Hello Belrose

Wham NAMM – NAMM is back with a bang as The Marshall Group and other big names return after years away, P.18

Hello Belrose

Booze Free Fun – Tilden takes on the night sans alcohol with these pre-mixed mocktails that pack a flavorful punch, P.35

The Hippie Chronicles

Rick Steves – a stick figure with ‘70s-era wire frames and shoulder length hair, eating water buffalo in Nepal. Yeah, that Rick Steves, page 6

SBIFF Goes Ruby

It’s the 40th anniversary of the SB International Film Festival and these lesser known flicks promise to make it a gem of an event, page 18

Diamond Denk – MAW hosts its Denim and Diamonds gala with Jeremy Denk tinkering on the ivories, P.8

White Buffalo plants Roots of the Future, page 10

In Business – The multi-generational Belrose Estate Jewelers is open for business and ready to bejewel

Beings & Doings – Travel avatar Rick Steves was once a mop-topped piano teacher determined to visit India and Nepal. It changed him, and we are grateful.

Montecito Miscellany – Denk and Diamonds, Dean Wilson turns 50, Bolton’s home game, and more miscellany

– Thoughts on Robert’s questions, rainfall and housing

FEBRUARY 27, 2025 | 5pm to 7pm

Discover unparalleled luxury travel experiences with our exclusive partners. To join us, contact Heather with Santa Barbara Travel for location details HTinker@sbtravel.com or (805) 969-7746

16 In Passing – Remembering the life of James (Jimmy) Searcy Far Flung Travel – It’s paddling along the waves of Central California Coastline with the hum of surf scoters

18 On Entertainment – With SBIFF coming through town for its 40th, Steven gives an overview of the film fest’s schedule

20 An Independent Mind – What truths and myths can be flushed out from the new tariff and trade policies being enacted 22 Elizabeth’s Appraisals – An old dining cruet tells of the intricate, complicated process known as, “dining,” in the 19th century

28 Your Westmont – Downtown talk explores life’s crucibles, teen math students compete on campus, and baseball hosts its home opener

29 Dear Montecito – Meet the painting, jewelry, and music wizard Avrae whose work explores the dark and light

30

Brilliant Thoughts – What is the reasoning behind why we do what we do? Here are some ideas

31

Ernie’s World – Pat is in recovery from surgery and Ernie has to help out with the chores (Spoiler: the house is still standing by the end)

32

Robert’s Big Questions – What is the correct path for citizenship and how do we protect “undocumented Americans?”

34 Foraging Thyme – Don’t pass over the turnips – these pungent little roots pack a punch of flavor and nutrients

35

36

Santa Barbara by the Glass – Tilden is taking the booze out of cocktails but not the flavor or fun

Stories Matter – From Victoria Amelina’s war coverage in Ukraine to the rise of a queen in Babylonia, these powerful women lead the way

44 Calendar of Events – 1st Thursday happenings, the astounding Anima, Twyla Tharp taps through town, and more

46

47

Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads

Mini Meta Crossword Puzzles

Local Business Directory – Smart business owners place business cards here

In Business Belrose Estate Jewelers

by Tiana Molony

It all started in 1967 in New Jersey on the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. That’s where Joe Schweke’s parents, Rose and Sam Schweke, opened Belrose Galleries, selling a variety of objets d’art, fine jewelry, and antiques. “I grew up in and amongst opulent and rare and beautiful objects at a young age,” Joe shared, speaking from Tucson, Arizona, where he was attending the annual gem, mineral, and fossil showcase.

At just 19 years old, he took over the family business after his father suffered from multiple strokes. Joe had just moved to California but was called back to New Jersey to help his mother care for his father and keep their business afloat. “We were both doing double duty as caregivers and running the business,” he recalled. He had no choice but to take the reins. “So I was thrown into the fire as a kid.”

He ran their Atlantic City shop for decades, continuing his parents’ legacy. In 2006, he moved to Santa Barbara and a year later opened Bella Rosa Galleries on State Street. In 2010, he closed the original Atlantic City shop. This January, he and his daughter Sarena Schweke moved the shop from State Street to 1268 Coast Village Road and re-branded it as Belrose Estate Jewelers.

Joe felt that State Street was not the ideal location for their business, and relocating seemed like the logical next step. They’re “looking forward to better serving the community in a more desirable location,” Joe told me. While they

soft opened a few weeks ago, they’re having an official ribbon cutting on February 13th.

Their new Coast Village store is adorned with an impressive fine jewelry collection. Pieces are arranged by gemstone type, creating a breathtaking rainbow of sparkling gems – emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and a notable collection of sapphires. A large photo of Joe’s parents hangs on the back wall – highlighting the pair that started it all some 58 years ago.

Sarena joined the business around three years ago. Unlike her father, who mostly learned the ropes by doing, Sarena decided to study the craft and attended the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). There, she absorbed invaluable and detailed knowledge: “I can look at a gemstone and know by its inclusions what it is,” she shared.

“Whereas he’s been in the business for so long, he knows. But I know the technical and geological reasons behind it.”

They recognize the inherent challenges of family collaborations, but both deeply value the unique perspectives and mutual support they bring to the business. They not only work well together but also complement each other’s knowledge. “He has his things that he’s good at, and I have my things that I’m good at,” shared Sarena.

“She’s keeping me in check,” Joe joked about working alongside his daughter. “And she’s also helping me to ride off into the sunset and take a lesser role.” Joe’s been in the fine jewelry business for

Business Page 264

Celebrate Galentine’s Day with

Step on in to Coast Village Road’s newest spot (courtesy photo)

Beings and Doings

The Hippie Trail and the Arlington: A Rick Steves

Intersection

by Jeff Wing

The world knows and love Rick Steves – our shared Global Citizen whose dispatches from the Olde World edify and ennoble. Let’s imagine Rick. His blue button-down shirt is neatly tucked into dark blue jeans, his brown leather shoes are well-worn, pliant, and have thick clod-hopper soles, his inimitably cheery baby blues smile from behind frameless glasses. The guy’s soft-serve vocal timbre and exacting locution are familiar, calming, and beloved.

But remember when Rick had a concave chest, cargo shorts, a neck beard, and a curtain of Prince Valiant hair? You do if you were hanging out with the guy in 1978. That’s the year he and pal Gene Openshaw made their dust-caked, beleaguered way from Istanbul to Kathmandu, along what was then known as The Hippie Trail.

“It was all about a 23-year-old kid,” Steves says with mild amusement. “I wasn’t a travel writer, I was a piano teacher. The Beatles had long since gone to see the Maharishi, India was the destination. The hippie trail was the thing people did in the ‘60s and ‘70s.”

So easily summarized! The actual event was not quite as tidy. The freewheeling, heartfelt, and occasionally comic pilgrimage is forensically described in Steves’ new book, Rick Steves and the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer. During the COVID lockdown, Steves had rediscovered his youthful journals of the trip, now nearly 50 years past. It all (as they say) came rushing back.

“I didn’t know a single soul between Istanbul and Seattle, and nobody knew me,” Rick says avidly. “And there was a real scarcity of good information – this was raw travel, travel with abandon. I wanted to get my fingers dirty in these cultures. I

wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I wanted culture shock as a constructive thing – the growing pains of a broadening perspective.” The old ‘be careful what you wish for’ bromide seems fitting here.

The charmingly named Hippie Trail was short on tie-dye and long on antiquated, wildly overstuffed trains and buses, weirdly dawdling customs stops in the whistling middle of nowhere, intense heat, the vertiginous Khyber Pass, and clustering insects from one of the circles of hell. The Hippie Trail would test both boys’ mettle; and mark the beginning of Steves’ evolution from curious traveler to politicized global empath.

“To this day, I think of India as my favorite country because it rearranges my cultural furniture in a beautiful way. And it humbles you. Americans tend to be very, very ethnocentric. We think we’re exceptional. The only thing exceptional about us in God’s eyes,” Steves says with a flinty smile, “is our ability to think that we’re exceptional.”

Ears, Teeth, Eyeballs, and All

Arriving on the Continent, Steves and Openshaw stayed a few nights with a sweet Bulgarian family Rick knew from earlier European travels. India and South Asia were new to the 23-year-old, but Europe was, even in that youthful epoch, a long-familiar stomping ground to the peripatetic and gregarious Steves, whose Continental network was already rife with friends. On leaving Bulgaria, Rick and his buddy Gene were fêted with a local delicacy – lamb’s head. The name is not a fanciful culinary conceit.

Beings & Doings

A shaggy Rick Steves crossing the border into India – 1978 (courtesy photo)

Montecito Miscellany Denk, Denim, and Diamonds

by Richard Mineards

It was an evening of many facets at the Music Academy of the West when it hosted a Denk, Denim and Diamonds gala which attracted more than 100 guests and raised around $50,000 for the Miraflores oceanside campus.

Drinks on the terrace outside Lehmann Hall kicked off the sunset soirée before supporters filed into the hall for dinner of flat iron steak, oven roasted salmon and butternut squash risotto with desserts of citrus cheesecake bites, vanilla bean panna cotta, and chocolate hazelnut bread pudding and cream.

Jeremy Denk – one of America’s foremost pianists who is on the teaching artist roster at the academy and winner of both the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize – performed Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major.”

Fans turning out include Chris Fossek and Leila Drake, Frank McGinity, Christopher Toomey , Thomasine Richards, John and Ellen Pillsbury, Richard and Marilyn Mazess, Warren

Staley, Maurice Singer, and Susan Lichtenstein

Golden Year at Valinor

It was all too heavenly for words when Dean Wilson, head honcho of the Turner Foundation, celebrated his half

century at Valinor, the former St. Mary’s Seminary which sold for $7.618 million in December 2022, and is now a 35.69acre retreat center, a tiara’s toss from the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens.

More than 140 guests quaffed champagne and wine while noshing on jalapeño poppers, beef burritos and chimichangas.

Among the guests were singer Katy Perry ’s parents, Keith and Mary Hudson , Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey, sheriff Bill Brown, John Daly, Mike Stoker, Johnny Mullen, John Davies, and Mark Sears

Miscellany Page 424

Arno Schefler, Mark Maupin, MAW President/ CEO Shauna Quill, and Beth Wood (photo by Phil Channing)

Suzanne Mathews, Eric Nagelmann, and Michele Brustin (photo by Phil Channing)

Denk in his natural habitat (photo by Phil Channing)

The Giving List

White Buffalo’s Roots of the Future:

Celebrating

by Steven Libowitz

Ethe Culture in Agriculture

ighteen months ago, White Buffalo Land Trust (WBLT) celebrated the culmination of its year-long pilot of the organization’s Artist in Residence program. The program represents the dipping of a toe into expressing – through fine art – the Trust’s work to restore the ecosystem by practicing, promoting, and developing systems of regenerative agriculture at Jalama Canyon Ranch. One of the results of its Artist in Residence program was a series of 12 gouache paintings at downtown gallery Sullivan Goss. The “Farmer Almanac Series” was created by Santa Barbara artist Holli Harmon, who produced one painting per calendar month, these

featuring scenes of the livestock, native flora and fauna, and ecological sites found at Jalama Canyon Ranch over the changing seasons. The works are painted on old almanac pages and mounted on cyanotype prints Harmon fashioned from the native plant materials of the ranch.

It was a small but creative expression of how WBLT is thinking outside of the box as it works to restore the ecosystem. Re-imagining of our agricultural and food systems involves an evolution of the land stewardship model, and the redesign of our food system to address the climate, biodiversity, public health, and food security challenges facing the world today. The nonprofit is committed to

Giving List Page 244

Letters to the Editor Best Word Never Heard

Thank you for writing this brilliant piece, Robert Bernstein It speaks to something in the current zeitgeist (malaise?) of our times. It’s not merely limited to printer software.

Best word I’ve never heard of, before seeing it in your piece.

It made my day, and I’m still laughing at how it can apply to almost everything. Can we conjugate that to the verb “to enshittify?”

Sincerely, LeeAnn Morgan

Where’s the Rain?

On behalf of the Montecito community, could you or one of your reporters ask the Montecito Water District why we haven’t received a notice from them about our dire rain shortage?

Per the Rainfall and Reservoir Summary in the Flood Control District chart <rain.cosbpw.net>, Santa Barbara, a good proxy for us, has received 0.64” of rain this Water Year, or 11% to date of a “Normal Water Year.”

Have we ever gotten less by January 9th? Pretty sure in the January after the Thomas Fire and before the drenching that gave us the Debris Flow, we’d gotten more.

We know, or should know, that there’s no such thing as normal anymore, but wouldn’t it be prudent to at least mention to our community that we’re looking at the non-zero chance of almost no rain going forward.

None is in forecast of any of six algorithms on Windy (GFS, ECMWF, ICON, METEORBLUE, NAM, HRRR), the longest of which goes out almost three weeks, or even AccuWeather, which speculates out 45 days.

Certainly, there’s a massive stalled high-pressure bowl in the Pacific

Montecito Tide Guide

that’s been redirecting our precipitation up north. The divergence between Northern and Southern California has never been greater since the beginning of those records.

It’s almost as though no one’s noticed. Sure, it rained a lot the last two years, which certainly filled our reservoirs (Cachuma’s at 88% but falling every day) and has given us plenty of dry-

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

President/COO | Timothy Lennon Buckley tim@montecitojournal.net

Managing Editor | Zach Rosen zach@montecitojournal.net

MoJo Contributing Editor | Christopher Matteo Connor

Art/Production Director | Trent Watanabe

Graphic Design/Layout | Stevie Acuña

Administration | Jessikah Fechner

Administrative Assistant | Kassidy Craner VP, Sales & Marketing | Leanne Wood leanne@montecitojournal.net

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

Contributing Editor | Kelly Mahan Herrick

Proofreading | Helen Buckley

Arts and Entertainment | Steven Libowitz

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

History | Hattie Beresford

Humor | Ernie Witham

Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri Health/Wellness | Ann Brode, Deann Zampelli

Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook

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

Published by:

Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC

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

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

White Buffalo is working to make Jalama Canyon Ranch a global hub for regenerative land stewardship (courtesy photo)

JOURNAL

cured fire fuel, but isn’t it time to start thinking about drought conditions again, and maybe even gently suggesting that we should be cutting back just in case?

Or even just reminding us of the possibility? Awareness can lead to action, no?

Respectfully, Cotty Chubb

Ownership Rights

Los Angeles housing is becoming overregulated like Santa Barbara. Tenant laws too broad and controlling while landlord laws burdening and too restrictive. The L.A. Times article on Council’s 15-0 vote is alarming.

There are many large homes owned by elders who are considering renters, however the risks and costs are simply too high, along with too many uncertainties of more government mandates.

Why would I rent to a family who then does not have to pay me rent, and can sublease rooms within my property to others and have animals, despite what they and I contractually agreed to in our 1:1 transactional lease relationship?

Private property ownership must con-

Mtinue to include an owner’s right to control one’s property.

The owner holds the mortgage obligation, not the tenant. The owner has risks of loss, damage, and repairs, not the tenant. The owner must pay the cost of insurance, maintenance, and investor risk. Now government is dictating the owner must incur the expense for additional occupants and pets!

Council’s action is one more example of government overreach that contributes to the housing shortage and the estimated 7-10% vacant, unoccupied homes.

Despite fear of government interference, I was about to rent my home to a fire victim family in need of housing and a high quality public elementary school UNTIL I read the article. I’m re-thinking. It reminded me of an interview with a Santa Barbara Councilman wanting a local ordinance dictating that all empty/ spare bedrooms in private homes be rented, tenant vetting not allowed. What’s next: a ban on lease agreements?

Private home ownership is a huge risk in CA.

Denice S. Adams, Montecito

CRIME IN

THE ‘CITO

Sheriff’s Blotter 93108 . . . .

Tinted Vehicle Window & Outstanding Warrant / 1100 block Coast Village Road

Wednesday, January 22, at 23:21 hours

Suspect vehicle was observed traveling eastbound on Coast Village Rd. with tinted front windows in violation of CVC 26708(a)(1). Driver was contacted and a records check revealed he had an outstanding warrant. Driver was arrested and booked into jail.

Possession of Meth / N. Jameson/Tiburon Bay Lane

Friday, January 24, at 21:54 hours

Suspect was observed riding his bicycle at night without proper lighting equipment. During the contact he admitted to having a meth pipe in his sweatshirt. The pipe was located and had a usable quantity of meth in the bowl. The suspect was cited and released from the scene.

