And the President Is...

After an exhaustive search and reviewing over 50 applicants, the Music Academy has named the upcoming CEO and president. Read what the new appointee has to say inside (Story starts on P. 5)

Parker Progress

Dream. Design. Build. Live.

Photography: @virtourmedia

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412 E. Haley St. #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805.965.9555 | frontdesk@beckercon.com| www.beckerstudiosinc.com @beckerstudios

5 New CEO at MA – Read what the new CEO and president has in store for the Music Academy

6 Village Beat – Storefront changes along CVR, awardwinning woodworker in town, details on the recent fatal car crash, and keep those fires out in Los Padres

8 Montecito Miscellany – The New Vic theater hosts a 10th anniversary gala, a birthday bash for Teresa Kuskey, new gallery opens at La Cumbre, plus more 10

Letters to the Editor – Readers are still writing in with their thoughts on the Santa Barbara News-Press Tide Guide 11

Real Estate – Here are the pros and cons of off-market listings, what’s allowed, and why some sellers or buyers choose this route 12

Our Town – Casa del Herrero’s new curator, oil on Summerland’s beach, and SB Neighborhood Clinics’ Mobile Health Unit is on the scene

14 Society Invites – The Cohiba Experience is a smoking hot new addition to the Bacara

16 The Aspen Institute – Whether we should let meaning or freedom drive society is debated

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

18 Montecito Moms – Sophie McNally took the pandemic lemons and made affordable, healthy meals delivered to your home out of them

22 The Giving List – It’s an afternoon of “celebrating those we love” and local heroes at the upcoming luncheon for Hospice of Santa Barbara

24 Santa Barbara by the Glass – The Parker family has been busy elevating the experience at the Fess Parker winery

25 Village Vibe – Local resident Eva Rhodes finds comfort in the international ambiance of the area The Optimist Daily – There’s an electrifying movement taking place to get more women electricians in the industry

26

Exploring the Afterlife – Rabbi Chaim Loschak from Chabad of Montecito leads a sixsession discussion on what happens “after”

27

Brilliant Thoughts – Food, Sex, and Money –these are just some of the many things that drive our desire

28

On Entertainment – Lois Mahalia launches an album of her own and other sounds around town

29 Foraging Thyme – Squash is in season and this pesto tart captures the character of this summer vegetable (spoiler: it’s actually a fruit)

30 Robert’s Big Questions – What’s that smell? It’s the aroma of Procter & Gamble’s marketing efforts in making Febreze a success.

31 Dear Montecito – Visiting the REEF – UCSB’s hands-on aquatic experience for educating the public and ocean advocates

36 Your Westmont – The poetic, imaginative art of Linda Ekstrom comes to Westmont, a chance to see Saturn, and Men’s Soccer has a new head coach

40 Calendar of Events – Rich Wilkie’s Eyes of War brings hope, The Death of Kings on stage, an array of music events, and more

42 Classifieds – Our own “Craigslist” of classified ads

43 Mini Meta Crossword Puzzles

Local Business Directory – Smart business owners place business cards here so readers know where to look when they need what those businesses offer

New CEO at MA Grammy-Winning Executive Director Is Coming to the Music Academy

by Steven Libowitz

The Music Academy (MA) didn’t waste any time finding a successor to Scott Reed, who announced last spring that the 2023 Summer Festival would be his last as president and CEO after 12 years at the helm. Less than a week after the final symphony concert at the Granada earlier this month, the Music Academy officially named Shauna Quill to take over the position beginning November 1. Quill has been executive director of the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) since 2011 and counts among her accomplishments a Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance for the ensemble’s first professional recording – a first by a non-professional orchestra – as well as new programs, extensive community partnerships, and performances on several TV shows.

Quill trained as a flutist but was forced to give up a career as a performer due to a series of repetitive stress injuries. Her administrative career includes serving as executive director of the University of Chicago Presents, and senior leadership positions at the Aspen Music Festival and School (where NancyBell Coe, Reed’s predecessor at MA, was her mentor) and La Jolla Music Society. Only a few months out of college, she spent three years working for Herbert Breslin, the famed publicist and manager of Luciano Pavarotti (as well as Marilyn Horne, among others).

Even her one apparent left turn, as a paralegal, had a musical connection: Her dad was a union lawyer and a distant cousin of Mike Quill, the famous founder of the Transportation Workers Union of America.

“I thought I’d be a union lawyer too and fight for musicians,” she explained. “But it just wasn’t for me.”

(Being related to Mike Quill was still an asset as a kid, though, she joked: “When a teacher would find out, it would get me out of detention.”)

Below are edited excerpts from an hour-long conversation with Shauna Quill last weekend.

Q. It’s a good time for you to move on from New York with the youth orchestra just having won a Grammy. I’m guessing that was incredibly gratifying.

A. Absolutely. There was so much about that project that I loved. We recorded during the pandemic, socially distanced with three groups that had to be layered together later. The music was a message for tomorrow for these kids to learn, featuring three female black composers and a NYYS alumni, all strong women, right after all the George Floyd protests. We wanted to teach these messages even though we were so scared of Covid.

But I was shocked we won the Grammy. I never thought it was possible because we were up against the Berlin Philharmonic, the L.A. Phil, and Wild Up. So I was just going to enjoy it, probably my only time I’d get to go to the Grammys. Superficial

New CEO Page 374

Shauna Quill has been named as Scott Reed’s successor at the Music Academy (photo by Joshua Wang)

Village Beat

Storefront Shuffle on Coast Village Road

by Kelly Mahan Herrick

There have been a handful of storefront and office space changes on Coast Village Road as of late, including the impending relocation of one of the street’s most prominent clothing boutiques.

Angel, which has been in its coveted 1221 Coast Village Road space for 25 years, is moving to the Villa Fontana complex, next to Bree’Osh bakery, in the former home of First American Title. Angel is a luxury women’s clothing and accessory boutique that is a branch of the Wendy Foster & Pierre Lafond family of companies. The shop is known for its hip, on-trend offerings, as well as its careful curation of boutique luxury brands.

First American Title has moved to 1165 Coast Village Road Unit B, the former home of Home Care Assistance. The Villa Fontana space is currently under construction.

It is rumored that luxury clothing boutique James Perse, which has a small space at Montecito Country Mart, will be opening a larger location in the former

home of Angel. The building is the frontage section of a property that extends

year for $17.2M from a family that had owned it for over 50 years.

Over at Montecito Country Mart, it’s been announced that Mate Gallery will move into the space once occupied by Montecito Natural Foods, which moved to the Upper Village last month. Mate Gallery owners Ron Brand and Matt Albiani have occupied a much smaller space in the Mart for over 10 years. The unique offerings of the beloved shop include Albiani’s own photography, vintage textiles and wares, maritime-themed gifts, and rare nautical finds. No word yet what will fill the original Mate Gallery space.

Local Student Wins

Woodworking Award

Former MUS student Zander Murren Doherty has been passionately working away in his Montecito workshop this summer, building a variety of wooden creations and winning local and national competitions for his work.

Tenant improvements have commenced on the former home of First American Title in Villa Fontana, which will soon be home to luxury women’s boutique, Angel

to Coast Village Circle and includes a three-story office complex; it sold last

Each May, the Santa Barbara School District hosts a local student woodworking competition; this year Zander built a very special rocking chair inspired by the designs of notable furniture maker, Sam Maloof. The sleek walnut rocking chair, which took Zander over 200

Where possibilities become possible

hours to build and perfect, was awarded “Best in Show,” along with several other awards. The rocking chair was successfully submitted and selected for the national student woodworking competition, Freshwood at AWFS (Association of Woodworkers & Furnishings Suppliers), the largest woodworking fair in North America, held in Las Vegas. Zander was

The property located at 1221 Coast Village Road sold last year in a quiet, $17.2M sale. The frontage retail space, home to Angel for 25 years, is said to be the new home of James Perse. Village

CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY AT

Join us for a doggone afternoon of fun as we host our second annual Miramar Best In Show. We invite our resort guests, locals and their dogs to enter our charity dog show for a chance to win the ultimate Miramar Getaway. Throughout the competition, dogs will be judged based on their personality plus spirit, canine beauty, and tricks & talents.

