Daniel Fish, wine director at Rosewood Miramar

by Joanne A. Calitri

Joanne is a professional international photographer and journalist. Contact her at: artraks@yahoo.com

Arts in Lockdown Series Part 6: Michael DeVorzon, Actor and Writer

takes to stay in the game, do it like Is that different for music and art?

The beauty of music and art is that they both bypass the conscious mind and speak directly to the subconscious mind, which is where our emotions live. This is why music and art communicate in such a powerful and meaningful way. Music does it primarily with audio but can often affect us more as an audio/visual experience. Art is a visual experience that gets to you almost immediately. I can’t imagine life without either one of them.

During lockdown, is your work in films/ TV a plus or minus, for you?

I was lucky to complete two movies before the lockdown occurred and both films happen to come out during the pandemic. It’s a very unusual time, one none of us has ever experienced. So many businesses, including entertainment, completely shut down so I focused on what I could, writing, the release of both movies, writing a song, and doing some deep inner work. As Eckhart Tolle said, “Whatever is could not be otherwise” so I try not to label it as good or bad, rather, just the way it is.

Are you typecast as an actor?

I think when you walk in a room, people tend to make assumptions in regard to casting. I used to resent it

more when I was young but not so much now. I once had a meeting with a casting director and she looked at me and said, “You’re trouble!” and I laughed and said “Why do I have to be trouble?” I have been cast as some complicated characters and I’ve learned to embrace that. I also feel like I’ve grown as a person and that could influence the range of roles I can play. In my two recent films, I was cast as the action hero in one and, in the other, a likeable romantic lead who’s really a psychopathic killer! My mom didn’t like the idea of me playing a killer. She kept saying “You are too kind and sensitive.” But I couldn’t resist the part, it was a challenging role to take on and get into the mind of a mad man. With that said, I guess the lesson is don’t judge a book by its cover.

Is there a healing way out of systemic racism for people?

Systemic racism is in the DNA of our country and it’s going to take some time to bring about the change that is needed. It’s going to take the majority of us coming together with a common purpose to overcome those who will never change. When it’s time to vote this November, we

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Chef Dario Furlati M ichael DeVorzon grew up in Montecito, with a great family lineage in music, and son of Barry DeVorzon, a Grammywinning composer, and Jelinda, an honored philanthropist in our town Joanne Calitri, reporting from Zoom Hollywood, with actor/writer Michael DeVorzon serving pizza & authentic Northern Italian Cuisine in Montecito, Santa Barbara and Goleta carved his own way in film and TV. Still working actively during the and a former model. On and off set, he is open, kind, thoughtful, producWith gratitude to our community for its support. lockdown, he is polished in defining tive, and generous to others. Here’s We wish you the happiest and healthiest of summers. the narrative of the hard work it our interview: can elect leaders who will dismantle a pro, and always with kindness. Q. How does film/TV influence/change Now open for lunch, dine-in dinner service and take-out! Michael’s versatility is evidenced by the human condition? the wide range of genres he worked A. Film and TV can entertain and 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday in, films Fast and Fierce: Death Race inspire, but it also teaches us about life We are now open until 9:30.p.m. Friday and Saturday (May 2020), Her Deadly Groom (July and allows us to connect to the human 2020 on Lifetime), Any Day (2015), experience. It’s a great way to feel 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. Daily Submerged (2016) and Producer something through a character in a Sam (2013); and TV shows Charmed, Beverly Hills 90210, Passions, Son of story. We also can experience different cultures and this big beautiful world 805-884-9419 ext 2 | cadariorestaurants.com a Beach, and Melrose Place. He is the that we all inhabit. 10 – 17 September 2020 • The Voice of the Village • MONTECITO JOURNAL 39

the American Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and ended 25 years before gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. Mission expansion came to an end in 1823 with the one in Sonoma.