Theft / 1000 block Alston Road

Saturday, January 25, at 09:04 hours

Employees from the fumigation company arrived at the residence and noticed slits in the sides of the tents used to seal the home (approx. $6,000 worth of damage). The workers had the homeowners respond, and they noticed numerous items were missing. Case forwarded to Detectives.

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Our Town

Wendy Eley Jackson – MFA, Filmmaker & Westmont College Faculty

by Joanne A Calitri

My annual Black History Month is launched for 2025 with Wendy Eley Jackson MFA; a filmmaker, TV Director/Producer, and college faculty. She is the Founder and Executive Producer of Auburn Avenue Films with 30 plus years of television broadcasting and film experience in the industry.

Jackson’s TV/Film work spans SONY Pictures TV, Turner Broadcasting, and the role of producer for the award-winning feature length documentary, MAYNARD on Netflix, directed by Sam Pollard. As a writer her works include co-writer on the feature film, 30 Days A Black Man – an adaptation of the award-winning novel, 30 Days A Black Man: The Forgotten Story of Jim Crow by Bill Steigerwald – and writing two feature films for Hallmark Channel’s new banner, Mahogany. She holds an MFA in screenwriting from the University of Georgia, and a BA in English Literature from UC Berkeley.

At Westmont College in Montecito, she is the Resident Artist/Scholar for Justice, Reconciliation, and Diversity, and Adjunct Professor in Theatre Arts. She is also a lecturer at UC Santa Barbara where she teaches basic and advanced screenwriting for television, contemporary screenwriters, creative writing, and film as literature.

I met with Jackson at her Westmont College office last week. She shared that she grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, with her father originally from NYC. She has been in our town since 2019 with her husband Maynard Holbrook Jackson, III and two children, Amber and Joshua.

Jackson has a wealth of experience in the arts and in living Black History. Here is our interview in her words:

Jackson, “Thank you for these thoughtful questions. It is always a privilege to share a space where we uplift, celebrate, and honor Black history – not just in February,

but every single day. Our history is rich, our stories are necessary, and our presence in every space is vital.”

Q. What message is relevant/of importance for Black History Month 2025?

A. The theme I feel is most relevant for Black History Month 2025 is “The Power of Legacy: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future.” It is a reminder that we are standing on the shoulders of those who fought for justice, equality, and the right to tell our own stories. We are also responsible for shaping what comes next. Our history is not static—it is alive, evolving, and ever-expanding. We must continue the work of our ancestors by investing in our communities, telling our stories authentically, and ensuring that the next generation has more opportunities than the last.”

How do you recommend people and students become involved in celebrating Black History, and especially during Black History Month?

Engagement starts with education but should lead to action. I encourage students to:

- Learn beyond the classroom – read books by Black authors, watch films made by Black creatives, and support Black artists.

- Attend community events – historical lectures, screenings, exhibits, and panel discussions that elevate Black voices.

- Get involved – volunteer with Black-led organizations, mentor younger students, or participate in initiatives that promote racial equity.

- Create – whether through writing, filmmaking, music, or activism, use your unique talents to contribute to the ongoing narrative of Black excellence.

Town Page 184

Our

Filmmaker and Producer Wendy Eley Jackson (courtesy photo)

M ARSHA KOTLYA R ESTATE GROUP

Society Invites

SB Museum of Art Women’s Board

2025 New Members: Now Including Men for the First Time Since Inception

by Joanne A Calitri

For the first time since being established in 1951, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Women’s Board

(SBMAWB) is now fully DEI with its first men members introduced alongside new women members at its annual January Luncheon.

I attended the luncheon held on Thursday, January 23, at the University

Club. Presiding was SBMAWB President, Paula Farrington. She welcomed everyone and acknowledged the new members, the 20-year members and the passing of member Mary Garton, “We are a remarkable group united by our shared passion for art, culture, and community. This board makes a meaningful impact by its fundraising efforts to sustain and enhance our museum. Let us celebrate the journey ahead and the legacy that inspires us to move forward.”

The SBMA Women’s Board 20-year members are Lilyan Cuttler, Linda Ring, and Lois Rosen, and were presented with special pins by Jeanne Fulkerson, Sustainer Liaison for the board. [Cuttler was not present.]

Kathy Wenger, VP of Membership, introduced the new members:

Rossa Christensen holds the title as First Male Member of the SBMAWB in its 74-year history. He is a CPA with interests in drawing and writing, and admires the work of Austrian actor Christoph Waltz, who began his career in Vienna.

Reilly Clark is an art historian and art appraiser and has done underwater archaeology. He worked at Christie’s and Heritage House in Los Angeles. Clark moved to SB in 2024 to get his PhD in Art History at UCSB, where he is presently a student.

Page 324

The SBMA Women’s Board new members with Kathy Wenger and Paula Farrington (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

SBMA Women’s Board long term members Lois Rosen and Linda Ring with Jeanne Fulkerson (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

In Passing

James (Jimmy) Searcy : September 19, 1932 – January 30, 2025

James (Jimmy) Searcy passed away on January 30, 2025. He was a beloved Husband/Father/Brother/ Grandfather/Great-Grandfather, Uncle, and friend to so many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jimmy was born in Cleveland, OH on September 19, 1932. He was the son of Frank Ellsworth Searcy and Margaret Spruit.

Jimmy was in the natural food business for many years and was passionate about his work and the community he was so involved with in Santa Barbara, CA.

Jimmy was a kind, generous, and compassionate man with a great sense of humor. He loved to travel, dine out, and entertain friends and family.

Jimmy is survived by his wife Suzan Searcy , siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many who loved him dearly.

A memorial service location/date has not yet been determined.

RIP James “Jimmy” Searcy…

Far Flung Travel Flight of the Skunk-headed Coot

by Chuck Graham

From my kayak, there was no touching down on any beach on Vandenberg Air Force Base. This remote stretch of rugged Central California Coastline is off limits to Joe Public, even if the only member of the common man within the region was a salt-encrusted, sunscreen-smeared paddler in search of empty surf.

I was paddling from the mouth of the Santa Maria River back to Carpinteria, and some solitude was on my agenda.

“Where’s

Whenever I’m paddling on my own or with other kayakers, I’m always on the lookout for those hardy seabirds that revel in unruly sea conditions. That’s because it appears as if nothing fazes them.

As I paddled toward craggy Purisima Point, I followed a long, ragged line of skunk-headed coots bobbing in the frothy crests of solid six-to-eight-foot surf. More widely known as surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata), these sea ducks migrate south from some of the wildest places in Alaska and Canada, and down the West Coast, congregating in open water.

Humming Along

They are also easily spooked. About 30 yards off he starboard side of my kayak, I paralleled them beneath gray skies as they bobbed in dark, cobalt blue waters. Suddenly, the flock of at least 200 surf scoters took flight. As they flew, their wings hummed mightily. It’s one of my favorite moments from my kayak. When a surf scoter flies, the rapid pumping of its wings makes an incredible high-pitched

Far Flung Page 204

the waves bra!?”

Double Grammy Nominee in 2024 Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix

Fri, Feb 7 / 8 PM

UCSB Campbell Hall

Jazz Series Lead Sponsor: Manitou Fund

Saxophonist and composer Lakecia Benjamin fuses soul and hip-hop with a strong foundation in the canon of modern jazz. Fans of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Ornette Coleman, listen up – there’s a new horn in town, and she’s ready to roar. Three Masters and Friends

Kayhan Kalhor, kamancheh

Wu Man, pipa

Sandeep Das, tabla

Wed, Feb 19 / 8 PM

UCSB Campbell Hall

Lead Sponsor: Jody & John Arnhold Dance Series Sponsors: Margo Cohen-Feinberg, Barbara Stupay, and Sheila Wald

What/who inspired you to work in the TV/Film industry?

I was deeply inspired by my love for storytelling, but my journey was profoundly shaped by the work of Ava DuVernay, Julie Dash, Sam Pollard, Oprah Winfrey, Lena Waithe, Gordon Parks, and Spike Lee. They proved that our stories deserve to be told with depth, nuance, and authenticity. I was also motivated by my own family’s legacy—stories passed down about resilience, love, and triumph against the odds.

What contributions to that industry are you most proud of?

I am most proud of creating and producing films that challenge narratives, shift perspectives, and amplify underrepresented voices. My work as a documentarian has allowed me to shine a light on critical social issues, from civil rights to biopics of incredible men and women that have shaped the world. I am also incredibly honored to be in a position where I mentor and teach the next generation of storytellers, ensuring that the industry continues to evolve in a way that is more inclusive and representative of our communities.

Do you feel supported and empowered in this role?

As a Black woman in film and academia, I have had moments of immense support and moments where I had to fight to be heard. But I have always been empowered by my purpose – to tell stories that matter. I find strength in the community of other Black creatives, scholars, and activists who continue to uplift each other and demand change in these spaces.

What are your current TV/Film projects, screenings, etc. for 2025 – spoiler alerts?

I am incredibly excited about my documentary Facing the Falls, now available on YouTube Premium, which was highlighted on Morning Joe with Chelsea Clinton as our Executive Producer. I am also developing a feature film on the life of Ella Fitzgerald, exploring her triumphs and challenges in the face of racial discrimination, and I am producing the upcoming feature film California Skate, formerly Seventies Roller Disco Movie. There are a few more projects in the works, but let’s just say 2025 will be an exciting year for storytelling!

How did your position at Westmont College come about?

Teaching is another form of activism. My role at Westmont College came about through my deep commitment to educating the next generation of writers, thinkers, and creatives. I wanted to create a space where students could explore storytelling as a tool for social change. I also saw an opportunity to build bridges between academia and the entertainment industry, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to meaningful opportunities.

What do you do daily to stay at your best self and accomplish your goals/dreams?

I start every day with gratitude and intention. I read, I write, and I surround myself with people who pour into me as much as I pour into them. I also remind myself that rest is part of the process – Black women carry so much, and we must also prioritize self-care.

What is the coolest part of your profession?

The coolest part of my profession is witnessing the power of storytelling. Seeing a student find their voice, watching an audience moved to action after a screening, or knowing that a film I produced is making a difference – those moments remind me why I do this work.

Any talking points you wish to add that we may have missed in this interview? Yes, I would love to emphasize that our stories matter, our voices matter, and our impact is limitless. Black History Month is not just about remembering the past – it’s about continuing the fight, honoring the progress, and making space for the future. We are the storytellers of today, the changemakers of tomorrow, and the architects of our own legacies.

Thank you for this interview, Joanne. Let’s keep creating, inspiring, and moving forward together.”

411: www.auburnavenuefilms.com; www.westmont.edu/people/wendy-jackson-mfa; www.filmandmedia.ucsb.edu/person/wendy-eley-jackson

Annual NAMM Show Roundup

Let’s start my annual NAMM report right with this statement from John Mlynczak, NAMM President & CEO, “The 2025 NAMM Show will unite Our Town Page 374

On Entertainment Film Fest’s 40th

by Steven Libowitz

The wait is over. SBIFF 40 is here, with a full day already in the rearview mirror. The festival covers a lot of ground with its impressive slate of awards and panels, and screenings of almost 200 films domestic and foreign, documentary and fiction, shorts and full-length features, animation and live action.

What follows is a purely subjective overview of what’s in store over the next 11 days as SBIFF takes over four blocks of State Street and a few other locations through February 15.

Looking for a reason to show up at a screening? More than 85 percent of the movies will have at least one filmmaker present, according to programming director Claudia Puig. You don’t get that on a streamer.

Panel-monium

There are literally dozens of Oscar nominees headed our way over the next 11 days, including an astounding nine of the 10 best actor and actress hopefuls, with the late addition of I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres and The Apprentice’s Sebastian Stan to the Virtuoso’s Awards on February 9. Add in the directors awards (all five nominees), Artisans Awards (nine nominees in various categories) and panels with the writers (six), producers (four), animation directors (four), international feature directors (four) and the special women’s panel (five), and we’re sure to get fascinating conversations with a bunch of folks who will be taking home golden statuettes come Oscar night on March 2, which will be hosted by Carpinteria’s Conan O’Brien

Montecito, etc., at the Movies

As always our community is well-represented at SBIFF. Among the highlights: Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue, which begins in the 1960s, when Campbell masterminded the juggernaut known as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which began, much as SBIFF itself, to fill a mid-winter void. Directed by her daughter, Jill, the documentary chronicles Campbell’s 32-year reign, with both visuals and conversation. The nonagenarian Campbell championed intelligence and empowered a slew of supermodels, including Kathy Ireland, the longtime Montecito resident who will participate in Q&A sessions after the screenings.

Padaro Lane resident Kevin Costner will host the U.S. premiere of Horizon: Chapter 2, his self-financed Western series, with a Q&A to follow the Feb. 7 screening. And, of course, honoree Zoe Saldana is a new part-time Montecito resident.

Fund Selects ‘Separated’

After a number of years hiatus, The Fund for Santa Barbara has returned to picking a Social Justice Award winner for SBIFF, this year choosing Separated among four films provided by the festival. Directed by Academy Award-winner Errol Morris and based on NBC/ MSNBC journalist Jacob Soboroff’s book, the film looks at the underlying political and psychological motivations and impacts of immigrant family separations during the first Trump administration – a policy that was called “torture” by Amnesty International and “child abuse” by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“We believe that movies can create movements and Separated is such an urgent example,” said Eder GaonaMacedo, the Fund’s executive director, in a statement. “The (new Trump) administration’s recent actions have traumatized our immigrant neighbors, inflicting fear and uncertainty… We hope the film screening and award will galvanize the region to support our immigrant communities.”

But Separated also touches on other important issues, said Mahil Senathirajah, longtime Fund board member and a former SBIFF screener. “The film shows the importance of investigative journalism, and the quiet heroism of a principled civil servant, both of which are also under threat.”

Entertainment Page 394

The cultural impact and main character behind the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue are covered in Beyond the Gaze (courtesy photo)

hum. Hearing that “whor-whor-whorwhor” in open water with the surf thundering in the background is an oceanic melody like no other.

It’s all sound and fury, though. Even though they are skittish, generally, surf scoters barely rise above the water and usually stop 100 yards from liftoff. From there, they go right back to feeding. With so many scoters in proximity to each other, they have lots of eyes on the water. They don’t miss much.

Off my left shoulder, the surf continued booming on sandy, barren beaches. The cluster of surf scoters kept their distance, staying 50 yards south of me. After pulling out my binoculars

from my drybag, I scanned the horizon toward Point Arguello. There were multiple rafts of surf scoters rolling in the early winter swell. The rafts rose and then momentarily vanished in the steep troughs along this roadless stretch of Northern Santa Barbara County.

Scoters in Spindrift

The coast between Point Sal and the Guadalupe – Nipomo Sand Dunes National Wildlife Refuge – has always been a terrific place to see surf scoters. The last time I walked the dunes, the surf

Far Flung Page 354

An Independent Mind Trump Unleashes Tax Increases and Inflation

by Jeffrey Harding

“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” – André Gide

Our president just imposed a 25% tariff on imported goods from Mexico and Canada plus an additional 10% on China and unleashed a harmful and useless trade war. Tariffs are a tax on us and will lead to higher costs and shortages. I’ve written about international trade many times over the past almost 20 years. Even though Americans have benefited greatly from foreign trade, the same fortress America anti-trade myths keep popping up. No one, Trump included, seems to understand how international trade works and why free trade is beneficial to all who engage in it.

Myth No. 1: China, or any trading partner, has stolen American jobs and

has ruined American manufacturing.

For years Trump has been saying that we are being “raped” by China. He believes that cheap Chinese goods have destroyed “good” manufacturing jobs. Tariffs, he believes, are needed to protect us and revive American manufacturing.

First of all, manufacturing jobs have declined mostly because of technology, a longtime worldwide trend. Technology makes workers more efficient – thus requiring fewer workers.

Second, we are still the second largest exporter of manufactured goods in the world (after China). Why is that? Because we specialize in high value goods, the things that Americans do very well. Let China continue to make shoes and Christmas ornaments.

