Road Warrior

Dear Montecito 24-31 December 2020 Vol 26 Issue 52

SERVING MONTECITO AND SUMMERLAND

Dr. Mizuho Morrison went to Montecito Union, she’s now on the front lines against COVID-19, p. 14

Arrivederci 2020...

(p.5)

Like a Good Neighbor Rosewood Miramar appears before Montecito Planning Commission on annual compliance, p. 12 Summerland Buzz Community activists united near our shores and capped an otherwise strange year, p. 18

ROAD WARRIOR

THIS IS FRED LUNA, THEY CALL HIM “THE MACHINE.” MEET THE MAN MANAGING THE WIDENING OF HIGHWAY 101 (STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 6)

Making Stories Matter An unexpected encounter with a Montecito neighbor on the way home from Unity Shoppe, p. 10

2

MONTECITO JOURNAL

24 – 31 December 2020

f i n e p ro p e rt i e s r e p r e s e n t e d b y

D aniel e ncell

• #6 Berkshire Hathaway Agent in the Nation • Wall Street Journal “Top 100” Agents Nationwide (out of over 1.3 million) • Graduate of UCLA School of Law and former attorney (with training in Real Estate law, contracts, estate planning, and tax law) • Dedicated and highly trained full-time support staff • An expert in the luxury home market

remember, it Costs no more to Work With the best (but it Can Cost you plenty if you don’t) Visit: www.DanEncell.com for market information & to search the entire MLS

Dan Encell “The Real Estate Guy” Phone: (805) 565-4896 Email: DanEncell@aol.com DRE #00976141

E ach Y Ear D an SpEnDS O vEr $250,000 I n M arkEtIng a nD a DvErtISIng! 1920’ s MONTECITO HEDGEROW EsTATE - 1530 MIMOsA LANE ExTENsIvELy REMODELED HIsTORIC spANIsH REvIvAL WITH A pOOL, pOOL pAvILION, TENNIs COuRT, GuEsT COTTAGE, AND GyM. sITuATED ON 1.9 fLAT ACREs Of pARk-LIkE GROuNDs, THIs 5 BED/5.5 BATH MONTEICTO EsTATE fEATuREs BEAuTIfuL vIEWs Of THE sANTA yNEz MOuNTAINs AND Is CONvENIENT TO MIRAMAR BEACH, fINE DINING AND sHOppING IN THE uppER AND LOWER vILLAGEs. $11,500,000

OCEANFRONT MIXED-USE OPPORTUNITY - 3749 SANTA CLAUS LANE ThIS MIXED-USE OFFERINg hOSTS TwO LUXURIOUS OFFICE SUITES, ULTRA-CLEAN wAREhOUSE SPACE, A bRIghT AND AIRY PILATES STUDIO, AND A bREAThTAkINg 2bED / 2 bATh RESIDENTIAL PENThOUSE. PANORAMIC OCEAN, ISLAND, AND COASTLINE vIEwS FROM ThIS STUNNINg hOME. FULL hvAC, gENEROUS PARkINg, AND EASY hIghwAY ACCESS. INCREDIbLE OwNER-USER OR INvESTOR OPPORTUNITY! $7,850,000

RIVEN ROCK MONTECITO ESTATE - 850 ROCKBRIDGE ROAD E N D O f A l O N G p R I VAT E D R I V E wAy , D I S C OV E R T h I S C h A R M I N G 3 B E D /2. 5 B AT h ( p l u S G u E S T C O T TAG E / O f f I C E ) M O N T E C I T O E S TAT E O N 1. 1 AC R E S I N T h E C OV E T E D R I V E N R O C K E N C l AV E . E u RO p E A N A RC h I T E C T u R E , S u R RO u N D E D B y M A j E S T I C OA K S A N D l Aw N S , C R E AT E A M AG I C A l , S y lVA N , S E T T I N G .

MONTECITO VIEW ESTATE - 2336 BELLA VISTA DRIVE F EATuRINg pANORAMIC OCEAN , ISLAND , AND CITy VIEWS , ON AppROxIMATELy 4.8 pRIVATE ACRES , ThIS 2 B ED / 2 B ATh M ONTECITO hOME hAS SO MuCh TO OFFER ! R OLL up yOuR SLEEVES AND uNLOCk ThE pOTENTIAL OF ThIS “ DIAMOND IN ThE ROugh .” $2,250,000

AT

ThE

$3,450,000

© 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. DRE# 00976141

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

3

•

•

805.560.7424 • www.kfrankstyle.com 1150 coast village road, montecito ca 93108

OPEN DAILY FOR IN STORE SHOPPING 10am-6pm

Luxe and designer gifts for men and women Concierge services, facetime and phone shopping + free local delivery and free shipping in the continental US Private shopping appointments available daily from 9-10am and 6-7pm, call 805-560-7424

•

•

805.560.7424 • www.kfrankstyle.com 1150 coast village road, montecito ca 93108

San Ysidro Pharmacy !After Christmas Sale!

50% off various items, up to 75% off Christmas items 805-969-2284 1498 East Valley Road

4

MONTECITO JOURNAL

Inside This Issue 5 Editor’s Letter Commit to doing at least the least. In 2021, let’s resolve to take care of one another.

6 On the Record Santa Barbara Salvation Army Toy Drive helps local families celebrate Christmas; a conversation with Fred Luna, director of project delivery and construction for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments; 101 construction holiday updates 8 Letters to the Editor A collection of communications from readers Robyn Geddes and Chuck Kaye 10 Montecito on the Move On the way home from Unity Shoppe, Sharon Byrne has an unexpected encounter with a Montecito neighbor Tide Chart 11 Brilliant Thoughts Like most of us, Ashleigh can’t help noticing the signs and notices people put up, even if they don’t apply to him 12 Village Beat Rosewood Miramar Resort required to file compliance report with Montecito Planning Commission; County planner Joe Dargel gives update on rebuilding following Thomas Fire and debris flow 14 Dear Montecito Dr. Mizuho Morrison grew up in Montecito and is now senior director of medical education at Hippo Education 18 Summerland Buzz Leslie A. Westbrook on community activism that capped a strange year – cleaning up oil pollution, beautifying Lookout Park, and honoring frontline workers 20 Montecito Miscellany Brooks Firestone publishes new book; engagement and real estate news; remembering author John le Carré; and more 22 Perspectives by Rinaldo S Brutoco Peace on Earth and Good Will to All: the rise of universal consciousness The Optimist Daily Your weekly dose of feel-good stories heads back to the environment and ways it pays to protect the planet 23 On Entertainment Ensemble Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol; Broadway-on-film Estella Scrooge; Holiday Memories at Center Stage Theater

Robert’s Big Questions Is it possible to discuss politics or religion without going at each other’s throats? Robert Bernstein answers with questions of his own.

26 On Science In the first part of a series on our solar system, Tom Farr explores the mercurial planet Mercury 27 Muller Mega Meta 2020 Puzzle 28 Nosh Town Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s holiday feast; the vino’s on Ca’Dario; carry-out extravaganza at Belmond El Encanto and Miramar 41 Your Westmont An alumna uses her local business to financially empower women; college athletics finds moments to shine 46 Classified Advertising Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads, in which sellers offer everything from summer rentals to estate sales 47 Local Business Directory Smart business owners place business cards here so readers know where to look when they need what those businesses offer

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” - Hal Borland

24 – 31 December 2020

Editor’s Letter

by Gwyn Lurie CEO and Executive Editor of the Montecito Journal Media Group

For 2021, Let’s at Least do the Least

I

t’s hard to believe that this decade (and by decade, I mean this past year) is finally coming to an end. However, for those of us fortunate enough to have made it through, it does seem we are about to see the backside of the most tumultuous, trying, and confusing year in memory. 2020, don’t let the door hit you in your rear on your way out. Wait, unless... perish the thought...

2020 refuses to recognize the transition to 2021 and we’re forced to show this lout of a year the way out.

It’s hard to believe it was only a year ago that we launched the new iteration of the Montecito Journal. In my dreams of how this “honeymoon period” would go, I factored in neither a pandemic nor the financial and human disaster it would cause. Like most, I did not foresee massive social upheaval, nor assumed and seemingly fundamental tenets of our democracy would themselves be on trial. I knew our country was divided, but the depths of these divisions were not fully understood by me. The confluence of these and other aggravating factors created a perfect storm that has tested our nation, our community, and each of us as individuals.

Every day there are reminders of how divided we are – politically, economically, socially. Who gets health care and who does not? Who believes this election was legitimate, who does not? Who will get the COVID vaccines first?

Who will choose not to get vaccinated at all? Who has access to Wi-Fi so their kids can learn remotely? Who has health insurance? Who will come out of this time with a job? With a business? With a home? Who can feed their family? Who lives? Who dies?

The fact is, many of us live in something of a bubble, insulated from much of what is affecting people day-in and day-out. I find myself wondering, are those things not happening here or are we just not conscious of them? While technology allows many of us to feel so connected, in many ways we are more isolated than ever – isolated in suffering, in death, in grieving. But just because we can’t hear the screams doesn’t mean people aren’t screaming. The fact is there is real struggle going on all around us, for many the struggle of simply living, and inaction by the rest of us is simply not acceptable. Not in the world I want to be a part of.

3,000 PROJECTS • 600 CLIENTS • 30 YEARS • ONE BUILDER

Building Peace of Mind.

BUILD WITH US | (805) 966 - 6401 | GIFFINANDCR ANE .COM LICENSE 611341

Therein lies the quandary. It is critical as we try to right the ship that is America that we not become collectively paralyzed into inaction, but rather everyone should do at least the least they can.

In our community we often feel good about how we come together during difficult times. But that begs the question: who is included in “our community”?

Is our community just the people who own homes/pay property taxes here? Or does it include the people who rent here? Work here? And where is “here”? Are the houseless part of our community? And, if so, how can we help to better the lives of all who consider Montecito and its environs, home? Because the beneficence and attitudes of our housed citizens will affect our houseless. Just as the attitudes of our houseless will affect those of us with viable shelter.

Last night my kids spoke to us emotionally about some of the kids at their schools that are houseless. I believe at Santa Barbara High there are approximately 14 such students matriculated. My daughters pointed out that at the end of the school day, when most kids are relieved because school is over, the worst part of their day begins. That our community can let that happen doesn’t make sense to my teenage daughters. And I hope it never does make sense to them that we have created plenty of places to park our cars but not to house all of our citizens.

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. Especially ones having to do with weight loss. But I believe there are some things we do need to lose and gain and so as this beast of a year comes to an end, I find myself with some quite lofty resolutions, involving more than just myself. They involve our country, but first and foremost our community because I deeply believe that important change,

24 – 31 December 2020

Editor’s Letter Page 424 • The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

5

On the Record

by Nicholas Schou

Nicholas Schou is an award-winning investigative journalist and author of several books, including Orange Sunshine and Kill the Messenger. If you have tips or stories about Montecito, please email him at newseditor@montecitojournal.net

Meet the Head Honcho for 101 Freeway Widening Project

A 2021-New Year,New Strategy?

ssuming that Montecito makes it through the next few years without any major wildfires, floods, mudslides, earthquakes, or tsunamis (okay, so that last potential natural disaster seems about as likely as a meteor strike), then the biggest story that will affect everyone in town for the foreseeable Time to revisit your plan and investments Thankfully, it is time to leave 2020 in the past. A true disruptor, last future is the 101 Freeway widenyear upended our lives in fundamental ways: health, jobs, educationing project.

With that in mind, the Montecito anThdam nko funlley,y.it is time to leave 2020 in the past. A true disruptor, last Journal has already begun proyear upended our lives in fundamental ways: health, jobs, education viding regular updates on ramp Praen-dCm OoVnID ey.decisions about your financial plan and portfolio need toclosures and other traffic-related issues. But to better underbe revisited and possibly revised. 2021 will also bring more change in VIDofdebcoisoiom nsinagboeum t yeoru io nceheadntgoes and stand the many complex layers thPeref-C orOm grinfignatnrceinaldpsl,anlikaenldy ptaoxrtfloalw of planning, preparation, and qubeesrteivoisnitsedovaenrd ipnotsesrieblsyt rreavtiseesd.. 2021 will also bring more change in oversight that go into this mamthe form of booming emerging trends, likely tax law changes and moth undertaking, the Journal is questions over interest rates.

Contact me to consult and review or create a financial plan along also committed to interviewing wCitohntaanct im nveetsotm orotrhcereactoema ifinnganyceiaalrsp.lan along as many of the key players in the coennsut ltstarnadterg evyiefw 101 Freeway Widening Project Head Honcho Fred Luna project as possible. with an investment strategy for the coming years.

For this, the inaugural installation of what will be a series of profiles of the *28 years local finance experience main characters involved in the project, we spoke with Fred Luna, director of *2C8SyBeaarlsulm ocn ali finance experience *U project delivery and construction for the Santa Barbara County Association *UCSB alumni of Governments. According to Marjie Kirn, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Luna, whose nickname is “The Machine,” boasts a combination of experience and leadership capabilities that makes him an ideal Highway 101 corridor manager. ® ® “With thirty years of public and private professional experience, Fred has C h r i s t o p h e r T .

G a l l o , C F P , ® ®CIMA Christopher T. Gallo, CFP , CIMA been effective at developing solutions to complex project management situaPW CPCW AA tions that involve coordination among multiple state, federal, and local govt e-aW alatnhagMeamneangt ement ViV ceicPerePsrideesnidt e-nW ltheM ernments while also balancing the needs of various construction teams and the PoPro tfrotlfioolM naa gn erager ioaM

On The Record Page 344 344 80850-5 73-7 0-3304-235425 chcrh isrtiospto heprh .t.egra.tll.og@ bs@ .cu om aullo bs.com

T2 im0e2t1 o -reNve isiw t yoYuer aprla,N ne anw d iS nvtersattmeegny ts?

Christopher Gallo

Ch UrBiSstFoinpahneciralGSaelrlvoices Inc. U2B2S2 FEianstaCnacriraillloSSetrreveitces Inc. 22Su2itEe a1s0t6Carrillo Street SuSaitneta1B0a6rbara, CA 93101-7146 80A0-92361 2-0417-774146 Sa8n0t5a-7B3a0-r3b4a2r5a, C 805-730-3425 800-262-4774

it's All About the Service

ubs.com/fa/christophertgallo

ubs.com/fa/christophertgallo

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage es p arreosveid painragtewaenadltdhistm ina ctn, adg iffeem r ie nnmt asteerrviailcw erSneFdinbayndciifafel rSee nrt vlaicwess aIn As saerfivircm esaytsoacnldieanrtesg, oUvB ndc. offers e tarard anvgiseomryenstes.rvIticiseismipnoirttsanctatphaact ictlyiea ntss aunndSeErsCta-rnedgtihsetew invseesptamraetn readys iinnvw eshticmhewnet caodnvdiusectr and brokerage s, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the serbpvuricosedinsuecisn y eaos fafenr. SFEoC -roergeisinteforremdabtiroonk, eprle-d nvtehsetPmDeFndtoacudm viesnotryatservices and brokerage ts iotrs scearvpicaecsitw rm aseearleevr.ieIw seruvibcse.csoamre/rseelaptaiorantsehiapnsudmdm isatirnyc. tC, edrtifififeedr iFninm anactiaelrPialalnw nearyBsoaanrddoaf rSetagnodvaerdrsnIendc. boywd nsiftfheerent laws and sepcaerrtaifitecaatirornanmgaerkms eCnFPts®.aInt disCiEmRpTIoFIrEtDanFtINtAhNaCt IcAlLiePnLtAsNuNnEdRe™risntathnedUt.hSe. Cw ys® iisnawrehgicishterw IMaA ede conduct buscienrteifissc,attih eaed greeaeltm scelrolysuIMreCsAt,hinatthwe eUnpirto onatmtahrekyocf athrefIu nvlleystrm ntsthaendaW h eInnstsituatn e,dfodrim edviSdteatteos oth f em about the idee. o ©fUfeBrS. 2F0o2r 0m . Aolrl erigin hftsorem seartvieodn. ,UpBlSeFaisneanrceivalieSw ervtih cees P InD c.Fisdaoscuubm sidein artyaotf proAdmuecrtiscaoarnsdew rvoicrledsww r FsIh NR Cm . Da-U ubU s.BcSoAmG/.rM eleamtbioen ipAs/SuIPm ryB.S-CE1eBrtDifiFBe2d9Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the

DANA ZERTUCHE 805.403.5520 ·

dana@danazertuche.com

CALRE#01465425

certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. CIMA® is a registered certificaMONTECITO tion mark of the IJOURNAL nvestments and Wealth Institute, fo“The rmecolor rly ofIM CA, inis tflowers; he Untheitecolor d Softawinter tes isoinf our imagination.” - Terri Guillemets springtime

6

LORI CL ARIDGE BOWLES 805.452.3884 ·

lori@loribowles.com

CALRE#01961570

www.MONTECITO.associates Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.

24 – 31 December 2020

1235 COAST VILLAGE ROAD I 805.969.0442 I NOW OPEN FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA 805.969.3167 I MONTECITO, CA 93108 W W W . S I LV E R H O R N . C O M

In light of Governor Newsom’s Regional Stay-Home-Order, please know, your health is our top priority and

Sansum Clinic remains open to care for you at this time.

Sansum Clinic Celebrates 100 years of Medical Excellence 1921-2021

Throughout our history, Sansum Clinic has not just cared about our patients, we care about healthcare.

Today, Sansum Clinic has more than 200 physicians in over 30 specialties, working collaboratively to help our patients live their healthiest life.

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

7

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 H, Montecito, CA. 93108. You can also FAX such mail to: (805) 969-6654, or E-mail to letters@montecitojournal.net

The Real Hoax

D

ear Mr. Hazard, I think deplorable is an apt title for your article regarding Trump, and your willingness to accept his ignorance by denying the existence of COVID “The Hoax.”

How many deaths and illnesses have occurred because of this denial?

How about his 20,000 lies certified by fact checkers over the years?

Trump’s policy endorsing the immigration department “ICE” ripping families apart and putting kids in cages, does this sound like America to you?

His direct aggression toward our government institutions whether it be the DOJ, the FBI, all intelligence agencies, all the major democratic institutions have been under attack by Trump.

Above all the total denial of the election results – to incite other politicians by demeaning elections when the courts in America, including the highest court in our country, has denied his allegations. Was this a real intent to overtake the election or was it another avenue of monetizing the presidency?

Sincerely, Chuck Kaye

Richard’s Journalism Jubilee

At Calcagno & Hamilton, we love our community and we love real estate.

Our mission is to help our neighbors with buying and selling their homes by offering our knowledge, experience, and expertise in an approachable and reliable manner.

From connecting you to others in the community to supporting you in selling or buying your next home, our core values of honesty, integrity, teamwork, and impeccable customer service drive everything we do.

Connect with us anytime via phone or email as we work from home during this time.

#1 in the Santa Barbara MLS for Transactions Top /1 2 Percent of BHHS Agents Worldwide

(805) 565-4000 Homesinsantabarbara.com @homesinsb DRE 01499736/01129919

A big congratulations to Richard Mineards on his milestone of journalism.

Montecito Miscellany has been a fast-paced and witty read since inception.

For good reason, Montecito Miscellany has been a featured column for many years. Richard takes us many places with a brief history of the who and the what without the gossip or the politics. Our community is a lively work in progress on many levels and Montecito Miscellany has always been there, for all of us.

Robyn Geddes •MJ

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

Executive Editor/CEO Gwyn Lurie • Publisher/COO Timothy Lennon Buckley Editor-At-Large Kelly Mahan Herrick, Ann Louise Bardach News and Feature Editor Nicholas Schou • Associate Editor Bob Hazard Copy Editor Lily Buckley Harbin • Arts and Entertainment Editor Steven Libowitz

Contributors Scott Craig, Julia Rodgers, Ashleigh Brilliant, Sigrid Toye, Zach Rosen, Kim Crail Gossip Richard Mineards • History Hattie Beresford • Humor Ernie Witham Our Town Joanne A. Calitri Society Lynda Millner • Travel Jerry Dunn • Sportsman Dr. John Burk • Trail Talk Lynn P. Kirst Account Managers Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Casey Champion Bookkeeping Diane Davidson, Christine Merrick • Proofreading Helen Buckley Design/Production Trent Watanabe Published by Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC 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: tim@montecitojournal.net

You can subscribe to the Journal!!

Please fill out this simple form and mail it to us with your payment

Over $1 Billion in Sales

My name is:____________________________________________________________________________ My address is:____________________________________________________________ ZIP__________ Enclosed is ____________ $150 for the next 50 issues of Montecito Journal to be delivered via First Class Mail

©2019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC.

8

MONTECITO JOURNAL

P.S. Start my subscription with issue dated: Please send your check or money order to: Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite D, Montecito, CA 93108

“Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude.” - William Shakespeare

24 – 31 December 2020

J y

Wishing You Comfort &

Hayward’s has the largest selection of fine outdoor furniture and accessories between Los Angeles and San Francisco—in stock for immediate white glove delivery.

7 PARKER WAY SANTA BARBARA

805-966-1390

|

haywards1890.com

Comprehensive Cancer Care. Close to Home.

ridleytreecc.org 540 W. Pueblo Street Ridley-Tree Cancer Center provides patients with every opportunity for a successful outcome. Access to advanced treatments and technol0gy, national clinical trials, and research-based supportive care and wellness programs, right here in Santa Barbara.