The Mexican War of Independence was fought from 1810 to 1821. In 1833 under the Mexican Secularization Act, missions were confiscated and sold which began their decline. The United States won the war with Mexico in 1846 and took control of California. It became the 31st state in 1850. Mission buildings and some land holdings were returned to the Catholic Church through presidential executive orders.

The Association for Preservation of the Missions began in 1888 followed Cleaning one of the fire-damaged statues from Mission San Gabriel by various others. Newspaperman The foundation is currently spearheading a Charles Fletcher Lummis founded the fundraising effort to raise $500,000 to cover the Landmarks Club to preserve missions deductible for the July 11, 2020 fire that ravaged in 1896. Then there was the California Mission San Gabriel Historical Landmarks League founding major projects at Old Mission ed by Sen. Joseph R. Knowland in Santa Barbara and the Presidio de 1902 with support from William Santa Barbara. The foundation is govRandolph Hearst. Hearst himself purerned by a board of 12 from all over chased Mission San Francisco Solano the state. and deeded it to the State of California Board president Michael Imwalle in 1926. In the “Good Old Days” has also been the archaeologist for Hearst used to take his guests from the Santa Barbara Trust for Historical his “castle” over the mountain and Preservation for 33 years. through the canyon to show them The foundation is currently spearMission San Antonio de Padua. Before heading a fundraising effort to raise the pandemic, religious retreat groups $500,000 to cover the deductible for the could spend the night there in private July 11, 2020 fire that ravaged Mission Stones crumble from the Santa Barbara Mission’s two towers after the 1925 earthquake rooms and have a simple catered dinSan Gabriel. It was the fourth built in ner. How many folks get to sleep in a the chain of 21 in 1771 and was the mission? Don and I had a grand time beginning of the city of Los Angeles. with our group imagining what life The fire began at 4:26 am and quickly would have been like back then. consumed the mission’s wooden roof

Today we have the California spreading quickly toward the altar Missions Foundation working on and reredo (altar backdrop). The artithe missions’ behalf. The foundation san was renown sculpture Uriate. The was founded by Chairman Emeritus reredo held six statues including the Stephen T. Hearst, whose grandfaMission’s patron Saint San Gabriel. ther was William Randolph. He and As the foundation’s board chair his great grandmother Phoebe did Michael Imwalle says, “The California a tremendous amount in the area of missions give each of us the opporpreservation of California’s historic tunity to walk through time. Like buildings. The foundation has providCalifornia’s great Redwoods, the mised more than $14 million in grants to sions are living history. They reflect The Santa Barbara Courthouse docents just announced a self-guided walking tour of the courthouse all of the California Missions, includthe work and inspiration of our foreexterior starting Labor Day weekend fathers and the dedication and care of wifi. The courthouse interior remains succeeding generations to keep these closed except for official court busimissions alive, relevant, and accessiness and docent-led tours are susble.” Build it and they will come! And pended due to COVID-19. they do by the millions to witness Docents have been doing their echoes from the past. thing since the 1970s – free in-person For more info about California tours. Work has already begun on Missions, contact Director of a self-guided tour of the interior to Administration Dori Belmonte, PO supplement docent-led tours when Box 23035, Santa Barbara, CA 93121 or the courthouse opens to the generwww.californiamissionsfoundation. al public. Our courthouse is recogorg. The phone is 805-963-1633. nized by many as the best example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture Self-Guided Tours anywhere and one of the most beautiful public buildings in the United The Santa Barbara Courthouse States. Many of us drive by it every docents just announced a self-guided day. I encourage you to stop and take walking tour of the courthouse exteria walk. Don’t forget to keep your disor starting Labor Day weekend using tance and wear a mask. your cell phone or tablet or to view The web-based self-guided tour can Mission San Gabriel suffered considerable internal damage the tour on a computer anywhere with be found using sbcourthouse.org. •MJ 40 MONTECITO JOURNAL “A child, like your stomach, doesn’t need all you can afford to give it.” - Frank A. Clark 10 – 17 September 2020

Michael DeVorzon grew up in Montecito, with a great family lineage in music, and carved his own way in film and TV (Photo by Sergio Villalpando) these broken systems and hopefully rebuild them with racial equality in mind.