What about those poor American’s who lost jobs because China made the same products cheaper than we do? Yes, some workers are harmed by competition. But that also applies to

Independent Mind Page 334

Sincerely,

All this coastline, and not a single Kahuna Burger in sight…

Elizabeth’s Appraisals 1880s Cruet Stand

by Elizabeth Stewart

This object that was once the rage tells delectable stories: here is an 1880s cruet stand. HU sends me a round, swiveling carousel of silver plate inset with five crystal cruets, topped by an elaborate silver figural handle featuring a nude putto. By the late 1880s every upper-middle-class and most middle-class aspirational families of the U.S. and England had one of these on the dining table, or separate models for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (after all, the condiments required were different for different meals). In the 1890s these

cruet holders were the most common wedding gift in the U.S. Today both the functionality and the style of these ornate beauties are passé, but in the late 19th century they were a marker of solid middle-class genteel decorum. You had to have at least one to be a socially acceptable host, exhibiting proper dining manners.

What did the cruets hold? They began in Italy with a vial for vinegar and one for oil in the 17th century. The form was brought to France by Cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661), an Italian Jesuit cardinal, politician and diplomat, chief advisor to both King Louis XIII and XIV (16421661). King Louis XIV came to the throne at age 4, thus the young king was under the cardinal’s direction until Louis XIV ascended the throne at 22. Cardinal Mazarin was a declared FOODIE. Born in Abruzzo, he gave Italian delicacies to the fine ladies of the Court; pastries were named after him. He treated his seven darkly beautiful virginal nieces as his own children. The young ladies came to be known collectively as “the Mazarinettes”, a bit of fashionable slang. As a man of the cloth Cardinal Mazarin could not marry, and so threw himself at his beloved nieces, setting lavish tables to entertain them and their future suitors, handpicked by the Cardinal to ensure their future wealth. Being a man of a fine palate, he seasoned his own food at the table.

By the 18th century most noble European families had cruet table sets, crystal bottles set in a sterling stand, and by the 19th century most British and middle-class American families had cruet sets which did not hold a shaker for salt (the standard perforated shaker had not been invented). The invention of electroplating cheapened the sets; silver plate was affordable. The silver-plated revolving stand held vials for balsamic vinegar with a strainer in the lid, olive oil, mustard, spices or soy sauce, pepper, and sugar (sets held up to 10 bottles). Salt was in a separate tiny bowl with a tiny spoon at each place setting.

The mid to late 19th century was a formative time in the diversification of the specified tableware market, where demand was encouraged and supply buoyed by a certain philosophy concerning the determinates of decorum. During the Victorian era (1837-1901) and Edwardian era (1901-1910) table etiquette and the correct knowledge and usage of various forms of tableware was a passport to civilized genteel society. The rules of society were created around objects invented for dining. How a diner handled his implements was closely observed; rule books were written

Please pass the cruet

about when to use the pickle fork. Thus, the Industrial Revolution’s tableware production and mid-19th century moral code became intertwined, and a market was created for consuming (literally) both food and morality.

The home was a female gendered space, differentiated from the hostile male world of commerce, competition, and trade. Genteel table manners were imperative; dining was governed by formal rules, and these rules had serving implements to match.

The cruet set is one complex example of such specialization. The proper middle-class diner had to know how to handle the salt cellar and spoon, the sweetmeat tongs, the oyster forks, the terrapin sauce pans, the punch spoons, the pastry forks, the egg spoons, the preserved fruit and vegetable dishes, the bone plates (for gnawed bones), and the fish trowels. A matched set of dishware was imperative by the mid to late 19th century; ads in mail order catalogues state that a set is 100 pieces: plates, soup plates, twifflers (8” plates), muffins (4-7” plates), soup and sauce tureens, platters, covered and open servers, pitchers, gravy boat, butter dish, and bakers. 1850s-1900 dining required a wide range of glassware, ceramics, silver plate, and many forms of crystal. A plethora of books and domestic periodicals were written about how to equip and run a proper home. Thus, the cruet is an artifact that represents the archaeology and anthropology of 19th century domesticity and gentility. The value is $75, despite its tasty narrative history!

Elizabeth Stewart, PhD is a veteran appraiser of fine art, furniture, glass, and other collectibles, and a cert. member of the AAA and an accr. member of the ASA. Please send any objects to be appraised to Elizabethappraisals@ gmail.com

radically shifting how we grow our food, our fiber, and our medicines, so that these processes that are so critical to human survival can be done in ways that are in service of ecological function, of community health, and of planetary resilience.

LITTLE MERMAID

With its upcoming major fundraising event known as Roots of the Future: The Art of Agriculture – just the fourth iteration of the benefit held every 18 months – the concept of art will be more of a metaphorical one. The theme is meant to celebrate the artistry inherent in regenerative agriculture; the creativity and care that go into all of WBLT’s efforts.

many different mediums – both to express the Art of Agriculture keynote, and to serve as the official launch of WBLT’s Artist in Residence program. The official announcement of the launch, including the identity of the artist, will take place during the event, as will the chance to snap up some of the special artwork.

“The role of art in our understanding is that it inspires and connects us emotionally to the things that we eat and wear,” Smith said. “It helps develop that relationship to the things that sustain us, highlights and potentially makes us care in a different way. The artistic component is a piece in how we redevelop and redefine and reimagine our relationship with agriculture.”

Paintings by Kevin A. Short

“We’re really excited about demonstrating and bringing people into the experience and conversation around how every act – from the planting of a seed, to the processing and the branding of a product, to actually putting it on the shelf – can inspire the human spirit and really foster this cultural shift towards a more resilient and bountiful future through generative agriculture,” said Ana Smith , White Buffalo’s Director of Programs. “This form of agriculture can enter into your daily life in everything – from the food that you cook to the napkins and tablecloth that you use to the bedding you sleep on and the clothes that you wear. We’re focusing on highlighting the craftsmanship, the skill, the vision that elevates this form of agriculture into an art form.”

Roots of the Future IV, slated for May 17, is shaping up to be a magical affair held on land overlooking the biodynamic vineyard and shimmering expanse of Lake Cachuma at the majestic Grimm’s Bluff. The evening’s exceptional wine pairings will feature wine produced from grapes grown at WBLT’s vineyards, as well Grimm’s Bluff’s varietals. These will pair with the courses of the sumptuous, seated dinner whose ingredients will be fashioned from WBLT’s network of regenerative farmers and ranchers. The occasion will of course also feature creative cocktails and live music. The event’s programming will highlight those innovative collaborations with the pioneering farmers and brands.

“It’s all about illuminating those transformative possibilities of this form of agriculture and getting to enjoy that through the food and the environment that we will set up on site,” Smith said. “The theme each time around, the Art of Agriculture this year, leads the food, leads the decor, and everything else.”

In fact, that theme extends to auction items that will be available at the event, which include physical art in

White Buffalo Land Trust generally sells out all of the available tickets to Roots of the Future – this year only 240 total – through sponsorships even before individual tickets go on sale. Sponsorships, which are already available, include a variety of exclusive benefits; from bottles of Limited Edition WBLT Wine and acknowledgment in print and online materials, to special WBLT swag and a VIP Experience of Jalama Canyon Ranch. More importantly, support of the event provides essential funding to ensure the legacy of White Buffalo Land Trust and the Jalama Canyon Ranch as a global hub for regenerative land stewardship.

“It helps fund all of our general operations, from our land stewardship to education, research, and enterprise development,” Smith said.

Visit www.whitebuffalolandtrust.org/attendcourses-events/roots-of-the-future-iv-the-artof-agriculture

Roots of the Future gala will showcase White Buffalo’s network of regenerative farmers and ranchers (courtesy photo)

Award-winning Historian Sir Niall Ferguson

Why We Study History: Standing at the Crossroads of Past, Present and Future

Sat, Feb 8 / 4 PM (note special time) / Granada Theatre

Major Sponsors: Susan McCaw and Laura & Kevin O’Connor

The Most Prolific Private Conservationist in History Kristine McDivitt Tompkins

Rewilding on a Continental Scale

Wed, Feb 12 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

Event Sponsor: Patricia Bragg Foundation

Comedian, Activist and Environmentalist

Baratunde Thurston Climate Justice and Environmental Stewardship

Thu, Feb 27 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall

Event Sponsor: Patricia Bragg Foundation

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

Award-winning Business and Finance Journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin

Inside the Minds of Today’s Changemakers

Sat, Mar 1 / 7:30 PM / Campbell Hall

Event Sponsor: Gary Bradhering & Sheraton Kalouria

Supporting Sponsors: Jennifer & Jonathan Blum and Laura & Geof Wyatt

Shakespeare

many decades, so he’s gearing up to have Sarena take over. “I’m about ready to dial it back down and just, you know, work by appointment,” Joe said. However, Sarena doesn’t think her dad will ever retire fully.

For this family, jewelry transcends mere adornment; it becomes a tangible expression of love and care. “He would always give me jewelry growing up,” Sarena reflected. “Like a ring –and I still have one he gave to me 15 years ago. I want to pass it down to my daughter.”

Joe remembers when Sarena was just a kid, and he’d bring home jewelry from estate sales for her to sift through and study pieces that piqued her interest. In turn, Joe would describe the jewelry she admired and educate her on the different gems, sizes, and quality.

Joe wasn’t surprised when she expressed an interest in the business. “Of course, when she was a little kid, she was around it all the time,” he reflected. Like her father, she developed a love of jewelry from a young age. Joining the business

felt right. “It came surprisingly easily,” Sarena recalled. “And I was surprised because not many things are like that with me.”

Their specialty is estate jewelry, but they also sell modern jewelry as well. They create custom pieces from scratch and reimagine heirlooms into designs people would wear. They place an important emphasis on the buying and selling of natural stones – especially pre-loved ones. “Nothing is as rare and beautiful as something formed in the Earth millions and billions of years ago,” Joe reflected.

In a world where lab-grown diamonds and gemstones gain increasing popularity, Belrose Estate Jewelers celebrate the enduring value of mined stones. Both Joe and Sarena share a special fondness for estate jewelry. “To me, there’s something special about wearing something that was made over 100 years ago,” said Sarena.

They believe in the re-selling of vintage jewelry as a sustainable practice. “Because no new mining is required,” Joe reminded. He compared the restoration of jewelry as akin to mending a vintage car – breathing new life into something that may have lost its luster. There’s a certain beauty in resurrecting a stone from the dead, in giving it a second chance. “Love is beautiful, rare, and natural, and so should be the jewelry you wear,” Joe mused.

The cast of Hamlet Photo: Zach Mendez

Belrose specializes in estate jewelry (courtesy photo)

The pair that started it all some 58 years ago, Rose and Sam Schweke

Tiana Molony is a journalist who writes for the Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC. She has also written for Backpacker Magazine, Mountain Gazette, and the Santa Barbara Independent.

314 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara 93101 L eases starting at $3,500

Discover newly renovated executive suites at 314 E. Carrillo Street, where European oak floors, premium natural stone accents, and top-of-the-line fixtures come together to create an inviting, professional environment. Enjoy private o ces, a dedicated reception, a refined conference room, a fully stocked kitchen, and secure on-site parking—all designed to meet the needs of discerning professionals in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. For more information scan the code above, call (805) 617-0432 or vist: www.CarrilloO ceSuites.com

Your Westmont Talk Explores Embracing Challenge

by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott

D$10 o each week of day camp if you register by March 31!*

*Not applicable to Sleepaway Camps

rawing on his experience, Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe will share the power of life’s crucibles – those pivotal moments of trial and triumph – that have defined his personal and professional life and leadership. This free Westmont Downtown Lecture, The Crucibles That Shape Us: Navigating the Defining Challenges of Leadership, begins at 5:30 pm on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden Street, in downtown Santa Barbara. The first 100 guests will receive free copies of Beebe’s latest book, The Crucibles that Shape Us. Free parking is available on the streets surrounding CAW or in nearby city parking lots. For more information, please call (805) 565-6051.

Entering his 18th year as president at Westmont, Beebe has responded to several local natural disasters: The Tea Fire, Thomas Fire and Montecito Debris Flow.

“Though every leader faces enormous challenges that require response, it’s still difficult to anticipate the severity of unfolding events and the length of time it will take to resolve them,” Beebe says. “Each situation demands a vision that exceeds inconvenience and a commitment to strategies and tactics that help us persevere.”

Beebe identifies seven crucibles – powerful catalysts for transformation – that profoundly shape us when we embrace them. Each chapter of the book delves into a challenge that Beebe has personally faced and intimately understands. As a seasoned college president, he brings a unique perspective, blending academic expertise with heartfelt storytelling to create a book that’s both intellectually stimulating and deeply inspiring.

“Life is a perpetual gauntlet with challenge on one side and opportunity on the other,” he says. “We often overlook so many experiences of our everyday life that offer us an opportunity to identify deeper understanding and a better response as we navigate the defining challenges [of life] and leadership. Crucibles have the

power to shape us by refining our character, calling forth our best effort, and teaching us to rely on God. Rarely, if ever anticipated, crucibles test our capacity to adapt and change. We often see setbacks and disasters as events that keep us from our best life. They’re really opportunities to grow in leadership.”

Beebe has overseen a period of unprecedented growth and development at Westmont, raising more than $450 million in three major campaigns and adding more than 400,000 square feet of new and renovated building space. An active scholar, he has written or edited more than 40 articles and 10 books, including The Shaping of an Effective Leader and Longing for God

The Westmont Foundation sponsors Westmont Downtown: Conversations about Things that Matter, a free lecture series, as well as the sold-out President’s Breakfast, featuring Secretary Condoleezza Rice on February 28 at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

Teen Mathletes Battle at Fun Field Day

Westmont’s 36th annual Mathematics Field Day features about 100 students

Westmont Page 384

President Gayle D. Beebe and his book, The Crucibles That Shape Us

In 2022, students explained the Fibonacci sequence in the Chalk Talk

Dear Montecito

The Divinity in Gender and Creation

by Beatrice Tolan

When you first meet someone, your eyes naturally meet their gaze. But when I first met Avrae , my eyes went straight to his fingers: bejeweled to the nth degree in silver, catching stray fragments of Captain Fatty’s fluorescent lighting. That coupled with his long locks, cloaked garb, and sprawling handpoked tattoos, was enough to convince me I was grabbing a beer with a wizard from another astral plane.

I wasn’t too far off, except that Avrae has lived amongst us on our plane— Santa Barbara—for his entire life, attending Santa Barbara High School’s VADA program and completing two degrees in art at Santa Barbara City College. He now works at SBCC as a model in the figure drawing department.

Avrae is no one-trick magician. With his AUDHD brain (the conjunction of autism and ADHD), his artistry toggles between jewelry making, oil painting, and recording music.

Jewelry making grounds Avrae in his body, as handcrafting allows his busy mind to rest. Working with gems also connects him to his spirituality, which looks like a blend of paganism, witchcraft, and manifestation work. His favorite stone is labradorite – the color of a fluorescent oil spill under a cloudless sky and a strong stone for spirit work.

In his oil paintings, Avrae expands on the complex intersection of gender and religion. “As a transgender ex-catholic, I am drawn to demonic imagery and Lucifer. I was fundamentally misunderstood and made a choice to ‘fall,”’ even if it meant forsaking the church, the same way Lucifer fell for questioning god.” Avrae

transfigures demons into symbols of “selffound beauty and transformation, through [one’s] own eyes and no one else’s.”

Having no societal framework for how to present, transgender and non-binary people are free to play with unbound expression. To Avrae, gender expression is “the closest humans get to godliness.” “I feel close to God through the act of transitioning because I have a hand in my own creation.”

Outside of demons, Ronny, Avrae’s partner of five years, is his muse. In a warm portrait, Avrae portrays Ronny as both the sun and a smiling angel. When I commented on Avrae’s clear Vincent Van Gogh influence, we discovered our shared admiration for Theo: Van Gogh’s art dealer and supportive younger brother. “None of Van Gogh’s work would have been shared without the human connection between him and Theo,” Avrae noted.

“Human connection as a way to make and show art is important to me,” he continued, “Nobody creates anything within a bubble. Everything is influenced by everything else. You can’t tell what is going on in someone’s mind until they show you, and art is the best way to show people that.”

“Everyone should be making art,” Avrae claimed, thinking that placing a value judgement on art – labelling it good or bad – defeats its purpose. “You’re allowed to make ‘bad art.’ It limits so many people [from creating] because they don’t want to make something bad – NO! Make something that’s ‘bad’! It came from you!”