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2022

THE GREAT LAWN

1PM – 4PM

$195 per contestant, complimentary for spectators

For more information and details on how to enter the show, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com or email miramar.events@rosewoodhotels.com

CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY AT

CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY AT

CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY AT

CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY AT

Join us for a doggone afternoon of fun as we host our second annual Miramar Best In Show. We invite our resort guests, locals and their dogs to enter our charity dog show for a chance to win the ultimate Miramar Getaway. Throughout the competition, dogs will be judged based on their personality plus spirit, canine beauty, and tricks & talents.

Join us for a doggone afternoon of fun as we host our second annual Miramar Best In Show. We invite our resort guests, locals and their dogs to enter our charity dog show for a chance to win the ultimate Miramar Getaway. Throughout the competition, dogs will be judged based on their personality plus spirit, canine beauty, and tricks & talents.

Join us for a doggone afternoon of fun as we host our second annual Miramar Best In Show. We invite our resort guests, locals and their dogs to enter our charity dog show for a chance to win the ultimate Miramar Getaway. Throughout the competition, dogs will be judged based on their personality plus spirit, canine beauty, and tricks & talents.

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2022

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2022

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2022

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2022

THE GREAT LAWN

THE GREAT LAWN

THE GREAT LAWN

THE GREAT LAWN

1PM – 4PM

1PM – 4PM

1PM – 4PM

1PM – 4PM

$195 per contestant, complimentary for spectators

$195 per contestant, complimentary for spectators

$195 per contestant, complimentary for spectators

$195 per contestant, complimentary for spectators

For more information and details on how to enter the show, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com or email miramar.events@rosewoodhotels.com

For more information and details on how to enter the show, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com or email miramar.events@rosewoodhotels.com

us for a doggone afternoon of fun as we host our second annual Miramar Best In Show. We invite our resort guests, locals and their dogs to enter our charity dog show for a chance to win the ultimate Miramar Getaway. Throughout the competition, dogs will be judged based on their personality plus spirit, canine beauty, and tricks & talents. For more information and details on how to enter the show, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com or email miramar.events@rosewoodhotels.com

For more information and details on how to enter the show, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com or email miramar.events@rosewoodhotels.com

Montecito Miscellany

New Vic Turns Ten

by Richard Mineards

Santa Barbara’s iconic New Vic theater celebrated its 10th anniversary in energetic style with a Play It Forward on-stage gala starring a colorful cavalcade of talent as the resident Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) prepares for its 45th season in the West Victoria Street venue.

After 25 years at the rustic 140-seat Alhecama Theatre and a $12.6 million renovation, ETC moved to the new 300-seat venue in 2013 under talented artistic director Jonathan Fox, who reigned at the helm for 17 years until his departure in June.

The gala bash, benefitting education and outreach, was directed by Brian McDonald, with musical direction by John Enrico Douglas and the band with David Hunt on drums, Randy Tico on bass, and Ben Wilmore on guitar.

Principal artists, all with Great White Way credentials, were Joan Almedilla , whose credits include Miss Saigon and The Lion King , David Burnham with Wicked and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , Deedee Magno Hall from Wicked and Miss Saigon , and Jennifer Paz , whose credits include Les Misérables .

The 90-minute rave review included

Miscellany

Page 384

is singing with joy, and the beaches are inviting you with dancing waves.” – Debasish Mridha

Alan and Ruth Heeger, Meredith Baxter, Jill Selzer, and Laura Carbonell Monarque (photo by Priscilla)

The night was filled with both principal artists from the Great White Way and young performers well on their way there (photo by Priscilla)

ETC Executive Director Scott DeVine with board members Dana White and Ginny Brush (photo by Priscilla)

Director Brian McDonald, Musical Director John Enrico Douglas, and ETC Executive Director Scott DeVine (photo by Priscilla)

Letters to the Editor

Response to Buckley’s Opinion

In his dirge over the demise of print daily newspapers, James Buckley seems to assign the initial cause of the recent shuttering of the Santa Barbara News-Press to The New York Times’ purchasing of that publication in 1985.

He expounds on that curious contention by stating that The New York Times didn’t “know” Santa Barbara and “didn’t much care about it either.” He supports that brooding indictment by saying that publishers and overpaid editors “come and go.”

Throughout the 23 years I was the Chief Financial Officer of the Santa Barbara News-Press, there were three different owners and 10 publishers — five of those publishers coming during the first six years Wendy McCaw owned the paper.

In the 15 years that the NYT owned the News-Press , there were three publishers, with Steve Ainsley serving for seven of those years. One publisher retired and another left for health reasons. There were three executive editors during that time.

Not exactly a revolving door as Buckley charges.

The NYT retained most of the NewsPress journalists and editors, many of whom had been with the paper a long time, and the new journalists it hired quickly became the paper’s best beat reporters. Well-trained, experienced, journalists don’t have to be long-term residents of a community to be able to cover it well.

Buckley opines that the decline of print dailies is aggravated and accelerated by what he describes as “the same kind of mind-numbing garbage” that they spew “in lockstep with each other.” He notes

that the News-Press was an exception to that, which I suspect he means McCaw’s News-Press

I also suspect that by “mind-numbing garbage,” Buckley means content that does not confirm or comply with his preferred ideological leanings. That he considers McCaw’s News-Press to be an exception to his harsh assessment of media does nothing to diminish that suspicion. The News-Press had decidedly lurched to the right under McCaw — talk about not knowing Santa Barbara. It is true that the NYT didn’t understand Santa Barbara’s unique market. Their formula for heavily investing in advanced printing capabilities and expanded content, then relentlessly raising ad rates was doomed to failure in Santa Barbara’s predominantly small retail ecosystem. Some of us told them that from the getgo, but with their formula having been so successful everywhere else, our cautionary advice was dismissed.

The NYT cared about the product they provided local communities, including Santa Barbara. High standards for journalism, along with a quality printed broadsheet, were company priorities. After paying a hefty price to purchase the News-Press, the NYT invested over $50 million in capital improvements, while increasing employee pay and benefits.

Content — news and entertainment — was a top priority, but never, as some claimed, did corporate dictate editorial slant. The News-Press was Santa Barbara’s daily, not New York’s. The NYT understood and upheld that. It was simply good business.

However, the NYT business formula was never going to be successful in Santa

Barbara. Profit margin goals could not be met, and the NYT reluctantly sold the News-Press

Buckley is wrong about the NYT dooming the News-Press or not caring about Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara newspaper readers never had it so good as when the NYT owned their local paper.

He is correct, however, that print dailies were doomed no matter who owned them. The advent of the internet and its breathtakingly rapid domination of media, along with online shopping decimating legacy retail, and high delivery costs sealed the fate of print dailies.

Without robust newsrooms we are left exposed to the ravages of government power abuse and corruption, and to the predations of the private sector’s insatiable forces of greed.

That’s the real tragedy we should be lamenting.

Randy Alcorn

Strange Bedfellows

What strange bedfellows Wendy McCaw and the community of Santa Barbara have had with each other since she purchased the Santa Barbara News-Press a number of years ago.

As a second-generation Santa Barbaran, I remember utilizing our illustrious periodical to share current-event stories in the 1960s with my classmates. Each morning or evening, I would await with anticipation the arrival of our newspaper with the familiar thud on our driveway as the news boy or girl delivered it. Not so, in many years now. Disheartened with the gradual demise of this former award-winning publication, I canceled my subscription several years ago. It had become jaded with one-sided political ideology and lack of integrity in the representation of diverse viewpoints, the hallmarks of other stellar newspapers throughout our country.

MONTECITO TIDE GUIDE

Ms. McCaw has frequently voiced her support for animals. Notwithstanding the value of her stance, I can’t help but wonder why she doesn’t acknowledge the necessity of protecting other sentient beings? These would be humans, of course. She has systematically plowed over the many reputable employees who have graced the News-Press over the years. Now, in declaring bankruptcy she has once again, thrown her present employees “under the bus.” Tragic as well are the legal reparations which she has neglected to pay to those who worked for her in the past.