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

In partnership with

MONTECITO JOURNAL

9

Montecito on the Move

by Sharon Byrne, Executive Director, Montecito Association

A Great Montecito Neighbor is Making Stories Matter

Riding home to Montecito from the Unity Shoppe in style – a 1954 Cadillac El Dorado convertible festooned with pink flamingos (image courtesy of Dana Hansen)

Community godfather and Christmas Elf Dana Newquist organized the second Montecito-To-Unity toy and fundraising drive and caravan for delivery

L

ast Sunday, community godfather and Christmas Elf Dana Newquist organized the second Montecito-To-Unity toy and fundraising drive and caravan for delivery.

A great group met up at the Upper Village in classic cars, ready to donate toys and funds for the second week in a row. Dana asked me to get up on the 1937 Fire Engine, masked up of course, and ding the bell as we made the route from Montecito to the Unity Shoppe. This was a dream gig for me, of course, and I eagerly applied myself. About halfway there, Dana asked whether I could tone the bell-ringing down from deafening, and showed me how to work the floor siren – even cooler!

Once we dropped the goodies to Unity, it was time to return to Montecito, but I needed a lift back, as Dana had to go on to Goleta to stow the engine. A really nice lady in the coolest classic red convertible offered to run me back.

I eagerly got in the backseat, after noting that the license plate read “Tempsst.” I noticed the pink flamingoes tied on to the car. Anyone who brings a 1954 Cadillac El Dorado convertible festooned with pink flamingos has got to be fun, right? I felt certain I was riding with very good company here.

We stayed masked up as we made introductions and drove back.

My driver was Leslie Zemeckis, a Montecito neighbor of 19 years, accompanied by her lovely daughter

10 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Zsa Zsa. Leslie has a great project starting up in January, one that spoke to my heart, as I used to produce youth theater here locally. She’s partnering with the Santa Barbara Independent Film Festival’s Roger Durling to create something brilliant: Stories Matter – a program of professional female writers nurturing and supporting the next generation of storytellers through mentorship. Writing and producing is a tough business. When writers first start out, rejection is the norm.

Having a team of mentors could be a magic winning formula to launching that next generation of storytellers – a brilliant idea!

Leslie is particularly interested in mentoring young women aged 18-28.

She originally wanted to convene a three-day retreat session during the 2021 SBIFF, but COVID killed that idea. So she’s taking it to Zoom, as an eight-week online course event.

While the focus for this first Stories Matter session is local, she envisions it could well become national in scope.

For this first run, they’re recruiting six young women to start in January. The focus will be on biography and memoir as forms. Some of the completed works would be featured in ENTITY MAG, which has a readership of more than 1 million.

For Leslie, here’s why Stories Matter… matters: “Our goal is to advise, inspire, and help these young women find their voice, tell their story (or the story of someone around them), and show them their story matters. Mentees will be chosen on their ability and desire to learn how to tell a story, their commitment and a commitment to then give back to younger girls. The emphasis is on inspiration, empowerment of others, sharing and love of the written word.”

Leslie brings serious industry heft to this mission. She’s a best-selling author, writer, and award-winning documentarian. In 2021, Leslie will be awarded the Ellis Island Medal of

Honor, in part for “sharing and preserving stories of women who were once marginalized and stigmatized...” but due to her work “these women are now celebrated for their independence and personal agency.” The Medal is officially recognized by both Houses of Congress and is one of our nation’s most prestigious awards. Past recipients include Presidents Clinton and Reagan, Elie Wiesel, Sen. John McCain and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

So the moral of this story: 1. You never know who you’re going to meet at the Montecito-toUnity motorcade procession. Don’t miss it next year!

2. Someone who drives a classic red convertible named Tempsst and also loves pink flamingoes has simply got to have a very interesting story.

Definitely get in the car with them!

3. If our fabulous Editor-in-Chief Gwyn Lurie has her way, we’ll be reading some of the stories that come out of Stories Matter in these very pages!

If you are interested in participating or sponsoring the inaugural launch of Stories Matter, or know someone who would be, please contact storiesmatter101@gmail. com.

•MJ

Montecito Tide Guide Day

Low

Hgt High

Hgt Low

Hgt High

Hgt Low

Thurs, Dec 24

5:54 AM

4.9

12:53 PM

1

06:50 PM

3.2

Fri, Dec 25

6:23 AM

5.2

01:30 PM

0.5

07:42 PM

3.3

Sat, Dec 26

12:23 AM 2.1

6:51 AM

5.5

02:03 PM

0.1

08:25 PM

3.4

Sun, Dec 27

12:57 AM 2.2

7:19 AM

5.7

02:34 PM

-0.3

09:04 PM

3.5

Mon, Dec 28

1:30 AM 2.3

7:49 AM

5.9

03:07 PM

-0.6

09:41 PM

3.5

Tues, Dec 29

2:03 AM 2.4

8:21 AM

6

03:40 PM

-0.8

010:18 PM

3.6

Wed, Dec 30

2:37 AM 2.7

8:54 AM

6.1

04:15 PM

-0.9

010:56 PM

3.6

Thurs, Dec 31

3:13 AM 2.5

9:30 AM

6.1

04:52 PM

-0.8

011:36 PM

3.6

Fri, Jan 1

3:49 AM 2.6

10:07 AM 6

05:32 PM

-0.8

“There is no winter without snow, no spring without sunshine, and no happiness without companions.” - Korean Proverb

Hgt

011:47 PM 1.9

24 – 31 December 2020

Brilliant Thoughts

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 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

No Dumping

L

ike most of us, I can’t help noticing the signs and notices people put up, even if they don’t apply to me. One which inevitably catches my eye is on a white picket fence I pass every day, while walking to or from my office. It’s a probably storebought sign, and says simply, “No Dumping.” There are several odd things about this. First, I have never seen such a sign before, anywhere in town, where, except for our downtown commercial area, there are relatively few pedestrians – and certainly not outside an ordinary house on an ordinary street, Secondly, there does not appear to be any particular reason why anyone should choose that particular spot to do any large-scale, or even smallscale disposal of trash, which is what that word “dumping” usually refers to. Of course, sometimes the usage is metaphorical. In the 1949 movie Beyond the Forest, Bette Davis made memorable use of the term “What a dump!” to disparage the modest house she shared with her husband, a small-town doctor.

But thirdly, I must confess that the very existence of that sign appears, to my devilish mind, something of a challenge. Without the sign, I’d never have thought of dumping anything there. But, since picking up litter is one of the few ways in which I attempt to justify my existence, and since, I sometimes have difficulty finding anywhere to dispose of it, why not just toss it over that white picket fence?

Forgive me for having such an evil thought. I don’t know who lives in that house. They may have had good reason for putting up that sign. The pity of it is that those words, in themselves, no matter how prominently they’re displayed, have no legal force.

It’s like the much more common sign, “Beware of the Dog.” Dog owners think that it will protect them from liability. But the situation is actually much more complicated than that. In the U.S., laws vary from state to state – but in no state do those words alone have any legal validity. Nevertheless, they have a long history, going back at least as far as 79 A.D., the year when the Roman town of Pompeii was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. Among the artifacts buried in that disaster which have since been recovered, is a mosaic, evidently situated at the entrance to a villa, with a

24 – 31 December 2020

picture of a rather fierce-looking dog, and the Latin words: “Cave Canem” – an exact equivalent of “Beware of the dog.”

Another very common admonitory sign says, “No trespassing.” This always reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer, as I learned it in school, which says “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us” – although the now more common version says “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (commercially somewhat questionable, I would say, in an economy based on credit). Then there’s the irreverent version beloved of journalists: “Forgive us you our press passes.”

And people who don’t want to be bothered by the Fuller Brush Man or the Avon Lady, or all the other people who (especially in hard times) were wont to peddle door-to-door a variety of items, ranging from bath-soap to Bibles, are fond of signs warning, “No Solicitors.” There’s also the equally unfriendly sign, often found in public or commercial locales where people might otherwise like to gather: “No Loitering.”

The only member of this bunch of bans which has always been dear to my own heart is the “No Smoking” sign, which, by the grace of education and medicine, is now no longer so necessary – ironically being sometimes replaced by signs indicating the few restricted places where smoking is permitted.

But notices of what’s forbidden can of course be traced back to the Ten Commandments, eight of which can be classified as “Thou Shalt Nots.”

And, for those tempted to disobey, we have, in George Orwell’s dystopia, 1984, the omnipresent warning of: “Big Brother is Watching You.” All this makes me wonder why we don’t have more positive public messages. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a sign saying “Strangers Welcome” – especially if you happen to be a stranger yourself? And, if some might find even that objectionable, surely we could tolerate, if not embrace, signs reminding us to “be kind,” “be helpful,” – or simply to “enjoy life!”

Who knows, such exhortations might actually lift our spirits, especially if, recalling what prompted these musings, we’re feeling down in the dumps.

•MJ

FREE IN HOME CONSULTATION

www.MontecitoKitchens.com Don Gragg 805.453.0518

License #951784

You may be able to avoid major orthopedic procedures and joint replacement procedures with a less invasive alternative utilizing an injection of your own stem cells. Harvard trained experienced orthopedic surgeon Richard Scheinberg has extensive experience with technique that may save you from surgery.

Call 8056821394 for consultation

• The Voice of the Village •

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.

Miramar Compliance Update

L

ast Wednesday, December 16, reps from the Rosewood Miramar Resort were in front of the Montecito Planning Commission providing an annual compliance update related to parking, events, and hours of operation of the hotel’s Beach Bar. “Our primary goal is to be a good member of the community,” said Miramar owner Rick Caruso’s Vice President of Development Bryce Ross. “It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly two years since opening the Miramar.

Everything that we do is centered around being a good neighbor and being a good contributor to the Montecito community.”

As part of the project’s 2015 approval, it is required to be reviewed by the Montecito Planning Commission on an annual basis. County staff reported that there have been nine formal complaints to the County since the March 1, 2019 opening of the hotel. Seven of those are from the same individual, six in March 2019 and one in May 2019, related to employees of the hotel parking on neighboring streets. Another complaint occurred in August 2019, regarding the idling of an excursion bus off site. The latest complaint was earlier this year, stating that it appeared that hotel guests were parking in the public parking spaces on South Jameson, which are not to be used by guests staying overnight at the hotel. Ross showed the commissioners a map showing the parking situation on the Miramar property, and saying that the complaints received had been mitigated. No formal complaints have been filed regarding the hours of the Beach Bar, which are currently 9:30 am to midnight.

Several members of the public spoke at the hearing, including Montecito Association Executive Director Sharon Byrne, who reported that she has fielded several complaints at the MA office in regard to overnight parking in the spots on South Jameson. Byrne, who is spearheading the Hands Across Montecito

Matthew Pifer, MD

The Rosewood Miramar Resort was required to file a compliance report with the Montecito Planning Commission last week relating to parking, events, and hours of operation

homeless outreach project on behalf of the MA and nonprofit organization City Net, let Mr. Ross know that homeless outreach is taking place near the Miramar property, and any support from the hotel would be much appreciated. Hands Across Montecito is a one-year pilot initiative to provide adequate resources to the homeless in Montecito and nearby communities.

Megan Orloff and Cori Hayman also spoke on the Miramar project, giving praise that the hotel management and staff has embraced local Montecito residents. “I’m thrilled to see the fruition of what we get to enjoy as a community asset,” Orloff said. Montecito resident Emily Roos also chimed in, saying that the hotel has been a gathering spot both pre-pandemic and during the COVID19 crisis. “I think Rick Caruso has opened his hotel to the people of Montecito like no one else has in my lifetime,” Roos said, adding that the pivoting of the hotel to offer to-go food from its food truck has been a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Village Beat Page 354 354

“Santa Barbara’s Premier Shoulder Expert”

Specializes in Shoulder, Sports Medicine and Biologic Therapies

Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery, Specializing in Shoulder, Sports Medicine & Biologics (with an Emphisis in PRP & Stem Cells)

SERVICES

Shoulder Surgery | Knee Surgery | Sports Medicine | PRP Stem Cell | Rotator Cuff Repair | Shoulder Replacement Shoulder Instablility Treatment

12 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

805.967.9311 matthewpifermd.com

24 – 31 December 2020

N

P A R T

K

N

I

P

R S

R I S

E

S

T

villaravelloestate.com

AT E

U

E

V I L L A G E P R O P E RT I E S R E A LT O R S

RISKIN PARTNERS ESTATE GROUP

G R

O

license #01954177 s a n t a b a r b a r a ’s n u m b e r o n e r e a l e s t a t e t e a m DINA LANDI 24 – 31 December 2020

SARAH HANACEK

JASMINE TENNIS

• The Voice of the Village •

ROBERT RISKIN

MONTECITO JOURNAL

13

Dear Montecito

by Stella Pierce

Montecito Alumni Write Letters from Life’s Front

VILL AGE PROPERTIES CONGRATULATES PATRICIA GRIFFIN

I

For her outstanding representation and successful closing of:

11 85 FIFE L AN E M O N T EC I TO, C A B I R N A M WO O D G O L F C LU B OFFERED AT $5, 295,000

805.705.5133 | patricia@villagesite.com DRE 00837659 | villagesite.com

All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified and we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.

have this story I tell people to explain how I became interested in biology. It goes like this: When I was young, I watched Star Trek with my father. I liked to imagine myself zooming around, going to new planets, wearing my space-tech-fabric blue uniform (blue was, of course, my favorite color). There was only one problem: only the doctors and science officers got to wear blue. But I didn’t like medicine. Medicine was boring.

As our developing brains began to choose idols, my friends were seeking out superheroes, athletes, the like, while my thoughts started to change about medicine. Suddenly, I didn’t just admire scientists and the way they go around spouting chemical names and numbers with a lot of decimal places, but I wanted to be one too.

This week I’ve asked Dr. Mizuho Morrison to share her story with us.

Please enjoy a letter from my newest idol and the daughter of the first Scottish person I ever met.

Dear Montecito Page 364

“It’s Like Banking With Friends”

Dr. Mizuho Morrison grew up in Montecito, her father Scottie was the beloved groundskeeper of Montecito Union and she became senior director of medical education at Hippo Education, in Los Angeles

What does True Community Banking mean? It means working together to find solutions under even the most trying of circumstances.

OW NER OCCUPIED R EAL ESTATE LOANS BUSINESS LINES OF CR EDIT EQUIPMENT LOANS

Preferred SBA Lender

“I love American Riviera Bank. The level of service is very personalized. It’s like banking with friends that you trust.”

— Sasha Ablitt, Owner Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners

14 MONTECITO JOURNAL

AmericanRivieraBank.com 805.965.5942 Santa Barbara • Montecito • Goleta San Luis Obispo • Paso Robles

24 – 31 December 2020

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From Me and Mine to You and Yours...

As 2020 draws to a close and I look back on the year, it has been one filled with gratitude and appreciation for the community we are all so fortunate enough to call home. This year we have seen a huge transition from urban-based living to community-based living, with many seeking a place to call home that encourages friends helping friends and neighbors helping neighbors. With that in mind, this year has also been one filled with immense appreciation for how lucky we are, here, to be able to navigate forward through these trying times with a united front, dedicated to keeping our neighbors and community as a whole in mind each and every day.

This year has not been an easy one, and it would appear we still have a way to go, but let all count our blessings and continue to support our local businesses, nonprofits, and animal support groups in whatever ways we can this holiday season — they are the thread which weaves our community together.

I look forward to 2021 with eagerness, hope and determination in facing the challenges that may lie ahead knowing we are all in this together.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season,

Cristal Clarke

E n ch a n t i n g E a s t C o a s t - S t y l e O c e a n Vi e w E s t a t e . . .

NEW LISTING • 663 Lilac Drive • Montecito • Offered at $7,950,000

Gorgeous Grounds

•

Privacy Abound

•

Premier Montecito Location

4 Bed, 5 Full/3 Half Bath Main Residence • 1 Bed, 1 Bath Detached Guest Cottage • ±2.04 Acres • Picturesque Ocean & Island Views Flexible Floor Plan • Cathedral Ceilings • Tranquil Pool/Spa • Outdoor Pergola w/ Built-In BBQ • Seamless Indoor/Outdoor Living • MUS

AS RECOGNIZED BY WALL STREET JOURNAL’S “THE THOUSAND”

#1 Agent in SANTA BARBARA & MONTECITO WITH 2020 SALES IN EXCESS OF $256,000,000*

CRISTAL CLARKE 805-886-9378 Cristal@Montecito-Estate.com

www.Montecito-Estate.com DRE#00968247

©2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property.

Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. CalDRE 00968247. *Rankings courtesy of realtrends.com.

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

15

Dear Friends, Our community has pulled together and remained resilie

nt in the face of challenges that at times seemed insurm ountable.

During this holiday season we find ourselves facing a drama tic increase in COVID-19 cases, and lives are in the balan ce.

As individuals and as a community, we need to renew our commitment to wearing masks, social distancing, hand hygiene and avoiding gatherings. Our actions now will impact what the future holds.

The best gift you can give this holiday season is the gift of health and safety.

To you and yours, stay safe. We’re here for you, and we’re all smiling under our masks.

Sincerely, MASKED AND MIGHTY COALITION LEADERS

Dr. Dan Brennan, Pediatrician, Sansum Clinic Dr. Lynn N. Fitzgibbons, Infectious Disease, Cottage Health

Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Dodds, Deputy Health Officer, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department

MASKED AND MIGHTY HEALTHCARE LEADERS Bob Freeman, CEO, CenCal Health Sue Anderson, President/CEO, Maria n Regional Medical Center Dana Goba, Central Coast Medical Association Henning Ansorg, MD, FACP, Health Officer, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Ron Werft, CEO, Cottage Health Steve Popkin, CEO, Lompoc Valley Medical Center

Charles C. Fenzi, MD, CEO/CMO, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics

Cindy Blifeld, MD, Pediatrician, Lompoc Valley Pediatric Care Center

Kurt N. Ransohoff, MD, FACP, CEO/CMO, Sansum Clinic

MASKED AND MIGHTY EDUCATION LEADERS

Kevin G. Walthers, PH.D., President, Allan Hancock College Dr. Utpal K. Goswami, Superintendent/ President, Santa Barbara City College

Henry T. Yang, Chancellor, University of California Santa Barbara Gayle D. Beebe, President, Westmont College

Dr. Susan Salcido, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Barbara County Education Office MASKED AND MIGHTY CHAM BER OF COMM ERCE LEAD

Kristen Miller, CEO, Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce

ERS Glenn D. Morris, ACE, President & Chief Executive Officer, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce

Masked and Mighty Coalition: Healthcare, educator and business partners in Santa Barbara County have come together to educate, unite and incentivize all of Santa Barbara County to work together to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

16 MONTECITO JOURNAL

24 – 31 December 2020

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL Holiday Season FROM ALL OF US AT VILLAGE PROPERTIES

780 Riven Rock Rd | Montecito | 7BD/9BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $12,500,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.698.0199

516 Crocker Sperry Dr | Santa Barbara | 3BD/5BA DRE 01440591 | Offered at $4,488,000 Elizabeth Wagner 805.895.1467

700 Park Ln | Montecito | 9BD/11BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $27,500,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.698.0199

2709 Vista Oceano Ln | Summerland | 7BD/10BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $19,800,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.565.8600

1583 S Jameson Ln | Montecito | 9BD/9BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $17,900,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.565.8600

545 Toro Canyon Rd | Montecito | 7BD/12BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $14,900,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.698.0199

975 Lilac Dr | Santa Barbara | 5BD/8BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $14,900,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.565.8600

1915 Las Tunas Rd | Santa Barbara | 7BD/9BA DRE 01806890/01788156 | Offered at $10,200,000 Doré & O'Neill Real Estate Team 805.947.0608

956 Mariposa Ln | Montecito | 5BD/7BA DRE 01815307/00837659 | Offered at $9,150,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group/Griffin 805.565.8600

1200 N San Marcos Rd | Santa Barbara | 5BD/5BA DRE 01988499|02020380 | Offered at $7,995,000 Haden Homes Luxury Property Group 805.880.6530

1556 La Vista Rd | Santa Barbara | 4BD/6BA DRE 00520230 | Offered at $4,395,000 Ed Edick 805.689.1153

499 Crocker Sperry Dr | Santa Barbara | 3BD/5BA DRE 00852118 | Offered at $3,995,000 Jeff Oien 805.895.2944

4002 Cuervo Ave | Santa Barbara | 5BD/4BA DRE 00852118 | Offered at $3,975,000 Jeff Oien 805.895.2944

293 Middle Rd | Montecito | 3BD/4BA DRE 01988499|02020380 | Offered at $3,887,000 Haden Homes Luxury Property Group 805.880.6530

1098 Toro Canyon Rd | Santa Barbara | 2BD/1BA DRE 01939922 | Offered at $3,400,000 Hutch Axilrod 805.637.6378

2623 Caspia Ln | Summerland | 4BD/4BA DRE 01103376 | Offered at $3,195,000 Sheela Hunt 805.698.3767

900 Chelham Way | Montecito | 4BD/4BA DRE 01456863 | Offered at $1,850,000 George Ambrose 805.770.9655

5150 E Camino Cielo | Santa Barbara | 5BD/4BA DRE 00835438 | Offered at $1,795,000 Jackie Walters 805.570.0558

LOCALLY OWNED. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. WE REACH A GLOBAL AUDIENCE THROUGH OUR EXCLUSIVE AFFILIATES. All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified and we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

17

Summerland Buzz

Let’s discuss your real estate needs.

by Leslie A. Westbrook

A third-generation Californian, Leslie, currently resides in Carpinteria but called Summerland home for 30 years. The award-winning writer assists clients sell fine art, antiques and collectibles at auction houses around the globe. She can be reached at LeslieAWestbrook@gmail.com or www.auctionliaison.com

A Great Cap to an Otherwise Strange Year Cinematographer Harry Rabin monitors the environmental fixes at Summerland Beach, pointing to one of the two oil wells he helped get capped (Photo credit: Leslie A. Westbrook)

The Morehart Group Mitch Morehart Beverly Palmer Susan Pate Paige Marshall

M

805.452.7985 themorehartgroup.com themorehartgroup@compass.com DRE 01130349 | 01319565 | 00828316

holiday • linens • frames • dinnerware • childrens • books • womens • holiday

SALE * 40% OFF

*Sale Begins December 26th

*Selected Items

LEGACY 1137 Coast Village Road, Montecito, CA

805.845.3300

• linens • frames • dinnerware • childrens • books • womens •

18 MONTECITO JOURNAL

• holiday • linens • frames • dinnerware • childrens • books • womens • holiday

• linens • frames • dinnerware • childrens • books • womens

y great Aunt Betty laughed when I bought my house in Summerland in the early 1980s. She told me that her husband, my great uncle Heywood, used to work on those wells when they lived in Summerland in the 1930s. Little did I know at the time that the very oil wells he worked on had been improperly capped with old mattresses, telephone poles, and god-knows-what-all and they would fail decades later.