Avrae’s music is a testament to his

Dear Montecito Page 334

Avrae the Wizard, 2024 (photo by Beatrice Tolan)

Light Bringer, Avrae, oil on canvas, 2024

Brilliant Thoughts

Reasoning

by Ashleigh Brilliant

There are people (you may be one of them) who believe that there must always be a reason. By their standards, God has his own reasons for everything that happens, even if they are not obvious to us. It is comforting to believe in such a reasonable God.

Alfred Lord Tennyson, who had been Poet Laureate of England since 1850, gave us another way of looking at these matters. His famous tribute “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” celebrates an 1854 event of what History calls the Crimean War, in which 600 British cavalry troops were ordered to charge an emplacement of Russian artillery. It turned out that the order had been a mistake, which was evident to the troops.

“Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismayed? Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.

Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.

The best-known lines are those about not reasoning why. Is life really like that? Ever since the Nuremburg War Crimes Trials after World War II, the question of obeying orders has been highly debatable. But doesn’t life itself place us all in an essentially unreasonable situation, in which our predicament makes no sense – but we still have to go through with it anyway?

Maybe that’s how it appears in the long run. But in the short run of our day-today lives, and in the world of theory and logic, things can make a lot of sense. The best example I can think of this is in the world of mathematics, and particularly of Geometry. In that area, everything is perfectly reasonable, so long as you accept some basic assumptions, such as the meaning of a “point” and a “line.”

And that is the nub of all reasoning. You must first accept something that doesn’t have to be proved. The most famous example was propagated by a French philosopher named René Descartes (1596-1650). He asked the question, ‘how do we know any-

thing at all?’ – and posited that we must first know that we ourselves exist. And how do we know that? Descartes surmised that our interiority, our inner thoughts, make us aware that we have a mind. Hence his famous proposition: In Latin, “Cogito, ergo sum.” In French, “Je pense, donc je suis.” In English, “I think, therefore I am.” The whole era in which Descartes flourished has come to be known as “The Age of Reason.”

But what is reason? Men and women are notorious for having different ideas about this. It is almost a standard situation in comedy for a husband to be pleading with his wife to be “reasonable.” But in general, when we talk about anything being permitted “within reason,” we generally mean “within acceptable limits.”

One expression we use in trying to define what is reasonable is “common sense.” Unfortunately this applies (if it does) only within a particular culture. What’s common here, among us, may seem very uncommon among them, over there.

Another famous poet, T. S. Eliot – whom you may know best from his despairing post-World War I poem “The Waste Land” – also wrote a historical verse-drama called “Murder in the Cathedral.” The “Murder” which it reenacts took place as long ago as

1170 A.D., and the victim was Thomas Becket, who as Archbishop of Canterbury held the highest office in the English Church at that time. As Eliot wrote about that event,

“The last act is the greatest treason –To do the right deed for the wrong reason.”

I’m embarrassed to have to admit that I really don’t understand what this means – and, since Mr. Eliot died in 1965, I don’t know how to find out. If any of my readers can help me, I’d be very grateful. Does it refer to the fact that the four knights who did the killing were, as they thought, simply and lawfully obeying the wishes of the King (Henry II) – making it “the right deed.” Or was it all a mistake, a big misinterpretation of what the King had said, and therefore “the wrong reason?” The King himself, when he heard the news, tried to wriggle out of the whole situation, denying his own responsibility. But it was too late. The slain Archbishop had already been declared a Saint by the Pope, and the place of his martyrdom would become a shrine (to be visited by reverent Pilgrims, such as those in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales).

Ernie’s World

“Baby Got Back... Problems.”

by Ernie Witham

Okay, my version probably won’t do well on the hip-hop music charts, but I think it will resonate with some readers on the hip-lumbar charts.

It all started one morning at breakfast when my wife said: “My back is killing me.” Being a sympathetic guy, I suggested she call the police and report a sacroiliac slayer on the loose. As this is a family paper I can’t print her exact response to my clever quip here, but let’s just say it involved some of these: #$%&^%$*&%.

So, Pat went to the pain clinic to get a shot. “Hope it hits the killer right in the... glute,” I said, continuing my rollicking routine designed to cheer her up. “#$%&^%$*&%,” she repeated. Humor is difficult some days.

Finally, Pat told me she had decided to have a double surgical procedure called a laminectomy and discectomy. Surgery, of course, is no laughing matter so I stifled my cutting-edge wit.

We had just pulled up to the front of the hospital when my wife got a call saying the doctor had come in early and she needed to hop on up (sorry) to the second floor. “Do they need me to come up there, too?” I asked.

“Ah, they asked me if you were the same Ernie that wrote ‘Ernie’s World’ and when I said yes, they suggested I come alone. They will call you when I’m in recovery.”

When the hospital finally called and said I could see Pat in about a half hour, I wondered if I should bring her anything. A voice in my head said “nah, your company is gift enough” but a second voice (yes, I have a number of voices in my head) said “flowers.” I thought about digging up a clump of cotoneaster from the drought-tolerant front yard, but dashed off to the local grocery store to purchase the least wilted bouquet leftover from Christmas, then I stuck it into one of Pat’s best vases figuring – with the post-op drugs – she’d think I’d specially picked out the beautiful vase with great care. And she did! Maybe I could get away with that again for Valentine’s Day.

After a successful surgery, the doctor insisted she spend at least one night at the hospital, which meant back home I had total control of the

remote and could watch something totally disgusting. Woohoo!

The next afternoon I picked Pat up from the hospital, helped her into the house... “why is there a big chunk of cotoneaster missing?” (Okay, so the flowers were my second try.) “Not sure dear. Rats?”

I sat her in our (my) recliner and asked if she needed anything. “Ginger ale?” I checked the fridge. Nada. “Guess I could run to the store.”

“Pencil,” Pat said. She made a list as long as my arm. How in the world did she know everything we were out of? At the store I saw a guy picking through the very, very last dregs of Christmas flowers. “Birthday,” he said. “My wife is just home from the hospital.” “Oh wow,” he said. “My condolences.” “Thanks, I’ll tell her you said that.” He smiled. “I meant for you.”

The next few days were a whirlwind. “Probably should do a load of laundry,” Pat said. That’s when I realized she was looking at me. Well, how hard could it be? “What the heck is that clunking sound?” That’s when I found out they make special soap just for laundry. So I stopped the machine and took out the two bars of Dove. “Tea?” Of course. “Toast?” Sure. “And I like it buttered all the way to the edges. And not overdone. Can you straighten out the rug by the door? And the bed needs making. Oops, you left the kitchen light on. Is the heat still going? Can I have my book? Not that one, the other one.”

“How long before you are better?” I asked.

“Doc said a couple of weeks. Is the front door locked? Sounds like the washer stopped. More ginger ale, please.”

I leaned into the fridge. Something twanged in my neck. “Do we have any cookies?” Pat yelled from the recliner. We didn’t. The expression “welcome to the golden years” echoed in my head.

Ernie Witham has been writing humor for more than 25 years. He is the author of three humor books and is the humor workshop leader at the prestigious Santa Barbara Writers Conference.

Photographed last summer in Santa Barbara by celebrity photographer Christie Jenkins For delivery call: 831-915-4519

Sold at Tecolote, Chaucer’s and immediate shipping from www.PoloCalendarCharity.org

NEW HOMES, ADDITIONS & REMODELS

BUILDING FINE HOMES IN SANTA BARBARA SINCE 1989 LYNCH CONSTRUCTION, INC. P.O. BOX 20183 SANTA BARBARA, CA 93120 805-451-3459 | BLYNCONSTRUCTION@GMAIL.COM WWW.LYNCHCONSTRUCTIONSB.COM | LICENSE #596612

15 handsome polo players in the barns with their favorite beautiful pony

Linden Doss is an Ophthalmologist and an Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon. He has worked in international medicine in Chad, Africa. He has a deep love of art museums, particularly the Met NYC.

Kirsten Ellis is an attorney with offices in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. She serves on the board of the University Club SB, is a member of the SB Housing Authority, drives the Meals on Wheels for Garden Court in L.A., and serves as an Elder and Deacon for her church.

Linda Kollofski worked in brand management and is a fiber artist since 2008. She volunteers with SB Craftivisits for Change.

Sally Lecomte moved to our town from Portland in 1956 and first worked at the Harbor Master’s office. She has lived in France with her college sweetheart (now husband) of 50 years. They have homes here and outside of Paris. Lecomte speaks five languages, and is an art and fashion aficionado.

Evelyn Savage has traveled all her life. She is involved with the SB Historical Museum, does walking tours of SB with the Architectural Foundation SB, and helped develop the cancer hotline at UCLA.

SBMA Women’s Board VP Membership

Kathy Wenger and President Paula Farrington (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Robert’s Big Questions Protecting Undocumented Americans?

by Robert Bernstein

Rounding up millions of longtime residents, placing them in detention, and deporting them. Where have we heard this before? If you are not outraged by Trump targeting long-time immigrants, then you are not paying attention.

There is currently almost no legal way to immigrate from many countries. Even the asylum system has become a political football. The solution is comprehensive immigration reform: Fixing the border. Letting more people in legally. Punishing lawbreaking employers. Legalizing those already here.

Jamie Wight is a SB native and grew up in a George Washington Smith house. She holds a BA in Art History from UCLA. She creates art from acrylic and vintage Lucite with a laser cutter.

This year’s Member Luncheon was dedicated to the memory of Mary Garton. Mary passed away unexpectedly in August 2024. She was a very active sustainer and was honored just last year for her 20 years of membership. Mary served a term as SBMA Women’s Board President.

411: www.sbma.net

Local Nonprofits Announce New Board Members

Your trusty Society reporter is here with the new board members appointed to your favorite nonprofits.

The Music Academy of the West, now in its 78th season, has three new officers and four new members appointed to its Board of Directors. The new Board Officers are Board Chair Danner Schefler , Vice Chair Susan Lichtenstein , and Secretary Daniel Dokos

Schefler also serves on the SB Museum of Art’s Museum Contemporaries, and at Birnam Wood Golf Club Women’s Golf Association. Lichtenstein is an attorney who specialized in medical device government regulations, and currently serves on the board of Girls Inc. SB and on the board of RUSH University Medical Center. Dokos is a recently retired corporate finance attorney, is passionate about LGBTQ+ and plays piano and cello.

New board members are: Susan Berger, a retired financial services executive, chef with her own catering business and supporter of Santa Barbara Newcomers Club, The Santa Barbara Symphony, The Women’s Fund, and Music Academy of the West; Todd Gerber is Vice President of Society Page 374

Jews lived “undocumented” in limbo in Germany for centuries. Until they were granted citizenship in 1871. And had it taken away in the 1930s. Who counts as a citizen is not handed down by God. It is given and taken away on a whim by people. True in Germany and in the U.S.

The U.S. Constitution explicitly said slaves were not citizens or even humans. It took the 14th Amendment to establish that if you were born in the U.S., then you are a U.S. citizen (and presumably a human). Note to anti-choicers: You do first have to be born.

What about immigrants? It is estimated that 11 million Americans are “undocumented.” Many entered the country legally but overstayed their visas. Millions were brought as children and know no other country. Others entered illegally long ago, but committed no other crimes.

For most of U.S. history, there were few restrictions on immigration. The U.S. was a big country needing workers. Between 1880 to WWI, fewer than 1% of European immigrants were turned away at Ellis Island. The main concern: people should not be carrying disease or need public assistance.

Mexican workers were welcomed for farm labor under the bracero program from 1942 to 1964. Most such workers came just to make money in the U.S. and return home to Mexico. That situation continued informally for decades longer. 9/11 changed that. Strict border controls after 9/11 actually caused more Mexicans to stay in the U.S., fearing they may never be able to re-enter the U.S. if they went home.

But there have also been waves of racism and anti-immigrant policy, including Chinese immigrants being excluded by law from 1882-1943. After WWII it was often easier for former Nazis to enter the U.S. than it was for Jewish refugees to enter.

In more recent years it was claimed that immigrants were “stealing jobs” from American workers. Experimental programs showed that U.S. born Americans refused farm work even at high pay.

The U.S. immigration system has been broken for at least 35 years.

The “Laken Riley Act” claims to go after immigrants who are criminals. There already was a law allowing deportation of non-citizens who had committed two petty offenses. The Laken Riley Act goes on to allow deportation of non-citizens who are merely accused of a petty crime. No conviction needed. Important fact: Undocumented immigrants commit crimes at less than half the rate of U.S. born Americans.

The Laken Riley Act was supported by Democrats in swing states to prove they are “tough” on immigrants. But it is absurd to give away one piece of the solution without negotiating a comprehensive plan. The Act is also clearly unconstitutional as it lacks any due process. For most of U.S. history if you lived in the U.S. (and you were not a slave or a Native American) you were presumed to be a U.S. citizen. As I wrote in my October 2023 article “Immigration Statute of Limitations?” murder is the only crime with no statute of limitations. But fear-mongering ideologues want to lump immigrant farm workers and nannies in the same category as murderers. Should people who broke an immigration law 30 years ago have their lives destroyed now?

Control borders with comprehensive immigration reform, yes. But people who have lived here for years as American workers and as your neighbors are as American as anyone. We should call them “undocumented Americans.” And document them.

805 UndocuFund is a local organization supporting rights of undocumented Americans. The ACLU is fighting for due process for everyone. How about if we support these organizations? To show that we understand what it means to be a human and an American?

Robert Bernstein holds degrees from Physics departments of MIT and UCSB. His passion to understand the Big Questions of life, the universe and to be a good citizen of the planet. Visit facebook. com/questionbig

domestic competition. U.S. companies fail all the time and workers lose jobs because of competition by other more innovative U.S. companies. Motorola was driven out of business by the Apple iPhone, the smart phone device that revolutionized our lives, created jobs, and spread worldwide. Competition constantly creates new jobs. The services sector of our economy has grown to replace the decline on manufacturing jobs (average service wages are about the same as average manufacturing wages). Unemployment is now the lowest in almost 25 years.

Myth No. 2: Tariffs will boost American businesses and create jobs.

Well, that’s not what happened when Trump imposed tariffs during his first term.

A recent study by economists at the NY Federal Reserve Bank found that Trump’s first term tariffs against Chinese goods did the opposite: tariffs actually harmed U.S. companies. One reason is that U.S. manufacturers rely on foreign supplies to make their products. Instead of helping them, the tariffs resulted in significant financial losses which “translated into future reductions in profits, employment, sales, and labor productivity.” About one-half of U.S. publicly listed firms were negatively impacted by the tariffs.

What protectionists fail to understand is that the world’s supply chain is interconnected by international trade and it benefits everyone connected to it.

Myth No. 3: Countries impacted by our tariffs will just roll over and do whatever Trump wants.

When Trump erected tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018 China retaliated by putting tariffs on U.S. goods imported by China. This is called a trade war. These wars can be disastrous for all parties. Mexico and Canada have announced they will impose tariffs on U.S. goods, tit-for-tat.

During the Great Depression the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 was one cause that kick-started and prolonged the depression. The blowback was that countries exporting to the U.S. retaliated and put up tariff walls against U.S. goods. World trade decreased by 66% from 1929 to 1934. The result was high U.S. unemployment and bankruptcies. Today won’t be any different.

Myth No. 4: American consumers won’t pay the tariffs.

Actually, it is we consumers who will pay. Trump’s huge 25% tariff is not something most foreign manufacturers can absorb and they raise their prices to offset the tariff. The result is like another tax on us because of higher costs of imported products.

We rely on Canada and Mexico and they rely on us. They are our two biggest trading partners. Existing trade agreements have been working really well. For example, U.S. auto manufacturers rely on parts made in Mexico and Canada. Now there will be shortages and more expensive cars.

Our economy is based on capitalism. The ultimate target of all manufacturing is the consumer and companies fight hard for our dollars. When you have free international trade you have the whole world competing for your consumer dollars with a vast choice of products at the best prices. The more choices we have, the more money we save and the richer we become.

I have no idea why Trump is doing this to our best trading partners. The Wall Street Journal just called Trump’s trade war “The Dumbest Trade War in History.” He thinks he can get some advantage and he fabricated a “national emergency” to do it. It makes one wonder. One quote I recently saw commented that rather than being a threat to democracy, Trump “is just like every other politician right now: a man way out of his depth with a vague understanding of how things work.”

commitment to “break out of [his] own perfectionism” and create for the sake of creation. He keeps it simple, plugging his headphones straight into his phone and using the free app BandLab to create an unapologetically unpolished sound under the alias “devilboy.”