Elizabeth Araluce Mason Goleta

newspaper

Executive Editor/CEO | Gwyn Lurie gwyn@montecitojournal.net

President/COO | Timothy Lennon Buckley tim@montecitojournal.net

VP, Sales & Marketing | Leanne Wood leanne@montecitojournal.net

Managing Editor | Zach Rosen zach@montecitojournal.net

Art/Production Director | Trent Watanabe

Graphic Design/Layout | Stevie Acuña

Administration | Jessikah Fechner

Administrative Assistant | Valerie Alva

Account Managers | Sue Brooks, Tanis Nelson, Elizabeth Nadel, Bryce Eller, Bob Levitt

Contributing Editor | Kelly Mahan Herrick

Copy Editor | Lily Buckley Harbin, Jeff Wing

Proofreading | Helen Buckley

Arts and Entertainment | Steven Libowitz

Contributors | Scott Craig, Ashleigh Brilliant, Kim Crail, Tom Farr, Chuck Graham, Stella Haffner, Mark Ashton Hunt, Dalina Michaels, Sharon Byrne, Robert Bernstein, Christina Atchison, Leslie Zemeckis, Sigrid Toye

Gossip | Richard Mineards

History | Hattie Beresford

Humor | Ernie Witham

Our Town/Society | Joanne A Calitri

Travel | Jerry Dunn, Leslie Westbrook Food & Wine | Claudia Schou, Melissa Petitto, Gabe Saglie

Published by: Montecito Journal Media Group, LLC

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 G, Montecito, CA 93108.

How to reach us: (805) 565-1860; FAX: (805) 969-6654; Montecito Journal, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite G, Montecito, CA 93108; EMAIL: tim@montecitojournal.net

Real Estate

Off-Market Real Estate: Pros, Cons, and Current Trends

by Rachael Quisel

When it comes to selling your home, broadcasting it to the entire online real estate world isn’t your only option. Some prefer off-market or “pocket” listings – a discreet alternative gaining traction in our tight real estate market. From privacy to exclusivity, there can be a number of reasons why a seller or buyer may seek an off-market listing. These private listings, often shared through word-of-mouth referrals, have seen a rise in popularity as limited supply drives the demand. Since these sales do not always get reflected in data trends, it can be hard to track their exact impact. But how do these listings operate? What are the legalities? And what do these off-market listings mean for sellers and buyers?

[Cristal] Clarke suggested that the current focus on off-market houses might stem from the bias created by the scarcity of inventory. With fewer options available, any movement, whether on or off the market, garners increased attention.

Off-Market Specifics

First, let’s look at what the policy is on pocket listings, as well as other distinctions like an “office exclusive” or a “coming soon” offering that can be enacted when listing a home off-market.

Clear Cooperation Policy

In professional circles, “pocket listings” have become something of a dirty word. That’s due at least in part to the 2020 introduction of the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP).

According to this policy, agents are required to post a listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within one business day of marketing it to the public. Public marketing includes putting information up on signs, websites, social media, written and verbal communications (ex: phone, email, text), multi-brokerage or franchise listing sharing networks, and open houses. However, direct inquiries from other agents to the listing agent aren’t considered public marketing.

Opinions on the impact of the CCP differ. While some argue that off-market sales have significantly decreased, others believe that market conditions have driven up off-market transactions despite the policy, as there are still alternative, legal ways to market a property without marketing it to the open market. To shed light on this matter, we sought insights from industry insiders who offer diverse perspectives.

Office Exclusives

Sellers can choose for their agent to hold their property as an “office exclusive” to bypass mandatory MLS submission. This allows them to limit promotion to internal channels only within their brokerage, communicating only with affiliated licensees and their respective clients. However, as Berkshire Hathaway agent Cristal Clarke points out, sharing off-market listings is restricted beyond the brokerage. “You can share information within your own company, but not with others,” Clarke says. “But sometimes people hear about off-market properties.”

Coming Soon

A number of Multiple Listing Services have adopted “coming soon” statuses and

“Santa Barbara Design and Build was fabulous. Don and his crew were the BEST from day one. He was honest, timely, flexible, artistic, patient and skilled. They understood my vision and built my dream home”.

-Santa Barbara Resident

Our Town

Casa del Herrero Appoints Nicole C. Caldwell to New Curator Position

by Joanne A Calitri

Casa del Herrero (CDH) has appointed Nicole C. Caldwell as their new Director of Collections, Conservation & Exhibitions, a role created specifically for her by Board Treasurer Gary Bradhering, which calls in her educational and field work expertise. She is responsible for the care, conservation, and interpretation of Casa del Herrero’s Steedman Family Collection of 15th and 16th century fine and decorative arts, furnishings, and archival papers.

Caldwell came to the CDH from her Head Curator position at Hearst Castle where she maintained and preserved its art and antiquities collections. A fourth-generation Californian, she has 14 years of experience in the cultural heritage sector working in museums and historic homes in four countries: Israel, Italy, Palestine, and the U.S. Caldwell holds two master degrees – a Master of Arts in Archeology with distinction from the University of Oxford England Saint Bennett’s College, and an M.A. in Art Conservation from Studio Arts College International in Florence, Italy. She also has a B.A. in Archeology and minor in art from Cabrillo College Santa Cruz, CSUS.

We met at CDH to talk about her new role. Curiously when I arrived, she was reviewing projects with the Founding Trustee of Casa del Herrero, George Steedman Bass, who had flown in to meet with her. I asked him for his thoughts on the new curatorial position. He said, “I think it’s an excellent idea. The Board is doing such great new things this year. I’m an architect, and I see this house as architecture, the finest Spanish Survival House in the U.S., and the garden is considered by many U.S. landscape architects as the pivotal garden where the garden traditions of France, England, and Spain come together.”

Caldwell and I then moved to the back patio. She shared that she found out about Casa del Herrero from reading a publication that noted part of Hearst’s Gothic Spanish ceiling he had in the bedroom was in the entryway of Casa del Herrero. She explained, “So I contacted Mary Levkoff, the former director of Hearst Castle who has a phenomenal background at LACMA, the MET, the National Gallery, and the Dorsey. We planned a road trip in March to Montecito, toured the Casa and were floored. It’s not your hidden gem, it’s really your Crown Jewel. In May, I was researching where to take my career, and went on the Casa website. There was a position I met the qualifications for, so I emailed my CV and applied. Gary Bradhering had been on my private tour and remembered me. He reached out, created this position, and I had the job within six days, so it was meant to be!”

Q. How is the Casa a miniature Hearst Castle?

A. Mary Levkoff (who also wrote the book Hearst, the Collector, and to whom I am ever indebted to for her kindness and mentorship) said to me after we first visited the Casa back in March: “It is like what Hearst would have built if he was a normal person.” The Castle and the Casa have phenomenal overlap: Both began construction in the 1920s, both were made permanent residences in the 1930s, and both were heavily

Casa del Herrero founding trustee George Steedman Bass with new curator, Nicole C. Caldwell (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Society Invites

Cigar Lounge With a View

by Joanne A Calitri

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara held a grand opening of its Cohiba cigar lounge called “Cohiba Experience at Bacara,” on Friday, August 11. The two brands joined three years ago in planning the best options for a cigar lounge as the next level in hospitality engagement. The lounge is said to be a first of its kind in the U.S. for Cohiba brands, and the first outdoor patio cigar lounge in our locale. Lead Blender and Ambassador Sean Williams has been curating the concept with Ritz-Carlton Bacara General Manager Steven Janicek for approximately three years. Janicek shared with me at the event: “The concept came up when I was with the owner of the resort who enjoyed a good

cigar, talking about the importance of bringing a new amenity to our guests. So we walked the resort and found this area is the natural space for the cigar lounge, it is at the end of the building, an outdoor setting, a view of the Pacific, and people can smoke a cigar here year round. So, we started the process both legal and other areas. I learned the importance of having a partner while I was working at the Ritz-Carlton in Colorado which had a cigar bar, and we researched the best cigar to partner with, and Cohiba jumped to the front of the page. They couldn’t be a better partner with authenticity and knowledge of a cigar experience. We are excited about what this brings forward to Santa Barbara County, and yes, it is absolutely