Diversity in film?

The world is diverse as is life and film is a powerful medium to show this. I’m for inclusivity versus exclusivity and I’ve had friends from all walks of life and I’ve learned from all of them. The ability to connect to another human being, regardless of their cultural or religious background, is always there. It’s our minds, opinions, and judgments that create the separation and the idea that we are different. Deep down, we are all the same.

A story you’re inspired to write or a character a film, for the current times?

With everything going on in the world right now, I would love to do a comedy and bring some laughter to the world. I also would love to play a character who inspired and motivated people in some way.

For your generation, what is the world looking like now?

Today between technology and the fast pace of life, we are bombarded with sensory overload. There is less human connection because we can’t turn off our computers and put our phones down. Growing up, we didn’t have cell phones or computers, we played outside all the time and interacted with each other more. Back then, life seemed less complicated. Today, we are living in a more challenging society, but we live in a great country and the spirit of this nation will persevere.

Paying forward/giving back?

My life’s journey with all its ups and downs has made me much more aware of the suffering of others. I mentor and lend my support whenever I can to people who are facing challenges, dealing with pain and searching for inner peace in the storm. 10 – 17 September 2020 What’s next for you?

I just finished writing my third feature film screenplay, it’s a small town love story. The first script I wrote is a dark, edgy drama about a social issue that affects over thirty million people worldwide. The other screenplay I wrote is a comedy adventure set in Manila, Philippines. I also wrote a dark comedy for television. I really enjoy the writing process and, as far as acting, I’m staying open to see what comes along next, maybe a comedy or a western!

Advice for actors/writers going forward?

It’s a good time to grow as a human being and I believe that will impact your journey as an artist. For actors, keep working on your craft, study the masters, and never give up. For writers, if it’s your first script, sitting down and actually writing it will be your biggest challenge. If you can do it, it will be a great learning experience and very rewarding. If you are an experienced writer, just keep writing and exploring ideas, it’s the only way to get better at what you do.

Thoughts about growing up in Montecito?

Montecito was such a small town at that time. At age six, I would drive our lawnmower down East Valley Road to pick up my best friend and drive him back home so we could play! Can you imagine doing that today! Those days have long past, but I still have so many great memories. I still think Montecito is about as perfect a place to live as any on earth.

Acting/music studies?

I did some plays as a young kid, briefly studied acting in college and started taking acting classes when I moved to L.A. I studied for many years but for the last decade, I’ve tried to learn by becoming a real student of films, studying them and observing other actors. I’ve also learned a lot with each new project that I’ve done. Experience is the greatest teacher. I grew up playing piano and guitar. I had a small statue of Beethoven on the piano. Moonlight Sonata was my favorite, it spoke to the depths of my soul. Music is a big part of our family as my dad is a songwriter/composer. I stopped playing music at age 16 to go surfing and skateboarding but, after all these years, during the lockdown, I started waking up in the middle of the night recording melodies into my phone. Two of those melodies are in the works in my first song, which I’m writing with my brother Daniel. It’s a rock song.

and celebrated with me during the best of times. People who have overcome great challenges and suffering and have risen to become better human beings. Spiritual leaders like Oprah Winfrey, Eckhart Tolle, and Pema Chödrön have been a great source of inspiration. Actors and film

Actor Michael DeVorzon played in two movies that were released this year, Fast and Fierce: Death Race and Her Deadly Groom (Photo courtesy Michael DeVorzon)

makers, there are too many to list whose work inspires me to keep going and the comedians of the world, thank you for the laughter, it truly is the best medicine.

