Whip Smart by Montecito Journal

HE’S GOT MAIL

MR. GREENJEANS GETS OUT OF THE GARDEN AND IN FRONT OF HIS COMPUTER LONG ENOUGH TO ANSWER CUTTING QUESTIONS, P. 32

DON’T STOP BELIZE-IN’

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MATT MAZZA WENT ON A JOURNEY TO CENTRAL AMERICA; HERE’S HIS SUN-SOAKED TRAVELOGUE, P. 8

SANTA BARBARA

VO L U M E 3 | I S S U E 4 | F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H 8 | 2 0 1 4

every other week from pier to peak

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

WHIP SMART HE’S AN ARCHITECT OF CYBERSPACE FOR THE FUNK ZONE’S SLTWTR AND THE MAN IN CHARGE OF HIS OWN LOWRIDER; ENTREPRENEUR, DEVELOPER AND ALL-AROUND BRAND MASTER BENNY BERMUDEZ MEANS BUSINESS

THE INGENIOUS AUTODIDACT : SANTA BARBARA’S RENAISSANCE MAN byJeremy Harbin

hen he started working for skateboard institution Shorty’s, he taught himself how to sell. To get his Lowrider Cab Co. off the ground, he became his own mechanic. Before he accepted a job as the web developer for SLTWTR Creative Agency, he took it upon himself to learn computer coding. He made hiphop beats for his now-defunct group Stir Crazy. He’s a published author. Although

15 DAYS A WEEK PAGE 10

MAN ABOUT TOWN PAGE 14

he plays it down, he’s an artist who has designed skateboard decks but prefers to paint cats for his friends. Benny Bermudez is Santa Barbara’s self-made Renaissance man. To see the work he’s caught up in these days, you need a computer. He builds websites for the Funk Zone’s SLTWTR (pronounced saltwater), where he’s being ...continued p.5

PRESIDIOSPORTS.COM PAGE 16

TIME & TIDE PAGE 27

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M ®

CHICKEN BURGERS

Fresh Tasty Aﬀordable

VEGETARIAN PASTA SALADS SANDWICHES FISH FRESH JUICEBAR

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH AND DINNER SIGN UP FOR OUR E-CLUB TheNaturalCafe.com

Santa Barbara (Downtown)

Santa Barbara (Midtown)

Goleta (Oldtown)

508 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-962-9494

361 Hitchcock Way Santa Barbara, CA 93105 805-563-1163

5892 Hollister Ave Goleta, CA 93117 805-692-2363

SHAKES & SMOOTHIES BEER & WINE KIDS MENU

Feeling nickeled and dimed by your bank? At American Riviera Bank we don’t have teaser rates or secret charges. We waive

ATM surcharges so you can use any bank’s ATM wherever you might be. Our

customers say we are the “Cheers” of the banking world because we know you by name.

We have experienced bankers who will help you whether you need

a checking account or a line of credit. We know that there are plenty of banks to choose from, but if you choose us we know you’ll be glad you did! Come visit us

in downtown Santa Barbara or at our new office in the upper village of Montecito.

Feel good about your bank Downtown office: 1033 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara | PH: (805) 965-5942 | FX: (805) 965-8523 Montecito office: 525 San Ysidro Road, Montecito | PH: (805) 335-8110 | FX: (805) 565-8542 Amer ic anRivier aBank.com

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

q u a l i t y. va r i e t y. c o n s i s t e n c y.

Just Sold! Radius represented the buyer of an 850 SF retail space at 30 W. Figueroa St., listed at $625,000 (above).

Just Sold! In January, Steve, Austin and Chris completed the sale of 229 W. Pueblo St., a medical/office building near Cottage Hospital listed for $1,275,000.

Recently Leased! The team helped another client lease 26,323 SF of prime industrial space located in Carpinteria (not pictured).

What do these deals have in common? Only the market’s most experienced brokers who consistently represent a broad spectrum of quality sale and lease property, as well as the area’s most successful investors, landlords and business owners. Let the Radius Team meet your diverse commercial needs in 2014. Steve Brown

Austin Herlihy

Chris Parker

� 805.879.9607

� 805.879.9633

� 805.879.9642

BRE: 00461986

BRE: 01518112

BRE: 01887788

2 0 5 E . C a r r i l l o s t. s u i t E 1 0 0 | s a n ta B a r B a r a C a 9 3 1 0 1 | 8 0 5 .9 6 5 . 5 5 0 0 | r a d i u s g r o u p.C o m

• Guaranteed 14-Day Closing on All Purchases • Appraisal Credits up to $500 on All Purchases • Full Underwriting Pre-Approval

Adam Black VP, Senior Loan Officer 805.308.8888

ablack@bankofmanhattan.com

Bromi Krock

Senior Loan Officer 805.308.8887

bkrock@bankofmanhattan.com

• Banker/Direct Lender/Broker Model • Competitive Rates and Turn Times • Able to Lend in All 50 States

Arick Fuller

Patrice Serrani

afuller@bankofmanhattan.com

pserrani@bankofmanhattan.com

Senior Loan Officer 805.308.8886

Senior Loan Officer 805.637-5112

Cannot be combined with any other specials. Terms subject to change and loan approval. Normal credit standards and restrictions apply to conventional loans. This guarantee excludes FHA, VA, Rural Development Housing, refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, new construction, interim construction loans or other temporary financing, loans brokered to us or loans we broker to another lender, and any other transaction that does not have a written contract between a buyer and seller for the purchase of residential real estate consisting of a one-to-four family unit dwelling. You must make payment of all Advance Fees and appraisal fees listed in the Good Faith Estimate within 2 days from the day we receive the signed “Intent to Proceed Notice”. You must lock your loan and complete and satisfy all loan requirements and conditions within 10 business days of the scheduled closing date and your loan must close and fund with Bank of Manhattan, N.A. This guarantee is not a mortgage loan approval or a commitment to lend and is subject to your satisfaction of all underwriting guidelines and loan conditions and providing an acceptable property, appraisal, and title report. Closing cost credit up to $1000 can only be applied to actual closing costs charged to the borrower. Your loan must close and fund with Bank of Manhattan, N.A. Short sales, bank owned properties, foreclosed properties, properties with repairs required, properties in probate, or properties with title issues are excluded from this Guarantee. In New York State, the closing date will be the date mutually agreed upon by the attorneys if no date is initially specified in the purchase contract. NMLS #40122 ©2014 Bank of Manhattan, N.A.

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

Content COVER

P.8

azza’s Missive – EIC Matt and his family take off (again) after coffee with a friend at M Jeannine’s turns into a whirlwind trip to Belize. Guess if they have any fun in the villa or in the jungle or on the private island. (Spoiler alert: The Mazzas seems to enjoy whatever they do, and this one was something special.)

P.9

T he Beer Guy – Zach Rosen instructs beer drinkers on how best to get around town – and much of southern California – without actually getting behind the wheel. (Love it, Zach, there’s no reason to drive drunk around these parts. Thanks.)

Letters to the Editor – Wastewater treatment (can we turn it into drinking water?), bikers vs. cyclists (a clash of the titans) and EIC Matt gets called out (finally).

15 Days a Week – Jeremy Harbin really yucks it up this week in his comedy calendar. Great.

Santa Barbara View – Infrastructure funding 101 by Sharon Byrne (or PCI and HVAC made sexy by Sharon Byrne, take your pick); Loretta Redd talks electoral process and politics.

P.14

Man About Town – Mark Léisuré sits down with his favorite actress of all-time and personal secret crush, Sally Struthers, to discuss her role in Hello, Dolly!, which is coming soon to the Granada. He talks movies, music, magic(?) and more, too.

P.16

Presidio Sports – San Marcos High’s rooting section, The Pride, is sort of like the Sixth Man in the Thunderhut (get after it, Lions); Bill Oliphant is namesake for SBJH baseball diamond; Juliana Logan is Scholar-Athlete of the Year; SB locals hang up their cleats and retire from The Show. (Thanks, Presidio, enjoyed it.)

P.17 P.23 BEST CLAM CHOWDER! P.24

& BEST OVERALL!

(2012 PEOPLE’S CHOICE, too!) Come in today and taste Santa Barbara’s Best!

In the Zone – Jeremy Harbin talks skateboards, taxi cabs, branding and web design with Santa Barbara’s self-made autodidact Renaissance man, the one and only Benny Bermudez. (Love that lowrider, Benny, right on.)

It’s Crimetime – Biking under the influence and aggressive homeless people. Quotes about drinking. Et cetera.

P.12

2013

P.6 P.7

P.10

WE WON!

Pump It – Jenny Schatzle brings more motivation, nutrition and sadistic fitnesscrazed lunacy. Food File – Christina Enoch goes to Tahiti and dreams of Santos Guzman and Taqueria El Bajio. (Wait, what? This is a food column, right?)

P.29

Mad Science – Rachelle Oldmixon talks DNA analysis, innate health risks and Ashkenazi Latkes. (Wait, what!? This is not a food column, is it? EIC Matt, what the hell is going here?) Keepin’ It Reel – James Luksic is all jacked up about the Oscars. (We know, shocker.) See his preferences and predictions for the major categories right here. Come on, Hobbit!

P.30 P.31 P.32

Plan B – Love reigns supreme as Briana Westmacott’s sister marries her longtime partner in a surprise Northern California ceremony that forces reflection on how damned silly the ban on gay marriage made us all seem, even if that wasn’t the intention. (Congratulations, Karrin and Marisa, see you at the next Reggae on the River.)

American Girl – Tommie Vaughn chooses the Spa at The Biltmore over Botox and Bangs to address the lines on her face. You should, too. In the Garden with Mr. Greenjeans – Randy Arnowitz responds to gardeningrelated fan mail. We don’t know what a Lily on the Nile is, but we’re damn sure able to renovate it. Thanks Randy.

P.33 P.34

Santa Barbara Skinny – Food trucks, bronze frogs and women’s health. Curl up with your favorite hot tea and teddy bear and dive on in.

S T E A K • S E A F O O D • C O C K TA I L S

Lunch • Dinner • Private Parties • Free Valet Parking Happy Hour Weekdays 3 to 6:30 • Live Music Wed–Sat 6 to 9 113 Harbor Way • (805) 564-1200 • chuckswaterfrontgrill.com

P.37 P.38

Stylin’ & Profilin’ – Megan Waldrep recommits to running after the Oiselle fashion show at Santa Barbara Running Company. (Like you said, Megan, whatever gets you out there. Welcome back.)

Girl About Town – Julie Bifano likes books and laughing, so Stephen Tobolowsky’s intimate spoken word show at Granada Books was right up her alley. Calcag-Knows Real Estate – How does the drought affect the local real estate market? How fast are properties selling? Calcagno knows real estate, so listen up.

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

INtheZONE

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

with JEREMY HARBIN photos by LILY BUCKLEY

...continued from COVER

made partner. Or maybe you just need a ride. For Lowrider, the transportation company he owns, he rebuilt classic cars and put them on the road as taxis. Here’s how he got himself – with a love for Santa Barbara, an eye for design and at least one nude photo-shoot – to where he is now.

County Boy

Born in Ventura, Benny lived in Carpinteria from seven to 15. From the time he moved away with his family, he started trying to make it back. In fact, on one trip down from Livermore, near the Bay Area, to visit friends, he was so set on staying that he tried to enroll himself in high school here. It was only after his mother’s pleading that he got on a return flight. After he graduated from a Livermore high school, he found work in a skate shop. The dream to be a Santa Barbaran was almost out of his mind when he visited one last time. That’s when he realized his love for this place was greater than the one keeping him in Livermore. He broke up with his girlfriend and moved. He was working at Shorty’s by the next week.

Benny found a message waiting for him on his friend’s answering machine – the landline he put down on his résumé – the day he moved. It was from the Shorty’s general manager inviting him to come interview. The company was already a big name in skateboarding and would soon be even bigger. Benny accepted a job in sales. As a salesman and then a manager, Benny spent more than 11 years at Shorty’s. Around 2008, he was ready to move on. Before he left, though, he began to develop some of the skills he uses now with SLTWTR. He managed Ghetto Child, a brand of wheels in the Shorty’s portfolio. Because Ghetto Child was so low on the list of priorities for a small staff of graphic designers, Benny needed to make his own ads. To do so, he taught himself Photoshop. Now that he was proficient with the technology, he enlisted some photographer and skateboarding friends for Skate! The Mongo’s Guide to Skateboarding, the 128-page paperback he authored and designed. At one point, Benny says, the instructional tome was Amazon’s No. 2

Web developer and entrepreneur Benny Bermudez relaxes with his dog Paco in SLTWTR’s Funk Zone office space.

best-selling skateboarding book. When Benny did leave Shorty’s, it was for J7 Surfboards – another Funk Zone stalwart – where he applied what he learned about branding over the past decade to help grow the custom surfboard company. Here, he continued to learn computers, using the J7 website as a place to experiment with web design. After gleaning more knowledge from a software engineer roommate, Benny began building sites for free. After a while, when he thought he was ready, he started charging for his work. Beginning as a freelancer for SLTWTR, it wouldn’t be

long until he left J7 to commit to a fulltime gig at the agency. His own Lowrider would soon be in full swing, too.

The Lowdown

Lowrider Cab Co., now Lowrider Cab & Transportation, began before Benny moved to J7, while he still had about another year at Shorty’s. He says that though he always liked lowriders, he was more into the idea of branding something than starting a taxi company. He originally wanted to start a sneaker business. After

COMMIT TO A HEALTHY NEW HABIT THIS YEAR 75% Off Enrollment Fee! Offer Extended Through February.

SANTA BARBARA ATHLETIC CLUB 805-966-6147 520 CASTILLO STREET *Some restrictions apply. Expires February 28th.

www.swellclubs.com

...continued p.26

�� ...with the SBPD �� A variety of crimes are committed every day in Santa Barbara; most of these crimes are petty but they do offer �� a window into if not the soul of the perpetrator, at least his�� or her thought process. Our following (and totally ��

W W W. S A N TA�� B A R�� B A R A�� SENT I N�� EL .CO M ��

| F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

It'sCrimetime...

SufferPain? from Knee Suffer from ��

• Be part of our important knee pain study. • Have you been diagnosed with�� osteoarthritis of the knee? �� • Are you 45 to 80 years of age? �� • Be part of our cartilage regeneration knee study. Then you may be eligible for a clinical trial to investigate • Have youabeen diagnosed with homeopathic option for knee pain. ��

osteoarthritis of both knees? �� • Are you 25 to 75 years of of: age? �� Office

Richard Barthel, M.D. �� 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite F Then you may be�� eligible for a clinical trial Montecito, CA 93108 to investigate(805) the �� efficacy 969-2560of a cartilage �� regeneration study of both knees. ��

�� Office of: ��

Richard Barthel, M.D.

1206 �� Coast Village Circle, Suite �� Montecito, CA 93108 (805) 455-3819

Advertising/Sales Tanis Nelson 805.689.0304 • tanis@santabarbarasentinel.com Sue Brooks 805.455.9116 • sue@santabarbarasentinel.com Judson Bardwell 619.379.1506 • judson@santabarbarasentinel.com Published by SB Sentinel, LLC PRINTED BY NPCP INC., SANTA BARBARA, CA Santa Barbara Sentinel is compiled every other Friday 133 EAST DE LA GUERRA STREET, #182, Santa Barbara 93101 How to reach us: 805.845.1673 • E-MAIL: matt@santabarbarasentinel.com

�

Move over Drunken Drivers, We’re Going After Those Pesky Inebriated Bikers

��

27-year-old transient crashed his bike into a parked car on upper State Street. �� (We know. Wow.) According to SBPD, he was “too intoxicated to stand on his �� own, let alone ride a bike.” He had booze in his basket and readily admitted to �� using hard liquor to wash down a few Vicodins earlier in the day. He was detained for �� public drunkenness driving his bike�� under�� the influence. boozers, it’s possible. �� (Yes, �� and �� Just take a damned cab already.) �� The good news is that we doubt this guy felt�� any �� pain from the�� bike v. parked car �� head-on in light of the rather high self-prescribed dosage of booze and pills. The bad �� news that his�� bike is �� probably we doubt the $28 officers found in his �� is�� impounded, �� and pocket are going to cover it. �� World �� Is�� The Unfair�� a�� A 58-year-old homeless man was repeatedly asked to leave popular State Street �� watering hole after he refused to stop harassing�� patrons.�� Rather�� than simply �� walking out �� and moving on, however, the man socked the �� bartender in the face prior to going on his �� bartender, �� didn’t �� press merry way. The amazingly, charges. (We’re not sure if that was a �� good decision or not, frankly, but whatever.) The man was nevertheless caught a block away and detained for public intoxication. Wait a second… that’s it? The last guy just crashed his bike into an unoccupied parked car and he caught a public intoxication charge and a DUI. This guy socks somebody in the face and the best we can do is public intoxication? Is drunken biking more important to deter than physically attacking people without warning? What gives?

Publisher • Tim Buckley | Editor-in-Chief • Matt Mazza Design/Production • Trent Watanabe Contributing Partners Opinion • sbview.com | Sports • Presidiosports.com Santa Barbara Skinny • SantaBarbaraSkinny.com Columnists Shop Girl • Kateri Wozny | You Have Your Hands Full • Mara Peters Plan B • Briana Westmacott | Food File • Christina Enoch Journal Jim • James Buckley | Real Estate • Michael Calcagno Commercial Corner • Austin Herlihy | The Weekly Capitalist • Jeff Harding Man About Town • Mark Leisure | In The Garden • Randy Arnowitz The Beer Guy • Zach Rosen | Elevator Pitch • Grant Lepper Girl About Town • Julie Bifano | In The Zone • Jeremy Harbin Mad Science • Rachelle Oldmixon | Keepin’ It Reel • James Luksic Pump It • Jenny Schatzle | Stylin’ & Profilin’ • Megan Waldrep State Street Scribe • Jeff Wing | American Girl • Tommie Vaughn Photographer • Wendi Mazza • Corey Sanders

��

unsolicited) thoughts, observations and comments are put forth for your consideration.

Knee Pain? A ��

��

CRIMETIME QUOTES OF THE BI-WEEK “A lot.”

-A highly intoxicated 39-year-old local woman, who had urinated on herself and whose jeans were down far enough to partially expose her “buttocks” to officers, in response to SBPD’s question about how much she’d had to drink. (No. Really?)

“Not enough.”

-A 46-year-old transient man in response to question about how much he’d drank after officers found him passed out in some bushes behind a Mesa business. Ironically, the same exact phrase was uttered by a 48-year-old transient man three days later after SBPD found him with a half-consumed Steel Reserve 211 40-ouncer down by the train tracks. What a coincidence.

“I drink all day, f*%$ers.”

- A defiant 53-year-old homeless man to officers after they stopped him for openly drinking a 24oz. can of Hurricane Malt Liquor – another quality product from AnheuserBusch – on a busy Westside street just before he was arrested for resisting and, well, drinking all day..

STEVENS & ASSOCIATES INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE Quality Coverage • Personal Service • Quality Staff

805-683-3636 or 1-888-467-4811 5266 Hollister Ave. Ste. B-214

www.sbhealthins.com

Santa Barbara, Ca. 93111 Ca. Lic. #0773817

��

� � � � �

� � � �

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

Letters

Although you might not believe it, we actually want to hear from you. So if you have something you think we should know about or you see something we've said that you think is cretinous (or perspicacious, to be fair), then let us know. There's no limit on words or subject matter, so go ahead and let it rip to: Santa Barbara Sentinel, Letters to the Editor, 133 East De La Guerra Street, No. 182, Santa Barbara, California 93101. You can also leap into the 21st century and email us at letters@santabarbarasentinel.com.

