and “Let’s Work Together,” which feel more timeless than dated if you can find them on classic rock radio. Now just a year away from its 60th anniversary, Canned Heat comes to SOhO with its only surviving original member, drummer Fito de la Parra, still pounding the skins behind a band that continues to favors long solos and lots of improvisation.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street COST: $30 in advance, $35 at the door INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Rickie Lee Reaches Back – Rickie Lee Jones was just 24 years old when her self-titled debut album shot up the charts in 1979; somewhat surprisingly, given the highly sophisticated nature of her jazz-tinged songs, and the smoky-meets-sexy sound of her vocals. “Chuck E.’s in Love” was the big pop single, but the album itself achieved platinum status (at least 1 million copies sold), and Jones received four Grammy nominations, winning Best New Artist. The follow-up, 1981’s Pirates, also won critical and commercial success. It’s been a long and varied ride for Jones over the ensuing decades, and her 2023 album, Pieces of Treasure, reached back through time in a couple of ways – a reunion with legendary producer Russ Titelman, who was behind the board for the first two albums, and the selection of cover songs from the Great American Songbook. Now 70, the one-time Ojai resident returns to a favored venue in town.
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.
COST: $45 & $55
INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org
D’ANGELO BREAD
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805)
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The Clearing House, LLC
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TRESOR
We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation. 1470 East Valley Rd Suite V. 805-969-0888
PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY
Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance Motivation, and Consistency
John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness 805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com
GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? WE CAN HELP
At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session! Call Now (805) 453-6086
AUTOMOBILES WANTED
We buy Classic Cars Running or not. Foreign/Domestic Chevy/Ford/Porsche/Mercedes/Etc. We come to you. Call Steven - 805-699-0684 Website - Avantiauto.group AVAILABLE CAREGIVER
Trusted, Experienced Caregiver, CA State registered and background checked. Vaccinated. Loving and caring provides transportation, medications, etc. Lina 805-940-6888
Montecito Electric Repairs and Inspections Licensed C10485353 805-969-1575
TILE SETTING
Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.
PERSONAL SERVICES
Tell Your Story
How did you get to be where you are today? What were your challenges? What is your Love Story? I can help you tell your story in an unforgettable way – with a book that will live on for many generations. The books I write are as thorough and entertaining as acclaimed biographies you’ve read. I also assist with books you write – planning, editing and publishing. David Wilk Great references. (805) 455-5980 www.BiographyDavidWilk.com
LANDSCAPE
Casa L. M. Landscape hedges installed. Ficus to flowering. Disease resistant. Great privacy. Licensed & insured. Call (805) 963-6909
WATERLILIES and LOTUS since 1992 WATERGARDEN CARE
SBWGC 805 682 5750
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
TUTOR
Need help with your homework? Having trouble in Computer Science, Math (Elementary School to Algebra), or Spanish? I worked as a software consultant for an IBM company in Santa Barbara and am a proud parent of graduates from Laguna Blanca, CATE, and Stanford University. Jesús Álvarez | 805-453-5516 | mytutor29@hotmail.com
$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD
It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)
CARPET CLEANING
Carpet Cleaning Since 1978 (805) 963-5304
Rafael Mendez Cell: 689-8397 or 963-3117
KNIFE SHARPENING SERVICES
EDC Mobile Sharpening is locally owned and operated in Santa Barbara. We specialize in (No-Entry) House Calls, Businesses, and Special Events. Call (805) 696-0525 to schedule an appointment.
PRIVATE FITNESS MONTECITO
In-home/outdoors guided fitness All ages/levels, on your time Pick a trainer, pick a place Book TODAY: www.raresolfit.com Or email: contact@raresolfit.com
PRIVATE CHEF
Private Chef Eliza Restaurant quality meals in the comfort of your home small gatherings & special occasions drop off & meal-prep 805.705.3618 www.chefeliza.com
CHAIR TODAY, CALM TOMORROW
Intro to Chair Yoga Series February 4, 11, 18 & 25 Santa Barbara Yoga Center Tuesdays Noon to 12:45PM Four classes $59 Register https://www.sbyc.com/workshops or Amardeep – (310) 702-6364
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 NEEDED
K-9 PALS need volunteers to be foster parents for our dogs while they are waiting for their forever homes. For more information info@k-9pals.org or 805-570-0415