All had been completely abandoned; some were not even sealed or capped at all!

Fast forward almost 30 years later, when it became apparent that “something was rotten” in Summerland.

I contacted Das Williams in July of 2010. He was on the Santa Barbara City Council at the time, but was running for California State Assembly. I invited him to walk the beach with me, promising a hamburger at The Nugget after our walk as an incentive. I knew this beach like the back of my hand and wanted to show him firsthand. Das took the bus down to Summerland.

That day, Das didn’t believe me.

He agreed there was lots of tar but thought it was normal. He was used to it, he told me, from surfing Santa Barbara waters (Isla Vista, as I recall).

And that’s true: there is natural seepage, as we all know. But I stressed to him that as a longtime resident who walked Summerland beach many times a week the stench and tar and slicks polluting our coastline were not normal.

Das didn’t know me from Adam, but he checked with others, includ-

“Winter forms our character and brings out our best.” – Tom Allen

Heal the Ocean executive director Hillary Hauser and retired Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson celebrating the oil well capping (Photo credit: Harry Rabin)

ing Lee Heller (who backed me up) and Linda Krop of the Environmental Defense Center.

Das was elected that year and took office in 2011. There was a long waiting time for help for the orphaned oil wells, due to the budget crunch in California but in 2016, Das asked then-Governor Jerry Brown for $900,000. Then-State Senator HannahBeth Jackson went even further and got funding for a comprehensive study and later more funds. By then, Hillary Hauser and Heal the Ocean had joined the bandwagon.

“It helped to have local advocacy from the community and from Heal the Ocean,” Das recalled on a Zoom

Summerland Page 424 24 – 31 December 2020

2020 ~ Oh what a year!

Happy Holidays From The Perkins Group PERKINS GROUP 2020 SALES Toro Canyon Park Road 56 ± Acres | Listed $14,500,000

970 Brooktree Rd 2 ± Acres | Listed $10,500,000

800 Cold Springs Rd 2.73 ± Acres | Listed $12,500,000

210 Miramar Ave 1.35 ± Acres | Listed $6,900,000

2160 Ortega Ranch Ln 5 ± Acres | Listed $5,495,000

1984 Inverness Ln 1.23 ± Acres | Listed $5,400,000

5162 Foothill Rd 32.75 ± Acres | Listed $4,950,000

1937 Monte Alegre Dr 9 ± Acres | Listed $4,000,000

240 Oak Rd .86 ± Acres | Listed $2,650,000

Summerland Hideaway .17 ± Acres | Listed $2,695,000

1328 Manitou Rd .38 ± Acres | Listed $1,330,000

Suzanne Perkins represented the Sellers in the sale of the historic 237± acre Rancho San Carlos estate - the largest residential sale price of 2020. Sold at $63,250,000.

PERKINSGROUPRE.COM PERKINS GROUP

The Perkins Group Real Estate | +1 805.265.0786 | team@perkinsgroupre.com | DRE: 01106512

©2020 Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

19

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, a commentator on the KTLA Morning News and Entertainment Tonight. He moved to Montecito 13 years ago.

Animals in the Valley

F

ormer California State Assemblyman Brooks Firestone is giving paws for thought!

Brooks, 81, who will be moving with his wife of 62 years, Kate, a former Royal Ballet dancer, into Casa Dorinda from their Santa Ynez Valley home in the New Year, has just published his second volume of animal stories from the valley.

The first volume Valley Animals hit shelves ten years ago, and the new book is titled, appropriately enough, More Valley Animals 2020.

Both volumes are full of true adventures involving residents, ranging from President Ronald Reagan and actress Bo Derek, and their animals from parrots to mountain lions.

“There is even an encounter when Queen Elizabeth named a baby deer

Brooks Firestone publishes third book

for Monty Roberts, a trainer known as The Horse Whisperer,” says Brooks, a longtime member of the Santa Barbara Choral Society with his wife.

Show your LOVE for LOCAL

Helping You Collect Memories All Season Long!

“I also write about singer Shaun Cassidy’s giant family turtle to my own canine encounter depicted on the cover with a sheriff’s K9 dog enforcer. The funny, sad, revealing, and informative stories are all a good read and interesting as they depict how we interact and inhabit our daily lives with a vast variety of animal characters.”

It was in 1972 when Brooks and his father, Leonard, son of the legendary tire innovator Harvey Firestone, established the Firestone Winery which was sold to uber vintner Bill Foley, proprietor of nearly 20 wineries, in 2007.

Foley, owner of the Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey team, recently just purchased comedian Dennis Miller’s Padaro Lane beach house from its new owner, tech entrepreneur Lynda Weinman, and Bruce Heavin, who paid $19 million for it in 2015.

Brooks and Kate also sing regularly in the choir of St. Mark’s in-the-Valley in Los Olivos, a church built in 1982 after a gift of land from Leonard with Brooks, a Santa Barbara County supervisor from 2005 until 2008, chairing the building committee.

Community animals both...

Santa Barbara Love Affair

Santa Barbara Magazine’s latest issue features a wonderful celebrity photo-filled article by New York Times bestselling author Tracey Jackson, 62, about her late mother, Beverley Jackson, who left us in August just short of her 92nd birthday.

“Yet no matter where she went or what she did or whatever side alleys of interest she wandered down, her heart and allegiance and her love affair was always with Santa Barbara,” writes Tracey, who is also an accomplished screenwriter, film director, and producer.

Tracey adds that Beverley, who moved to our Eden by the Beach in 1962 and was society columnist for the News-Press for more than 20 years, was still the Grande Dame.

“She worked for it, she earned it, and she coveted it.”

I couldn’t agree more. A helluva gal!

Put a Ring on It

Locally owned and operated for over 40 years 14 State Street | 962-0049 | Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5 mountainairsports.com

20 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Montecito’s latest celebrity resident, singer Ariana Grande, 27, has announced her engagement to boyfriend Dalton Gomez on Instagram.

Grande was previously engaged to Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson.

The pair broke up in October, 2018.

Gomez, a real estate agent, appeared in the warbler’s music video “Stuck with U” in May. Ariana’s new home in our rarefied enclave, The Porter House, boasts 5,500 sq. ft. in two separate Tudorstyle barns, originally built in the

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” – Paul Theroux

1700s and transported from England.

She bought the property for $6.75 million from TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and actress Portia de Rossi, who completely renovated the houses.

More Engagement News

Former international racketeer Maria Sharapova, who recently bought a $8.6 million five-acre ranch in Summerland, has just got engaged.

The 33-year-old retired Russian tennis superstar took to Instagram to announce she is betrothed to 41-yearold British art dealer Alexander Gilkes.

The tony twosome has been dating since 2018.

Gilkes, who attended exclusive Eton College with princes William and Harry, was married to popular New York fashion designer Misha Nonoo – a good friend of Meghan Markle – for four years until they split in October, 2016. His younger brother, Charlie, used to date Pippa Middleton, sister of Prince William’s wife, Kate.

During her almost two-decade career Sharapova won five Grand Slam titles, the only Russian to have accomplished the feat, and raked in around $39 million in prize money, plus another $246 million in promotion and endorsements.

Obviously a wonderful courtship...

Loading Up on Real Estate Rob Lowe goes on real estate spending spree (photo

by David Shankbone)

Montecito actor Rob Lowe who sold his 10,000 sq. ft. Picacho Road estate for $46 million has lost no time in spending the money, having purchased three new residential properties in Southern California since the sale just three months ago.

Having spent $13 million on a new 6,000 sq, ft. five-bedroom, six-bath estate, Stonehedge, on a 6.7-acre lot and a cozy Spanish-style in our rarefied enclave for $5.2 million, as I reported in this illustrious organ, Rob, 56, also grabbed a 1950s 3,000 sq. ft. house in Beverly Hills for $3.75 million.

He currently stars in the Fox TV series 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Aloha from Hawaii

Oracle tycoon Larry Ellison, who has owned a number of homes in Santa Barbara for many years, is quit-

Miscellany Page 324 24 – 31 December 2020

OSTERIA CARUSO’S TO - G O Bring the vibrant local flavors and delectable dishes of Caruso’s home to enjoy.

A new sophisticated and simplistic to-go menu created from classic Italian recipes out of Chef Massimo’s grandmother’s cookbook.

T O O R D E R : Call +1 805-881-2424 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily

Food pickup is from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Miramar Food Truck located at Miramar Beach Bar

— I N D U L G E I N A R O B U S T S E L E C T I O N O F D I S H E S F E AT U R I N G — A N T I PA S T I , Z U P P E E I N S A L AT E

PINSA ROMANA

Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market Salad

Margherita

Burrata e Cotogne

Carciofi e Roasted Parma Ham

Polpo, Patate e Ortiche

Burrata alla Diavola

P A S TA E R I S O T T I

SECONDI

Mezze Maniche Cacio e Pepe

Pan Roasted Halibut

Rigatoncini Al Ragú

Tagliata di Manzo

T O V I E W T H E F U L L M E N U, G O T O M I R A M A R D I N I N G . C O M

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

21

Perspectives

by Rinaldo S. Brutoco

Rinaldo S. Brutoco is the Founding President and CEO of the Santa Barbara-based World Business Academy and a co-founder of JUST Capital.

He’s a serial entrepreneur, executive, author, radio host, and futurist who’s published on the role of business in relation to pressing moral, environmental, and social concerns for over 35 years

‘Peace on Earth, Good Will to Man’

T

he phrase above originates from the King James Version of the Gospel of Luke, and although gender specific, was meant to refer to all humankind.

Hence, a better way to trumpet this phrase is “Peace on Earth Good Will to All.” This week is the most appropriate time of the year to pause and recall a very ancient tradition in the West: Ceasing our constant power struggles for a moment to wish for “peace on earth.” How badly human civilization has thus far failed in living this profound truth. We should wish for peace and good will for all. We should want for all our efforts to lead to greater levels of peace and prosperity.

Why wouldn’t we?

It’s hard to wrap our minds around the profound concept of “peace on earth.”

What could “peace” possibly mean given the current pandemic conditions, complicated by the global recession, and fueled by an appropriate angst over climate change? There are many troubling clouds darkening our sense of security and domestic satisfaction this Holiday Season. Yet, there are glimmers of blue sky we can clearly see if, and when, those clouds begin to part and give us back a semblance of safety that the world we live in is inherently a good place.

One “cloud” that has partially lifted is a fascinating recent study by the University of York proving the level of global violence has actually gone down the past 30 years. Conducted by York’s Department of Mathematics, the study in June used sophisticated algorithms to conclude that battlefield deaths from the Napoleonic Wars to the present (particularly the enormous carnage of the period of 1910-1953) has fallen noticeably in the last 30 years. Beginning in the early 1990s, the actual percentage of battlefield deaths that occurred has dropped significantly. The study is Eurocentric due to the source of data, but the conclusions have been separately acknowledged with appreciation by Dr. Steven Pinker, a cognitive psychologist at Harvard University, who has written extensively on the subject of the global drop in per capita violence since the Second World War. Although “battlefield deaths” is but one index of whether the world had become less “violent,” it is probably the best one we can analyze from the array of other considerations. For example, has the world become less violent reflected in our willingness to reach out to disadvantaged populations globally as we did to address the HIV epidemic and the even more deadly Ebola virus that was African centric? Most likely yes. We saw that Ebola in Africa threatened all of us on every continent. And now we have another indication that we will, as human civilization and not just one nation or group of nations, again address a global crisis with the awareness of “oneness.”

Dr. Noubar Afeyan, chairman and co-founder of the health company Moderna, was recently interviewed by Fareed Zakaria on the lessons we’ve learned from the COVID infection and how some very positive things will come out of the international nightmare we’ve all been living. Dr. Afeyan, an ArmenianAmerican born in Beirut who immigrated to the U.S. from Canada has more than 100 patents to his name. As you can tell by the trail of countries in his past, he is essentially convinced that we are all one humanity, sharing one planet, and required for our own safety to care about the wellbeing of those in distant lands.

When Zakaria asked whether we should be concerned that some countries like the U.S. or Britain might engage in vaccine nationalism and not be willing to provide the vaccine to everyone on the planet regardless of whether they could pay for it, he observed that a case of COVID anywhere in the world will replicate with ferocity and blossom into a full-scale health pandemic that will return to U.S. shores given the high degree of international moblity. Zakaria summarized this point by saying “So you mean, we are all only going to be secure if everyone is

DADIANA

SALON • COSMETICS • NAILCARE • FRAGRANCE • BATH & BODY GIFTS • HAIRCUT, COLOR AND HIGHLIGHT SPECIALIST

D IANE M EEHAN OWNER

“COME IN FOR AN IMAGE CONSULTATION”

DADIANA • 1485 EAST VALLEY ROAD #10 • MONTECITO

(805)969.1414 • WWW.BEAUTYKEEPER.COM

22 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Emphasis on the Environment

Study: How has the pandemic changed our relationship with nature?

A

team of researchers from the University of Vermont is diving deeper into how the pandemic has changed our relationship with nature and what implications that could hold for environmentalism.

In their study, researchers scattered QR survey codes throughout urban forests and parks in the Burlington area. They found that 26 percent of visitors who responded had not been there in the past year and the majority reported highly valuing the opportunity to get out into nature during this stressful period of isolation.

Senior author Brendan Fisher, Ph.D. said, “My hope is that these are the kind of gateway experiences that get people more engaged with their local nature.”

Another study, also from the University of Vermont, found that a significant number of people had engaged in more outdoor activities since the pandemic began. A significant 59 percent of respondents also reported that nature had also helped improve their mental health and well-being during the pandemic.

The researchers hope this data will help inform public space allocation decisions and strengthen the case for nature-based mental health and education programs.

Bay Area service delivers groceries without a trace of plastic We are big supporters of the zero-waste movement and we’re always happy to share with you the initiatives that are driving it. One of the latest that we’ve come across is Bay Area startup Zero Grocery.

If you order groceries on their platform, they come in reusable packaging that the company later collects from you, leaving no plastic waste behind.

The process is simple: Once you have finished the food contents, you leave the containers outside your door for a delivery person to pick up when the next order arrives.

“I wanted to make it easier for as many everyday, hardworking Americans as possible to adopt a plastic-free lifestyle,” says Zero Grocery founder Zuleyka Strasner. Virtually all of the 1,110-plus items available on its platform come in reusable packaging, with the exception of meat and fish products which come in compostable wrappers.

As part of the service, customers pay $25 for a monthly membership, which includes unlimited free deliveries and avoids the need to charge deposits on the reusable containers.

With consumers increasingly shifting towards more sustainable lifestyles it’s great to see such initiatives pop up in greater numbers.

•MJ secure.” With that summary of Dr. Afeyan’s observations, the veil has been pulled back on the key characteristic of the newest expression of human evolution.

Most people don’t stop to think about the fact humans have now gone through approximately 32 evolutions (the exact number depends on which anthropologist does the counting, but you get the point). All the prior species have died off since our lineage broke from the pre-hominid ancestors of the chimpanzees, bonobos, and great apes more than six million years ago. There are no more Neanderthals, no more Homo Erectus, no more Australopithecines (that was the famous “Lucy” of 2.5 million years ago). They all died out as modern humans evolved.

And soon, the dominant species that created our present civilization, Homo Sapiens Sapiens, will also be fully gone. It is dying off. You are presently witnessing its death throes. Collaborative research I conducted more than a decade ago with my recently deceased dear friend Barbara Marx Hubbard landed on a new name for our species: “Homo Universalis.”

Homo Sapiens means the man (or woman) “who knows,” which is “consciousness” itself. They are all long gone, probably by 40,000 years ago. Along we came as Homo Sapiens Sapiens, which means the man (or woman) “who knows that they know.” This is known as “reflective consciousness.” The newest species, the one emerging as we write is Homo Universalis, which means the man (or woman) “who knows that they know, and what they know is we are one. This is known as “universal consciousness” – the idea that we are all one part of a larger universal awareness of the oneness of all life.

Homo Universalis doesn’t have to be taught that we are one with each other, one with the biosphere, or one with the cosmos. They are inherently aware of it.

By understanding the oneness of all things, the civilization Homo Universalis is creating knows that healing nature is healing ourselves, that healing our relationship to all people on the planet is the future basis of how we will, at last, be able to experience true “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.”

“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” – William Blake

24 – 31 December 2020

On Entertainment Robert’s Big ?s

by Steven Libowitz

Here We Go a-Carol-ing: Dickens of a Time for a Ghost Story

Degrees from Physics departments of MIT and UC Santa Barbara. Career in designing atomic-resolution microscopes. Childhood spent in Europe and the East of the US. Passion to understand the Big Questions of life and the universe. Duty to be a good citizen of the planet.

“I

Ensemble Theatre Company’s new A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas is a stitched together virtual staged reading of the classic Charles Dickens story

J

ust like redemption doesn’t come easy, recovering from the wounds of 2020 from the COVID pandemic and other tough situations this year will likely take significant time. But perhaps a local take on a legendary allegory can go a short way toward helping the healing, or at least create a satisfying enough diversion to bring a little happiness to the holidays.

That’s part of the plan for Ensemble Theatre Company’s new A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, a stitched together virtual staged reading of the classic Charles Dickens story featuring the cast and artistic team from ETC’s 2019 production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play who will once again play all the characters in a beloved holiday work. Teri Bibb (credits include Phantom of the Opera on Broadway), Louis Lotorto (The Royal National Theatre’s American Tour of An Enemy of the People), Matthew Floyd Miller (ETC’s productions of 39 Steps and Measure for Measure), Hannah Tamminen (Richard II and The Merry Wives of Windsor at Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival), and Peter Van Norden (ETC’s Crime and Punishment) once again are directed by ETC’s Brian McDonald, who already had two previous takes on A Christmas Carol during his time at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura before heading up the coast a few years ago.

The performance will also feature original music by Santa Barbara folkrock composer and singer-songwriter Doug Clegg as well as live foley sound effects, both created live to accompany the pre-recorded show shot at the actors’ homes. The video will be available to stream on demand for free for a few days starting, appropriately, on Christmas Eve, and will also have an optional free pre-show lecture about Charles Dickens and the history of A Christmas Carol with retired UCSB professor and ETC board member Simon Williams.

McDonald talked about his approach to the well-known Christmas cautionary tale over the phone earlier late last week.

On Entertainment Page 304 304

SANTA BARBARA

HOPE RANCH

MONTECITO

GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR LUXURY CUSTOM HOMES FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1983

805-966-9662

24 – 31 December 2020

|

WWW.HOLEHOUSE.COM

|

LICENSE #645496

by Robert Bernstein

Can We Discuss Politics and Religion?

f you want to avoid heated arguments, never discuss religion, politics, or whether the toilet paper roll should go over or under.” So said the wise sage “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Religion and politics go to the very heart of our deepest values. If we avoid discussing what matters most to us, how can any learning and progress occur in a democratic society?

“Weird Al” reveals several profound points. First of all, almost any choice or topic in life can turn into a heated argument. Which sports team do you support? Do you care about sports at all? Do you use a PC or a Mac? An Android or an iPhone? Or no such technology at all?

How about food? Try talking food in mixed company of a carnivore and a vegan.

How about pets? Try talking pets in mixed company of a cat person, a dog person, a horse person and/or someone who finds owning pets wasteful, annoying, and abhorrent.

The classic “safe” topic of discussion? The weather. Really? Is it even honest to talk about current extreme weather events without discussing the climate crisis?

As for the toilet paper, there is a tribal aspect to this. Each family has its traditions. My mother always put it down the back. My college girlfriend came from an over-the-top family. She made a rational case for why it is easier to reach the toilet paper that way.

It was a transformative moment for me in many ways: I realized I did not have to follow what my family did.

They might even be wrong. I also realized that such a contentious topic could in fact be settled by rational discussion. Listening, learning, and changing is possible.

Is there a better way than making politics, religion, or any other topic taboo? The circle of taboo topics is ever widening as people form ever more tribes and hook up with ever new closed silos of social media.