Society Page 344

William Wolf, Architect | Photo by Cody Lynch

Sean Williams and Steven Janicek inside the humidor at the Cohiba Experience at Bacara (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Tree and Steven Janicek, Vickie and Michael Dyer, Gretchen Walker, Sean Williams, and Ed Anderson (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

and patios , an inviting poo L and spa area and a fun poo L cabana for friends and fami Ly to enjoy ! t he premier e nnisbrook gated community offers a number of amenities : two community heated poo L s , three championship tennis courts , pick L e ba L L , gym , private wine Lo ckers , basketba L L court , b b Q faci L i ties , 50 acres of protected open space and a c Lu bhouse . c onvenient Ly Lo cated near wor L d - c L a ss beaches , resorts , and fine dining and shopping at m ontecito ’ s coveted u pper & L ower v i L L ages m ontecito u nion s choo L d istrict o ffered at $11,900,000

LAND TO SEa ADVENTURES ARE OUR JAM

No matter what your adventure entails, we’ve got you covered

WITH RACK PURCHASE

The Aspen Institute

Leading Its Way to Santa Barbara

by Amélie Dieux

On a beautiful morning not long ago, the Aspen Institute held a meeting at the Santa Barbara Club. The institute’s ex-vice president, Charlie Firestone, was on hand to cheerily meet and greet the attendees and introduce the panel, before diving into the meeting’s rhetorical raison d’être; might the storied think tank find in Santa Barbara a future outlet for its mix of enlightened leadership and non-partisan dialogue on society’s most vexing issues?

Dr. Samuel Kimbriel, MPhil and PhD in philosophy and politics, was the guest of honor, and helped lead the discussion. He is the author of Friendship as Sacred Knowing: Overcoming Isolation – and the founding director of the Philosophy and Society Initiative program at the Aspen Institute. With the assistance of the institute’s West Regional Director Ryan Fleury, Dr. Kimbriel discussed the topic: Should a Society be Structured More Around Freedom or Meaning?

The nuanced nature of this subject truly lends itself to the Society of Fellows created by the Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit organization founded by Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke in 1949. Created in the wake of World War II and ultimately based in Washington, D.C., it was in the heart of lovely Aspen, Colorado, that this institution began its journey. After 74 years of difficult and conscientious work, the organization today boasts a network of 15 different partnership locations around the world – an international presence whose conferences and programs fortify the institute’s mission to culturally collaborate around addressing modern society’s most pressing issues. The Aspen Institute inspires global leadership, collective action, and a broad reframing of our relationship to society as it continually betters itself, even as we better ourselves individually.

Our Focus

Helping to relieve human suffering by providing grants to local agencies whose missions focus on areas of health care, emotional support, palliative and hospice care.

Our Promise

OF SANTA BARBARA

~ founded in 1956 ~

All donations go to those directly in need. ALL fees associated with our Foundation’s operating costs are covered by the Foundation. No amount of your donation goes toward overhead.

Our Vision

-

WEBSITE: stfrancisfoundationsb.org

PHONE:

(805) 563-4702

PLEASE CONTACT: Tina Frontado, Executive Director tina@stfrancisfoundationsb.org

for a conversation regarding donor advised funds, legacy giving, bequests, grants and more.

With cherished memories of the past, and a vision to the future, we look forward to continuing to assist those most in need in our community. We invite all who share in our vision to join us in our mission.

“We are honored to partner with St. Francis Foundation to address health needs among the most vulnerable in our community through our Parish Nursing program. Thank you for your support.”

- Katy Bazylewicz Cottage Health Vice President Marketing and Population Health

The institute has more than 45 programs whose collective goal is to promote “a free, just, and equitable society.” Programs mentioned in Dr. Kimbriel’s remarks include Aspen Words, Science and Society, Aspen Digital, the Energy and Environment Program, and many more on a variety of sometimes counter-intuitive topics like sports, food, finance, youth, education, and business.

For example, the “Aspen Institute Education & Society Program” inspires educational leaders to take action and emphasize equity for students of various ethnic backgrounds, as well as families from financially strained environments. The program also asks participants to consider how best to redirect modern educational priorities, so that focus more attention on safety and building trust within the system.

The Aspen Words Program seeks collaborative solutions through the institute’s literary center, where writers are inspired to connect and share stories with communities – both local and global – while being guided and assisted by leading lights of the literary realm. The Aspen Words Program compels a clearer understanding and appreciation of up-and-coming generational perspectives on the whole, illuminating humanity’s inherent complexity through the sharing of literature.

And for those wanting to explore alternative energy resources, the Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program asks creative thinkers to review, study, and share –nationally and internationally – various sustainable energy approaches of great value to the planet, on both an individual and societal scale. For example, decarbonizing various global transportation systems could reduce the consequences of fossil fuels, affording a more sustainable lifestyle overall as our ecosystem is restored to a healthier and more manageable balance.

The Aspen Institute provides a value that is crystal clear to anyone dearly invested in change, and in making a measurable impact on the world. By providing a platform for boldly promoting an exchange of nourishing ideas and profound conversation, the institute incites purpose-driven dialogue between people who are similarly motivated, but of widely varying backgrounds. The institute seeks to enrich the world with meaningful and positive impact through its many influential and empowering initiatives – both close to your home and across the globe.

The meeting of the Aspen Institute’s Society of Fellows at the Santa Barbara Club featured Dr. Kimbriel opening with an intriguing topic for discussion; that of the tension between Freedom and Meaning as competing core concerns when building out a society; “Should our freedom or our meaning lead us?”

The attendees were of various backgrounds and ages – a mix which provides

Aspen Institute

“Our mind is enriched by what we receive, our heart by what we give.”

Victor Hugo

Sun: 10-6

1250 Coast Village Road, Ste G, Montecito, Ca, 93108 @montecitocollective | shopmontecitocollective.com

Montecito Moms

Sophie McNally

by Dalina Michaels

Sophie McNally, a visionary entrepreneur and owner of the company Kitchenette, is changing the way people interact with food through innovative technology. And she is doing it right here in Montecito!

“We moved to Montecito during Covid. During that time, we were so worried about the virus and I didn’t trust going out to eat, so we were cooking all our meals at home, three times a day. I found that it was good but also exhausting! So, I started thinking about how I could make meals and freeze them to save myself time,” McNally said.

With two young daughters (Olive, 4, and Maya, 2), and her husband, Adam, McNally began to work on recipes that could work for everyone in her family: “I wanted something that was tasty for grownups, but simple enough for kids.”

It should not be a huge surprise that McNally, whose parents are restaurateurs in New York City, was drawn to making good food for her family. McNally’s vision centers around bridging the gap between traditional cooking methods and modern, time-constrained lifestyles. The result is a culinary experience that is not only efficient but also immersive and enriching.

She started with four basic options: harvest lasagna with cheese and butternut squash; build-your-own burrito bowl with chicken in a light tomato sauce, guacamole, and roasted bell peppers; Santa Maria-style BBQ chicken and corn succotash; and turkey meatballs with spaghetti squash. Nothing too fancy... just hearty, healthy meals.

to the age-old question: What’s for dinner? Instead of calling for delivery, you just need to open your freezer and stick your Kitchenette meal in the oven!”

McNally uses special “flash freezing” technology so that the meals are always fresh. “People associate frozen food with the TV dinners from the 1950s. Even today, what you typically find in the freezer section is either low quality or low flavor. We are changing that stereotype.”

McNally’s business launched this spring and delivers to the Montecito/Santa Barbara area. “We currently make all our meals in a commercial kitchen in Camarillo, but we are hoping to move into a commercial kitchen in Goleta this fall, which will help with our operational expenses.”

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And easy! McNally has set up a website where the customer picks the delivery date and food choices. She recommends ordering one to two meals a week and then keep them in your freezer for those days you are in a pinch: “We want to give families options for those weekday nights when you are rushing around with kids and activities and just want to come home and have a delicious meal. Our costs break down to about $12 per serving.”