411: Instagram & Twitter: @michaeldvz

Like what? invited to go to a concert of his at

Well, I used to go sailing with a Madison Square Garden. We went in fellow Johannes von Thurn Taxis, his limousine, entered backstage, and whom I met at a party for Princess then I got this prime seat to see Eric Diana Spencer. I met Prince Johannes Clapton play. That was really, really at Doubles, the oh-so chic club at the quite amazing. Is this all rather overSherry Netherland on Fifth Avenue. whelming for you Megan, or… We were chatting, he’s quite an imposing guy, and it turned out his family Not at all. I enjoy your stories! Switching founded the German postal system. gears, can you walk me through a typical He took my card, and out of the day for you, pre-pandemic? blue, I got a cable from his Lord Well, yes, absolutely! I get up at Chamberlain (the most senior officer about six o’clock in the morning. I of a Royal Household) saying His get on the internet, check my emails, Serene Highness would like me to join and then organize my diary. Then I him on his yacht, the Aiglon, in the check all the newspapers in England, Caribbean. I went all about nine trips the Telegraph and the Mail and see with him and his family on the 53-foot what stories are happening. I’d go schooner. out to a charity lunch, probably at the

One of the most memorable trips Hilton, Miramar, or the Biltmore, for was when we were in the Cayman three hours, then come back to check Islands, Dominican Republic and my emails and the internet to see Cuba. We went into the marina, what was happening. In the evening, Marina Hemingway, in Havana. I would go off to a cocktail party, and And I didn’t know that he knew then there would be a gala type thing. Fidel Castro. So Castro joined us Or, I’d be off to the Granada for the on board the yacht for cocktails, symphony or the opera or the ballet. and then he invited us for dinner Now I look at my diary, which used at the Palace of the Revolution. to be overflowing with events and The cherry on the top of the cake occasions, and it’s really quite bereft was when Castro invited us to stay of anything. Now, when someone says on his private Island, Cayo Piedra, they want to get in touch, I say, “Just which is two islands connected by a call me anytime because I got the bridge. And we went there on a one time.” hundred 20-foot cruiser with three gunboats on either side of us from Is there a positive side to having more a secret naval base. We went over time to yourself? to the island, and I was in (Nikita) Well, not really. I mean, I love readKhrushchev’s bedroom. We stayed ing books, and I’ve obviously got on his private island for three days. more time to do that. I’ve got quite a A dapper young Mineards with friend at Le Club, Even I was impressed by that. I lot of books that I have stacked up for New York in 1985 couldn’t wait to tell my father that ages that I’m catching up on, which his sperm had been dallying with has been quite fun. I’ve been watching friend of mine who wrote, Diana, Fidel Castro on his private island. I movies on television. Although, a lot Her True Story. I’m reading his new have a picture of myself with him. of I’ve seen when I used to go to the book, Wallis in Love, which is about screenings when I was at New York Wallis Simpson, the love of King

That’s quite a story! magazine. It’s pretty boring, frankly. Edward the XIII. I’m also read

I’ve really been blessed in life with I’ve always led a sort of very busy, ing this lovely book called Riviera the eclecticism of the people I’ve met. gregarious, animated life. And, as I Dreaming about how the Côte d’Azur From the Royals to rock stars I rememsaid, going full throttle to full stop is started in the 1920. I also read this ber one time in New York, a friend of no fun at all. two-part piece by the late Kenneth mine knew Eric Clapton. We went to Rose, who was the gossip columnist The Plaza Athenee, where Eric was What books have you been reading? for The Sunday Telegraph in London. staying, and we met Eric. We got I’m reading Andrew Morton, a He knew everybody terribly well, very well-connected to members of the Royal Family and the prime minTOUCH FOR HEALTH ister. It’s absolutely fascinating, giving behind the scenes of all the celebrities and government of the day.