Perhaps we can learn to discuss all topics in a civil and respectful way instead of avoiding them?

I do not claim that I am necessarily the best model for civil discourse. But I do try my best at times. The first step is to start with yourself. Are you able to stay calm when the other person

• The Voice of the Village •

says something you disagree with?

It is good to visualize and mentally practice this in advance.

The next step is to remember to listen and understand as much as possible before speaking at length. Think of it as a gift that you have a chance to hear the views of someone outside of your usual circle of friends and familiar views. You may even find that they have a valid point.

Everyone has needs in life. It is not reasonable to deny a person’s needs.

If someone has a basic need like shelter or food, it is not reasonable to ask them to wait for a long-term solution.

By listening and acknowledging needs it may be possible to satisfy that need in a way that is acceptable to all sides.

We might want to draw the line at some acceptable limit. Perhaps sexism, racism, homophobia, etc.? But even in such obvious cases it might be worth listening to find out what need they are expressing. Even if they are mistaken. A person might believe that they were not hired due to affirmative action. Or that are not safe living next door to a person of a certain background.

It may be impossible to convince them they are mistaken. But it also may be that you need better facts on your side.

Consider the current political situation where each side creates a caricature of the other side. I am on the mailing list of Trump and many spin-off right-wing lists. They claim that people like me want the U.S. to be a Communist dictatorship. Do they really believe that?

Conversely, does anyone really think that all 70 million Trump voters are racist haters? Believe it or not, some of them really do like what others find most offensive: His unfiltered way of speaking. They see him as a refreshing alternative to “professional politicians” who speak a good game but never deliver on raising their quality of life.

I see his actions as largely self-serving, dishonest, and harmful to most Americans. But I make my case with facts and I am grateful to listen to what his supporters have to say. As long as they are willing to listen to what I have to say.

Can we please listen and discuss what matters most to us?

•MJ MONTECITO JOURNAL

23

Heal the Ocean extends our deep Appreciation to our Supporters Undisclosed

Georgia Funsten Revocable Trust

$150,000

Nora McNeely Hurley and the Manitou Fund

$15,000-$20,000

Dan & Rae Emmett/ Emmett Foundation Nora McNeely Hurley & Michael Hurley Tomchin Family Foundation

$10,000-$14,999

Brittingham Family Foundation Marcy Carsey/Carsey Living Trust Nancy & Thomas Crawford Charles & Brynn Crowe/ Kirby-Jones Foundation Roy E. Crummer Foundation Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall/ Hall Charitable Trust Brian Hodges/WWW Foundation La Cumbre Animal Hospital for the HTO Doggie Bag Program

Poehler-Stremel Charitable Trust Sam Scranton in memory of Sherilyn Scranton

$5,000-$9,999

Sandy & Tim Armour Susan Baerwald & Marcy Carsey/ Just Folk Roger & Sarah Chrisman/ Schlinger Chrisman Foundation Tom & Sheila Cullen Greg & Elisabeth Fowler/ G.A. Fowler Family Foundation Frank & Joseph Gila/ The Frank & Joseph Gila Fund Johnson Ohana Foundation Patagonia.com Jay & Talia Roston/ Pajadoro Foundation Robert Sollen Trust John & Lacey Williams

Larry & Wendy Barels Betsy Denison/ Denison Family Foundation Steve Starkey & Olivia Erschen Ken & Nancy Goldsholl/ The M&M Foundation Chris Baker & Jodie Ireland/ LOJO Foundation John & Gloria McManus Miller Fund Radis Family Peter & Nini Seaman/ STS Foundation

$1,000-$1,999

Cooper Allebrand/ Turpin Family Charitable Foundation Lee Parker Bacon Martha Blackwell J’Amy Brown Wendy Bruss Terri Carlson, MD Ani & Monico Casillas/ The Casillas Family Cearnal Collective Citrix/Employee Match for Ani Casillas Jim & Jolene Colomy Susan Eng-DenBaars & Steve DenBaars James & Wendy Drasdo/ The Jim and Wendy Drasdo Fund The Ebbin Group for the HTO Doggy Bag Program

Tisha Weber Ford/ Tisha Weber Ford Family Fund Robert & Sherry Gilson Nancy Gunzberg Lee E. Heller Judge George Eskin (Ret.) & Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson K. Leonard & Melanie Judson Dick & Peggy Lamb Judith Little/Wm Brian & Judith A Little Charitable Trust $3,000-$4,999 Kenny Loggins Advanced Veterinary Specialists Helene Marsh for the HTO Doggy Bag Program Marie Morrisroe Carbon2Cobalt Devon Geiger Nielsen/ Dr. David Dawson/ B&B Foundation Montecito Pet Hospital/ Francoise Park San Roque Pet Hospital Ron & Stacy Pulice/The Pulice Trust for the HTO Doggie Bag Program Marla Mercer & Frederick Herzog III/ Melissa & Christian Riparetti-Stepien Hoyt Tarola/Tarola Properties Herzog & Mercer Family 1% For the Planet Living Trust Ray Link & Jill Taylor Topa Topa Brewing Company Patsy Tisch 1% For the Planet in memory of Hilary Tisch Robin Tost Susan Venable & Charles Vinick $2,000-$2,999 Jonathan & Elise Wygant Anonymous (2) Alex & Gina Ziegler Maren Hansen & Steve Aizenstat

24 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Sue Hollingsworth Kanaloa Seafood* Sharon Keigher in memory of Clark Alexander Kat Laurain John Lyon $500-$999 Murray McTigue & Whitney Abbott Loraine & Billy B. McIntosh N.E.W. Fund Peter & Becky Adams Denise Nelson Darlene Chirman/ Donley & Valerie Olson Chirman Family Fund Neal Rabin Wendi Ostroff & Greg Chittick David Rockey Lloyd & Richard Dallett Ed & Karen Shiffman Mimi deGruy in memory of Mike deGruy Rob & Pru Sternin/ Sternin Family Fund Stan & Roberta Fishman Judy Stewart Joan Fried Thomas Sturgess Diane & Chris Gabriel Dana & Grant Trexler Dodd & Beth Geiger/ B&B Foundation Hunter Turpin/Turpin Family Charitable Foundation Mina Goena-Welch in memory of Paul Turpin Richard & Connie Kennelly Cath Webb Linda Keston Jim Winter Patrick Marr Wendy Dozoretz & Fredric Woocher 1% For the Planet Judith & George Writer MSM Construction/Matt McGinn Hank Yeiser Sharon Metsch Andy & Yvonne Neumann $200-$249 New Day Marketing, Ltd. Maria Belknap Ted Rhodes & Joan Pascal Dr. Roger & Polly Bookwalter Eric & Kit Peterson Hope Bryant Susan Petrovich Brian & Judi Cearnal Zog Industries Steve & Belinda Zola/ Steve and Belinda Zola Foundation

for the HTO Doggie Bag Program

Ann Linnett Pless/Ann Linnett Pless Donor Advised Fund Blair & Steve Raber Harry & Randi Rabin Charles & Eileen Read Christine Ryerson/The Jim Ryerson Environmental Foundation Fund Tony Allina & Christiane Schlumberger Chip Seigel/Seigel Family Jim & Ingrid Shattuck Gebb Turpin/ Turpin Family Charitable Foundation Teresa Whipple-Zwick

$250-$499

Mary Conrad FLIR Systems, INC/Employee Match Peter & Betty Gray Frank Hood Tyler Howell Virginia Castagnola Hunter in memory of Carter Hines

Jim Marshall

in honor of all who have helped HTO realize the success they’ve achieved!

Penny Mathison & Don Nulty Sheldon & Alice Sanov Ron & Jeanie Sickafoose

for the HTO Doggie Bag Program

Ron & Jeanie Sickafoose Garry Sun Kathryn & Alan Van Vliet

in honor of Taryn Van Vliet & Brett Buchea

Dave Adornetto

in appreciation of Matt Lum

Margo & Jeffrey Barbakow Stephen Schweitzer & Judith Bennett Maria & Stephen Black Rinaldo & Lalla Brutoco/ Omega Point Institute Inga Canfield Laura Capps Manuela & Rob Cavaness

Jon Wilcox

in memory of Doug & Yvonne Wilcox

Barbara Willett Walt & Rachel Wilson

in memory of Clark Alexander

$100-$199

Anonymous (5) Anacapa Equipment for the HTO Doggie Bag Program Shane & Genny Anderson Sally Watling & Curt Coughlin Audrey Austin Natalie Cutler MJ & Brad Bakove Deirdre & Duncan Dylan Henderson Kikka Bayly

24 – 31 December 2020

And we wish you all a very Peaceful New Year!

Nadia Bernardi

Debbie Mackie

Hannah G. Bradley Stephen & Christina Brown

Vesta McDermott Kathleen McGuire

Deborah Burns Anne Carty Nancy Castro Isabella & Cotty Chubb David & Jeannie Clark Richard & Mary Coffin

Robert & Linda Meyer Sally Mobraaten

in honor of Hillary Hauser

in memory of Eric Brown

in memory of Lisa Coffin

Mead Conoley Judith C. Cooley Kathryn Courain

for the HTO Doggie Bag Program

Sheldon & Janet Crandall

in memory of Chris & Tim Cutler

Jane Craven

in memory of Patricia Canning

Bob Cunningham

for the HTO Doggie Bag Program in honor of Aye’la

Natalie Cutler

in honor of Thayer & Patty Bigelow

Matt & Karen Dodson Robin & Eryn Donaldson Walt Dunlap Jettie Edwards Thomas Evans Peggy Ewing

in memory of Laddie Handelman

Devin Catherine Fairbanks Jennifer Fry in memory of David Fry

Konnie & Andy Gault

in honor of the incredible Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Jude Bijou Tom & Laura Brooks Samuel & Patricia Burke Erin Buzuvis

in memory of Patricia Canning

in memory of Patricia Canning

in honor of John Barab

Patricia & Ronald Caird in honor of Erin Caird

in memory of Cynthia Mobraaten

Nancy Callahan Colby Centrella Natasha Chamberlain Betsy Cramer Margaret M. Dewey

Tom & Kim Modugno Deb Monroe Mitchell Morehart Kerry & Mary Mormann Emily Nolan Robert Perry Valerie & David Powdrell Georgia Pulos

in memory of Prof. James Tait Goodrich, MD/PhD

Patty Volner & Rick Dison Kathleen Doherty The Elder Family Edgar Eltrich Diane Evans & Tom Farr John & Jodi Ferner

in honor of Gabby Ferrara

Geraldine McCormick-Ray & Carleton Ray Mikki Reilly Lana Rose

in honor of Maire Radis

Barbara Finch Dr. Jennifer Freed

in memory of our dearest friend Patricia Canning

Susan Ryan Mark & Terry Schleich Loren Solin/Solin Design Shirley Soper

in honor of Nora McNeely Hurley

Kathy B. Gallo Cara Gamberdella

in honor of Whitney Bruice’s 50th birthday!

in memory of Christopher Cutler

Joni & Gary Stauffer Judith Stauffer Melinda Staveley Ken Sterling

in honor of Hillary Hauser & Jonathan Wygant

Jacob Tell Tellus Law Group Polly Turpin/Turpin Family Charitable Foundation Laura Vondracek Scott & Laurie Waters Malcom & Kay Weiss

John T. & Elizabeth Gerig Lin Goodnick Barbara Greenleaf Renee Hamaty in honor of Dr. Mary Furner Barry Kaufman & Margo Handelsman Kathy Snow & Bendy White in memory of Patricia Canning Tracey Willfong Charlie Hocking Jonathan Wygant Charlie Hocking/ in honor of Bill Nasgovitz & Greg Downey Family Foundation Harding Brown Susanne Humbel-Heierling Edward & Grace Yoon Michele Jackman Mary Beth & David Yudovin Glenn Jordan Richard Solomon & Jana Zimmer Janice Kaspersen to $99 Christy Kayser-Cook Anonymous (2) in honor of Sharon Kayser AbbVie/Employer Match for Margaret Kearns Talithia Laurain in memory of Patricia Canning Susan (Yates) Anderson Linda Krop Dale Kunkel Deborah Lee Kristin Linehan

in memory of Clark Alexander

Betty Little Sheila Lodge Christine Adams & Lori Lynch 24 – 31 December 2020

in memory of Brandon Yates

Danielle Anderson Durga Andre Robert Andre The ArielBroidy Family Claire Bailey Norrine Besser

Mark Schildhauer & Joyce Gauvain Eugene Geller Barbara Godley Graumann Family Harrison Grauso Nancy Grinstein Juliette Hagh/ Raytheon Employee Giving John Hankins Char Harris Steve Hausz Lauren Hawksworth in memory of Marjorie Hawksworth

Sarah (Sally) Hearon

in memory of Patricia Canning

David & Nancy Hill Heather Hudson Gretchen Jones Sue Lael Katnic Paul & Cynthia Kimmel/ Kimmel Family Trust David Klinger in memory of Cindy Klinger

Robert & Mary Ann Latham Talithia Laurain/AbbVie Employee Match Program Wendy Lee in memory of Lanny Wright & Shelley Merrick

Elizabeth Lee

Lori Lenz Marian Lindner Dreena Lindsay Marcia Loft Linda & Ernie Lugdon

in memory of Frank Louda

Ria Marsh Frances Marsh Bruce & Sheila Marshall Nancy Masse Robery & Patricia Mayer Carolyn McCleskey Frank Meister Gerda & Gary Meyer Sophie Moritz Alyssa Nauman

in honor of Justin & Leticia Resch

Michael & Lisa O’Connell Erik & Diane Ozolins Tina Panteleakos Julie & Art Pizzinat/ Pizzinat Family Trust Bill, Pam & Lily Poehler Meagan Prasad Raytheon Stewart Reid Craig & Merrie Rice James Riegert/ Raytheon Employee Giving Geri Riehl Don Roos Elissa Ross Tara Rybnicek in honor of Theo Rybnicek

Stephen Segal/ Stephen Segal Construction Bruce Dobrin & Karla Shelton Tamara Simmons Kirk & Marguerite Taylor Sally Torgeson The Trauntvein Family

in memory of our first Grandson, Carson Trauntvein and in honor of our second Grandson, Colton Trauntvein

Janet Tupper Phillip & Sarah Vedder Kaleb Curtis Vidal Deb & Lee Waldron Connie Wernet Kristiann Wightman Richard Wilke Robert & Carolyn Williams Janet & Harvey Wolf

in memory of Clark Alexander

Irene & Ruben Ynzunza Caroline & Donald Young Kevin Young

HTO thanks the Phyllis S. Poehler/Water E. Stremel Charitable Trust, St. Paul, Minnesota, for the funds for our public outreach, including this tribute to our supporters. *Donations received as of 12/15/2020. Full donor list to be published in HTO Annual Newsletter.

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

25

On Science

by Tom Farr

Tom Farr joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1975 and has helped develop the first geologic applications of imaging radar using aircraft, satellites, and the Space Shuttle. He has taught a class on planetary exploration at Santa Barbara City College for more than 10 years. He currently resides in Montecito.

Our Solar System: Mercury

A

s a kid I was always picking up rocks and wondering at the diversity of them all. Where did they come from? And family camping trips gave me a sampling of the varied landscapes of California and the West. When I found out I could combine my love of the outdoors with the study of rocks and landscapes, I knew I had found my career. My graduate work led me into the use of remote sensing – using satellites to study the Earth and by extension, other planets as well. I became interested in using what I learned from applying remote sensing techniques on Earth to the other planets.

These are worlds that are not like our own. Pockmarked by billions of years of impacts, some large enough to fragment a planet. Poison atmospheres and sulphuric acid rain. Rivers and lakes of liquefied natural gas. Gas balls so massive that hydrogen is squeezed into a metal in their cores. Cold so intense that nitrogen freezes and forms flowing glaciers. Frozen moons that harbor oceans beneath their icy surfaces. Places where a jump will send you into orbit.

Science fiction? No, it’s our neighborhood, the worlds of our own solar system.

Orbiting an average yellow star toward the outer fringes of the Milky Way galaxy are eight planets and some leftovers. One of those planets we call home. In order to learn more about our

neighborhood, we’ve launched spacecraft to visit all the planets as well as some of those leftovers. We found the inner planets, near the Earth, were somewhat like the Earth – they had solid rocky surfaces and were of a similar size. The outer four planets, however, were completely different: huge and made up of gas and ice. The many moons of the outer planets held interesting surprises, though. In the next few months, we’ll visit all the planets as well as those leftovers (asteroids, comets, Pluto, and beyond). We’ll see how different conditions in the solar system led to very different results and we’ll learn more about the Earth and our place within the solar system.

And we’ll consider other solar systems beyond our own; we now think that there are more planets in the Milky Way galaxy than there are stars…

But the visit today is to the innermost planet, Mercury.

In the mid 1800s just after Neptune, the last of the planets to be discovered was sighted, calculations by Urbain Joseph Le Verrier, the most famous astronomer of his day, predicted a new planet circling the sun inside the orbit of Mercury due to strange wobbles it experienced. He called it Vulcan. For the next 60 years people set up telescopes searching for the elusive planet.

Some claimed to see it. Then Albert Einstein came along with his new theory of general relativity and explained

the odd motions of Mercury through the bending of its image by the sun’s gravity. That day Vulcan vanished, leaving Mercury as the closest planet to the Sun. You’d be forgiven if you looked at a satellite photo of Mercury and assumed it was our moon. It’s only slightly larger and pockmarked by impact craters just like our satellite. There are differences, but it took many years to fully understand them as the first spacecraft to visit Mercury, Mariner 10, merely flew by several times as it orbited the sun and, as luck and orbital mechanics would have it, was only able to photograph the same side of Mercury each time it passed by. Only half of the gigantic Caloris impact basin was tantalizingly imaged. Finally, in 2008, the MESSENGER mission flew by and then entered orbit around Mercury for an extended visit, allowing complete photography and inspection with many state of the art instruments. Mercury was revealed.

Besides being closest to the sun, Mercury has other special attributes. As it’s much smaller, it wasn’t able to keep any atmosphere it might have had in the beginning, so meteorites were able to impact at will, covering the surface with craters. However, extensive lava flows have poured forth, much like the Moon’s dark lava plains, and covered some of the craters. In addition to the impact craters and lava flows, huge faults stretch across Mercury. These all have large vertical offsets and show that Mercury has actually shrunk by about 10 km (6 miles) since it formed.

Mercury was once thought to show only one face toward the Sun, but now we know that its ‘day’ lasts 59 Earth days (its year is 88 Earth days long).

Because it’s so close to the sun and it has no atmosphere to even out the temperature differences, the sunlit side

roasts at about 450°C (840°F) while the night side freezes at -170°C (-275°F).

Mercury’s rotation axis doesn’t tilt like the Earth’s so there are no ‘seasons’ and this led to an interesting discovery.

Powerful radar antennas on Earth were able to image Mercury and they found a unique signature in deep craters at the poles. Comparing those signatures to known targets, the investigators found that water ice was the only substance that made sense. On the hottest planet in the solar system! When Messenger arrived at Mercury some years later, it made a complete 3-D topographic map of the planet and found that the craters at the poles were forever shaded, causing them to act like non-stop freezers, trapping any water that appeared at Mercury, such as from comets or outgassing from the interior.

MESSENGER ran out of fuel and

MICHELLECOOK.COM 805.570.3183 DRE 01451543 MICHELLE@MICHELLECOOK.COM

C A S T A N E D A Pro Tint & Design Auto ~ Commercial ~ Residential Call today

for your free estimate Protec t Your Home, Auto & Business Interiors

Keep cooler

in hot summer months

Professional Window Tinting Services 18 + Years of Experience

805-331-4512

w w w. c a s t a n e d a p r o t i n t . c o m

26 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Enjoy the Benefits of UV Protection

Reduced

Energy Costs Added Privacy

castanedatint@gmail.com

“There’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on.” – Carol Rifka Brunt

24 – 31 December 2020

was crashed into Mercury in 2015.

But another mission is on its way to continue study of the planet: BepiColombo is a joint project between the European and Japanese space agencies and should arrive at Mercury in 2021, settling into orbit in 2025. It will concentrate on the geology and internal structure of the planet as well as its very thin atmosphere and surprising magnetic field.

Mercury is periodically visible from Earth, although it’s always close to the Sun. It’s now disappearing into the rising sun and will next appear in late January 2021, just after sunset.

Next time: the veiled planet Venus.

•MJ

Real Estate Appraiser Greg Brashears California Certified General Appraiser Serving Santa Barbara County and beyond for 30 years V 805-650-9340 EM gb@gregbrashears.com SITE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION 50 + YEARS EXPERIENCE - LOCAL 35+ YEARS

• FLOOR LEVELING • QUALITY REMODELING • FOUNDATION REPLACEMENTS • FOUNDATIONS REPAIRS • NEW CONSTRUCTION • RETAINING WALLS • FRENCH DRAINS – WATERPROOFING • SITE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS • UNDERPINNINGS – CAISSONS • STRUCTURAL CORRECTION WORK • CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS

805.698.4318

FREE INSPECTION

William J. Dalziel Lic#B311003 – Bonded & Insured visit our site at:

www.williamjdalziel.com billdalziel@yahoo.com

J ARROTT

&

CO.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

SPECIALIZING IN 1031 TAX-DEFERRED EXCHANGES AND

TRIPLE NET LEASED

M ANAGEMENT F REE

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES WITH NATIONAL TENANTS CALL

Len Jarrott, MBA, CCIM 805-569-5999 http://www.jarrott.com

24 – 31 December 2020

Muller Monthly Music Meta

Our new monthly music-themed crossword puzzle is created and brought to you by Montecito resident Pete Muller and runs in the Washington Post and the Montecito Journal. Thank you, Pete, for playing with your home team!

