18 minute read
Library Mojo
• The Voice of the Village • 13 – 20 February 2020 MONTECITO JOURNAL 29 805-899-2222 | thesymphony.org Christian Reif, CONDUCTOR Thomas Mesa, CELLO Michael Gilbertson: Graffiti: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, Op. 33 Mozart: Overture to La Clemenza di Tito, K.621 Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major, K.543 German-born, wunderkind conductor Christian Reif joins the Symphony after completing a three-year post as Resident Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony. Reif will lead the orchestra through Michael Gilbertson’s Graffiti, followed by Tchaikovsky’s stunningly brilliant Variations on a Rococo Theme performed by charismatic cellist Thomas Mesa. Reif and the orchestra return for a final set featuring the fresh elegance of Mozart’s Overture to La Clemenza di Tito and the timeless, captivating Symphony No. 39.
upcoming concerts... an american in paris march 21 + 22, 2020 Constantine Kitsopoulos, CONDUCTOR carpenter conducts poulenc & saint-saëns april 18 + 19, 2020 Nir Kabaretti, CONDUCTOR Cameron Carpenter, ORGAN beethoven’s 250 th birthday celebration may 16 + 17, 2020 Nir Kabaretti, CONDUCTOR Alessio Bax, PIANO Full list of guest artists on our website! reif conducts tchaikovsky & mozart february 15 + 16 | 2020 Concert Sponsors: Dan & Meg Burnham | Corporate Sponsor: Mission Audio/Video Library Learners: They’re just like us! Kim is the Branch Lead of the Montecito Library. Questions or comments? Contact her: kcrail@santabarbaraca.gov T he library scene is thriving these days. Here are a few examples of the groups that are breezing through on a daily basis:
Babies, toddlers, and school-age kids love the library, from rolling up (literally) in strollers to attending Preschool Storytime with their doting caregivers. The older kids stun us with their independence, hunger for knowledge and learning. The youngsters in Montecito are impressive for their charm, manners and multiple intelligences. Staff are always excited to see them, research their new interests and help them along their road to reading and civic life.
Technology users in general take full advantage of our open wifi, public computers and loanable internet hotspots. More and more people have their own devices and are looking for places to plug in and take care of business. There is increasing interest in download and streaming options as well and staff provide individual instruction as needed.
Our book and audiobook lovers are our bread and butter. Nonfiction readers attack magazines, books and newspapers (we have the Wall Street Journal again!) with wild abandon, possibly knowing everything. Our fiction readers delight in the pure joy of reading and walking in another’s shoes. They slay their favorite authors’ works, building empathy and social skills. Thrillers, mysteries, romance, science fiction, westerns, dystopian – the sky’s the limit!
Maybe you see yourself in one or more of these categories or break the mold completely. Native American Storytelling
Thursday, February 20 at 4 pm, we are hosting a presentation by Chumash and Tataviam Elder and proud California Native American Alan Salazar. Learn about traditional paddling of tomol (canoes) and more about tribal history and culture.
Salazar has been a preschool teacher, juvenile institutions officer, Native American consultant/monitor, spiritual advisor and member of the California Indian Advisory Council for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. He uses traditional storytelling to teach students of all ages.
Please join us for this unique opportunity for both kids and adults. Montecito Library Book Club
Our discussion of Normal People by Sally Rooney last Saturday had no shortage of topics to unpack. Attendee Chris noted how well the book “exemplified the complexities of relationships between young adults” and Pat Musarra noted that it was a good study of “the growth of the two main characters and how they matured” over the arc of the novel. Our March selection is The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason led by Janet. This 2018 historical novel, set in World War I Vienna, tells the story of a young medical student facing the grim realities of a war hospital. We hope that you can read the book and join us to discuss it at our next meeting on Saturday, March 14 at 11 am. Upcoming Special Events An Afternoon of Native American Storytelling with Chumash/Tataviam Storyteller Alan Salazar Thursday, 2/20 at 4 pm Poetry Club discusses the Poetry of Charles Lummis alongside Susan Orlean’s The Library Book Thursday, 3/5 at 3:30 pm See you at the library! •MJ
“The glamour of a high-flying hotel has found a natural bedfellow in the glamour of contemporary circus... It’s a stylistic match… Beautiful images and inventive acts.” The Toronto Star
Cirque Éloize
Tue, Feb 18 / 7 PM (note special time) Granada Theatre Tickets start at $25 $19 UCSB students and youth (18 & under) A Granada facility fee will be added to each ticket price
Corporate Sponsor:
Grupo Corpo Bach & Gira Tue, Feb 25 / 8 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $35 / $19 UCSB students A Granada facility fee will be added to each ticket price
Presented in association with the UCSB Department of Theater and Dance Dance Series Sponsors: Annette & Dr. Richard Caleel, Margo Cohen-Feinberg & Bob Feinberg, Irma & Morrie Jurkowitz, Barbara Stupay, and Sheila Wald Brazil’s leading contemporary dance troupe returns with a phenomenal double bill that showcases the 21-member group’s extraordinary range and delivers a dazzling celebration of Brazil in all its diversity. (Mature content.)