Acupuncture and Massage Therapy And I’ve got endless Royal books that might be worth rereading if this continues for much longer, hopefully

Reduces Physical & Mental Pain not. But how are you dealing with the Improves Postural Balance pandemic? Reduces Tension How am I dealing? Well, I’m doing a lot of interviews and staying busy with Releases Toxins my blog. My personal deadlines keep me busy every week. So, that consumes my time, but… For more information See, that’s what I miss! You know, I or to book an appointment, like deadlines. I mean, the more presplease contact 805-883-8630 sure I’m under, the better. With the Montecito Journal, I would always send 42 MONTECITO JOURNAL “Fatherhood is great because you can ruin someone from scratch.” - Jon Stewart

Royal Ascot, U.K. June, 1999, with Ivana Trump

them my copy on Sunday, then go in on Monday to edit the column. I’d get in the office again on Tuesday to make sure the right captions were with the right pictures with the right headline, that kind of thing. That’s what I miss.

What would you like to tell readers right now?

I can’t wait to get back to covering events and organizations. In the twelve years I’ve been doing the column, I’ve always tried to shine the spotlight on good organizations and good people. Hopefully, we’ll get back to that again because I think a lot of the organizations need it. If they don’t get promoted through publicity, who else is around to do it? They’re all desperate; they’re not getting the funding now. And in a way, we desperately need them to cover. Hopefully, we’ll get back to some normality, but that will be for some time to come on.

Well, this has been such a treat. I’ve wanted to interview you for years. Thank you so much, Richard.

Any time. It’s been nice to spend time doing this. It’s a great pleasure because this is what I’m missing. Be safe. Bye-bye! •MJ 10 – 17 September 2020

The Montecito Library could be managed differently in the future, as a new study shows that there may be a better model under which to operate, which would provide more local input and greater financial transparency than the current management and funding model

While Cold Spring School won’t likely be back on campus for in-person learning for a few more weeks, Gomez and Susan Hildreth, in the board has approved a $7.8M bond measure for voters to consider in November, which would consultation with Carpinteria City change the look of the entrance to the school Manager Dave Durflinger and memor replacing roofs and restrooms, as tinued small class sizes, in order to bers of the Carpinteria City Council well as repairing or replacing aging offer social distancing in classrooms. Ad Hoc Library Committee and water/sewer lines, fire alarms, and The District has a fund that was estabWorking Group (aka LWG), the team schoolwide communication systems, lished some years ago that was to be set out to analyze library service in among several other maintenance used in conjunction with a bond proUnincorporated Santa Barbara County, items. The funds will also allow for gram. These funds were set aside from including the Montecito Library. ADA improvements. the District’s general fund reserve, Currently, both the Carpinteria and

Earlier this year, the plans called and the current balance is $540K. “We Montecito libraries are managed by for a bond measure of $9.8M, a small would use these funds to augment the the Santa Barbara Public Library sysportion of which was earmarked for Bond Program budget,” she said. “We tem, following policy direction by the unallocated reserves for future mainare considering using some of these City of Santa Barbara. tenance of the campus. After a recent funds towards improving outdoor In the last several years, the opersurvey of constituents, as well as taklearning environments, if needed.” ating costs for the Carpinteria and ing into consideration the changed If passed, Measure L2020 will cost Montecito libraries have increased economic climate due to the ongoing district residents $13-$14 per $100K of significantly, primarily because of COVID-19 crisis, the board decided to assessed value per year. The last meaincreases in administrative and matelessen the ask, scaling back the bond sure to pass was Measure C ($2.4M) rials acquisition costs. These increases measure to $7.8M over a 30-year periin 2008, which was approved after the have resulted in growing dependence od. “We are cognizant of the current failure of two previous ballot meaon private funds to support library climate, and want to be respectful of sures in November 2006 (Measure K services. In November 2018, the City the community,” said Board President for $14M) and February 2008 (Measure of Carpinteria passed a sales tax meaJennifer Miller, who added that the R for $8.75M). Measure C funds went sure (Measure X) which allows them school has significant deferred mainto renovate the seven older classto contribute considerably more to tenance as well as the need for more rooms and two student restrooms in the operating cost of the Carpinteria classrooms, and the board agreed it the main school building, as well as Library than was previously available, was not prudent to wait another two improvements to the play areas with a and that library also has a fundraising years for the bond. “We need these new play structure, blacktop, and new group, Friends of Carpinteria Library. repairs to happen,” she said. landscaping on the corner of Cold Montecito is subsidized by their own