What is a Meta Crossword Puzzle?

A

meta crossword puzzle provides the ultimate “aha” moment, challenging the solver to come up with a single answer somehow hidden in the puzzle. Hints to the answer can come from the title, Muller has enjoyed solving the theme entries, the clues, or the grid. If I’ve done my job as a constructor, once you get the meta, you’ll Pete crosswords since he was a teenager. know it. If you’re thinking, “Hmmm…maybe this is it,” you probably haven’t found the meta yet!

He started creating them in 2005 Metas are well-suited to contests, since it’s hard to cheat on a meta. An obscure crossword clue like and published his first NY Times puzzle in 2006. While Pete is known for [Nickname for President Van Buren, from his birthplace] can be answered in a second using Google his innovative and tricky puzzles, he (“OLD KINDERHOOK”), but you can’t do the same for a meta. While googling is considered cheating places primary importance on creating a fun experience for the solver. (to some) in solving a crossword, googling is encouraged in solving metas.

The meta answer will usually be reasonably well-known to most solvers. If it’s not, it will definitely be accessible via a web search.

For more information or to submit an answer, please go to https://pmxwords.com.

Monthly Music Those submitting correct solutions beforeMuller the contest deadline (8pm PT, Meta Sunday http://www.pmxwords.com December 27) will be eligible to win a free MMMM mug.

Mega Meta 2020 By the Numbers by Pete Muller

By the Numbers

ACROSS 1 "The Beatles have the most #1 hits on the Billboard pop charts," e.g.

5 Third-day creation, presumably 9 Rapper who's acted in the "Fast and the Furious" films, familiarly 13 It stinks!

14 Elton John/Tim Rice opera adaptation that featured a #2 song on the Adult Contemporary chart ("Written in the Stars") 15 Home to most of I-5 16 Normandy river 17 Cheek or lip 18 There are 6 teaspoons in a fluid one 19 Word in a Peter Tosh album title 21 Do some cleanup after some leafjumping messes up your initial efforts 22 Exactamundo 23 Andreas Vollenweider, Jon Secada, or the Pet Shop Boys' Chris Lowe, say (all born on October 4) 25 Neigh-sayer?

27 Cage on a screen, for short 28 Nugent of "Intensities in 10 Cities" fame 31 The Cecil B. DeMille Award was her ninth Golden Globe 35 Produce contaminant 37 Nation that adopted Islam in the seventh century 38 "Let me ___ on it" (lyric repeated in Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light") 40 "Jim, I Wore ___ Today" (Highwaymen cover of an Eddy Arnold tune) 41 Pointy pub projectiles 43 Beatles album whose eleventh track is "Mean Mr. Mustard" 45 Dwarf's weapon in "The Lord of the Rings" 46 Country with the eighth-largest immigrant population after the U.S.: Abbr.

48 Scottish wool caps 49 Like rainforests 51 Booty boxes 55 Jimmy Buffett tune with a Spanish name with the closing line "And I hope Anita Bryant never ever does one of my songs" 58 "No joke!"

60 "Twelfth night" role that's also a musical instrument 61 Word shouted many times in "Believer" by Imagine Dragons 62 Noodle bar choice 63 Schemes 64 Rihanna album with the song "Desperado" (not a cover!)

65 "To the ___ love" (February 14 words) 66 Govt. IDs 67 Thirteenth of a quarter, roughly 68 General abbreviation?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20 23 25 32

26

33

42

45

46

35 39

43

56

28

29

30

52

53

54

36 40

44

47

48

49 55

27

38

41

12

24

34

37

11

21

22

31

10

50

57

58

51 59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

The meta for this puzzle is the mega-meta for 2020, a song from the '80s.

DOWN 1 April first targets 2 Pitching pro 3 River in Africa whose name appears in two African countries 4 Filmmaker's marketing document 5 It's simple!

6 Demi Moore flirts with her in the second "Charlie's Angels" movie 7 Henry Ford's only son 8 Rapper with a song in "Rush Hour 3" 9 Fourth hurricane of this year's Atlantic hurricane season 10 Fifth-longest bone in the body 11 "Moby-___" (Melville's sixth novel) 12 Without ___ (pro bono) 15 Strong-arm 20 Folk singer McKenna 21 Hank Aaron specialty, for short 24 Underwater 26 South Africa : rand :: Gambia : ___ 28 Band whose tenth album was called "Tambu" (a Caribbean musical style) 29 Director Kazan 30 Went Chapter 11 and didn't restructure successfully, say

• The Voice of the Village •

31 7UP, e.g.

32 Kodak black-and-white film brand whose name becomes a department store if you insert a J and append an X 33 Song title for Selena Gomez or Gwen Stefani 34 #9 on U.S. News & World Report's "Best States" list: Abbr.

36 Auto-drive facilitator 39 Dove 42 Places for sweaters?

44 Community center initialism that might make a good Weird Al Yankovic parody 47 "Jennifer 8" co-star Thurman 49 Puts an end to 50 Good name for a steakhouse server 52 A fourteenth of it is a pound 53 "Free" country?

54 B-o-o-o-ring 55 Diamond VIPs 56 Afflicts 57 12, sometimes 59 Iota 61 "___ Patrol" (kids' TV show that debuted in '13)

© 2020 Pete Muller

MONTECITO JOURNAL

27

NOSH TOWN

by Claudia Schou

ON THE MENU: COMFORT MEALS AND NEW BEGINNINGS

I

nside the kitchen at Santa Barbara Rescue Mission a team of masked and gloved volunteers prepare six dozen turkeys – washing each bird, stuffing them with onions, garlic, and herbs, basting them with butter and seasonings – all in preparation for the most important dinner of the year, the Christmas Feast.

It’s a time-consuming process that takes five days of kitchen preparation. During the pandemic, however, while unemployment is still high and COVID-19 cases are on the rise, the atmosphere is sobering. In between chopping, mixing, and hand-washings the volunteers take a respite to share a holiday joke or invoke some laughter to take their minds off the pandemic.

Sulaiman “Freddie” Rashad works as a kitchen manager and chef. Unlike most chefs, he doesn’t have control over the ingredients he uses for his meals and often he has to be resourceful in his meal making. He creates dishes with ingredients he purchases with his monthly budget or those donated to the mission by local residents and restaurants.

“Every month I have a budget I work with and when I do holiday feasts it comes out of our regular budget,” said Rashad. “There isn’t really a special budget for holiday meals because most of the produce we use is already donated or items that we normally have in stock already.” Most of the canned foods and dry foods (such as pasta) that fill the pantry come from local residents, he said.

Rashad has worked at the Rescue Mission for almost two years. Previously, he worked as a junior sous-chef at Mesa Burger on the Mesa and in Goleta. Prior to that he worked in construction for 16 years.

At the Mission he manages a team of 10 men who are in the residential treatment program and work in the kitchen preparing meals.

“We have two bread guys, two produce guys, two breakfast cooks, one lunch cook, and three dinner cooks who assist me in making the feast,” he said. “The produce guys handle all organizing in the walk-in fridge and prepare salad for every dinner meal and a salad bar for our residents,” he added. Volunteers also provide prep work for the cooks, acting as sous chefs when needed.

Preparing the fowls for the holiday dinner is an all-hands-on-deck operation with up to 15

volunteers in the kitchen at a time, Rashad said. “Roughly seventy turkeys are slow roasted for about eight hours. The side dishes are prepared two days prior to the feast. We use all four ovens, the cook top, and flat grill,” he added.

The Rescue Mission serves dinner to approximately 135 homeless guests every evening, 30 men in the residential recovery program, and 20 women in recovery at the Bethel House.

The demand for meal service during the pandemic has increased, according to Kevin Carroll, the Rescue Mission’s homeless guest services director. “Meals have gone up about fifteen percent,” he said. “[Prior to the pandemic] we served one hundred meals at a time, but now we are only seating twenty-four guests at a time, plus the to-go boxes.”

To accommodate the increase in meals for families and individuals, the Rescue Mission spread out its holiday feast over three consecutive nights, December 21-23. All guests’ temperatures were checked before they entered.

Each year the Christmas Feast serves hot meals for up to 300 guests within two hours.

Typically, guests can sit side-by-side and share a Christmas meal together. This year, because of COVID-19, things were different.

“We had to re-imagine the dinner because it draws large crowds,” explained Rebecca Weber, the Rescue Mission’s director of communications. “We separated [walk-in diners] from our men in the recovery program who are using the dining hall located in their section of the facility. We had tables and chairs set for six feet distancing, and the meals were served in to-go containers to aid in social distancing.”

A new sound system was installed in the chapel to play Christmas carols and provide a festive atmosphere for guests, Weber added.

What does a pandemic holiday feast look like? The special menu featured a traditional turkey basted in butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and basil served with hot gravy, roasted broccoli, and butternut squash. Local farmers donated some of the vegetables, including the butternut squash.

There were also comfort food favorites such as a five cheese mac and cheese, with sharp cheddar, colby and Monterey jack, mozzarella and parmesan. Rashad added heavy cream, butter, and milk to the macaroni to make it extra creamy and bread crumbs for texture. He tossed in crispy bacon bits to elevate the flavors.

The holiday meal also included a spring mix salad with tomatoes, cucumber, goat cheese, almonds, and a lemon vinaigrette dressing and a Hawaiian sweet roll on the side.

A MISSION, NOT JUST A JOB Rashad sees his job at the Rescue Mission as more than a culinary experience to add to his resume. Working in the kitchen and serving the Mission’s guests has a deeper, more personal meaning to Rashad because he used to be a resident.

He entered the Rescue Mission’s program in January 2018 and lived there off and on

Nosh Page 444

Need help with your holiday libations?

Let Certified Sommelier Brian Brunello assist you!

Voted Best Wine Shop in Santa Barbara Independent’s 2020 Reader’s Poll We Deliver!

To accommodate the increase in meals for families and individuals, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission spread out its holiday feast over three consecutive nights, December 21-23

CONVENIENT PARKING ON CORNER

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM Sunday 11AM-5PM 1271 Coast Village Road, Montecito (Across the street from Los Arroyos Restaurant)

(805) 969-5939 www.MontecitoVino.com

28 MONTECITO JOURNAL

The special menu featured a traditional turkey basted in butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and basil served with hot gravy, roasted broccoli, and butternut squash

“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!” – Thomas Wentworth Higginson

24 – 31 December 2020

Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday from our MB&T family to yours!

montecito.bank

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

29

On Entertainment (Continued from page 23 23)) Q. What drove you to adapt this famous story that has been a staple of Christmas for decades for ETC to take on this year?

A. My original idea with this was that a lot of people have experienced A Christmas Carol, either as a movie or the animated TV special or onstage as a theatrical play in some version, but they may never have actually read the story.

The language is just so rich and wonderful that it’s very enjoyable just to even listen to it. And rather than do somebody else’s version I just decided to edit it myself down to about 90 minutes or so. Because of COVID, the goal was never to present it as a full theatrical production. But initially our hope was to film it live on stage with the five actors from last year’s successful production of It’s a Wonderful Life, to have them return to do this where they would play all the roles similar to the way they did in the radio play, with Foley (sound effects) and live music.

But we ended up having some complications with the Screen Actors Guild and then Equity (theater actors guild) so we had to shift gears and rethink how we could do it. After a couple of tries, what we ended up with was having everybody in their homes filming themselves there, which is what we would have had to do with the new (COVID protocols) anyway. We sent the actors cameras and microphone equipment and all sorts of backgrounds, and are pre-recording it. There still will be live Foley that we are adding into it as well as original by music.

You were involved in Karyl Lynn Burns’ new adaptation of A Christmas Carol at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura just a couple of years ago. I know you are working from the novel, but what can you tell me about your approach?

I really wanted to highlight the text. I did not want to veer off and try to recreate something, because people should experience the descriptive language, which is very delicious, without imposing the idea of what they should be seeing or what something looked like. For example, there are a lot of really great descriptions of various scenes and characters that never, you never get, you know, you never hear about because they’re just depicted visually on stage or a movie. But in the novel, some of the descriptions are just outrageous, and are worthy of being left alone. I didn’t want to disturb them. The tough part was cutting it down because there’s some beautiful sections and passages and scenes that I really wanted to include but it’s hard to watch things online that are two and a half hours these days.

It’s quite a concept to have the same actors from last December come back to do a reading/radio play of another classic Christmas story. What inspired you to go that route?

Audiences just loved that group of actors in It’s a Wonderful Life and they did such a great job playing all the parts and playing off of each other. Knowing the piece as well as I do, I knew they could do all of the roles in A Christmas Carol too. Peter van Norden has played Scrooge for many years and he and Teri were both were in the production that I had done at the Rubicon. The whole cast had already experienced telling a story and very effectively portraying different characters with just the voices. I figured our audiences would find it interesting if it was that same group of people doing this show.

Congratulations to Janet Caminite Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is pleased to congratulate Janet Caminite on the successful representation of the seller at 620 Buena Vista Street, Listed at $3,695,000

Janet Caminite Associate Manager (805)896-7767 JanetCaminite@bhhscal.com DRE: 01273668

© 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

30 MONTECITO JOURNAL

But mainly just to have five actors who really know what they’re doing bringing Dickens’ words and characters to life has been a joy for me. Hopefully people will really get a kick out of it, too.

I just want to revisit, if we can, what it is about this story that resonates with you, makes it meaningful enough to have worked with it in at least three iterations?

I’ve always just loved how it’s such a bizarre thing to have a ghost story about Christmas. What a strange juxtaposition, but I really love the scary parts.

I also love darkness, because that’s where you can have the fight for light. And Dickens is a master in the way he describes the setting and the various moods and atmospheres.

Of course, it’s also that it’s such a classic story of redemption which we always need to be reminded of in our own lives. It’s important to look at the ways in which we are miserly or how we are like Scrooge, and remind ourselves of the spirit of giving and community and care for the less fortunate, that important message of what it means to be a good human being. God knows we have plenty of Scrooges in this world.

It seems with all that’s happened this year, it’s also a potent parable for our times.

With the state of the world right now, there’s an even greater need for stories like this. Care for others is a constant thing that we have to practice. We have to be aware of our actions and our impact and our responsibility to each other. We have free will and can choose to be whatever kind of person we want: someone who is selfish and self-contained or one who is doing things for each other because that’s the right thing to do.

(ETC’s virtual staged reading of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas will be available to stream on demand for free from 5 pm on December 24 through 12 noon on December 28. Register (required) online at https://etcsb. org)

Another South Coast ‘Estella Scrooge’ Connection

We mentioned in these pages a few weeks ago how the new Broadway-onfilm production of Estella Scrooge, based on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and featuring lots of references to many of the author’s other works, had originated a decade ago at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura as a Plays-in-Progress production. Now we’ve discovered that the pandemic-prodded “digital theater piece” has another local angle: Patrick Page, the Tony-nominated actor who plays Mr. Merdle, is an alum of PCPA, having undergone some early training and professional experience as a part of the rep theater’s class of 1982.

Meanwhile, Estella Scrooge has been winning plaudits in the press for the latest collaboration for which John Caird directed and co-wrote the book with lyricist-composer Paul Gordon, and the novel approach in which the actors were filmed individually due to COVID protocols then the footage was enhanced with animation, backgrounds, and other imagery. “The talented cast more than thrives under the strange filming conditions,” according to the L.A. Times, which notes that the two leads “convey their complicated history well and have palpable chemistry despite having to film their scenes in isolation.”

(Scrooge can be seen via pay-per-view stream through January 3. Get tickets online at www.streamingmusicals.com or through your favorite local theater, including the Rubicon, to have them receive a portion of the price.)

Holiday Memories Take Center Stage

Center Stage Theater’s Personal Stories program, The Moth-inspired series of true stories performed by their authors that started out under the auspices of its Speaking of Stories banner but survived the cessation of the mothership because of its growing popularity, has completed the second edition of its pandemic pivot this month. With the theater closed to the public, CST’s annual Holiday Memories has veered into the virtual space, with the readers sharing memories of holidays throughout the year, from Christmas to Halloween to the Fourth of July and beyond, and including, we imagine, a bevy of beauties about celebrating during these strange times. And if we can’t be together to hear the tales in person, at least we can cuddle up with some cookies and milk (or a cozy partner or roommate) and enjoy the stories in the safe and socially distanced location of our own choosing to escape back to the wonder of hearing someone read us a story.

There are five separate programs to Holiday Memories, each consisting of funny, personal, touching, and/or heartwarming true tales all told by their authors, ranging from three to five per episode. The pay-what-you-can price for tickets begins at $10 and goes up in stages for those who want to further help the theater survive these incredibly challenging economic times.

The full series of videos was released last weekend and will remain available for on-demand and/or repeat viewings through January 15. Visit centerstagetheater.org for details and tickets.

•MJ

“It’s all about the feeling you get when you smell pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread and spruce.” - Taylor Swift

24 – 31 December 2020

Stonington, Connecticut Main House

6 bedrooms 8.2 bathooms Guest House

3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms Donna Simmons 401.439.0268

Plan your summer getaway at this luxurious rental featuring a private beach and stunning water views.

• • • • • • •

Conveniently nestled between Boston and New York City Private access beaches Salt water pool and spa Tennis court Exclusive 450 foot jetty with dock Over eight acres of private property on a peninsula Idyllic landscaping

• • • •

Commercial quality gym and sauna Custom built chef’s kitchen Seven total fireplaces Unique stone wine cave for 2,000 bottles with cooling refrigeration system • High tech security system • New geo-thermal heating and cooling • Nine seat sophisticated theatre room with built-in sound system

Each office is independently owned and operated.

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

31

Miscellany (Continued from page 20) Larry Ellison moving full time to live in Hawaii (photo: Oracle PR)

for ting California to live in Hawaii.

Ellison, 76, the world’s 11th richest man, owns 98 percent of Lanai, the state’s sixth largest island at 140 square miles. He bought it in 2012 and employs the majority of the island’s residents.

His company follows in the footsteps of Elon Musk and Tesla, which is also leaving Silicon Valley for Austin, Texas.

Ellison, who is worth around $75 billion, told company employees he will work via Zoom for the foreseeable future.

Clevr for Christmas

Toast Spirits LLC · Las Vegas, NV 89135 Drink BEAU JOIE Responsibly

New Montecito resident Meghan Markle has gifted her close friend and fellow neighbor Oprah Winfrey with an enormous hamper of coffee from a “woman-led” mission driven wellness company to mark the Yuletide season.

The former TV talk show titan, 66, showed off the contents from the California-based Clevr in an Instagram video, captioning the post with a crown emoji and writing: “On the first day of Christmas my neighbor ‘M’ sent to me – a basket of delicious coffees! (Yes, that M) “My new drink of choice for the morning or night,” she added.

Perfect publicity for the Duchess of Sussex, who is reportedly an investor in the company.

Art of Titanic Proportions

Gordon Frickers, an old friend who used to be my photographer on The Falmouth Packet when I started my career, has morphed into a very competent maritime artist.

Now living in Brittany in the north of France after 25 years in the seafaring city of Plymouth, Devon, Gordon has just completed a two-year project of twin paintings of the doomed White Star liner Titanic, which took 800 hours of research.

One of the paintings “Plymouth Harbour” was commissioned by Tim Martin, author of three books on the 883-ft., 46,328-ton ship that struck an iceberg in the Atlantic in 1912 on its maiden voyage with the loss of 1,500 passengers from its full complement of 2,240.

It is a copy of an original work

by Royal Academician Norman Wilkinson that hung in the first class

AVAIL ABLE

H AND M ADE COLLECTOR BOTTLE www.beaujoiechampagne.com

32 MONTECITO JOURNAL

24 – 31 December 2020

Artist Gordon Frickers and his work of the doomed liner Titanic

smoking room of the luxury liner.

“It is accurate to the last seagull and wave top and also the identical size – 31 by 68 inches,” Gordon, 71, whose work has been commissioned by the Cunard shipping line, Virgin Atlantic tycoon Sir Richard Branson, and the National Trust, tells me.

He is hoping to sell the second work next year after putting it on tour, with a portion of the proceeds going to, appropriately enough, a maritime charity.

His e-mail is artistfrickers@gmail. com and his website www.frickers. co.uk/art.

Maybe a fine addition to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum?

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Former Home Sells

The Bel Air mansion owned by the late Hungarian glamorpuss Zsa Zsa Gabor has just sold for $16 million.

Zsa Zsa, known for femme fatale movie roles and many marriages, bought the aerie for $245,000 in 1973 and lived there until her death four years ago aged 99.

The 6,400-sq. ft. home on a oneacre lot, once lived in by billionaire Howard Hughes and rock star Elvis Presley, also had a discotheque named after Moulin Rouge after her 1952 film directed by John Huston.

I was often invited there in the late ‘70s by an old friend, the late veteran Rogers & Cowan publicist Gloria Luchenbill, and Zsa Zsa and I would cut the rug to the Studio 54 anthem “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, who I later danced with on the CBS New York set of the Geraldo Rivera’s TV talk show as she lip synched her major hit.

Ivanhoe Mines billionaire Robert Friedland, a diamond and precious metals mogul who also has homes in Singapore and Thailand, is the new owner. It is the third time the French Regency property has changed hands since Zsa Zsa’s move to more heavenly pastures.