Texas music legend Lyle Lovett will be joined in concert by his long-running backup band, combining his rich sound, singular gift for storytelling and wry sense of humor in an intimate acoustic performance that showcases his rich and eclectic oeuvre. Presented through the generosity of Loren Booth
2020 Grammy Nominee for Best American Roots Song Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal She Remembers Everything
With an iconic sound that transcends country, pop, rock and blues, Rosanne Cash’s new album She Remembers Everything is a lush and soulful collection of songs that embraces women’s narratives and reckons with a flawed and fragile world.
Part of the A Century of Empowerment series
Jill Lepore This America: The Case for the Nation Fri, Feb 21 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall Tickets start at $20 / $10 all students (with valid ID) “The most prolific, nimble, and interesting writer of American history today.” The Washington Post Harvard historian, New Yorker staff writer and bestselling author Jill Lepore offers a magisterial account of the rise of America and an urgent reckoning with our divided nation.
Presented through the generosity of Meg & Dan Burnham Additional Support: Judy Wainwright & Jim Mitchell History Matters Series Sponsors: Loren Booth and Ellen & Peter O. Johnson
UCSB Environmental Studies Program 50th Anniversary Celebration Bill McKibben Our Changing Climate: A Global Movement of Reform Sat, Feb 29 / 7:30 PM / UCSB Campbell Hall $10 / $5 UCSB students and youth (18 & under) “One of the nation’s most important environmental activists.” The Washington Post Bill McKibben offers a call to arms 30 years after he first set the stage with his watershed book The End of Nature. Presented in association with Community Environmental Council
Part of the Forces of Nature series
Author of one of Time magazine’s All-Time 100 Best Nonfiction Books Bill Bryson The Body: A Guide for Occupants Mon, Mar 2 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $25 / $15 UCSB students A Granada facility fee will be added to each ticket price “Bryson is fascinated by everything, and his curiosity is infectious.” The New York Times Book Review The bestselling author of A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson takes us on a head-to-toe tour of the human body that is guaranteed to provide a deeper understanding of the miracle that is life in general and you in particular.
Bestselling Author of The Uninhabitable Earth David Wallace-Wells Surviving the World: Making the Best of a Burdened Planet Thu, Mar 5 / 7:30 PM / The New Vic $20 / $10 UCSB students “A masterly analysis of why – with a world of solutions – we choose doom.” Nature David Wallace-Wells asks key questions and reminds us that everything is within our control. This, he says, is the moment to truly engage with what climate change really means.
Part of the Forces of Nature series
Brian Greene Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe Mon, Mar 9 / 7:30 PM / Granada Theatre Tickets start at $25 / $15 UCSB students A Granada facility fee will be added to each ticket price Celebrated theoretical physicist Brian Greene takes us on a breathtaking journey from the big bang to the end of time as he invites us to ponder meaning in the face of this unimaginable expanse. Presented through the generosity of Dorothy Largay & Wayne Rosing
“Capable of untangling the mysteries of the universe, with a knack for clearly explaining it all to the rest of us.” Wired
The Ashley Road bridge replacement project is complete and the bridge is open to the public, following a two-year closure
According to Wageneck, the new bridge is a structural and aesthetic improvement from the previous bridge. It includes a higher arch and longer span to allow a 100-year storm event to pass under the bridge, and has a natural sandstone facade to match the style of the previous arch bridge. Designed with strength and safety in mind, the two-lane, 64-footlong bridge handles all current loads, including permit loads over 36 tons of total weight. It is also outfitted with federal test level crash rated barriers and steel approach rails, that have been patinaed to look original. The old bridge had unreinforced footing that was undermined by the creek, while the new bridge has four deep foundation piles at each abutment that go down 30 feet deep. The old bridge
The bridge was demolished during the 1/9 debris flow
also had a smaller arch that could be overtopped in a 25-year storm event. The project also includes drainage slabs with three-foot-deep cutoff walls at the bridge corners to protect the bridge during a future debris flow; the improved drainage systems adjacent to the bridge were also designed to catch surface runoff and keep excess water off the road.
