Saving Montecito

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MONTECITO MISCELLANY

FREE 14 – 21 Dec 2017 Vol 23 Issue 50

The Voice of the Village

S SINCE 1995 S

Montecito author Robert Eringer travels in Kurt Vonnegut’s classic wake, p. 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, P. 8 • ASHLEIGH BRILLIANT, P. 30 • MOVIE GUIDE, P. 45

SAVING MONTECITO

A VIRTUAL ARMY OF FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT – FEATURING MONTECITO’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE: THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE MONTECITO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT – SUCCESSFULLY PROTECT OUR VILLAGE ONCE AGAIN (STORY BEGINS ON P.12)

On Campus

Four Doors

Westmont College was evacuated, and then some 500 firefighters moved in; they and 100 fire trucks helped battle the blaze, p. 31

Mark Hunt highlights a quartet of homes – each more than $3.5 million – from Mesa Road to Meadowbrook, p. 20

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 5 Editorial

James Buckley reports on the wildfire; in the Guest Editorial, re-published from last week, Bob Hazard delves into details about Montecito’s upper village

6

Montecito Miscellany

8

Letters to the Editor

Author Robert Eringer; Katy Perry; Oprah’s fortune; memories of Ian Schrager; Dick Jorgensen; Breast Cancer Research Center; Lynn Kirst at Dream Foundation gala; Westmont’s Christmas Festival; Pink Martini; and Ellen’s royal gesture The latest assortment of humble correspondence from Journal readers comprising Robert Turner, Michael Edwards, Rob Reingold, Dan Seibert, and columnist Ray Winn – who addresses Justin Ruhge, Kathi King, and Paul O’Keefe

10 This Week

MBAR meeting; Knit ’N Needle; poetry club; local shops; Spanish group; Deckers benefit; Christmas concert; Edible SB; church hymns; Zoo Camp; basket weaving; Summerland yoga; living nativity; libraries closed; Christmas Eve services; art; brain fitness; story time; and Italian

Tide Guide

Handy chart to assist readers in determining when to take that walk or run on the beach

12 Village Beat

LEGACY

Where there’s smoke, there’s Kelly Mahan Herrick, who feels the heat while chronicling the Thomas Fire

14 Seen Around The World

In part two of a series, Lynda Millner provides a history lesson as she continues to explore and make note of Cuba and vicinity

1137 Coast Village Road Montecito, CA 805.845.3300

18 Aging in High Heels

Beverlye Fead gets up close and personal with Betty Meyer, an active Montecitan who recently turned 98 years young

20 Real Estate View

Mark Hunt surveys the scene of four properties ranging from $3.5 million on Mesa Road to $11.25 million on Meadowbrook Drive

In Escrow 5 Days After Going To Market!

23 On Entertainment

Steven Libowitz interviews musician Alastair Greene; Susan Keller’s Christmas Revels; classical music; Santa Barbara Strings; Mica Rousseau; postponements due to fire; Trump takes Center Stage; and more

24 The Curious Traveler

Maine event: Jerry Dunn and wife Merry venture to the “Vacationland” state of Maine, from Penobscot Bay to an art museum and Camden

26 Spirituality Matters

Steven Libowitz previews SpiritSings Band; Authentic Relating Games; Yoga Soup; Sunburst Sanctuary; and vision boards

30 Brilliant Thoughts

The best-laid plans... Ashleigh Brilliant references a poem and lyrics to analyze hopes, dreams, plans, and schemes 31 Your Westmont Scott Craig reports on the Thomas Fire’s impact on the college’s campus and beyond

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38 Legal Advertising 40 Fitness Front

Which energy drinks are the best to consume? Karen Robiscoe takes it all in and shapes up with sports beverages.

42 Calendar of Events

45 Movie Guide 46 Classified Advertising

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

Kaitlin Lloyd of Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network keeps an eye on the sky, where western grebes are migrating into the coast’s channel

Momentum Dance Company; film series closes; Clint Black at Chumash Casino; SOhO hosts Soul Majestic; Blind Boys of Alabama; Nutcracker; Venice the band; Brian Setzer; Colleen Ballinger; and Inspire Dance Santa Barbara

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35 Wildlife File

Our very own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer everything from summer rentals to estate sales 47 Local Business Directory

• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

Editorial

by James Buckley

Fire in Montecito

A

The area around Pierre Lafond was eerily quiet as CHP Officer Banks (with the Santa Barbara office) informed motorists that they not only couldn’t go up San Ysidro past East Valley Road but also that anyone coming down San Ysidro would not be allowed to return, and that the area was under a mandatory evacuation order, as were all the roads north of 192 from Hot Springs to Ladera Lane

virtual army of nearly 6,500 firefighters, along with 30-plus helicopters, various other aircraft, fire trucks, bulldozers, and more are, as we write this, working in the back country, mostly out of sight, securing fire lines and control points by a combination of controlled backfires, soaking unburned vegetation, creating breaks where no dry foliage is present, et cetera.

All of this in an effort to beat back what has become, as of this writing, the fifth-largest wildfire in California history.

Because of all that activity (that we mostly can’t see), a long stretch of East

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

5

Monte ito Miscellany

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, and a commentator on the KTLA Morning News. He moved to Montecito ten years ago.

By the Book, Vonnegut Style

M

ontecito author Robert Eringer has been following in the footsteps of award-winning novelist Kurt Vonnegut, who died in 2007 aged 84.

The odyssey to the writer of the darkly satirical best seller SlaughterhouseFive, as well as 13 other novels, began when fellow Montecito writer T.C. Boyle suggested the trip to Robert when they bumped into each other at Denver airport four years ago.

“He had just been in Indianapolis, where Vonnegut was born, and I’d been in Aspen looking up the spirit of Hunter Thompson,” says Robert.

“T.C. suggested I resurrect Vonnegut at the Red Key Tavern, a dive where he found early inspiration.

“After doing a 14-day road trip in the deep South, I found myself in Nashville, Tennessee, and realized I was but a four-hour drive from Indy, so I realized the moment and made a run for it.

“I visited the Crown Cemetery in Indianapolis where the Vonnegut clan is buried, although no one is sure where Kurt’s remains are kept, but I suspect his remains were cremated and his ashes spread around the family plot.”

MONTECITO JOURNAL

He then flew to Boston and visited Walden Pond, site of transcendentalist Henry Thoreau’s 1854 work, T.C.’s other suggestion, and then went to Colorado and visited Estes Park and The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King to write The Shining.

Robert’s travels will, in due course, appear in a mystical road tripping book currently in progress.

To the Victor...

Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry’s long legal drama over a Los Angeles convent has come to an end with the hit-maker pocketing $5 million.

A jury in L.A. awarded a total of $10 million in punitive damages to the former Dos Pueblos High student and the archdiocese of the Big Orange.

It followed a decision, chronicled in this illustrious organ, to award $5 million in compensatory damages, divided between the two entities last month.

Katy, through her company, Bird Nest LLC, will walk away with $5 million and the archdiocese with $10 million after prevailing in the lawsuit against hotelier Dana Hollister, who was found to have “intentionally” interfered in the sale of the 8-acre hilltop Los Feliz property to the 33-yearold “Roar” singer.

Galatoire’s in New Orleans

6

Red Key Tavern, Indianapolis, Kurt Vonnegut’s favorite haunt

The Vonnegut family home, 4401 N. Illinois Avenue, with ghosts (orbs) of Kurt and siblings

MISCELLANY Page 324

14 – 21 December 2017

• The Voice of the Village •

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

If you have something you think Montecito should know about, or wish to respond to something you read in the Journal, we want to hear from you. Please send all such correspondence to: Montecito Journal, Letters to the Editor, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite D, Montecito, CA. 93108. You can also FAX such mail to: (805) 969-6654, or E-mail to jim@montecitojournal.net

Taxing Situation

I

would like to recommend to Bob Hazard, who wrote the recent Guest Editorial (“California Screaming,” MJ #23/48), that the Los Angeles Times of Tuesday, December 5, published a brief letter from a Godfrey Harris under the subject of “Why we pay taxes”. From Mr. Harris’s point of view, which I agree with, Americans are supposed to pay taxes for the “goods and services that the government provides – roads, schools, health, defense, and more.”

He goes on to suggest that real tax reform “would look at the costs of government and then figure out how we can best meet those costs as fairly as possible with a tax regime that stops favoring one sector over another.”

After just concluding almost 60 years of practice as a CPA helping businesses in doing the same with how they determined how to use their revenue and still earn a profit, I can tell you that this makes common sense. I have practiced through three major tax law revisions since 1952, and I can tell you that in all cases when a tax revision was made, there are always winners and losers. Really significant steps taken in tax reform are both determining our national objectives and providing the revenue to accomplish them.

I’m glad to see Mr. Hazard willing to pay higher taxes to provide for his list of improvements in roads, schooling, and reducing health costs.

Perhaps there are a few other national objectives that he might be willing to pay for with his taxes that might benefit the nation and remove some of the existential – yes, existential – threats to our country, as we have known it, like affordable housing, health coverage for all like in all modern developed countries, and reducing the distorted asset and income spreads between the extremely wealthy and the “others.”

I can remember President Eisenhower warning of these threats as existential and recently the same warning from retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, our own Californian: admiral Michael Mullen.

Robert L. Turner Montecito (Editor’s note: Many of us who resent high taxation do so because of the apparent mis-spending by government agencies at every level and in the face of bloated bureaucracies and padded pensions by public “servants” who are bleeding us dry. – J.B.)

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

Looking Good

I spent Thanksgiving with my sister at Casa Dorinda, where we ate our meal of thanks in their newly completed dining room. I secretly hoped we would be in the temporary tent that had been set up while under construction, so I could pretend I was on safari in Africa with Abercrombie & Kent, but it was not to be. I was most impressed with the result of the project. I had earlier that day given my sibling a copy of the new Montecito Journal semi-annual glossy edition that contains a terrific article about the history of Casa Dorinda written by Hattie Beresford, which inspired an after-dinner tour of the Casa Dorinda main house, a truly exceptional dessert treat.

According to my elder, the article was most accurate and entertaining.

This, along with the other fine articles and interviews contained within, prompts me to give a thumbs up for your latest.

I look forward to the next issue.

Michael Edwards Montecito

stupid as to destroy our businesses by being bigots. Private property is the foundation of liberty, and if our government wants to take it or part of it, let it follow the last clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, “nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.” Our past history of racism was based on government laws supporting slavery and later Jim Crow laws, and looking the other way when private organizations such as the KKK violated laws against violence. Affirmative Action is another example of government racism, favoring one group over another based on race or gender.

Government must leave us ordinary people alone!

Bob Reingold Montecito

They Call Santa Barbara Streets “Home”

Regarding the recent letter about the homeless on State Street “Down on Downtown”, MJ #23/47). I thought your reply dismissed her point, and it’s been my experience that I side with her.

I live a half-block from the 7-Eleven at Castillo and Montecito streets. It’s a haven for homeless, hobos, street people, and campers. The last two I know well, since they live here. Not

Free People, Free Business

The issue is not freedom of speech or religion, but property rights. Property by definition is something that can be acquired, used, and/or disposed of.

Part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, public accommodation should have been declared unconstitutional. Of course, it has been the law of the land since 1964, but only because the Supreme Court said so. However, the court often gives up on foolish consistencies such as slavery. A cake business is private property, and If I am fool enough to refuse to sell to someone because of race, gender, or whatever, that should be my right. Otherwise, the government is taking from us the right to use our property the way we want.

Free people will quickly punish businesses that engage in racist or bigoted behavior. If a gay couple wants to build an apartment complex and only rent to other gay couples, that should be their right. Yes, we have a right to be a racist or bigot in our private lives.

For a very long time, our government has been little by little eating away at our Constitution, and if we do not stop its encroachment, it will consume us.

There are not many among us so

in homes like you, or apartments like me, but they do live here like we do.

On Thanksgiving Day before sunrise, when I walked over to 7-Eleven for coffee, I thought they might have put out some fake snow, but no, a deranged homeless guy busted out all three windows. The manager told me she watched the video and recognized him as a regular. These people are not homeless, State Street is their home.

Dan Seibert Santa Barbara (Editor’s note: It really is sad to see so many down-and-outers wandering aimlessly up and down State Street and elsewhere, but they’re the smart ones. They’ve moved to a city with one of the most pleasant climates in the country and a reasonably welcoming citizenry. The first time I visited Paris (too many years ago), I was struck by the number of poorly clad residents who migrated to the banks of the Seine with their blankets and belongings as night fell. Their sad state, however, took nothing away from the romance and beauty of the City of Light. I don’t mean to be callous and do wish there were a way of helping Santa Barbara’s homeless, but politics seems to have gotten in the way of true charity and real solutions; until that situation rights itself, we will just have to become accustomed to this – borrowing a phrase from Governor Brown concerning

LETTERS Page 224

The best little paper in America (Covering the best little community anywhere!)

Publisher Timothy Lennon Buckley Editor At Large Kelly Mahan Herrick • Managing Editor James Luksic • Design/Production Trent Watanabe Associate Editor Bob Hazard

Account Managers Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Leanne Wood, Caroline Harrah, DJ Wetmore, Ashley Rochestie Bookkeeping Christine Merrick • Proofreading Helen Buckley • Arts/Entertainment/Calendar/Music Steven Libowitz • Columns Leanne Wood, Caroline Harrah, Erin Graffy, Scott Craig, Julia Rodgers, Ashleigh Brilliant, Karen Robiscoe, Sigrid Toye • Gossip Thedim Fiste, Richard Mineards • History Hattie Beresford • Humor Ernie Witham, Grace Rachow Photography/Our Town Joanne A. Calitri • Society Lynda Millner Travel Jerry Dunn • Sportsman Dr. John Burk • Trail Talk Lynn P. Kirst Published by Montecito Journal Inc., James Buckley, President PRINTED BY NPCP INC., SANTA BARBARA, CA 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 H, Montecito, CA 93108.

How to reach us: Editorial: (805) 565-1860; Sue Brooks: ext. 4; Christine Merrick: ext. 3; Classified: ext. 3; FAX: (805) 969-6654; Letters to Editor: Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite H, Montecito, CA 93108; E-MAIL: news@montecitojournal.net

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• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

9

This Week in and around Montecito

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

(If you have a Montecito event, or an event that concerns Montecito, please e-mail kelly@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

MBAR Meeting Montecito Board of Architectural Review seeks to ensure that new projects are harmonious with the unique physical characteristics and character of Montecito.

When: 1 pm Where: County Engineering Building, Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 E. Anapamu

Deckers Benefit for United Way Get fashionable gifts for nice people on your holiday list while supporting United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) at Deckers Brand Showcase. Deckers will generously donate 40 percent of total sales made to UWSBC. The special event is part of Deckers Brand Showcase’s 12 Days of Gifting and will go to support UWSBC’s Literacy Programs for the young people they serve.

Products from all Deckers Brands will be available, including UGG, Teva, Sanuk, Ahnu, HOKA ONE ONE and Koolaburra.

When: 10 am to 6 pm Where: Deckers Outdoor Corporation, 6601 Hollister Avenue Info: www.deckers.com

Knit ‘N Needle Fiber art crafts (knitting, crochet, embroidery, and more) drop-in and meet-up for all ages at Montecito Library.

When: 2 to 3 pm Where: 1469 East Valley Road Info: 969-5063 Shop Local on Coast Village Road Coast Village Association presents the first annual Shop Coast Village event; more than 30 retailers will participate in incentives, discounts, and gifts with purchase, and Santa will be on the road for a special photo opportunity!

When: 4 to 7 pm Where: Coast Village Road FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 Spanish Conversation Group at the Montecito Library The Montecito Library hosts a Spanish Conversation Group for anyone interested in practicing and improving conversational skills in Spanish.

Participants should be familiar with the basics.

When: 1:30 pm Where: Montecito Library, 1469 East Valley Road Info: 969-5063

Christmas Concert Come join the Quire of Voyces for our Mysteries of Christmas concert in St. Anthony’s Chapel on the campus of the Garden Street Academy. This event features a cappella works by Spanish Renaissance master, Thomas Luis de Victoria, along with contemporary and modern pieces that lift spirits at this time of year.

When: today at 7 pm; tomorrow 3 pm Where: St. Anthony’s Chapel at Garden Street Academy, 2300 Garden Street Info: www.quireofvoyces.org SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 Edible SB Holiday Pop-up Shop Edible Santa Barbara and Carr Winery, along with the wonderful artisan producers in the Fall Issue Holiday Gift Guide, are teaming up to present a holiday shopping

Zoo Camp The zoo’s award-winning Zoo Camp has a special program during two weeks of Winter Break featuring age-appropriate themed programs for kids 3 to 12 and includes games, behind-the-scene visits, up-close animal introductions, hands-on science, and crafts.

When: December 18-22, December 26-29, half day or full day Where: 500 Ninos Drive Cost: $37 to $55 Info & Registration: www.sbzoo.org experience with proceeds benefiting Fairview Gardens Center for Urban Agriculture. There will be a wide selection of culinary and artisanal gifts, with wine from Carr and food from Scratch Kitchen and Chooket Fine French Pastry & Event.

When: 1 pm Where: 414 N. Salsipuedes Street

Summerland Evening Yoga A longtime Summerland tradition, taught by Bob Andre. Small Hatha 1 yoga class with brief meditation and breathing work.

When: 5:30 pm Where: Summerland Church, 2400 Lillie Avenue Cost: donation

The Most Beloved Songs of Christmas Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church presents a festive, spirit-filled afternoon of Christmas music with soprano Carol Ann Manzi, classical guitarist Thomas Heck, flutist Ritchie Gonzales, and cantor Gary Smith.

Reception following.

When: 4 pm Where: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1300 East Valley Road Cost: Donations gratefully accepted

Annual Living Nativity For more than 25 years, the congregation of the First United Methodist Church has staged a recreation of the Holy Night for three nights just before Christmas. Under a redwood tree and adjacent to the church, a grassy area is transformed into a wooden stable, complete with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus asleep in the manger. Three majestic kings with their gifts to the Holy Child, angels appear nearby, and lowly shepherds tend to their flocks.

The Living Nativity will be held for three nights: December 20, 21, and 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Warm cider and goodies will be served and free tours of the historic Sanctuary will also be available. The two-story Sanctuary, built in 1927, is decorated with a 10foot Christmas tree, poinsettias, and Christmas music softly playing.

When: 5:30 to 7:30 pm Where: First United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Garden and Anapamu streets, one block from the SB Courthouse. Parking is available behind the church with the parking entrance off Garden Street.

Info: 963-3579 or visit the website www.fumcsb.org

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 Basket Weavers Group The Basket Weavers Group is a place to connect with other basket weavers. Bring your own project or start a new one. Beginner and all levels are welcomed. Basic materials are provided. Someone is available to help you get started and to learn different techniques.