Remembering John le Carré

On a personal note, I mark the passing of the prolific author John le 24 – 31 December 2020

John le Carré R.I.P. (photo by Krimidoedel)

Carré, who has died at his home in Cornwall aged 89.

For six decades his 25 gripping thrillers dominated the bestseller lists and review pages using his pseudonym, although his real name was David Cornwell.

His enormous body of work goes back to 1961 with his novel The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, which made into a memorable 1965 film with Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, and Oskar Werner – which won four BAFTAs, the British equivalent of Oscars – catapulting him to global acclaim.

Le Carré wrote with authority having worked for the British Secret Service – MI5 and MI6 – in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Other works included Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy in 1974 and The Constant Gardener in 2001.

His books sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, many being made into feature films and TV series.

I would often see John and his wife, Jane, on my annual visits to Cornwall, either strolling around the historic town of Penzance or at my local pub, The Logan Rock in Treen, a short drive from his cliffside aerie near the charming village of St. Buryan.

Sightings: TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres shopping at Jeni Kayne Apparel and Home in San Ysidro Village driving her new Land Rover...

Singer John Legend and wife, Chrissy Teigen, noshing at Ca’Dario... Actor Adam Sandler strolling around the Rosewood Miramar Pip! Pip! - Be safe and Happy Holidays •MJ

L-R: Sabrina and Debra

Experience outweighs uncertainty.

Advice Matters.

With recent events, an emphasis on managing risk has moved to the forefront as investors look for informed strategies to help them protect their wealth.

At Morgan Stanley, we have the experience, knowledge and resources to help you manage risk, to recognize how it could affect your portfolio, and to work toward minimizing its impact.

Meet with us to learn more and get personalized advice you need in an uncertain world.

Galin Kranz Group at Morgan Stanley Debra Galin Senior Vice President Wealth Advisor 805-564-7987 debra.a.galin@ morganstanley.com Sabrina Kranz Senior Portfolio Manager Vice President Financial Advisor 805-564-7985 1014 Santa Barbara Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 advisor.morganstanley.com/ galin-kranz-group

Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. © 2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. FAS015

CRC 3019930 04/20 CS 9935418 11/20

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

33

On The Record (Continued from page 6) public,” Kirn said. “Fred has a calm demeanor and is a true team player who is committed to always get the job done.”

Q: What is your job title and basic job description, and what is your key role in the 101 widening project?

A: I am the Director of Project Delivery and Construction for the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). I manage all SBCAG regional projects that are supported by Measure A, our local transportation sales tax, and other funding sources. I work closely with Caltrans and our local city and county partners on design, permitting, and construction. This includes the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project where SBCAG has an active role and an in-depth partnership with Caltrans.

safer, reduce traffic congestion, strategize ways to earn state and federal grants, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and do it all with the least amount of impact to neighbors and people using the road during construction.

101 Freeway Construction Holiday Update

Note to readers: This update covers the time period from Dec. 20, 2020 to Jan. 9, 2021. Crews will not work on Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1 in observance of the holidays.

Drive safe and enjoy the break!

Can you tell us a bit about your background and other projects you’ve worked on in the past?

After graduating from Cal Poly with a civil engineering degree, I worked in transportation for an international consulting firm. Transportation and infrastructure improvement projects have been my focus for the last 30 years, with 20 years managing SBCAG’s regional program with an emphasis on the Highway 101 corridor. A few key projects include Highway 101 between Linden and Casitas Pass, Milpas to Hot Springs, and Ventura to Carpinteria.

What is the most exciting work going on in the 101 project?

I enjoy working on projects that have a direct safety benefit for people. The creation of righthand ramps at the Sheffield Drive Interchange will be a significant change from people entering and exiting the freeway from the fast lane.

When you drive by, you can already see progress. It is interesting to see new bridges, walls, and ramps go into an area that has had issues for years.

So what don’t people know about the project that they should know?

Building these projects requires technical experience and a highly collaborative team. We work hard to make these projects better through partnerships with Caltrans, the County of Santa Barbara, and all the local governments along the South Coast. The amount of technical expertise and what is accomplished is impressive. There are more than 100 team members working to make this area

IT’S FRENCH – IT’S ORGANIC – IT’S SPARKLING WINE

EFFERVESCENCE BONNE ANNÉE 2021

Work continues with just a short break for the holidays

Closures:

Northbound Highway 101

Sunday nights, 9:00 pm – 5:00 am, 1 lane: N Padaro Ln to Sheffield Dr, on- and off-ramps at Evans Ave, Ortega Hill Rd, and Sheffield Dr Sunday night Dec. 20th, 9:00 pm – 5:00 am, 1 lane: Bailard Ave to Santa Claus Ln Monday – Thursday nights, 8:00 pm – 5:00 am, 1 lane: N Padaro Ln to Sheffield Dr, on- and off-ramps at Evans Ave, Ortega Hill Rd, and Sheffield Dr

Southbound Highway 101

Sunday nights, 10:00 pm – 7:00 am, 1 lane: Sheffield Dr to N Padaro Ln & Santa Claus Ln to Casitas Pass Rd, off-ramp at Evans Ave, on-ramp at Wallace Ave Monday – Thursday nights, 8:00 pm – 7:30 am, 1 lane: Sheffield Dr to N Padaro Ln & Santa Claus Ln to Casitas Pass Rd, off-ramp at Evans Ave, on-ramp at Wallace Ave On-ramp at Sheffield Dr, closed for the duration of the project, anticipated reopening 2023, drivers can use the southbound on-ramps at Wallace Ave and N Padaro Ln Off-ramp at Sheffield Dr, closed for up to 16 months, anticipated reopening end of 2021, drivers can use the southbound off-ramp at San Ysidro Rd On- & off-ramps at Reynolds Ave, closed up to 16 weeks, anticipated reopening end of January, drivers can use off-ramp at Linden Ave and on-ramp at Casitas Pass Rd Off-ramp at Casitas Pass Rd, reopening December 21, during the temporary closure, drivers can use off-ramp at Linden Ave

Evans Ave Undercrossing

Flaggers will direct traffic with alternating lane closures as needed during daytime work for materials delivery and equipment movement. The majority of work will occur behind safety barriers with lanes open on Evans Avenue under the freeway bridges.

On The Record Page 404 404

Medicare

Annual Election Period

2021

IMPORTED BY PROVENÇAL COLLECTIVE, INC.

Provencalcollective.com

MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA

34 MONTECITO JOURNAL

LE BARROUX, FRANCE

License #0773817

P Medicare Supplements P Medicare Advantage P Medicare Part D

Call Today: (805) 683-3636

“I pray this winter be gentle and kind - a season of rest from the wheel of the mind.” -John Geddes

Starts Oct. 15 through Dec. 7th

+

E FREVIP Concierge

Customer Service

www.stevensinsurance.com

3412 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105

24 – 31 December 2020

Village Beat (Continued from page 12 12)) The Commissioners, of which Susan Keller was absent, voted to receive and file the reports related to the compliance update, and determined that the current Beach Bar hours are compatible with the surrounding area. “If members of the community have any concerns, we ask that they call [the Resort] directly,” Ross said.

Rebuilding & Recovery Update

Also at MPC last week, County planner Joe Dargel gave an update on the rebuilding following the Thomas Fire and 1/9 debris flow, nearly two years after the debris flow damaged or destroyed 631 structures in Montecito, and took the lives of 23 members of our community.

When the County first took stock of the destruction, 221 of the structures damaged were tagged “green,” meaning minimal damage but habitable.

167 (41%) of the homes damaged were tagged “yellow” meaning significant damage and 243 (59%) were tagged “red,” which meant uninhabitable. Of those structures tagged yellow and red, 55% of them are now in the “green” category, 25% are still “yellow,” and 17% are still “red.” According to Dargel, 322 properties are still in the process of being rebuilt or cleaned up, and 50 are in an active phase of working with the County for rebuilding. 74 homes are still awaiting owner action, and seven are pending possible sale. The County is still unable to locate or make contact with the owner of sixty homes (12%) damaged in the debris flow. “We’ve exhausted all avenues to contact the owners,” Dargel said.

Property owners affected by the disaster continue to seek planning permits; 68 were filed in December and 49 of them were approved. Most are like-forlike rebuilds, with a small few seeking a Coastal Development Permit or Land Use Permit. During the pandemic, staff has been working with homeowners virtually. “We’re able to process through digital means and it seems to be going very well,” Dargel said, adding despite this, the pandemic has caused a noticeable slowdown in the rebuilding process.

Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor presented an update on Montecito’s resiliency in terms of fire prevention efforts. Chief Taylor made note that the hearing was taking place exactly three years to the day that the Thomas Fire, which started in Santa Paula, made its way into Montecito proper.

MFPD has a long history of dedicating a significant amount of resources to fire prevention efforts, which include chipping, defensible space work, maintaining the fuel treatment network, conducting roadside weed abatement and hazardous tree removal, a pilot sheep grazing project, and more. Taylor reported that in 2020 the District has conducted 153 days of fire prevention work, which amounts to 607 tons of material, 35 acres cleared, and 10 miles of road cleared.

Current projects include conducting a study in partnership with the Carpinteria-Summerland District; results of the study, which in part looks at optimal sites for a new fire station, are expected in January. The District also continues to collaborate with partner agencies, including the Montecito Association, on its Hands Across Montecito homeless outreach project, and is taking part in a “home hardening grant” pilot program, which will offer funds to members of the community who cannot afford to prepare their properties for wildfire.

Chief Taylor reported that the District is planning to conduct an Evacuation Study come January. He explained that the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, had a profound effect on fire districts throughout California. Paradise was the first community in California to conduct an extensive evacuation study 15 years ago. “We all looked at their evacuation study as the gold standard. It was what we all strived for, and it served as the framework for every evacuation plan in the wildland/urban interface in California,” Chief Taylor said.

“Unfortunately in the Camp Fire, given our new norm in fire behavior, we learned that that evacuation plan didn’t work. Several community members tragically lost their lives as a result of that fire, and we don’t want that here.”

The District is seeking to validate its current evacuation plan, which has

December 2017: the Thomas Fire makes its way into the Montecito Fire District area; it would become what was then the largest wildfire in California state history

been used in the Tea Fire, Thomas Fire, debris flow, and during other evacuation orders. “We want to validate that that plan is accurate utilizing the latest traffic modeling that’s available from evacuation scientists,” Taylor said, adding that a professional firm will be hired to look at the current plan and ensure that during a local fire, the evacuation zones we have now are not too large or are not too small. The hope is that the study will be complete by next year’s fire season.

For more information, visit www.montecitofire.com.

•MJ

AN HOUR CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Talking can help - just depends on who you are talking to

WE OFFER

Solution-Focused Single Sessions Individual, Couples, & Family Therapy Group Therapy Psychological Assessments 2020 HAS BEEN TOUGH FOR SO MANY, NOW IS THE TIME TO FOCUS ON A BETTER 2021

• Available to care for our neighbors, and accepting new patients.

• Infection control protocol followed, with all areas sanitized including wait area and exam room.

1483 E. Valley Road, Suite M | 805.969.6090 24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

www.californiacounselingclinics.com 805-586-2400 Call Us or Book Online

MONTECITO JOURNAL

35

Dear Montecito (Continued from page 14)

Dear Montecito,

You never quite realize how special a place is until you no longer get to call it home. Montecito is one of those places. I grew up in a somewhat unconventional way. My father was the groundskeeper at Montecito Union School for over 30 years. He was known for his thick Scottish brogue and rough exterior, but anyone who knows “Scottie” remembers a hard-working, dedicated man with a big heart. He was an icon in the Montecito community for the many generations of families that grew up there.

My parents immigrated to this country in the 1970s. My mother from Japan and my father from Glasgow did what any other hard-working immigrants do. They both worked tirelessly in hopes to provide my sister and I opportunities that they never had. My father took a lot of pride in his work. He never considered being the head custodian of MUS a simple day-job. Given the responsibility required that he physically live on the school grounds to oversee the school 24-7, meant that he literally lived, breathed, and ate there. And in turn, my sister and I got to grow up there.

The education that we received at MUS was arguably the best advantage they could have given us. As a young child, it gave me the sense that anything was possible. I think back fondly to my summers in Montecito.

Like most kids in the late ‘80s, the time was spent unstructured. No summer camps, no electronics. Simply riding our bikes with friends to the Wine & Cheese shop, collecting tadpoles in the nearby creek and learning how to paint as I “helped” and worked alongside my dad with random odd endjobs on campus. Living on campus

WATER WELLS

also meant that the teachers, who are arguably the most committed group of folks I had ever seen, also spent much of their time there. And so I made myself useful babysitting their kids, while they worked on getting their classrooms together when their students were on break.

At age nine, I announced to my dad that “I want to be a doctor when I grow up!” He scoffed a bit, in a loving but honest way and replied: “You can do whatever you want. I just don’t think medicine is what you hope it is.

It is far more political than you realize,” he told me. “But if this is what you want to do, do it… just make sure you give it 150 percent. Whatever you do, always give it 150 percent!” At the time, I didn’t really know what he was saying. Political? Aren’t you helping people? Decades later the irony of his comments would resonate.

Hard Work Pays Off

I knew fully well that despite my parents being some of the hardest working and most generous people I know, affording college was just not feasible. It would be up to me to figure it out. So, I immersed myself in competitive club swimming and other extracurricular activities. For many years, I remember my mother getting up at the crack of dawn, already dressed in her office attire ready to drive me to swim practice. I continued to swim for club, became the swim team captain at Santa Barbara High School, developed a love for public speaking and became ASB president. I was ecstatic when I was accepted into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study microbiology as a pre-med.

After undergrad, I sought a master’s degree at Boston University. Later, returning to California for medical school, I hoped to match into the “toughest” ER residency program I could get in to. Why? Because I wanted to feel like I could handle just about anything that came through the door. It was time to

When COVID struck, Dr. Morrison persuaded Thomas Tighe, the CEO of Direct Relief International, to donate more than 2,000 N95 masks

start at the USC Medical Center, dubbed the “knife and gun club.”

Residency was much like being immersed in a warzone. Quite literally. I wasn’t shocked to learn that the U.S. military rotates their medics through our ER to train before deploying them into combat overseas. So onward I went. Now married, 29 years old and eight months pregnant with my first child. It was a good thing I didn’t know any better at the time. I had no idea how grueling internship plus nursing and caring for a newborn post-night shift would be. Fast forward to my fourth year of residency, now equally pregnant with my second child as a senior resident running the trauma bay – it was a funny sight to say the least.

After training, I stayed on moonlighting as an attending at USC teaching residents but also enjoyed working in a community ER practice. With two young children as my primary focus, I felt emergency medicine was a pretty good “mom-job” due to the flexibility. However, the flipping of nights to days was wearing. And so, for self-sustainability purposes I felt it was important to expand my career.

I had always been passionate about

THINKING OF SELLING OR BUYING?

• Most local, 30 years • Most responsive • Permits & Well Drilling • Pumps-­‐‑Tanks-­‐‑Controls • Buried Tanks • Best value

STEWART, JESUS & CREW

(805) 331-­‐‑0845 CA License 584595

36 MONTECITO JOURNAL

RDouglas@bhhscal.com | 805.318.0900 RachaelDouglas.Com Montecito | Hope Ranch | Santa Barbara | Goleta

© 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.

“I write probably 80 percent of my stuff over the winter.” - Bob Seger

teaching, particularly bedside medicine, so now over ten years in I find myself with a wonderful “day-job” teaching other clinicians serving as senior director of medical education at Hippo Education while still working intermittent shifts in the ER on nights and weekends.

Fast forward to the spring of 2020, COVID-19 hits in Southern California.

I suppose my early hunger to train in a specialty where I would be “ready for anything” is put to the test. At the time, we understood very little about the virus and even less about its virulence in hospital staff. Now, this was not my first pandemic. We had experienced H1N1 in 2009, cases of Ebola a few years later, but this… this felt different. There were characteristics of this virus and disease process that even our most senior physicians had never seen and left the scientific community perplexed.

Add to that a national PPE shortage, and the combination was unnerving.

Despite working for two of the largest medical systems in the country, we did not have enough protection. Our ER physician group all pitched in funds to buy PPE for our entire staff, as we could no longer rely on our administrations to provide the protection we needed, but this still wasn’t enough. We were literally reusing masks day after day. Something had to be done! So, in addition to drafting up my last will and testament, I also started crowdsourcing, hoping for donations of PPE. I sent emails to influencers, any connection I had on both coasts, and of course, back home to Montecito. Within two days, I got an email back from the CEO of Direct Relief International, Thomas Tighe.

Apparently, he’d been forwarded my email from several Montecito connections asking, “Can you help her? She’s Scottie’s daughter.” Mr. Tighe not only offered to donate more than 2,000 N95 masks, but he personally drove the cases of masks down to me in L.A. His kindness and generosity and overall humanity was a perfect picture of the acts of kindness and strong sense of community that Montecito fosters.

Reflecting back, my earliest memories of Montecito remain true. It is a special community filled with incredible people. I am incredibly grateful to the people of the community I was raised in and to my parents who gave me the opportunity to grow up there.

Particularly in a tough year where many of us are worn and strained in new, odd ways, it is important to reflect back on the things that matter most: family, friends, and a sense of community. Montecito beautifully embodies all of these things.

Be safe and well. May 2021 brings us all hope, health, and newfound happiness!

Dr. Mizuho Morrison Twitter: @mizuhomorrison •MJ 24 – 31 December 2020

Did you get yours?

H

elping build strong and lasting relationships between our philanthropic community and the nonprofit organizations which not only serve as a critical safety net in Santa Barbara, but are foundational to the functioning of a healthy and civilized society.

CEO & Co-Founder Gwyn Lurie gwyn@montecitojournal.net

President & Co-Founder Tim Buckley tim@montecitojournal.net

If not, we’ve got you covered!

Executive Editor Daniel Heimpel Art Director Trent Watanabe Copy Editor Lily Harbin

Photography Edward Clynes

Administration: Christine Merrick Diane Davidson

Contributors: Joe Donnelly, Emily Heckman, James Buckley, Les Firestein, Steve Uhler, Carrie Towbes, Merryl Snow Zegar

the giving list

JOURNAL

volume 1 1 volume

is published by Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC. Corporate Offices located at 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G Montecito, CA 93108 For inquiries: (805) 565-1860

ontecito media.group

Pick up the Giving List book at any of these MB&T Locations: Montecito Branch

Downtown Santa Barbara

1106-A Coast Village Rd. Montecito, CA 93108

1000 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Branch Manager: Lora Taylor, 805-564-7334

Branch Manager: Derek Swafford, 805-564-0244

Carpinteria Branch

Goleta Branch

1023 Casitas Pass Rd. Carpinteria, CA 93013

5658 Calle Real Goleta, CA 93117

Branch Manager: Leo Fortunato, 805-564-7311

24 – 31 December 2020

Branch Manager: Sharon Mendez, 805-564-0265

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

37

ORDINANCE NO. 5981

Notice Inviting Bids FY2021C PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECT Bid No. 4020 1.

Bid Submission. The City of Santa Barbara (“City”) will accept electronic bids for its FY2021C Pavement Maintenance Project (“Project”), by or before January 7, 2021 at 3:00 PM through its PlanetBids portal. Bidders must be registered on the City of Santa Barbara’s PlanetBids portal in order to submit a Bid proposal and to receive addendum notifications. Each bidder is responsible for making certain that its Bid Proposal is actually submitted/uploaded with sufficient time to be received by PlanetBids prior to the bid opening date and time. Large files may take more time to be submitted/uploaded to PlanetBids, so plan accordingly... The receiving time on the PlanetBids server will be the governing time for acceptability of bids. Telegraphic, telephonic, hardcopy, and facsimile bids will not be accepted. If any Addendum issued by the City is not acknowledged online by the Bidder, the PlanetBids System will prevent the Bidder from submitting a Bid Proposal. Bidders are responsible for obtaining all addenda from the City’s PlanetBids portal. Bid results and awards will be available on PlanetBids.

2.

Project Information.

SANTA BARBARA APPROVING A RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT, DEED OF TRUST, AND COVENANT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 125 WEST CARRILLO STREET WITH RIVIERA HOTEL, INC., A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION AND AUTHORIZING THE

COMMUNITY

2.2 Time for Completion. The Project must be completed within seventy-five (75) working days from the start date set forth in the Notice to Proceed. City anticipates that the Work will begin on or about February 15, 2021, but the anticipated start date is provided solely for convenience and is neither certain nor binding.

DIRECTOR

TO

meeting of the Santa Barbara City Council held on December 15, 2020.

The publication of this ordinance is made pursuant to the provisions of Section 512 of the Santa Barbara City Charter as amended, and the original ordinance in its entirety may be obtained at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, Santa Barbara, California.

2.3 Estimated Cost. The estimated construction cost is $1,450,000.

(Seal)

License and Registration Requirements.

3.1 License. This Project requires a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): A

/s/ Sarah Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager

3.2 DIR Registration. City may not accept a Bid Proposal from or enter into the Contract with a bidder, without proof that the bidder is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code § 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: http://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=29959 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 ten 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 issues the Notice of Award, the successful bidder will execute the Contract and submit the payment and performance bonds, insurance certificates and endorsements, and any other submittals required by the Contract Documents and as specified in the Notice of Award.

6.