The reopening of the bridge is a welcome sight for nearby residents, many of whom have had to use alternative routes to access their homes. Ashley Road is used as a thoroughfare, in part to access Cold Spring School; the bridge closure has increased traffic on other local roads and increased the distance to school for many students. The cost to replace the bridge was $1.8 million, and was funded
by FEMA Federal Aid for Disaster Funding ($1.4 million), California Office of Emergency Services State Aid for Disaster Funding ($341,000), and the Santa Barbara County General Fund ($114,000). The project is strictly within County boundaries, unlike many of the other damaged bridges, which were in Caltrans’ territory. “We’ve worked hard on this project, and are excited for the community to be able to utilize the bridge again,” said Lisa Valencia Sherratt from the office of First District Supervisor Das Williams’ office. Supervisor Williams will speak at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, along with Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor, Public Works Director Scott McGolpin, and others.
More Rebuilding News Also in the news on the rebuilding front: earlier this week the County Board of Supervisors dedicated $10.1 million toward restoring haul routes and roads within the Montecito community and surrounding area that were damaged due to the 1/9 debris flow and emergency response. The funds were recently received as part of the County’s litigation settlement with Southern California Edison and will address 60 proposed road sections that are of highest priority to be restored to pre-debris flow conditions. Top priority roads include North Jameson Lane, Olive Mill Road, Channel Drive, Hot Springs Road, East Mountain Drive, Romero Canyon, San Leandro, and others.
This initial portion of the settlement, totaling $28.1 million, partially reimburses the County for costs incurred resulting from the Thomas Fire and debris flow disaster and recovery efforts. In total, the net financial impact on the County related to the disasters and ensuing storm readiness and response is estimated at approximately $94 million. In addition, the settlement agreement sets aside between $2.8 million and $15.8 million associated with pending dam
“My wife was afraid of the dark... then she saw me naked and now she’s afraid of the light.” — Rodney Dangerfield age reimbursement claims and grant requests to FEMA and CalOES totaling $54 million in costs. Depending on the outcome of the claim reimbursement and grant process with FEMA and CalOES, and in addition to whatever funds FEMA and CalOES approve, the County could expect to receive some of this set-aside funding over the next few years related to these infrastructure projects.
The Board also allocated $2 million to the Flood Control District and almost $8 million to the General Fund, which County staff recommended for one-time expenses related to emergency preparedness, response, recovery and public safety needs. The remainder of the funding will be set aside for litigation defense costs against SCE and potential future audits by the federal Office of Inspector General as part of routine practices performed after all FEMA declared disasters.
For more information, visit www. countyofsb.org.
Santa Barbara Fiduciary Celebrates 11 Years in Business
Santa Barbara Fiduciary – which is based in Montecito – recently marked 11 years in business. Owner Lindsay Leonard says the idea for starting the company arose from her experience helping her grandmother navigate Alzheimer’s; Leonard says she strug
MONTECITO JOURNAL34 “My wife gets all the money I make. I just get an apple and clean clothes every morning.” — Ray Romano MISCELLANY (Continued from page 18) Enamored by Emma More than 200 years after her death in 1817, Regency writer Jane Austen is as popular as ever.
A new film version of her novel Emma, directed by Autumn de Wilde and starring Bill Nighy, Josh O’Connor and Rupert Graves, is being released later this month, and Masterpiece Theatre on PBS is running Sanditon, based on Austen’s unfinished 24,000 word 11-chapter novel, which has been wonderfully adapted by Andrew Davies. And now the Ensemble Theatre Company has staged a musical adaptation of Emma by Tony Awardnominated composer Paul Gordon, who also worked his magic with Austen’s work Sense and Sensibility, delightfully directed by Andrew Barnicle – who two years ago directed Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly, an imagined sequel to Pride and Prejudice – with music direction by Brent Schindele. Broadway veteran Samantha Eggers is superb as resident busybody Emma Woodhouse and Doug Carfrae as her doddering dad, with a wonderful supporting cast of Kevin Earley, Parker Harris, Kevin McMahon, Anna Mintzer, James Olivas, Brett Callo, Jenna Lea Rosen, Janna Cardia, and Chelle Denton. Stephen Gifford’s scenic design is terrific, as are the costumes by Bruce Goodrich, and choreography by Jean Michelle Sayeg. The show runs through February 23 and is not be missed. Bid on Lutah A 1930s Gilded Age Hot Springs Road property designed by Lutah Maria Riggs, the first licensed female architect in our Eden by the Beach, is being auctioned off.
The impressive residence is set to sell without reserve to the highest bidder via leading global firm Concierge Auctions.