McNally’s story is a testament to the power of combining passion, innovation, and determination to create positive change. Through Kitchenette, she has proven that technology can enhance and elevate age-old traditions, bridging the gap between the past and the future of cooking.

“Now, we are branching out and offering other choices and side dishes to complement the main meals. But our primary focus has just been to offer an alternative

As for her family’s “temporary” move to Montecito during Covid? “We are definitely here to stay! We love the beach, hiking in the mountains, and of course, eating at local restaurants like Bettina, Loquita, and Merci.”

To check out Kitchenette’s food offerings, go to: www.getkitchenette.com.

There’s a perfect place for your mom or dad. And we’ll help you find it.

Kitchenette CEO revolutionizes ‘What’s for Dinner?’

Dalina Michaels is a former television news producer and writer. She is a Montecito native and graduated Westmont College with a degree in Communication Studies and Theatre Arts.

influenced by Spanish Gothic and Renaissance architecture and Moorish tilework. Hearst and Steedman even bought the bulk of their antiques from the same antiques dealers Arthur Byne and Mildred Stapley. All the art you see at Hearst Castle is represented in a smaller scale at the Casa; everything from a 15th century Spanish ceiling to polychrome reliquaries, and even ancient choir stalls.

What is your top priority for Collections, Conservation, and Exhibitions?

For Collections, a fully fleshed out digital database and paper archive with all the provenance and history on each item in the Casa. For Conservation, my top priority is getting the French 15th century mille-fleurs tapestry conserved and a support made for it. This piece has the tiniest flowers I’ve seen in this type of tapestry, and it is incredibly unique with hints of Middle Eastern influence in the design. And my top priority for a first exhibition would be to do a micro exhibition locally since the Casa is still relatively unknown to many of the people who live here. It will display a rich array of beautiful objects from the Casa that relate to the community we live in, from vintage Fiesta shawls to early Channing Peake work, and art from the golden age of Spain, which had such an indelible influence on the architecture and aesthetic of this region.

Are there works that have not been displayed?

Yes many! And it’s an exciting time because not only are we using archival evidence to properly display things just as they were circa 1931-1934, but we will also make them available to the community with new exhibitions, programs, and seasonal display rotations.

What work of art or historic furnishing would you request to add to the collection?

We are very lucky that the family left just about everything in the estate; this is almost unheard of in historic house museums! Since our mission is to preserve Casa del Herrero as the Steedman Bass family left it, it is highly unlikely that we would acquire anything unrelated to the original collection of the family.

That being said, there is an important Art Deco statue titled The Flight of Europa by Paul Manship that I would love to find. The bronze is present in the photographs from the 1930s, but is absent from the records from when we became a museum in 1994.

If it is no longer with the descendants, then it would be a brilliant and rare opportunity for a sponsor to donate a replica. Last week I even discovered a foundry that still creates replicas of this masterpiece!

Will you be doing hands-on art restorations yourself?

I am a trained objects conservator, so I will be doing some in-house treatments on the types of objects that I have worked on before, such as gilded plaster, some metals, and outside stone. For everything else we will use conservators who are specialists in their areas of expertise.

What is the coolest element of your job?

Getting to touch (with clean hands and/or nitril gloves) works of art that are centuries old!

What pieces of art are in your office?

I love tiles, so every museum or historic home that I visit, I usually purchase replica tiles from their giftshops. I display these in my office and jokingly refer to them as my ‘museum of tile.’

Do you collect art for yourself?

Yes. I have an antique espresso and teacup collection, a small ancient coin collection, a leather-bound book collection, and I adore supporting small artists and illustrators I find on Instagram and Etsy. The crown jewels of my collections are: A Booths “Real Old Willow” teacup from 1906-1921 (the same that was used by Hearst at the Castle), a Marcus Aurelius silver coin, a leather-bound edition of Tolkien’s Silmarillion, and a mixed media work by Saskia Tabea.

The historic houses and museums you visit frequently?

For California, I would have to say Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, the Asian Art Museum and Legion of Honor in San Francisco, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, and Vikingsholm in Lake Tahoe. Some of my bucket list historic homes to visit include: the Adamson House, Scotty’s Castle, and Bellosguardo.

Anything else to share?

I think this is the prettiest region in all of California and I am absolutely thrilled Our Town

Jacob Collier, Oct 1

Herbie Hancock, Apr 17

Audra McDonald, Nov 30

Renée Fleming, Feb 1

Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends, Oct 25

Jeff Goodell, Oct 17

Samara Joy

A Joyful Holiday, Dec 8 Nickel Creek, Oct 8

Abraham Verghese, Feb 21 in Conversation with Pico Iyer Kristin Chenoweth, Nov 5

The Giving List Hospice of Santa Barbara

by Steven Libowitz

Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) 11th annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon –back in person for a second year following two virtual events during the pandemic year – has a new location of the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel just steps from the ocean for the September 10 event that serves as both a celebration of the nonprofit’s work and a fundraiser for its continuing efforts to bring programs and services, completely free of charge, to adults, children, and seniors who are struggling with life-threatening illness or grief.

Since 1974, Hospice of Santa Barbara has been providing such compassionate care and support to those impacted with serious illnesses and their families and loved ones in our community. Despite its status as the second oldest hospice program in the United States, HSB continues to build on its distinguished history by upgrading and refining its services, which are unique to the community as the only non-medical model organization.

The medical hospices – which are paid for through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurances – provide care only when a prognosis of six months or less is given and the patient has chosen to discontinue curative treatment with the hospice focusing on relieving physical pain associated with end of life. As a volunteer hospice, HSB can serve anyone regardless of the diagnosis, treatment choices, or life-expectancy and offer services to address the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual suffering of those impacted by serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one.

“We work with all the medical organizations, but we do all the kind of surrounding work that’s impacting the patient and their family,” explained Charlie Caldwell, HSB’s Director of Strategic Advancement. “We can start seeing people as soon as they get their diagnosis without regard to whether they’re trying to fight it and get better.

We can walk with them throughout the whole journey, helping to coordinate all their activities. We have 100 volunteers who can step in and do whatever’s needed, from grocery shopping for the family, walking the dogs, and cleaning up around the house, because the patient who might be going through chemo isn’t able to. They can help the family figure out their financial situation or navigate insurance and help out with transportation, whatever that family needs.”

The Heroes of Hospice luncheon – which features speakers, music, food, and drinks – was created to honor the volunteers, employees, board members, and other organizations that bring compassion and care to those in need in and near the Santa Barbara community. With demand for HSB’s services growing in recent years, the fundraiser helps to allow the organization to maintain its programs. The Giving List Page

Hospice of Santa Barbara helps patients and their families with the last steps of life (courtesy photo)

Santa Barbara by the Glass

Elevated Experiences: Fess Parker Ramps UpWine-Inspired Offerings

The new Fess Parker Ranch Horseback Adventure offering takes guests on private or group guided rides across the estate (courtesy photo)

by Gabe Saglie

The Parkers have been busy.

The multi-generational enterprise behind a slew of visitor options across the Santa Ynez Valley is repositioning itself as a local leader in the arenas of wine and hospitality. “People these days who are investing to come visit our area – they do have higher expectations today than they used to,” says Ashley Parker Snider, daughter of Fess Parker, who leveraged his resumé as iconic actor and real estate investor to launch his eponymous wine country brand in the late 1980s. His heirs’ answer to demand from a new era of savvy travelers ranges from revamped wine-inspired experiences to reimagined destination locales.

Here’s a roundup!

Wine Tasting Upgrades

My kids still talk about the horseback riding experience we were treated to, a few years ago, across the Fess Parker Ranch. Katie Parker McDonald, Fess’ granddaughter, matched us with horses, outfitted us with gear and led us through a leisurely ride across the ranch’s 714-acre expanse – vines, oaks, rolling hills, and lounging cattle as far as the eye could see. Wide open nature at her finest.