When: 2:30 to 5 pm Where: Montecito Community Hall, 1469 East Valley Road Cost: Free Info: 969-3786

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

M on t e c i to Tid e G u id e Day Low Hgt High Hgt Low Thurs, December 14 12:28 AM 1.6 6:57 AM 5.7 01:51 PM Fri, December 15 1:04 AM 1.8 7:27 AM 5.8 02:26 PM Sat, December 16 1:35 AM 2 7:55 AM 5.9 02:59 PM Sun, December 17 2:05 AM 2.1 8:23 AM 5.9 03:30 PM Mon, December 18 2:35 AM 2.3 8:51 AM 5.9 04:02 PM Tues, December 19 3:05 AM 2.4 9:20 AM 5.7 04:34 PM Wed, December 20 3:38 AM 2.5 9:50 AM 5.6 05:08 PM Thurs, December 21 4:13 AM 2.7 10:22 AM 5.3 05:45 PM Fri, December 22 12:35 AM 3.6 4:54 AM

10 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Hgt High Hgt Low 0.1 08:02 PM 3.7 -0.2 08:44 PM 3.8 -0.4 09:21 PM 3.8 -0.5 09:57 PM 3.7 -0.5 010:32 PM 3.7 -0.4 011:10 PM 3.7 -0.3 011:50 PM 3.6 -0.1 2.8 10:57 AM 5 06:24 PM

• The Voice of the Village •

Knit ‘N Needle When: 2 to 3 pm Where: 1469 East Valley Road Info: 969-5063

Hgt

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22

0.1

Spanish Conversation Group at the Montecito Library When: 1:30 pm Where: Montecito Library, 1469 East Valley Road Info: 969-5063 14 – 21 December 2017

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 All Libraries Closed Central, Eastside, Carpinteria, Montecito, Solvang, and Buellton libraries closed for building maintenance and the holidays.

When: every day including and through January 1, 2018 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve Services Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1300 East Valley Road: 4:30 pm, family mass with children’s choir; 9 pm, mass with adult choir El Montecito Presbyterian Church, 1455 East Valley Road: 4 pm, family worship service; 9 pm, candlelight service All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 83 Eucalyptus Lane: 4 pm, children’s Christmas service with singa-long carols; 7:30 and 10:30 pm, festival Eucharist ONGOING MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS Art Classes Beginning and advanced, all ages and by appointment – just call.

Where: Portico Gallery, 1235 Coast Village Road Info: 695-8850

MONDAYS Connections Brain Fitness Program Challenging games, puzzles, and memory-enhancement exercises in a friendly environment.

When: 10 am to 2 pm Where: Friendship Center, 89 Eucalyptus Lane Cost: $50, includes lunch Info: 969-0859 TUESDAYS Story Time at the Library A wonderful way to introduce children to the library, and for parents and caregivers to learn about early literacy skills; each week, children ages two to five enjoy stories, songs, puppets, and fun at Story Time.

When: 10:30 to 11 am Where: Montecito Library, 1469 East Valley Road Info: 969-5063 THURSDAYS Casual Italian Conversation at Montecito Library Practice your Italian conversation among a variety of skill levels while learning about Italian culture. Fun for all and informative.

When: 12:30 to 1:30 pm Where: 1469 East Valley Road Info: 969-5063 •MJ

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14 – 21 December 2017

Christmas will always be, as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand. – Dr. Seuss

MONTECITO JOURNAL

11

Village Beat

by Kelly Mahan Herrick

Kelly has been editor at large for the Journal since 2007, reporting on news in Montecito and beyond. She is also a licensed realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and is a member of Montecito and Santa Barbara’s top real estate team, Calcagno & Hamilton.

Fighting the Thomas Fire

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Fire chief Chip Hickman updating maps at Fire Station 1, following a night of fire progression earlier this week

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t 10 am on Tuesday, December 12, dozens of Montecito firefighters and personnel gathered at Fire Station 1 for a morning briefing on the Thomas Fire, which, as of press time, had burned 234,200 acres and was 20 percent contained.

For more than a week, MFPD has been operating in an “all-hands-on-deck” mode, meaning 24-hour shifts for the firefighters, who are asked to spend the majority of their 24 hours off at the fire station to stay informed and engaged.

“I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to this District and your commitment to the Montecito community,” Montecito Fire chief Chip Hickman told his crew at the end of the briefing.

The previous evening of December 11, the blaze continued to ignite the backcountry of Montecito, making headway in the Romero Drainage and causing several spot fires that could be seen from lower areas of Montecito.

“It was nothing unexpected,” Chief Hickman told us. “The fuel bed is ripe for ignition, and thankfully the weather is cooperating,” he said. Until Tuesday, the fire had not technically entered MFPD boundaries; around 11:30 that morning, the fire jumped a ridgeline and threatened homes on on Bella Vista Drive, bringing it officially into the District.

As of press time, the fire is the fifth-largest fire in California history, and it is on pace to become the largest. “It would not surprise me

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12 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Montecito firefighters and personnel are briefed with the latest on the Thomas Fire

• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

of the week, the Thomas Fire remains a critical situation, Chief Hickman said.

was under such an order. With dozens of fire engines, strike teams, police cars, and other personnel vehicles traversing the roads to protect property, civilian presence is not just a nuisance, it’s downright dangerous. “Imagine if firefighters speeding up these windHOMEWOOD - MONTECITO ing roads to save a structure, and down comes a resident, fleeing for

Evacuations & Looting All of Montecito above Highway 192 isCOLE under a mandatory evacuaCONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL tion as of press time. Chief Hickman allowed us to join him as he surveyed • the fire lines on Tuesday morning, where it became clear why the area

VILLAGE BEAT Page 414

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at all if it reached that level,” said Chief Hickman, who lost a barn and outbuilding on his own property in Casitas Springs during the earlier phase of the Thomas Fire.

More than 150 engines from all over the country are currently strategically stationed in the District, poised and ready to go if necessary. “We’re talking teams from Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, and the rest of California,” Chief Hickman said.

There are large air tankers, DC10s and 747s, 28 helicopters, and 6,400 firefighters fighting the blaze; as of

Monday, 1.7 million gallons of water had been used to fight it. The plan on Tuesday was to continue staging at points further west: Mission Canyon and Highway 154, so if necessary, the fire could tie in with burn scars from the Zaca, Rey, Jesusita, and Whittier fires, which would slow down its progression. “We’re preparing for the bigger picture,” said Thomas Fire Operations chief Chris Childers at a town hall meeting December 11.

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13

Seen Around the World by

Lynda Millner

Photo: Nell Campbell

Cuba, Part II

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e flew from Miami to the eastern edge of Cuba to Holguin and transferred by bus to Santiago de Cuba, one of the first European settlements in Cuba dating to 1514. It is said that all wars started in Santiago and ended there. A poet, essayist, and revolutionary, one of Cuba’s heroes is Jose Marti, who died in 1895 and is buried in a mausoleum in Santiago.

Fidel Castro launched his revolution from Santiago and is buried in the same cemetery as Marti. Fidel didn’t want a fancy memorial, so it’s a giant boulder with a single plaque that says, “Fidel.” His ashes are underneath and a color guard of soldiers marches around every half hour. That evening,

Ms Millner is the author of The Magic Makeover, Tricks for Looking Thinner, Younger and More Confident – Instantly. If you have an event that belongs in this column, you are invited to call Lynda at 969-6164.

we went to a club to hear and dance to music such as the Buena Vista Social Club. There is also much music played in the streets in many of the towns.

Our next stop was in the old copper mining town of El Cobre. Many pilgrimages are made to the church hold-

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14 MONTECITO JOURNAL

• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

Keith C. Berry Thank you, South Coast Santa Barbara, for your confidence in allowing us to assist you with your Real Estate needs this past year. In honor of your continued support, and to promote community strength, donations have been made this year to the following organizations:

CADA

RED BIRD FOUNDATION

CANCER FOUNDATION OF SB

SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL

CASA DEL HERRERO

MUSEUM

ENSEMBLE THEATER

SANTA BARBARA SCHOLARSHIP

GOLETA VALLEY SOUTH

FOUNDATION

LITTLE LEAGUE

SANTA BARBARA ZOO

LIFE CHRONICLES MARYMOUNT OF SANTA

SANTA BARBARA ATHLETIC ROUND TABLE

BARBARA AUCTION

TEDDY BEAR FOUNDATION

MONTECITO ASSOCIATION

VISITING NURSE & HOSPICE CARE

MONTECITO TRAILS FOUNDTION WISHING WELL OPERA SANTA BARBARA

YOUNG AMERICA’S FOUNDATION

PEARL CHASE SOCIETY

YOUNG AMERICA’S FOUNDATION

KEITH C. BERRY CRB, CRS, GRI, ABR Previews Estates Director, Lic. 363833 Architectural Properties Division Specialist Cellular 805.689.4240 1482 East Valley Road Suite 17, SB CA 93108

Email Keith@KeithBerryRealEstate.com

www.KeithBerryRealEstate.com 14 – 21 December 2017

MONTECITO JOURNAL

15

EDITORIAL (Continued from page 5)

Valley Road – from Sycamore Canyon to Ladera Lane – has been closed, mainly to facilitate the movement of men and machines. Most residents north of East Valley Road (State highway 192) have come under a mandatory evacuation order, turning much of Montecito’s upper village into a ghost town. Pierre Lafond, which we jokingly report is “open 366 days a year, every year,” was closed on a Sunday and in the middle of the week for the first time in memory. The Montecito Village Shopping Center stayed open for awhile, but on December 11, it too succumbed to the situation at hand and all its shops closed.

It’s called the Thomas Fire because, I believe, it began near the campus of St. Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, and it has consumed more than 230,500 acres as of this writing (December 11). Some 794 structures have been destroyed, and it is still only about 15 percent contained. Montecito’s lower village – centered around Coast Village Road – has not been evacuated, but it may as well have been. The popular strip has resorted to its former “Ghost Village Road” moniker, as many businesses there too have closed, and those that remained open didn’t have much to show for it. Even our venerable Four Seasons Biltmore as well as Jeannine’s were also closed.

We fully expect all this to change by the weekend of December 15, but because of this disruption in daily life, we are reprinting Bob Hazard’s Guest Editorial of last week that featured San Ysidro Village and Pierre Lafond’s Plaza del Sol. He will follow up with the Montecito Shopping Center in the following issues.

• Pierre Lafond Market & Deli was built in 1964 on the site of the former Hodges lemon orchard. Today, residents and tourists can sit outside the stylish deli overlooking a blue-tiled bubbling fountain, sip wine from the Pierre Lafond Winery, read and relax, and meet neighbors and friends.

• The Wine Bistro, successor to Café del Sol and Piatti, has been dedicat- One is likely to run into either the charming and ed to the concept of “farm to table.” helpful Veronica (Vero) Vueno (on left) or the A varied menu, combined with cozy equally charming and almost always bubbly Flor fireplaces and picturesque front and Avila upon a visit to Pierre Lafond Deli back patios, have created a dining experience embraced by both residents and out-of-towners.

• Wendy Foster Montecito features a selection of European casual clothing, offered by a “personal shopper” experience. Wendy Foster has been a style setter and Montecito tradition for more than 30 years.

• Wendy Foster Sportswear supplies subtle and sophisticated resort casual wear for shoppers of all ages.

• Upstairs features one-of-a-kind art, textiles, ceramics, jewelry and handpicked gifts for home interiors. Buyer Shelley Koury is the secret sauce.

Guest Editorial

Two for the Road

by Bob Hazard

Upper Village Charm

The shops and businesses in Montecito’s upper village are unhurried, laidback, charming, uniquely engaged, and offer small town friendly service, and they are locally owned. Parking is generous and traffic is light, except around the lunch hour; congestion is minimal. It is a place of safety and serenity, free from the kind of aggressive panhandling and unpleasant street behavior sometimes found in downtown shopping areas.

The upper village is a community gathering spot. You are just as likely to encounter Montecito Fire chief “Chip” Hickman as talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey. Both are acknowledged with a simple nod of the head and both are as likely to return a welcoming smile.

The challenge for Montecito residents is to preserve this treasured character and charm, and to pass the experience on to future generations. In a world of commerce that is shifting to smart phones, drone delivery, and mouse-click marketing, our local businesses will thrive and survive as long as residents support them.

Upper village shopping is divided into multiple components:

Plaza del Sol

Dominating the northeast corner of San Ysidro and East Valley roads are the five family shops operated by Pierre Lafond and Wendy Foster:

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Sitting down with Pierre Lafond and his wife, Wendy Foster, is a history lesson in winemaking, women’s clothing, gift giving, gourmet delis and restaurants. As the original tenants of Plaza del Sol, the Lafond-Foster team has now leased the entire complex, creating the perfect synergy of a delicious sidewalk deli, a casual sitdown restaurant, convenient parking, (from left) Laura McGuire, Nancy McClure, and Lise Deinhard comprise the talented team that sportswear, and the sale of women’s makes Wendy Foster in the upper village worth clothing: Santa Barbara style. a visit, whether one is interested in buying or to Mr. Lafond began his career as an simply admire the store’s window treatments, architect, after graduating from McGill wares, and inside displays University in Montreal. In 1962, at the age of 32, he founded the first post-prohibition commercial winery in Santa Barbara County. Pierre now owns two wineries in Santa Ynez – the original Santa Barbara Winery in partnership with winemaker Bruce McGuire, and the Lafond Winery & Vineyards in partnership with his son, David.

Ms Foster owned a print business when the two first met and married 44 years ago. She traveled the world as a young woman, including stints as an UNESCO ambassador in Paris and a chef in Israel. It wasn’t until she was nearly 40 years old that she landed in Santa Barbara to launch her fashion career by opening her first boutique on State Street. Since then, she has opened the three stores in the upper village, Angel on Coast Village Road, and a Wendy Foster in Los Olivos.

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• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

through the generosity of the Montecito Community Foundation and its donors and converted to a park. Proceeds from the Pierre Lafond-Wendy Foster businesses maintain the Corner Green in its present pristine condition. Dogs, kids, and diners get to enjoy a romp in the grass after eating or even overeating.

S a n ta B a r b a r a Av i at i on

The San Ysidro Pharmacy and Montecito Coffee Shop

The distinctive red building on the northwest corner of San Ysidro and East Valley Road houses the venerable San Ysidro Pharmacy, owned and managed since 2000 by Steven Hoyt, who teaches judo at City College.

The integrated Montecito Coffee Shop, a local favorite with roots dating back to 1929, has been serving breakfast and lunch, inside or on a shaded porch, since 1984. In 2003, waitress Debbie Ousey took over ownership from Tom Ruklic and Bob Goodall, retaining long-time chef Frederico, who had served customers for 28 years.

The San Ysidro Village

• Country House Antiques. In selecting my favorite shop in the upper village, I would have to name Jennifer Sanan’s Country House Antiques.

Jennifer is both charming and delightful, with a positive, can-do attitude.

This will be her 20th year as the owner of Country House Antiques, selling to local residents, interior designers, and visitors from around the world.

Jennifer specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English, Swedish (her real passion), and French country furniture, which she personally selects on two to three European buying trips each year. Jennifer describes her busi-

EDITORIAL Page 344

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

17

AGING IN HIGH HEELS

through writing this, I should “come over.”

“For a cup of tea”? I asked.

“No, come over for some wine,” she answered, confessing that she has one glass of Jordan Chardonnay at night.

Maybe that’s her secret.

The wine’s owner and namesake – Sally Jordan – curiously enough, lives in Montecito, though her vineyard and winery is in Healdsburg, California.

by Beverlye Fead

Ms Fead moved from Malibu to Montecito in 1985. She is married to retired music executive, Bob Fead; between them they have four children, five grandchildren and a dachshund named Sophia Loren. Beverlye is author of I Can Do this, Living with Cancer Nana What’s Cancer? and Aging In High Heels. She blogs for the Huffington Post at www.aginginhighheels.com.

All about Betty

G

rowing older is not all gloom and doom; it’s a lot about having a great attitude, no matter what’s thrown at you.

Take Betty Meyer, for instance. She’s upbeat, and her voice has a twinkle in it. Talking to her is like taking a step back into a more gracious time.

Betty plays bridge; she drives; she’s social; she laughs a lot, and to me that means if one is doing all those things, one is at least two steps ahead of most everybody else.

Knowing I was writing this column on aging, my hairdresser says, “You should meet Betty Meyer. She’s right over there.” And sitting there doing a crossword puzzle was this attractive women (with wonderful hair, I should add). At first, I worried she wouldn’t make the cut; she looked too young.

But I introduced myself and told her I’d like to interview her. She said sure; we set a phone date, and a week later I called her. She knew exactly who I was. I asked when she would like to

Meeting and Marrying the Love of Her Life

Betty Meyer recently celebrated her 98th birthday

do the interview and she asked, “How about now?”

I was smitten.

She also suggested that when I was

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Betty was born in Oregon City, Oregon, and lived there with her three siblings until she was 13 years old.

Her great grandparents came from Scotland in 1763, and her grandparents grew up in the same house she did. Betty’s children gave her the ancestry kit called “23 And Me” as a present recently, and she discovered she is 99- and 9/10 percent Scottish.

She is very proud of that.

She met her husband-to-be in Omaha, Nebraska, whereupon he left for military service almost immediately. While he was overseas, she taught school for a year and then worked for the next three years for Union Pacific, balancing government freight accounts. She says she “loved every second of it.”

When her fiancé came home from the war, he called her from the boat and said, “I’m home!” She didn’t waste a minute before she asked “How would you like to get married?” He said, “Sounds alright to me,” and marry they did. Theirs was a true-love affair from the time they met until the day her husband, Max Earl Meyer, passed away in 2011. She says, “I had a neat husband and we had a wonderful time.” The couple moved

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18 MONTECITO JOURNAL

to Chicago, where her husband practiced law with a large law firm and they “just loved it.”

So far, I haven’t found anything that Betty didn’t love, so I asked how that was possible. “We just had a great life with good people,” she smiles.

They had two children along the way – a boy and a girl – and that made their family complete. In 1985, they moved to Montecito because her husband was a golfer and here he could play in the glorious sunshine all year long. They lived a full and exciting life traveling many times to various cities in Europe, but they always treasured coming home to Santa Barbara.

After Max, the love of her life, died, Betty had a talk with herself about being sad but remaining positive, so she continued playing bridge, having lunch with her girlfriends, and doing her crossword puzzles. She has grand cats and grand dogs, she laughingly tells me, and she adores them.