Previously offered for $12.5 million, the five-bedroom, six full and four-half bathroom property features formal gardens designed by esteemed painter Lockwood de Forest, and a swimming pool, hot tub and cabana with wet bar and wine room.
In addition to ocean views, the home boasts opulent finishes, including marble floors, Carrara marble countertops, intricate molding and wainscoting, and soaring coffered ceilings. Bidding, which opens for three days on February 24, will be held via con ciergeauctions.com. Back on the Market Having just put his Ventura beach house on the market for $2.95 million, Montecito actor Christopher Lloyd, 81, has now listed a second home for sale.
The .3-acre Spanish-style 1950s two-bedroom, one-bathroom property in Santa Barbara has a garage converted into a small studio, and is priced at $1.7 million.
The three-time Emmy winner, who starred in the Back to the Future movie franchise, has a starring role in the upcoming feature Welcome to Pine Grove! with Ellen Burstyn and AnnMargret. New Ambassador Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry is getting royally connected.
The former Dos Pueblos High student has been named as an ambassador for the British Asian Trust at a London gala attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. Katy, 35, first met Queen Elizabeth’s son, founder of the trust in 2007, at a party in Mumbai, India, last November.
“I want to shine my light on the work the trust will be doing in South Asia and to be a part of finding solutions to child trafficking,” says Katy. “Children are vulnerable and innocent, and have to be protected.” King is Queen Prolific New York songwriter Carole King, 77, has had a helluva career! Starting as a staffer at Manhattan’s legendary Brill Building, she has written or co-written 118 songs that have been featured on Billboard’s Hot 100 and her album Tapestry topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971, and remained on the charts for an astounding six years.
The four-time Grammy winner’s record sales are estimated at 75 million worldwide.
So it is no wonder the two performances of the American Theatre Guild’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the Granada were both sold-out shows, with talented Kenny Caughell as the singer and James D. Gish as her co-writer and husband Gerry Goffin. The two hour hugely entertaining show featured a host of hits sung by soundalikes of Neil Sedaka, The Drifters, The Shirelles, Little Eva, and The Righteous Brothers.
The supporting cast of husband and wife fellow songwriters Kathryn Boswell and James Michael Lambert, and Matt Loehr as record producer Don Kirshner, just added to the show’s abundant energy and exuberance.
Liquid Gold French fashion house Chanel has just launched the world’s chicest water bottle.
The “flack bag” comes with a gold colored metal bottle, black screw-on cap, a detachable lambskin holder in Chanel’s signature quilted design, and a long gold chain to sling across the shoulder, which is selling for an eye watering $5,800 at the top London department, Harrods.
Perfect for walks on the local trails! Rest in Peace On a personal note, I remember two very different local icons who have moved to more heavenly pastures. Kirk Douglas, who shuttled between his home in Montecito and Beverly Hills, was one of the last actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age, starring in more than 90 movies and garnering two Oscar nominations.
He was also a gracious host and I remember joining him and his wife of 65 years, Anne, 100, for dinner parties with society doyenne Beverley Jackson, and actress Bo Derek and her beau, actor John Corbett, at their charming art-filled home a tiara’s toss from Pierre Lafond.
“Kirk’s life was well lived and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet,” says his Oscar-winning son, Michael Douglas, 75, a former resident of our rarefied enclave.
Although Kirk received great acclaim for the 1960 classic Stanley Kubrick film Spartacus, he told me his favorite was Lust for Life, the 1957 Vincent Van Gogh movie that earned him one of his Academy Award nominations.
The other icon is Valery Ryvkin, Lutah Maria Riggs estate up for grabs
artistic director and principal conductor of Opera Santa Barbara for nine years, who has died aged 59 from a rare form of cancer.
Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, he moved to the U.S. at the age of 18 after studying at the Leningrad State Conservatory, continuing his music education at Juilliard in New York.
Known as “a singer’s conductor,” he served as an associate professor of voice and opera at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music, and worked with the University of Cincinnati, the ISing International Festival in Suzhou, China, Los Angeles Opera’s Young Artists Program, USC, UCSB, Opera San Jose, and the Pittsburgh Opera.
He was also a member of the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University School of Music, and artistic director of the Greensboro Opera in N. Carolina from 2005 to 2011.
Sightings: Oscar winner Michael Keaton getting his Java jolt at Pierre Lafond... Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson noshing at the Honor Bar... Oscar winner Kevin Costner at the Nugget in Summerland
Pip! Pip!
Readers with tips, sightings and amusing items for Richard’s column should e-mail him at richardmin eards@verizon.net or send invitations or other correspondence to the Journal. To reach Priscilla, e-mail her at pris cilla@santabarbaraseen.com or call 805-969-3301 •MJ