Today, that experience is open to everyone. The new Fess Parker Ranch Horseback

SB by the Glass Page 334

accepted into the show as one of just 20 high schoolers in the entire country, with 40 total student competitors – 20 high schoolers and 20 post-secondary students. “I was honored to be chosen to compete, and I built a special crate to transport the chair to Las Vegas,” Zander told us during a visit to his shop earlier this week.

The show took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center last month, with the awards ceremony on July 27. Zander’s rocking chair took both first place in the seating category and was also the recipient of the competitive “People’s Choice Award.” The people’s choice award included winning a Pantorouter, valued at $2,400, for the winner’s school’s woodshop. Zander tells us his wood-

shop teacher, Dos Pueblos Industrial Arts teacher Mr. Chris Mollkoy, has been extremely supportive, and attended the show in Las Vegas. “He was thrilled that I won!” Zander said, adding that his passion in woodworking has also been deeply supported by his parents and sister.

Zander is the first student in Santa Barbara history to qualify and compete in the Las Vegas show. He begins his senior year at DPHS next week, and tells us he plans on spending his free time completing the many commissions he is working on, which include tables, cutting boards, chess boards, and more.

To learn more about Zander and see his work, visit www.zanderswoodworks. com.

Fatal Accident on Highway 101 in Montecito

On Sunday August 13, at approximately 3:12 am, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a report of a traffic crash that had occurred on the southbound 101 freeway, north of Olive Mill Road where the three-lane highway merges to two lanes.

The accident involved two vehicles, a 2019 Toyota Camry and a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The driver of the Camry, 22-year-old Ricki Newton of Port Hueneme, was later arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and vehicular manslaughter; as a passenger in the Mountaineer, 77-yearold Louis Hernandez Jr. of Santa Paula, was ejected and fatally injured in the crash. The driver of the Mountaineer was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries; passengers in the Camry reported minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

The traffic crash caused a single lane closure of the highway, which reopened shortly before 9 am.

Any witnesses who might have seen the traffic crash are encouraged to contact the CHP Santa Barbara Area at (805) 967-1234.

Fire Ban

Remains in Effect

With hot temperatures continuing over the next week, Los Padres National Forest officials reminded visitors last week that an open fire ban remains in effect for the Santa Barbara front country while trail closures have been extended for the Old Romero Road (26W25), Romero Canyon Trail (26W14), and San Ysidro Trail (26W15 Singletrack)

Former MUS student Zander Murren Doherty with his award-winning walnut rocking chair in his Montecito shop

Zander has won several awards for the chair, which is inspired in design by furniture maker Sam Maloof

Village Vibe

Eva Rhodes

by Rachael Quisel

Local resident Eva Rhodes finds the area’s blend of international perspectives and appreciation for natural beauty to be truly unique. With a background that spans across various cultures and cities across the globe, she has a deep affinity for multicultural environments.

“Montecito and Santa Barbara have a high density of international people who have a cosmopolitan viewpoint and a real appreciation for natural beauty. I feel like that combination nestled in a cozy, down-to-earth community is really unique, and one that fits my experiences and my priorities. I’ve always been an outdoor person – my mother is Austrian – we’d spend summers in the mountains. Living in different cultures has always been something important to me. I’ve lived in Los Angeles, Vienna, New York, Paris, and London, because I really love that multicultural element. Given the size of the Montecito community, there’s a really high amount of experienced, worldly people and a high level of opportunities to experience culture and arts here.”

Toast to Something Worth Escaping To

Rest, Refresh & Recharge

Empowering Women in the Electrical Industry – A Labor and Wage Gap Solution

The demand for trained electricians has reached critical levels as the United States strives to shift away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable energy alternatives. Unfortunately, the electrical industry is still mainly male, with women accounting for a mere two percent of all electricians. Women’s underrepresentation not only maintains the gender wage gap but also worsens the labor deficit in this critical area. The current situation can be improved by encouraging more women to pursue professions such as electricians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for electricians in 2021 was more than $60,000, which is much higher than the national average for all occupations. Furthermore, with one million additional electricians required to reach climate goals, skilled individuals will find a plethora of career opportunities.

With a critical scarcity of electricians in the face of emerging green technologies, a diverse and inclusive workforce is required. Electricians are in short supply because of a lack of investment in technical schools and a predominance of four-year college degrees as the principal professional path.

Texas Women in Trades founder Allie Perez emphasized the importance of adequately marketing the sector to women and cultivating more relatable role models. The group also focuses on outreach and education, boosting awareness of potential trade career options and advocating the benefits of pursuing such careers. Texas Women in Trades hopes to increase the number of women considering and applying for employment in the trades by campaigning for better marketing of the industry to women. Various impediments prohibit women from entering and succeeding in the electrical business. These include harassment and abuse, a lack of visibility, exclusionary unions, childcare issues, and inadequate caregiver assistance. Connie Ashbrook, co-chair of the National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, emphasizes the importance of relationship-based networks, which sometimes exclude women from job prospects.

Women’s empowerment in the electrical industry not only tackles labor shortages but also helps to move to a more equal society. We can establish a workforce that reflects the diversity required to generate a sustainable future by breaking down obstacles, fostering supportive settings, and adopting government and private sector initiatives. Women’s participation in the electrical trades is more critical than ever as we tackle the problems of climate change and the shift to green energy.

1455 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463

Exploring the Afterlife

A Journey of the Soul With Rabbi Chaim Loschak

by Rachael Quisel

This summer, Chabad of Montecito will offer a course designed to demystify the concept of life after death. The course, titled “Journey of the Soul,” was developed by Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) and will be taught by Rabbi Chaim Loschak. The six-session series began on Tuesday, August 15, at 7 pm, inviting attendees to embark on a spiritual expedition, one that explores life before birth, after death, and everything in between.

“Death is both mysterious and inevitable,” Rabbi Loschak told the Montecito Journal . “Understanding death as a continuation of life reveals the holiness of life while putting everything – especially while living – in a dramatically new context. The soul is on one long journey that is greater than each particular chapter.”

JLI’s programs are designed for people of all knowledge levels, making them accessible to everyone, regardless of their background in Jewish learning. The courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with any specific synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Each session lasts about an hour and a half, and the format includes interactive lectures, videos, discussions, personal reflections, and a comprehensive student book. Attendees can look forward to an engaging learning environment, enriched by thoughtful conversations and insightful material.

While priced at $115, Chabad of

Montecito is committed to accessibility and does not turn away anyone due to financial constraints. Those who are unsure can attend a standalone trial class to get a taste of the course’s content and style.

Rabbi Loschak, who was born in Goleta and spent eight years in New York, recently returned to the area with his family. He is hopeful about the opportunities that Montecito offers for Jewish culture, learning, and community building.

“I’m excited by the potential of this course and the opportunity to learn more about the interests of the community. This can be a springboard to many more courses on a variety of diverse topics,” Rabbi Loschak said.

Classes will be held outdoors (weather permitting) at 450 Toro Canyon Road. This is not just a course but an invitation to explore and understand the soul’s spiritual odyssey — a journey that transcends life and death.

To learn more or to register for the course, visit jewishmontecito.org/JLI or contact Rabbi Chaim Loschak at (805) 613-7199 and rabbi@ jewishmontecito.org.

The three honorees at this year’s luncheon include Charles Zimmer, who has continued to be a constant presence and advocate for Hospice of Santa Barbara in the decades since he served as executive director from 1979-90. Zimmer, who established the HSB Foundation and was a mentor to the nonprofit’s future leaders including Gail Rink, Steve Jacobsen, Tina Frontado, and the current Executive Director David Selberg, has also volunteered on various committees over the years. HSB is presenting Zimmer with its first-ever Lifetime Hero Award in recognition of his vast impact and commitment to the organization.

“Next year is HSB’s 50th anniversary, and Charlie has been an instrumental figure connected to the organization almost all of that time,” Caldwell said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to honor him and his contributions to us as well as the larger community.”

Santa Barbara Foundation has been chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Philanthropy Award while Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Patient Care Services Team – the group that provides all of the varied HSB services to more than 400 patients and their families each year – will receive the Staff Award.