Increased enrollment is also a factor, Spring and Sycamore Canyon roads. Friends of Montecito Library, which and as it stands, there are not enough It’s expected that the earliest construchas been supporting the library since classrooms to maintain the small class tion would commence is 2022-2023. 1975, and currently contributes roughsizes for which Cold Spring is known. For more information, and to read ly 1/3 of the library’s operating fees. “My child’s classroom is the library the bond measure in its entirety, visit The goal of the recent analysis of the this year,” Miller said. The current www.countyofsb.org. libraries is to determine if there is a enrollment is 178, up significantly better model under which to operate, over past years. By reducing the bond The Future which would provide more local input authorization, the District will be making adjustments to the bond program of Montecito Library and greater financial transparency than the current management and to reduce the project scope accordNext Monday, September 14, the funding model. The consultants found ingly. “We believe that most of the City of Carpinteria’s Ad Hoc Library that the current system contributes to projects will be completed, albeit in a Committee and Working Group will inequities for both the Carpinteria and more cost-effective or reduced scope make a presentation to the Carpinteria Montecito libraries, and that it is in the manner,” Miller said. The District will City Council, which could impact best interest of the City of Carpinteria also be soliciting State matching funds funding and management options for and library supporters in Montecito to for modernization for older facilities both Carpinteria and Montecito librarform a separate new library zone. allowing them to make up some of ies. To implement this recommendation, the shortfall. In response to a Request for the City of Carpinteria would need to

The bond money will not be used Qualifications for Library Consulting take the necessary steps to form its to enhance outdoor learning areas, Services by the City of Carpinteria own municipal library and assume according to Miller, as there has been issued last November, consultant responsibility for the administration an internal fundraising campaign firm MJ Gómez Associates was of a new library zone. In Montecito, among parents in order to quickly selected to conduct an analysis of the suggestion would require library be able to get kids back on campus. options for governance and operasupporters to seek approval from According to Miller, COVID-19 has tion of the Carpinteria and Montecito the Santa Barbara County Board further illuminated the need for conLibraries. Led by consultants Martin of Supervisors to establish a coun44 MONTECITO JOURNAL “Just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38% of their ice cream.” - Conan O’Brien ty service area (CSA) that includes Montecito and the surrounding unincorporated areas as part of the new zone. “The current reliance on private funds raised by the Friends of the Library groups is not sustainable and does not align with the primary purpose of private support for public agencies – to enhance and increase basic services,” the report reads.

The CSA would be funded through a parcel or sales tax, which would require 2/3 approval of a public vote. The recommendation requires that the libraries would continue to be funded per capita as well as receive continued support from the Friends groups.

Gomez told us during a call last week that through his research, he found that although Carpinteria and Montecito are very different communities, the patrons utilizing the respective libraries are experiencing similar concerns, including lack of space and programming.

Pat Saley, head of the Friends of Montecito Library, as well as a member of the countywide Library Advisory Committee, tells us the increased budget needs have made it more challenging for the Friends to support the Montecito library. “Five years ago the budget was over $200K and the library was open six days a week. This year it’s $400K and it’s only open five days a week,” she explained. The Friends give the library about $125K each year, money which comes from fundraising and bequests. “We would love to figure out a better way to fund the library,” she told us, saying that the group would like to change the current funding model of the library, in order to have more input on programming and management. She hopes the meeting next week will lead to further exploration of setting up a municipal library district.

“We have to figure out a sustainable way to keep the library open five days a week,” Saley said. “We have a lot of irons in the fire, and it’s a matter of which makes the most sense.”

The Carpinteria City Council will consider the consultants’ report at their meeting on Monday, September 14. For more information visit www. carpinteria.ca.us. •MJ 10 – 17 September 2020