Betty keeps up with all the new rules about bridge to keep her mind sharp; she has a steady partner every Thursday and looks forward to their game. The only exercise she says she does is to walk from her house to her car. “Never liked it,” she admits about exercising. Well, that shows you what I know!

Although she walks with a cane, she says: “I don’t think about any pain; I just grin and bear it.”

And as we said our goodbyes, she left me with words of advice: “Always smile, because then your wrinkles go up instead of down.” That’s a bit of advice I am definitely going to follow.

This energetic lady was given a birthday party recently by one of her good friends and bridge partners. On that day, Betty turned 98.

All I can say is, “Wow!” •MJ

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• The Voice of the Village •

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

19

Real Estate

by Mark Ashton Hunt

Mark and his wife, Sheela Hunt, are real estate agents. His family goes back nearly 100 years in the Santa Barbara area. Mark’s grandparents – Bill and Elsie Hunt – were Santa Barbara real estate brokers for 25 years.

A Bouquet of Homes

I

f you follow this column, you have likely heard me mention the lack of new listings in Montecito over the past six months or so. This lack of new housing inventory is never more evident than it is on the Montecito broker-agent open house tours on Wednesdays. Many real estate agents look forward to broker tour day as we get to preview the half-dozen or more new listings in Montecito, revisit homes that have been on the market a while that we may have missed, and speak with other agents about the area, issues, market, et cetera.

Recently, however, our Montecito broker-agent open house day often only features one, or just a few new listings along with a handful of homes that have been on the market for months.

That some of these homes have been on the market for months and have not sold is not an indication that they are overpriced – though they may be – it’s usually because they just have not found their buyer. Everyone is looking for either the same thing, where there can be multiple offers, or a home may sit on the market, perhaps even drop in price a time or two, before finding its new owner.

The following homes are in a variety of styles and locations and offer amenities associated with homes in the $3,500,000+ range. As can generally be expected in Montecito, if you spend more than $3,500,000 you are likely to get one or more of the following: an acre or more of land, views, a pool, a guest house, privacy, prime location, “wow” factor, and so forth.

These four properties do not disappoint, and represent various price points, and all are in the Montecito Union School District.

This 3-bedroom, 2-and-a-half bathroom home is convenient to both Coast Village Road conveniences and nearby Butterfly Beach just a few blocks away.

The property includes a 3-car garage, office, workshop and off-street parking.

The house features wood-beamed ceilings, arched windows, and French doors.

Outside there are private lawns, a brick patio, pool, spa room for entertaining outdoors, and mature landscaping, allowing for private enjoyment of the gardens. This home has been on the market just over a month and is at its original asking price.

1936 Jelinda Drive: $5,250,000

1100 Mesa Road: $3,579,000

This home is known as “Casita De Mariposa” and it was built in the 1920s, originally as part of the estate known as “Villa Mariposa”. The home is located on a small street on a sprawling corner lot in the Middle Road-Butterfly Lane area.

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The 1-acre property enjoys panoramic mountain views with custom-designed gardens, pool, spa, private terraces, numerous fountains, and an outdoor fireplace. Inside, you’ll find high ceilings, walls for art, and an office/study.

Although the 5,200+/-sq-ft home is located within the gated enclave of Ennisbrook, it is exempt from Homeowners Association fees. This home last sold back in 2013 for $4,750,000 and has been on the market at the current price for just over two months.

1508 East Mountain Drive: $6,250,000

This is an ocean-view home just a few doors from the San Ysidro Ranch.

The home, named “Wide Horizons”, was envisioned in the 1950s by architect John S. Van Bergen for his own family. This house features unobstructed and expansive ocean views and is situated on 2.86 acres on a promenade of rock outcroppings overlooking Montecito Valley.

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20 MONTECITO JOURNAL Publication:

• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

The main house boasts a formal living room, circular-view terrace room, kitchen with garden views, formal dining room with views in all directions, 4 bedrooms, and 3-and-a-half bathrooms, a laundry/mudroom, a pool, and 2-car garage. The guesthouse offers a living room, kitchen with views, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and a 2-car garage.

Live in as is, remodel, or consider this a building site for your dream ocean view estate. This home just came on the market two weeks ago.

416 Meadowbrook Drive: $11,250,000

The smallest voices deserve to be heard.

This Mediterranean estate is set on 2 level acres in Ennisbrook. The compound, which has been on the market the better part of 2017 at its current price, offers a main residence, pool house, and guest house. The main residence includes 5 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms on 2 levels, with a 5-car garage.

The versatile pool house has 2 rooms, a bath, kitchenette, and an indoor/ outdoor fireplace. The guesthouse is a private retreat with kitchenette, bath, and fireplace. The grounds have an impressive pool, outdoor kitchen, 4 outdoor fireplaces, loggias and patios, koi pond, spa, raised-bed vegetable garden, fruit trees, and a rose garden.

••• For more information on any of these listings or to have me arrange a showing with the listing agents, please contact me directly, Mark@Villagesite.com or call/text (805) 698-2174. Please view my website, www.MontecitoBestBuys. com, from which this article is based.

•MJ

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14 – 21 December 2017

A good conscience is a continual Christmas. – Benjamin Franklin

MONTECITO JOURNAL

21

LETTERS (Continued from page 8)

California wildfires – as “the new normal.” In the meantime, Santa Barbara has its delights, with or without the homeless.

– J.B.)

Ray Winn Responds

First, to Mr. Justin M. Ruhge (“Breaking the Climate Deadlock,” MJ #23/49): My failure to talk about population in my weather series was not by inadvertent omission, but was a conscious act… fearing the repercussions of possibly being called racist, “Hitler-like”, mass murderer, or some other nonsensical name by a far-leaning group. I really wanted to get across some of the basic scientific factors… and some opinions… rather than deal with social issues.

Having come from a nuclear background, I agree that if we start switching from hydrocarbon-based energy supplies, the only “heavy hitter” for the future is nuclear. Nuclear has come a long way from the reactors of old and the new types are inherently safe… and run 24 hours a day, rain or shine, and even if there is no wind.

And they don’t muck up the countryside as much as miles of solar panels, and forests of windmills – about half of which don’t operate at any given time. The new French reactor types are especially efficient and very safe. The plus side is that there is a huge natural supply of fissile materials available. In terms of energy, about 30 billion times more than fossil. There is a pollution aspect as to spent nuclear material, but some breeder type reactors make almost as much fuel as they consume.

Building millions of tons of batteries to store electricity generated at the whim of wind or sunshine seems illogical, at least from a value-added engineering sense. The ecological mess created after the end-of-life of

all those millions of tons of batteries, either by replacement or recycling, will make nuclear fuel containment look like a Sunday picnic. Pardon the cliché. Currently, as a place marker, the carbon footprint of building the battery for a Tesla is almost identical to the carbon footprint of the gasoline it takes to drive a mid-size vehicle about 65,000 to 75,000 miles.

Thanks for your thoughtful input.

To Kathi King

Thank you for your scientific and insightful comments (“Believe it Or Not,” MJ #23/48) on my series on the weather. I really don’t know what 97% of all climate scientists you are talking about. Certainly, 100% of all the “scientists” at the UN who receive very large sums of money for marching to the tune of the UN agree. I know three of them at the UN. One has a degree in philosophy, one claims to have a degree in “social science” – whatever that is or worth. Another has a degree in accounting. All three pillars of the scientific endeavor were also “scientific” signatories to the letter of which you speak. The accountant, by the way, is a world-renowned NYC Uber driver.

I’m told he has a winning personality.

Certainly, all of the “scientists” who are paid large fees for coming up with data to support preconceived notions on the subject by their patrons agree.

However, to put it in perspective, I was approached by the very group of which you speak to add my name to the list. If they think that I am an expert on climate, I have a bridge I would like to sell you. The fact that they ask me to sign is a joke. The signatories are mostly liberal university types with little true knowledge other than what is taught by their professors, who many times get money in exchange for

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thought, and about half are undergraduate lackeys.

There are, of course, some heavy hitters. The American Physical Society gets gobs of money for toeing the line, and any member who does not… well, look what happened to Professor Lewis for just asking a question (“Hockey Stick Rebuttal,” MJ #23/48). Can’t have people asking questions, can we?

If you read my article(s), I said from the outset that the climate is changing… who in their right mind would not agree to that, as that is hardly an earth-shattering pronouncement? It has and will continue to change for all time and eternity long after both of us are gone. It has been much warmer on Earth, and much, much colder and that is not going to change. How much is caused by people… I don’t really know and doubt if you do either. If you do, then you are much smarter than I will ever be.

I did not suggest that we “cling” to fossil fuel. It is just that I don’t believe all the happy fairy tales coming from people who are ignorant of the science and base their thoughts like a bunch of lemmings on the latest Hollywood claptrap or Al Gore’s latest money-making scheme. I ask of you, just follow the money.

As far as Ian Plimer’s book not being peer reviewed, it depends on who you call a peer. His two greatest critics routinely publish junk science for money – lots of it from George Soros and that crowd. I will stick with Ian and ex-UCSB professor Dr. Harold Lewis, who was so eloquently quoted

by Paul O’Keefe in the same issue as your comments, rather than child educators with only a cursory knowledge of science, trash blogs, and of all organizations like the UN. By the way, Dr. Lewis had a 95% approval by his students at UCSB, not 33%.

I knew Lewis, and he was the penultimate scientist who would not bend scientific fact for money, fame, or anything else. I ran an environmental group of about 200 scientists, and he gave me his time and energy without looking for anything in return. He gave

up an important part of his life and career to defend his principles. That is truly a rare thing of beauty and notably unknown these days. I humbly ask, would you do the same?

To Paul O’Keefe

Thank you for the truly memorable review of part of Dr. Lewis’s career, and an insight as to what is missing in today’s science: honesty, scientific integrity, and honor! I knew Professor Lewis as a young neophyte when I ran an environmental group of about 200 climate scientists and physicists for my former employer EG&G. We had an office in Santa Barbara, although my environmental group was based in Woods Hole, Denver, and Las Vegas.

Professor Lewis was a constant source of information and was more than giving to me and my staff of his deep knowledge of atmospheric science and of the subtle nuances of the subject. I also served with him for a short period of time – in 1966 if my memory serves me – on the Atomic Energy Reactor Safety committee as a non-government consultant for EG&G. I thank you for bringing the awful treatment of him by the APS (American Physical Society) to light. This, plus many other sins by the APS, have served to lower the respect of many in the serious scientific community.

All too often, scientific evidence is traded on an open exchange for money and power. Sad to see for such a formerly esteemed organization. Dr. Lewis, and James Killian, who was the first presidential science advisor, were both close friends of my boss, now-deceased MIT professor Harold Edgerton (the “E” In EG&G), and I had the pleasure of knowing all of them. We were doing measurements, as best we could in those days, of the upper atmospheric and ionospheric heating by charged particles and deep UV irradiance; particularly as it related to sunspot activity and geomagnetic variations and disturbances.

Harold stood out as a giant among lesser souls.

•MJ

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14 – 21 December 2017

On Entertainment

Steven Libowitz has reported on the arts and entertainment for more than 30 years; he has contributed to the Montecito Journal for more than 10 years.

by Steven Libowitz

Shredding the Dream: 4Qs with Alastair Greene

S

anta Barbara-born, Berkleetrained blues guitarist-singer-songwriter Alastair Greene has been plying his trade professionally for 20 years now, but the last seven or so has seen him put his own trio on the back burner in favor of a lucrative role as sideman to Alan Parsons, one of progressive-rock’s progenitors, who also lives locally. But now that Greene has said goodbye to that gig just as his new record, Dream Train, hits stores, the guitarist – who has regularly performed at clubs all over town – is aiming to ride on to greater blues glory on his own.

Produced and mixed by David Z – whose credits include Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Jonny Lang – and augmented by an impressive array of guests shots from Walter Trout, Debbie Davies, Mike Zito, Mike Finnigan, and Dennis Gruenling, Dream Train boasts a dozen Greene originals that range all over the bluesrock map. The album has already garnered great reviews from genre publications since its release in October.

We grabbed Greene for a few questions on the eve of his special 20th anniversary show at SOhO on Saturday night, December 16.

Q. How would you say your sound has refined since you began back in the late 1990s?

A. It’s always developing. But when I listen to the first record I made in 2001, A Little Wiser, it’s still the template of what I’m doing today. It’s got acoustic, straight blues, experimental – very much a blues-rock record that goes in different directions. So while each record might focus on a different aspect, I’ve just gotten better at everything.

What makes Dream Train so different from your previous albums?

A bunch of things. It’s the first time I’ve worked with outside name producer – David Z, who spent a lot of time going over the songs with me and refining them before we got into the studio. And he brought in the song (“Nome Zayne”, the album’s only cover) by Billy Gibbons – who to me is one of the founding fathers of bluesrock – one that hadn’t been recorded before… The other game-changer was that I learned how to use (new recording software) while writing, which let me be able to listen back to the songs here at home and be able to hear what was working and not. That changed things for me as a writer – I was able 14 – 21 December 2017

a good chunk of time. I did it for seven years. It’s the 20th anniversary of my band, but it had been a long time since I had all my eggs in that basket.

Time is going by and I’m not getting any younger. I just made what I feel is far and away the best record of my career. Also, Alan’s in the twilight of his career and doesn’t want to be on the road forever. With all of that happening, it became obvious that it was the time to cut loose and go after my career, with my songs and my music.

The stars were aligned, the universe spoke and I listened. So, I’m just going to do what I do and see what happens.

Revel-ing in a New Tradition

Greene house: SOhO hosts singer and guitarist Alastair Greene on Saturday, December 16

to work with the songs over time and really craft them. Some of the tracks from the demos actually made it onto the album, because the performances captured what I was trying to get across.

It seems that lyrically you’ve made some advances too.

Yeah, I tried to stay away from blues clichés and just try to find lyrical themes that resonated with me. So there’s a song about the drought in Santa Barbara (“Rain Stomp”), and a couple of ones that are very personal, including one for my grandmother (“Iowa”) and another about my lost cat (“Song for Rufus”). And musically, I grew up with The Beatles, so I’m into sing-able choruses and lots of hooks. I tried to put those into my blues-rock.

I’m not trying to write pop tunes, but great songs have great melodies and riffs. It’s fun for me and for the listeners.

You’ve just stepped away from your long-time gig as touring guitarist with Alan Parsons. Why? It’s never easy to walk away from something that cool. I got to tour the world playing guitar on a bunch of classic rock hits, even singing on some of them. Those are things you dream about when you’re 16… but that takes

Over the nine years since Montecito resident Susan Keller first brought the Christmas Revels to town, the annual show in Santa Barbara that serves as a seasonal celebration of cultures through story, song, and dance – one of 10 such companies across the nation – has visited the Renaissance and heralded the heritage of everywhere from Victorian England to Bavaria, Appalachi, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and Andalusia.

About the only place that hasn’t received any attention is Santa Barbara itself. Until now.

For its 10th anniversary, Keller undertook the challenging task of creating a new Revels from scratch, one that would take into account Alta

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Christmas, my child, is love in action. – Dale Evans

California’s Rancho period in the city’s history. Now that the show is set to make its debut at the Lobero this weekend, Keller is savoring her labor of love.

“It’s been in my sights for a long time,” explained Keller, who has been threatening to retire for at least half of Revels’s local tenure, but “not before we had a chance to do our own original show.”

The catalyst was the connection with Richard Henry Dana, whose memoir Two Years Before the Mast chronicles his two-year sea voyage from Boston to California on a merchant ship starting in the 1830s. Dana was invited to attend the wedding of Anita de la Guerra, daughter of the Santa Barbara Presidio’s comandante, to Alfred Robinson, local representative for a Boston-based hide and tallow trading company. That event forms the central story of this year’s show.

“It’s a true story. It was all in his book, which is very detailed,” Keller said. “We just added in a lot of other details from the era.”

Keller, who still serves as artistic director, though she handed over stage directing reins to Matt Tavianini a couple of years ago, collaborated with Santa Barbara historian (and Montecito Journal columnist) Erin Graffy on the script, with the latter contributing a version of her text for an Old Spanish Days Fiesta show drawn from her history book. “She added nice little twists based on her knowledge of the history,” Keller said.

Since the wedding actually took place in January, the timing of Christmas Revels also required an extrapolation that Dana and his landing party were on shore for pre-nuptial parties around the holidays.

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where in the world. My mind flooded with ideas: seeing plays in London, sailing in Tahiti, exploring the geothermal wonders of Iceland...

The only problem was, the rest of our family didn’t have time for a long trip abroad. And I didn’t want to go without them. My favorite place on Earth is wherever they are.

“Lots of people love Maine!” I ventured – a classic summer vacation spot. “Let’s go there.” Merry arranged our stay in a house in Owls Head, midway up the Maine coast. The entire family unit would come: Locke, 28, living in San Francisco and working at Google on virtual reality; Graham, 31, a busy Los Angeles fashion photographer with a sunny California style; Graham’s wife, Jessica, a dedicated teacher with a love of science; their son, Golden, the world’s most adorable 5-year-old (hey, check Wikipedia); and Merry (age not available), a former Santa Barbara zookeeper who tends our family flock with humor and wisdom.

Day 1

We arrived at our home-away-fromhome, a two-story clapboard house built for a sea captain in 1884. It had dormers and a big porch looking out at Penobscot Bay; all the bedrooms had views of the water. Out beyond our private pebbly beach, sailboats bobbed at their moorings and a lighthouse flashed a beacon.

After the long drive from Boston, we didn’t feel much like grocery shopping. So we headed for dinner in nearby Rockland, a small harbor town (pop. 7,200) whose Main Street is lined

6/1/17 10:18 AM • The Voice of the Village •

with handsome brick buildings. By luck, we happened into Café Miranda, which chef Kerry Altiero calls “a diner on acid.” His serious-yet-playful approach to cooking strays across Thai, Mexican, Asian, barbecue, and Italian. The menu ranges from “deconstructed” nachos to maple-smoked haddock cakes sautéed with white beans.

The restaurant building was once the historic Owl Benevolent and Fraternal Club, but on this warm summer evening, we sat outdoors on the terrace. Merry ordered “Pretty Maids” – seared local scallops with mushrooms, egg-and-ginger broth, watermelon radish kimchee, and fire-roasted “sea kale” (nori). It was a knockout, as was my tofu burger on focaccia bread with gorgonzola and mushrooms. This was comfort food with an edge, served in generous portions. “A lot of my contemporaries are doing beautiful work that is more like chamber music,” the chef explains. “We are a three-piece rock band turned up to 11.”

Day 2

Merry and I were awakened at 4:45 am by rose and gold light streaming across the water and brightly into our window. This “backward” geography – sunrise over the water instead of sunset – is exactly the opposite of what we’re used to on the Pacific Coast.