In 2021, Avrae released Shadow Work, which means to address and care for our inner darkness in divination terms. Taking inspiration from Imogen Heap, Avrae layers acoustic guitar with harrowing voices, singing about the kind of loneliness we feel in solitude at night. In “I’m Not Sorry Is That Evil?,” he sings in a choked voice: “Am I really sorry when I say I’m sorry / Cause I’m not sorry for being alive.”

Avrae continues to release music, coming out with “special” in the summer of 2024. Undoubtedly, Avrae is able to channel a raw honesty through every medium he works in. As the United States enters a new administra-

tion bent on suppressing LGBTQIA+ expression, it is imperative to uplift voices like Avrae’s and celebrate their successes in the face of adversity. You can find Avrae’s music on Instagram at @devilboytunes and Spotify by searching “devilboy.” His visual art can be found at @avraeart on Instagram as well.

Transference, Avrae, oil on canvas, 2023

Shadow Work by devilboy, 2021

Beatrice Tolan is a fine artist, animator, and writer living in Los Angeles after residing in Montecito for 20 years. She is invested in building community through unique perspectives and stories. beatricetola @gmail.com

MD

Foraging Thyme Turnips

by Melissa Petitto

The Garden Of is one of my favorite vendors at the farmers market and right now they have some lovely turnips. The turnip is a root vegetable in the cruciferous family, just like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. They come in different colors such as purple, red, and green. The bulb as well as the greens, known as mustard greens, are highly nutritious and delicious. Turnips contain glucosinolates which are a group of bioactive plant compounds that also provide antioxidants, which helps them fight the cancer-adjacent effects of oxidative stress. The bulb also contains anthocyanins – a flavonoid (which protects the plant itself from biotic and abiotic stresses) that has been proven to have anti-cancer effects. This flavonoid has also been linked to lower rates of chronic and degenerative diseases. Inflammation is associated with so many of our diseases today – arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure – and turnips contain glucosinolates which we discussed above. These glucosinolates break down into indoles and isothiocyanates, both of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The isothiocyanates also impede bacterial and microbial growth, making this inconspicuous vegetable an amazing addition to your diet!

Roasted Turnip and Garlic Hummus

Yield: 6 Servings

6 small turnips, washed and diced

¼ cup garlic cloves, peeled

1 tablespoon olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper

Garlic Hummus

1 – 15.5 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

¼ cup tahini

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon ground coriander

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, toss the turnips, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until tender and slightly golden brown.

3. In a food processor or high-powered blender (I love the blender for a creamier hummus), combine the cooked turnips with the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, and coriander. Turn on high and puree until smooth and creamy. Add a little more lemon juice if needed.

4. Serve with crudites and fresh pita.

Melissa Petitto, R.D., is an executive chef and co-founder at Thymeless My Chef SB, was a celebrity personal chef for 16 years, just finished her 10th cookbook, and is an expert on nutrition and wellness.

Grandma was right… turnips are good for you (photo by thebittenword. com via Wikimedia Commons)

Santa Barbara by the Glass

A Different Buzz: Santa Barbara Company Produces Booze-Free Cocktails

by Gabe Saglie

“We’re not trying to put alcohol out of business,” says Vanessa Royle “But there has been a big shift, generally, and more people are looking for non-alcoholic options in addition to alcoholic options.”

Ms. Royle is a Santa Barbara entrepreneur who made the personal choice to quit drinking in May of 2020, just after COVID hit and changed the world. She needed a reset – “I wasn’t my best self when I drank,” she recalls – and so she set off to reinvent herself. She attended Harvard Business School, where she met Mariah Hilton Wood, a lifelong teetotaler, and innovation ensued. Soon, their company, Tilden, was born, a venture with an ambitious yet simple goal: “To produce bespoke craft cocktails, without alcohol,” says Ms. Royle, “that can be poured over ice and enjoyed!”

No doubt, Tilden’s birth coincides with a surging shift in alcohol habits. American’s booze consumption continued its downward turn last year, according to the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), a global beverage industry analyst: in the first seven months of 2024, demand for spirits in the U.S. sank 3%, beer saw a 3.5% drop and wine tumbled 4%. This followed an average 2.6% year-over-year decline in industry-wide alcohol sales in 2023. More people are drinking less.

“Gen Z doesn’t drink the same as previous generations,” says Royle. “Alcohol is a social lubricant, but younger people weren’t thrown into the bar scene during COVID, during their formative years, so many of us realize we don’t need alcohol to socialize.

“For others, it’s becoming a lifestyle choice – they’re realizing that not drinking, or drinking less, makes them more productive – they’re avoiding wasted weekends.

“And for others, they may be listening to their doctors.”

The medical community delivered its own blow to the beverages industry earlier this month, when President Biden’s outgoing Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, called on Congress to consider cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks. “Be aware that cancer risk increases as you drink more alcohol,”

Mr. Murthy tweeted on X on January 3rd. “As you consider whether to or how much to drink, keep in mind that less is better when it comes to cancer risk.”

Based on chatter among wine-centric circles and my own conversations with wine industry folks, all of this –behavioral shifts and a surging tide of red flags – is having a tangible, deleterious effect on wine sales. Several winemakers have expressed concerns to me directly, off the record. One longtime Santa Barbara wine personality told me just last week – lamenting the Surgeon General’s admonitions and expressing concerns over drooping sales over the last couple of years, much of it driven by dubious competitive forces within the wine industry itself – “If things continue like this, I could be out of business in two years.”

This is one angle of this beverages story that we’ll need to continue to observe, and this MJ column is committed to doing that throughout 2025. My thought is that readjustments, or a streamlining of sorts, within the drinks industry is inevitable, as educated consumers continue to seek balance in their lives. Wine drinking will never disappear. For most of us, and as proven over generations, there are indisputable benefits to moderate wine consumption. But what we drink, and how, and when, could well be due for a retune in the short term. And there will always be a place at the table for wine growers who are talented and savvy, and in synch with their customers’ demands. More on this to come. All this is to point out that Tilden’s

SB by the Glass Page 384

was five-foot with a slight offshore breeze. Impressive, salty plumes fanned 15 feet into the ocean air, wafting westward with every breaking wave. What really caught my eye were all the surf scoters feeding and frolicking in the billowing wave crests. Named for their uncanny ability to forage in turbulent surf, they are best known for the drake’s spectacular multicolored bill. The males are good looking; their bright orange bill standing out against their jetblack feathers and pearly-white markings. The females have more of a mottled, mocha color filling out their entire feathery frame. Watching them maneuver in powerful surf was entertaining from the wave-battered beach. They dove through the wave crests with utter aplomb, but dipping no further than 30 feet below the surface. Small mollusks, especially clams and tiny mussels, are a large part of their aquatic menu. They also favor marine snails, marine worms, small crabs, sea squirts, and species related to jellyfish. Aquatic vegetation is also consumed. Strong back legs and stubby wings allow them to “fly” through the water. Invertebrates beware. Surf scoters are another avian species that plays their part in maintaining balance within the food web. Their contribution is consuming marine invertebrates and then cycling out nutrients in the water column. Although the male’s bill is colorful, it’s also an efficient tool for prying open shellfish attached to rocks. They don’t possess teeth, so they swallow all their prey whole. However, with powerful gizzards they crush and digest shells with relative ease.

Scorpion Rock Sanctuary

They are my kind of seabird. I always find good numbers of surf scoters during winter-into-spring in remote, far-flung waters along the West Coast where no one else is around. They are a welcome sight

These are not waves for surfing

Where’d I put my surfboard?

while paddling across the Santa Barbara Channel, and around remote parts of the Channel Islands National Park.

However, many surf scoters (mainly immature birds) stay put, skipping out on their breeding grounds in the far north. Some birds don’t feel the strength to make that arduous northerly migration, and if they’re feeling comfortable where they are during the winter, they may decide to remain. That will mean hanging out inside coastal bays, coves and estuaries as far south as Baja California.

This past spring and summer at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island, there were about 24 surf scoters that remained after winter. While leading kayak tours I’d see them enjoying the clear, calm waters surrounding Scorpion Rock, an important breeding and nesting site for seabirds. Each time I paddled guests out there I kept expecting to not see any surf scoters, half-assuming they had made that collective decision to finally fly north – but they never did. They became so comfortable they were sharing the barnacle-encrusted Scorpion Rock with black oystercatchers and western gulls, while blending in well with their summer digs.

And throughout the summer, I continued hearing that familiar hum from my kayak, Scorpion Anchorage proving to always be a reliable refuge for wayward seabirds.

Chuck Graham is a freelance writer and photographer based in Carpinteria, where he also leads kayak tours and backpacking trips in Channel Islands National Park

Tilden was founded by Santa Barbaran Vanessa Royle, right, and business partner Mariah Hilton Wood (courtesy photo)

‘Looking

at Women Looking at War’

If you read just one book, read Victoria Amelina ’s Looking at Women Looking at War . When Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago this month, Amelina was a novelist living in Kyiv with her husband and son. War changed everything for the young woman who felt she had to do more. She volunteered to be a war crime researcher; she would bear witness to the atrocities inflicted on her country. Amelina began a diary detailing remarkable everyday women –and men – in the pursuit of justice for these resilient people fighting for their lives, their country, and their future. It is a powerful book, made even more remarkable because it is unfinished. Victoria Amelina died by missile attack July 1, 2023, while sitting in a café.

‘Tell

Me What You Did’

I could not put down Carter Wilson’s Tell Me What You Did. Poe Webb was witness to her mother’s brutal murder when she was just thirteen. Now Poe hosts a popular true crime podcast inviting anyone who committed a crime to come on the show and talk about it. Her latest guest claims to be her mother’s murderer. But how can that be when Poe knows she killed the man responsible seven years ago? This thriller will keep you engaged and terrified for Poe who is equally hunter and hunted as she searches for the truth.

‘The Electric Love Song of Fleischel Berger’

W ater and death and love consume David Rocklin ’s haunting and beautiful The Electric Love Song of

Stories Matter Women Lead the Way

by Leslie Zemeckis

Fleischl Berger . Fleischl will always feel the pain of his mother’s death, and his near drowning at birth in the water off the Baltic Sea. Fleischl’s journey will take him from a small seaside village to Berlin, and the confluence of the Nazi rise to power with his own silent movie career. The book expertly explores the history of psychiatry and the invention of the EEG (the electroencephalogram – a real invention) which tests abnormalities in the brain waves.

‘Homeseeking’

Karissa Chen writes a profoundly moving story that spans continents and generations in Homeseeking Childhood friends in Shanghai, Succhi and Haiwen become separated by civil war when Haiwen enlists before he can propose to her. They will spend decades and travel the globe separately before unexpectedly reuniting in California. Although the romance is the heart of the story, Chen explores what and where home is, moving the story forward and backwards in time in a unique and heartfelt way.

‘Babylonia’

Babylonia by Costanza Casati will grab you on the first page. A historical epic, it is set in ancient Assyria. Semiramis is a poor girl living with an adopted parent who hits and hates her. When the conquering army marches through her village, she

takes an opportunity to leave with the commanding general. Traveling to her new home – the capital of Assyria, Kalhu – Semiramis discovers her new husband’s close connection to the king, who despises her. Despite all the intrigues at court, Semiramis will claw her way to queenship (not a spoiler as this is based on myth and history). Casati keeps the story shooting forward with brutal battles, a deep love connection between the leading characters, and a woman’s place in power. As a side note, for fellow writers it is a masterclass in place, pace and prose.

‘Mask of the Deer Woman’

Laurie L. Dove introduces us to Carrie Starr in her new thriller Mask of the Deer Woman. A former Chicago detective, Carrie is out of work and forced to take the only job she can scrounge up, working as the lone marshal patrolling thousands of harsh acres on a reservation in Oklahoma. She doesn’t like it there, though it is where her father lived before marrying a white woman. Consumed with grief and alcohol for the loss of her daughter and her former life, Carrie dismisses the complaint of a woman who reports her daughter missing. It develops that over a dozen indigenous girls have vanished without a trace, or a proper investigation. Complicating her reluctant investigation is an oil company that wants to start fracking on the reservation.

Everyone has a stake in keeping the missing girls missing.

‘We Rip the World Apart’

Kareela, a twenty-four-year-old mixed-race girl discovers she’s pregnant in the heartbreaking and page turning We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carr. She is as conflicted about keeping the pregnancy as she is about keeping the boyfriend. Evelyn is her estranged mother, a white woman who married Kareela’s Jamaican father and fled the violence on the island in the 1980s. Rounding out a trio of complicated women is Violet, Evelyn’s mother-in-law, losing the last vestiges of independence. When Kareela’s brother is murdered, the women are shattered, each clinging to long buried secrets. I loved this one so much. It is as much about fear and what that does to us, as it is about how not speaking up can tear a family apart.

‘You’ll Never Believe Me’

I would be remiss if I did not leave you with one hilarious read about a grifter unapologetically kiting checks and landing in jail. Pick up Kari Ferrell’s memoir, You’ll Never Believe Me

Leslie Zemeckis is an awardwinning documentarian, best-selling author, and actor. The creator of “Stories Matter,” professional female authors mentoring the next generation of female storytellers, co-sponsored by SBIFF.

Go-to-Market & Sales at Adobe, Inc., focused on the Digital Media portfolio of products, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Firefly services; Pat Wadors is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Intuitive, an author, and speaker on DEI; and Todd Yancey, MD, is a corporate biotechnology executive, and supports Gay Men’s Health Crisis and The Santa Barbara Newcomers Club.

411: https://musicacademy.org

Women’s Fund of SB New Board Officers & Members

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara has a new Board Chair, Carolyn Jabs, and Vice Chair Lauren Trujillo Continuing in their officer roles are Treasurer Kathy Dunlap and Recording Secretary Sabina White

Newly elected board members are Katya Armistead and Margie Larkin. Continuing board members are Roberta Collier, Sarah de Tagyos, Jamie Dufek, Yonie Harris, Nancy Harter, Denise Hinkle, Kathy Hollis, Lynn Karlson, Kerry Parker, Linda Putnam, Suzi

Schomer, and Laurie Tumbler. In her opening 2025 press statement Jabs shared, “As the new board chair of Women’s Fund, I am truly honored to share that together we’ve achieved another record-breaking year of growth and generosity. While the final numbers are still being tallied, I’m very happy to announce that the Women’s Fund has grown to more than 1,400 members –we are one of the largest giving circles in the country – and our grants pool is again poised to exceed $1,000,000! The Women’s Fund has helped me focus my energies on the good that can be done when women pool their resources. In these challenging times, when many aspects of our lives feel out of our control, I am grateful to have the opportunity to direct my energy into an effort that yields tangible benefits for our community.”

411: https://womensfundsb.org

our global industry in support of those impacted in Los Angeles. We are coordinating relief efforts with our partners and are communicating with our members in L.A. on their needs. The NAMM Foundation has committed $50,000 to our L.A. Wildfires Relief Fund, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of the many additional contributions.”

The energy was super-high this year with record breaking numbers of brands and attendees – a recorded 63,000 at the Marshall Amp booth alone, bringing in tons of celebrities on FOMO.

The keynote [pun intended] news was the return to the NAMM show of the top brands MIA for the past five years – The Marshall Group (formerly Marshall Amps & Sound), Fender/ Jackson Guitars, Gibson, Roland, and PRS.

The Brands celebrating anniversaries were ESP Guitars 50 years, Shure Corp 100 years and their CEO Christine Schyvinck who also won a She Rocks Award; and PRS Guitars at 40 years who put on a performance showcase with artist Orianthi. I started my NAMM show rounds with Maricela “MJ” Juarez, Custom Shop Manager at Seymour Duncan, Santa Barbara, the company that designs and makes guitar and bass pickups. MJ has wound pickups for Eddie Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Steve Miller, David Gilmour, Peter Frampton, Los Lobos, Slash, and Angus. The top booth artist this year was Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones who has his own line of bass guitars, “Jones Musical Instruments,” displayed at his first ever booth at NAMM. Jones did a presentation and signing at Duncan’s booth on his Stealth model bass which features Duncan’s Quarter Pound P-Bass pickup with its large mid-range presence and maximum output. Later, MJ took me to Jones’ booth to meet him directly, and I was indeed honored. And of course, did a photo of him with bass in hand and MJ.