Flush-to-Tap?

att, last edition’s article offering a narrative tour of El Estero, the city’s waste treatment facility, was a nice primer but certainly stopped short of offering any needed discussion on what the future of our wastewater management process should look like. (Drought Schmout, Vol. 3, Issue 3.) Lost in the colorful language was an opportunity to start to nudge our thinking away from the historical water intensive method by which we manage human waste. The facility essentially manages a river of water containing our waste. By far, in terms of volume, the greatest percentage of incoming product is water. Water we flush or send down our drains – home, business or industrial – 8 million gallons daily. We then send almost every bit of that wastewater, water that started out as drinking water, into the ocean in the final stage of the process. Regardless of drought issues, this is both an incredibly poor use of drinking water and an equally inefficient end result, discharging wastewater into the ocean. Technology exists today (or certainly will by the time we save the dollars for improvements) to effectively and safely re-use all of the wastewater stream we now send into the ocean. If flush-to-tap is just not something you can stomach regardless of water quality, simply being able to re-use all of it for landscaping, irrigation or groundwater replenishment purposes would provide huge benefits to our water consumption and use cycles. While we enjoy one of the region’s most advanced treatment facilities, the city’s ability to provide for re-use is currently limited in the quality of the water it produces, its capacity to do so, and the ability to deliver it to users. Those limitations should be guiding our discussion and strategy points in connection with our long-term plan for (1) processing this wastewater to improved or eventual drinking water standards, (2) re-using all of it and realizing zero discharge into the ocean, and (3) developing methods to distribute it to uses on land. Mike Jordan Board Member, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Planning Commissioner, City of Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Terrific letter, Mike, it’s great to hear from you again. This is obviously a timely and important topic, one that we’ve touched on in this very column previously (remember Dr. Edo McGowan’s antibiotic resistant superbugs?). I suppose that the question I have is pretty straightforward: What, if anything, are our city leaders doing

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

Over $1 Billion in Sales!

to plan for the acquisition of the necessary technology, and how might Dr. McGowan’s health and medical concerns be addressed as part of the governmental and bureaucratic process going forward? Anybody? – MSM)

Yes, Shields, a Dangerous Obsession

Wow, Mazza, “Dangerous obsession?” Moi!? Firstly, to clear things up for you, my name is Shields Templar not the other way. Yes, it’s an unusual first name, and yes, it’s a family name, but it was spelled out that way at the bottom of my e-mail. Now that that is cleared up, secondly, I’m a “senior,” though to quote Michael Douglas’ character in Last Vegas, “My brain can’t accept the fact that my body is the age it is,” so I’m not about to start a fight with some cyclist younger and in far better shape than me (or start a fight, period); neither do I go around worrying how others operate a car or bike, aside from the occasional utterance at those who do make me slam on the brakes because of the error of their ways. I was just commenting on the lack of civility and observance of the law regarding a lot of (not all) bicyclists. I too, am a cyclist – sort of – I have a Terra Tryke recumbent (I have a bad back and need the support. Maybe that disqualifies me.) I ride only on bike paths, and normally don’t have to contend with any traffic lights or wayward pedestrians – though usually they are cooperative when encountered. And as far as who among us hasn’t broken a traffic law on a bike, what a copout! I’d be willing to venture a guess that on any given day if it were possible to somehow record and compare cyclists and drivers running lights/stop signs, dodging pedestrians and the like, cyclists would far outnumber drivers. Why? Because they are on bikes! Bikes are smaller than cars and faster in these particular circumstances; oh, up ahead a stop light, let’s just swing on up to the sidewalk and by-pass it. Could a car and driver do that? If they did they’d be on the nightly news, given all the cell-phone cameras readily available. We see it occasionally. Read the by-laws, Mazza. (Oops… sorry, Matt’s your name, right?) A bike rider has to (supposedly) obey the same rules as a car driver. If bikes/ riders were licensed like drivers and were photographed/filmed breaking the laws and were fined or cited, like drivers are in similar circumstances, cyclists would be less likely to disregard those laws. ...continued p.18

Dan Encell is one of the few real estate agents in the world who has successfully closed over a billion dollars in residential sales. This tremendous achievement is a result of 24 years of creative marketing, extensive advertising, nationwide networking, unique deal making and problem solving abilities, and consistent hard work.

Advice you can rely on... Results you can count on! Put Dan’s 24 years of experience and success to work for you Call Dan Encell at 565-4896

Remember, it costs no more to work with the best (but it can cost you plenty if you don’t!)

Daniel Encell Director, Estate Division Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Call: (805) 565-4896 DanEncell@aol.com Visit: www.DanEncell.com

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

MAZZA’S MISSIVE by Matt Mazza

“THE THINGS THAT PASS FOR KNOWLEDGE I CAN’T UNDERSTAND” - STEELY DAN

The villa at Wild Orchid by day. (See the kids smiling? See me calmly reading my novel in the tropical heat? Thanks, Betsy.)

Feliz in Belize

Mark Warren, Teacher, Isla Vista School Guitar: Nash “TC63 Custom”

“I

Guitar: Taylor BTO Custom “Polarizer” Kelly Brown, Proprietor, Natural Cafe

GUITARS. AMPLIFIERS. ACCESSORIES. LESSONS. REPAIRS. AWESOME.

137 ANACAPA STREET SUITE A • 805/770-7242 • SBGUITARBAR.COM

can’t believe we’re already late,” I hurried past Wendi, who was sprawled out on a deceivingly comfortable and brightly colored wooden lounge chair set deep in the white sand, semi-conscious, and yelled down to Lily and Kate at the edge of the Caribbean Sea. “What?” Wendi yawned, then partially came to. “We can’t be late. Lunch isn’t until 1. What time is it?” “I have no idea.” I was indiscriminately jamming the trimmings and the trappings of a Central American beach day into a wellused shoulder bag we’d bought years ago on a sunny Croatian island. “I can’t find a clock anywhere, and I left my watch and cell phone back at the house. That bartender over there just told me it’s 1-frickin-30.” Wendi leapt to her feet. “1-frickin-30?!” She sprinted down to get the kids out of the water. We had few obligations on our little adventure, but lunch with Martin Krediet, general manager of the Turtle Inn (a frankly gorgeous Francis Ford Coppola-owned resort), and Wolf Worster, an international villa broker from Vancouver, was one of them. A rather important one of them, in fact. Just as we’d finished hurriedly drying the kids’ salty, sandy hair into rat-nest beehives and getting them out of their The villa at Wild Orchid by night. (See the kids sleeping soundly? See me laying in bed, relaxing happily? No? Well, we were. Thanks, Betsy.)

bikinis and into their cover-ups, a second bartender strolled up leisurely and asked, “What’s the hurry? Don’t want another rum punch, mon?” (I’m never going to be able to get this accent right on the page; think Damon Ivory Wayans as the Jamaican guy – wait, was he a Jamaican guy? – with tons of jobs on In Living Color a couple of decades ago and you’ll have it. I digress.) “Sorry, we’re late for a lunch up the way, it started at 1.” “It’s not 1,’ he smiled wide. “It’s 11:30.” “11:30? But that guy behind the bar told me it’s 1:30.” “Hey, Big John!” he yelled to the first bartender. “What time is it, mon?” “It’s noon,” Big John called back. “Maybe 12:30.” The beach bartender looked at Wendi and me. “See, mon? Time is relative down here.” Relative? I thought. Relative to what? I thought it better not to ask. “So, you’re saying it’s somewhere between 11:30 and 1. Roughly.” “Yeah mon. Right in there somewhere.” “Perfect.” I dropped everything I was carrying, including Kate. “Two rum punches then.” “That’s more like it, mon. Welcome to Belize.” Indeed. ...continued p.20

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

by Zach Rosen

Drinking and Not Driving In Santa Barbara Don’t drink and drive – drink and don’t drive. Let Darin Fiechter and Seo Martinez take you home in the Brew Bus.

www.figmtnbrew.com Visit our main production facility and taproom at: 45 Industrial Way Buellton, CA 93427 • (805) 694-2252

Or if you’re in Santa Barbara, visit our new tasting room in the Funk Zone at: 137 Anacapa St., Suite F, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 • (805) 694-2255

S UP, AS THE WEATHER HEAT E COME GRAB A COLD ON N! AT FIGUEROA MOUNTAI

he terrible tragedy of Mallory Rae Dies, a vibrant 27-year-old who was recently hit and killed by a drunk driver, is just one of many examples of the importance of safe drinking practices. Because of my career choice, I do not drive. This means that I get to most places by foot or public transportation. While this may not be as convenient as having a vehicle, it means that I never risk getting behind a wheel after I’ve been drinking. Respectfully, you shouldn’t either. Santa Barbara is a small city and with a little planning and forethought, it is easy to hop around the different beer-centric establishments in the area sans coche. And it doesn’t always have to be by taxi cab.

Getting around SB

It’s true, our public transportation system is not as extensive as some other cities, but for Santa Barbara and its size, the SB Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) is pretty darn good. The SB MTD Transit Center is centrally located downtown and can easily get you to – and from – many Santa Barbara areas. The 6 and 11 lines are some of the most popular and will take you along State Street into Goleta, where you can pop off and visit the beer-rich Mercury Lounge, or ride it to the end and visit Hollister Brewing Company in the Camino Real Marketplace. The 20 and 21x will take you to downtown Carpinteria, where it is only a few blocks to Island Brewing Co. This brewery has an idyllic beachside location that is conveniently located next to the Carpinteria Amtrak station. The transit center is near the corner of Carrillo and Chapala, and from there it is only a quick walk or short ride on the Seaside Shuttle to get to Santa Barbara Brewing Co, located on the corner of Haley and State. Head north – on foot, of course – up Haley and in about

SERVING FOOD BY THE LUCKY PENNY Zach Rosen is a Certified Cicerone® and beer educator living in Santa Barbara. He uses his background in chemical engineering and the arts to seek out abstract expressions of beer and discover how beer pairs with life.

10 minutes, you will reach Telegraph Brewing Company at 416 North Salspiuedes Street. Soon you will be able to visit Pure Order Brewing Company, located at 410 North Quarantina Street, just one block away from there. If instead you continue down State from the corner of Haley, you will head under the freeway and reach the intersection of Yanonali and State, marked by the beercentric sports bar, Union Ale. The Amtrak station lies to your right and the beginning of the Urban Wine Trail is on your left. Just a block or two down Yanonali, you will find such Funk Zone hot spots as Figueroa Mountain Tasting Room, Seven Bar & Kitchen and The Lark. Walk through the Amtrak station to get to Montecito Street and you will be only half a block away from The Brewhouse, with the popular local dive The Neighborhood next door. Whew. I’m exhausted already. But in a good way.

Getting out of Town

Amtrak is perfect for heading farther afield. The Pacific Surfliner runs between San Luis Obispo and beer mecca, San Diego, 12 times a day, ...continued p.15

Weekly Happenings in Santa Barbara: 2/21 FRI: *SAD ROBOT (5-8PM) 2/22 SAT: *ST. ANNES PLACE (5-8PM)/ PILOT BEER NIGHT!! (6-CLOSE) 2/23SUN: *THE WAYWARD ONES (3-6PM) 2/24 MON: $4 PINTS FOR 4 HOURS FROM 4-8PM/ MOVIE NIGHT 7-9PM 2/25 TUES: GAME NIGHT/ QUIZ NIGHT NEXT WEEK! 2/26 WED: BENEFIT TAPHANDLE DAY: SANTA BARBARA CHANNELKEEPER 2/27 THURS: STUDENT ID - $1 OFF PINTS 2/28 FRI: *ALASTAIR GREENE (5-8PM) 3/1 SAT: *THE CAVERNS (5-8PM) 3/2 SUN: *STIFF PICKLE (3-6PM) 3/3 MON: $4 PINTS FOR 4 HOURS FROM 4-8PM/ MOVIE NIGHT 7-9PM 3/4 TUES: GAME NIGHT AND QUIZ NIGHT 7PM 3/5 WED: BENEFIT TAPHANDLE DAY: SANTA BARBARA CHANNELKEEPER 3/6 THURS: STUDENT ID - $1 OFF PINTS 3/7 FRI: *JUST DAVE BAND (5-8PM) *(LIVE MUSIC)

FACEBOOK.COM/FMBSB

www.figmtnbrew.com expires 4/7/14

coupon cannot be combined with any other offer coupon can be redeemed at any Figueroa Mountain Brewery Taproom

10 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

15•Days• a•Week We Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Love, Babe…

by Jeremy Harbin

Want to be a part of Fifteen Days A Week?

Space is limited, but if you have an event, exhibit, performance, book signing, sale, opening, trunk show or anything else interesting or creative that readers can attend, let us know at 805-845-1673 or email us at tim@santabarbarasentinel.com. We’ll consider all suggestions, but we will give extra consideration to unusual events and/or items, especially those accompanied by a good visual, particularly those that have yet to be published.

Saturday

Tuesday

Tonight and Tomorrow

On Mountains

February 25

February 22

We’re kicking this fortnight off with a 24-hour event featuring 24 DJs spinning (some iPodding or laptopping?) dance music. It’s surely someone’s personal hell (not saying it’s mine), but I’m not even going to point that out since this event is for charity. In all seriousness, folks (see, I was totaling jay-kaying about not being into DJs), AMP24 is a daylong dance party that will benefit The Arts Mentorship Program and Santa Barbara Dance Arts. It goes down at Playback Recording Studio (400 East Gutierrez Street) starting tonight at 8pm and ending at the same time tomorrow. Go ahead and point your little web browser straight to amp24.nightout.com for tickets and more information.

Sunday

The Best of the 38th Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival kicks off its two-day proceedings today at the Arlington Theatre (1317 State Street) at 7:30pm. Each day features a program of short films that take as their subjects something to do with – what else – mountains. If you like stories about paragliding skiers, wing-suited madmen or bikers in the Alps, this one’s for you. Get your $15 tickets (per day) at www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Wednesday February 26

Pop Up Opera, AKA Popera

February 23 Cheerio

I might fall asleep every time I try to watch Downton Abbey, but hey, that doesn’t mean I don’t get why you people love it so much. Obviously, it has all the touchstones of a captivating drama: tea, elaborate nightly dinners, poor people helping rich people get dressed. The list goes on. Tonight, gather together with your fellow Abbey fans at the Central Library (40 East Anapamu Street), won’t you? A screening of the final episode of season four will be preceded by a lecture from Westmont’s Alister Chapman at 2pm. This event is free.

Monday February 24

What’s Working

Retail outlets, restaurants and now opera?! What can’t pop up? This one-time-only event is being billed as “a night of opera, art and indulgence.” The art part comes in at The Arts Fund Gallery (205 Santa Barbara Street), where at 6pm there will be hors d’oeuvres and artist talks. The opera happens later at The Santa Barbara Art Foundry just down the street. Opera Santa Barbara will present Falstaff: Frill and Folly. The indulgence part refers to the three-course wine and food pairing. Get your $100 ticket by calling the foundry at 805.324.4230.

Thursday February 27 Wine Time

An event in Los Olivos? Why the heck not? It’s in the county, so it counts. Hosted by Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café (2879 Grand Avenue), it’s called the Under the Influence Dinner, and it features four winemakers. They’ll tell stories about their wines and discuss their influences (hence the title of the event); drink responsibly, folks. And eat responsibly, too: Chef Joslyn’s fivecourse menu sounds downright dangerous. It starts at 6pm. Make your $89 reservation by calling 805.688.7265 ext. 203 or emailing info@buysantabarbarawine.com.

Friday

In UCSB’s Campbell Hall tonight, speakers will address homelessness at an event called the Homelessness Action Summit: The Latest on What Works. Philip Mangano is the CEO of American Round Table on Homelessness and Becky Kanis is the director of the 100,000 Homes Campaign. They’ll talk about what’s working in California and the nation. It’s free to attend. It starts at 7:30pm. Go to homelessnessactionsummit.eventbrite.com to register.

February 28

My Brain is Melting

1431 San Andres Street

Apparently, the polar ice is melting. Can you believe that? With how cold it’s been lately? The world is a crazy place, everybody, and I don’t pretend to understand it. I only pretend to have interest in lectures like this one (sometimes I actually am interested. Am I this time? You’ll never know!). It’s presented by SBCC’s Center for Lifelong Learning, and it’s called The Melting Polar Ice: Remembering our Broken Bonds with Nature. The Ph.D. who will speak is named Robert Romanyshyn. Get a load of this nugget from the press release: “The landscape of stillness and deep silence in the outer world is also a matter of the feeling heart that becomes responsive to the spiritual depths of nature.” LOL lik wut??? Sounds trippy. It all goes down from 7 to 9 tonight in SBCC’s Tannahill Auditorium (310 West Padre Street). It costs $5 to attend.

Saturday March 1

VADA BING

BoHenry’s www.bohenry.com

You might be thinking to yourself, “Self, I don’t want to go to the Funk Zone tonight. Do I have to?” Well, the answer, my friends, is yes. Yes, you are legally obligated by virtue of reading this sentence to attend The VADA Draw at the Santa Barbara Art Foundry (120 Santa Barbara Street) from 7 to 10 this evening. VADA stands for Visual Arts and Design Academy. That’s a program for young artists at Santa Barbara High School, and this event is its first public fundraiser. So grab a breezy $150 ticket. It includes entry for two people, a drink, some food, music and a work of art by a participating artists who created works just for this

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

event. But whose piece will you get? That’s the draw part, and I have my fingers crossed that I end up with a Billy Baldwin. Get your tickets at www.vadasbhs.org.

Sunday March 2

Hollywood Gives Itself Awards

Wow, I’m still reeling from the excitement of last year’s Academy Awards, what with host Seth MacFarlane being slightly less unfunny than he usually is. Boy, that was one for the record books – am I right, guys? So it’s hard to believe my Second Christmas has come so soon. If you haven’t been invited to an Oscar party (time to start thinking about what you’re doing wrong in the friend department), don’t fret: The Bacara Resort and Spa (8301 Hollister Avenue) has your ticket. For just $30, you can walk a red carpet to a comfy screening room with snacks. Go to oscars-viewingparty-bacara.nightout.com to get your tickets. The event starts at 3pm. (Spoiler alert: Sentinel movie guru James Luksic has declared that InAPPropriate Comedy with Rob Schneider will win Best Picture via write-in.)

Monday March 3

First Monday

At this point, literally every single person in Santa Barbara County knows what happens on the first Monday of each month. I’d bet my life on it. I’m not even going to say it; let’s just all get up right now and do it. Are you doing it? Are you getting up to go eat at a restaurant that’s open on Mondays to express our collective thanks that they’re open on Mondays? No? Because you didn’t know that’s what First Monday is? Good thing we didn’t shake on that bet. Maybe try reading my calendar sometime so you’ll be up on this stuff. Anyway, today we’re eating at Figueroa Mountain in the Funk Zone. What do you mean that doesn’t count as a restaurant? I made up First Monday and I’ll say what counts. Eat some pretzels (or get a Lucky Penny pizza) and be happy.

Tuesday March 4

Baritone, Piano and Horne

Last year, baritone John Brancy and pianist Mario Antonio Marra won the 2013 Music Academy of the West Marilyn Horne Song Competition. This year, they’ll play Santa Monica’s Broad Stage and the National Opera Center in New York. But first, they will premiere Force by composer Chris Kapica in the Music Academy of the West’s Hahn Hall (1070 Fairway Road) at 7:30pm. The pair will also perform works by Schumann and Dvořák, as well as some American standards. A Q&A session with Marilyn Horne follows. It costs $25 to attend.

Wednesday March 5

So Demanding

This one, I understand, was popularly demanded: the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Arlington Theatre (1317 State Street). There’s no word yet on how serious these demands were. So many questions go, as of right now, unanswered: Did people tear pieces out of magazines to write scary letters saying how much they liked the show? Did UCSB Arts & Lectures even try to negotiate? Were any musicians harmed? Find out at 8pm. Get your $50 to $75 ticket at www. artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Thursday March 6 Feverish

Finally: Pac-Man Fever, the film. If you’re anything like me, you’re a huge fan of Buckner & Garcia’s novelty hit from the 80s, and can’t wait to watch and re-watch a movie about it. Wait, it’s called Particle Fever? Well, then that’s a different movie. Sorry B&G fans, but congrats Large Hadron Collider fans, because this movie was made for you! Physicist-director Mark Levinson’s documentary that tells the story behind “the biggest and most expensive experiment in history” comes to UCSB’s Campbell Hall tonight at 6. Tickets are $10, $5 for students. Get tickets by calling 805.893.3535 or going to www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

Friday March 7

Fifth Rock From the Sun

If you’re feeling a little too existentially smug, you know, happily ignoring your approaching mortality and living a productive life like a well-adjusted individual, then it might be time to take yourself down a peg or two, you arrogant bastard. One surefire way to do just that is to attend Jupiter Night tonight at the Goleta Library (500 North Fairview Avenue), at 6:30pm. Begin your spiral into fruitless introspection with a slide show inside before heading outdoors to view the real thing through a telescope. Then, sink into the realization that you are but an inconsequential speck, that time is a flat circle, and go home to re-watch True Detective in your jammies under a snuggie with the lights off. Or, bring your kid and just try to have a good time. It’s free.