After breakfast at home, we headed to Rockland’s Farnsworth Museum, a showcase of Maine art and three generations of the Wyeth family. Everyone knows Andrew Wyeth’s famous painting, Christina’s World, depicting a woman sprawled on a grassy slope

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Spirituality Matters

by Steven Libowitz “Spirituality Matters” highlights two or three Santa Barbara area spiritual gatherings. Unusual themes and events with that something extra, especially newer ones looking for a boost in attendance, receive special attention. For consideration for inclusion in this column, email slibowitz@yahoo.com.

Sounding a Sad Note for Santa

N

oell Grace, Ejé Lynn-Jacobs, and the SpiritSings Band have a Yuletide offer: Come all ye merry souls for a magical evening of Christmas carols, mystical solstice chants, and original spirit songs celebrating peace on Earth and the darkest days returning to light. The long-running SpiritSings turns its attention to the holidays, a special show when Sanskrit largely gives way to Santa for the sixth annual SpiritSings SolsticeChristmas Singalong. What’s more, Grace’s all-female fantastically harmonizing trio Vocabella will offer a few songs of their own right after the midway cookie and mingle break.

But the joyous occasion set for 7 to 9 pm on Monday, December 18, at Yoga Soup is tinged with a note of sorrow. The event represents the final SpiritSings for the foreseeable future, as Grace is scheduled to move to Arkansas after the first of the year. So, there might be some frowns accompanying the fa-la-la’s and tears mixed in with the merrymaking. Entry is $10 in advance or at the door.

Firing off Some Thoughts

SpiritSings is just one offering during a busy week for events scheduled at Yoga Soup, though the Thomas Fire has prompted an advisory to check the online schedule for any last-minute cancellations of classes or programs.

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through gain and loss, pleasure and pain, form and formlessness.”

What Lies Beneath

That surrendering can begin on Friday night, December 15, when the monthly Authentic Relating Games offers the intriguing theme of “And, what’s underneath that?” December’s lineup of interpersonal “games” – which are meant to be both challenging and connecting – explores and plays with the feelings, the needs, the motivations, and the desires that are often not made readily available, often even to their owners, but are instead located a couple layers beneath what comes out of our mouths. The event includes marvelously creative and intuitively nourishing raw snacks prepared by Deneen Elizabeth, who recently joined Santa Barbara games originators Tamra Rutherford and Simon D’Arcy as an official presenter.

Admission to the 7 to 9:30 pm event costs $18 in advance, or $25 day of.

Saturday brings another opportunity to surrender to sound, via another visit to The Soup from Shane Thunder, whose 432hz Sound Healing offering uses alchemical gemstone, Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, drums, aromatherapy, and guided meditation to bring participants into a deeply meditative and rebalanced state. 7:30 to 9 pm event on Saturday, December 16, costs $20 in advance, $25 day-of.

Yoga Pants and Panting

On Wednesday, December 20, Justine Malick and Katie McLean of Psychedelic Honey, the local shop that sells original designer active wear and more, come together to lead Coming Back to Self, a yoga workshop and shopping event celebrating the new moon and winter solstice.

Participants will engage the body in a core-strengthening and grounding flow full of rituals to embrace the shortest and darkest day of the year on the actual solstice. Special awareness will be brought to current themes of the cosmos and harnessing the power of writing clear intentional words to center oneself before the holiday rush and realign with core intentions. Then there’ll be time to nourish with seasonal ayurvedic snacks and tonics and to spend time connecting with one another, plus pull oracle cards.

Everyone can also peruse the con-

sciously designed, locally made Psychedelic Honey “Bold As Love” line. That would be the one designed “With the intention to create something the original Santa Barbara Mountain Drive hippies would be proud of… if ‘69’s Surfer Mag + Vintage Playboy had a love child that hipsters, hippies, and hotties could all agree is damn foxy and most importantly, Jimi Hendrix would believe is as bold as love.”

Admission to the 7 to 9 pm event is $20 in advance, $25 day of.

Yoga Soup is located at 28 Parker Way. Call 865-8811 or visit www.yogasoup.com.

Sunburst’s Winter Solstice

Sunburst is a community of practice dedicated to personal and planetary awakening that operates out of headquarters at its Sunburst Sanctuary on Highway 1, about halfway between the 101 and Lompoc. On Saturday, December 16, visitors get a chance to experience a little of both personal and planetary joys via a Meditation & Labyrinth Walk to celebrate the darkest time of year and the return of the light from within. All are invited to go deep in meditation to remember our true nature as beings of light and to seek inner guidance for navigating through life before connecting with fellow open-hearted people, friends new and old, at a nourishing community dinner.

Then it’s time to experience the magic of a labyrinth walk under the stars complete with colorful luminaria (the small paper lanterns comprising a candle set in sand inside a bag) lighting the way. Visitors can participate in all or part of the event, with meditation running noon to 6 pm (please come and go quietly on the hour), and dinner served at 6:15 pm ($10 donation requested for dinner). Remember to dress warmly for the Labyrinth Walk, which takes place at 7:30 pm.

Sunburst’s weekly Sunday Meditation Gathering the following morning carries a similar theme, with the topic of the talk being “The Light That Shines Behind the Darkness”.

The gathering also features live music and song and silent meditation followed by homemade brunch and a guided hike, when visitors are invited to enjoy the outdoor Hopi labyrinth and gardens. Topics for the final two Sundays of the year, both on the days of special evenings, are “Celebrating Christmas In the Temple of the Soul” on December 24, and “New Year & New Beginnings” on December 31.

Admission is by donation.

The Sanctuary’s final weekend program of the year is a Kriya Initiation & Retreat, taking place December 28-31, when those who are seeking deeper meaning for their lives or wanting to

• The Voice of the Village •

change directions can experience the true “Self” through Kriya Yoga meditation in the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda. The timing makes it a perfect opportunity to activate your deepest intentions at a New Year’s fire and seed ceremony. Registration requested by December 20. For more information, call 736-6528, email contactus@sunburst.org or visit www. sunburst.org.

See Your Way to a Brighter 2017

Vision boards – visualization tools that use pictures and images representing goals and dreams to create inspirational collages to serve as a tangible example or representation of the future – have been endorsed by a great number of coaches as an effective motivational device, including Santa Barbara’s Chicken Soup for the Soul impresario Jack Canfield. The idea is to already visualize yourself in the picture, and imagining that the dreams have already come true, or least serve as a frequent reminder of an important aspiration. What better time than the dawning of a New Year to embark on the endeavor?

On Saturday, December 16, certified life coach and Qi Gong instructor Laura Kate McHugh leads a Vision Board Workshop at Spiritualist Church of The Comforter in downtown Santa Barbara. McHugh offers her myriad skills in service of offering a delightful opportunity to de-stress and reconnect with spirit to create a board that is meaningful and powerful. Suggested donation is $30 for the 10 am to 1 pm event.

On Wednesday, December 20, the Spiritualist Church offers its only Answers from Spirit session of the month, as visitors will be allowed to ask up to three questions of the medium for a small donation during the 2 to 3 pm hour. The church is located at 1028 Garden Street. Call 252-8994 or visit www.meetup.com/ Spirit-Driven.

There no re-schedule for Radhule Weininger’s monthly Half-Day Meditation Practice Retreat at La Casa de Maria, which was postponed as the Thomas Fire advanced on the Montecito foothills last weekend. But she’ll be back at the Retreat Center along with husband Michael Kearney for her annual New Year’s 24-Hour sitting. “Prepare for the New Year with Inspiration and Purpose” takes place from 4 pm on Sunday, December 31, to the same hour on January 1 and offers Indigenous and Buddhist wisdom and nature connection, with help from Wolf and Lisa Wahpephah, to help remind us of who we are and what really matters. Call 969-5031 or visit www.lacasademaria.org.

•MJ 14 – 21 December 2017

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ing Cuba’s patron saint, Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre. Castro didn’t believe in Church, but his mother liked this saint and so he did too.

Ernest Hemingway even left his gold Nobel Prize for Literature medal for Old Man and the Sea as a gift to the church, is where it’s still on display.

People who have prayed to Our Lady and gotten well have left their crutches and paraphernalia in thanks.

In Bayamo, a sugar plantation town, we took a horse carriage ride through the restored historic district. A mode of transportation for the local residents is trucks turned into buses, and they are jammed inside. Then on to a resort in Holguin at the beach. It was an all-inclusive club with a bar open 24 hours a day. You could eat and drink to your hearts content. We treated ourselves to Irish coffee and cappuccino often and had lobster one night. In town, we saw a puppet show in black light that the kids would love — a live version of Finding Nemo.

The next morning, our bus headed for Camaguey. It is said that the twists and turns of the labyrinthine old city center, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built that way to confuse the pirates. We were confused, but privateer Henry Morgan managed to loot and pillage. After lunch in a charming restaurant over• The Voice of the Village •

looking the square, we had a ride in a bici-taxi, which is a pedal-powered rickshaw. Camaguey is known for its 24 churches; 15 are Catholic and for their large pottery jugs that collect water.

I used to live in Kingsville, Texas, named after the nearby King Ranch, where they bred Santa Gertrudis cattle. I never knew they had another ranch in Cuba. Although the family had to flee their 40,000 acres during the revolution, the ranch is still there under government control. Cuban cowboys put on a short rodeo with calf roping and bucking broncs followed by a barbecued pork lunch. The pig had been cooked over a pit fire, and all that charred fat was delicious.

The foreman said their ranching operation was hindered by a shortage of barbed wire and workers.

They took us in horse-drawn carts to a nearby village, where we saw their school and some of their homes.

One dilapidated house had a modern refrigerator, and the owner said it was the only one for miles around but she had an outhouse out back.

Next on our westward journey was Trinidad, a beautifully preserved colonial city. It has a UNESCO designation, handsome architecture, the most cobbled streets I’ve ever walked on (rocks of all sizes and shapes), stately palaces, and neat plazas. Trinidad is often called the “museum city of Cuba” because it is so well-preserved. There is also a thriving arts scene.

Next was the town of Remedios (“remedy”) boasting the oldest church in Cuba. It holds one of the only eight pregnant virgin statues in the world.

We were supposed to board a train with a steam locomotive engine for a ride to the Sugar Museum. Don’s a train nut, so he was doubly disappointed to learn that they had had no fuel for about 15 days. The train couldn’t run. Socialism at work!

The museum guide told us that if any new equipment comes along, it goes to the farms that are the highest producers. In the old days, slaves were inhumanly used for the sugar harvest. Today, there might be 300 workers in four different shifts from 14 – 21 December 2017

The mausoleum dedicated to Che Guevara in Santa Clara with a billboard of Fidel Castro beside – the only kind of advertising allowed

December to April. In going through the museum, we learned the sugar process sometimes gold “white gold.”

There are only 56 sugar mills left in Cuba and they have to import some sugar.

On to another all-inclusive resort, where the champagne flowed day and night. This was on the pristine island of Cayo Santa Maria, connected to the coast by a causeway linking a series of keys. I just kept thinking: “If we go off the road, we’re going to need life jackets.”

As we were heading to Havana – holy cow, we hit a cow! The farmer opened a gate right by the road and the cow ran into our bus. Thank goodness it didn’t have horns, or he would have put a hole in the tire. The cow fell down but got up and walked away. The bus driver said a few Hail Marys, because you can go to jail for killing a cow in Cuba even if it’s the cow’s fault.

Just before Havana, we stopped in Santa Clara to visit the mausoleum dedicated to Che Guevara. It was the site of a decisive 1958 battle of the revolution when troops under Che took the city. Che was executed at age 39 in Bolivia for promoting another revolution and put in a mass grave.

Eventually, they checked DNA to find his body and reinterred him. In contrast to Castro’s simple grave, Che has a monumental monument.

Havana is always memorable because of San Felipe Castle, the fortress built to protect the city from sea raiders. Then there is the malecon, the famous sea wall that protects the city. We visited the Sister Teresa Vaz center for the preschool children of working mothers. Our tour group had all brought things for the kids including toothbrushes and toothpaste. They need everything. The nun who runs it had to leave Cuba for about 20 years.

When politics became more liberal, she came back and started over again.

She’s so tiny but mighty. Today, the churches are open and having services.

We had a walking tour of Old Havana going to the four main squares, including the restored Plaza de Armas and the Plaza de Catedral.

But it’s so depressing to see so many buildings that looked like they had been bombed, when in fact, they are 14 – 21 December 2017

The roughest cobblestones any of us had ever walked over

just disintegrating from age and no maintenance. I don’t see how they’ll ever catch up with restorations.

Then there is the huge Plaza de la Revolucion where Fidel addressed rallies and where Pope Francis recently spoke to tens of thousands.

You can’t visit Havana without going to a cigar factory. This one produced 20,000 cigars a day. They are all rolled by hand, mostly by women who can make 120 per day. They ran a cigar school, which required attendance for nine months to graduate.

The scraps of tobacco leaves that were left on the table were put into cigarettes. There are 60 brands of cigars in Cuba and the factories all belong to the government. Now there is no limit on how many cigars you can bring back to the states.

A must-see is Ernest Hemingway’s home just out side of Havana. The previous time we went, there was hardly anyone there. This time, we had to stand in lines to see in the windows of his home. No one goes in, but there are windows all around with all his original furniture, books,

typewriter, and even clothes and shoes on display. He bought the property in 1939 and worked on The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bell Tolls while there. The simple home stands on several acres and is quite bucolic.

In our 2002 trip, our Cuban guide from Miami told us about her mom that had been a flight attendant and Hemingway was frequently on her flight. She didn’t like him because he had dirty feet and wore sandals. Her dad was a pilot and flew Batista out of Cuba when he went into exile.

The old National Hotel is a mustsee. They charge you just to walk through, but it’s where all the celebrities stay and there’s a wall of fame with photos. They are also known for their Cuban sandwich, but we had three in Cuba and liked theirs least.

What is a Cuban sandwich? Ham, cheese on bread done panini-style.

Probably the most famous nightclub in the world is the Tropicana in Havana. It was going strong when we went in 2002 and still is. It is located outdoors on 25 acres and was a private estate at one time. It now has multiple stages and stadium seating.

We were told the show even went on during the revolution. My husband, Don, was remembering bare-breasted beauties, but his memory failed. There were beautiful costumes, though.

We also remembered that included in the $100 price tag was a full bottle of rum for the two of us. There still is. It harks back to when Havana was the glamorous gambling capitol of the world in the 1950s.

So, what happens next? For now, it’s more of the same. American cruise ships will be docking in Havana and a Hollywood movie is scheduled to be filmed there. By the time this is published, there will have been a music festival bringing Cuban and American musicians together in a public concert.

Or as former president Barack Obama said, “The future of Cuba must be in the hands of the Cuban people.”

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag •MJ

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

29

O PE N

Brilliant Thoughts

N O W

by Ashleigh Brilliant Born London, 1933. Mother Canadian. Father a British civil servant. World War II childhood spent mostly in Toronto and Washington, D.C. Berkeley PhD. in American History, 1964. Living in Santa Barbara with wife Dorothy since 1973. No children. Best-known for his illustrated epigrams, called “Pot-Shots”, now a series of 10,000. Email ashleigh@west.net or visit www.ashleighbrilliant.com

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I

n the fall of 1785, a young Scottish farmer was working in one of his fields, when his plow happened to overturn the nest of a field mouse. The victim scampered away – but the perpetrator felt sadly about his inadvertently cruel act – and eventually wrote a poem about it. The poet was Robert Burns, and the piece was called “To A Mouse”. In it, the author compares the plight of this creature who, after much hard nest-building, had presumably felt snug and secure, but must now face the rigors of winter without a home – with our own human predicament, always at the mercy of blind fate.

The poem is written in broad Scots dialect, with many words which, for an ordinary reader, might require translation. But the general sense comes through clearly enough, and one short passage near the end is so meaningful that, despite the dialect, it has acquired the status of a proverb:

ing calmly away from the scene. His words have become immortal: “Well, back to the old drawing-board.”

It wittily recalls the mantra we were taught as children: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

America, particularly the West, has always symbolized hope, as expressed in many of our songs. We still dream of a “Home on the Range,” “where seldom is heard a discouraging word.”

After this country entered World War II, there was a plethora of songs about how good life was going to be afterward. I particularly remember one called “I’ll Buy That Dream,” which foresaw

The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft agley.

But where does all this leave you and me? I have to admit that I myself have always found it hard to make plans. Hardly anything I’ve done in my life has been the result of careful planning. As a young man looking ahead, my depth of planning extended to the notion that I must make three life “settlements.” The first, in which I was already engaged, would be an “Education Settlement.” Next would come a “Career Settlement,” and finally a “Sex and Marriage Settlement.”

That was my entire prospectus.

As it turned out, none of these settlements went at all smoothly – and in fact, none of those issues ever really got settled at all. I never got the kind of education I thought I should have had, never achieved a settled career, and, as for sex and marriage, it wasn’t until January 2015, nearly 50 years after we first met, that Dorothy and I, now in our 80s, went through a form of legal marriage to which we could finally agree.

By that time, our condition was such that the bride had to be pushed in a wheelchair by the groom to the courthouse. Thinking of Robert Burns’s mouse’s nest, I couldn’t help reflecting, with some sense of irony, on the words of another favorite song of ours, expressing young lovers’ hopes and dreams:

(In case this is new to you, “schemes” is commonly rendered as “plans,” and the last three words mean “often go awry.”)

You might recognize these words as having inspired the title of a modern novel. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men (1937) is about two roving California farm-workers, George and Lennie, whose best-laid plan is someday to have a ranch of their own.

Lennie is somewhat slow-witted, and George describes their fancied future life together (which he promises will include raising rabbits) so lyrically that Lennie repeatedly begs, “Tell me about the rabbits, George” – which has itself become a catch-phrase for unrealistic hopes.

Although that novel ends unhappily, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” (as Alexander Pope wrote in 1734.) A beautiful example of optimism in the face of disaster was offered by The New Yorker magazine in March 1941, when it published a cartoon by Peter Arno that has added another hopeful expression to our language. In the cartoon, an (apparently experimental) airplane has just crashed. (To eliminate any sense of tragedy, we can see the pilot parachuting safely to earth.) But, while everyone else is rushing toward the crashed plane, one man, with blueprints tucked under his arm, is walk-

• The Voice of the Village •

A honeymoon in Cairo, in a brand-new autogiro, Then home by rocket in a wink – We’ll settle down in Dallas, in a little plastic palace – It’s not as crazy as you think.