At the DW Drums booth I talked with rep Jerry Zacarias of Santa Barbara. The company manufactures their world-renowned drums in Oxnard, CA. This year they showcased their limited (only 100 produced) bronze true-cast tone drum series with more bell-bronze in a 7x14 inch snare model. They awarded Sheila E with the 1st Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. At the booth were their limited editions of the Icon Snare Drum series, which pays tribute to some of rock history’s most legendary drummers. Each drum has a laser cut graphic specific to the iconic drummer represented, hand-inlaid over a 100% North American Maple shell. Artists included in the Icon series are Sheila E., Alex González, Hal Blaine, Jim Keltner, Mick Fleetwood, and Frank Zappa.

I had an appointment with “Metal” Joe Williams, the Master Builder at Jackson Guitars, in their private meeting room on the 2nd floor of the convention center, limited to dealers only this year. I’ve long known Joe and his mentor, Master Luthier Mike Shannon, who made my custom Jackson guitar. Williams and I talked Our Town Page 404 Our Town (Continued from 18)

Music Academy of the West’s 2025 new Board of Directors officers and members (courtesy photo)

Women’s Fund SB New Board

and members (courtesy photo)

MJ and Darryl Jones at his booth holding his Gresham J-Type Bass guitar (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

“Metal” Joe Williams at the private dealer Jackson/Fender NAMM booth (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

arrival is timely. The brand is aimed not at replacing spirits, but, rather, at providing a new alternative in the marketplace for an evolving consumer set.

“There’s no denying that there’s new demand for quality non-alcoholic options,” says Ms. Royle. “So we’re filling a white space, a missing area of non-alcoholic drinks that cater to adult consumers. We don’t want to mimic existing cocktails – a non-alcoholic Negroni or Moscow Mule. Instead, we want to offer cocktails that feel complex from beginning to end, and that have a good mouth feel and viscosity. Simple to serve but complex in flavor and style.”

To that end, the two Tilden products currently in the marketplace – which are meant to be poured right out of the bottle, over ice, and enjoyed –are thoughtfully designed and crafted. Consulting with bartenders and food formulators, the two founders developed the flavors themselves, launching their experiment inside a mini lab set up in Hilton Wood’s Boston home. The drinks are heat pasteurized to avoid preservatives and sugars.

And since natural products are sourced as main ingredients from throughout North America – tart cherry from a producer in Michigan, for example, and lemongrass from a Canadian purveyor – and since flavor and aroma nuances can shift from vintage to vintage, recipe tweaking takes place ahead of each release. But each sipper’s signature profiles prevail. The Tandem has tart cherry flavors and is both smoky and spicy, with bitter orange, ginger and cayenne pepper notes. The Lacewing is more herbaceous, with a refreshing and aromatic blend of cucumber, pear, berry, basil and white pepper notes.

The Tilden cocktails come in 750ml. bottles and retail for $35, although pre-orders for February shipment are currently being discounted on the website (drinktilden.com) to $28 a bottle. There’s also a subscription service that delivers the cocktails monthly, bimonthly or quarterly.

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“Lacewing” is

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The products’ biggest splash has been on the bar scene, both locally and across the country, where more and more consumers are willing to pay by-the-glass wine and spirits prices for a quality non-alcoholic drink. The Tandem and the Lacewing have landed prominent positioning on cocktail lists at popular Montecito and Santa Barbara watering holes and restaurants like Bettina Pizzeria, Lucky’s Steakhouse, and The Lark, as well as retailers like Montesano Market & Deli, Montecito Village Grocery and Heritage Goods & Supply. Markets like Portland, St. Louis and Minneapolis are growing quickly, too.

Mini-bottle versions of the Tandem and the Lacewing will be launched later this quarter, and a third Tilden product – one that’s “more red fruit-forward,” according to Royle – is slated for release in June.

Gabe Saglie has been covering the Santa Barbara

for more than 15

through columns, TV, and radio.

a

editor with Travelzoo and is a leading expert on travel deals, tips, and trends.

from eight regional high schools in a friendly competition Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 pm in Winter Hall.

The event includes college bowls with buzzers, written exams and Chalk Talks with student presentations. This year the Chalk Talk, a 10-12-minute presentation, is about base systems, the numbers of different digits or combinations of digits and letters that systems of counting use to represent numbers.

The event, directed by Westmont mathematics professor Anna Aboud, features mathletes from Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Dos Pueblos, Carpinteria and Hemet high schools, as well as Cate School, Oaks Christian School and Pacifica Christian Academy.

Alumnus Manny Reyes (‘05), who earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics at Westmont and a doctorate in mathematics at UC Berkeley, will speak at the awards banquet at 5:30 pm in the Global Leadership Center. He taught at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, for several years before becoming associate professor of mathematics at UC Irvine. His research explores noncommutative algebra and

its interactions with topics such as algebraic geometry, category theory and quantum physics.

For more information, please visit the complete schedule at westmont.edu/ fieldday.

Baseball Opening Day

Westmont baseball celebrates the start of a new season at home this weekend against San Francisco State on Feb 8-9. The Warriors, ranked No. 25 in the 2025 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Poll, dropped two of three at Cal Poly Pomona last weekend in an exciting opening series.

Young local standouts include freshman Jesse Di Maggio, a product of Dos Pueblos High School, and sophomore Isaac Veal, a graduate of Bishop Diego Garcia High School. Di Maggio hit 3-5 with a double and a home run in his first college game as a designated hitter. He followed that up by hitting 2-2 with two walks in the next game. Veal, an outfielder, hit 3-5 with two home runs in his second game of the season.

In hopes of avoiding the rain, the Warriors have scheduled doubleheaders for Friday and Saturday against the Gators at Carr Field. The first game is slated to start at 11 am on Friday. On Saturday, the first pitch is scheduled for noon.

Tilden’s non-alcoholic “Tandem” cocktail features tart cherry flavors and a spicy finish (courtesy

The booze-free

herbaceous

refreshing, especially when served over ice (courtesy photo)

wine scene

years

He’s

senior

Students will be explaining base systems in this year’s Chalk Talk

Jesse Di Maggio is hitting .714 in two games Isaac Veal is the Warriors’ early home run leader

Scott Craig is manager of media relations at Westmont College

Docs to Discover

Elsewhere in the documentary division, early perusal and preview screeners have revealed a number of informative and moving films, including the particularly timely In the Red , a world premiere film that chronicles the lives of six young men who change their troubled history into a promising future by becoming firefighters and first responders, creating their own opportunities through dedication and hard work. Icebreakers covers two current news subjects, as it probes into a parallel skating universe where same-sex pairs – who are forbidden in the Olympics and other elite figure skating competitions – get a chance to shine.

Also disturbingly timely: Democracy Under Siege, with top U.S. commentators exploring the complex history and challenges facing the world’s political-governmental system, accompanied by a razor-sharp critique of political hypocrisy from Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes of The Washington Post – well, formerly of The Washington Post. Telnaes resigned in January after the paper killed her cartoon depicting Post publisher Jeff Bezos genuflecting – alongside other tech moguls – before then Presidentelect Trump.

Fans of Spellbound will enjoy Speak, which documents a year in the lives of a handful of competitors in the public speaking and debate realm, their oratory addressing topics of much greater consequence than the correct spelling of words. The film probes their lives and their skills with plenty of humor. Following Harry dives into the last dozen years of Harry Belafonte’s life, when

the musician and civil rights leader was reflecting on his journey and what the future might hold.

For film insiders, Her Name Was Moviola is a very detailed and specific cinematic love letter to the now obsolete Moviola film editing machine, with Academy Award-winning editor/ sound editor Walter Murch (The English Patient, Apocalypse Now) and his team sharing how the machine was a big player in filmmaking for most of the 20th century, all the while editing an actual feature length film.

Also recommended: The Song Cycle, about a veteran rocker who wants to return to the Glastonbury Festival, but this time in a more ecological way via bicycle from his home in Ireland. The trip is both informative and fun due to the charming director-subject Nick Kelly, who, of course, will be arriving at SBIFF on his bike – guitar in hand to play a song or two at the post-screening Q&A if time permits.

In the fiction film universe, I was impressed by An Arrangement, a twisty and often disturbing world premiere about a politician’s substance-abusing wife who after nearly derailing his gubernatorial campaign goes into rehab at a remote location with her husband and an unconventional nurse. The acting and scenery, if not the ultimate plot twists, make this worth seeing.

Free Screenings for Everyone

Platinum and other film passes don’t come cheap at SBIFF, but the festival deserves serious kudos for all of its free programs, not the least of which is a relatively new addition of daily screenings of many of the year’s most highly-decorated movies. One is actually the centerpiece of a three-day affair devoted to a retrospective of Demi Moore ’s career, in honor of the fact that she’s now the odds-on favorite to take home the Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Substance Indecent Proposal will be shown at the SBIFF’s Film Center, the festival’s hub, on February 7, and Ghost at the Arlington on February 10, with Substance screenings in between on February 9, followed by a Q&A with Moore. Also showing for free: Nickel Boys and Conclave (Feb. 6); Wicked, followed by a conversation with Costume Designer Paul Tazewell (Feb. 8); Animation nominee Memoir of a Snail, followed by Q&A with writer-director Adam Elliot; A Complete Unknown, followed by Q&A with writer-director James Mangold (Feb. 11), Emilia Pérez (Feb. 12), The Brutalist (Feb. 13), Sing Sing (Feb. 14). Several of the SBIFF films will also be shown at the Arlington

for free. Over at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, the other four nominated animated films will be screened for free as part of the AppleBox Family Film series, including Inside Out 2 and Flow on Feb. 8, and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and The Wild Robot on Feb.15.

SBIFF Filmmaker Seminars are also free and open to the public, covering topics that reflect the festival’s sections, sidebars and other subjects, including editing, crafting narrative, visual storytelling and directing actors. The conversations feature filmmakers who have films screening at the festival. Check SBIFF’s app for details.

A Gathering for Gatherers

Surprisingly, SBIFF isn’t the only major festival in town this week, as Santa Barbara once again hosts the annual festival of festivals, aka FestForums. The three-day conference, now at the Mar Monte Hotel, brings together festival producers, organizers and industry leaders to network, collaborate, and pick up tips about events in a single location February 12-14. Representatives of SXSW, Sundance, Burning Man, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Woodstock, Austin City Limits, Vans Warped Tour, Glastonbury, and the Toronto Film Festival have been among the attendees over the years – participating in panels covering technology, sustainability, safety, wellness, marketing, operations and more, as well as a trade show exhibition, awards presentations, concerts and parties.

This year’s featured speakers include actor Matthew Modine and singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins While some performances still take place on-site, over the last couple of years the big concert has moved downtown to SOhO. The February 13 show – with Hawkins, local celeb Alan Parsons and Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) – has also become a benefit for the new Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation, whose funds assist Californians who have been displaced by the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Visit https://festforums.com for details, schedule and passes.

Suddenly, It’s Shakespeare

Shakespeare is hot in the Santa Barbara region: Hot on the heels of Rubicon Theatre presenting The Acting Company’s reinterpreted version of A Comedy of Errors , both Ensemble Theatre Company and PCPA are readying new productions of classics by the Bard. L.A. theater veteran Margaret Shigeko Starbuck is directing her own reimagined adaptation of Hamlet , updating the Danish

tragedy for the 21 st century where power, betrayal and family dysfunction meet cutting wit and existential angst, with Hamlet as a college student returning home. ETC fave Will Block ( The Thanksgiving Play and The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley ) heads the seven-strong Shakespearean actor-filled cast for the February 6-23 run at the New Vic. Visit www.etcsb. org. Twenty-year PCPA vet Andrew Philpot directs, with four resident artists starring in the five-person cast. Visit https://pcpa.org.

Pop pick of the week

Tales from the Tavern – the Santa Ynez singer-songwriter series that has now outlasted the late, lamented Lobero trend-setter Sings Like Hell by almost seven years – has announced its schedule for spring, which begins February 12 with Steve Poltz, who, ironically, played Hell in the last series in 2018. All of the other series artists – David Wilcox, Michael on Fire, Rosie Flores, Kenny White & Cheryl Wheeler and legendary rock photog Henry Diltz – have also all previously played Tales dates at the Maverick Saloon (not to mention SOhO and the Lobero), making the already homey series even more warmly satisfying. Get details, discounted season passes and tickets to individual shows online at https://talesfromthetavern.com.

Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage

Keep an eye out for veteran rocker Nick Kelly rolling through the fest for The Song Cycle doc (courtesy photo)

Hamlet is the Bard’s latest to come to the stage (photo by Zach Mendez)

shop. As this was Saturday, the Jackson team had taken the limited-edition guitars made by Williams back to their Corona, CA factory for safekeeping. Williams showed me a BTS photo of his “Siamese-Head King V,” the first of its kind, taken in process at his factory bench. We decided to have him do a video for our readers.

The Marshall Group (formerly Marshall Amplification and Sound) saw its return to NAMM to say, “Things Just Got Louder” and better for musicians. Marshall Group CEO Jeremy de Maillard said in his press about their return to NAMM, “Marshall amps have earned a special place in music history, and we’re excited about connecting with our fans and customers at this globally important event. We have some great plans for showcasing the best that Marshall has to offer in hand-built amps while introducing several new products to the Marshall portfolio.”

Marshall won NAMM’s coveted “BEST IN SHOW AWARD” for its JCM800 Modified 100-watt amplifier, “inspired by the legendary JCM800 that shaped rock and metal, popular since the late 1970s.” It features a tight switch which cuts the low frequencies when you add more gain; two levels of overdrive – OD 1 & 2 that add more clicking and gain; a mid-range switch to boost those killer solos and fill out your tone; and a low tone switch for a pure clean tone to complete the package. At the booth were Kiki Wong, Nova Twins, Ryan “Fluff” Bruce, Brett Papa, and Debbie Gough Huge nods to its support of the L.A. fire victims by partnering with iconic DIY venue Chain Reaction to host an all-star benefit show during NAMM, with all proceeds going directly to MusiCares. Marshall also donated $10,000 to the same organization and pledged continued support for the L.A. music community as it begins rebuilding.

Ibanez Guitars global rep and guitarist Ryan Voelker showed me their new RG Axe Design Lab’s latest electric guitar model RGR52ET in black with Evertune bridge – yes an auto-tuner – Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Pickup, and Fishman Fluence Voicing Switch on volume control. I took it for a spin and the neck-in body with Makassar Ebony fretboard made those high runs so smooth and easy, a must buy.

Holding its place in metal kingdom is Blackstar Amplification who debuted the Blackstar DA100 Ruby Doug Aldrich Signature Amp, with Aldrich at the booth. The amp has a 5-way footswitch Effects Loop with phone app to store your settings, an OD vintage voice, and a fine-tuned midrange for power chords, in a classic ruby red cabinet. Aldrich jammed with Blackstar artists Jared James Nichols and Marco Mendoza at the booth and had a photo op with fans.

Yamaha America took its usual third of the convention center third floor, transforming it into a hands-on showcase of its various product lines. On display was the custom grand piano made for Alicia Keys’ 2023 tour. They were touting new products – the TAG3 C TransAcoustic Guitar, the YEV Pro Electric Violin, and the SEQTRAK designed for composing and performing electronic music from anywhere. I talked with Product Specialist Kramer Kurtz Ison about their all-in-one keyboard PSR-SX920 that has music clips from all genres of recorded songs. He said, “It lets you be your ultimate one-man band with cover songs, you can successfully

get it going with a few button clicks. They are not the actual copyrighted songs, but it’s a playlist that uses the title of the song for reference of the style, so you are not playing the song that is copyrighted. The song chords are AI generated and the accompaniment is designed by Yamaha.”

Serious nods to the Eargasm Corp. for its generous donation of free earplugs and a tote bag to all NAMM registered attendees – a most appreciated move to protect your ears at NAMM and future live music performances. Not to be missed was the Boutique Guitar Booth curated by Jamie Gale

The 13th Annual She Rocks Awards had the NAMM Foundation as presenting sponsor. It was held in the Pacifica Ballroom at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel on Saturday, January 25. I did the red carpet and awards show. Highlights were A-List performances by Samantha Fish, and heavy metal band Stitched Up Heart. Winners were AIJIA, Paula Cole, Katie Daryl, Alecia “Mixi” Demner, Samantha Fish, Beth Heidt, Theresa Hoffman, Amanda Palmer, Chris Schyvinck, Nurit Siegel Smith, and Rozanna Weinberger. Event co-hosts with its founder Laura Whitmore were Lindsey Stirling and Jennifer Batten

Jack White was awarded the 40th Annual TEC Innovation Award. Additional TEC Awards of note were Avid – Sibelius for Android & Chromebook; Mix with the Masters – Mix with the Masters; Universal Audio – Apollo Twin X USB; Solid State Logic – PURE DRIVE OCTO; AMS Neve – Genesys Black G3D; Sennheiser – HD 490 PRO; Earthworks Audio – DM6 SeisMic Kick Drum Microphone; Neumann –KK 104 U / KK 105 U; Moog Music – Mariana Bass Synth; Shure – SLX-D Portable Digital Wireless System; and Avid – Pro Tools 2024.