Saturday March 8

Second Saturday

It’s the second Saturday of the month and that now means Funk Zone Art Walk. Start your jaunt through this funkadelic south-side neighborhood at The Arts Fund Gallery (205 Santa Barbara Street), or more specifically, its parking lot (which is fine; do I be trippin’ or is the new dripping paint effect of the building’s façade getting lower and lower? Spooky!). They’ll have artists Hugh Margerum and Neal Crosbie right there on the blacktop ready to answer endless questions about their process. Also: ice cream! Then, walk yourself around town and check out other studios. It goes from 1pm to 5 today.

12 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

Santa Barbara’s Online Magazine, Published Twice Daily

sbview.com

Sledgehammers and Bridges: Two Decidedly Different Approaches to the Problem of Funding Government Infrastructure

Sharon Byrne

sbview.com

by Sharon Byrne

n the world of politics and government, infrastructure is both cumbersome and unsexy. Who really wants to delve into the minutiae of the present state of ventilation systems in government buildings? Who salivates over paving? Castillo underpass drivers engage in a daily slalom to avoid hitting multiple potholes. But until things reach this level of serious disrepair, almost impassability, the public does not largely get excited about infrastructure. And the least exciting of all infrastructures is that of local government. Interstate-widening projects through Montecito produce opportunity to advance political careers for those who dare to take on the state. Maintaining a county road produces mostly yawns. Since the public doesn’t typically eagerly gobble up news stories on how many potholes or ventilation systems get fixed, and given a fixed bucket of money, the greatest political gain is to be found in funding those things that constituents

want to see happen, like on social fronts. For infrastructure…well, snore. If it’s not too bad, we can delay doing something about it until a) revenues increase or b) it moves up the priority list, usually by hitting crisis point. After years of fairly dry warnings from municipal and county executives about rising infrastructure deterioration due to inadequate funding, the county and city of Santa Barbara is each approaching its own infrastructure tipping point. Trying to play catch-up with delayed maintenance starts making the previously exorbitant cost of replacement look downright palatable in some cases. But would replacement now be necessary if proper maintenance had been performed all along? That is the type of question that gets threshed out in public hearings on infrastructure. The good news is that crises can birth new levels of creativity, sometimes forcing the transcendence of existing political

FalstaFF by giuseppe verdi

friday

mar

7:30pm the granada

Sunday

mar

2:30pm 1993-2013

tickets

i n f o r m at i o n : 8 9 9 – 2 2 2 2 / o p e r a s b . o r g photo: Kevin Steele / location: carr winery

structures that would typically narrow the available paths forward. Two very different approaches are thus emerging from the city and county, both pretty creative. Whether the public will agree there’s enough of a crisis to jump the tracks of existing political limitations is the key question.

Enter the Sledgehammer

eter Adam seems to wind up often on the losing end of 3-2 votes on the Board of Supervisors. He wanted to make infrastructure a priority, after learning that Public Works is applying the basest of repairs to problematic roads because the budget doesn’t allow for anything else. The wonky world of civil engineering typically only enters the public lexicon when accompanied by political heat. Civil engineers use a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to indicate average conditions of a government body’s collective roads. The PCI is just like school grades: 100 is a road with no defects, perfectly smooth blacktop, 90 = A, 80 = B and so on. Adam has a nifty chart showing the county hit a PCI high score of 67-70 during the mid2000s. That’s a low C / high D. Most of us would scream if our kid brought home that grade, but in the world of public infrastructure, this is acceptable. In 2013, the PCI is down to 61, and is predicted to hit 48 by 2019. While Measure D monies were available, the county roads, all 1,670 miles of them, could be maintained with a supplemental $500,000 or so allocated from the county’s General Fund, per Adam. That kept them at a D grade level. But Measure D funds are gone, and Adam has not been able to find support on the Board of Supervisors to ramp up General Fund contributions to prevent further erosion. Per Adam, San Luis Obispo County spends $11 million on county road maintenance. SLO county is 3,789 square miles, with a population of 270,000. They have 1,310 miles of roads. “If we can’t find $11 million in an $850 million budget to fix our roads, we’re just not managing it right,” Adam says. Janet Wolf suggested Adam put the question of paying for infrastructure maintenance to the voters. He wondered why all the other budget items (with which he’d mostly disagreed) weren’t put to them. But instead of asking the public to pay for infrastructure maintenance in addition

Sharon Byrne is executive director for the Milpas Community Association, and currently serves on the Advisory Boards for the Salvation Army Hospitality House and Santa Barbara County Alcohol and Drug Problems.

to the taxes they already pay, Adam wondered if instead voters could force the supervisors to provide an acceptable level of infrastructure maintenance as standard operating procedure. Thus, his ballot initiative basically asks voters to force the Board of Supervisors to maintain county infrastructure at present conditions, or better, and without issuing debt. Steve Amerikaner labeled this a bit of a sledgehammer approach in the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee meeting when Adam presented the initiative. “This is a reprioritization, not a tax,” says Adam. And this is where the weird machinations and permutations of California politics look crazy to nonCalifornians. Some retiree reading a story on this in, say, Missouri, will call out to his wife, “You’re not going to believe what those nuts in California are doing! The voters are going to force their elected officials to maintain the danged roads in their present condition, and – get this – their roads get a grade of D now!” (Insert obligatory joke about how California will fall off into the ocean someday.) Adam is feeling pretty confident about the ballot initiative. “Who’s going to oppose it?” he laughs. “People-forPotholes? The Committee-to-KeepGovernment-Buildings-Dilapidated?”

Bridging the Gaps

different political reality on city council allows for a more collaborative approach on capital needs. The city’s capital maintenance needs are put together mostly by civil engineers. Squeaky wheels affect the prioritization process, provided the public wants to engage on PCI figures, the state of an HVAC system in a government building and other bricksand-mortar topics. Those that do engage tend to win capital improvements for their area. Think of it like dealing with your house: You need $100,000 in repairs. You have $10,000 in your bank account. So you prioritize. What do you absolutely have to do to keep living here? Fix the busted pipes first, because you have to have water. And do it right, because otherwise you just keep repairing the old pipes. The driveway has a sinkhole, which looks bad, and is unsafe, but you can park on the street until you have the money for that repair. A publicity stink on your

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

sinkhole could force a shift in priorities, though. The stove is on the fritz, but the microwave will do until you can afford to replace it. Same exercise for government infrastructure. Which things do we absolutely have to do right now? Shelve the rest for later. Well, “the rest” has gotten rather large over the years, driving “later” into now. So, Randy Rowse and Bendy White have teamed up to talk to community groups to help prioritize that big queue of city infrastructure projects in the pipeline. The Redevelopment Agency’s dissolution yanked a bucket of money that was

“Parks and Rec took some of the heaviest cutting in the recession years, and they perform landscaping in the medians in addition to parks. Some medians around town need serious replanting.”

of infrastructure is a very poor legacy to leave. Rowse agrees readily. Rowse thinks the outreach could take 6 months, and then they need to figure out how to distill the priorities and bring it back to council. Then it’s time to come up with a menu of solutions, including chipping away at the general fund, bond issues, sales tax and more. Our county and city have thus taken two decidedly different approaches to one big problem of government infrastructure funding. It remains to be seen how each will prevail, but you can be assured you’ll be hearing a lot more about PCI and HVACs in the months ahead. Loretta Redd’s diverse background includes being a psychologist, business owner, non-profit director, Air Force officer, writer, speaker, and executive coach. Loretta has served on several Santa Barbara city committees and has been a candidate for public office.

Loretta Redd

sbview.com

A Cause in Search of a Reason by Loretta Redd

formerly plowed into infrastructure needs. Federal Community Development Block Grant funds are but a small supplement, and Public Works competes with non-profits for those. When you’re looking at a total capital infrastructure need of $600 million, where do you find the funds? How do you decide what moves first into the queue? Rowse asks, “Do you invest in those things that help generate revenues? There’s some logic in doing that. But then there are neighborhood needs that should not be ignored.” White said city roads also get an average PCI grade of D, though they’re a little better off than the county on average. But sidewalks are in continual need of city repairs. There’s never enough money to do them all, so the areas of most urgent need are prioritized. Buildings are also an issue, like the police station. Parks and Rec took some of the heaviest cutting in the recession years, and they perform landscaping in the medians in addition to parks. Some medians around town need serious replanting. The easy psychological move is to spread limited funds around as much as possible, to keep things from falling apart, or ‘splitting the baby,’ as Rowse calls it. Councilmembers have also delved into the nuts and bolts of capital projects, questioning whether they really cost this much, could it be done a different way to reduce costs, etc. Why did Rowse team up with White? White made the approach as bridgebuilding between both sides of the political aisle. He feels the present state

“W

hen you’re up to your arse in alligators, it’s difficult to remember your initial objective was to drain the swamp...” – or so goes the 1970s take on an ancient proverb. The issue of District versus At-Large elections for city council representation has found, yet again, a disparate group of activists. Strange bedfellows they are, when Cruzito Cruz and Lanny Ebenstein, who have little in common except to have been losers in prior races for city council, stand together on this “voting rights” issue. Cruzito is a regular name on the candidate list, showing up on ballots since at least 2005, though never finishing higher than next-to-last place. I absolutely give him credit for running for office, but wonder if he doesn’t deflect serious concerns of Latino residents. Mr. Cruz’s thoughtful, but longwinded philosophical missives with inventive language (“equalitarianism,” for example) have left voters scratching their heads, rather than their ballots. Lanny is a libertarian wildcard. Standing among this group of mostly Latinos for representational government, he’s the same guy Pat Morrison described as the guy who “...wants you to vote to kneecap the state’s public workers union by banning their right to collective bargaining.” (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 2011.) I’m not sure how that would square with Ceasar Chavez or Delores Huerta, but economists are masters of the art of justification. There is talk of bringing a lawsuit, a la pro-bono attorney Barry Capello, against the City of Santa Barbara to ...continued p.21

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

14 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

with Mark Léisuré

Mark spends much of his time wandering Santa Barbara and environs, enjoying the simple things that come his way. A show here, a benefit there, he is generally out and about and typically has a good time. He says that he writes “when he feels the urge” and doesn’t want his identity known for fear of an experience that is “less than authentic.” So he remains at large, roaming the town, having fun. Be warned.

Hello, Sally

ally Struthers, who starred as Gloria I’ve always had too much energy,” she Stivic in the seminal Seventies said, explaining why the demanding role sit-com All in the Family and in of Dolly didn’t daunt her at all. “I haven’t the early 2000s on The Gilmore Girls taken a nap since I was 2. My mother (not to mention 30-plus years as the couldn’t get me to lay down. So she’d shut spokeswoman for Save the Children) – is me in my bedroom for ‘Sally’s quiet hour’ coming to town to star in the title role in just so she could take a nap herself. I’d be the national touring company of Hello, flying around the room, playing records, Malian singer Fatouma Diawara (courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures) Dolly!, which plays the Granada Theater bouncing off the walls. I’m 66 and I’m still Plaza de Oro, while UCSB’s Pollock’s own Highlights of the upcoming fortnight jumping off the bed.” series unspooling all the nominees for best include the Santa Barbara debut of on February 25-26. She’s not even in her two favorite scenes foreign film concludes with The Great Malian singer Fatouma Diawara After a chat that took forever to arrange, here are five things we learned about the in Hello Dolly!. “I love it when Cornelius Beauty on Feb. 25, The Missing Picture at UCSB on Feb. 27, the Durango 66-year-old actress we definitely didn’t and Barnaby have that conversation early on Feb. 26 and Omar on Feb. 27. The Songwriter Conference up in Santa in the second act. I’m sitting on the upper university’s MultiCultural Center goes Ynez Feb. 27-March 1, with singerknow before. She’s an excellent mimic. “I was friends level in the dark, and I’m supposed to be international, too, presenting the Iranian songwriter nights at SOhO just before with Carol Channing and she would be frozen – not even blinking. But that scene transgender-friendship feature Facing and after the main event (Feb. 26 first to tell you, ‘I’m not an actress, I’m just kills me. I start to snort and laugh every Mirrors as part of its Cup of Culture series and March 4). The quirky yet earthy a personality,’” Struthers said, adopting night. And in the courtroom scene for “It on Feb. 25 in the MCC Theater. singer-songwriter Martin Sexton Meanwhile, UCSB Arts & Lectures makes his umpteenth appearance at Channing’s famous raspy voice in Only Takes a Moment”, when Cornelius explaining why she wasn’t intimidated is professing his love for Irene one minute hosts the Best of the 38th Annual Banff the club on Feb. 28. Peter Case, the to take on a role Channing made iconic before I come on for “So Long, Dearie”, I Mountain Film Festival, an eye-popping former leader of the 80s new-wave series of shorts on mountain subjects, 15 band The Plimsouls who was the first on Broadway when she originally played get goosebumps every time.” And even when she is on stage, the title in all presented over two nights at the performer of the first season of Sings Dolly a dozen years ago in Minneapolis, the first of four times she’s stepped into song is still No. 3: “I love ‘Song Long Darie’ Arlington Theatre, Feb. 25-26. Like Hell (which is now on season 34), the part of the matchmaking widow. because I get to be a vaudevillian on stage plays March 5 at SOhO, which also Later, she quoted her “dear friend” and by myself, singing about moving on in a Jonesing for Jazz hosts the first local show from rootsy contemporary actress Brenda Vacarro, straw hat and cane. I love that even more Worthy gigs in the jazz genre can stringman Tony Furtado on March who hasn’t been as lucky as Struthers in than ‘Hello, Dolly’.... But the best is the sometimes come few and far between in 6. Finally, the great composer Burt consistently working, explaining why she curtain call, after the rest of the cast has our little berg, but the downbeat stuff Bacharach, who has amassed more couldn’t get together when Struthers was come out and done 16-20 bars of each is enjoying a bit of a revival in town, than 70 Top 40 hits over his lengthy in L.A. for a visit because she had plans song, recapping the show musically. They thanks in part to the Lobero’s condensed career that also includes six Grammys every night: “You gotta keep moving, it start to sing ‘Well, well...’ [the prelude to schedule due to its six-month shuttering and three Oscars, heads over the hill to creates a breeze,” Struthers said, sounding ‘Hello, Dolly!’] and I’m upstairs in the for renovations. After a truly stunning the Chumash Casino for a rare local just like the husky-voiced actress known wedding dress and hat. The audience gasps performance from four virtuosos gig on March 6. for her roles in Cactus Flower on Broadway when they see me in that dress. They jump last Tuesday (Joe Lovano, Esperanza and Midnight Cowboy and Once is Not to their feet and cheer like their team just Spaulding, Jack DeJohnette and Leo What Else Ya Got? won the Super Bowl. It’s hilarious.” Enough on film. Genovese), this week (Feb. 26), brings Unsual stuff over the next two weeks: She tried to get out of her All in the Family the brilliant and ever-evolving guitarist The annual “It’s Magic” revue at the contract, just before her role improved: Festivus for the Rest of Us Pat Metheny back to the theater with his Lobero for two shows on March 2, the “They didn’t give me a whole lot to do. Just The Santa Barbara International Film newly-expanded Unity Group. Charles same day poet Coleman Barks teams setting the table or asking Michael where Festival (SBIFF) is in the rear-view mirror Lloyd (March 8), Newport Jazz Festival with celllist David Darling for an he was going. All the other actors would (thank God, because even a well-traveled, (March 14) and Tierney Sutton (March afternoon event at UCSB’s Campbell get mail talking about the issues brought gung-ho man about town needs a night off 22) are all due at the theater this month, Hall... Baritone John Brancy, who not up in the show, and I’d get fan letters from every once in a while), but the parade of while the Granada hosts “In the Mood” only starred in the Music Academy of the guys in jail asking for in pictures of me in Oscar-contending films continues. SBIFF 1940s Musical Revue” on March 23. West’s production of The Magic Flute but a bikini.” also captured its annual vocal competition itself presents the final of three weekly She’s never taken a nap. “There are screenings of all the short film nominees Rock on last summer, appears in recital with the Mortgage Solutions Solutions people who sleep sitting up, anywhere, as part of its Showcase series with the Mortgage Pop music, of course, never has vocal piano winner Mario Antonio anytime,” she said. “But that’s not For me. You! documentary entries on February 26 at Designed any trouble Designed Forgetting You! heard in town. Marra at Hahn Hall on March 4.

Mortgage Solutions Designed For You! Marsha Kotlyar Representing Exquisite Properties of Montecito & Santa Barbara

BRE #01426886

www.SBFineEstates.com Marsha6@me.com 684232 Rob Ortega NMLS# BRE #01870056 805.565.4014 Loan Consultant

805.570.4440

Guy Rivera

Sr. Loan Consultant/Branch Manager

805.687.6282• Rivera@gmwestsb.com

NMLS #57662 www.gmwestsb.com NMLS# 57662 BRE #01220403 Guy Rivera BRE #01220403

by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Loans will be arranged pursuant to the Sr.Licensed Loan Consultant / BranchCalifornia Manager Department of Business Oversight Finance Lenders Law License. Commercial and private lender loans are arranged under the Bureau of Real Estate, Department of Consumers Affairs. Guarantee Mortgage NMLS ID 2527 and BRE #01370741. 805.687.6282

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

...continued from p.9 making it easy to travel to other areas of the Southern California coast. Yes, it takes you a little longer than driving, but many of the trains now offer WiFi and other amenities to make your trip more comfortable. Of course, if you are getting impatient, then they conveniently have both Stone IPA and their infamous Arrogant Bastard on board. These two hoppy brews are sold for a fair price ($6 per 22-ounce bottle) and will help make it a lively trip. Breathtaking views of the Pacific and gorgeous California farm country are soothing as you read a book, listen to music or otherwise enjoy whatever form of entertainment you see fit. Heading north is a little less convenient, but there are still plenty of options. Most of the routes require you to take a charter bus but they are new, clean buses that are comfortable, safer and lack some of the shabby attributes that a familiar dogthemed bus line has become known for. Firestone Walker Barrelworks, which is attached to their Buellton tasting room and restaurant, is one of the most cutting edge barrel-aging facilities in the country. This spectacular destination is about a 15-minute walk from the Buellton Amtrak bus stop, making it a rather painless day trip.

An Uber-Easy Ride

OK, sometimes it has to be by taxi cab. Amtrak and SB MTD are great for getting around during the day but they don’t run late into the night, and that is when a safe driver is often really needed. Taxis are far more convenient, but why use your phone to call a cab? Now, with just a rub of your palm, the genie inside your phone will do it for you. The ride service company Uber has finally come to Santa Barbara. This program provides a seamless method of getting a ride home. Once you have made an account with Uber, there is an app that you download to your smart phone. Credit card information is entered into the Uber account so when you receive a ride, everything is automatically charged and there is no need to have cash in your pocket. The desired destination is entered into the program and Uber will show you how much the ride will cost. Once the driver is requested, Uber uses the GPS on your smart phone to direct the driver to your location. The Uber app will show you

the driver and car information on your phone, so that you know what to expect. Generally speaking, the rides are about the same as a standard taxi ride and Uber even offers some convenient flat rates, such as IV/UCSB area to downtown for a flat fare of $25. Sharing the ride with a group? The Uber app allows people to split the cab fare among the travelers. This wellorchestrated program makes getting home painless and, most importantly, safe.