We’ll build a sweet little nest, somewhere in the West, And let the rest of the world go by. •MJ 14 – 21 December 2017

Your Westmont

by Scott Craig (photography by Brad Elliott) Scott Craig is manager of media relations at Westmont College

No Doubting Thomas on Campus

L

ike most of the region, people at Westmont learned about the Thomas Fire following the massive power outage December 4 that thrust the entire campus and 1,200 students into darkness. The disruption continued into the morning hours as officials scrambled to fix infrastructure that crippled the college’s website and email servers.

Smoke from the blaze blanketed the college in the following days, forcing the cancelation of outdoor activities to keep students, faculty, and staff indoors and away from the hazardous smoke. The college also handed out about 1,400 N95 particulate masks to students and staff on December 6.

President Gayle D. Beebe led an open forum for everyone the morning

14 – 21 December 2017

of December 7 in the Dining Commons to announce that the college was canceling classes for the remainder of the day and until the start of finals on December 12. About 380 students remained on campus, though most used the opportunity to stay with family and friends out of the fire’s path. High Efficiency Particulate Air scrubbers were strategically placed in the Dining Commons, Murchison Gym, and Voskuyl Library to improve air quality where students congregate.

Due to worsening air quality, Beebe announced December 9 that final exams would not be held on campus.

“First and foremost, we had

to ensure the health and safety of Westmont students, faculty, and staff,” Beebe says. “We were able to come up with a solution that allowed faculty to issue finals as they saw fit, on a classby-class basis to maintain the academic integrity of the institution.”

Remaining students packed up essential belongings, checked out with resident directors in the gym, and left campus ahead of any evacuation orders. Westmont faculty and staff opened their homes to students who lived out of the region, and the college provided transportation to Santa Barbara Community Church.

The college fell under a mandatory evacuation order December 10 and all non-emergency personnel were ordered to leave campus.

The vacant 110-acre property became an operational headquarters for the Thomas Fire, housing about 500 firefighters and 100 engines that cycled through campus as crews battled the blaze in the foothills to the east. Westmont moved its college business operations to respond to critical matters posed by the crisis and evacuation to the Westmont Downtown site on Anapamu Street.

Westmont’s Lovik Field may also be used as a refilling station for helicopters battling the Thomas Fire, as was the case during the Gibraltar Fire in December 2015.

•MJ MONTECITO JOURNAL

31

MISCELLANY (Continued from page 6)

Rich Get Richer Montecito TV talk-show titan Oprah Winfrey is $70 million richer this week, adding to her already hefty $3 billion fortune.

Discovery Communications had paid that amount to acquire an additional 24.5-percent stake in her cable TV channel, OWN, from Oprah’s Harpo company.

You go, girl.

Cover to Cover Long before New York entrepreneur Ian Schrager became a hotelier, he partnered with the irrepressible Steve Rubell in the legendary Manhattan nitery, Studio 54.

I had just arrived from the Daily Mail in England in 1978 to become gossip columnist on Rupert Murdoch’s newly launched Star magazine, more used to the rarefied confines of Annabel’s in London, a favorite hangout of the Royal Family and members of the jet set.

But Studio 54, set in a former CBS TV studio theater on the Westside, was a real eye-opener, and I soon became good friends with Schrager’s diminutive business partner Rubell, who, sadly, was one of the first to succumb to the gay scourge of AIDS at the age of 46.

Those heady days of my unbridled youth when, given my position as a

Studio 54, a fascinating look back at the legendary New York nightclub

columnist, I was given unqualified access to the world’s hottest nightclub by doorman Mark Benecke, have been brought back by a lavishly illustrated 395-page Rizzoli coffee table tome, Studio 54, featuring innumerable photos of the parties held there in its embryonic years before it was sold to Mark Fleischman, who traded his 154-room Madison Avenue Executive hotel as part of the purchase price.

Schrager, who threw in the towel here when trying to resurrect the decaying Miramar – which is scheduled to re-open in July under the ownership of Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso – and Rubell revamped the downtown hostelry as Morgans, the first hotel in what was to become an empire of trendy inns, including the Royalton and the Paramount in Manhattan.

Sadly, many of the people featured in the montage of photos are now dead, lost to AIDS or drug overdoses, given cocaine was equally as popular as champagne when it came to imbibing the night away.

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32 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Clubbers who were turned away from the hallowed portals of 54 would normally head for Xenon, a smaller theater type club 10 blocks south, which became known as Studio 27 because it was considered half as good as 54.

Memories of a decidedly exotic lifestyle, more of which I will eventually reveal in my memoirs.

Around the World

Sensei, is scheduled for publication next year.

High Tea The Breast Cancer Resource Center’s 10th annual tea and fashion show goes from strength to strength.

More than 165 guests turned out for the charming Biltmore event, raising around $25,000 for the nonprofit, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The eight models, all of whom have recovered from the disease – Bircan Arfaei, Rene Baird, Penny Cocores, Andrea Hutton, Julie Koonce, Ophelia Sebastian, Jackie Serebof, and Beverly Johnson Trial – strutted their stuff down the catwalk wearing fashions by Talbots with local store manager Kathleen Waltrip-Gardella describing the outfits, while executive director Silvana Kelly gave a brief history of each model.

Among the wave of supporters helping the cause were Rose Hodge, Rona Barrett, Susan St. John, Jessica Ashtiani, Sue DePonce, and Summer and Jessica Galante, On the Money

Author Dick Jorgensen has a yen for travel

Author and educator Dick Jorgensen, 92, has had quite the colorful life, volunteering as a teacher in China, India, Mongolia, Africa, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Australia.

Now, the Santa Barbara writer has written the second of his three planned memoirs, Yuko: Friendship Between Nations, which follows on from his vibrant first autobiography, O Tomodachi: Friend, chronicling his two years of teaching at the University of Hiroshima in the mid-1950s, when he was one of four teachers in the first exchange program between the U.S. and Japan.

“It is my view of the life and times in the mid-20th century world, reminding us the world is ever decreasing in size,” he told me at a bijou book bash at Tecolote, the tony tome temple in the upper village.

Jorgensen’s third book, American

Lynn Kirst with Montecito jeweler Daniel Gibbings

It was just the ticket for this illustrious organ’s bridle correspondent Lynn Kirst when she attended the Dream Foundation’s annual gala at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara.

Lynn splashed out $200 for 10 raffle tickets at the popular fete and came up a winner, receiving a diamond and 18-carat gold necklace featuring an ancient Roman coin designed

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

33

EDITORIAL (Continued from page 17)

ness like this: “It takes over your life. It cannot be your source of support. You have to love it. Why else would you do it?”

• Hogue & Co. In the year 2000, Jerad Peddicord and Kristi Meland, who were then employees of the renowned floral designer Scott Hogue, opted to buy the business when Scott retired. They relocated the retail workshop to its present location in the San Ysidro Village, where it has grown to 13 employees over the past 17 years. Kristi focuses on the people side, while Jerry leads the creative design team in their successful partnership. With more than 25 years’ experience, they have become the region’s premier florist.

• Randy Solakian at Coldwell Banker’s Preview Estates maintains a private professional office to service clients.

• William Laman Furniture Gardens & Antiques. William Layman and his partner, “Hall of Fame” interior designer Bruce Gregga, have a long history of providing Montecito homes with an understated elegance and an exceptional eye for detail. Their boutique offers a stunning collection of one-of-a-kind home and garden pieces.

Landlords and developers Richard and Michael Gunner have received rave reviews for the architecture and construction of their seven new commercial units north of the San Ysidro Pharmacy. Of the seven new shops created by the Gunners, five are now occupied with tenants; the sixth will be leased to UPS this spring, and the last was vacated by Jennie Kayne when she consolidated her two stores.

• Juniper. In April 2017, Marie Ferris, owner of Matti D in Del Mar was persuaded to move to Montecito to open Juniper in the San Ysidro Village as a replacement for the former Elu. The strength of her new boutique is helping women look good while having fun.

• Jenni Kayne. Ms Kayne is a young California designer with five shops in California and a sixth in the Tribeca section of New York City. The boutique offers classic styling and beautiful fabrics in both the Jenni Kayne brand and a handpicked assortment of other lifestyle brands.

• American Riviera Bank is a growing community-based bank headquartered in Santa Barbara that provides private banking services and responsive commercial support to local businesses.

• House of Honey Home Furnishings is a residential and commercial interior design studio and retail showroom owned by Tamera Honey. The shop fea-

tures an interesting selection of unique items for the home.

• Julianne is an upscale women’s clothing shop that is so exclusive it doesn’t even have an exterior sign. It describes its collections as “cutting-edge chic.”

San Ysidro Road Antique Shops

David Bertrand, long-time landlord for three of Montecito’s best-known antique shops, has kept his rents low and his leases reasonable.

• Carty & Carty Antiques. Edward & Anne Carty are twin brother and sister who relocated to Montecito from the Antique Collective in Summerland, more than 10 years ago. They both got their start in San Francisco, where their parents were shopkeepers specializing in antique clocks. Today’s business features antiques, custom reproductions, appraisals, and the sale of lovely furnishings that once graced large local estates.

• Haskell Antiques. Michael Haskell, joined in recent years by his son, Eric, has been in business since 1969, specializing in Spanish Colonial antiques and Native American arts. Their business has shifted to developing custom lines for local designers.

• Brostrom’s Antiques. Alan Brostrom has been in business since 1999 featuring Asian furnishings and accessories. Welcoming and knowledgeable, Brostrom has an eye for unique and beautiful collectibles.

Gazebo Gardens

Gazebo has been in business since 1973 creating flower arrangements, providing landscape design, and maintaining home gardens. A year and a half ago, Steve Domines, a local estate manager, bought the business at the southeast corner of San Ysidro Road and East Valley and changed the focus to Gazebo Gardens. The landlords for the complex are Martha and William Gray, partners in Gray & Gray architects, domiciled on the site along with Bob Easton, architect, and Miller & Berryhill, Attorneys at Law. Paul Gray, father of both Will and Martha Gray, was the original architect, builder, and owner when he teamed up with Jack Warner at Warner & Gray.

Next Week: North and south Montecito Village. The amazing Norm Borgatello story.

•MJ

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• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

WILDLIFE FILE

by Kaitlin Lloyd Ms Lloyd is program director at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

Western Grebes Migrate into Santa Barbara

A

s Santa Barbara transitions into winter, various wildlife species adapt and move into the coastal waters for the season.

Large populations of water birds such as western grebes migrate into the Santa Barbara Channel for wintertime.

They are completing a migration pattern that can range from the Pacific Northwest in the spring and summer to areas along the Pacific coastline during winter months as far south as Baja California and Central Mexico.

Western grebes are among the most easily identified Santa Barbara bird residents. Possessing a stark contrast in coloration with a white chest and black flank, the birds stand out among the common western gulls and brown pelicans in local harbors. Perhaps the most prominent feature of the western grebe is its striking red eyes, a trait that is thought to possibly aid the bird in mate attraction and perhaps to benefit in long-distance vision during underwater dives for prey. A close relative to the western grebe, the Clark’s grebe appears almost identical but can be distinguished by its slightly more yellow bill and lack of black coloration around the eye seen in western species.

Western grebe migration is characterized by breeding and seasonal residence on freshwater ponds and lakes during spring months with a transition to becoming ocean-dwelling birds during the winter. When inhabiting lakes and shallow marshes, western grebes perform elaborate courtship displays, mimicking their potential mates in a behavior that resembles a complex, synchronized dance atop the surface of the water. Western grebes build floating nests alongside thick reeds and marsh plants, and mates take turns incubating their eggs for an average of 24 days. Upon hatching, newborn babies will hop onto their mothers’ backs, where they will be cared for and fed by their parents. It will be at least two months before the young are ready to fly on their own.

Going South

Western grebes begin their southern migration as early as September.

They travel in large flocks at night while spreading out during the day to gather food. Their journey along the Pacific coast is long and arduous, and by the time many arrive in the Santa Barbara and Ventura areas they will be emaciated and severely underweight.

Termed “failure to thrive”, this phenomenon commonly affects young, 14 – 21 December 2017

A rescued baby western grebe must be tube-fed every hour and 15 minutes seven times throughout the day until ready to eat on its own

International Bird Rescue in San Pedro for extended care before release. Every week, a generous volunteer from the center makes the trek from Goleta to Los Angeles to provide these birds with further care and treatment.

Although grebes during this time of year are most commonly seen suffering from “failure to thrive,” birds are occasionally brought into the center that have been found wounded or stranded in parking lots. Grebes will commonly mistake an aerial view of asphalt as a large body of water, and once they have landed on the solid surface, it is impossible for them to once again take flight due to their unique anatomy with legs so close to the rear of the body.

In 2017, the SBWCN has already treated 140 western, Clark’s, eared, horned, pied-billed, and red-necked grebes.

•MJ

The western grebe is a regular winter visitor to the Santa Barbara area and can be easily identified by its unique coloration, particularly its red eyes

“first year” birds that are inexperienced in finding food sources in the competitive waters along their trek.

When the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network receives western grebes during this season, the first step taken is to perform an intake exam on the birds, which includes recording an initial weight and temperature. Grebes tend to have normal body temperatures of 102 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

If upon examination a bird falls below this average, it will immediately be placed on a heat source to elevate its core temperature. Once a successful intake exam is performed, western grebes are placed on a tube-feeding regimen.

Tube feeding begins with water and a 50-percent dilute Emeraid piscivore diet, a mixture of proteins and shortchain amino acids that are easier for the emaciated birds to digest. Once a grebe is stabilized at the center, it will graduate to a tube-fed blended fish diet until it is interested in eating whole fish again on its own.

Throughout its stay at the center, a western grebe will be tube-fed every hour and 15 minutes, at least seven times throughout the day until it shows interest in eating on its own.

Because wintering grebes are strictly pelagic birds, they are kept in unique enclosures termed “net-bottoms.”

These contain a flexible net base to protect the delicate keel or breastbone that the birds prominently rest upon in the water. If a grebe at the center is deemed to be bright, alert, responsive, and non-oiled, it will receive frequent exercise in small swimming enclosures where it can preen itself, a critical step toward developing fully waterproof feathers for survival on the water.

Extended Care

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) will ultimately send all grebes that it receives to

make a world of difference Good health is priceless; quality health care is essential. The legacy you leave for your family and your community means passing on your values and making a gift to benefit future generations. A will is the simplest way to plan for your loved ones and, at the same time, leave your lasting legacy. In additon, Cottage has a variety of gift plans that accept charitable distributions from IRAs, put your appreciated securities to work, provide you with life income, or assist in leveraging of real estate in a tax-efficient way.

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Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. – Winston Churchill

MONTECITO JOURNAL

35

TRAVEL (Continued from page 24)

In Rockport, offbeat chef Kerry Altiero of Café Miranda

below a distant house. But I confess that his art, usually rendered in bleak grays and browns, doesn’t move me much.

I do love the colorful illustrations that his father, N.C Wyeth, painted for classic storybooks such as Treasure Island. And I revere the depth of skill and thought in paintings by his son, Jamie (who was so precociously talented that at age 18 he was commissioned to do a portrait of John F. Kennedy).

He and I once talked about the small Maine island where he lives alone, painting what he sees inside his 22-acre world: “I feel I could live here for three lifetimes and still not scratch the surface,” Jamie told me.

“I painted a whole series on seagulls, which I have plenty of. The great part

Owls Head, Maine: 1884 sea captain’s house turned holiday rental

about living among seagulls is that eventually they look at you as another seagull. I sit there and they fall asleep next to me.”

At the museum, I admired his painting of indigenous Maine coon cats, running and leaping around a lichen-covered rock that sticks up in the middle of a field. “It’s like Stonehenge. I treated the whole thing as if the cats were here in homage to this rock.”

Day 3

We drove north a few miles to Camden, a postcard-perfect Maine seacoast town with handsome inns and a small harbor where vintage sailing ships wait to take travelers aboard.

We joined the Surprise, a black-hulled schooner built in 1918. After we had

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motored away from the dock, captain Will Gordon asked, “Who wants to help raise the sails?” Jessica, Golden, and I hauled on ropes and watched the sails climb the wooden masts, flutter briefly, and grow taut in the wind.

We were sailing!

In the water around us we saw lobster trap floats, each identified by the distinctive colorful striping of individual fishermen. Rockland is the lobster capital of Maine, and last year 77 million pounds came out of Penobscot Bay. My eyes grew wide when Captain Will laid an amazing fact on us: “In winter, millions of lobsters walk out to sea; now they’re coming back toward shore to lay their eggs.” I pictured a million-lobster march, down below us on the ocean bottom.

We passed a decommissioned lighthouse that is home to three generations of a local family. “The oldest member of the clan is an 80-year-old woman,” said the captain. “Every morning, she swims around the island – the water is 56 degrees – without a wetsuit!

There’s no electricity or running water out there; the family pilots a little boat to Camden and takes showers at the YMCA.” I began to understand the famously hardy character of folks in Maine.

We passed a big white house on the shore’s edge, once owned by Thomas Watson, Jr. of IBM. A smaller house was the former home of Benjamin Spock, the 1950s child-rearing expert with a permissive approach. “Some people say he screwed up an entire generation!” said the captain. “What’s funny is, everyone here knew his kids – and they were totally out of control.” (Aah, nothing like a bit of inside info to make you feel like a local resident.)

We sailed along, puffy white clouds against a blue sky and sunlight glowing on white sailboats as if in a Winslow Homer painting. I unwound a few notches, like rope lines loosening around a winch, and discovered the peace and relaxation of the sailor who has only to loll on deck and enjoy the breeze.

der if there might be pirate treasure buried nearby. (A couple of days later, Graham and I sneaked away to a local coin shop so we could plant old copper and silver coins in the sand for Golden to “stumble upon.”)

In the sunset, Merry and I sat watching our grandson romp in the shallows with his dad and uncle. Three generations happy together: Could there be greater joy?

Day 4

Schooner Surprise (Camden, 9 miles north of Rockland; 207-236-4687, www.schoonersurprise.com) Day sails and charters, mid-May to midOct. Our two-hour sail cost $43 for adults, $33 for children.

After breakfast, Merry and the kids presented me with my entire life in photographs, all printed in a beautiful book that was bound and boxed in beige linen. I lost about a pint of tears.

Then we boys, ages 5 to 70, walked down to the beach to skip flat stones across the flat water. Little Golden got excellent distance, while Graham scored the most bounces. As if unclear on the concept. Locke heaved a big rock into the water with a kersploosh.

“Is this right?” he deadpanned.

We searched for sea glass, white, green, and blue, shining in the sand.

These discoveries made Golden won-

• The Voice of the Village •

Compass Points

Getting There: Rockland lies 190 miles north of Boston Logan Airport; Owls Head is 5 miles outside Rockland.