The 23rd Annual Parnelli Awards is all about the people that make it happen in the live events industry. This year the Lifetime Achievement Award: Malcolm Weldon; Visionary Award: Roy Bickel; Audio Innovator Award: Dave Rat; and NextGen Award: Sarah Kufel. Full list here: https://parnelliawards.com/

411: www.namm.org

Exclusive Interview with Tom Sumner

During NAMM 2025, I had the privilege to interview Tom Sumner the President of Yamaha Corporation of America and the Chair of the NAMM Board of Directors. We conversed in person at the Yamaha Dealer meeting rooms, and I took a photo of him with the Yamaha grand piano for Alicia Keys’ 2023 tour that hallmarked their display booth area. Sumner also graciously provided his thoughts on a live video taken by me for our readers, which is on the MJ website with this report.

Sumner grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he played guitar in local bands and worked in area music stores during high school and college. He started at Yamaha in 1988 as a VP/General Manager, was President 2006 – 2012, Senior VP 2008 – 2018 and President 2018 to present. He has served as the Chair of the NAMM Board of Directors since 2017 and has been on the Board since 2014. He holds an MBA with Honors from Pepperdine University.

Here is his sage insider view of why major brands returned to NAMM 2025, and the future of the Music Industry:

Q. Can you talk about the return of the major brands to NAMM after more than a five-year hiatus – brands like Marshall Amps, Fender/Jackson, Roland, PRS and Gibson?

A. There are a lot more brands here this year overall, I think there are 1,000 more brands here than last year. That is not 1,000 more booths, but brands.

The top brands – Marshall, Fender, Roland, PRS and Gibson – had to want to come back for themselves, and I think that the success of the previous shows gave a little bit of FOMO. They all came to a decision to come back on their own.

The NAMM team was really instrumental in making sure that those companies had a good way to come back, and that it was going to be an easy transition. Most of those companies had not been here since 2020. I’ve heard from several of those companies that they’re really excited to be back. At least so far, they seem to be having a good experience at NAMM.

I think one of the key things is, there are several thousand music dealers around the country and some very specialized, and it’s really hard to get to all those folks to show them the breadth of what you do as a company. So, some of those brands realized they are really missing something. They are a known entity and their people in the field are going to see all those dealers, but it is important for people like me to have discussions with dealers, right? And I think it’s important for the leadership of other companies to have one on one time even with “smaller” dealers [implied: which they get at NAMM].

As Chair of the NAMM Board of Directors, what directives does the Board have for NAMM for 2025 and 2026?

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Samantha Fish performs at the She Rocks Awards 2025 (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

The 2025 She Rocks Awards Winners with founder Laura B. Whitmore (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

“They taught us how to eat it,” Steves scribbled in his journal with youthful brio. “The tongue and eyeballs were supposed to be best. [Our host] Datko left only the bones and eyelashes on his plate. I pocketed some teeth for souvenirs.” Later in the trip, Steves would fleetingly pine for the more familiar fare of Europe, where animal face is only very occasionally served up, typically with a buoying garnish.

From Bulgaria to Istanbul to Iran to Afghanistan, Steves’ journaling is a frank record of two young Americans abroad, two strangers in a strange land (all thanks to Heinlein). Steves’ journal entries are real-time, practical with detail, and concerned more with fidelity to the moment than performative charm. “When I wrote that journal, it was for me, I didn’t write it for anybody else,” Rick says. “This was a glimpse of me before I was a travel writer.”

The result is an unexpectedly moving document. The book is given unadorned power through its plainspoken recording of those moments that define the united human race. Steves’ journal entries – laudably uncorrected for grammatical missteps, changes in verb tense, etc – are sublime. His writing at intervals swerves into a heartening gee-whizness, and at other times into stirringly youthful poesy. The effect is a pitch-perfect setting for those quietly explosive moments on the Hippie Trail that capture us in what should be our natural element. The Human Family is not a kumbaya refrigerator magnet purchased at checkout, but human animals falling into what comes naturally. Steves records these episodes of freeform friendship with such a striking lack of embellishment you’ve no choice but to smile at the power of the reportage – and the bracing innocence of strangers energetically taking your hand in welcome.

Turkish Hammam, Iranian Pizza, Afghani Warmth. The World as it Truly Is.

Two guys in their twenties in far-flung Whereverstan – however tight-fisted their travel budget – are going to boldly taste the unfamiliar (see roasted lamb face above). Naturally while in Istanbul the guys submit themselves to an authentic Turkish massage. Steves describes he and Gene looking disconsolately at each other with one working eye each – their previously intrepid American faces half-mashed (therapeutically) against a wet marble floor as two hirsute Turkish giants do everything but break the boys in half. “I’d call the massage an all-out attack,” Steves will happily scrawl in his journal, and one can almost visualize his steamed and twisted ‘70s-era wire-frame specs perched askance on his beaming face.

In Tehran a newfound friend named Abbas (“…Abe to you Americans…”) invites them in for coffee then excitedly dashes out to get them an Iranian pizza. On a packed bus to Kabul, Afghanistan, a beautiful little girl of about ten is sitting with her mother and stares fixedly at Rick Steves – for five unbroken hours. The look of wonder on her face is inexplicably moving, as are all the photos of the locals reacting to these two American argonauts. Smiling, laughing faces crowd Rick and Gene wherever they go – jostling for a look and giddily stunned at the guys’ presence, the townsfolk’s delight filling frame after frame. In a town called Pokhara the guys try a few bites of water buffalo. “Rather than actually swallow it,” young Steves exactingly records, “we would chew all the nutritional value out of it until a tight little wad of gristle remained – which we’d place daintily on the side of our dinner plate.” If you can find a more telling description of young Americans sampling Nepalese water buffalo, lemme know.

Throughout, Steves cheerily records the wild conviviality that greets them, from city to town to remote village – the globally common human experience that unfurls when folks aren’t being harangued by leadership into fear and prejudice and all the other wholly invented crap we’ve yet to rise above.

“I believe that if more people could have such a transformative experience – especially in their youth – our world would be a more just and stable place,” Steves tells me today. “If you’ve traveled, if everybody could travel before they voted, we’d have a different world right now.” Can communing with the wider world really move that mountain?

Decades ago on the Hippie Trail a young Rick Steves stumbled onto a moment of inadvertent exaltation – one of many – on a dusky terrace in Afghanistan.

“I went out on the hotel balcony to speak with the old cleaning man. ‘Look,’ the man said dreamily. ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’

We both stood motionless, watching as the sun sank behind the distant mountain.’” Young Steves took pen to paper that evening – now nearly 50 years past – to record the moment. “I guess,” he wrote, “people all over the world enjoy the same things.”

Rick Steves will be speaking on this and other globe-hopping topics at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre on Feb. 21.

Jeff Wing is a journalist, raconteur, autodidact, and polysyllable enthusiast. He has been writing about Montecito and environs since before some people were born. He can be reached at jeff@ montecitojournal.net

Rick and Gene, all smiles, consult their deceptively welcoming map of

the Hippie Trail – 1978 (courtesy photo)

Rick Steves’ youthful journal has been published as Rick Steves on the Hippie Trail. It is an eye-opener (courtesy photo)

We are continuing to work to grow the industry. Part of that is to advocate that every child has a right to music education, and we will continue to work for that right. We are also looking globally since The NAMM Show is now the global gathering for the Music Products industry, working to help our global partners (outside the U.S.) to increase the industry as well.

As Chair of the NAMM Board of Directors, how do you view your role? It’s my job to work with NAMM and our industry to grow the Music Products industry. I work with our Executive Committee and Board of Directors at NAMM to chart the course that helps more people love music and make music.

As President of Yamaha Corporation America, how do you predict the music industry (MI) will fare through 2025? What barometers and data points are guiding the path of the MI?

The MI has been a bit of a roller coaster the past few years with COVID lockdowns driving huge demand in some areas and shutting down others. 2025 will probably be the first year that all segments of the industry have escaped the effects of the inventory and sales changes of that era. That said, the last quarter of 2024 saw some of that growth and we’re expecting growth next year. We look at several data points for the industry including advanced concert ticket sales, students entering music in schools, and people entering the prime music making years of around 18-26.

What is Yamaha’s position regarding AI in the music industry and in the making of musical instruments?

We haven’t yet issued a formal statement, but we believe that AI should assist in music making, not replace music makers. We think it can be a powerful tool for creativity.

How did you become involved in the music industry?

First off, I love music. I did quite a few things (original gig economy I guess) during high school and college years, including playing in bands, playing solo gigs, running a sound company, working in music stores, teaching guitar, and recording bands.

Do you play any instruments or sing?

I do. I play guitar and sing. I play a bit of keyboard as well.

What are the top five songs/artists on your playlist?

Top 5 songs would be tough and change quite a bit. Top 5 artists I listened to last year: Jason Isbell, Jon Batiste, Brandi Carlile, John Mayer, Chris Stapleton

Sumner also announced last week, NAMM has eight new Board Members: Mayumi Allison, CEO, Hosa Technology Inc.; Betty Bennett, CEO and Co-Founder, Apogee Electronics Corp.; Jenna Day, Owner, Day Violins LLC; Jeremiah Manriquez, President, CEO and Owner, Pecknel Music Co., Inc.; Tim Pratt, President and Owner, Dietze Music House; Thomas Ripsam, President and CEO, C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.; Tom Tedesco, President and CEO, The Music People; and Hans Thomann, CEO, Thomann Musikhaus.

411: www.namm.org

Home Game

After a decade of producing Super Bowl touchdowns and fumbles, David Bolton, Executive Director and CEO of the California Mission Foundation will be watching the big game in New Orleans between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in the comfort of his Santa Barbara home.

David tells me Fox Latin America Mexico, sold off by Aussie tycoon Rupert Murdoch a few years ago, is now experiencing financial difficulties and is trying to convince him to buy the network back.

However, no deal has been reached.

“With this uncertainty and with my company having to put out all of the funds for the production in advance and

then wait for payment, it’s just too risky at the moment,” says David, 2023 El Presidente of Old Spanish Days.

“Further, the legal systems in both countries are not conducive to the two parties being entities in different nations. Just another level to add to the uncertainty.

“It was a great run, starting ten years ago in Phoenix in 2015, Super Bowl XLIX, and I’m so appreciative of being able to produce eight telecasts for the biggest week in world sport. It was super fun and I have super memories.”

A Smash of Wind and Brass

It was the perfect combination when the 30-year-old Boston Brass and threetime Grammy-nominated Imani Winds performed at the Music Academy of the West’s Hahn Hall, part of the popular UCSB Arts & Lecture series.

Adventurous programming and dynamic playing is the wind quintet’s trademark; playing Paquito D’Rivera’s “Selections from Aires Tropicales” and even Stevie Wonder before joining with the brass quintet in a stirring rendition of Leonard Bernstein’s “Maria” from West Side Story and works from Astor Piazzolla, Paul Hindemith, Arturo Sandoval, and Ernesto Lecuona.

The Boston Brass opened the 90-minute concert with Shostakovich’s “Galop” and work by ever-glorious Bach. Great fun...

Wedding Bells

Actor Kevin Costner ’s ex-wife Christine Baumgartner is engaged to her beau of over a year, financier Josh

Proudly assisting to celebrate the big 50 are family members Julian, Alexis, and Zue Wilson (photo by Priscilla)

After more than a decade producing Super Bowl TV coverage for the Latin American market, David Bolton is staying home for this year’s game (courtesy photo)

Turner Foundation COO Donnie Feller presenting the tiered birthday chocolate cake (photo by Priscilla)

One wave of gathered admiring friends celebrating Dean Wilson’s 50th Birthday with his wife Susan at “Valinor” (photo by Priscilla)

Tom Sumner, President Yamaha Corp of America and Chair of the NAMM Board of Directors, at NAMM 2025 with Yamaha’s piano for Alicia Keys (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Connor, 49, who happens to be one of the Oscar winner’s former friends.

Connor put his five bedroom, five bath 2,899 square foot home on the market for $7.3 million last month having purchased it in March 2022 for just $2.2 million.

Baumgertner, 50, said “Yes” to Connor’s beachside proposal in our tony town last week less than a year after finalizing her acrimonious divorce with the Yellowstone star.

Handbag designer Baumgartner filed for divorce from the Oscar winner in 2023 after 18 years of marriage. They have three children together – Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14.

For the Record

A lawsuit to make Prince Harry’s secret visa records public is set to have its first court hearing under Donald Trump’s administration.

Washington, D.C.’s Heritage Foundation has re-opened its case to have the Montecito resident’s immigration papers released.

The foundation has raised questions about how King Charles III’s youngest son was able to gain entry into the country in 2020 having admitted in his bestselling autobiography Spare to taking cannabis, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms.

Normally any admission of drug use would bar an applicant from entry into the U.S. But the organization was refused access to the Duke of Sussex’s application by the Biden administration.

But lawyers for the think tank and Harry have been ordered by the judge Carl J. Nichols to meet at a federal court in Washington this month.

Trump has previously suggested Harry may be deported from the U.S. if he is found to have fraudulently filled in his visa form, even though Meghan is an American citizen and their children Archie and Lilibet, have dual citizenship.

Stay tuned...

Podcast Pushed Back

Riven Rock resident Meghan Markle is postponing the release of new episodes of her Archetypes podcast.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, has already delayed the release of her Netflix cookery show, With Love Meghan, from last month to March due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

Now it appears her scheduled podcast with Lemonade Media, which appeared to tease new episodes at the start of the

Wind and brass make an ideal combination (photo by David Bazemore)

New Year, will also be delayed. According to Hello! magazine, episodes of Archetypes have been “pushed back.”

In the Circus

Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry’s year-long legal battle with the disgruntled seller of her multi-million-dollar Montecito estate has taken another dramatic turn with Katy fuming, claiming it has turned into “a media circus.”

The family of Carl Westcott filed a subpoena in October clearing the way for British actor Orlando Bloom, 47, to testify during the damage phases of an upcoming trial scheduled for February 25.

They claim the Pirates of the Caribbean actor played a significant role in managing the 1930s’ eight bedroom, seven and a half bath 9,000 square foot property on a 2.5 acre lot after Westcott, 85, was forced to relinquish his Montecito home after selling it to Perry for $11.25 million in 2020.

But just days later, Westcott tried to void the deal claiming he was under the influence of painkillers when he signed.

In a response filed in L.A. Superior Court, Perry’s legal team argued the involvement of her family, including her fiancé Bloom, should be considered “off limits” calling the subpoena an unnecessary move.

They claim it is no more than “a publicity tactic.”

House Off the Market

Montecito actress Gwyneth Paltrow has sold her Los Angeles mansion in Brentwood.

The Oscar winner, 52, originally put the 8,000 square foot pad in Mandeville Canyon up for sale for $29.99 million before lowering the price to $24.9 million last October.

She then lowered the price again with the property finally selling for $22 million.

Paltrow listed the estate in May 2024 when son Moses, 18, headed off to college after graduating high school.

She picked the home with her ex-husband Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, 47, in 2012 for $9.95 million.

It was built in 1950 and completely renovated in 2009. The house, on two thirds of an acre, has eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, including a one-bedroom apartment above the garage.

Split Views

Former Montecito-based actress turned TV talk show host Drew Barrymore

has opened up about her divorce from ex-husband Will Kopelman, admitting she still has not “fully recovered.”

Barrymore, 49, split from actor Kopelman, 46, in 2016 after four years of marriage, and the former couple co-parent daughter Olive,12, and Frankie, 10.

On her New York-based show she talked with The View veteran panelist Joy Behar and said the separation had “destroyed her.”

“I think, for me, when I got divorced from my kids’ dad, I did not fully recover from that, I was so invested in that plan.

“I was stuck together for life. We’ve grown a lot through the last 14 years through our union with our kids.”