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

N 8:00Pm e P o n O w OoN -



n dAiLy

mUsT bE 21+

Jump on the Brew Bus

Public transportation works for going to one or two spots. What happens when you want to visit three or four breweries in a day? It’s time to Jump On The Brew Bus. I’m sure most of you have seen one of the large, black buses driving around with an excited group of people. This fleet of party-friendly buses is known as Jump On The School Bus, the brainchild of Darin Fiechter and Sierra Falso. Most of their buses are used for weddings and birthday parties; however, they are excited to introduce their new line. These smaller buses can hold up to 12 people and will be used for personalized brewery tours. The Brew Bus will be headed up by Seo Martinez, who acts as a guide along the tour (though I will be joining the bus from time-to-time to help lead the beer adventures). Seo knows beer. He moved here from Bend, Oregon, a well-known beer destination. Seo’s background is in leading rafting tours and teaching ski classes, so he has plenty of experience acting as a tour guide. He has worked out deals with the local breweries and will guide guests through three or four different spots. The regular tour schedule will be launching soon, but the Brew Bus is already available for private tours. So grab a group of friends and visit jumpontheschoolbus.com to book a tour. Seo and I have some fun trips in the works, so keep an eye out for upcoming events. The Brew Bus is a great way to visit the different breweries in the area without having to worry about how you are getting there. Or getting home. Be safe, be smart, be responsible. And have a good time out there, beer drinkers.

Earn 12%-14% annualized return with no stock market risk.

Fixed DOUBLE DIGIT returns and predetermined results Stuart Hutchison TNS FINANCIAL SVCS Call 805-698-5778 • hutchman2000@gmail.com #OG79487

MoViE & MeAd tAsTiNg tHuRsDaY, 2/27 5:00-7:00pM

lIvE mUsIc & wInE tAsTiNg fRiDaY, 3/7 4:00-6:00pM





 

          

                      

       

New Year New You HEALTH & FITNESS

challenge 399 $

224 Helena Ave. “In The Funk” - Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 637-8370

info@chrisbartl.com | baysidebarbellsb.com |

/baysidebarbellsb

*valid for new customers only - PROGRAM STARTS 1/1/2014

16 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

www.presidiosports.com Presidio Sports is a provider of local sports news and information for the Santa Barbara community. Founded in 2008, the small team at Presidio has covered hundreds of local sporting events and published thousands of articles connected to Santa Barbara’s athletic community. Please visit their website for more local sports news and information.

Logan Named San Marcos’ Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Michael Young

uliana Logan is a big reason the San Marcos High girls cross country and track and field teams won CIF State and Southern Section Academic Championships last school year.

San Marcos Student Section Worth the Price of Admission

Ryan Spilborghs

by Barry Punzal

Juliana Logan impresses on the track and in the classroom.

San Marcos students Parker Rozenburg, Daniela Aguirre, Ashley Carney, Jack Haley and Mathis McComb are the creative minds behind San Marcos’ student section this year.

hey don’t dribble or shoot the ball, and they don’t play a lick of defense or rebound. But they rock the San Marcos High Thunderhut at every home basketball game. They are The Pride, the San Marcos students rooting section. Whether it’s bellowing a cheer, synchronized dancing with hundreds of bodies, flash mobs Gangnam-style or a variety of other antics, they make going to a game at the Thunderhut worth more than the price of admission. This year, it was waving school-colored glow sticks when the gym’s lights were turned off during player introductions. “They are the best rooting section in CIF,” San Marcos athletic director Abe Jahadhmy raved. “They are original, creative, clean and have so much fun together.” The San Marcos students came up with The Pride name in 2011. “It’s a double entendre,” Jack Haley, student body president and one of The Pride leaders, said of the name. “We’re prideful in what we do, and we’re a pride of lions.” The San Marcos mascot is a lion. Haley said The Pride is all about providing maximum support for the Royals teams. They are a sea of red, covering nearly half of the seating on one side of the gym. “What we really believe in is positive encouragement for our teams and doing awesome, creative, fun things that support

them and show pride in our school,” he explained. Their creative stunts have been captured on video and featured in the Los Angeles Times. Their support, creativity and sportsmanship make principal Ed Behrens proud. “Whether they are wearing all red, organizing a flash mob, or coordinating a sea of red glow sticks when the lights go out, San Marcos students, with the guidance of activities director, Aaron Solis, are continually coming up with fun and unique ways to encourage and support the sports teams at SMHS,” Behrens said. “I can’t say enough positive things about the great enthusiasm and positive energy The Pride give to our teams and everyone around them.” Jack Haley, Ashley Carney, Parker Rozenburg, Daniela Aguirre and Mathis McComb are the primary leaders of the group. They’re on the floor starting the chants. Haley said they spread the message on the game plan by using social media and by going from class to class on campus. Haley noted The Pride represent the entire school population at San Marcos. “We’ve got people from all different backgrounds and taking all different classes, and we all come together. “Our students at San Marcos love our school,” he added. “We’re super-prideful about it. The community is so tight, and that’s really reflected in The Pride.”

Logan carries an impressive 4.51 GPA while competing in both sports. She also represents her school as the captain of the cheerleading team. Logan was honored as the ScholarAthlete of the Year award winner for San Marcos at a recent Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon. The senior, whose top college choice is UC Berkeley, has a course load that includes advanced placement economics, calculus, literature, government and statistics. She is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her academic and athletic achievements, Logan is part of the Kids Helping Kids nonprofit program, which is based out of her economics class at San Marcos, and she volunteers at the Ty Warner Sea Center. Logan was joined at the SBART press luncheon by her mom, Linda Beste-Logan, dad, Mark Logan, and grandmother, Sandy Beste.

Young, Spilborghs End Major League Careers

ormer local baseball standouts Ryan Spilborghs and Michael Young have hung up their cleats. Spilborghs, one of Santa Barbara High’s all-time greats, who went to star at UCSB, announced his retirement from baseball yesterday in a blog published by the Denver Post. He will move into broadcasting for the Colorado Rockies, for whom he played for seven seasons. Young, arguably the best baseball player to ever put on the UCSB jersey, announced his retirement last week after a 13-year career in which he hit .300 and was one of the most durable players in the major leagues. Young, 37, played 12 full seasons for the Texas Rangers before finishing his career last season split between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Dodgers.

He is easily one of the greatest players in Texas Rangers history. No Ranger has played in more games than Young’s 1,823 in a Texas uniform. He has a franchisebest 2,230 hits, 415 doubles, 55 triples and 1,085 runs. He was a seven-time AllStar, won the AL batting title in 2005 and finished in the top 10 of the AL MVP voting twice (2004, ‘11). He was the AllStar Game MVP in 2006, and won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2008. “My time in Texas is 13 of the best years of my life,” Young told the media when he announced his retirement. An amazing statistic in Young’s career is he never appeared on the disabled list and averaged 155 games played in his 12 full seasons in the majors. He admitted that he could have played this season for the Dodgers, chasing that elusive championship and adding to his 2,375 career hits. But he chose to spend time with his family: wife Cristina and sons Mateo (8), Emilio (4) and Antonio (1 1/2). Young played at UCSB in 1998 and 1999. Spilborghs, 34, was a fan favorite in Colorado and a key member of the Rockies’ 2007 World Series team. He is joining Root Sports as part of the team’s pregame and postgame shows. Spilborghs played at UCSB from 200002. At Santa Barbara High, he posted a career average of .472 at the varsity level (a school record) and hit a school-record .519 as a senior with a record 40 hits.

Ballfield Named After Santa Barbara High’s Coach O

iving Bill Oliphant the opportunity to coach was like handing the car keys to a teen-ager. Once he got a taste of it, there was no turning back. Oliphant has coached the lower-level baseball teams at Santa Barbara High for nearly 40 years. He had guys such as Ryan Spilborghs, Matt Vasquez and Dylan Axelrod on the field at Santa Barbara Junior High, before they became varsity stars and later professional ballplayers. On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara Unified

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

Coach Bill Oliphant

School District (SBUSD) honored the longtime coach and teacher by naming the junior high diamond Oliphant Field. “I can say, being a baseball parent myself, baseball is the American sport,” SBUSD superintendent David Cash said during a ceremony. “Bill Oliphant is a true American. It is unbelievably awesome that we get to, in this community, name this field after a gentleman like him.” Oliphant has coached hundreds of ballplayers on the field. And he didn’t just teach them about baseball. Former player Colin Eaton spoke of how Oliphant taught him life lessons. “Through his coaching, I not only became a better baseball player, but I learned a lot about life,” he said. “I became more responsible and a more knowledgeable human being. Thank you for not only believing in me, but not giving up on any single person ever. You well deserve having this field named after you.”

Longtime Santa Barbara High baseball coach Fred Warrecker believed in Oliphant when they hooked up back in the 1960s. He helped him get his first coaching job and years later brought him on board at Santa Barbara High. “He’s almost been like my slightly younger brother,” Warrecker said. “I’ve known him since the days of Laguna Park, when I was pitching for the Foresters. I was 19 years old and he was a 12-, 13-year-old catcher that was always messing around in the bullpen.” Oliphant recalled his first coaching gig as a 6th-grade basketball coach at Dolores School. “I was going to City College and I had a job I hated,” he said of working nights at a gas station. “Fred hooked me up.” His basketball team was beating everybody, and it caught the attention of the Santa Barbara Recreation Department. He soon was offered a job as a youth coach. “I became a coach after school for $1.75 an hour and I loved it,” he said. He coached pee-wee baseball during the summer at Mackenzie Park and battled against a team from Ortega Park that was coached by Warrecker. Oliphant’s first job in the school district was at La Cumbre Junior High in the early 1970s. He experienced the ups and downs of school budgets and layoffs, receiving a pink slip at the end of one school year and getting rehired the next. He got into officiating to help make ends meet. “I remember umpiring, doing some coaching on the side; I dug ditches, I did everything I could think of to put food on the table,” he said. “By then, I was a single dad and my son (Bryant) was a pretty good guy.” Bryant is now a doctor in the St. Louis area. Oliphant was stressing over another pink slip when Warrecker and his sons showed up at his house to tell him about a possible job opening at Santa Barbara

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

PUMP IT

N.A.S.M, Kickboxing and SPIN Certified, Jenny Schatzle is known for changing bodies and changing lives. Her approach to fitness is about not only “getting fit” physically but also how, through exercise, nutrition and a positive motivational environment, you can change your lifestyle for the better. Jenny’s program and the results she consistently achieves have made her one of the most sought-after experts in Santa Barbara.

Don’t Give Up Before You Start

any times, we want to change but one look at a workout or a recipe and we shut down, the walls come up, and we say, “Well it’s just to hard, it’s confusing, I’m not a runner or a cook, and I don’t know what a ‘burpee’ is.” And we give up before we’ve even tried at all. Now, right now, is the time to stop stopping yourself and start believing in yourself. You can do anything you want to do, but you have to be willing to try before you just throw in the towel. Is working out easy? No. If it were, then everyone would be doing it. Is eating healthy easy? No. But it’s worth it and will change all aspects of your life. Nothing worthwhile is easy and, if you think about it, the things that are the hardest and most terrifying are often the most rewarding. So for the next two weeks, I want you to do something that scares you a bit, takes you out of your comfort zone. Start taking the steps to learn something new, something that will lead you to a fuller, longer life… follow my nutritional advice below and commit to doing my workout! NUTRITION: Did you know the American Heart Association recommends that the maximum daily intake of added sugars be no more than 4.5 teaspoons? Seems like a lot, right? It isn’t. One 20-ounce bottle of soda, for example, has 16 teaspoons of sugar. Sugary drinks are one of the main contributors to obesity, tooth decay and diabetes. If you’re a regular soda drinker and you were to give up soda for just 30 days, there’s a chance you could lose ten pounds. That’s just from leaving the soda alone. So, put down the soda. If you need a flavored drink, put some fresh-squeezed lemon juice in your water! WARM-UP: Run one mile outside, nice and easy. WORKOUT: Circuit #1 – 7 rounds, starting at the top of every minute 10 side lunges 10 mountain climbers 10 pop-ups Run one mile (optional) Circuit #2 – 7 rounds, starting at the top of every minute 10 squats 10 overhead tricep extensions 10 jump lunges 10 bicep curls Run one mile (optional)

ylan Hecht and the UCSB baseball team opened their 2014 campaign on Tuesday with a 5-1 victory over Cal State Bakersfield at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Hecht, named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team last year, struck out six in four innings of work, and the bullpen finished the job with five scoreless frames. UCSB, coming off its first postseason appearance in 12 years, was picked to finish third in the Big West Conference in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Email me any with any questions on this workout. Most importantly, have fun. jenny@jennyschatzle.com

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THERE IS RISK OF INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY AND ALL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WHETHER STRENUOUS OR NOT. IF YOU HAVE ANY RELATED CONCERNS AT ALL, THEN PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SPEAK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN THE EXERCISE PROGRAM ABOVE. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT PARTICULAR MOVEMENTS, THEN PLEASE CALL OR WRITE JENNY SCHATZLE DIRECTLY SO SHE CAN ANSWER THEM. REGARDLESS, HOWEVER, AS A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEING, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE FOREGOING EXERCISE PROGRAM, YOU ASSUME ALL OF THE RISK OF DOING SO AND VOLUNTARILY RELEASE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST JENNY SCHATZLE BOOTCAMP AND/OR THE SANTA BARBARA SENTINEL.

High. He assisted Warrecker on the Dons varsity team the early 1970s. The next thing he knew, Oliphant was hired at his alma mater – and he’s been there ever since. “I had the pleasure to work with some really great people at Santa Barbara High: Mike Moropoulos, Gene Snyder and Bill Jackson, just three solid individuals,” Oliphant said. “I can’t thank them enough for giving me that shot. I still remember

coach Snyder telling me, ‘Hey, don’t screw it up.’ He was my basketball coach and he became the principal.” Oliphant said he had offers to coach at other schools, but he enjoyed his teaching situation at Santa Barbara too much to leave. He taught history, leadership, social studies and the law. He also had a history with the school, as his parents, his son and his son’s mother were all Dons. “I found a home,” he said.

18 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

...continued from p.7 Peace! Shields Templar Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Thanks Shields, sorry for the name confusion. My bad. I think I should just respectfully bow out on this whole drivers vs. cyclists thing. I understand that people on bikes break laws and I wish they wouldn’t – for their own safety and everybody else’s – but I’m just not all that worked up about it. I bike-commuted over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco somewhat regularly for a couple years and watched more bikers and drivers break more traffic laws on a daily basis than probably exist on the books. So I guess I just expect the unexpected and keep a watchful eye around me (whether behind the wheel or in the saddle)… and generally roll with some mellowing music on the radio or in my headphones to ensure proper mood. (Yes, I wear headphones when I ride. I know, I’m a terrible person.) Fun conversation, Shields, thanks for bringing it up. – MSM)

Uh-Oh. Shields, Please Don’t Read This.

To any two-ton SUV jerk driver who writes in complaining about relatively harmless bicycle riders: You all sound like violent and aggressive camouflagegeared macho hunters in the woods with shotguns who complain about the inconvenience of those godly creatures who “get in your way” because they

1-855-617-6624

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

are picking daisies or pine cones in the forest, or who dip for an innocent drink in a fresh pond. Run us over then, so righteously – if you dare! Give me a break, Road Warriors! You are the true violators. Who would drive a car down State Street anyway, if you were in any kind of a hurry? And then you get angry at the traffic? Serves you right for getting all anxious and filled with rage. What makes you think that you Bully Tank Drivers deserve any special rights or privileges or dominance on the road compared to people who choose to walk or ride innocently and get exercise and fresh air? Do me a favor and pull into your garage with the engine running and the garage door down and sealed tight, and let your oversized metal pet beast idle – until you’ve come to your senses. I hope you hear my bell jingle before you crush me, but if you don’t… I’m sure it was my fault! Alan Hurst Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Wow, Alan, that’s absolutely certain to enrage a number of anti-cyclist readers with large vehicles. Cyclists: Be alert, wear your helmets and kneepads and watch for vengeful irate drivers. By the way, I’d be remiss to omit the fact that I cannot stop laughing over the closing line of Alan’s email. Has to be one of the funniest things we’ve printed.

Ron Atwood, atwoodimages.com

Thanks for that, Alan, you really made my night. – MSM)

Flowers Fill the Town

Hi Matt, accompanying my words today is an image from my book, Santa Barbara Delights. It is titled “Flowers Fill The Town.” Indeed, bright floral blooms bless us here, even in winter months that ice over much of the rest of our country. We must count our blessings again and contribute our part to preserve and protect the beauty around us. Keep this in mind, whatever may be your thoughts on climate change. Others are waiting for spring to restore color to bleak landscapes. Let us preserve Paradise by the Pacific where spring fills every day.

Ron Atwood Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Indeed, Ron, right on. Thanks. – MSM)

Malevolent Matt the Mockerer?

Hey, Matt. Whether you want to publish this is up to you; you are the editor. We have crossed swords over an issue – cyclists vs. drivers – a storm in a teacup, as one philosopher once observed. I started reading your publication as an alternative to the local weekly, which I tolerated more than the local daily. Yes, I am opinionated, and yes, I am conservative, but I am open-minded. I wanted other opinions and observations

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

of goings-on in Santa Barbara other than what was currently available. Your replies to Letters contributors – including mine – are witty, sarcastic, timely, funny and insightful, but I feel mostly scornful, and that’s a pity because of your position and your publication. Is it to be interpreted as such? There is more than enough of that already in this snooty town. Is it one of mockery? I hope not. Lightheartedness is one thing, but as an editor you are (or should be) open-minded enough to allow readers and contributors to voice their opinions without your ridicule or high-handed addendum at the end of their letters. Some of your replies are longer than the letters. Come on! You tell your readers/contributors to “lighten up.” Well, as Ellen says: “Back at ya!” Shields Templar Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Thanks for this, Shields, we almost never publish two letters from one contributor in any given issue, but I couldn’t pass this one up. It’s important and, frankly, you raise a good point. For the record: I’m not scornful and when I mock, I try my hardest to do it lightheartedly and to make a point. And while I am indeed open-minded – I think you’d be hard pressed to argue otherwise if you were to look back through the nearly 70 issues we’ve put out – I do have opinions, too. Sometimes I’m right and sometimes, undoubtedly, I’m wrong. That’s why I do my best to keep an open-mind. (Circular? Yes, but you get the point.) Anyway, thanks for reading and for taking the time to write in. I appreciate it and love the conversation, even if I think your fixation on bad bicyclists borders on a dangerous obsession. (Oh stop, I’m kidding. Lightheartedly.) – MSM)

Corrections Department

Hi, Matt. My sincere apologies to you and Jeff Harding. The reference in my letter last week to a shock-jock was directed at a radio personality back east, but that part of the letter was not published, and I wanted to clear it up. I read Jeff’s column religiously. Keep up the good work. Ken W. Santa Barbara (Editor’s Note: Obviously some sort of mix-up there, Ken, thanks for clearing it up. On behalf of Jeff Harding, I say, “Ken, don’t worry about it, apology accepted.” (Uh, Jeff, I hope that was ok.) – MSM)

LOS GAUCHOS GRILL

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

PACIFICA GRADUATE INSTITUTE PRESENTS

A Workshop with Michael Sipiora and Marshall Chrostowski

Celebrating the Soul of the World A Day in the Pacifica Gardens Marshall Chrostowski

Saturday, March 1 9:00 AM–5:30 PM $150 General Admission $125 Special Admission

Full-Time Students, Pacifica Alumni, and Seniors $100 Active Pacifica Students

Fees include Saturday lunch. 7 CECs for MFTs, LCSWs, and RNs

The splendid grounds of Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Lambert Road Campus are the result of more than 20 years of thoughtful cultivation. The 13-acre campus has evolved from an abandoned horse ranch into a unique melding of Mediterranean gardens with native California flora and edible landscapes that form a green belt around the campus. In addition to applying the best horticultural and ecological principles, Pacifica has reintroduced garden elements reflecting historical occupations on the site. Join Landscape Manager Marshall Chrostowski and Professor Michael Sipiora in an aesthetic and intellectual engagement with this beautiful location. Conversational presentation of relevant themes from Pacifica’s lecture halls—soulful engagement, poetic dwelling, and the thought of the heart—will be interwoven with tours of the

gardens. We will focus on specific sites, highlighting the horticultural, ecological, historical, and psychological contexts in play. A healthful lunch will be provided utilizing food grown in the gardens.