Visitor Information: www.visitmaine.net/page/98/rockland-maine

Where to Stay

Airbnb.com lists Rockland/Owls Head rentals with various prices and amenities. We loved our warm, funny hosts, Donna and Steve, whose three-bedroom Airbnb rental is called Trinity on the Ocean. In winter, they live in the house, which is filled with family photos and tchotchkes.

Where to Eat

Café Miranda (15 Oak St., Rockland; 207-594-2034, www.cafemiranda.com) Yardbird Canteen (686 Port Clyde Road, Tenants Harbor; 207-372-2068, www.facebook.com/yardbirdcanteen) Roadside stand, half an hour southwest of Rockland; sit outdoors at picnic tables for some of Maine’s most highly rated seafood. Don’t miss: haddock chowder (not overdone with cream, but brothy and buttery), fried clams (light, non-greasy), locally made Whoopie Pies (recommended: salt caramel).

Things to Do

Farnsworth Art Museum (16 Museum St., Rockland; 207-596-6457, www. farnsworthmuseum.org)

Owls Head Transportation Museum (117 Museum St., Owls Head; 207594-4418, www.owlshead.org) World-class operating collection of pre-1940 ground vehicles, aircraft, and more, from an 1886 Benz (first vehicle designed for an internal combustion engine) to a 1955 T-bird, vintage planes, even bicycles (starting with an 1868 Velocipede Boneshaker).

•MJ 14 – 21 December 2017

MISCELLANY (Continued from page 32)

Gibbings, worth around $10,000.

“It’s a beautiful piece, but it is particularly meaningful to me because Daniel made my late husband’s wedding ring,” says Lynn. “He is an extremely talented designer.”

Yule’s Gold

Westmont College’s Christmas Festival a real cracker

With dozens of participants, Westmont College’s oh-so-popular 13th annual Christmas Festival at the First Presbyterian Church is undoubtedly the hottest ticket in town, with four performances staged to cater for the demand.

With the full force of the Montecito college’s music talent on display, including the orchestra, women’s and men’s chorale, and the chamber singers, the two-hour Yuletide spectacular was a glorious blend of traditional carols and other festive works.

Under the capable batons of Michael Shasberger, Grey Brothers,

Steve Hodson, Nichole Dechaine, and Paul Mori, the talented musicians put on a beautiful display of classical music, wrapping up the sold-out concert with Gary Fry’s delightful “My Dancing Day, on Christmas Night”.

Always an exuberant and festive kickoff to the holiday season.

Think Pink The Arlington Theatre was packed for the much-awaited return concert by Pink Martini, the Portland, Oregon, musicians making their eighth appearance here, all eight of which I have been lucky enough to see.

The sold-out show, part of the popular UCSB Arts & Lectures series, featured Harvard graduate China Forbes

Bruce Heavin and China Forbes (photo by Grace Kathryn)

Sponsor Pat Gregory with Pink Martini founder and pianist Thomas Lauderdale (photo by Grace Kathryn)

on vocals singing a wide variety of songs and carols in some 14 languages, including Japanese, Hebrew, French, Turkish, Croatian, and Armenian to name a few.

Before the intermission female audience members were invited to dance on the stage and participate in Helen Reddy’s hit “I Am Woman” promoting women’s rights.

As usual, the talented 11 musician troupe, founded by another Harvard graduate, pianist Thomas Lauderdale, left us suitably shaken and stirred.

Percussionist Timothy Nashimoto was a particular standout with a suit as polished as his performance.

Four-legged Friends Montecito TV talk-show host Ellen

DeGeneres gave Prince Harry’s new fiancée Meghan Markle paws for thought, I learn.

It seems that the former Oscars host persuaded the 36-year-old Suits actress to adopt her Labrador shepherd, Bogart, her first pet, when they bumped into each other at a Los Angeles shelter.

“She turned around and tapped on the window glass, yelling, ‘Take the dog!’ So, I brought him home because Ellen told me to,” says Queen Elizabeth’s future granddaughter-in-law.

Meghan, who is likely in due course to become Duchess of Sussex, also has a beagle named Guy. Sightings: Singer Brad Paisley at the Unity Shoppe...Actress Natalie Portman noshing at Zaytoon...Actor Christopher Lloyd at the Montecito Deli Pip! Pip! Readers with tips, sightings and amusing items for Richard’s column should email him at richardmin eards@verizon.net or send invitations or other correspondence to the Journal.

To reach Priscilla, email her at pris cilla@santabarbaraseen.com or call 969-3301.

•MJ

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MONTECITO JOURNAL

37

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Bid No. 3888 1. Bid Acceptance. The City of Santa Barbara (“City”) will accept sealed bids for its CDBG 2017-18 Laguna Neighborhood Sidewalk Access Ramps Project (“Project”), by or before January 9, 2018, at 3:00 P.M., at its Purchasing Office, located at 310 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101, at which time and place the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Each bidder is responsible for making certain that its Bid Proposal is actually delivered to the Purchasing Office. The receiving time at the Purchasing Office will be the governing time for acceptability of bids. Telegraphic, telephonic, electronic, and facsimile bids will not be accepted.

2. Project Information.

2.1 Location and Description. The Project is located at various locations within the Laguna Neighborhood (see Project Location map),and is described as follows: The work includes all labor, material, supervision, plant and equipment necessary to construct and deliver a finished sidewalk access ramps project, including but not limited to mobilization, bonds, insurance, traffic control, surveying, saw cutting, removal of hardscape, subgrade preparation for the construction of concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks, access ramps, spandrels, and hot mix asphalt concrete conform, pavement delineations, sign relocation, cleanup, public notices, incidentals, and completing the work as specified in these Special Provisions, City Standards, and Project Plans & Specifications.

2.2 Time for Completion. The planned timeframe for commencement and completion of construction of the Project is 25 working days from the effective date of Notice to Proceed.

2.3 Engineer’s Estimate. The Engineer’s estimate for construction of this Project falls within a range of $150,000 $165,000.

3. License and Registration Requirements.

3.1 License. This Project requires a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): License A. 3.2 DIR Registration. City will not accept a Bid Proposal from or enter into the Contract with a bidder, without proof that the bidder and its Subcontractors are registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to perform public work under Labor Code section 1725.5, subject to limited legal exceptions.

4. Contract Documents. The plans, specifications, bid forms and contract documents for the Project, and any addenda thereto (“Contract Documents”) may be downloaded from City’s website at: SantaBarbaraCA.gov/ebidboard. A printed copy of the Contract Documents may be obtained from CyberCopy Shop, located at 504 N. Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, at (805) 884-6155.

5. Bid Security. The Bid Proposal must be accompanied by bid security of five (5) percent of the maximum bid amount, in the form of a cashier’s or certified check made payable to City, or a bid bond executed by a surety licensed to do business in the State of California on the Bid Bond form included with the Contract Documents. The bid security must guarantee that, within ten days after City’s issuance of the notice of award of the Contract, the bidder will execute the Contract and submit the payment and performance bonds, insurance certificates and endorsements, and all other documentation required by the Contract Documents.

6. Prevailing Wage Requirements.

6.1 General. This Project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the Work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the Work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

6.2 Rates. The prevailing rates are on file with City and available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the Project. The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

6.3 Compliance. The Contract will be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the DIR, under Labor Code section 1771.4.

7. Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder will be required to provide performance and payment bond for 100% of the Contract Price regardless of contract dollar amount.

8. Substitution of Securities. Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted under Public Contract Code section 22300.

9. Subcontractor List. Each bidder must submit, with its Bid Proposal, the name, location of the place of business, California contractor license number, DIR registration number, and percentage of the Work to be performed (based on the Base Bid) for each Subcontractor that will perform work or service or fabricate or install work for the prime contractor in excess of one-half of 1% of the bid price, using the Subcontractor List form included with the Contract Documents.

10. Pursuant to Section 1773 of the Labor Code, the general prevailing wage rates in the county in which the work is to be done have been determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. These wages are set forth in the General Prevailing Wage Rates for this Project, available at the City of Santa Barbara, General Services Manager, Purchasing Office, 310 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, California, and available from the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Internet web site at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR/PWD. The Federal minimum wage rates for this Project as predetermined by the United States Secretary of Labor are set forth in the specifications and in copies of these specifications that may be examined at the offices described above where project plans, special provisions, and bid forms may be seen. Addenda to modify the Federal minimum wage rates, if necessary, will be issued to holders of these specifications. Future effective general prevailing wage rates, which have been predetermined and are on file with the California Department of Industrial Relations are referenced but not printed in the general prevailing wage rates.

Attention is directed to the Federal minimum wage rate requirements in the specifications. If there is a difference between the minimum wage rates predetermined by the Secretary of Labor and the general prevailing wage rates determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations for similar classifications of labor, the Contractor and subcontractors shall pay not less than the higher wage rate. The City of Santa Barbara will not accept lower State wage rates not specifically included in the Federal minimum wage determinations. This includes "helper" (or other classifications based on hours of experience) or any other classification not appearing in the Federal wage determinations. Where Federal wage determinations do not contain the State wage rate determination otherwise available for use by the Contractor and subcontractors, the Contractor and subcontractors shall pay not less than the Federal minimum wage rate, which most closely approximates the duties of the employees in question.

This is a federally-assisted project and Davis-Bacon (DBRA) requirements will be strictly enforced. Federal Labor Standards provisions HUD-4010 will be incorporated into the successful bidder’s contract and is attached hereto as Attachment A. Contractors, including all subcontractors and apprentices, must be eligible to participate. Federal Wage Determination #CA170023 dated 10/13/2017 is incorporated herein and is attached hereto as Appendix C. However, actual prevailing wage rates will be determined as of the bid opening date. If any modifications have been issued to the wage decision, the contractor must adhere to the modified wage decision.

Additional CDBG requirements are described in Appendix C: Attachments C-U. 11. Instructions to Bidders. All bidders should carefully review the Instructions to Bidders before submitting a Bid Proposal.

By: ___________________________________ Date: ________________ General Services Manager Publication Dates: 1) December 13, 2017 2) December 20, 2017 END OF NOTICE INVITING BIDS

38 MONTECITO JOURNAL

• The Voice of the Village •

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Tree Hugger Sporting Goods, 107 Nopalitos Way #4604, Santa Barbara, CA 93140. Michael Carey, 107 Nopalitos Way #4604, Santa Barbara, CA 93140. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 7, 2017.

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) by Connie Tran. FBN No. 2017-0003327.

Published November December 13, 20, 27, 2017; January 3, 2018 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Santa Barbara Professional Services; Trisoma, 351 Stansbury Drive, Orcutt, CA 93455.

Paul Svacina, 351 Stansbury Drive, Orcutt, CA 93455. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on October 30, 2017.

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)

by Connie Tran. FBN No. 20170002991. Published November 22, 29, December 6, 13, 2017.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE: CASE No. 37-2017-000 4 43 02-P R-LACTL. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Carmen Mauskopf, aka Maria Del Carmen Garcia Mauskopf. A Petition for probate has been filed by Miriam Mauskopf in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. The petition for Probate requests that Miriam Mauskopf be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consent to the proposed action.)

The Independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

January 2, 2018, at 11 am in Department 504 at 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner: Rebecca Briskin – Goodwin Brown Gross & Lovelace, LLP, 4350 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92122, Telephone: (858) 750-3580, Published December 6, 13, 20, 2017.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 17CV05038. To all interested parties: Petitioners Tracy Jo Brewer and Joseph Dispenza filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name of child from Shinara Joseph Dispenza to Shen Dispenza Brewer. 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 November 13, 2017 by Terri Chavez, Deputy Clerk. Hearing date: December 20, 2017 at 9:30 am in Dept.

6, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published 11/22, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13

14 – 21 December 2017

ENTERTAINMENT (Continued from page 23)

“Our concept is that everybody exchanged customs,” Keller explained. “Since they were learning all about Spanish traditions, the sailors traded tales about their American culture, singing sea chanties on the ship and Christmas carols on shore.

They shared all their seasonal tradition. That gave us a chance to bring out all of the usual Revels touchstones.”

That includes the traditional Mummers play, singing of English carols, and other Christmas-time offerings included in all Winter Solstice Revels plays across the country.

The new show’s authenticity includes having famed former KEYTTV newscaster Paula Lopez, a seventh-generation Santa Barbara native, portraying Maria de la Guerra. “She’s actually related to Antonio Carrillo, who is also in the show,” Keller said.

This year’s special guests also include Baile de California, which specializes in the dances of the Rancho times, plus Ernestine DeSoto from the Barbareño Band of Chumash, who will share “The story of Rainbow Bridge”, about how her tribe crossed from the islands to the mainland.

And of course, as always, the first act ends with “Lord of the Dance”, in which the audience is invited to join the cast in dancing out to the theater’s promenade.

“We dance and sing until everyone is out of breath,” Keller said. “It’s exhilarating.”

Perhaps that’s when the company should sign her up for another 10 years.

Mysteries of Christmas

Quire of Voyces’s annual holiday concert features a cappella works by Spanish Renaissance master Thomas Luis de Victoria along with contemporary and modern pieces that are aimed to lift spirits at this special time of year – especially now in the wake of the Thomas Fire. Envisioned and founded in 1993 by artistic director Nathan Kreitzer, who still leads the ensemble, the Quire comprises professional volunteer singers from around the area who create the ensemble’s acclaimed “crystalline” sound. At its pair of concerts this weekend (Saturday night and Sunday afternoon) at St. Anthony’s Chapel on the campus of the Garden Street Academy, the Quire will perform Victoria’s Salve Regina for eight voices (in two choirs of four parts each) and his Missa Salve Regina, a compendium of Victoria’s polychoral works.

Also on the program is Of the Father’s Love Begotten, a new commissioned work by Steve Dombek, who sings baritone in the Quire and previously served as composer-in-residence at the Santa Barbara Choral 14 – 21 December 2017

Society, conductor, and chorusmaster of the Civic Light Opera, conductor of the SB Youth Symphony and the Ventura County Gold Coast Concert Chorus. Among other modern pieces are Sir Herbert Howells’s Three Carol-Anthems (comprising “Here Is The Little Door”, “A Spotless Rose”, and “Sing Lullaby”, from 1918-20), Alexander L’Estrange’s 2015 work “Song of the Angels”, 27-year-old Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen’s setting of “The Lamb” from Songs of Innocence by William Blake and three pieces by Quire favorite Daniel Brinsmead, the 29-year-old Australian native 2015, who contributes the quasi-minimalist work “Spiritus Sanctus” (on a poem

by St. Hildegard von Bingen), his new “King of Glory” (on a poem by George Herbert), and a fresh interpretation of the timeless holiday classic, “Silent Night” from 2014.

Strings and Things

More than 50 students ages 5 to 19 from area elementary, junior high, high schools, and home schools have been training every Saturday since early September to present Santa Barbara Strings’s ninth annual Winter Concert, a program of beautiful music written or arranged for strings. At 6 pm on Sunday, December 17, at Hahn Hall on the Music Academy of the West campus, three different string orchestras will perform a selection of baroque and classical works, as well as holiday favorites, ranging from traditional folk songs to works by Mozart, Holst, and Handel’s Concerto Grosso in F Major. All of the students will come together to share in playing a string arrangement of the perennial favorite “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.

Tickets are $10, free for kids 17 and under. More info online at www.sant abarbarastrings.org.

Cocktails for Recovery

Mica Rousseau, an award-winning mixologist who is the co-creator of Fifty Mils, Four Seasons Hotel Mexico’s bar and lounge, comes to Santa Barbara on Thursday evening, December 14, in a creative pop-up event in honor of the Biltmore Resort’s 90th birthday. Fifty Mils – whose name comes from the 50-millimeter size of a jigger, the classic bartender’s measuring glass – comes alive at the Biltmore’s Ty Lounge with exclusively created cocktails from Rousseau geared to pair perfectly with modern Mexican bites. Rousseau – who has led the signature cocktail experience at the Mexico City resort since 2013 and launched the hotel’s creative bar concept Fifty Mils – was born in France and left behind nuclear phys-

ics and electronics engineering studies to devote his time to mixology.

He began working in restaurants and bars at 16 and opened his own bar in Paris at the age of 22.

For Rousseau, mixology is as much about connection as it is the cocktails: “Every cocktail has a drop of your essence, and sharing the story behind a drink with a guest enhances the experience and makes it even more tasteful.” There will be plenty of stories to tell about cocktails created for this event on the edge of the Thomas Fire, while proceeds will benefit those who been affected by the conflagration. A donation center will also be accepting clothing for the victims during the 4 to 11 pm event. Call 9692261 or visit www.fourseasons.com/ santabarbara.

Dickens of a Time

Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura was forced to cancel the opening weekend of its holiday production of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol as the Thomas Fire raged right nearby.

While the theater itself was spared, the cancelation of the 20th anniversary season kickoff is a major blow to the company, costing approximately $50,000 in ticket sales, plus smoke damage to its interior. Once the show opens, perhaps this weekend, the theater plans to provide free tickets to first responders and the families of those who have been directly affected.

Call 667-2900 or visit www.rubicont heatre.org.

The fire also caused postponement of last weekend’s closing performances of the local Carpinteria production of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol at the newly renamed Alcazar Theatre (formerly Plaza Playhouse), The dates, directed by Åsa Olsson, have been rescheduled for this weekend, with shows at 7:30 pm on Friday and 3 pm Sunday. (No show on Saturday, as that’s when the Christmas film Elf screens, in addition to an Ugly Sweater Contest and Toy Drive for Unity Shoppe. Call 684-6380 or visit 222.thealcazar.org.

Parody Trumped by Thomas

Air quality concerns in Santa Barbara caused postponement of last Friday’s presentation of Trump, a oneman show starring Lauren Watson as the president in a one-on-one townhall setting at Center Stage, with time at the end for a Q&A session that should be something akin to what goes on in the White House briefing room. Tickets will be honored for the new date of Friday, December 15 – or contact the box office at 9630408 or www.centerstagetheater.org for refunds.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing aloud for all to hear. – Will Ferrell in Elf

Un-Healthy Air at Hillside House

Air quality concerns from the Thomas Fire prompted Hillside House to cancel its official outdoor opening of “Shining Light on Abilities” that was slated for last Saturday. However, the lights will continue to shine for those who would like to drive through the loop in front of facility on Veronica Springs Road next to Assistance League® of Santa Barbara after dark through Monday, December 25. The holiday lights display offers a spectacular array of decorations designed by Riccardo Morrison, the popular artistic director of the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade.

Also featured is an inflatable sculpture created by artist Pali X-Man that was part of the Solstice Parade repurposed into a giant snow globe.

Santa Barbara Trolley, The Land Shark, and Rock Star Trolley are all including the bright spot featuring the two nonprofits on their holiday light tours.

Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Edible Santa Barbara and the artisan producers in the magazine’s fall Issue Holiday Gift Guide, have a new date for the special pop-up shop at Carr Winery, originally slated for last Saturday: this Sunday, December 17 from 1 to 5 pm. a wide selection of culinary and artisanal gifts. Glasses of vino from Carr Winery and food from Scratch Kitchen and Chooket Fine French Pastry & Event accompanies the opportunity to shop a wide selection of culinary and artisanal gifts from such outfits as Santa Barbara Company, Pa-Per Made Washable Bags, Lark Ellen Farm, Inc., Rancho Olivos, The Grapeseed Company, Lavande Farm, and Black Bow Sweets. a portion of the proceeds benefiting Fairview Gardens Center for Urban Agriculture. Admission is free. Call 965-7985 or visit www.ediblesantabar bara.com/holiday-pop-shop.

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39

FITNESS FRONT

by Karen Robiscoe

A certified fitness trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Ms. Robiscoe trains clients privately. Email her at iscribe@cox.net, and follow her online at https://kardiowithkaren.com to keep up with the latest in health and exercise.

Energy Beverage? I’ll Drink to That

H

itting the gym. The track. The links, or the courts, we do it because we want to gain muscle, and lose fat, but what else do we lose when working out? Our energy stores are depleted, and our bodies excrete fluids through perspiration. We need to replace those fluids and refuel our muscles too. Lately, though, the range of sport beverages has exploded. So, which is the healthiest choice for you?

First, let’s look at the energy strenuous activity exacts from your body.

It’s tempting to get that extra oomph by taking a pre-workout supplement prior to exercising. While pre-workouts spiked with creatine, l-arginine, and beta alanine (which boost energy level, increase blood flow to the muscles, and reduce lactic acid, respectively) definitely increase performance, the stimulants that many of these pre-workouts also contain cancel out the benefits.

“I’m not keen on them due to the yo-yo effect on overall energy level.

Hype supplements are fine for shortterm bursts of energy, and may temporarily improve performance, but everything has a price,” said Mark Ashtiani, an orthopedic medical pro-

vider, and former competitor in several bodybuilding competitions, including NPC’s renowned Excalibur. “I rely on several small, healthy meals per day, adequate hydration with filtered water, and at least seven hours of sleep to maintain a steady energy level. The quick fix is usually the road to avoid.”

With doses of caffeine often triple that of a cup of coffee – an ergogenic that enhances output if consumed 20 minutes prior to workout – and unregulated herbal stimulants such as taurine, koala nut, guarana, and dimethylamylamine (DMAA for short) added to many of these pre-workouts, you’re asking for trouble. Putting extra stress on an already hard-working heart by elevating blood pressure and giving you the jitters, nausea, headaches, heart palpations… or worse.

What’s more, the carbohydrates found in many of these products are heavy on sugars, both sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, leading to metabolic syndrome by spiking the amount of insulin you produce.

Next, let’s look at what sweat is.

Although human sweat varies in composition, it generally contains trace amounts of minerals, lactic

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acid, and urea – a bi-product of protein breakdown. When you perspire, important electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and chloride are lost, and since these electrolytes transmit electrical impulses between cells to help cells communicate with one another, they need to be replaced, too – which brings us to another category of sports drinks: electrolyte-enhanced beverages.

Gatorade once dominated this niche market, but its high sugar and sodium content are counter-intuitive, and can be harmful if you don’t sweat out the salt. A 12-ounce serving of Gatorade contains 21g of sugar, and 160 mg of sodium, but the average bottle size is 32 ounces, flooding drinkers with 54 grams of sugar, and 425 mg of sodium if they drink it all (and many do).

Although a pound of sweat reduces sodium levels in the body by 500mg, it’s easy to overestimate the amount of perspiration expended, and you must factor in the sodium content in the foods you eat as well. The ideal limit to sodium is just 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day.

There’s no question muscles need protein to repair and rebuild after a hard workout. Optimally consumed within an hour after hitting the showers, ingesting about 20 mg of protein is best and can be consumed in a variety of ways – or should I say wheys.

Protein drinks such as Bone Broth and whey powder have grown in popularity, and they, more than others, live up to the hype. Bone Broth is high in minerals including calcium, magnesium, and potassium, supplying the electrolytes working out depletes, and a good chunk of protein too.

Biltmore security officer Ryan Gosselin prefers Isopure, a low-carb protein powder to meet his post workout needs. “It gives me extra protein for rebuilding muscles. I go to the gym about five times a week and play basketball, and I definitely notice my energy is better when I drink the supplement.” An impressive 6’8” and 250 pounds, his words carry weight.

Maybe not as much as the 225 pounds he favors for bench, flies, and curls, but even so.

Whey powder is a good choice – an easily absorbed milk protein that contains all the essential amino acids (EAAs) you need but can’t produce.

Of those nine EAAs, the branched amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine are relevant here. These amino

• The Voice of the Village •

acids encourage protein synthesis that heals the microscopic tears a heavy workout produces. Available in unsweetened, unflavored forms, with some containing small amounts of the electrolytes lost in sweat, it can be added to your post-workout beverage of choice.

“I don’t go for the pre-workout, high-stimulant stuff. I don’t put my money into it. I drink a little coffee now and then, and that’s all,” yoga instructor Mike Lewis told me.

“About an hour or two hour before I teach a class, I’ll eat a half a banana, or have a protein shake I make with whey powder, but the first thing in my belly in the morning is a tall drink of water.”

Water is my personal go-to before, during, and after. One that the American Council of Exercise advocates too. According to the council, it’s best to hydrate with 20 ounces of water two to three hours before exercising, and an additional 8 ounces a half hour prior to your workout. Replace the water you sweat out every 20 minutes with 8 to 10 ounces during your activity, followed up with another 8 ounces within 30 minutes of cessation. It might seem like a lot of water, but as you can excrete up to 2 pounds of sweat per hour during vigorous activity, it’s all about perspective.

Rene Lomeli, a native Santa Barbaran, is like-minded: “In my job as a valet, I do a lot of running, and I usually drink a big bottle of Dasani water per shift – sometimes two.”

Indicating the 1.5-liter bottle of Dasani water on hand, the hiker, cyclist, and gym devotee said he just refills it with filtered water from his tap, a practice espoused by retired special-ed teacher K. Brendi Poppel. “I’ve never even tried any sports beverages — pre-workouts, protein supplements, or aides. Even last week when they were offering it for free at the store, I skipped it. I drink filtered water.”

There’s your pie-slice consensus.

Plenty of water, a nutritious diet, and an occasional protein drink are the best and purest strategy for keeping your body fit.

•MJ 14 – 21 December 2017

VILLAGE BEAT (Continued from page 13)

Multiple engines line Toro Canyon to help fight the Thomas Fire, which as of press time had burned one home there

Montecito firefighters are currently working round the clock to fight the Thomas Fire

their lives through the smoke and ash,” Chief Hickman said. “It really is vital for people to leave when they are ordered to. Let us do our job.”

Cooperating agencies include Cal Fire, Los Padres National Forest Service, Santa Barbara County Fire, Summerland/Carpinteria Fire, Ventura Fire, CHP, Santa Barbara County Sheriff, and many others.

MERRAG (Montecito Emergency Response and Recovery Action Group), Montecito Fire’s volunteer organization, has been staged in

the upper village and at Montecito Union School, giving out masks and information. “It really is allhands-on-deck, and we have every resource at our fingertips,” Chief Hickman said.

With no residents driving through town, it’s also easier for officials to spot those who have no business being in our neighborhoods; so far, two looters have been arrested after attempting to steal from Montecito homes. “I know one was evacuated directly to jail,” Chief Hickman said; Flames crest a ridge of Romero Canyon threatening a home on Bella Vista Drive on Tuesday, December 12

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14 – 21 December 2017

Flames smolder along both sides of Toro Canyon on Tuesday morning, December 12

the other was caught stealing a bicycle from someone’s garage.

Areas south of Highway 192 are under voluntary evacuation orders, meaning residents should be prepared if the area is upgraded to mandatory. A communication snafu on Sunday evening mistakenly ordered the area north of Highway 101, south of Highway 192, east of Olive Mill, and West of San Ysidro to evacuate; that order was quickly recalled two hours later. “Because there are multiple agencies and multiple people involved when an emergency notification goes out, these errors unfortunately happen. We corrected it quickly. This is a dynamic situation with a lot of people involved; we want to be perfect, but we are human,” he said.

That incident, along with an earlier

WEA (wireless emergency alert) with instructions to evacuate immediately that was mistakenly sent countywide, will no doubt be discussed when the Thomas Fire is over.

As of press time, one home on upper Toro Canyon had burned, along with two homes in Gobernador Canyon.

Ghost Town The upper village was all but shut down beginning Sunday evening, December 10, when the evacuation orders were released. Coast Village Road was not much better, with few businesses staying open; at best, business hours are abbreviated as of Wednesday morning. Lucky’s, the Honor Bar, and other eateries opened

VILLAGE BEAT Page 454

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41

C ALENDAR OF Note to readers: This entertainment calendar is a subjective sampling of arts and other events taking place in the Santa Barbara area for the next week. It is by no means comprehensive. Be sure to read feature stories in each issue that complement the calendar. In order to be considered for inclusion in this calendar, information must be submitted no later than noon on the Wednesday eight days prior to publication date. Please send all news releases and digital artwork to slibowitz@yahoo.com)

ENDING THIS WEEK Merry Momentum – Betsy Woyach celebrates her fourth season of dance education in Santa Barbara, as her Momentum Dance Company (MDC) presents their annual company concert, which ends its two-day run at Center Stage on Thursday. In observance of the season, the show carries the title “Let Your Light Shine”, referring to both the performers and hopefully inspiring the audience to stomp their feet and clap along to the performances. MDC’s Competitive Company, ranging in age from 7 to 18, spread the message with a total of 23 numbers choreographed by Woyach as well as other industry creators. The dancers will perform solos, duets, trios, and in small and large ensembles in styles covering hip hop, tap, and contemporary.

WHEN: 7 pm December 14 WHERE: Center Stage Theater, upstairs in the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center, at the intersection of Chapala and De la Guerra Streets COST: $20 general, $30 VIP INFO: 963-0408 or www. centerstagetheater.org THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 Film Series Ends – Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante’s Unrest, Distance, and the Future: Ixcanul represents the final film in the series that was organized by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and curated

by UCSB professor of Film and Media Studies Cristina Venegas in correlation to three of the Santa Barbara-based Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA exhibitions. The series delves into relationships between cinema and truth, individuals and their environment, and the place of stories as engaged social practice.

In keeping with that theme, Ixcanul mesmerizingly fuses fact and fable in a dreamlike depiction of the daily lives of Kaqchikel-speaking Mayans on a coffee plantation at the base of an active volcano. WHEN: 5:30 pm WHERE: Mary Craig Auditorum at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State Street (entrance in the rear) COST: free INFO: 963-4364 or www. sbma.net FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 Sweatin’ Soul – Soul Majestic traded one college town for another when they moved from Santa Cruz, where the soul-inflected reggae band formed in 2001, to Santa Barbara.

Over the course of several albums, they’ve continued to refine their sound with influences of rock, R&B, folk and more, while still maintaining a firm commitment to reggae authenticity, which preaches unity as a message.

That’s appropriate, because Soul Majestic is headlining the soundtrack for tonight’s 11th Annual Holiday Sweater Party (or Ugly Sweater Party, depending on which part of

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 Back in Black – Singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor Clint Black was born and raised in a life of music in Long Branch, New Jersey – Bruce Springsteen’s old stomping grounds – turned to country music to make his mark. Beginning his professional career in the late 1980s, when his first album, Killing Time, became both a critical and commercial success, with five of its singles reaching No. 1 on the country music charts. Plying the traditional country genre with a smooth baritone voice that was initially compared to Merle Haggard, Black released 10 more studio albums over the next 16 years, topping the charts with such songs as “Loving Blind”, “A Better Man”, “Like the Rain”, and “When I Said I Do” and selling more than 20 million records along the way. But then he took a 10-year break before coming up with his next album of self-produced songs, 2015’s On Purpose. Now, he’s returning to the Chumash Casino Resort just 10 days before Christmas, and considering he’s recorded two different full-length holiday albums among his 12 disc catalog, it’s likely we’ll hear some country Christmas crooning at the casino. WHEN: 8 pm WHERE: 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez COST: $45 to $65 INFO: (800) CHUMASH (248-6274) or www.chumashcasino.com

42 MONTECITO JOURNAL

EVENTS

by Steven Libowitz

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 Boys to Men – While the nation’s political eyes were focused on the Roy Moore election earlier this week, Alabama is still in the news, at least around these parts, as the Blind Boys of Alabama return to town for a date at UCSB Campbell Hall. There are so many story lines for tonight’s concert, it’s hard to know where to begin. The band’s newest album, Almost Home, released earlier this year, is truly a career-capping effort, as it began as an intention to capture the group’s eight-decades-long history and experiences through song. The album was born through video recordings of wide-ranging interviews conducted with the group’s two remaining original founding members, Jimmy Carter and Clarence Fountain, both of whom are now in their 80s. The interviews dug into the pair’s memories of their improbable route to success, tracing from when they first sang together as kids at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 1930s, touring during a time of whites-only bathrooms, restaurants, and hotels. The interviews were then distilled down to 30-minute clips and shared with a variety of songwriters who channeled Carter and Fountain’s words and reminiscences into songs. Among them is Ruthie Foster, the Austin-based singer-songwriter who has been nominated for Best Blues album Grammies three times who will be appearing as a special guest opening tonight’s Blind Boys show, while the Preservation Hall Legacy Horns from the famous New Orleans organization will accompany the singers and their band. Meanwhile, the Blind Boys song “Let My Mother Live” from Almost Home – the album was recorded with four different Grammy-winning producers in four different cities – has just been nominated for a Grammy Award itself for Best American Roots Performance, their 10th nom and potential sixth award. The gospel titans will also perform hidden gospel gems from their long career, along with holiday standards and original songs from their acclaimed 2014 holiday album Talkin’ Christmas! WHEN: 8 pm WHERE: Campbell Hall, UCSB campus COST: $35-$50 INFO: 893-3535 www.

ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

the website you believe) at SOhO, a benefit for Santa Barbara’s Unity Shoppe, with Green Flag Summer also on the bill. Expect guest appearances and lots of good cheer – just what we need in the wake of the Thomas Fire. WHEN: 8 pm WHERE: SOhO, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $20 INFO: 9627776 or www.sohosb.com

Gustafson Dance joined by Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra and the Morro Bay High School Chorus in performing the holiday favorite.

WHEN: 2 & 7:30 pm today, 2 pm tomorrow WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street COST: $36 to $56, students $24 (patron loge or box seating $104) INFO: 899-2222 or www.granadasb.org

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

Going “Nuts” on State Street – Santa Barbara’s professional ballet company, State Street Ballet, stages its production of the classic Nutcracker every December, most recently at the Granada Theatre. But this will be the first year without the presence of its leading lady, Leila Drake, who retired as a performer earlier in the year after the smashing success of the company latest collaboration with the Santa Barbara Symphony. But State Street still has plenty of attractions for its version of the fantastical tale of Clara at Christmas, including opulent sets, a gigantic Christmas tree, and beautiful costumes and staging that capture the Slavic history of the ballet, all augmenting the professional dancers and students of

Holly from Hollywood to Holland – Venice – the quartet comprised of two sets of brothers who are cousins to each other and all related to the famous ‘50s singing act the Lennon Sisters – is named after the beachside city that’s only short drive from Tinseltown. But the group, which can range from an acoustic foursome to a fearsome, electric seven-piece rock band, has found an even bigger home for their infectious melodies, high-energy grooves, and brotherly harmonies across the pond in Holland.

Venice won an Edison Award (the Dutch version of the Grammy) for Best International Artist, beating out superstars U2 and Coldplay, back in 2003, and their tours sell out consistently. Back stateside, though,

• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18 Setzer’s Seasonal Show – Long before he struck up his big band, guitarist-singer-songwriter Brian Setzer had already enjoyed a great deal of success with his first band, the Stray Cats, the Long Island-born rockabilly trio he formed with double bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom, which enjoyed a really respectable run from 1979 through the early 1990s after initially relocated to England. No such forays have been necessary ever since Setzer tackled another distinctly American genre when he founded his 19-piece orchestra, whose rockin’ big-band horn arrangements provided another superb setting for his trademark guitar work and vocal stylings. Setzer has had some unusual honors along the way, including being one of the few musicians to be animated in an episode of The Simpsons and being asked to donate a replica of his original 1959 Gretsch 6120 “Stray Cat” guitar, joining Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet and John Coltrane’s saxophone in the collection. Now, the three-time Grammy-Award winner’s Christmas shows have become almost as iconic, and by far his most popular effort yet, as Setzer and the band whip up a huge dose of retro holiday cheer with their Christmas Rocks!

Tour, that features music from all of their four best-selling holiday albums, including the latest, Rockin’ Rudolph, plus original Stray Cats and Setzer hits. WHEN: 8 pm WHERE: Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street COST: $34 to $94 INFO: 899-2222 or www.granadasb.org

we still get to see them at SOhO usually a couple of times a year, including their annual holiday concert when a few Christmas carols and the like slip into their set of original songs and pop covers. But get there early – it’s a popular show. WHEN: 8:30 pm WHERE: SOhO, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court COST: $25 INFO: 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Inspire’s Double Dose of Dance – Inspire Dance Santa Barbara – the studio located in El Mercado on Upper State Street – does a Two-for-Tuesday choice for dance lovers today. The performing groups aged 5-14 years do a mini-Nutcracker piece called Clara in the Land of Sweets, which

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features swirling dancers and silly mice along with favorite characters from the famed ballet in a 50-minute performance. The age range is wider (3-18+) for the School of Performing Arts and Technique’s third annual holiday showcase called Colors of the Season, which takes place between the two performances of Clara and offers snippets and showcases of tap, lyrical, and ballet, along with excerpts from Clara in the Land of Sweets.

WHEN: Clara 2 & 7 pm; Colors 5:30 pm WHERE: Center Stage Theater, upstairs in the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center, at the intersection of Chapala and De la Guerra streets COST: Clara: $18 general, $12 seniors and children (12 and under); Colors: $10 INFO: 963-0408 or www.centerstagetheater. org •MJ

MON DEC 18 8PM SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

FRI JAN 12 7PM Colleen’s Character – Colleen Ballinger never expected the kind of massive success that she was more or less trying to parody when she came up with her character Miranda Sings, who is a personality that is actually pretty much the polar opposite. Miranda was created in 2008 as a parody of the young, self-absorbed singers with far more confidence (and vibrato) than talent, the kind Ballinger noticed were uploading videos to YouTube with alarming frequently. But then, Miranda – known for her overdrawn red lips, questionable advice about singing and life, a deluded self-confidence, and over-the-top rants about her family and personal problems – suddenly became mainstream when Colleen received a personal call from Jerry Seinfeld to appear on his series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and subsequently The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Miranda has amassed more 20 million followers across social media and passed 2 billion views on YouTube.