DEVELOPMENT

EXECUTE SUCH AGREEMENTS AS NECESSARY. The above captioned ordinance was adopted at a regular

2.1 Location and Description. The Project is located at various streets throughout the City, and is described as follows: Repair various streets by performing asphalt dig outs to repair failed areas; tree root pruning and concrete curb and gutter replacement; sidewalk removal and replacement; asphalt; reconstruction of existing non-compliant curb ramps; construct new curb ramps; traffic striping and markings; relocate and protect existing signs and roadway name stamps; perform traffic control, notifications, and postings, complete and in place.

3.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

Prevailing Wage Requirements.

ORDINANCE NO. 5981 STATE OF CALIFORNIA

) ) COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss. ) CITY OF SANTA BARBARA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was introduced December 8, 2020 and adopted by the Council of the City of Santa Barbara at a meeting held on December 15, 2020, by the following roll call vote:

6.1 General. Pursuant to California Labor Code § 1720 et seq., 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.

AYES:

Councilmembers Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Kristen W. Sneddon; Mayor Cathy Murillo

NOES:

None

ABSENT:

None

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

ABSTENTIONS:

None

7.

Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder will be required to provide performance and payment bonds, each for 100% of the Contract Price, as further specified in the Contract Documents.

hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Santa Barbara

6.2 Rates. These prevailing rates are on file with the City and are 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.

8.

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

9.

Subcontractor List. Each Subcontractor must be registered with the DIR to perform work on public projects.

Each bidder must submit a completed Subcontractor List form with its Bid Proposal, including 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 price) 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.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my

on December 16, 2020.

/s/ Sarah P. Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager I HEREBY APPROVE the foregoing ordinance on December 16, 2020.

10.

Instructions to Bidders. All bidders should carefully review the Instructions to Bidders for more detailed information before submitting a Bid Proposal. The definitions provided in Article 1 of the General Conditions apply to all of the Contract Documents, as defined therein, including this Notice Inviting Bids.

/s/ Cathy Murillo Mayor

By: ___________________________________ Date: ________________ William Hornung, C.P.M, General Services Manager Publication Dates: 1) December 16, 2020 2) December 23, 2020

Published December 23, 2020 Montecito Journal

END OF NOTICE INVITING BIDS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Solaire Inn & Suites, 1995 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454. Jai Shiv, INC, 1995 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 18, 2020. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this

is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20200003021. Published December 23, 30, January 6, 13, 2020.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Lavish Nails, 991 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA, 93013. Nhan Hoai Nguyen, 740 Janetwood Dr. Apt 1, Oxnard, CA, 93030. This

38 MONTECITO JOURNAL

statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 15, 2020. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20200002988. Published December 23, 30, January 6, 13, 2020.

FICTITIOUS

BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Economy Inn, 607 N Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454. RoniaVI Inc, 607 N Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 14, 2020. 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

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” – Anne Bradstreet

office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20200002981. Published December 16, 23, 30, January 6, 2020.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Vai Art Services, 5142 Hollister Avenue #244, Santa Barbara, CA, 93111. Vai Services LLC, 5142 Hollister Avenue #244, Santa Barbara, CA, 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of

Santa Barbara County on November 9, 2020. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2020-0002760. Published December 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT: The fol-

24 – 31 December 2020

ORDINANCE NO. 5982 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AMENDING SECTION 10.60.040 OF THE SANTA BARBARA MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT HEAVY VEHICLES ON PORTIONS OF SAMARKAND DRIVE, STANLEY DRIVE, VERNON ROAD AND ARDEN ROAD

ORDINANCE NO. 5983

ORDINANCE NO. 5984

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

AN UNCODIFIED INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF

SANTA BARBARA APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE WATERFRONT

DIRECTOR

TO

EXECUTE

A

SUPPLEMENTAL LEASE AGREEMENT EXTENDING THE LEASE TERM AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS WITH THE NATIONAL

OCEANIC

AND

ATMOSPHERIC

ADMINISTRATION, LOCATED AT 113 HARBOR WAY, COMMENCING ON JUNE 1, 2021.

The above captioned ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the Santa Barbara City Council held on December 15, 2020.

The above captioned ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the Santa Barbara City Council held on December 15, 2020.

The publication of this ordinance is made pursuant to the provisions of Section 512 of the Santa Barbara City Charter as amended, and the original ordinance in its entirety may be obtained at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, Santa Barbara, California.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA PROHIBITING

The above captioned ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the Santa Barbara City Council held on December 15, 2020.

The publication of this ordinance is made pursuant to the provisions of Section 512 of the Santa Barbara City Charter as amended, and the original ordinance in its entirety may be

provisions of Section 512 of the Santa Barbara City Charter

obtained at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, Santa Barbara,

as amended, and the original ordinance in its entirety may be

California.

obtained at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, Santa Barbara,

(Seal)

/s/ Sarah Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager

ORDINANCE NO. 5983 STATE OF CALIFORNIA

) ) COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss. ) CITY OF SANTA BARBARA )

December 15, 2020, by the following roll call vote: AYES:

Councilmembers Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Kristen W. Sneddon; Mayor Cathy Murillo

NOES:

None

ABSENT:

None

ABSTENTIONS:

None

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my Hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Santa Barbara on December 16, 2020.

I HEREBY APPROVE the foregoing ordinance

was introduced December 8, 2020 and adopted by the

Santa Barbara at a meeting held on December 15, 2020, by

Council of the City of Santa Barbara at a meeting held on

the following roll call vote:

December 15, 2020, by the following roll call vote: AYES:

Councilmembers Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Kristen W. Sneddon; Mayor Cathy

Murillo

Published December 23, 2020 Montecito Journal

24 – 31 December 2020

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Drains Plus, PO Box 2058, Santa Maria, CA 93457. Raul Avila, 354 Hobbs Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93455. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa

Councilmembers Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez, Oscar Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon, Mike Jordan, Kristen W. Sneddon; Mayor Cathy Murillo

None

NOES:

None

ABSENT:

None

ABSENT:

None

ABSTENTIONS:

None

ABSTENTIONS:

None

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my Hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Santa

/s/ Sarah P. Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager

/s/ Cathy Murillo Mayor

Barbara County on November 23, 2020. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2020-0002859. Published December 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my Hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Santa Barbara on December 16, 2020.

/s/ Sarah P. Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager I HEREBY APPROVE the foregoing ordinance on December 16, 2020.

/s/ Cathy Murillo Mayor Published December 23, 2020 Montecito Journal

Published December 23, 2020 Montecito Journal

County Clerk (SEAL), filed November 20, 2020. Original FBN No. 2019-0002806. FBN 2020-0002845. Published December 9, 16, 23, 30, 2020.

AYES:

NOES:

on December 16, 2020.

Cathy Murillo Mayor

) ) COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss. ) CITY OF SANTA BARBARA )

was introduced and adopted by the Council of the City of

I HEREBY APPROVE the foregoing ordinance

on December 16, 2020.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance

Barbara on December 16, 2020.

Sarah P. Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager

ORDINANCE NO. 5984

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance

lowing person(s) has (have) abandoned the use of the Fictitious Business Name(s): Cabin 11 Bakery, 11 San Marcos Trout Club, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Anneli Clavering, 11 San Marcos Trout Club, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. This statement was originally filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 12, 2019. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland,

/s/ Sarah Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager

/s/ Sarah Gorman, CMC City Clerk Services Manager

ORDINANCE NO. 5982

Council of the City of Santa Barbara at a meeting held on

SENIOR

INCREASES

(Seal)

was introduced December 8, 2020 and adopted by the

OF

The publication of this ordinance is made pursuant to the

(Seal)

) ) COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss. ) CITY OF SANTA BARBARA )

CONVERSION

MOBILEHOME PARKS AND EXCESSIVE VACANCY RENT

California.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THE

doing business as: Deep It Management; Deep MSP; Tech Doctors, 919 Linden Ave, Unit B, Carpinteria, CA, 93013. Deep It Management LLC, 919 Linden Ave, Unit B, Carpinteria, CA, 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on September 8, 2020. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this

• The Voice of the Village •

is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2020-0002281.

Published October 7, 14, 21, 28, and December 2, 9, 16, 23, 2020.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Montecito Dental Group; 1260 Coast Village Circle, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108. Cristopher Shep-

ard DMD, Inc., 1040 Alston Road, Montecito, CA, 93108.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 24, 2020. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2020-0002871. Published December 2, 9, 16, 23, 2020.

MONTECITO JOURNAL

39

On The Record (Continued from page 34 34)) Sheffield Dr & N Jameson Ln – temporary stop signs will be installed at the intersection of Sheffield Dr and N Jameson Ln for the duration of construction of the Summerland segment *Please note that consecutive ramps in the same direction will not be closed at the same time with the exception of the southbound on-ramps at Sheffield Dr and Wallace Ave. To view detour maps, please visit www.SBROADS.com and select the project segment.

Santa Barbara Salvation Army Toy Drive Helps Hundreds of Families Celebrate Christmas Santa Barbara Salvation Army’s Major Jessyca Carr

Highway 101: Summerland

Along the freeway, crews will fence environmentally-sensitive areas, remove old cormorant nests and trim tree limbs, install underground storm drains, and install temporary highway lighting. Crews will remove old safety barriers from the median and then excavate old pavement and soil.

Sheffield Drive Interchange

Crews have finished installing underground supports (piles) for this stage of work. Crews will continue to build footings, install rebar (see photo above), and pour concrete for columns, side supports (abutments), and retaining walls for the new bridges in the median.

Evans Avenue Undercrossing

Crews will continue excavating and installing underground supports (piles) between the Highway 101 bridges for the new upcoming bridge. Please expect daytime noise when crews drive piles for the bridge supports (in January).

Temporary lighting is being installed near the on- and off-ramps at Evans Avenue.

Highway 101: Carpinteria

Crews will continue placing rebar and concrete as part of the new continuously reinforced roncrete ravement for new lanes and ramps near Reynolds Ave. Crews will also pour concrete for improvements at the intersection of Carpinteria and Reynolds Avenues.

Southbound Hwy 101 between Carpinteria & Santa Ynez Avenues Crews will excavate and install underground supports for new wall sections.

Work will then progress to building the wall footings and rebar installation. On Bailard Avenue, crews will pave the southbound areas between the freeway lanes and ramps.

For more information, please visit the 101 Freeway Widening project website at www.SBROADS.com, call at 805.845.5112, or email info@sbroads.com.

Mention this ad and receive a 15% discount

(up to $500 value) FULL SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN: • ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS • TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY • VIDEO PIPELINE INSPECTION • 24 HOUR DRAIN CLEANING SERVICE

Stewart’s

DE-ROOTING & PLUMBING

(805) 965-8813 License #375514

“The Plumber with a conscience” *May not be combined with other discounts Payment must be made at time of service to receive discount (Limit one coupon per customer)

40 MONTECITO JOURNAL

The shortest day of the year turned out to be an unexpectedly generous one for needy Santa Barbara area drive families. From 9 am to 6 pm on Monday, December 21, the Santa Barbara Salvation Army held a food and toy drive at its headquarters on Hollister Avenue, providing gifts of food and toys to more than 300 low-income families who registered for the nonprofit’s Angel Tree and Adopt A Family programs.

Because of COVID-19 precautions, the toy drive was a drive-through event, with 10 families allowed to drive through the reception area that Salvation Army volunteer elves deliver toys to was staffed by a team of festively needy families attired Salvation Army volunteer elves every 15 minutes. The event came as the culmination of weeks of fundraising and donation drives that took place at shopping centers throughout Santa Barbara, as well as a three-week toy drive managed by the Montecito Family YMCA, explained Major Jessyca Carr, the Salvation Army’s corps officer for Southern Santa Barbara County.

“They ended it this past Friday,” Carr said. “It was organized by the kids who are in the afterschool program. The Montecito YMCA really helped us out, plus there were a couple of other people who are Montecito residents who also care about us and kind of help us out as well.”

As families lined up outside the Hollister location waiting for bags of toys delivered by cart-steering volunteers, Carr showed the Journal lane upon lane of bags ready to be distributed throughout the coming day. Despite organizing annual holiday toy drives for a number of years, the past several weeks, she said, had been by far the busiest she could remember, with at least 300 families having registered.

“Throughout the fall, we’ve had families come to us who need a little help during the Christmas season,” Carr said. “But this year we had something new happen and a lot of people registered online. So people were able to tell us the child’s name, their age, what they wished for, what they needed, and their clothing size.”

Based on that information, Carr said, Salvation Army was able to allow contributors to actually go shopping for specific gifts personalized for various family members and then drop them off at the Hollister center. Passing along a row of neatly assembled gift packages, Carr selected one that had a brand-new skateboard, still in its original shrink-wrap packaging, poking out of it.

“Here is a bag for a family of three,” she said, reading for an identification slip that was stapled to the side of the bag. “The son said he wished for a skateboard and that he loves Legos, but definitely needs some clothes, as well; his favorite color is green and he wears a size 12.”

Aside from all the individually purchased items, Carr said Salvation Army also put together bulk holiday-oriented food items. Aside from chicken, butter, and other cooking staples, families could choose between masa and lard for making tamales or Bisquick and Crisco for making biscuits. In addition, the nonprofit received an unexpected bulk shipment of Hollister Co. brand T-shirts.

“We had this random donation, so everyone got five shirts,” she said. “We told people who are getting them to regift the ones they don’t need, because who doesn’t like a Hollister T-shirt?”

To donate online directly to Santa Barbara Salvation Army’s charitable efforts this holiday season, please visit www.SantabarbaraRedKettle.org.

•MJ

“If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” - Percy Bysshe Shelley

24 – 31 December 2020

Your Westmont

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

Connecting Women Professionally and Compassionately

A

warm, inviting atmosphere greets clients who step into Westmont the financial planning office of alumna Hannah Buschbom ’10 in downtown Hannah Santa Barbara. This welcoming space Buschbom has witnessed many empowering conversations, especially with women. As a wealth adviser with multiple certifications, Hannah assists those navigating significant transitions in life.

As co-founder of the W Source, an organization dedicated to growing and expanding professional networks for women, she seeks to empower fellow businesswomen throughout the nation.

At an early age, Hannah discovered a passion for leveraging finance to make a difference, and she decided to enter business or the financial world. Her love for Santa Barbara and the college’s excellent academic reputation contributed to her decision to attend Westmont. As an economics and business major, she decided to pursue accounting. She wanted to stay in Santa Barbara and believed accounting would provide her with a stable job.

A speaker in Hannah’s advanced accounting class her senior year changed her career trajectory. John Tynan, a business partner of Dave Odell ’89, Westmont’s athletics director, spoke about his experience as president and CEO of a successful real estate development services firm. After the class, John pulled her aside and encouraged Hannah to consider financial planning as a way to integrate her love for people with her passion for working in the financial world. He connected Hannah with her future business partners in The Ameriflex Group, a wealth management firm based in Santa Barbara.

Hannah has worked as a wealth adviser at AmeriFlex for 10 years and now is one of the owners of the larger firm. She is also a registered representative at SagePoint Financial Inc. Hannah helps people make major transitions in life, such as retirement, a change in marital status, the loss of a loved one, or the sale of business or real estate. Recognizing that many people find talking about money uncomfortable, Hannah strives to engage her clients with empathy, acknowledging that grief may be part of the process. “Life is ever changing,” Hannah says. “It’s important to approach these issues with compassion.”

The AmeriFlex branch in Santa Barbara seeks to empower women in the community. Hannah belongs to a team of all women, an unusual circumstance in an industry where men make up more than 80 percent of the workforce. In fact, 60 percent of Hannah’s clients are women. She offers them appropriate strategies, financial wisdom, and an abundance of compassion. Hannah loves watching women grow more knowledgeable and gain financial confidence. She speaks frequently to share her expertise with other female professionals, and she has contributed to a variety of notable financial publications.

The fact that few women work in Hannah’s industry makes networking with them particularly challenging. In general, women spend more time working and less time networking, often because of their responsibilities at home. In 2017, Hannah co-founded the W Source with her AmeriFlex colleague and mentor, Thomas Goodson. The for-profit firm seeks to help women in financial services, the law, accounting, insurance, real estate, risk management, and other professions establish meaningful relationships in their community. The W Source holds breakfast or luncheon networking events, which align better with women’s schedules and prove to be more efficient. The chapters, which include 20 to 25 women who’ve been invited to participate, have grown from one in Santa Barbara to 35 nationwide with a goal of 450.

and women’s soccer and volleyball pushed their seasons to the spring. The men’s and women’s basketball seasons began about four weeks later than usual and in front of empty bleachers. Illustrating the tenuousness of the season, the November 14 men’s hoops opener was scrapped the day before after an opposing player tested positive for the coronavirus. Several more Freshman Bridget Hoth recorded a NAIA canceled men’s and women’s basket- National Championship provisional qualification time of 25.37 to win the 50-yard freestyle on ball games have followed.

December 12 Westmont women’s swimming, seeking a way to compete in the midst of a pandemic, has held two virtual meets.

On November 7, the Warriors finished second in an event that also involved College of Idaho, Loyola (Louisiana) and Midland (Nebraska), each competing in its own pool. All four venues started the meet at the same time and followed the same order of events, providing officials and an automated timing system to record results.

In cross country, the No. 23 men and the No. 24 women both claimed second place at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship in Rocklin on November 7. Seven runners earned All-GSAC honors for placing in the Cade Roth’s dunk couldn’t help the Warriors top-14. Six Westmont cross country overcome a double overtime loss to Concordia runners, possessing a cumulative GPA University Irvine, 101-99, on December 11 of 3.5 or higher, were named GSAC Scholar-Athletes, including Danny Rubin, John Baker, Chris Hanessian, and Jason Peterson, Abigail Stadtlander, and Alexa Gatiss.

Tennis and golf, which are spring sports, successfully competed in early season tournaments. The men’s and women’s tennis teams battled in the ITA NAIA West Regional in San Diego September 30-October 3. Ethan Ha and Rachal Jackson both reached the quarterfinals of the main draw of singles for the men’s and women’s teams, respectively. The tournament marked the first time the full team was together since its 2020 season was canceled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

The men’s and women’s golf teams were the first to launch the 2020-21 Westmont athletics season, teeing off in the Vanguard Invitational at the Bella Collina Golf Course. The men finished fourth in the seven-team tourney with Mason Mancasola claiming the eighth best individual score. Kat Bevill finished with the fifth best individual score for the women.

Volleyball is currently scheduled to begin its season January 22. Men’s and women’s soccer are slated to play their first games February 25.

•MJ

Enjoy the music from Westmont’s fabulous Christmas Festival online at

WESTMONT.EDU/FESTIVAL

Hope Remains Though Seasons Delayed by Pandemic

Westmont’s fall and winter athletic seasons have seen limited action, but several sports have offered inspirational moments. Prioritizing the health and safety of its student-athletes, Westmont decided to play contact sports only against opponents who test for COVID-19 before all athletic contests. Men’s and women’s cross country were the only fall teams to compete, as men’s 24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

Join Westmont this Advent season for a three-concert series with singer-songwriter Steve Bell. His music, poetry and reflections will bless you and invite you into a deeper experience of Advent.

WESTMONT.EDU/ CELEBRATINGADVENT MONTECITO JOURNAL

41

Editor’s Letter (Continued from page 5)

Summerland (Continued from page 18)

necessary healing, starts right here at home. As the song goes, “I’m looking at that man (woman) in the mirror.”

My resolution is to do away with an overreliance on labels. Labels that place ourselves and others into overly simplistic boxes that are not just unhelpful, but harmful, and serve only to further divide us. Labels like “liberal,” “conservative,” “socialist,” “immigrant,” “citizen,” “patriot,” “traitor.” Have any of these labels been helpful? Can’t we look at things not as Democrats or Republicans or Libertarians but as compassionate individuals with a variety of different ideas for how to fix our problems? What matters most is our values. And that our personal actions and that of our leaders, and the public policy they put forth, reflect those values.

At this moment Montecito is in the middle of an unprecedented real estate boom, bringing to it people from near and far. People who can choose to live anywhere have long gravitated to our village, but this seems more-true now than ever. Here, on this small patch of paradise, we punch far above our weight in many ways. Collectively, our residents have greater access to the power and means to make a difference than most communities have anywhere in the world. Right now, our little hamlet is on the world’s radar in a way that not only raises the value of our homes, but raises the value of our actions. How we behave, what we value, how strongly we support our local nonprofits, is a model for the world.

Looking forward to 2021 and presumably a new administration, how can we begin to fix problems that seem so much bigger than we are? Problems further reaching than our arms or our pocketbooks could possibly stretch?

I am reminded of something I read years ago, though I can’t unearth where, that said the problem with the quantity and enormity of our problems is that they move us to… nothing. They paralyze us. Ironically, the sheer critical mass of our problems moves us to… inaction.

And therein lies the quandary. It is critical as we try to right the ship that is America that we not become collectively paralyzed into inaction, but rather that everyone do at least the least they can. The idea here is that if everyone did something, it would go much further towards moving the needle on our massive problems than waiting for Jeff Bezos to write a massive check, or for our notoriously unagile government to fix things.

I’m calling on all of us not to give in to “enormity paralysis.” Instead, do at least the least you can. Start there. I am hopeful that if we do so, we can make a profound difference. As James Baldwin said: “I can’t be a pessimist because I am alive. To be a pessimist means that you have agreed that human life is an academic matter. So, I am forced to be an optimist.”

I hope you will join me in optimism. Commit to doing at least the least.