Mobile BBQ Service Specializing in Authentic Argentine BBQ We Come to You! 805-451-8978 www.losgauchosgrill.com

For additional information or to register visit pacifica.edu/public programs or call 805.969.3626, ext. 103

20 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

...continued from p.8 Riding home from Wild Orchid Caye, into the sunset. This pretty much says it all.

We spent a morning lounging at the Tipsy Tuna (for the kids, of course). This was taken right after we’d panicked about missing lunch. Disaster avoided. Mellowness restored.

It Was Supposed to Be a Simple Cup of Coffee

Tom Hitchcock, the project manager I didn’t mention, took a machete to some fresh coconuts so we could enjoy them on the private beach. (I couldn’t get Kate to drink one, but I did convince her to try a protein-filled termite in the jungle. Kids.)

We live in a pretty cool place. Only in Santa Barbara, for example, can a midmorning cappuccino between friends turn into a short-fused family runner down to a private Central American villa. I love it here. I met friend Elizabeth Peace at Jeannine’s a couple weeks ago to get caught up and learn a bit about her role with World Odyssey, effectively a very high-end travel-planning firm out of the UK that really caters to the more That’s one end of an indisputably stunning Wild Orchid Caye. I can honestly say that the private island was a real treat, and will someday undoubtedly make for a pretty damned perfect place to come stay for a week (or three).

adventurous vagabonds among us who still want some comfort in their itinerary. “I’m basically the sole World Odyssey director for the United States,” she explained, sipping her cappuccino. “I help put together packages for interested families or couples or friends all over the world.” Now that’s my kind of job. “Sounds like a pretty interesting gig.” I was green with envy. “And it reminds me: Wendi and I have been talking about getting away with the kids. And her

fortieth birthday is coming soon.” “Is that right?” Betsy had a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You know, World Odyssey has access to this great villa in Belize next week. Any chance you guys want to head down?” (Before I tell you my answer, it’s important to know that I’ve learned a few things in my life. Things like, oh, I don’t know, it’s often best to consult with your significant other about reasonably large travel plans and associated expenses on incredibly short time frames. Like, it’s best

Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus Benefits include:

• Quick in-office procedure • Virtually painless with no downtime from normal activities • Alternative to prescription medications

David Kolegraff, M.D. FACS

(805) 722- 8583 • coollasersb.com

to check in about schedules and calendars to ensure lack of meaningful conflict before setting alternative plans in stone. I’ve also learned, however, that sometimes it’s best to just pull the trigger and let it rip.) “Sounds great.” And so, just like that, Wendi, Lily, Kate and I were headed to a country we’ve never been to or even heard much about in less than a week. We had no idea where, in particular, we were going or what we might do when we got there. Perfect.

Betsy Set Us up

We were tired by the time we hopped off the ten-seat puddle jumper that took us on a gorgeous sunset flight from Belize City south to Placencia, which is basically a long, thin peninsula at the western edge of the Caribbean. Our contact down there, the aforementioned Canadian villa broker, Wolf Worster, was waiting and quickly whisked us to the house Betsy arranged at Wild Orchid, an early-stage, high-end housing development on a private beach and marina just a few moments from the airport. (Placencia doesn’t really have an

That’s me at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, doing my best Tarzan impression for the kids. (Either that or I am emulating friend Tyler R., monkeying up his home climbing rope. You decide.)

“airport” as you and I know one, more of just a landing strip near the beach.) We were emphatically not disappointed. The place was gorgeous, wellconstructed, with Egyptian marble and flat screens (et cetera) everywhere and an infinity pool looking over the quiet waters of the marina and lagoon beyond it. It was stocked with a few ice cold Belikins – a terrific local beer that, for me, rivaled my global fave to date, BeerLao – which we quickly took up to the rooftop patio to watch the sun sink into the sea. Thanks, Betsy. We were joined not only by Wolf but by Wild Orchid owner and developer, Paul Habib, a genuinely terrific guy ...continued p.22

FULL SERVICE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR Established 1978

Muller & Go s s

Locally Owned

IMPORT AUTO REPAIR Specializing In

Mercedes • BMW•Audi Rolls Royce• Mini•VW

962-1613

www.mullerandgoss.com

424 N. Quarantina Santa Barbara, CA

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

...continued from p.13 force a citywide vote on changing the way elections are structured. Capello might not want to get paid, but it is certain to cost the city a bundle.

At-Large Elections

istrict elections, or wards, are based on proportional representation, and supposedly offer minorities a greater voice in government. Our current city charter calls for “AtLarge” elections, meaning that regardless of where a candidate might live within the city limits, the entire registered electorate can choose to vote for them. Once elected, they are to represent all of the citizens of the city, not just those in their geographical area. In 1991, the “Committee for District Elections” was formed in Santa Barbara. At that time, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Southwest Voter Registration Project conducted research into the possibility of voting rights lawsuits. None came. The challenge of representation has been around a very long time. From a 1999 News-Press article written by Barney Brantingham: “The issue is not whether a Latino could ever be elected, but whether the at-large system ‘impermissibly dilutes the votes of Hispanics.’” Santa Barbara’s percentage of Latino voters (roughly 33%) hasn’t changed much in more than 20 years. Unfortunately, neither has the misguided perception that by creating districts of mostly Hispanic residents, the appropriations from city coffers, or projects and priorities will change in their favor. Measure S, the defeated push for district elections back in 1991, quoted its leader as saying, “...one thing learned from the Measure S effort is that the Latino community cannot rely on much support from the city’s liberal, environmental ‘elitist’ leaders who oppose district elections... What they want is a Hispanic theme park...They are good at manipulating the working class.” No one believes that quote would be the case today. The Latino population of Santa Barbara is a vibrant cross-section of every economic, educational and social strata, and I see absolutely no proof that the current at-large system of voting has watered down the voting powers of its minorities.

Collateral Changes

istrict versus at-large voting is a spurious cause, and there’s no reason for it. But here are two collateral changes that could have a far more positive impact on Latino representation and for the overall health of our city council elections: First, place a cap on the amount of money that any candidate can raise for city council. Nothing keeps a group underrepresented more than the skyrocketing cost of elections. One of the justifications for district

elections is that it is less expensive to run in a single neighborhood than to have to cover the entire city. But here’s the truth: Candidates typically (or should) spend their time and dollars in the precincts with the largest concentration of people who consistently cast their ballot. Why do the folks in San Roque, for example, get inundated by campaign literature, telephone calls, actual candidates or their poll workers? Because when you look at the precinct map of the city and the percentage of voters from prior elections in each precinct, you’re just wasting shoe leather and burning contribution dollars to go places where your time won’t pay off. Just ask Jason Nelson, who claimed he visited 10,000 homes and still placed close to the bottom of the field. Money influences elections, folks, and it won’t be a bit different if we have districts or not. In fact, districts or wards have the reputation of encouraging spending not only for the seat but also after election. Levels of spending, resulting in debt and taxes, are significantly higher in cities where district representatives have power than in at-large cities. From the pork in Washington, D.C., to the favoritism in Chicago, district representation rarely has the intended result, but almost always has the unintended consequence of a higher cost of government and acrimonious competition for limited city resources.

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

ENCORE SEASON

Proudly Sponsored By

BIG NAMES. SMALL ROOM. FEB 26

PAT METHENY UNITY GROUP Featuring Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez, Ben Williams and Guilio Carmassi “Metheny is a guitar superstar.” – Observer (UK)

MAR 8

CHARLES LLOYD ZAKIR HUSSAIN ERIC HARLAND Sangam “This is world jazz of the highest order.” – Jazzwise

MAR 14

Hispanic Heritage

econdly, districts can create further marginalization of minorities. The paradoxical result of having Latino representatives is that the other members of the council may not think that they need to pay attention to the issues they bring forward. It also underscores the “us/ them” dividing of community. In our current system, every councilmember including the mayor is responsible to every citizen. Santa Barbarans of Hispanic heritage are living in every precinct of this city, so what better way to be represented? If this yet-again formed “District Election Committee” truly believes there’s “stagnation in our neighborhoods” and underrepresentation on council, por favor, don’t waste your money (or the city’s money) on lawsuits trying to force district elections. Instead, take all that organizing effectiveness, energy and income and do just two things: (1) Get every eligible voter in this city registered and (2) Make sure every registered voter casts his or her ballot. You won’t capture front-page headlines for your cause, but you most certainly will change the outcome of the next election – and the rest of us won’t end up paying the poachers to go alligator hunting.

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL: NOW 60

Featuring Anat Cohen, Randy Brecker, Karrin Allyson, Mark Whitfield, Peter Martin, Clarence Penn, and Larry Grenadier

TIERNEY SUTTON MAR 22 AFTER BLUE, THE MUSIC OF JONI MITCHELL Featuring Peter Erskine, Larry Goldings and Mark Summer

APR 22

REGINA CARTER SOUTHERN COMFORT

Featuring Will Holshouser, Marvin Sewell, Jesse Murphy, and Alvester Garnett

805.963.0761 | LOBERO.COM LOBERO THEATRE ENDOWMENT FOR AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC

22 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

...continued from p.20 Chilling in the natural Jacuzzi at Wild Orchid Caye. It’s formed by a ring of sea grass and is, in a word, idyllic.

SANTA BARBARA

SCOTTSDALE

PHOENIX

921 State Street 805 335 2424

Marshall Way 480 941 1707

Kierland Commons 480 443 4030

1 888 335 7900 www.jewelrybygauthier.com

who basically came to Belize for business nearly a decade ago and fell in love with the place. So, eventually, he bought some land and started on plans for developing a pretty unique little enclave. “So, how do you like the house?” Paul asked, smiling. “It’s great, Paul, really great.” Lily and Kate were starting to squirm on the couch behind me, and Paul, a father, saw the signs. “Hey girls,” he started, warmly. “You want to go swimming?” “YEAH!” In unison. Gleeful. “Why don’t you go get your suits on and we’ll meet you at the pool then?” “YEAH!” Again in unison. Again gleeful. After Lily and Kate sprinted down to their bedroom, Paul turned to Wendi and me. “You know, you guys should really come out and see Wild Orchid Caye one day while you’re here.” “Sounds great, Paul, what’s Wild Orchid Caye?” “It’s our private island, about twelve miles off the coast, just a few minutes from the barrier reef. Can the girls snorkel?” “Yeah, in fact, they love it.” “How about Sunday, then? You’ll be my guest. I insist.” Thanks again, Betsy.

Placencia: Pleasant Point

Exclusive*Automobile*Club* in*Downtown*Santa*Barbara** Become*a*Member* www.HangarSB.com* 805?845?5000*

Placencia is a cool place. It hasn’t been totally “discovered” yet, but it’s pretty clearly changing rapidly. (The current eco-tourism movement really started after Hurricane Iris inflicted heavy damage upon Belize back in 2001; the re-building effort led to the current rather interesting state of affairs.) Wild Orchid is situated just north of the little Caribbean town at the end of the peninsula, around a seven-minute golf cart ride (that was our preferred mode of transportation). Much is for sale, much is developing, a sure sign of the tourism crush that will undoubtedly come in the next five or ten years. Right now, however, Placencia has that balance of being developed enough to ensure some of the key comforts of home while still retaining an authentic nonDisneyland feel. That’s our kind of place. We found the quaint town – quaint in a Central America kind of way –

inviting and simple; we loved the sleepy seaside bars and restaurants with names like Tipsy Tuna and Barefoot Bar and Cozy Corner, we explored palm-lined beaches and swam in the warm, healing waters of the Caribbean (not only in town but at Wild Orchid’s beautiful and reasonably secluded private beach. Thanks, Betsy.) We had a truly delightful meal at the quite lively and totally fun Rumfish y Vino, which, coincidentally, is owned by Ojai native John Solomon and his wife, Pamela. (That Snook Crudo and Mango, Pineapple, Habanero infused Rum with Ginger Fizz was the real deal. And the kids set the record for slow-cooked pork tacos consumed in a single sitting.) John’s another terrific ex-pat who is following a real passion and doing it well. You’ll hear more about Rumfish someday, mark my words. (Thanks John, great meal, great night out. Looking forward to the next time already.) Wolf arranged for us to meet – over that lunch I mentioned a thousand words ago – Turtle Inn GM Martin Krediet, and we spent a gorgeous afternoon lounging around the property. Turtle Inn is a special place, with beautiful Balinese-style thatched cottages on the sand, a couple of quiet pools and a beach restaurant and bar that, frankly, you might not ever leave. (Coppola bought Turtle right before Hurricane Iris effectively knocked it down, and totally re-did the place in the following couple of years. Very cool property.) We had a similar experience with Managing Director John Sears at Belize Ocean Club, another stunning (and recently renovated) property, just a few minutes north. Two great spots, two great days. We ate well. We drank well. We frolicked with the kids. We chilled as a family. And we had an absolute blast.

Mowgli and Me

But that’s not all. This whole thing came together really, really, fast. So fast, in fact, that Wendi and I didn’t have time to do much (ok, any) planning. That’s saying a lot, especially since we spent many months traveling with the kids a few years back and generally enjoy the whole planning part of it all. Let’s just say that we haven’t really ...continued p.35

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

by Christina Enoch

Santos and Gloria Guzman, making it happen at El Bajio every day.

Talk of the Town:

Authentic Home-Cooked Mexican on Milpas Santos Guzman, Taqueria El Bajio owner, works hard in his restaurant. And it shows.

Chicken sopa, fresh, healthy and totally delicious. (EIC Matt’s favorite, too, I hear.)

go to Tahiti on a regular basis for my dancing. (Another story; just take my word for it.) And even though I love the local food, I often find myself having a strong craving for Mexican, yes Mexican, when I’m away from Santa Barbara. Just the other day, in fact, I found myself dreaming – on a pristine Tahitian beach, no less – of warm, handmade tortillas, shredded meat with onions, cilantro… So I did what any self-respecting Mexican food fanatic would do. I sought out fresh, authentic, homemade Mexican food when I got home. Look, I’m on a near-constant search for terrific Mexican and I’d heard of Taqueria El Bajio lots of times. I just hadn’t been. Until a few days ago. I wish I had listened sooner.

After years of working full time for an ad agency, Christina found her passion in cooking and food. Now armed with her newfound title, “Culinary School Graduate Food Blogger,” she writes and shares her passion for food, cooking, restaurants, photography and food styling in her popular blog, black dog :: food blog. Christina’s a proud mommy of not one but two shelter dogs and lives here in Santa Barbara with her husband. She’s also an avid Polynesian dancer, beach lover, traveler, swimmer, snowboarder and most of all, a lover of anything edible and yummy. Check out her ramblings here and at www.blackdogfoodblog.com.

La Familia I walked through the door of the quaint Milpas restaurant with admittedly high expectations. I immediately saw owner Santos Guzman taking orders at the counter and his wife, Gloria, making tortillas behind the line. Great signs. I love seeing restaurant owners and their families in the places; it typically bodes well. Santos came to the United States in 1996 from Guanajuato, Mexico, to work as a gardener and had this random opportunity to cook at a city council event – everyone loved it and kept coming to him for more. That’s when he decided to get into the restaurant business. (Funny how life works out, isn’t it?) ‘’Making this food, I feel completely comfortable,” Santos started, proudly. “These recipes are from my family, and it feels so natural cooking them. You won’t taste anything like this at other places.” Then he treated me to a few of his favorite

How good does that look? Go get one – it’s a chicken torta and it’s wonderful.

dishes. And my high expectations weren’t only met, they were quickly exceeded.

La Comida El Bajio’s sopas – which you’ve probably heard about before – are, in a word, comforting. (In another word, they are delicious.) In fact, next time I get sick, I’m going to run right into this place for some sopa – maybe the chicken, maybe the seafood, it’s presently unclear – for sure. Warm and vibrant, with fresh vegetables and rice, these soups are meals, especially

Here are those Tacos Dorados I nailed after multiple other full and delightful home-cooked dishes. (Thanks Santos, you really made my day.)

when paired with some fresh tortillas. The tortas keep the momentum going. Absolutely out of this world. Is it this delightfully spiced grilled beef (or pork!) or is it this light and airy bread that makes these sandwiches so good? I can see why EIC Matt has mentioned this place so many times… next time you’re going, boss, please give me a call. As I mowed my way through the torta course in foodie bliss, I vaguely recall asking Santos about regulars. “Paul Walker used to come in all the time,” Santos told me, proudly again, with a hint of genuine sadness. And suddenly, I was literally surrounded by regulars – the place was packed – and they were all yelling out their favorite dishes. I’d love to tell you what they were, but I was too focused on the sinful chile relleno coming

toward me. I’m not sure I can talk publicly about my obsession with the chile relleno; let’s just say that I’m perfectly fine with inundating the innocent chile with cheesy goodness and then deep-frying it and leave it at that. I can truthfully say that I have had wonderful chile rellenos in a few places around town. And I can honestly say that I wanted a second plate of them – and that’s after sopas and tortas – at El Bajio. One word: Bra-frickin-vo, Santos. Tacos dorados were next. Three fried tacos with lettuce, queso ranchero, avocado, tomato, onions, cilantro and jalapeno. Ayayayaya. Huge portion, huge flavor. I washed it down with a couple aguas frescas (think papaya, horchata, sandia (fresh watermelon)). The horchata was great. I really thought hard about my experience at El Bajio after I hugged Santos goodbye and waddled out of the place. And what I came up with at the end of the day is simple. El Bajio really serves an honest homecooked Mexican meal, just like you’d get of you were in Santos and Gloria’s house south of the border. It won’t overwhelm you, it won’t disappoint you… and it will definitely leave you wanting more. I guess that’s why this place is loved by so many locals, including me. Now, if I could just convince Santos to open a second El Bajio in Tahiti…

Food File Fun Fact I’m not the first person to love Taqueria El Bajio; it’s been written up far and wide, and I haven’t ever seen anything negative. If you haven’t been, it’s time to go. 129 North Milpas; (805) 884-1828. And don’t forget to try Santos’ famous Menudo, which won the Santa Barbara Menudo Festival and is another local favorite. (I’m hungry.)

Back by popular demand! 4X4 in the Funk Zone at Corks n’ Crowns. The Burger Bus Pairing 4 Sliders specially complemented by 4 craft beers. $25, ﬁrst round of sliders out at 6pm. Thursday, February 27th 6-8pm.

Corks n’ Crowns Tasting Room and Wine Shop

32 Anacapa Street in the heart of Santa Barbara's Funk Zone Hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm

24 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

by Rachelle Oldmixon

On DNA Analysis, Innate Health Risks and Ashkenazi Latkes

Danish Restaurant & Bakery

1106 State Street • Santa Barbara, CA 805.962.5085

www.AndersensSantaBarbara.com Wedding Dessert Buffets, Private Event Rooms, High Tea Parties, Wedding Rehearsals, Baby Showers

little while ago, I spit into a vial and mailed it off. No, it wasn’t an odd form of revenge on an ex-boyfriend. I had decided to get my DNA analyzed by a company called 23 & Me. You might have heard of 23 & Me; it got into a bit of a fight with the FDA. Word of advice, don’t take on the FDA. You will lose. Which is what happened to 23 & Me. You see, 23 & Me decided to market more than a simple analysis of a person’s ancestry. The company also offered health analysis, giving its customers a report on their genetic risk for hundreds of diseases, from the commonplace to the rare, genetic predispositions for reactions to certain medicines and likely physical traits based on genetic markers. To set the scene, a quick DNA lesson might be helpful. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that encodes all our genetic information. Genes, made up of base pairs of nucleic acids, translate into proteins, which translate into our phenotype (our observable traits). We’ve known about

A self-professed science nerd, Rachelle has her B.A. in neuroscience from Skidmore College in upstate New York, and is working towards her Master’s in psychology at UCSB. In her free time, she blogs at www. synapticspeculations.com. She never could quite understand why she had to choose just one area of science; they are all fascinating. Especially when paired with some classic rock.