She previously told People magazine in 2022 she found her split from Kopelman “cripplingly difficult.”

Barrymore has now been married three times – to filmmaker Tom Green for one year from 2001 to 2002, and Jeremy Thomas between 1994 and 1995.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: The Wine Country Cowgirls Polo Team, 606 Alamo Pintado, 351, Solvang, CA 93463. Matthew B Orr, 606 Alamo Pintado, 351, Solvang, CA 93463. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 31, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250000295. Published February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s)

is/are doing business as: House of Brutal Power Building Gym LLC; Strength Crews; House of Brutal Power Building Gym, 865 Perry Ct, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. House of Brutal Power Building Gym LLC, 865 Perry Ct, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 29, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000271. Published February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Home Cleaners Santa Barbara, 14 Romaine Drive, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Glenda V Oliva, 14 Romaine Drive, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 30, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20250000273. Published February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT: The following person(s) has (have) abandoned the use of the Fictitious Business Name(s): Dr. Greenthumb’s Orcutt, 1604 E Clark Avenue, Suite 101, Orcutt, CA, 93455. East Clark SB OPCO LLC, 4675 MacArthur Ct FL 15, Newport Beach, CA 92660. This statement was originally filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on April 8, 2022. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL), filed January 29, 2025. Original FBN No. 2022-0000936. FBN 2025-0000260. Published February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: All Booked Up, 5659 Stinson Way, 101, Goleta, CA 93117. All

Sightings

Katy Perry noshing at London’s oh-so trendy Chiltern Firehouse... Kevin Costner checking out the crowd at Lucky’s... Actor Josh Brolin at Pierre Lafond.

Pip! Pip!

From musings on the Royals to celebrity real estate deals, Richard Mineards is our man on the society scene and has been for more than 18 years

Booked Up, 5659 Stinson Way, 101, Goleta, CA 93117. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 16, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000157. Published January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Evoke Design Studio; Evoke Design; Evoke; Evoke Studio, 636 West Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Evoke Interiors, PO Box 1104, Santa Barbara, CA 93102. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 7, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000042. Published January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Santa Barbara Senior Real Estate Planners; SB Home Prep; Santa Barbara Senior Move Manager; Your SB Rentals, 5276 Hollister Avenue, Suite 263, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Rachel A Quittner, 5276 Hollister Avenue, Suite 263, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 18, 2024. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2024-0002957. Published January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Dr. Greenthumb’s Orcutt, 1604 E Clark Avenue, Suite 101, Orcutt, CA 93455. Citrus Real Property, LLC, 4675 MacArthur Ct FL 15, Newport Beach, CA 92660. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 3, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000091. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following per-

son(s) is/are doing business as: Secret Garden Inn and Cottages, 1908 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. Inn Paradise Inc, 2821 Ben Lomond Drive, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on January 3, 2025. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2025-0000029. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 24CV05504. To all interested parties: Petitioner Marla Witcher filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name of minor from Ruby Grace Gomez Witcher to Ruby Grace Witcher. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed January 8, 2025 by Preston Frye. Hearing date: February 19, 2025 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 24CV07309. To all interested parties: Petitioner Carly Elizabeth Richardson filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to Carly Elizabeth Hughes. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed January 10, 2025 by Preston Frye. Hearing date: February 26, 2025 at 10 am in Dept. 3, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Calendar of Events

by Steven Libowitz

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

‘Afrique en Cirque’ – Yamoussa Bangoura, a former performer with both Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Éloize – the latter having appeared a few times in Santa Barbara over the years – has created his own company to pay tribute to his heritage as a native of the Republic of Guinea, the coastal country in West Africa. As with those other troupes, Cirque Kalabanté’s acrobats employ spectacular strength and agility to execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, but in Afrique en Cirque they’re accompanied by the sounds of live kora, percussion, and Afro-jazz music. Kalabanté’s shows are filled with colorful costumes and impressive scenery to add to the ambiance, resulting in a joyful experience of dazzling circus arts that is fun for the whole family.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $53.50-$83.50

INFO: (805) 963-0761/www.lobero.org or (805) 893-3535/https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Comedy with a Cause – Maria Bamford has appeared in several TV series, done prolific voiceover work, performed on podcasts, and even starred in her own web series The Maria Bamford Show, in which she played all the characters. But Bamford is even more revered for her deeply personal and experimental comedy about mental illness, which includes a series of stand-up specials, appearances on late night TV talk shows, and starring in the surreal, semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, about a comedian who suffers a nervous breakdown. Named 2014 winner of the American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic, Bamford brings her unique perspective to one of our town’s classiest theaters, probably proving again that comedy is

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

1st Thursday – Peak Perko and Presidio by Candlelight highlight the offerings at February’s 1st Thursday, another light schedule for the monthly art-and-culture walk. It’s the umpteenth solo show for Santa Barbara artist Angela Perko at Sullivan Goss (11 East Anapamu St.) – OK, it’s more like the eighth – this one entitled “Imagined Landscapes & Other Stories.” Inspired by female surrealists and Western landscapes, the exhibit features 18 almost exclusively new works, with Perko in person to share her thoughts… With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Gallery 113 (1114 State St.) mounts a special mezzanine exhibit called “All You Need is Love” (paging John Lennon) to complement works by featured artists Stephanie Jamgochian, Odessa Burrow, Linda Nelson, Gary Jensen, and Fred Lehto Ace Rivington (1100 State St.) hosts Judith Raimondi, the local whose art celebrates Santa Barbara’s vibrant arts heritage, spotlighting the Flying A Studio and the silent film era… The new Art & Soul gallery (1323 State Street) invites visitors to embark on a spiritual journey with Santa Barbara artist and healer Nika Vaeshun and her latest exhibition, Medicine Woman Each piece in the show invites reflection, awakening, and communion – a fine mix for Valentine’s or any other day… El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park (123 E. Canon Perdido St.) presents its periodic Presidio by Candlelight, an evening of history and culture featuring Chumash stories, an exhibit and live music and dances from 1800s California… At the other end of the spectrum, Santa Barbara Historical Museum (136 East De La Guerra St.) goes ultra-modern with a sunset Silent Disco, where free wine tastings further loosen inhibitions to move.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

The Astounding ‘Anima’ – Performance artist and Tantra/psychosomatic/ceremonial practitioner Lisa Citore created Anima: Theater of the Feminine Underground more than a decade ago, choosing a name that reflected the feminine principle and the inner personality representing the unconscious persona. The ritual performance art collaborative spends months in process, where the aim is to harness and focus creative energies as a tool for healing. In this setting, women share their secrets, dreams, revelations, yearnings, veracity, and life’s meaningful moments – before then performing their pieces before a live audience. The pieces span artistic media from dance to spoken-word poetry, comedy and ceremonial rituals, delving into topics such as vocal empowerment, death and rebirth, motherhood, divorce, and sexual awakenings. Often, the performances are as moving for the audience as they are for those on stage, a cohort this time around featuring principals Aurora Rose Wesman, Cybil Gilbertson, Elaine Gale, Jax Nora, KiaOra Fox, Maya Amati Howard, Michaela Ravasio, Sonya Barriere and both Citore and co-producer director Teagan Rose, with 11 more women serving as the ensemble.

WHEN: 7 pm tonight & tomorrow

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

COST: $32

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

both entertainment and an elixir for what ails us.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $41.50 & $56.50

INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org

Diemer Day at SBMC – Santa Barbara lost two of its prolific longtime pianists and pedagogues when nonagenarians Betty Oberacker and Emma Lou Diemer passed away within weeks of each other last June. The Santa Barbara Music Club, for which both performed many times, paid tribute to Oberacker with its season opening concert in August, and now turns its attention to Diemer, who was a similarly prolific composer. The wide-ranging program opens with pianists Tachell Gerbert and Bradley Gregory playing “Norteamexispanicumsake,” the two-piano version of Diemer’s “Santa Barbara Overture” written for the Santa Barbara Symphony – after which the two will share a bench for “Variations for Piano, Four Hands (Homage to Ravel, Schoenberg, and May Aufderheide).” Soprano Kate Unger, accompanied by pianist John Ballerino, takes on four of Diemer’s art songs, with texts by Shakespeare, James Joyce and Dorothy Parker. Before Spring will be played by violinist Nicole McKenzie and pianist Erin Bonski, before the concert closes with “Three Madrigals for SATB and piano” performed by the UCSB Chamber Choir, directed by Brent Wilson and accompanied by pianist Ballerino.

WHEN: 3 pm

WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 305 East Anapamu (at Garden) COST: free INFO: www.sbmusicclub.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Look Tharp: Twyla’s 60th Anniversary – American dance legend Twyla Tharp is renowned for crafting impeccable, startlingly original works that expand the boundaries of ballet and modern dance while remaining utterly accessible. Celebrating her 60th anniversary as a choreographer, Tharp has choreographed Tony-winning Broadway shows, Emmy-winning TV specials, beloved films such as Amadeus and Ragtime, and collaborated with rock artists like David Byrne (The Catherine Wheel). Tonight’s special Diamond Jubilee program includes Diabelli, Tharp’s Olivier-nominated triumph set to Beethoven’s variations of the same name, and featuring 10 performers dancing to the composer’s waltz performed live on the piano. Tharp’s first partnership with composer Philip Glass in nearly 40 years, the choreographer’s “SLACKTIDE” – inspired by Glass’ “Aguas

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Keeping up with Kottke – Who knows how many more chances we’ll have to hear the spectacular solo acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke, the veteran known for a fingerpicking style that draws on blues, jazz and folk music, often delivered via syncopated, polyphonic melodies. The seemingly nonstop touring artist will turn 80 in September, so it seems fair to suppose his signature finger velocity might – at some indeterminate point in the future – slow down a bit. Those lucky enough to attend a Kottke performance in the meantime will find his unerring digits racing across the strings to develop a deep churning groove that at times sounds like several people playing at once – those impressive displays of dexterity and musicianship interspersed with humorously meandering monologues, not unlike Loudon Wainwright III, who also graced the Lobero’s stage not long ago.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $45 & $55 ($107 VIP tickets includes premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres)

INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org

Amazonia” – will be performed to live music by Grammy-winning Third Coast Percussion. The piece was co-commissioned by UCSB Arts & Lectures.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street COST: $48.50-$108.50

INFO: (805) 899-2222/www.granadasb.org or (805) 893-3535/https:// artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

More Life from a Legend – Randy Travis’ legendary career goes live once again via his original touring band fronted by James Dupré, whose smooth baritone substitutes for Travis’ voice, as the country star has been unable to sing since a massive stroke resulted in aphasia in 2013. Dupré and the band honor Travis’ timeless hits which include 23 chart-topping country singles, seven Grammy awards, and lifetime sales exceeding 25 million copies. Travis, whose recovery was documented in his recent memoir “Forever and Ever, Amen,” has also released two new singles in the last year with the use of cutting-edge AI tools. The star himself will also be front and center throughout the show, to enjoy the music along with the audience.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. COST: $71-$111 ($206 VIP tickets includes premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres and a meet-and-greet with Travis) INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Camerata’s Complex Choreographed Concert – Camerata Pacifica’s next performance is a semi-staged production of Schoenberg’s groundbreaking masterwork Pierrot Lunaire, a series of 21 melodramas set to “wild” poems by the Belgian Symbolist poet Albert Giraud. Celebrated German soprano Sarah Maria Sun, known for her interpretations of contemporary music, will be making her debut with the ensemble. Founding Executive Director Adrian Spence calls the piece “fantastic, beguiling, melodramatic, grotesque, humorous, and utterly amazing,” with each of the 21 poems featuring lighting designs and stage movement by the artists to support the musical expression. The program also features Schoenberg’s earlier atonal work “Little Piano Piece, Op. 19, No. 6;” Lara Morciano’s virtuosic “Embedded Tangles,” and works by George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, and Claude Debussy.

WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Hahn Hall, Music Academy of the West campus, 1070 Fairway Road COST: $75

INFO: (805) 884-8410 or www.cameratapacifica.org

de

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AUTOMOBILES WANTED

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AVAILABLE CAREGIVER

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TILE SETTING

Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.

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ELECTRICIAN

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AVAILABLE FOR RENT

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LANDSCAPE

Casa L. M.

Landscape hedges installed. Ficus to flowering. Disease resistant. Great privacy. Licensed & insured. Call (805) 963-6909

WATERLILIES and LOTUS since 1992

WATERGARDEN CARE

SBWGC PET/ HOUSE SITTING

Do you need to get away for a weekend, week or more? I will house sit and take care of your pets, plants & mail. I have refs if needed. Call me or text me. Christine (805) 452-2385

FOR SALE

1987 Komfort Corp/Trailer for sale by El Toro Holdings, LLC located at 2509 N. Ventura Ave on account of James Armstrong. Blind Auction will be held Monday, February 16th at 12:00pm

PERSONAL ASSISTANT AVAILABLE

Seeking position in the greater SB Area. Errands, driving, interior design, home operations, etc.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Background of Interior Décor. Adaptable and reliable. References available. 805-295-0017

$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

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TUTOR

Need help with your homework? Having trouble in Computer Science, Math (Elementary School to Algebra), or Spanish? I worked as a software consultant for an IBM company in Santa Barbara and am a proud parent of graduates from Laguna Blanca, CATE, and Stanford University. Jesús Álvarez | 805-453-5516 | mytutor29@hotmail.com

occasions

Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2430 Lillie Avenue Summerland, CA 93067 (805) 969-1944

to the Parrot Pantry! At SB Bird Sanctuary, backyard farmer’s bounty is our birds’ best bowl of food! The flock goes bananas for your apples, oranges & other homegrown fruits & veggies.

Volunteers

Do you have a special talent or skill? Do you need community service hours? The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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

It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)

K-9 PALS need volunteers to be foster parents for our dogs while they are waiting for their forever homes. For more information info@k-9pals.org or 805-570-0415

MiniMeta

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

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

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6 Whatonearmrepresentsin actingout"I maLittle Teapot"

7 Theymean"playsmoothly" inmusic

8 Bob selderdaughteron "Bob sBurgers"

9 Athletestrytoconvert them,inbrief

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1 With8-Across,worldwide domainofsailors

6 Singerofthenational anthem"Mawtini"

7 Frenchtoast

8 See1-Across

9 Commonadultedclass

Aswampedworkermight getone:Abbr. 2 The7-10isanotoriousone

3 Ear-relevantthing 4 Somepsychicsclaimto readthem 5 On___face

SubjectofsomeKey phrases

5 Bignameinnetworking equipment

6 Usedapairofdrums?

7 Likingloads 8 "Rungs"ofafinancial "ladder,"inbrief

Down

1 WhatWarrenBeattymight callShirleyMacLaine

2 Getthewordout,maybe

3 Hollowsbetweenhills

4 Likeakiloliterandacubic meter,e.g.

5 Quibblerspickthem

Across

1 See1-Down

6 Diminishgradually

7 CitysouthofKyiv

8 Soprano,tenor,andbass, e.g.

9 Drugdog sdiscovery

1 Devilishlydevotedsort?

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3 Startofa"-phobia"

4 Whomacontrolfreakplays, metaphorically 5 Likehipbootsandhotpants

1 "That senough!,"toatexter

4 "That senough,"toadrink pourer

5 Chair-raisingactivitiesat weddings?

6 Ain'thowitshouldbe?

7 "I'mouttahere!"

Down

1 With1-Across,slamsonthe brakes,say

2 Attacked

3 Workwithsopranos,tenors, andbasses

4 Unwinds

5 Bad-mouthbadly

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6 Swahili-speaking"Star Trek"lieutenant

7 Itsleavesareusedin strawberrysmashcocktails

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1 Courtlongshot,informally

2 NoMr.NiceGuy

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4 Stooduptocontinueduse

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1 Enjoyedadonutinthe water?

2 TheMcCallistersrun throughittocatchtheir planein"HomeAlone"

3 Bitsofdeception

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5 Curingoptions

STEVEN BROOKS JEWELERS

belgian

reservations

Mixed Vegetable Frittata w/

tortillas, melted cheese, avocado

Huevos Rancheros, two

Corned Beef Hash & two

Petit Filet 7 oz Steak, & two

with avocado

Smoked

with spinach, tomato,

julienne

Classic

choice of hash browns, fries,

toasted bialy or bagel, cream

Cambridge House Rope

Waffle with fresh berries,

Lucky Chili with