Give what you can to charities. Demand integrity and civility from our leaders, and the same from ourselves. Let’s resolve to take care of one another.

Because we’re each better off when we’re all better off. Show grace. Show empathy. Be kind. Just because we have the right to say whatever we want whenever we want to whomever we want, doesn’t mean we should. Words hurt. There’s enough hurt in this world.

I wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy holiday season and a peaceful and gentler New Year! It is with great hope and faith in us and optimism that I look forward to 2021. They say that hindsight always 2020.

MontJournal_December24th'20_2:Layout 1 12/18/20 2:15 PM is Page 1 I, for one, cannot wait till 2020 is in my rearview mirror.

•MJ

call, “And it helped that I was chair of the Natural Resources Committee (2015-2016).” Funds came from the state and Heal the Ocean.

The Becker Well was capped in 2018, but before that, other leaking oil wells were discovered that needed to be dealt with.

In 2017, many people wrote letters to California legislators urging the passage of SB44. They were submitted via the Community Environmental Council – just named California’s nonprofit of the year by the way!

Congrats! I still have my email letter that simply stated: “I would be pleased that our once lovely beach may be habitable again with this help. I am so pleased that legislation is now before our state senators thanks to Hannah-Beth Jackson to clean up the leaking and I urge the passing of this bill.”

In October of 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 44, the Coastal Oil Well Clean Up and Remediation Act that required the California State Lands Commission to monitor and plug old “orphaned” oil wells in California waters when the original oil companies that operated the wells no longer existed so could not be held responsible. The bill directs up to $2 million annually, derived from state mineral leases, to a fund set aside for the remediation of improperly abandoned legacy wells. With this fund, the commission began identifying leaking, abandoned wells and prioritized capping the highest risk wells first.

Thank you, again, Hannah-Beth, for authoring legislation and securing $14 million over seven years to cap leaking abandoned oil wells along California’s coastline.

It took a decade of efforts – from people and organizations like Hillary Hauser and Heal the Ocean and the cinematographer and documentary filmmaker Harry Rabin and HannahBeth and Das, among many, many others, some known to me, others not, like Nora McNeely Hurley (but just as appreciated), including many

The Squeaky Wheel Method

Suzy “Squeaky Wheel” Cawthon has spent eight long years on a long and winding road of a dream that began with Fran Davis, the “founding mother” of an effort to re-imagine and enhance Lookout Park. The idea was to move the camp host from its

Suzy Cawthon, the new president of the Summerland Citizens Association, celebrates the new Lookout Park improvements (Photo credit: Leslie A. Westbrook)

TAKEOUT WITH DELIVERY COMING SOON !

Photo courtesy of Olio e Limone Ristorante

community activists and hardworking politicians to get the problem fixed.

This winter, in the midst of a pandemic, we can celebrate the capping of two more of Summerland’s worst leaking wells, Northstar and Treadwell. There are still some 192 underwater still left. Who knows if and when they could fail?

So, how is the beach? Absolutely gorgeous. The day was perfect and the sea was sparkling and bright.

Young children were romping on the beach, the shorebirds were doing their thing. All in a healthy environment.

I took my beach walk last Friday with the amazing Harry Rabin, who lives in Montecito. Harry has been an integral player in the last two well remediations and continues to monitor the beach. Not only did he dive into the murky waters and ruin a wetsuit while trying to locate the leaking wells when this began, but he’s conducting ongoing monitoring of the shoreline and waters on a regular basis. In fact, he got into this when he tracked weird suds at Miramar beach to the source with his drone – which were the two leaky wells just recently capped. I also watched Harry launch his drone from Lookout Park and learned a lot more (including technical details) from this terrific neighbor who spends his spare time making this a better place and doing everything he can to help the ocean.

Thank you, Harry!

Thanks to all the friends, neighbors, politicians, and others who made this and other good things happen in our golden bubble by the sea. How lucky we are!

Photo courtesy of Olio e Limone Ristorante and Kevin Steele / kevsteele.com

next door to sister restaurants

11 W. Victoria St., Ste.’s 17, 18 & 21, Santa Barbara

42 MONTECITO JOURNAL

| OLIOCUCINA.COM | 805.899.2699 “If winter helps you curl up and more that makes it one of the best of the seasons.” -Murray Pura

24 – 31 December 2020

Driftwood atop the pergola at Lookout Park – just one of many thoughtful additions to the park (don’t have to use) (Photo credit: Leslie A. Westbrook)

perch and a primo spot to the upper end of the beachside county park (not bad either) so residents and visitors could enjoy a newly envisioned public area.

Cawthon, who is also the newly elected president of the Summerland Citizens Association (congrats Suzy!) jumped on board eight years ago and, along with other community members and folks in government, reviewed plans that took up three years, got help from Supervisor Das Williams on funding, and worked with the Summerland Architectural Board of Review and others to create the lovely park designed by landscape architect Susan Van Atta – complete with driftwood topped pergolas, a bocce ball court, concrete ping pong tables (don’t try to play when it’s windy!), a lovely stone bench overlooking the sea, and plenty of space for weddings or birthday parties or other events when things open up again. This very busy lady, with lots of dreams, is also president of the Summerland/Carpinteria Fire Board. Brava to this squeaky wheel, a firecracker who gets things done!

Whether you drop a stone in a pond and let things happen organically or become a squeaky wheel or a cog in the wheel, every project needs cheerleaders and community involvement.

Change really can happen!

A Final Note & Attitude of Gratitude This is my last column for this strange year of 2020. Writing for the Journal has been lifesaving in many ways and helped keep me occupied during the silence of my monk-like life of the past nine months. I’ve appreciated the camaraderie of our editorial Zoom meetings, as well as the time to reflect on new Summerland and old Summerland, to meet old friends and potential new ones via Zoom or email and even (occasionally and safely) outdoors and in-person. It’s been a time to listen and quote – and hopefully spell people’s names correctly. It’s also given me a wonderful opportunity to not just bark from this community soapbox but also to connect with those of you who read me. For all of this, I thank you. For errors, and there have been a few, I apologize and take full responsibility.

Dear Santa, Leslie has been a good girl this year and this Summerland sweater at C Magazine shop in Montecito is really fetching (Photo credit: Leslie A. Westbrook)

Bert Vega, a frontline Summerland Post Office worker who has been toiling without hazard pay (Photo credit: Leslie A. Westbrook)

for the community!

And a special shout out and thank you to Editor-in-Chief Gwyn Lurie for her faith in me in 2020 and to Tim Buckley, for tolerating a Democrat.

P.S. Dear Santa,

I’ve been a very good girl this year.

Well, practically a nun. I would like COVID to go away, none of our neighbors to go hungry, peace on earth, a clear and easy path to citizenship for many of our neighbors and, by the way, that Summerland sweater at Studio C in the Montecito Country Mart is really, really cool.

Love, Leslie •MJ

A Few Shout Outs

I hope everyone remembers Bert Vega generously at the Summerland Post Office this holiday season. She lost her work sidekick, her hours have been shortened and like all postal workers, she’s a frontline worker who has been toiling without hazard pay. A good place to spread holiday generosity. Thanks Bert for always being there

Great Kitchens Don’t Just Happen . . .

• Certified They Happen by Design.

Designers • Fine Custom Cabinetry • Unique Styles & Finishes • All Architectural Periods Licensed & Insured CL # 604576

CABINETS • COUNTERTOPS • DESIGN SERVICES • INSTALLATIONS

Visit our Showroom Upstairs at 6351/2 N. Milpas at Ortega • 962-3228

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

43

Nosh (Continued from page 28)

Kitchen manager and chef Sulaiman “Freddie” Rashad often has to be resourceful in his meal making

for two years. He spent eight months in a sober living facility before he got the job as the Mission’s kitchen manager and moved on property.

In the beginning he was assigned to be the evening cook. He took his role seriously and decided to enroll in culinary courses at Santa Barbara City College, where he took an introduction to professional cooking course as well as courses on baking, salad making, and pantry essentials.

Rashad has come to realize that cooking is more than fulfilling a basic need; it’s a way to connect with people.

“When I’m training my cooks I try to encourage them to cook from the heart. We also share ideas of what spices to add, there’s a lot of taste testing going on,” he said. “Then sometimes we have a moment when we talk recovery and advice is given or taken. We have had conversations that really hit home and get emotional – in a good way.”

For this year’s Christmas blessing, Rashad said he was grateful and humbled by his work at the Rescue Mission. When Rashad isn’t preparing meals in the Mission’s kitchen over the holidays he will be cooking at home with his nine-year-old son, Kaden. “Whenever I make dinner I try to get [Kaden] involved,” Rashad said. “We make salads, mac and cheese, and baked chicken. We combine vegetables and chicken together to make our own soup recipe using what is available in our cupboard and fridge. I try to get him involved in any cooking I do at home.”

EL ENCANTO AND MIRAMAR ELEVATE THE CARRYOUT EXPERIENCE

Bring a taste of Belmond El Encanto home with you. The iconic hideaway in the Santa Barbara Hills offers a new takeout menu available for curbside pick-up from 11 am to 10 pm daily. Roasted butternut squash soup ($18) served with cornbread croutons, a Belgium

Rosewood Miramar has unveiled Osteria Caruso’s, featuring a robust selection of chef’s signature Pinsa Romana, an evolved take on the traditional pizza ($15 to $18)

endive salad ($19) featuring Point Reyes blue cheese, maple duck breast ($52) served with potato gnocchi, Bloomsdale spinach and raspberry gastrique; sweet corn cavatelli pasta ($28) sprinkled with cotija cheese, lime, padrón peppers, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and cilantro and a chocolate ganache ($14) with whipped vanilla mascarpone cream are just a few menu highlights. Each carryout order comes with a signature goodie bag of holiday cookies and chocolate bark.

Rosewood Miramar has unveiled Osteria Caruso’s as well as re-introduced its Miramar-ToGo services and Miramar Food Truck. Osteria Caruso’s features executive chef Massimo Falsini’s favorite recipes from his grandmother’s cookbook and from his time growing up in Italy showcase California’s finest flavors and ingredients. Dishes range from grilled gulf shrimp and risotto to rigatoni ragu (both $22 per plate) and a robust selection of chef’s signature Pinsa Romana, an evolved take on the traditional pizza ($15 to $18). Add seasonal cocktails such as The Monk’s Negroni ($28) or the Merry Old Fashioned ($28) to the mix for a jolly good meal.

Miramar’s lunch truck offers a Cali Cobb Salad ($24), Crispy Fish Tacos ($18), Hank’s Double Diamond Burger ($28), and Dungeness Crab Fritters ($20), as well as inspired craft cocktails, beer, and wine by the bottle.

Lunch options from Rosewood Miramar Beach’s food truck are available daily from 11 am to 5 pm, walk-up only. Dinner options from Osteria Caruso’s are available Monday to Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm by calling 805-881-2424.

One seasonal highlight is the Christmas Baskets To-Go, with aperitifs, charcuterie and cheese, salads and seasonal favorites such as herb-crusted rack of lamb and lasagna Bolognese. Dessert includes a butterscotch panna cotta.

To place an order at Belmond El Encanto, call (805) 845-5800. Upon arrival at the front drive, a Belmond team member will meet customers at their vehicles to safely deliver the meals.

The Miramar to-go offer is available on December 25 only; the baskets start at $165 and can be ordered by calling (805) 881-2424 or emailing Miramar.togo@rosewoodhotels.com.

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant/Sushi Bar Lunch: Monday through Saturday 11:30am - 2:30pm Dinner: Monday through Sunday: 5pm - 10pm 1812A Cliff Drive Santa Barbara CA 93109 (805)564-7653 Lunch Specials, Bendo boxes. Full Sushi bar, Tatami Seats. Fresh Fish Delivered all week.

44 MONTECITO JOURNAL

“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” - William Blake

24 – 31 December 2020

DINE OUTSIDE |TAKE OUT Montecito Journal wants to let readers know who’s offering a taste of fall with take out and delivery service and outdoor dining.

We encourage you to support your local dining venues and wine boutiques!

CAFE SINCE 1928

GREAT FOOD STIFF DRINKS GOOD TIMES SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

OLD TOWN SANTA BARBARA

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 7:00 AM -12:00AM

Best breakfast in Santa Barbara

COME JOIN US BREAKFAST OR LUNCH OPEN EVERY DAY FRESHLY BAKED BREADS & PASTRIES

D’ANGELO BREAD

7am to 2pm

LUCKY‘S STEAKS - CHOPS - SEAFOOD - COCKTAILS 1279 COAST VILLAGE ROAD (805) 565-7540

Sweet Wheel Farm & Flowers

Local PUMPKIN Pick-up!

Miniature, Heirlooms and Pumperific sizes!

1150 Coast Village Road or 2285 Lillie Avenue @SweetWheelFarms

25 W. GUTIERREZ STREET (805) 962-5466

CA’DARIO OFFERS THE GIFT OF VINO For a limited time through the holiday, Ca’Dario Ristorante is offering a complimentary bottle of wine with orders of $75 or more. Seasoned chef Dario Furlati creates rustic Northern Italian dishes served family style. Pair your next meal with the merlot or viognier

by Dard. Available for carryout.

Ca’Dario is located at 1187 Coast Village Road. Call (805) 884-9419 for reservations. •MJ

Pair your next meal at Ca’Dario with the merlot or viognier by Dard

24 – 31 December 2020

• The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

45

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (805) 565-1860 ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES THE CLEARING HOUSE, LLC

bilia, and rare classic cars and motorcycles. Dana is a Graduate Gemologist with over 30 years of experience buying and selling fine property. CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION (310) 736-5896 or email DanaCaresLA@gmail.com WRITING SERVICES

Recognized as the area’s Premier Estate Liquidators - Experts in the Santa Barbara Market! We are Skilled Professionals with Years of Experience in Downsizing and Estate Sales.

Personalized service. Insured. Call for a complimentary consultation.

Elaine (805)708-6113 Christa (805)450-8382 Email: theclearinghouseSB@cox.net Website: www.theclearinghouseSB.com MOVING MISS DAISY Full Service SAFE Senior Relocation and Estate Liquidation Services Including: Packing and Unpacking, Estate Sales, Online Auctions and our own Consignment Shop! We are Licensed, Bonded, Liability Insured, Workers Comped, Certified by The National Assoc Of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) and The American Society of Estate Liquidators (ASEL).

Glenn Novack, Owner.

805-770-7715 info@movingmissdaisy.com MovingMissDaisy.com Consignments@MovingMissDaisy. hibid.com

WHO DO YOU TRUST WHEN SELLING YOUR VALUABLES? CARES, Compassionate & Reliable Estate Solutions is an INDEPENDENT CONCIERGE LUXURY SELLING SERVICE providing strategic selling options for your valuables in today’s most lucrative markets, helping you retain the profits from your jewelry, fine watches, fine art, silver, sculpture, wine, coins, memora-

Accomplish Something Exceptional While Sheltering at Home Preserve your life story! The story of a person’s life, told properly, is a marvel.

It can be preserved as family treasure, or it can fade away. I write biographies and autobiographies, producing beautiful books that are thorough, professional, distinctive, impressive and entertaining. Many of my projects are gifts to honor beloved parents or spouses. I also assist with memoirs or other books.

David Wilk (805) 455-5980 wilkonian@sbcglobal.net.

Excellent references. www.BiographyDavidWilk.com ITEMS FOR SALE

OCEAN VIEW! Rare availability in Santa Barbara Cemetery.

Beautiful, picturesque final resting place available.

Located in Ocean View - Add. G - plot for 2 cremated remains.

Oceanview is completely sold out. My situation changed so making this lovely space yours is easy.

(805)705-8447 or liveloveprayeveryday@gmail.com PHYSICAL TRAINING Fit for Life REMOTE TRAINING AVAILABLE 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

SPECIAL SERVICES

NOW OPEN GOT OSTEOPOROSIS? We can help! At OsteoStrong our proven non-drug protocol takes just ten minutes once a week to improve your bone density and aid in more energy, strength, balance and agility. Please call for a complimentary session!

CALL NOW (805) 453-6086

TRESOR POSITION WANTED UPDATED CONTACT INFO! PRIVATE CHEF Private Chef/Estate Mngr/Shiatsu Practitioner 25 years experience specializing in fine dining, with an emphasis on natural wellness cuisine if desired. Live-in or live-out, full or part-time. 7 day menu available.

Excellent references.

781-856-0359 robertpdonahue@icloud.com AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY 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. 805 969-0888 Make every day a pain free Riviera day. myrivieralife.com For sale burial plot #586 CEMETERY 901 Block D , Channel Drive 805 448-1269

$8 minimum

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

46 MONTECITO JOURNAL

Best Property & Assets Protection The owner of Professional Security Company looking for a place in Montecito/Santa Barbara area in exchange for security/management services.

PPO License #120310 Phone: 805-895-2183

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam.” - John Burroughs

PRIVATE CHEF AVAILABLE. Well known Chef in Montecito is available for small gatherings or in-home meals. From casual lunch to fine dining style dinner, I can prepare great food for you. Please contact me at 805-4506746 or e-mail chefwestproduction@msn.com Personal Assistant. Extensive experience. Smith College graduate with excellent multi-tasking and communication skills. Plan/coordinate business, social, and family appointments. Perform office work/household tasks as needed.

Excellent references and background check upon request. Contact Linda at albright65@msn.com WELLNESS COUNSELING Bio-Spiritual Wellness Coach Body, Mind, Soul Support Yoga, Stretching, Meditation Contemplation, 20+ yrs exp.

Ruthie Huron 484-357-6611 RENTAL WANTED LAND FOR TEEPEE. Seeking beautiful, spacious, private, very quiet land to rent, care-take, or trade services.

805 637 9934 24 – 31 December 2020

ADVERTISE IN THE LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY (805) 565-1860

FAST TURN AROUND - QUALITY GUARANTEED

WE BUY BOOKS

Historical Paintings Vintage Posters Original Prints 805-962-4606 info@losthorizonbooks.com

WE BUILD

ARGENTINE BARBECUES Custom made Stainless Steel/Iron Cristian Salamanca - (805) 696 - 8507

LOST HORIZON BOOKSTORE now in Montecito, 539 San Ysidro Road

www.larenaissanceofart.com/argentinebarbecue

ARCHITECTURAL FACTORY

Local Contractor Licence #911243 Cristian Salamanca (805) 696-8507

We design We fabricate We build We install

www.larenaissanceofart.com

STEVEN BROOKS JEWELERS Appraisals for Estates and Insurance Graduate Gemologist ~ Established 1974 Sales of Custom Designed and Estate Jewelry Purchasing Estates sbjewelers@gmail.com or 805-455-1070

LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE GUEST HOUSE or APARTMENT or SMALL HOUSE I need your help.

Leaving L.A. and wanting to call this area home. I have a very strong credit score, a clean background, good referrals and no debts, all of which can be verified.. I will take a Covid test upon move in.

Claudia 818 300 2573 REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Ghost-town site, 168 lots, 40 acres, utilities. Spokane, WA. River to Rosevelt Rec area, $125,000 total, Details 509 359-0662 SB. Over 25 Years in Montecito

Over25 25Years YearsininMontecito Montecito Over

MONTECITO MONTECITO MONTECITO ELECTRIC ELECTRIC ELECTRIC

EXCELLENTREFERENCES R EFERENCES EXCELLENT EXCELLENT REFERENCES • Repair Wiring • Wiring • Repair Repair Wiring • Inspection • Electrical Remodel Wiring • Remodel Wiring • • New New Wiring • Wiring New Wiring • • Landscape LandscapeLighting Lighting • Landscape Lighting • • Interior InteriorLighting Lighting • Interior Lighting

(805) 969-1575 969-1575 (805) 969-1575 (805) STATE LICENSE STATE LICENSENo. No.485353 485353

STATE LICENSE No. 485353 MAXWELLL. HAILSTONE MAXWELLL. HAILSTONE MAXWELL L. HAILSTONE East Valley Road, Suit 147 1482 East Valley Road, Suit 147 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 147 Montecito, California 93108 Montecito, California 93108 Montecito, California 93108

www.montecitoelectric.com www.montecitoelectric.com

24 – 31 December 2020

Personalized house number mosaics by Elizabeth Gallery Mosaics Your favorite image • A perfect gift bgallerymosaics@gmail.com • www.elizabethgallery.com

REAL ESTATE WANTED Local PP wants to purchase SFR; or 2 to 4 units with FHA financing; or lease with option; or seller financing.

805-538-1119 or JBG PO Box 3963; SB, Calif. 93130.

DONATIONS NEEDED Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary Menagerie 2340 Lillie Avenue Summerland CA 93067 (805) 969-1944

Donate to the Parrot Pantry!

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

Volunteers Do you have a special talent or skill?

Do you need community service hours?

The flock at SB Bird Sanctuary could always use some extra love and socialization. Call us and let’s talk about how you can help. (805) 969-1944

CA$H ON THE SPOT CLASSIC CARS RV’S • CARS SUV • TRUCKS MOTORHOMES We come to you!

702-210-7725 • The Voice of the Village •

MONTECITO JOURNAL

47

“Good Food for Good People”

LUCKY’S steaks /chops /seafood /cocktails

Dinner & Cocktails Nightly, Lunch Monday-Friday, Brunch Saturday & Sunday Montecito’s neighborhood bar and restaurant. 1279 Coast Village Road Montecito CA 93108 (805)565-7540 www.luckys-steakhouse.com Photography by Alexandra DeFurio