Visit the WinehoundVisit the Winehound in La Cumbre Plaza!

function since the 1920s, but it was in La Cumbre DNA’s Plaza! only recently that we managed to sequence

the entire human genome. And we are Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! still determining what proteins each gene

Voted Best Wine Shop

for Five Years in a Row!

is responsible for producing and how that then translates to our health, appearance and mental capacities. We certainly don’t understand all the variations within our DNA. Some people have more base pairs than others; some people have multiple copies of the same genes. Some people are missing genes. Some people have whole additional inner chromosomes.WAnd many of them live life without any serious side effects (though Largest selection of Central Coast andchromosomes can be some additional deadly or lead sparkling wines in Santa Barbarato life-long complications). However, we do know that some variations * Free gift wrap on all bottles * at specific base pairs cause predictable changes in gene expression that can then More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! affect our health. These variations, called Single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew (pronounced “snips”), are what 23 & Me looks for in its genetic testing.

Voted Best Wine Shop

Visit the Winehound Visit the Winehoun in La Cumbre Plaza! in Lathe Cumbre Plaza!in La Cumbre Plaza! Visit Winehound Visit the Winehound Voted Best Wine Shop

Visit the Winehound

santa barbara®

Winner

Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! Largest selection of Central Coast and sparkling wines in Santa Barbara

for Five Years in a Row! santa barbara®

Visit the Winehound for Fivethe Years Winehound in a Row! Visit Visit in LaWinehound Cumbre in Lathe Cumbre Plaza! Plaza!Even in LaWinehound Cumbre Plaza! The Winehound Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! in La Cumbre Plaza! The in La Cumbre Plaza! Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! Even More Wines! Easy & Wine Plentiful Parking! Voted Best Wine Shop Voted Best Shop Voted Best Wine Shop Even More MoreWines! Wines!Easy Easy Plentiful Parking! Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking Even && Plentiful Parking! forfor Five Five Years inYears a Row! Voted Best WineYears Shop in Row! Don’t Mess witha the FDA for Five in a Row! Voted Best Wine Shop Visit the Winehound Voted Best Wine inShop for Five Years inWine a Row! Late Nite Voted Best Wine Shop Voted Best Shop La Cumbre Plaza! Wine Shop Voted Best for Five Years in a Row! The Winehound Food Delivery for Five aa Row! forfor FiveYears Yearsinin Row!in Five Years a 3849 Row! Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 State Five St. Santa Barbara • (805) for Years in845-5247 a Row!

Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Park Even More Wines! Easy & Plentiful Parking! the gift wrap onWinehound all bottles * in* FreeWinehound La Cumbre Plaza! in La Cumbre Plaza! VisitVisit the santa barbara®

– Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew Winner

Largest selection of Central Coast and sparkling wines in Santa Barbara * Free gift wrap on all bottles *

The FDA wasn’t too keen on a company offering such a service without explaining Winner their process. In order to find a SNP, researchers must: (1) choose a disease, (2) – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crewinner W Largest selection of Central anda group of patients with that disease Santa Barbara, CA Coastfind Winner sparkling Winner wines in Santa Barbara who are willing to give a sample of their Largest selection of Central Coast and * Free gift wrap on all bottles * DNA, (3) find a group of individuals who Winner sparkling wines in Santa Barbara Winner Mon-Wed r e do not have the disease, (4) analyze each innner Win W * Free gift wrap on all bottles * individual’s DNA completely, (5) compare 8p.m. – 1a.m. Central er Wesley & the Winehound Crew LargestLargest selectionselection of CentralofCoast and Coast and the DNA of all the patients to one another, WinnBob – Cheers, ner Largest selection ofwines Central Coast and Winthe selection of sparkling in Coast Santa and BarbaraEven More Wines! sparkling wines in Santa Barbara (6) compare the DNA of all non3849Largest State St. Santa Barbara • Central (805) 845-5247 Thurs-Sun Easy & Plentiful Parking! sparkling wines in Santa Barbara * Free gift inwrap on all bottles * affected individuals, (7) find regions of –sparkling Cheers,*Bob the wines in FreeWesley gift wrap onWinehound all Santa bottles *onBarbara *&Free gift wrap Crew all bottles * W ner 8p.m. – 3a.m. * Free gift wrap on all bottles * similarity across the majority (if not all) ** Free Free gift gift wrap wrap on all bottles * on all bottles * Largest selection of Central Coast and the patients, (8) compare those regions to the same regions in the non-affected Freshly sparkling wines inprepared Santa Barbara individuals and (9) look for a single base – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew * food Free gift wrap on all* bottles * gift wrap on all bottles * – Cheers, Bob Wesley & wrap the Winehound Crew * conveniently Free * Free gift on all bottles pair that is consistently different between 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 Cheers, Bob Bob Wesley Wesley & & the the Winehound Winehound Crew Crew –– Cheers, – Cheers, the Winehound Crew the&patients and non-patients among r delivered to Bob you Wesley Winne – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew billions of base pairs. 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 LargestBob selection Central Coast Crew and As you can imagine, there is a lot of error – Cheers, Wesley of & the Winehound 805.699.5189 sparkling wines in Santa Barbara and replication that needs to be done with facebook.com/nitebiteSB * Free gift wrap on all bottles * such to ensure thatCrew the findings are – Cheers, Bob Wesley & thestudies Winehound www.nitebiteSB.com accurate. And it turned out, there is a certain – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew amount of uncertainty regarding many of 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 – Cheers, Bob Wesley & the Winehound Crew the SNPs that 23 & Me was investigating. 3849 St. State St. Barbara Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 But the FDA wasn’t necessarily worried 3849 State Santa • (805) 845-5247 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-5247 3849 State St. Santa Barbara • (805) 845-524723 & Me was using bad information. The santa barbara®

santa barbara®

Voted Wine Shop Visit Best the Winehound Largest selection of Central Coast and Five Years in a Row! Largest selection of Central for Coast and The Winehound in La Cumbre Plaza! sparkling wines in Santa Barbara sparkling wines in Santa Barbara The Winehound Largest selection of Central Coast and selection VotedLargest Best Wine Shopof Central Coast and wines in Santa Barbara Thesparkling Winehound for Fivesparkling Years in a wines Row! in Santa Barbara The Winehound santa barbara®

santa ® barbara santa barbara®

santa barbara®

The Winehound The Winehound

The Winehound santa barbara®

The Winehound

The Winehound The Winehound The Winehound

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

FDA was more concerned the company was providing information about these SNPs, and how they affected a customer’s risk for diseases without educating the customer on the research behind the results or properly educating him or her on what the results meant. 23 & Me did offer genetic counseling, for an additional fee. The idea was that a genetic counselor could walk a customer through the results and answer any questions that might arise. The FDA thought that was not enough to ensure the safety of the customers. After all, if you found out that you had the BRCA1 gene (the gene that greatly elevates your risk of breast cancer), you may elect to go the Angelina Jolie route and prematurely undergo a double mastectomy. Or, perhaps worse, if you discovered you had a greatly reduced risk of diabetes, you may decide to adopt a less healthy lifestyle. These worries may seem petty. 23 & Me certainly thought so. They ignored the FDA’s request for certain materials and documents for months. Funny, but angering a government-fueled agency that has the power to shut you down probably isn’t the best idea. Because you’ll get shut down. Which 23 & Me did. While they had my DNA.

What’s a Latke, Anyway? Luckily for me, the FDA took a bit of pity on the customers of 23 & Me and allowed

the company to continue its ancestry services for all and its health services for customers who had already sent in their saliva samples. Ultimately, I got to see my health results, after reading and saying I understood a disclosure about nature of the information I was about to read. As it turns out, I really didn’t want to know my health results. Most of it was unsurprising, given my family’s medical history. Some of it was upsetting, such as my risk for breast cancer. It’s elevated. Not because of the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 genes. But a SNP in another gene has nearly doubled my risk compared to the average woman. Great. Other information was exciting, like my decreased risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. And honestly, Alzheimer’s scares me more than breast cancer, so on the whole, I’ll take it. Of course, you can’t go get your health results from 23 & Me because the company lost the battle against the FDA. But that’s OK. I would argue that you’ll get just as much information if you ask your parents, siblings and grandparents about their health. It’s a personal question to ask, but cheaper and more interesting than a kit that requires you to spit. A word of caution, however, about the family route: It’s not always entirely accurate about everything. Like ancestry. My family got that way wrong. We’re not so much Italian as Ashkenazi. Good thing I like latkes just as much as lasagna.

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

Canzelle Alpacas Invites You To

Spend The Day and Picnic in the Pasture with the Alpacas! March 1st and 2nd 10:30 to 4:00pm. 4036 Foothill Rd. Carpinteria Gourmet Picnic Lunch ~Alpaca Walk About-Tour Fiber Arts~Sunset at the “Crow’s Nest”. Fabulous Alpaca Products, wholesale prices. $65 per adult, $20 for children 12 and under. Discounts for families. RSVP Canzelle@aol.com, (805)684-2021. See Canzelle.com for more info and directions

The Gray Whale Migration Is On Now! Come enjoy a close up view of Gray Whales, Dolphins and other sea life in the Santa Barbara Channel! Gray Whale Watching Cruises Depart daily @ 9 AM, NOON, and 3 PM from Sea Landing dock  75 Foot Quad Jet, Hydrofoil Assisted Catamaran designed to provide a stable and comfortable ride at cruising speeds of 25+ knots  Large walk-around and upper sun-decks  Full-service bar and galley  Luxuriously teak paneled cabin with booth seating for 68 people  Professional experienced crew

BOOK ONLINE NOW FOR YOUR RESERVATIONS

SEA LANDING

Online use promo code SENT for our complimentary galley offer

301 W. Cabrillo Boulevard in the Santa Barbara Harbor

805-882-0088 or toll-free 1-888-77WHALE www.condorexpress.com

Join us on Facebook & Twitter

26 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

...continued from p.5

Benny gets some work done between two decks he designed on his right and one signed to him by former Shorty’s pro Chad Muska on his left.

BUY ANY FRAME GET THE SECOND PAIR FREE & now your second pair & of lenses is 50% OFF!

• Lowest Price Guarantee • REAL 1 Hour Service • Best Warranty in the Business • We Accept Most Insurance

NOW OPEN OPEN NOW

SUNDAYS

SANTA BARBARA 805.965.9000 • 1 S Milpas St

VENTURA 805.642.222 • 4051 E Main St

Across from Target, next to Lassens

Incentives & Financing for Your Home Energy Upgrades

Free Homeowner Dinner Meeting sponsored by the County of Santa Barbara Tues, March 4 at 5:30pm Veterans Memorial Building 112 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA (Dinner provided)

• Learn about utility incentives and low interest financing • Improve your home's efficiency, comfort and air quality • Meet trained, qualified contractors RSVP: www.empowersbc.org/events

To learn more visit www.emPowerSBC.org or call us at (805) 568-3566 This Program is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission

he was unable to find backers or get a loan, he had the idea for Lowrider one day while walking down State Street. He saw a taxi and recalled joking with friends before: What if there were lowrider cabs? Looking through Craigslist for the right car, he found it: A ’64 Chevy Impala for fifteen-hundred dollars in Dublin, California, ten minutes from Livermore, where he used to live. The plan was to rent a trailer, drive it up to Livermore and then haul the car back down. His step-father, however, convinced him the car now parked at Benny’s mom’s house in Livermore was in good enough condition to be driven the distance to Santa Barbara. When he arrived in Livermore, he found the car without a gas pedal, and his step-dad informed him that the gas tank was missing a gasket, so it could only be filled halfway up. Feeling unsafe, cold and fighting a fogging windshield, Benny set out for Santa Barbara in the Impala. He made it 15 miles down the highway before the car broke down, and he had to come back to Santa Barbara without his new ride. His step-dad felt so bad, he rented a trailer and brought it down to Santa Barbara himself. Benny then went about the business of teaching himself how to fix cars. While he let professionals handle more difficult projects like the transmission, he found himself replacing a radiator and installing power steering with no prior knowledge of car mechanics. The Impala first hit the streets of Santa Barbara on a Fiesta Parade night in 2007. After that, Benny’s phone was ringing. As the company’s only driver around this time, he was getting off work at 5pm and then driving until 3am. He’d then get a few hours of sleep in before going back to his day job the next morning. He had people waiting 45 minutes or longer to be

picked up because they wanted to ride in the Lowrider cab. But some wanted more than just a lift. One young woman, Benny laughs as he tells the story, wanted Benny. He arrived at a residence and phoned a fare to tell her he was waiting outside. She replied by telling her cabbie what she was – or wasn’t – wearing. Benny, maintaining professionalism, told her that if she needed to go somewhere, he was waiting. She finally emerged, clothed, and got in the cab, but told Benny she just wanted to cruise. “I’ve heard about you,” she told him, and he says he still has no idea what she meant. She hit on him hard the entire ride, but Benny declined all advances and ran the meter until he took her home. Another time, a group of women, after being dropped off at a house, decided they wanted to have a photo-shoot with the Impala – naked. They stripped down and mounted the car. Benny was invited in for champagne, but again declined the offer. Worn-out from a schedule that was beginning to affect other parts of his life, Benny began looking for help. He brought on a friend as a businesses partner and was relieved of half the driving. After that partner left, Abraham Phillips came in. Lowrider now has a five-vehicle fleet: two cabs, a 2007 Denali, a Sprinter bus and a stretch limo. They’re taking the company in a new, more high-end direction with black car service, offering transportation services like wine touring. Abraham manages day-to-day operations, allowing Benny to take a back seat and focus on his work with SLTWTR.

GTTNG SLTY

These days, Benny says, the weekends can be tough. He looks forward to Mondays and getting back to business. He enjoys the work he does at SLTWTR

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

disingenuous. So, no red tile: That’s easy enough. But what about the insides of these establishments? What does a successful south-side business look like? What does it feel like? And what about the website? That’s where Benny and SLTWTR come in. Although it does business well beyond the boundaries of the Funk Zone, the agency has plenty of work on display at Helena Street’s Seven Bar and Kitchen. No, not on the walls alongside area artists, but on the menus, which SLTWTR conceived and designed. And the logo glasses, the coasters, the bills. The imprinted wine barrel atop the piano. This is what SLTWTR does. It’s also the reason why Benny, who’s been passionate about brands ever since his days at Shorty’s, is the perfect man for the job – and why he’s having the time of his life. To catch a ride with Lowrider, go to www.lowridercab.com. Check out SLTWTR Creative Agency online at www. sltwtr.com.

Benny by the beach: Lowrider founder Mr. Bermudez with his ’64 Impala and ’07 Denali.

Creative Agency and the people he does it with. That work is wide ranging: The group turns intangibles – after working with a client to first define them – like branding, voice, style and identity into tangibles, such as websites, smart phone apps and packaging design. And they don’t stop there, but continue to work with businesses by doing things like managing social media pages or online reputation. The agency has just taken on The Lark and Lucky Penny as clients; they’ll be doing work on the restaurants’ websites. Benny is also getting ready to create a site for Channel Islands Surfboards, one of the agency’s bigger recent accounts. SLTWTR is behind Municipal Winemakers on Anacapa. Development in their arty, industrial neighborhood continues, and with it, so does the conversation on the area’s aesthetic. Everyone here seems to agree that importing Spanish styles from other parts of town would be

24 E. Mason St. Santa Barbara 805.845.5606 bluelinepaddlesurf.com

Time & Tide and the DAY LOW HGT HIGH SAT, FEB 22 2:15 AM SUN, FEB 23 3:36 AM MON, FEB 24 4:53 AM TUES, FEB 25 5:57 AM WED, FEB 26 12:38 AM 1.6 6:52 AM THURS, FEB 27 1:30 AM 1 7:42 AM FRI, FEB 28 2:19 AM 0.5 8:29 AM SAT, MAR 1 3:05 AM 0.2 9:15 AM SUN, MAR 2 3:52 AM 0 10:01 AM MON, MAR 3 4:40 AM 0 10:48 AM TUES, MAR 4 5:31 AM 0.2 11:37 AM WED, MAR 5 6:27 AM 0.4 12:34 PM THURS, MAR 6 12:36 AM FRI, MAR 7 1:31 AM

HGT 4.6 4.7 5.1 5.5 5.9 6.1 6.2 6 5.6 5 4.3 3.6 4.8 4.5

LOW 10:04 AM 11:22 AM 12:19 PM 01:05 PM 01:47 PM 02:26 PM 03:04 PM 03:40 PM 04:16 PM 04:52 PM 05:28 PM 06:06 PM 7:36 AM 9:04 AM

urf

HGT HIGH HGT LOW 0.9 04:35 PM 2.6 08:25 PM 0.3 06:05 PM 2.9 010:14 PM -0.3 06:55 PM 3.4 011:37 PM -0.7 07:33 PM 3.9 -1.1 08:09 PM 4.3 -1.2 08:45 PM 4.8 -1.2 09:20 PM 5.1 -0.9 09:56 PM 5.3 -0.5 010:33 PM 5.4 0 011:11 PM 5.3 0.7 011:51 PM 5.1 1.4 0.7 01:51 PM 3 06:49 PM 0.9 03:52 PM 2.7 07:56 PM

HGT 2.4 2.4 2.1

SURF MAGAZINE • DEEPZINE.COM

mall remnants of the previous northwest swell are what we have in store for Saturday and Sunday, and you will have to drive a bit to find it. Our next best chance of waves will be Monday night, going into Tuesday. Bad news is that it’s probably going to be a bit on the 300-degrees side, which does not help Santa Barbara proper at all. To make matters worse, several days of mild south wind will make for unfavorable surface conditions. Keep your eyes on some of the beach breaks for slight side offshores. Good news is, we are starting to see south-swell energy for another set of possible waves – so keep the faith.

2 2.5

-Surf Country Doug

For a more in-depth daily report call Surf Country, 805-683-4450

28 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

Girls Rock ng ti fi ne be e nc da & ic us m e liv of An evening

SB!

PUSH MARCH 22nd

Marjorie Luke Theatre usicians

panies and m m co e nc da st be s a' ni e of Califor

Featuring som

7PM

Purchase Tickets : girlsrocksb.org / Silent auction starts at 6pm / Tickets $20-$27.50 more information 15% OFF TICKET • use coupon code sentinel / For This event is supported in part by The Marjorie Luke Theatre’s Dreier Family Rent Subsidy Fund.

• girlsrocksb.org / 805.861.8128

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

by James Luksic A longtime writer, editor and film critic, James has worked nationwide for several websites and publications – including the Dayton Daily News, Key West Citizen, Topeka Capital-Journal and Santa Ynez Valley Journal. California is his eighth state. When he isn’t watching movies or sports around the Central Coast, you can find James writing and reading while he enjoys coffee and bacon, or Coke and pizza.

Fool’s Gold

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

American Hustle. Another category that boils down to a toss-up is supporting actress, as most prognosticators foresee Lupita Nyong’o edging last year’s Best Actress champion, Jennifer Lawrence. Nothing against those talented ladies, but nobody embodied her role better than Julia Roberts, who deftly handled a complex character with unexpected ease. When film-goers think of Roberts, their minds instantly race to Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich – but in August: Osage County, the actress gave her finest turn to date while trumping Meryl Streep in the bargain. My forecast below offers two selections apiece: Who will actually win and my personal choices (though in a few groupings, they’re one and the same.) Per usual, I will stick with forecasting only eight of the major categories. As an old TV show’s name rightly stated, eight is enough:

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS My prediction: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) My preference: Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Prediction: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) Preference: Leto ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Prediction: John Ridley for 12 Years a Slave Preference: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope for Philomena

rying to predict the Academy Awards main categories can be a futile and guilty pleasure, the epitome of a zero-sum game. Even on those rare occasions when my guesses prove accurate, I feel like what The Beatles might call the fool on the hill. This time around, I can’t shake the belief that Academy members will spread the Oscar wealth by rewarding many films – not only one or two ad nauseum. At the same time, don’t be surprised if a few hopefuls get shut out; there’s a chance the likes of Captain Phillips, Nebraska and Philomena could leave empty-handed. Despite the endless whispers that Cate Blanchett and Jared Leto are “locks” in their respective categories, let’s not forget one of the most shocking Oscar upsets of the past quarter-century: Adrien Brody in 2002 for The Pianist (handicappers projected him to finish a dead-last fifth); that victory gave Brody the confidence to smooch a flabbergasted Halle Berry on the lips. If I were king for a day (specifically March 2), the prize for Best Picture would go to Dallas Buyers Club, but it figures to fall short against 12 Years a Slave or

Up to $2.5 Million of FDIC Coverage In today’s financial environment, you may have concerns about FDIC coverage on your bank deposits. Call me today for a free copy of our publication, Maximizing FDIC Insurance Coverage, and for more information on our Insured Bank Deposit Program.