In addition to a new location, the September 10 luncheon also carries a new aspect in keeping with the 2023 theme of “Celebrating Those We Love” – a pause to take note of our loved ones and their ongoing impact in our lives, whether they have passed on or are still in our lives. Guests will not only be provided with an opportunity to donate and support HSB in the name of their loved ones, the event itself will offer time for reflection.

“We’ll be asking people in advance to consider and think of somebody in their lives who they especially want to honor, someone who has had a huge impact,” Caldwell explained. “Whether they’ve passed away or are still alive, it’s someone who has changed their life for the better.”

Caldwell said that person in his life is his mother, who he said was a shining example of selfless devotion to her children. “It had an incredible impact on my life and it’s something that I think about all the time.”

At the luncheon, which takes place on the weekend for the first time in an effort to make it more accessible for anyone to attend, Caldwell and everyone else will have time during the program to once again think of those special people and perhaps share a little bit about them with somebody else sitting at their table.

“We don’t always get a chance to do that, to look back not with sadness and regrets but with a focus on the positive impact and joy they brought to our lives,” he said. “Sometimes with Hospice of Santa Barbara, people tend to associate the organization with death and dying for all the obvious reasons. But so much of the work we do is really about life and living. It’s about helping someone with a serious illness be able to focus on what matters most to them as they go through the journey, and helping people who are grieving the loss of a loved one so that they can be transformed and enjoy their lives again after experiencing a loss. The theme helps to focus on that really uplifting part of the work we do.”

Tickets and sponsorships and more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara’s 11th annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon is available online at www.hospiceofsb.org/heroes.

Hospice of Santa Barbara 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100 (805) 563-8820 www.hospiceofsb.org

We have over 30 years of experience in providing commercial and residential property management services in Santa Barbara & Ventura County!

Rachael Quisel is a freelance writer who specializes in health and fitness. Their short story, “Departure,” was nominated for the 2022 Pushcart Prize.

Brilliant Thoughts

by Ashleigh Brilliant

The play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, was first performed in 1947, and has become a classic. But how many of the people who hear about it for the first time know what that title means? For one thing, streetcars (“trolleys”), which used to be the major urban provider of public transportation, are no longer common, and many cities don’t have them. Like trains, they required tracks, which led to many traffic problems as the streets became clogged with automobiles. Streetcars couldn’t suddenly change direction. Pedestrians had to dodge them. (And did you know, that’s where the L.A. Dodgers team got their name? They were originally the Brooklyn Dodgers – and that nickname derived from the fact that inhabitants of Brooklyn, where there were once many streetcars, were jokingly referred to as the “Brooklyn trolley dodgers.”)

Anyway, getting back to the play, it was set in New Orleans, which actually has a district named “Desire”) – and, since streetcars usually carried signs showing their destination, you could indeed take a streetcar “named” Desire.

As my own contribution to this discussion, one of my early epigrams said, “All I want is a little more than I’ll ever get.” The illustration showed a giraffe, stretching upwards to get at some leaves on a tree from which the lower leaves have evidently already been nibbled off. But even the long neck of the giraffe (produced, no doubt by

evolution, “selecting” the creatures who could reach higher on those edible trees) is, in this case, not long enough.

After our hunger for food, what comes next on the list of common desires? I know – you probably don’t care what comes next. You’re impatient for me to get to that most exciting of all our desires, the one for sexual satisfaction, also known as “Lust,” but which we idealize as “Love.” I’m certainly no authority, but to me what seems most remarkable is that this is not just a human characteristic, but, in one way or another, is common to all living things. We could call it the desire of life to perpetuate itself. But then we would have to ask, what exactly is “life”? And of course there are many different answers to that, from the biological to the philosophical. Maybe we can find firmer footing

in the territory of Law. What desires are legal, and which ones are not? The trouble is, it’s almost always a matter of degree. And very often it’s a matter of money. You can have almost anything you desire, if you can pay for it. So, what about the desire for money? To the extent that it can get you other things you want – and if those are things you need, want, and ought to have – why shouldn’t you desire it? But doesn’t the Bible say that money is the root of all evil? Actually, the correct quote is that “The love of money is the root of all evil.” And we’ve already established the close connection between love and desire.

Of course, much of our greatest literature has to do with human needs and desires. One passage that for some reason seems to me particularly relevant comes from Rudyard Kipling’s “Mandalay,” written in the voice of a British soldier, reminiscing about the time when he was stationed in what was then still called Burma, and the sense of unrestricted freedom he enjoyed in that Far Eastern tropical milieu:

“Ship me somewhere East of Suez, Where the best is like the worst, Where there aren’t no Ten Commandments, And a man can raise a thirst.”

So, having disposed of Sex, Money, and Drink – what else is there to put at the top of our “Wanted” charts? I would suggest just two more big items: Entertainment and Religion – and I’m not sure which matters more. Entertainment helps us get through life, but has only recently been recognized as playing a major role. Religion has always been important, because it takes care of any future life, and meanwhile provides a sense of meaning and purpose.

The trouble with Entertainment is that tastes vary, and in no situation does one size fit all (with the possible exception of slapstick humor, which seems to appeal to almost everybody everywhere). If earnings indicate desirability, popular entertainers are very high up there.

That leaves us with only Religion as the universal expression and satisfaction of Desire.

If you don’t like my analysis, now is the time to get off the Streetcar.

Ashleigh Brilliant born England 1933, came to California in 1955, to Santa Barbara in 1973, to the Montecito Journal in 2016. Best-known for his illustrated epigrams, called “Pot-Shots,” now a series of 10,000. email: ashleigh@west. net. web: www.ash leighbrilliant.com.

On Entertainment Lois Mahalia Chases the EP

by Steven Libowitz

The sensationally versatile and vivacious vocalist Lois Mahalia has been performing in and around Santa Barbara and across the world in a variety of settings for decades. The Guyana-born singer-songwriter has done everything from fronting the R&B-soul-jazz family band Georgetown with her three brothers, to singing backup on many tours with Joe Walsh, to appearing in benefits alongside Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, and their colleagues, to collaborating with longtime Santa Barbara-based Costa Rican percussionist-composer Luis Muñoz on several recent albums, to name just a few accomplishments.

What she hasn’t done is make a full album under her own name. Until now.

Mahalia’s Chasing the Sun is the end result of several years of songwriting, producing, refining, and recording that was catalyzed by the pandemic shutdown, if also made a bit more unwieldy by the lockdowns. The album gets its official release on CD and streaming on Saturday, August 18, which Mahalia will celebrate with a concert at SOhO, one of the myriad stages she’s played all over town. The excitement was palpable over the phone last weekend.

“It’s been a long time coming, and, really, it’s a freaking big deal,” Mahalia said. “It feels amazing but also humbling. I feel so open with everything about the album, but also a bit more vulnerable because it’s like I’m sharing my heart.”

Indeed, Chasing the Sun evinces a fresh take for the singer-songwriter, a left turn from funkier R&B flavors to a more nuanced, pop, and jazz-oriented approach befitting the personal, emotional-laden lyrical content. The title track was the impetus, Mahalia said.

“It feels like we’re all chasing the sun, like we’re trying to get somewhere as artists, as people. Trying to reach the top. But the truth is we’re actually there right now. The sun is here, all we need to do is be with it and feel it, not run after it. We don’t have to chase anything… I sing about living each day on sacred ground, treating each other with kindness, and understanding that all the love and everything that we have to give begins with us.”

That goes for the environment, as well, which is another theme on the record. “If we treat each other with love, we automatically want to help each other, lift each other up,” she said. “We automatically want to heal the Earth, too.”

Mahalia collaborated with Ventura independent songwriter-producer David Petry on the album’s 10 tracks, with additional input from Dean Dinning (of Toad the Wet Sprocket fame), Zach Madden , and Thom Flowers (who also produced). The latter three also play on nearly every track, with Tariqh Akoni , Kevin Winard , and drummers Steve Ferrone and Jake Hayden also contributing, a sort of role reversal from Mahalia’s past as the session artist. Also singing harmonies and more on four of the tracks is Steve Perry , of Journey fame, who stumbled on Mahalia’s music when he showed up to record with Flowers in the Santa Barbara studio.