Meanwhile, Ballinger is also the co-author of The New York Times No. 1 bestselling book Selp Helf and regularly appears on Live with Kelly & Ryan, and has served as a guest co-host on The View as herself. We’ll get to see a little of both Ballinger and Miranda at the Lobero tonight. WHEN: 8 pm WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. COST: $42.25 ($82.75 includes priority seating and pre-show meet & greet reception) INFO: 963-0761 or www.lobero.com

14 – 21 December 2017

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• The Voice of the Village •

14 – 21 December 2017

VILLAGE BEAT (Continued from page 41)

Information: Fri.- Tue. Dec. 15 - 19

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DARKEST HOUR

FAIRVIEW

225 N. Fairview Ave. 2D Fri: 10:20 11:15 12:50 2D Sun: 9:45 10:35 11:25 1:15 1:40 4:15 7:40 8:30 11:00  FERDINAND (PG) (2D) 2:05 2:55 4:45 5:35 6:25 2D Sat: 10:20 11:15 12:50 Fri-Tue: 8:15 9:05 9:55 10:45 1:40 4:15 5:00 7:40 10:45 1:20 4:00 6:30 9:00 2D Mon/Tue: 10:35 11:25 1:15 8:30 11:00 Walt Disney / PIXAR 2:05 2:55 4:45 5:35 6:25 2D Sun: 10:20 11:15 12:50 8:15 9:05 9:55 COCO (PG) (2D) 1:40 4:15 5:00 7:40 Fri-Tue: 8:30 9:15 THE DISASTER 11:30 1:40 4:10 6:50 9:20 2D Mon/Tue: ARTIST (R) Fri & Sun-Tue: 12:50 1:40 4:15 5:00 LADY BIRD (R) 7:40 8:30 9:15 11:45 2:10 4:35 7:00 9:25 Fri-Tue: Sat: 2:10 4:35 7:00 9:25 11:20 2:00 4:25 6:45 9:10

WONDER

(PG)

Fri-Tue: 10:50 1:30 4:10 6:50 9:30

Starts Wednesday



THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) Starts Thursday

Ash covers the umbrellas on the patio of the Honor Bar on Coast Village Road

Four Seasons closes for business during the Thomas Fire; the resort donated platters of food to Montecito Fire District headquarters earlier in the week

14 – 21 December 2017

Coast Village Road turns into Ghost Village Road as businesses close and ash covers the street

their doors for customers early in the week, despite a drastic drop in customer numbers. Even the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore closed their restaurants and ceased taking more room reservations. Montecito Inn also had many cancellations but remained open as of press time.

Despite hardly any cars along the road, the City of Santa Barbara’s parking enforcement attendants were still operating, issuing parking tickets to those parked along the road for longer than 75 minutes.

All Montecito schools remain closed until early January, due to hazardous air quality for several consecutive days. Ash covers the ground throughout Montecito, Santa Barbara, and beyond, and public

THE DISASTER ARTIST (R)

Fri-Sun: 11:30 2:00 4:30 7:00 9:30 Mon/Tue: 2:00 4:30 7:00 9:30

Starts Thursday

Starts Wednesday

JUMANJI:



(PG-13)

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Starts Thursday

 FATHER

FIGURES (R)

Starts Christmas Day

MOLLY’S GAME (R) FIGURES (R)  ALL THE MONEY IN  PITCH PERFECT 3  PITCH PERFECT 3 THE WORLD (R) (PG-13) (PG-13)



DOWNSIZING

(R)

 FATHER

health officials have distributed more than 200,000 N95 masks throughout the county. Doctor Charity Dean, the County’s public heath official, continues to stress the importance of limiting exposure to the poor air.

“The most important thing you can do is to limit exposure by staying indoors or leaving the area, even if for a few hours a day,” she said Monday evening at the town hall meeting. If you must go outside, the N95 mask can help filter out the dangerous particulate matter in the air. It is also advised that any fallen ash is not cleaned up until the air quality improves; cleaning it up can create further issues. For more on air quality, visit www.ourair.org.



Staying Informed Local ABC affiliate KEYT began live non-stop programming when the fire pushed into Carpinteria early Sunday morning, December 10. With reporters on the fire lines, KEYT is an excellent television and online resource for up-to-date news and for live coverage of the town hall meetings. Both www.countyofsb.org and www.fire. ca.gov have updated fire and evacuation maps; information can also be accessed at MFPD’s website, www. montecitofire.com.

As always, signing up for emergency alerts at www.awareandprepare. org is critical in order to receive timely alerts via various avenues (phone, text, and email).

•MJ MONTECITO JOURNAL

45

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860 ITEMS FOR SALE

Old Comic Books?

I pay good money for old comic books & comic book art.

Call Sonny today for a cash offer: (805) 845-7550 TRESOR

SPECIAL/PERSONAL SERVICES

As YOUR PERSONAL ASSISTANT, I’ll write your checks, pay your bills, filing, correspondence, scheduling, organize everything, reservations, errands. Confidential with excellent references. 636-3089 The Holidays are coming!

The ultimate gift, a commissioned portrait from the celebrity artist Robert Byrne.

805 886-9321 www.robertbyrne.com/portraits

We Buy, Sell and Broker Important Estate Jewelry. Located in the upper village of Montecito. Graduate Gemologists with 30 years of experience. We do free evaluations and private consultation.

1470 East Valley Rd suite V. 969-0888 COMPUTER/VIDEO SERVICES

VIDEOS TO DVD TRANSFERS Hurry, before your tapes fade away.

Now doing records & cassettes to CD. Only $10 each 969-6500 Scott CAREGIVER SERVICES

Responsible & Experienced Caregiver-Excellent Refs.

I am 46yrs old and have many years handling Dementia, the very sick and handicapped. Laura 805 453-8972.

Caregiver/companion available now, live-in or out. 15 yrs experience.

Excellent local references. Call Marge 805 450-8266.

Professional Caregiver. 20 yrs exp.

Local references. Reasonable rate.

Letti: 805 636-8874 Over 25 Years in Montecito

Over 25 Years in Montecito

MONTECITO MONTECITO ELECTRIC ELECTRIC

EXCELLENT R EFERENCES EXCELLENT REFERENCES • Repair Wiring • Repair Wiring • Remodel Wiring • Remodel Wiring • New Wiring • New Wiring • Landscape Lighting • Landscape Lighting • Interior Lighting • Interior Lighting

(805)969-1575 969-1575 (805)

STATE LICENSE No. 485353 STATE LICENSE No. 485353 MAXWELLL. HAILSTONE MAXWELL L. HAILSTONE 1482 East Valley Road, Suit 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 147147 Montecito, California 93108 Montecito, California 93108 www.montecitoelectric.com

46 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Marketing and Publicity for your business, nonprofit, or event.

Integrating traditional and social media and specializing in PSAs, podcasts, videos, blogs, articles and press releases. Contact Patti Teel seniorityrules@gmail.com Estate/Household Manager Available Jan 2018. Highly experienced property manager. All aspects of vendor oversight, administration, staffing, events, assistance. Exc. References.

Beth (415) 497- 7387 or nelsonart@ymail.com Highly qualified Personal Assistant who specializes in organizing home and office spaces, executing projects, performing daily tasks and errands, and caring for pets.

Writing Specialist and Skilled Editor who assists with writing college application essays, resumes, researchintensive papers, and letters. Resume and excellent local references upon request. Jaclyn’s Cell: (330) 881-3880 STONE AND SCULPTURE WORK

SCULPTURE RESTORATION & RESURFACING Get ready for the holidays and rainy

$8 minimum

LONG/SHORT TERM RENTALS

season!

Protect your Valuable Sculpture in Stone, Bronze or Other material.

Indoor and Outdoor Refinishing Museum Quality Restoration.

JOANNE DUBY - FRANCINE KIRSCH 805 794 6618 805 636 7522 joanne@joanneduby.com 30 years of experience References available

Summerland Storage 3 units available 2 – 10x20 units $360/mo.

1 – 10x15 w/loft unit $295/mo.

By appointment only Contact Steve – 805-969-4300 REAL ESTATE SERVICES

HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES

Wellness Recovery Have you or a loved one been challenged by health or aging issues? House calls to regain one’s best self. Certified in effective exercise for Parkinson’s.

Josette Fast, PT. 37 years experience UCLA trained.

805-722-8035 www.fitnisphysicaltherapy.com Montecito Body - IN HOME MASSAGE Bliss Out. Indulge. Unwind Born in SB. 10+yrs experience with private clientele and in luxury spas. Certified in: Oncology, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Swedish, Deep-Tissue, Maternity, Pre/Post Surgery Thomas Fire Rates Sierra Bingham, CMT 805.448.2202 www.montecitobody.com PHYSICAL TRAINING/THERAPY

Fit for Life Customized workouts and nutritional guidance for any lifestyle. Individual/ group sessions.

Specialized in CORRECTIVE EXERCISE – injury prevention and post surgery. House calls available.

Victoria Frost- CPT & CES 805-895-9227

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

It’s Simple. Charge is $2 per line, each line with 31 characters.

Minimum is $8 per week/issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue.

Email text to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860 and we will respond with a cost.

Deadline for inclusion is Monday before 2 pm.

We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex • The Voice of the Village •

REVERSE MORTGAGE SERVICES Reverse Mortgage Specialist Conventional & Jumbo 805.770.5515 No mortgage payments as long as you live in your home!

Gayle Nagy Executive Loan Advisor gnagy@rpm-mtg.com NMLS #251258 RPM Mortgage, Inc. 319 E. Carrillo St., Ste 100 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 LendUSA, LLC dba RPM Mortgage NMLS #1938 – Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the CA Residential Mortgage Lending Act. | C-294 | Equal Housing Opportunity ESTATE/MOVING SALE SERVICES

THE CLEARING HOUSE, LLC Recognized as the Area’s Leading Estate Liquidators – Castles to Cottages Experts in the Santa Barbara Market! Professional, Personalized Services for Moving, Downsizing, and Estate Sales .

Complimentary Consultation (805) 708 6113 email: theclearinghouseSB@cox.net website: theclearinghouseSB.com Estate Moving Sale ServiceEfficient-30yrs experience.

Elizabeth Langtree 733-1030 or 689-0461.

WOODWORKING/REPAIRS

Artisan Custom Woodworks.

Repairs on doors, windows, furniture, kitchen cabinets. Small jobs welcomed.

Ruben Silva 805-350 0857. Contractor Lc#820521.

Woodworking Remodel Specialist Kitchens / Cabinets / Furniture / Mouldings / Built-ins / Wainscoting / Beam Ceilings / Room additions & conversions / Commercial Tenant Improvements Small Jobs OK! Call Erich @ 805-252-1246 www.digmydesigns.com License # 822764 14 – 21 December 2017

LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY (805) 565-1860 Voted #1 Best Pest & Termite Co.

BUSINESS CARDS FOR VOL 20#48, Dec 10, ’14

TARA & TAYLOR TONER

Your trusted resource for locals only knowledge!

Kevin O’Connor, President

(805)451-4801

(805) 687-6644 ● www.OConnorPest.com

Hydrex Written Warranty Merrick Construction Residential ● Commercial ● Industrial ● Agricultural Bill Vaughan Shine Blow Dry BOTANICA WINTER FURNACE SPECIAL Musgrove(revised) LANDSCAPE Furnace Cleaning-Full Service Entire System $150 Valori Fussell(revised) Alexander Italia Lynch Construction Commercial & Residential Good Doggies PemberlyIn business since 1997,All your heating & 805.335.7009 alex@botanicaladscape.net air conditioning needs, 800-880-0004 Beautiful eyelash (change to Forever Beautiful Spa) Luis Esperanza Simon Hamilton PET FOOD Enroll Now

TheMontecitoGroup@gmail.com LISA A. DURANT ​ www.TheMontecitoGroupRealEstate.com Event Design, Planning & Production

Free Estimates ● Same Day Service, Monday-Saturday

CalBRE 01957054 | CalBRE 01962161

Free Limited Termite Inspections ● Eco Smart Products

Sophisticated, Stylish Gatherings & Celebrations of all Sizes (formerly with Martha Stewart in NYC, and Stanlee Gatti in SF) (telephone) 805.886.6227

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Made fresh monthly in small batches We deliver!

Get your trial sample TODAY!

Owned(email) by a lisadurant@me.com Subsidiary of NRT LLC (instagram) @lisaadurant

LISA A. DURANT

Event Design, Planning & Production Sophisticated, Stylish Gatherings & Celebrations of all Sizes (formerly with Martha Stewart in NYC, and Stanlee Gatti in SF)

(telephone) 805.886.6227 (email) lisadurant@me.com (instagram) @lisaadurant

Schulman Window Cleaning Offering great affordable prices this season for residential & commercial.

Offer customized cleaning program for storefront windows

ART CLASSES 695-8850 Portico Gallery

805-500-6728 www.petwantssantabarbara.com

Licensed/bonded/insured & ladder specialist.

Call or text 805 259-5255

1235 Coast Village Rd. • Convenient Parking

Housecleaning Available Call or Text 805 451-1291

Beg/Adv . Small Classes. Ages 8 -108

•

Acupuncture

RAIN CAPTURE RAIN CAPTURE FOR YOUR FOR YOUR GARDENS GARDENS

Ancient Medicine For Today’s Health Issues Soothing, Customized, Effective Treatment

THOMAS COLE CONSTRUCTION

Call 8059654232

Dr Kathleen Boisen, OMD, Lac, CH For a Complimentary Phone Consultation

LIC # 501504 BONDED INSURED

GENERALCA CONTRACTOR 805-637-4702

CA LIC # 501504 BONDED INSURED

THE BRAINSTEM BALANCING CENTER TM

Upper Cervical Care...Perfected

TM

“Are you worried about your aging loved one?

We can help!”

Dr. Joe Migliore D C

Master Practitioner & Founder

F.Morguelan@cox.net Ph. 805-708-0299 www.AgingLifeCareSantaBarbara.com

NerveGuy34@yahoo.com www.BrainstemBalancing.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE!

! OF 1 1 !

805 560-0630

Mission Pool Tables & Games ! OF 1 1 !

Tri-Counties Only Complete Game Center

Holiday Gifts for the Whole Family Sales • Service • Party Rentals (805) 569-1444

MONTECITO JOURNAL LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY CALL FOR RATES

26 W Mission Street in Santa Barbara

805.565.1860

14 – 21 December 2017

30 Years local Experience - 815 Alston Road, Montecito

Fred Morguelan, PH.D.

One Day Tree Service Fast, efficient, friendly Sr Veteran discount Call Greg (805) 585- 8578

THOMAS COLE CONSTRUCTION GENERAL CONTRACTOR 805-637-4702

30 Years local Experience - 815 Alston Road, Montecito

Aging Life Care Santa Barbara

HOME SERVICES

•

Mon – Fri 9am-5pm

DONATIONS NEEDED

Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2340 Lillie Avenue Summerland CA 93067 (805) 969-1944 Donate to the Parrot Pantry!

Sat 9:30am-4pm

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

The best of all gifts around my Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family. – Burton Hills

MONTECITO JOURNAL

47

LUCKY’S . . . for lunch • Smaller Plates and Starter Salads •

• Main Course Salads •

Iceberg Lettuce Wedge, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10. roquefort or thousand island dressing

Sliced Steak Salad, 6 oz., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27. arugula, radicchio, endive, sautéed onion

Arugula, Radicchio & Endive, reggiano, balsamic vinaigrette 12.

Seafood Louie, shrimp, crab, egg, romaine, tomato, . . . . . . . . . 29. cucumber, avocado

Caesar Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.

Farm Greens, balsamic vinaigrette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.

Cobb Salad, roquefort dressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.

Jimmy the Greek Salad, french feta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.

Giant Shrimp Cocktail (3 pcs) or Crabmeat Cocktail . . . . . . . 18.

Chopped Salad, arugula, radicchio, shrimp, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18. prosciutto, beans, onions

Grilled Artichoke, choice of sauce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.

Burrata, tomatoes, arugula, le sorrelle’s evoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.

Charred Rare Tuna Nicoise Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.

Old School Chinese Chicken Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.

French Onion Soup Gratinée . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.

Matzo Ball Soup or Today’s Soup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.

Chilled Poached Salmon Salad of the day, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.

Lucky Chili, cheddar, onions, warm corn bread . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.

Fried Calamari, two sauces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.

• Sandwiches • Fries, Farm Greens or Caesar

Lucky Burger, choice of cheese, soft bun or kaiser . . . . . . . . $20.

Range Free Vegetarian Burger, choice of cheese, . . . . . . . . . . 20. soft bun or kaiser (burger patty is vegan) Sliced Filet Mignon Open Faced Sandwich, 6 oz., . . . . . . . . . 27. mushroom sauce Reuben Sandwich, corned beef, kraut & gruyère on rye . . . . . 20.

Meatball Sub, mozzarella, basil, D’Angelo roll . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.

Pulled Pork Sandwich, Carolina bbq sauce, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19. topped with slaw, D’Angelo Roll Chili Dog, onions, cheddar & kraut - all on the side . . . . . . . . 14.

Maine Lobster Roll, warm buttered D’Angelo roll . . . . . . . . . 26.

NOW SERVING LUNCH MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

Lucky’s Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18. romaine, shrimp, bacon, green beans, avocado and roquefort

• Tacos and other Mains • Chicken, Swordfish or Steak Tacos, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22. beans, guacamole, salsa, tortillas Fried Chicken Breast, boneless & skinless, coleslaw and fries . 19.

Chicken Parmesan, San Marzano tomato sauce, . . . . . . . . . . .22. imported mozzarella, basil Salmon, blackened, grilled or steamed, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22. lemon-caper butter sauce, sautéed spinach Sautéed Tofu, Japanese vinaigrette, green onions, shiitakes . . 18.

Sliced Prime NY Steak Frites, 7 oz., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29. red wine shallot or peppercorn cream sauce Smoked Scottish Salmon, Toasted Bialy or Bagel, . . . . . . . . . 20. cream cheese & condiments

• Sides • Skinny Onion Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.

Lucky’s Home Fries or Fried Sweet Potatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.

Lucky’s Half & Half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.

Herbie’s Potato Skins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.

Sautéed Spinach or Sugar Snap Peas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.

Our Corkage Fee is $35 per 750ml bottle with a 2-bottle limit per table • 20% Gratuity added to parties of six or more