Larry Harteck

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Prediction: David O. Russell and Eric Warren Singer for American Hustle Preference: Woody Allen for Blue Jasmine BEST ACTOR Prediction: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) Preference: McConaughey or Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) BEST ACTRESS Prediction: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) Preference: Blanchett or Amy Adams (American Hustle) BEST DIRECTOR Prediction: Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity) Preference: Cuarón BEST PICTURE Prediction: 12 Years a Slave Preference: Dallas Buyers Club

INTERMEZZO & A MOVIE +

Senior Vice President/Investments

(805) 957-1840

30 East Figueroa Street, Suite B Santa Barbara, California 93101

The Stifel Insured Bank Deposit Program provides up to $2.5 million of FDIC coverage (or $5 million for joint accounts as defined in the Insured Bank Deposit Program Terms and Conditions brochure), subject to any limitations. You should request and read the Terms and Conditions brochure carefully before choosing to partcipate in this program. FDIC insurance coverage pertains only to bank products available through Stifel. Investment products offered through Stifel are not FDIC-insured, not bank guaranteed, and may lose value. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

BURGERS • GOURMET FLATBREADS • APPETIZERS FULL LIQUOR • SPECIALTY COCKTAILS LOCAL WINES BY THE GLASS

819 ANACAPA STREET

HOURS: MON - SAT FROM 4PM TO CLOSE SAT LUNCH: 12PM - 4PM / CLOSED SUNDAY

30 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

Plan B

spins out of focus. It’s intoxicating. You can’t deny it and no one else should have the power to, either. We need to stop silencing souls.

by Briana Westmacott When Briana isn’t lecturing for her writing courses

at UCSB and SBCC, she contributes to The Santa Barbara Skinny, Wake & Wander and Flutter Magazine. Along with her passion for writing and all things Santa Barbara, much of her time is spent multi-tasking through her days as a mother, wife, sister, want-to-be chef and travel junky. Writing is an outlet that ensures mental stability... usually.

Show Me Some Love

Be of Love

t was perfection. My sister emerged from a long, wooden hallway draped in white lace. She was holding hands with her significant other, both of their faces were beaming. Hot tears burst from my eyes. “I knew it!” I thought to myself, only I hadn’t really known. I had my suspicions, but they kept getting covered up with excuses. It was supposed to be an engagement party. The wedding would come later. To the surprise of 200 guests, the wedding did come later, later on that evening. After sneaking off and quickly changing their clothes, the couple shocked their guests with their nuptials. Three days after Christmas and ten years after they met, my younger sister, Karrin, married her partner, Marisa, in a ceremony of love.

…Then Comes Marriage (Well, Maybe, if You’re Lucky)

The brides, making it official.

First Comes Love… Karrin and Marisa met a decade ago at Reggae on the River. Reggae is an iconic music festival held deep in the forests of Northern California on a riverbed. (Picture a great deal of Birkenstocks, dreadlocks and dancing around in the woods.) Last August, both gals headed back to Reggae with secret intentions to propose marriage to each other. They both had a ring tucked in their respective pockets and proposal plans in their hearts. Synchronicity unfolded and an engagement was made. Karrin and Marisa have been in love

for a long time. Through three homes, nine Reggae on the Rivers, two dogs and a couple of cats, their love marched on. When they were approximately five years into their relationship, Karrin mentioned getting married. She talked of simple ceremonies and toyed with ideas of more extravagant venues, too. Just as the ladies were feeling ready to ceremonially honor their love and commitment to each other, Proposition 8 was passed. For the next five years that followed, samesex marriage was barred in the state of California. Karrin and Marisa would have to wait.

They wore rings on their left hands. They bought a large piece of land that they had always dreamed of owning. They worked hard in their jobs and in their lives, and they continued to love. But they weren’t married. I’ve often wondered what is the true meaning or value of a marriage certificate? Isn’t love strong enough to bind all else? Who needs a piece of paper to justify this? But I had the option. I could walk down to the courthouse and marry the one I loved. I could make it official, and they could not. Not in California. Not until June 2013, when the Supreme Court overturned Proposition 8 and ruled DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act) unconstitutional. To date, only 17 states allow same-sex marriage. When you feel love, it’s unquestionable. It rules your mind. Takes sovereignty over your body. It dictates your dreams. It encompasses you like air; an air that every human has the right to breathe. You are consumed. Your stomach swims with an eagerness that is indomitable. Your head

As 200 people held hands in a ceremonial circle surrounding my sister and her partner, I felt a power that I did not know. Wedding guests were encouraged to speak; they delivered intentions, they sang and yelped and cheered and cried. It was an active release of a love that had been brewing for a long time. The wait was over. (Marisa, welcome to the family!) We need to stop putting limitations on love. In a world where hate hides in too many dark corners, shouldn’t we be letting more love loose? With February being a month to honor love, I share this story in hopes to promote just that. Love your friends. Love your family. Love your partner. And, most importantly, let love be.

Briana’s Best Bet

his is really one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen. Every single page of Flutter Magazine is coated with beauty. Designed with brides in mind, Flutter goes on to include a variety of ideas that inspire us all. The magazine has seasonal recipes, floral arrangements, stylistic gifts, unique party-planning tips and décor overflowing from its pages. If you are planning a wedding (and even if you aren’t), you need to get a copy of the new Flutter Magazine. Fresh off the press, it is available locally at Chaucer’s Bookstore and Granada Books; you can check online at www.fluttermag.com for other purchase locations and see all the prettiness.

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

OH YEAH, ALL RIGHT...

by Tommie Vaughn Tommie adapted her love of the stage to the love of the

page. As lead singer for the band Wall of Tom, she created This Rock in My Heart and This Roll in My Soul, a fictional book series based loosely on her experiences in the L.A. music scene. Now she’s spending her time checking out and writing about all things Santa Barbara. Reach Tommie at www.TommieV.com or follow her on Twitter at TommieVaughn1.

Bangs, Botox or Biltmore?

“Every time I look in the mirror, all these lines on my face getting clearer…” They used every product on my face. Shelley Waklee will give you the face you only remember in pictures.

f I had to borrow one line from a song to describe my current thoughts about aging, it would be that one, from one of my all-time favorites: Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” You see… it’s a new year and as the ol’ saying goes, you can’t stop time, it keeps on tickin’. And each year I seem to find a new line (or two) that grows deeper and more noticeable on my 30++ something-year-old face. Sure, some of them are laugh lines, and those I don’t mind so much; but the others, the ones I like to think of as battle wounds from my years under the bright hot lights of the LA music scene, and the new ones that have appeared since I became a mother four years ago and stopped sleeping, I mind a bit more. Wherever I picked them up, good or bad, they are here to stay, and let’s just say some of them are just too damn comfortable. I like to think I have taken good care of my skin over the years, with a mother who slathered on cold cream like it was going out of style and taught me to moisturize twice daily and take off my make-up before going to bed. I didn’t always do that, since I have, more often than I’d like to admit,

woken up with a fake eyelash attached to my chin, but I do moisturize with fancy products that smell pretty and claim to fight the aging process.

Bo or Not to Tox? But what’s a gal to do, when the lines on your face draw a clear map of your many exciting years on this earth? Well… some people scream BOTOX! And they run like hell toward a needle that will erase their facial expressions, causing them to closely resemble Joan Rivers, leaving the world wondering what happened, to that oncepretty face their Mom and Pop gave them? It’s just not for me. Not only will I faint at the sight of a needle, but I also feel faint when I see women, and I just can’t tell if they are pissed off or exuberantly happy, or (yikes!) have been punched in the mouth. So I consider the alternative. Bangs. I love my one-length long hair, but I must admit that all the Zooey Deschanels out there are uber-charming and violently hip to me. Yet still I hesitate. I did have bangs for years upon years and I’m not sure I’m ready to go back to the 1980s just yet.

1 Week Free Yoga or 2 Weeks for $10

So what else is there? My answer comes in three silky words: Four Seasons Biltmore. Oh, yes, folks. I don’t mess around when it comes to skincare. I went to the very best that Santa Barbara has to offer, and the Spa at The Four Seasons Biltmore is legendary in its services, so I decided to take a lazy drive over to Montecito, sit down with a skin expert, discuss my skin and, basically, learn how to take a few of these “freeways” off my face.

Hello, Heaven? I’m Home! Can I just say it? Gorgeous. Sexy. Stylish. And that was just the valet, who so sweetly handed me an umbrella as I stepped out of my car, since Mother Nature was, on that very day, giving Santa Barbara a misty facial of her own. I nevertheless happily skipped through a few tiny puddles and entered the haven of the hotel that is The Biltmore. Walking through the grounds, I tried to keep my cool, remembering the girl I used to be, before motherhood became my No. 1 record. I entered the spa to smiles everywhere, as the ladies greeted me with true warmth. After a quick walk-through of the spa facilities (make an afternoon of it, ladies and gents, there is a sauna, steam room, a lounge loaded with teas, coffees and treats, a pool, hot tub, showers, robes, the oddest little flipper shoes I have ever

seen, and that’s all before you get your spa treatments or massage), we got down to business. Shelley Waklee, head esthetician and ageless beauty, met me in the lounge and brought me into a fragrant facial room, introducing me to the Biltmore’s one-of-a-kind patented time machine facial treatment, the HydraFacial. Each HydraFacial treatment uses a patented HydroPeel tip on the esthetician’s magical wand, which merges soothing and invigorating spa therapies in a four-step process. It begins with a cleansing and exfoliation that removes dead skin cells to reveal healthy new skin. Then comes the acid peel, which gently helps loosen dirt and debris from pores without irritation, prepping your skin for the next step… extractions, that are done painlessly with the automated vortex suction to clean out your pores. It ends with hydration filled with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which are vortex-fused to nourish and protect. In a sense, it is like getting three treatments in one 50-80 minute sitting, providing the perfect alternative to much more invasive procedures. I don’t need to say much more. After I had crawled in between the warm sheets of that form-fitting esthetician’s bed, I already felt like I had returned to the womb. I could literally feel my skin glowing; it was as plump and healthy as my seven-month-old’s bottom. I’m not kidding. It’s been a week now and I still catch myself looking in the mirror, not at my wrinkles, but at my youthful complexion that must have been suffocating beneath all those layers of dead skin that the HydraFacial jackhammered off. Do yourself a favor, Santa Barbarians: Back away from the needles, bang ’em if you want ’em, and trot over to the Four Seasons Spa to see what beauty lies just beneath the surface. Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore, 1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, 805-565-8250.

How You Arrive Matters...Call Pipeline Wine Tours, Enjoy complimentary cheese, crackers, chocolate & champagne on your way up to the Wine Country Special Events, LAX, & Courier Service

New Students Only.

Santa Barbara Native,

James Ball/Owner

serving our community since 2007

DiviniTree.com El Paseo 25 E. De la Guerra St. 93101

Call or Book Online

805 895-8585 pipelinetransportationsb.com

32 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

In the Garden with

Mr. Greenjeans

by Randy Arnowitz “Mr. Greenjeans,” as he is known around

Santa Barbara, is a gardener, horticulturist and writer. He particularly enjoys working with roses, orchids and sharing the day with his golden retriever Peaches, who faithfully accompanies him in the field. Contact him at greenjeansmr@gmail.com

I’ve Got Mail

his week I had a little extra time since I was not watering my trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers and all the other parched green (brown) things that used to grow in my yard. So instead of picking up the hose, I decided to leaf through my Mr. Greenjeans inbox, and address some of the readers’ mail that has accumulated over the last few months. Yes, these are comments, questions and complaints sent in by actual, real-live people just like yourselves. The names are real, except when the reader requested otherwise or I thought up funnier ones to use.

Gardening essentials!

After only a few months, divided agapanthus (center) is established and growing strong.

Dear Mr. Greenjeans,

I finished my rose-pruning chores in January, but I have a new client who wants me to prune her roses now. With it being a warm winter this year, what would you recommend? Is it too late to prune back roses? Dave Hunsaker Owner, Dave’s Organic Gardening Hi Dave, Thanks for your thought-provoking and timely question. I’m not so sure that there’s an absolute right or wrong answer to this one, but I will give you my take on the situation. As you know, mid-January is the best time to do our annual rose pruning. At that time, the buds on the canes are often beginning to swell and the old, tired leaves are easy to strip off. Although late February is less than the ideal time, it’s probably better to do them

After dividing, walk-on bark mulch keeps the Lily of the Nile roots evenly moist and cool.

Too jungle-y and overwhelming, these “ags” need dividing and rehabbing.

late than to not do them at all. One reason I say that is because I find the bushes more difficult to work on once they’ve leafed out. I can’t always tell which buds are best to cut to, when the entire plant is covered in those hopeful, red leaves. Another drawback is, since the plants

Mosquito Control

Got Gophers? Free Estimates

Voted #1 Termite & Pest Control Company Termite Inspections - Repairs • Ticks carry the devastating Lyme Disease • Decks, Doors, and Windows • Fleas carry multiple diseases • 55 diseases are transmitted by rodents to children / adults • 1 in 5 fires are caused by rodents • Roaches cause many forms of Asthma • live Animal Trapping

805-687-6644

Free Estimates

Kevin O’Connor President

www.hydrexnow.com

have already begun to put a lot of energy into making all that new foliage, many of these leaves will be sacrificed when you start pruning the canes down. However, as I’m writing this, I’ve thought of yet another alternative. As an experiment, you can refrain from pruning now, feed them normally as you would in March and enjoy the flowers after that. If they were in reasonably good shape and had been pruned properly in the past, you should still get a decent bloom from them. Then, after the flowers are done you could thoughtfully and conservatively start to shape and prune them throughout the season. Like I said, there’s probably no cut-anddry answer other than to just use your good, horticultural common sense. Hope that helps, Dave.

Mr. Greenjeans,

Here’s one for you. I have a large stand of Lily Of The Nile in my garden. I like them well enough, as they are reliable spring and summer color. However, my plants have been in the ground a long time and have somehow pushed themselves up out of the soil and are growing all over and on top of each other. They look tiredout, and it is not an attractive look as you can imagine. Should I cut them down or is there a better solution? Thanks for any help. Sincerely, Over It on Overlook Lane Dear Over It, Although your Lily Of The Nile (Agapanthus) will readily come back up

after you cut them down, that’s really not the answer. The new foliage will certainly be cleaner and fresher looking, but the plants themselves will still be overgrown and too high out of the ground. The bad news and the good news is that it’s time to renovate them. First, the bad news. Well, if you have a good gardener or you’re ready for some exercise and stoked for a garden project, the bad news really isn’t so bad if you follow these simple steps. 1. Dig out all of the clumps of plants with a shovel or garden fork and put them aside, out of the area to be replanted. 2. Break up any large clods of soil and remove any of the leftover fat white roots from the soil in the garden bed. 3. Spread out a few inches of soil amendment or compost over the area and turn into the soil. Rake and level out the bed. 4. Divide the large clumps of Agapanthus into smaller sections that include two or three healthy, unwounded bulbs and replant one foot apart. You can put them closer together for a speedier result. Best to plant them two inches higher to accommodate a few inches of mulch. 5. Cover the spaces between the plants with walk-on bark or other mulch to retain moisture and to keep weeds from taking hold. 6 .Go inside and have a handful of Oreos and as much cold milk to thoroughly wash them down. Repeat. The good news is that in a very short time, the plants will begin to grow, fill in and look really great. Oh – and you won’t have to do this again for another ten years or so.

Randy’s Quick Pick Ever marvel at those exotic-looking South African plants and think “too difficult to grow?” Well, Seaside Gardens & Master Gardeners will be presenting “South African Plants” with guest speakers Lawrence Nicklin and Jo O’Connell on Sunday, February 23, at 11am. Learn about the growth habits of these beautiful, water-wise plants. Seaside Gardens is located at 3700 Via Real in Carpinteria.

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

the

SANTA Byo urARBARA S KINNY gui de to

.com

SANTA BARBARA LIVING

WINE & DINE Scratch That Itch

By Eve Sommer-Belin ood should be fabulous and fun. We tend to think it should also be made with love, not travel far and not contain things we can’t pronounce. That’s why when we first met Scratch Food Truck we were smitten. From the adorably understated design to locally sourced ingredients, we couldn’t wait to sink our teeth into their comfort-food creations. Much of chef Tim Kilcoyne’s (previously of Ventura’s Sidecar Restaurant) menu is locally sourced or made in house, including their soon-to-be famous ketchup. We’ll proudly admit that we’ve spent some time working through their menu (proper research, of course) and have not been disappointed. The Smoked Pork PB&J is delightfully smoky, incredibly tender and the surprise of (yes) PB&J strikes a chord in our youthful hearts. The roasted Brussels sprouts are seriously not to be missed and the grass-fed burger is anything but ordinary. Scratch Food Truck has a pretty busy schedule and can be found mostly in Ventura and Ojai… and are definitely worth the trip. Stalk them, er… follow them on Facebook to keep up with their whereabouts. Go ahead and tickle your taste buds with a little Scratch. www.scratchventura.com

ARTS & CULTURE Pucker Up

by Sylvie Butera Rich kay, who kissed a frog on February 14? Any luck? Well, if you ventured out to see Tim “Frogman” Cotteril’s beautiful bronze frog sculptures, we think you’d be more than willing to pucker up.   And if you didn’t, well, venture out you should, because not only are these frogs fun and whimsical, but they are said to bring good fortune. Tim Cotteril, known as “The Frogman” from years of mastering his technique, is one of the featured artists at Santa Barbara Art Foundry, A Frogman Signature Gallery. Not only will you be able to see these delightful creatures, you may even get a chance to see Tim bring them to life. No, not by kissing them, but by doing what

Join us for some warm Irish hospitality, authentic food and excellent pints.

$8 daily lunch menu featuring over 13 items. 18 E ORTEGA ST., SANTA BARBARA • 11:302:00AM EVERY DAY 805-568-0702 • www.dargans.com •

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

he does best, sculpting. The Santa Barbara Art Foundry is located in the Funk Zone and has been around since 2013. It is known as one of the premier art galleries in the Santa Barbara area. Not only does it feature Cotteril’s work, but other top-selling artists in bronze, paint and mixed media as well. Offering tours every 5 minutes, 7 days a week, this special place is a must-visit for any art collector or appreciator or even any curious passerby. These frogs, along with the other art at the foundry, are sure to faithfully delight you. We can’t say that for sure about other toads you may run into... www.sbartfoundry.com

BE ACTIVE Beautiful You

by Kim Wiseley n a daily basis, we strive to shine inside and out. From maintaining that healthy skin glow to feeling energized, to making sure we consume the best foods for our body, we are on a mission to be the best birds we can be. We recently met up with Dr. Kristi Wrightson of Nest Integrative Medicine Spa to find out just how to keep healthy now and forever. And while we thought we knew it all, she blew our minds!   Dr. Kristi focuses on three important principles for optimal healthcare and healing: one’s individual needs, education and care for overall nutrition and anti-aging processes. From natural remedies and exercise to even the best feminine-care products to use, you’ll feel refreshed from a basic woman-to-woman consultation.  We hear beauty is skin-deep. From Dr. Kristi to you, here are a few nutrients to make your skin shine: kale, arugula, blueberries, avocado, water, walnuts, salmon, blackberries, gogi berries and cucumbers.   Want an even bigger beauty boost? Be active and visit www.nestspasb.com.

