Grab and Go

I suppose it’s ironic that the less togetherness we’re allowed, the more we crave. But I’ve noticed that as people surrender to this temporary reality, they are finding innovative ways to share their spirit and creativity in order to lift themselves and others. People in Italy and Spain are singing to each other from their balconies. The internet is packed with exercise classes, art classes, music, comedy, and endless ways for us to continue to connect. For all of the complaining I’ve done about my “screenagers” and the amount of time they spend staring at a rechargeable rectangle, at this moment I’m so, so grateful for the connectivity and access the internet can provide. (I suspect I will regret these words.)

Presently I’m at home working and my colleagues are at their homes working, to continue to keep our community well informed. My three dogs haven’t noticed that anything has changed at all. (Or maybe they’re annoyed that they no longer have the house to themselves during the day.) My eldest daughter is in her room, playing her guitar and singing in between complaining about being bored. My other daughter is complaining about being bored, in between dyeing my husband’s hair various shades of blue and purple. She claims the color is only semi-permanent. Hopefully so is this quarantine. •MJ

MONTECITO JOURNAL’S SHORT STORY CONTEST W e find writing to be the world’s best salve. Write a short story up to 250 words. It can be about anything, written in any style. What matters is your voice. For this story use the opening prompt: “I never knew I could be so wrong…” and continue from there. Send your story by Sunday, March 29to: letters@montecitojournal.net. We will publish the winning story and award the winning writer with a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant of our choice for take-out food.

Laughing M atters

Ihave an EpiPen. My friend gave it to me when he was dying. It seemed very important to him that I have it. A bunch of cannibals are sitting around a campfire and they are eating a clown. One cannibal stops eating and looks up at the other and says, “Does this taste funny to you?”

Bettina: Open from 12-8 pm for take-out; 805-770-2383; bettinapizzeria.com Bree’osh: Call 805-969 2500 or 805-705-7415 or go online at www.breeosh.com to pick up in store China Palace: Pick up or doordash.com; 805-565-9380 Caffe Luxxe: To-go only, 8 am-3 pm, order in store; www.caffeluxxe.com George Dog Food: Complimentary delivery for orders over $40; 805-565-4777 Honor Bar: Curbside to-go service from 11 am-8 am, Market open at 10 for coffee and scones; 805-969-6964 Jeannine’s: Take out from 7 am-1:30 pm; 805-969-0088 Little Alex’s: Take out from 8 am-8 pm 805-969-2297; doordash.com Los Arroyos: 805-969-9059. Take out, regular hours. Delivery available at seamless.com, grubhub.com, or doordash.com Lucky’s: Take out or delivery orders accepted at 3:30 pm for delivery as early as 5 pm; curbside pickup service also available; www.luckys-steakhouse.com Merci Montecito: Take out only. 805-220-0877; www.mercimontecito.com Montecito Coffee Shop: Take out only, 10 am-2 pm. 805-969-6250; www. montecitocoffeeshop.com Montecito Cleaners: Leave your bag of laundry on your doorstep and have it returned, expertly cleaned, folded, and sealed in bags; 805-969-3880 Montecito Wine Bistro: The restaurant’s revised hours are 4-8 pm for pickup and delivery, limited menu; 805-969-7520; www.pierrelafond.com Oliver’s: Open for curbside pickup and take out, 5-8 pm, Tuesday-Sunday; 805-969-0834; or delivery via doordash.com Pane e Vino: Take out and delivery; 805-969-9274; doordash.com Sakana Sushi Bar: Regular hours; 805-565-2014 San Ysidro Ranch: Currently open and taking reservations until further notice. Dining for guests in-room only. 805-565-1700; www.sanysidroranch.com Tre Lune: Offering curbside pickup 11:30 am to 8 pm or delivery through restaurantconnectionsb.com; 805-969-2646; trelunesb.com Via Vai: Take out only from 11:30 am-2:30 pm and 4:30-8:30 pm; 805-565-9393; doordash.com Village Cheese & Wine Shop: Open for take out and curbside pickup: 805- 969-3815; villagecheeseandwine.com •MJ

Jack’s Weekly Forecast by Jack Martin

After a week’s worth of most-welcome rain, sunny skies will return by Friday. The weekend should be sunny and dry. The excellent news is that, for the month, we have seen great rain totals for Montecito’s hills – almost 10 inches – and in the last 10 days alone, we have seen almost six inches in Montecito. This has put Gibraltar over 100 percent and is spilling into Cachuma Lake. Jameson is over 90 percent and will likely spill soon. As we take this change in our daily lives one day at a time, let’s spread some positive news with everyone. Enjoy! •MJ

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