Monte ito Miscellany
Above at 2,000 feet are the Four F-15C Eagle Fighter Jets of the 144th Fighter Wing from the California Air National Guard over Santa Barbara County honoring our healthcare workers (photo by Priscilla)
by Richard Mineards
Richard covered the Royal Family for Britain’s Daily Mirror and Daily Mail, and was an editor on New York Magazine. He was also a national anchor on CBS, a commentator on ABC Network News, gossip on The Joan Rivers Show and Geraldo Rivera, host on E! TV, a correspondent on the syndicated show Extra, a commentator on the KTLA Morning News and Entertainment Tonight. He moved to Montecito 13 years ago.
Fly Like an Eagle
T
he spectacular flyover by four California Air National Guard F-15C Eagle fighter jets honoring frontline healthcare workers was particularly poignant for longtime Montecito resident Annie Perkins. Her nephew Major James Hastings of the 144th Fighter Wing, who lives in Paso Robles, was one of the four pilots who took off from Fresno and soared over hospitals, medical centers, fire stations, and government buildings during the two-hour flight which first headed towards Sacramento before banking west over the San Francisco Bay, then soaring over Santa Barbara and Bakersfield before heading back to the Central Valley. The original flight plans also included Los Angeles, but changed course to accommodate a Southern California
Proudly holding photographs of their cousin Major James Hastings and the F-14 Fighter Jet are Cole, Elliott, and Hastings Perkins-Tift with their grandmother Annie Perkins (photo by Priscilla)
Viewing the flyover from Elings Park is Jessica Bixler, a friend of Annie Perkins and Major Hastings (photo by Priscilla)
flyover by the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds two days later. “It was quite a spectacular display,” says Annie proudly.
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Leading the Way Along with key community partners, United Way of Santa Barbara County is leading a multi-pronged response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on needs assessments conducted with dozens of community partners, the response efforts are focused on providing direct assistance to local individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations, supporting essential workers and workplaces with emergency childcare services and assisting the county’s Public Health Department in meeting critical public health needs. The COVID-19 joint response effort, a countywide funders’ collaborative led by United Way, the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Hutton Parker Foundation, and members of the Foundation Roundtable is providing assistance, with more than $2 million being secured. “The situation is urgent for local individuals and families who are truly struggling to make ends meet during this crisis,” says Steve Ortiz, president and CEO of United Way. “We heard from a single pregnant mom, who just lost her job and is desperate to keep her three kids housed and fed. “Paying rent is the top concern of
“The digital camera is a great invention because it allows us to reminisce. Instantly.” – Demetri Martin
Steve Ortiz, CEO of United Way
the thousands of residents who have lost employment. Many are also having to make heartbreaking choices about buying food versus paying the bills or purchasing needed medications.” Financial assistance checks have already reached more than 800 households, representing 2,600 individuals, totaling $600,000. Grants will continue to be approved on a rolling basis as more funds become available, “More than $1.2 million in funding has been secured and United Way expects to support approximately 1,600 households, representing 5,280 individuals,” adds Steve. Great work...
MISCELLANY Page 184 21 – 28 May 2020