Jessica Lewis Photography

34 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

The badass and beautiful Santa Barbara Oiselle running team (l to r): Jess Douglas, Desa Mandarino (Gigi’s mom), Jill Himlan, Drea McLarty, Kate Elliott, Chrystee Bradley and Cindy Abrami.

by Megan Waldrep With over ten years in the industry designing for her own label, she began writing because “it just felt good.” In addition to writing, Megan is currently the head designer and creative director for Mew Kids, a children’s clothing line, as well as a co-author of the much loved children’s book, Spice & Little Sugar. You can say she wears many hats. Which is fitting. For a fashion writer and all. Discover her world at www.mewkids.com.

SB Running Company/ Oiselle Fashion Show

’m not gonna lie. I was a little intimidated walking into the Santa Barbara Running Company (SBRC). A place full of accomplished and experienced runners? Whoa. For all you fellow non-runners out there, you know what I’m talking about. Fashion is my passion but running is quite another. (Once upon a time, I decided to run 5K a day for a whole month. That experience brought me the elusive endorphin high, a sore knee and, in turn, a slightly broken spirit. I guess you could say I pushed it a little too far.) So when Editor Matt sent me to SBRC to cover the Oiselle fashion show, I was (gulp) game. Once I stepped foot into the building, all those fears melted away. I was greeted with warm smiles, great conversations and glasses of wine. As far I could tell, I was home. A little history about the host: SBRC has been a cornerstone for the Santa Barbara community since 2003. Sponsoring events, working with schools and generally offering great products and customer service has created a reputation for a retailer that you can trust and count on for your athletic wants and needs. I spoke with Monica Vereese, the coowner of the company, and asked what attracted her to the Oiselle (pronounced “wah-zell,” a French word meaning bird) brand. “If you look at the standard performance brands like Nike, Adidas, Asics, Saucony, they don’t have that fashion element to it – Nike being the exception. The cut and fit of Oiselle are extremely flattering and cut for a woman’s body. The other thing, I’ll be honest, with some of the other, larger stores in town: This is our way of staying true to who we are while giving that runner girl an option.” And as we know, a girl needs options. After some great conversation with a few more lovely ladies, it was showtime. The models were the actual SBRC/Oiselle running team members (read: gorgeous girls who are ripped). The runners/models danced their way down the runway with their heads held high and looking fly. I was slightly distracted by their insane bodies; I had clearly been granted a ticket to the “gun show.” Abs. For. Days. After making a mental note to do 500 crunches

Happy spectators settling in for showtime.

A nice chat with Stacey Bailey, Heidi Heitkamp and Nancy Kaplan pre-show made me feel at ease. (Mmm... cheese plate.)

Abs (and Oiselle fashions) brought to you by Santa Barbara Oiselle team member and model, Drea McLarty.

SB Running Company buyer Sarah Boone, Oiselle’s VP of sales Christy Slye and runner Dian Colman being all kinds of encouraging to me post-show.

Daughter of Oiselle team member, Gigi Mandarino, age 7, following in her mom’s footsteps; she placed 6th in her age group for 2013’s State Street Mile. Must “run” in the family.

a day, my eyes traveled to the clothing. And now, to my favorite part: the fashion. The Oiselle Spring 2014 collection is so versatile, you can wear the pieces running on trails or running around town. The Oiselle brand presented vibrant colors and stylish accessories that make you want to break out your running

shoes to run and strut your stuff. Some of my favorite pieces are the brightly colored arm bands. They keep you warm and just look cool. Fashion as function? Sign me up. Bright yellows, corals, greens and blues, anchored down with mellow gray tones, all conceptualized, designed and tested by Oiselle founder Sally Ferguson and her team of designers at Oiselle headquarters in Seattle. Oiselle’s VP of Sales, Christy Slye, briefed me on why the brand chose to team up with the Santa Barbara Running Company. “This is our first retail racing team associated with a running specialty shop, so it’s really awesome that Monica wanted to support that. She picked seven fabulous women to be a part of the team. We just knew it was a supportive running community and a great fit for our product.”

Two-time Grand Prix winner, Ricky Ho with super pup, Ollie. (Ollie placed 3rd in the State Street Mile with a 4:46 mile. Woof!)

After encouragement by several local runners and the provocation by the newest designs, I’m ready to give running another shot. I thought I had been welcomed into the inner sanctum, and I wanted a piece of that endorphin high again. You gotta start somewhere, and I’m going to start by getting some Oiselle gear. After all, it’s another way to make a bold fashion statement. Whatever gets you out there, right?

Santa Barbara Running Company: 110 Anacapa Street, (805) 899-8802

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

...continued from p.22 Beach day at Wild Orchid’s private sanctuary. (See how there’s nobody around? Exactly.)

International villa broker Wolf Worster, hard at work. (I’m kidding, Wolf did, in fact, work in Belize. I just couldn’t help myself and rudely interrupted his beachside massage. Hey, Wolf, need a lawyer/editor to help with the business? Come on, man!)

been tour guide-type people, we’ve just figured stuff out and made it happen on our own. That might be changing a bit. Betsy graciously offered to help us out, since we had such little time from the day we (ok, I) agreed to go down to Belize and the day we actually left. We thought we could use a hand – hey, she’s a pro, right? – and readily agreed. And that was how it came to be that experienced land and marine guide Dwayne Young came to pick us up at the villa early one morning. First and foremost, Dwayne is a wonderful guy, great with the kids, hugely knowledgeable about Belize and Placencia (his hometown) and the surrounding area. He drove us in a comfortable van around 45 minutes to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Cockscomb is a jaguar preserve deep in the jungle of central Belize. And while it is exceedingly rare to actually see a stealthy and generally nocturnal jaguar, the place is amazing. (It’s almost like you’re on the set of an Indiana Jones flick or something, and Harrison Ford is going to step out of the jungle with a golden skull in one hand and his whip in the other. Sorry, I’m digressing again.) Dwayne took us on a hike that was suitable and entertaining for Lily and Kate but still interesting for Wendi and me, and we learned all about medicinal plants (nope, not that kind of medicinal plant, but I’m pretty sure that one grows in Belize, too) and survival in the unforgiving tropical forest. We saw Toucans and all sorts of other exotic birds in their natural habitats; we watched Howler Monkeys eat lunch in a Trumpet tree (yeah, you read that right); Kate and I snacked on a few termites (high in protein, great for survival); we swung from vines (seriously);

we inner-tubed down a lazy portion of South Stann Creek (so fun); we lunched on a wonderful, home-cooked traditional Belize meal prepared by Dwayne’s father. It was a great day, one we all enjoyed hugely. Thanks, Betsy.

Fantasy Island

But again, that wasn’t all. (I know, this is getting ridiculous, but we might as well finish it off at this point.) On our last morning at Wild Orchid, Paul and his family picked us up in his 46-foot power catamaran, which was fully stocked with everything you could ask for: Snorkel gear (with motorized underwater propulsion devices to ensure a comfortable and relaxing snorkeling experience), deepsea fishing gear, great food and drink, friendly and hospitable boating companions and a hell of a lot of plain old fun. We snaked our way through dozens of tiny coconut islands, each a mirage of white sand, a few coconut palms and dreamy aquamarine waters, until we reached the amazing Belize Barrier Reef System, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world. (Second only to that other one, down under, in the Great Southern Land.) The boat ride alone was pretty jaw-dropping; we drove through a tropical squall only to emerge on the other side in perfect equatorial weather. Lily was the first into the water. She was also first out: A huge manta ray passed right beneath her within seconds of her jump off the boat, and she almost walked on water to get back on. (Oh, don’t worry, she was fine. I was able to convince her to come back in and hold onto my shoulders while we used the super-fun underwater propulsion thingy, à la James Bond.) We were all treated to turtles and wildly beautiful coral heads, and fish of every imaginable color and dolphins (yep, just like home) and rays – and even a reasonably large reef shark that came over to check us out. All in ridiculous water, warm and crystal clear. On a gorgeous day. After an hour or two on the reef, we headed back in a few miles to Wild Orchid Caye. It was like an oasis, a true tropical paradise, uninhabited, untouched. (It will

eventually be developed into very highend villas, catering to the diving, fishing, yachting, chilling crowd. But not yet.) We snorkeled all around the private island, hung out in the natural saltwater Jacuzzi and generally enjoyed the day and each other’s company. The kids ran up and down the pristine beach until near-collapse; there were cold beers and local flavors in a cooler that the crew had dragged over in the dingy. There was peace. There was love. The world was right, even if only for a little while. We didn’t want to leave. But, alas, we did, driving home slowly, trolling for local fish, watching the sun set into sea, chatting, laughing. It was one of those days – one of those weeks, really – that doesn’t leave you. I can still feel it, even as I write. And I want it back. Hey Betsy, you free for coffee this week?

Stuff I Like

I don’t need to say it, but I like Belize. (So, go already.) I also like friend Elizabeth Peace and World Odyssey quite a bit. Nothing you read above would’ve happened but for them, and

my family and I owe them a debt of gratitude for making it all so seamless. Everything I mentioned has a website, so do some searching online if you want more on anything. And definitely check out www.world-odyssey.com and www. wildorchidresidences.com. Here’s another cool one: www.wolfworster.com; the Canadian villa broker has cool stuff all over the planet, even a place or two right here in sunny Santa Barbara and environs. Thanks Betsy and Wolf (and Paul and Paul’s family and Tom Hitchcock, the friendly British project manager I should’ve mentioned.) We loved our time in Placencia, and it wouldn’t have been the same without any of you. We’ll be down again at the first opportunity, and the rum punch is on us. I like Bacara Resort & Spa. Believe it or not, I also happen to enjoy the Oscars. Therefore, I like (squared?) the fact that the folks at Bacara are inviting locals up for an evening of glitz and glamour (and Moet & Chandon) to watch the Academy Awards. Dust off that tux or little black dress and head up on Sunday, March 2, from 3pm, for a seat in Bacara’s screening room. Should be a blast. $30 per person, space is limited and will fill quickly. Go to www.bacararesort.com/bacara-rolls-redcarpet-oscars and reserve your spot now. Finally, I love that Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara and the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness are holding a Homelessness Action Summit on Monday, February 24, at UCSB (Campbell Hall), from 7:30 to 9:30pm. If you care about the homelessness situation here in town and want to make a difference, this is a great place to start getting educated and inspired. This one is worth it, folks, and it’s free of charge. See you there. Register online at www. homelessnessactionsummit.eventbrite. com or call (805) 699-6535.

36 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

flutter magazine

WORKSHOP thursday, february 27th • 7-9pm

Watercolor 101 with Rebekah Miles

for more info visit www.fluttermag.com

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

with Julie Bifano Ms Bifano is drawn to micro-fiction and is currently writing her first novel – “The Grace Below.” She has a B.A. in English with an emphasis in writing from the University of San Francisco and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing, also from the University of San Francisco. More of Julie’s stories and poetry can be viewed on her website juliebifano.com.

Giggles at Granada Books

Stephen Tobolowsky signs his book for a fan after a comedic reading.

The charismatic host and founder of No Indoor Voices, Kimmie Dee poses with author, actor and comedic genius Stephen Tobolowsky.

Assistant manager of Granada Books, Lee Hiestand, poses with author Louise Palanker.

othing compares to a good oldfashioned book. There is the familiar smell when you press your nose into the crease, and the quiet rippling sound when you flip through the pages. As I meandered into Granada Books (1224 State Street) on February 5, I was thrilled not only to be surrounded by books in a clean, comfortable space, but also to be attending a free new comedy series. I took a seat in the front row and introduced myself to Kimmie Dee, the charismatic organizer and host of the event, and head of the local comedy collaborative, No Indoor Voices. Kimmie explained how exciting it was to have actor and writer Stephen Tobolowsky as the headliner for the show. Kimmie pointed out Stephen in the room, and I couldn’t believe it! Immediately, I remembered his role as Ned Ryerson in the hilarious film Groundhog Day. Stephen has appeared in more than 200 movies, and is the 9thmost frequently seen actor on screen. He is also known for his Podcasts, “The Tobolowsky Files,” a story-telling series about life. Looking around the room in the back of Granada Books, I noticed people starting to fill in the seats, anxiously awaiting Stephen’s comedic reading from his new book, The Dangerous Animals Club. Kimmie expressed, “This has the intimacy of your living room, and spoken word deserves that intimacy. You can actually talk to successful writers and ask them questions like, what’s your process?” On this chilly February night, it did feel cozy in the little room at the back of Granada

Vadeem Imperioli warms up the audience with some jokes before Stephen Tobolowsky takes the stage. Glen Deisler and Victoria Imperioli anxiously await Granada Books first comedy night!

Books. I pondered the possibility for fiftycent hot chocolate at the comedy nights. Before Stephen took the stage, Kimmie read some new material of her own regarding the harsh reality of her 52nd birthday on January 2. Following Kimmie, Lousie Parker read from her book, Journals, and amateur comedian Vadeem Imperioli practiced interactive comedy with the audience. After claps and giggles, the audience was eager to see the headliner, Stephen Tobolowsky. As Stephen took the stage, you couldn’t help but notice his magnetic personality in the way he gestured and spoke. As he began his comedic reading, from one of his true stories in The Dangerous Animals Club, I observed how well he related to the audience in an uncanny way. He made it feel as if you already knew him;

Ti and Brad Nguyen love Stephen Tobolowsky’s podcasts and are thrilled to see him at Granada Books.

immediately he was your new uncle or big brother. Without giving too much away, I will say that Stephen’s story revolves around a dog he discovered by accident in his

Louise Palanker reads a short excerpt from her book Journals.

backyard. The twists and turns that take place in this short story are hilarious and heartbreaking. The sincere tale truly came to life off the page, and most all of us in the room could relate in different ways to his piece. I enjoyed how Stephen interjected honest statements about life throughout the story. For example, “True always triumphs clever in whatever you do.” The audience applauded as Stephen finished his reading, and a long line of fans formed for Stephen to autograph his book. As I waited to have Stephen sign my copy, I thought to myself how unique it was to attend a free, fun and out-of-theordinary event in downtown SB. Future free comedy nights will be held the first Wednesday of every month at Granada Books and will include Fred Stoller on March 5, Annabelle Gurwitch on April 2 and Alex Stein on June 4.

38 |

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4

W W W. S A N TA B A R B A R A S E N T I N E L .CO M

CALCAG-KNOWS

REAL ESTATE by Michael Calcagno

Michael has consistently been ranked in the top 1% of Sotheby’s agents worldwide. Shortly after joining Sotheby’s, he partnered with Nancy Hamilton to form one of the most successful real estate teams in Santa Barbara. Michael can be reached at Michael@HomesinSantaBarbara.com

$1,700,000 in the areas East and West of State Street and Hope Ranch. In the last 30 days, there have been 67 new listings to come on the market and 20 of them are already pending. There have also been a total of 48 new pending sales in the last month, with a total of 41 closed sales.

943 Calle Cortita

No New Water Meters or Permits on Horizon

t has been an interesting 30 days in the world of real estate since my last article. With the drought conditions in California and the hot real estate market, I would suggest if you have a pool you might want to jump in; if you don’t have one, you may be out of luck for a few years! The Montecito Water District has issued Ordinance 92 in an effort to conserve the much-needed water that it has. The ordinance details specific watering times, limited home car washes and procedures on how to wash, no hard-scape washing, restaurant and hotel rules about water use and pool maintenance guidelines. The most interesting aspect was that they will not be issuing any new water meters or enlarging water meters. That means no new construction unless the property already had an existing meter. They also will not be issuing any new pool permits. So, if you live in Montecito and were thinking of putting that pool in, it’s too late. What does this have to do with the Santa Barbara market? Well, it will be interesting to see whether Santa Barbara follows suit and homes with already existing pools become prized possessions. Let’s take a look at what has happened in the last 30 days. While the market is still hot and doing well, we are starting to see our typical spring inventory emerging on the market. Normally, more inventory will slow the market down a little, since buyers will have options to choose from; honestly, though, we need the inventory, and it hasn’t seemed to slow the market in the price ranges of $400,000-

Purchase price: $579,000 Down payment (20%): $115,850 Loan amount: $463,200 Loan payment: $2,244

(30-year fixed rate at 4.125% (4.129% APR)) Property taxes estimate: $530 Home insurance estimate: $70

Mortgage statistics provided by Justin M. Kellenberger, Senior Loan Officer at SG Premier Lending Group, Inc. Justin can always be reached at justin@sgpremierlending.com. Note: The foregoing economic breakdowns do not include potential tax benefit analyses since that will ultimately depend upon a number of additional factors. But home ownership can indeed have tremendous tax-savings potential and should be considered with your realtor and/or tax accountant as part of the ownership decision.

Total Monthly Payment: $2,844

1078 N. San Marcos Road

18 La Lita Lane

Purchase price: $1,650,000  Down payment (20%): $330,000 Loan amount: $1,320,000 Loan payment: $5,476 (5-year fixed rate at 2.875% (2.89% APR)) Property taxes estimate: $1,512 Home insurance estimate: $100

Total Monthly Payment: $7,088

Purchase price: $849,000 Down payment (20%): $169,800 Loan amount: $679,200 Loan payment: $3,145 (10-yearr fixed rate at 3.75% (3.77%APR))

Property taxes estimate: $778 Home insurance estimate: $100 Total Monthly Payment: $3,993

8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A

this is our world our connections to the most respected and successful real estate experts all over the world provide a level of global reach that is unparalleled in the industry. according to the independent web analytics provider Compete, sotheby’s international realty’s® proprietary websites are visited far more often than those of the other residential real estate networks targeting high-end buyers. our network has professional marketing staff in key regional centers including manhattan, miami, london and hong Kong. their objective is to ensure our listings receive the attention and exposure they deserve throughout the world. Visit onlywithus.com to discover the benefits available through us alone. rana creek ranch | search web#0113687 at sothebyshomes.com santa barbara area brokerages montecito coast village road | montecito upper village santa barbara state street | santa ynez valley sotheby’s international realty and the sotheby’s international realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. operated by sotheby’s international realty, inc.

F E B R UA RY 2 2 – M A R C H – 8 | 2 0 1 4 |

FARIA COASTAL RANCH | WEB: 0113776 | $12,000,000 Suzanne Perkins 805.895.2138, Janet Caminite 805.896.7767

JEWEL ON THE PACIFIC | WEB: 0592695 | $8,950,000 Adam McKaig 805.452.6884

PANORAMIC OCEAN VIEWS | WEB: 0113769 | $4,285,000 Maureen McDermut 805.570.5545

YOUR OWN CLUB | WEB: 0113735 | $2,695,000 Harry Kolb 805.452.2500

HOPE RANCH OPPORTUNITY | WEB: 0592760 | $2,595,000 Stephanie Wilson 805.895.3270, Ed Kaleugher, Gail Beust

EUCALYPTUS HILL RETREAT | WEB: 0113733 | $2,395,000 Harry Kolb 805.452.2500

LUXURY TOWNHOUSE | WEB: 0592753 | $995,000 John Luca 805.680.5572

CAPE COD-STYLE DUPLEX NEAR PARK | WEB: 0592752 | $945,000 Evelyn Cavins 805.689.7785, Justin Corrado 805.451.9969

MESA OCEAN VIEW CONDO | WEB: 0592734 | $789,000 Jay Krautmann 805.451.4527, Darcie McKnight 805.637.7772

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY LISTINGS

CAPE COD-STYLE FARMHOUSE | WEB: 0621537 | $2,175,000 Mary Ann Foss 805.455.1476

UPDATED LOS OLIVOS | WEB: 0621578 | $920,000 Meagan Tambini 805.448.4285

THE ALISAL RANCH REDONE | WEB: 0621577 | $787,500 Patricia Castillo 805.570.6593

SANTA BARBARA AREA BROKERAGES | sothebyshomes.com/santabarbara | sothebyshomes.com/santaynez MONTECITO COAST VILLAGE ROAD | MONTECITO UPPER VILLAGE | SANTA BARBARA STATE STREET | SANTA YNEZ VALLEY Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.