“Thom was working on one of my songs we’d just recorded, ‘Gravity and Love,’ and he asked who was singing it because he wanted to sing backup,” Mahalia said. “Thom just recorded him and then played it for me the next time I was there. I loved what he did, and eventually Steve sang on three more songs, too.”

Mahalia will have a different locally-based band for the SOhO gig, but it’s the songs that are the stars for the celebration of the first original release by a singer best-known for her cover music.

“I love to sing cover songs and make them my own, but I feel so excited to be singing my original songs,” she said. “I can’t wait to share my heart.”

Sounds Around Town

Irvine’s indie-rock sensation Young the Giant plays the Santa Barbara Bowl, with Milky Chance and Rosa Linn as opening acts for the 6 pm concert on August 18, the last before a threeweek hiatus at the amphitheater. That same night also brings a SOhO date with the Long Beach Dub Allstars, who formed from the remnants of Sublime after the death of frontman Brad Nowell in 1996 as a one-off to support the late singer-songwriter’s family, but are still around after 25 years, albeit with a decade-long hiatus. The Allstars put out a new album, Echo Mountain High , in April…. Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre closes out its youth education summer season with a Kids for Kids Benefit Concert called “What the World Needs Now” on August 19 focusing on compositions by Burt Bacharach (“That’s What Friends are For,” “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Close to You,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “The Look of Love,” “Walk on By”) performed, directed, and choreographed by current RTC students, joined by Rubicon alumni and special guests… If you got shut out of tickets to see the David Crosby tribute show “Stand and Be Counted” at the Lobero on August 20, you can hear music spanning the same era in Ojai instead as the great ‘60s-’70s folk singer Judy Collins , who at age 84 is still going strong in both social activism and delivering clear-voiced interpretations, plays the Libbey Bowl with Sophie B. Hawkins , a fellow musician/activist who scored several hits in the 1990s, opening.

Lois Mahalia is back, but this time with her very own album (courtesy photo)

Foraging Thyme

Summer Squash

by Melissa Petitto

Zucchini, Crookneck, Pattypan, Chayote, Costata Romanesco, mel ons, and cucumbers… there are so many varietals of the summer squash and when they arrive, they arrive with gusto! I often find I must be so creative to use them all up. The squash family, often mistaken for a vegetable, is classified as a fruit because they have seeds and are developed from the flower part of the plant. I adore stuffing the blossoms of these delightful fruits, making them into noodles, grilling them, sautéing them, shaving them into ribbons and mar inating them, or even baking with them; honestly, the list is endless. For today’s farmers market haul, I am focusing on the traditional zucchini.

Zucchini or courgettes have been used in traditional folk medicine for centuries. They were used to fight colds, treat aches, and combat certain health conditions. Today, science has backed those claims. Zucchini is rich in vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. It is especially high in Vitamin A when cooked. Vitamin A is essential for vision health, immune system, skin health, and lung health. Zucchini is also high in antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene which help to aid in eye health, skin health, heart health, and protect against certain cancers. This summer squash is also high in fiber for our digestion and heart health, potassium, and carotenoids which may help lower blood pressure, and manganese, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A and C, which contribute to healthy vision.

I mentioned above all the incredible ways I love to use these bountiful summer squash in the kitchen, but the below recipe is one of my favorites. You may substitute yellow zucchini or crookneck for the zucchini or use a combination of all of them for a gorgeous presentation! Let’s get cooking.

Summer Zucchini and Cherry Tomato Tart with Pesto Ricotta

Yield: 8 Servings

2 puff pastry sheets, vegan brand such as Aussie

1 cup almond milk ricotta

½ cup pesto, homemade or store bought

4 cups shaved ribbons of zucchini

2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced

Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Lay the thawed puff pastry on the prepared baking sheet.

3. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta and the pesto. Spread evenly on the 2 sheets of pastry.

4. Top with shaved zucchini and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate and bake for another 10 minutes or until browned and crispy.

6. Cool and cut into 4 even pieces. Can be served hot or room temperature.

Melissa Petitto, R.D., is an executive chef and co-founder at Thymeless My Chef SB, was a celebrity personal chef for 16 years, just finished her 10th cookbook, and is an expert on nutrition and wellness.

Squash comes in many colors, shapes, and sizes (photo by Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

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

other policies in an effort to address private listing networks and “pocket listings.” Generally, “coming soon” refers to properties that are listed with the MLS, even though the property is not available for showing and/or purchase for a specific period of time.

According to SBMLS rules & regs, the purpose of a coming soon listing is to allow a designation for those properties that are listed but that require more time to prepare for market and inform other agents of the listing during the marketing and showing preparation.

The rule goes on to state that, “Properties with a Coming Soon status will not be included on REALTOR. com, SBAOR.com, or in any IDX feeds or other third-party site feeds. They are also not included on Tour of Homes or Open House lists.” And that the Coming Soon status “shall not be used or implemented to create a “pocket listing.”

While there are restrictions on these listings, Kelly Mahan Herrick, a Berkshire Hathaway agent focusing on the Santa Ynez Valley, noted that some agents still share them with potential buyers.

Off-Market Movement

Clarke emphasized that while there are some off-market properties, the majority of properties still get listed on the MLS, which has been the traditional practice in the industry. However, she acknowledged, “If clients require privacy, for whatever reason, and don’t want their property on the open market, they’ll do it very quietly.”

Clarke suggested that the current focus on off-market houses might stem from the bias created by the scarcity of inventory. With fewer options available, any movement, whether on or off the market, garners increased attention. She explained, “Since we’ve had such limited

Robert’s Big Questions

inventory, if something does happen off-market, it’s more noticed.”

Mahan Herrick revealed that a significant portion of her brokerage’s sales involved off-market transactions, in an effort to give sellers discretion and convenience, and buyers greater opportunities in a staggeringly low-inventory market. She explained, “Last year, we sold 77 units between eight of us, and 25% of our sales were done off-market. In my own transactions, 25% of the 15 properties I sold last year were off-market.”

Pros & Cons

For years, the risks and merits of pocket listings, “coming soon” listings, and listings that are marketed on private networks have been debated. Advocates talk about sellers’ desire for privacy and advances in technology changing the field. Others believe that keeping listings off of the MLS reduces buyers’ choice, skews market data, and may not be in the sellers’ best interests.

Erin Lammers , Marketing Director for Riskin Partners of Village Properties, explained that many buyers who can afford luxury properties prioritize keeping their transactions off-market. “Most people who can afford these properties, they’re concerned about security and privacy. Once a property is out there, there are pictures of everything – videos and floor plans and data points about it. So, there’s a lot of buyers who prefer something that’s off-market.”

When discussing the advantages of selling off-market, Mahan Herrick shared, “The benefit of selling off-market is twofold. You get the privacy where you’re not having open houses, broker tours, or exposing your home on the internet. It’s super appealing for many high-end buyers who value privacy.”

Lammers explained the second benefit, stating, “There is also a mindset that some people believe, and I don’t necessarily have the data to prove that this is accurate, but something is almost more valuable if it’s been exposed less. So there’s a level of being overly exposed, and then people feel like something is stale and stagnant.”

Conversely, Mahan Herrick shared that the true value of a property is typically determined when it is marketed to the public as a whole. Nonetheless, Mahan Herrick stated, “Buyers are not Real Estates Page 324

What Is Clean?

by Robert Bernstein

Almost 10 years ago I was flying to a psychology conference for my work and I picked up a book called The Power of Habit while changing planes at LAX. I learned something in that book almost as valuable as anything I learned at the conference.

Author Charles Duhigg told the story of a Procter & Gamble (P&G) chemist who was a smoker. The chemist came home one day, and his wife asked if he had given up smoking, because he didn’t have the usual stink of smoke. It turned out he had been experimenting with a substance called hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin, or HPBCD.

He had accidentally discovered a substance that could remove almost any bad odor from almost anything. The “cyclo” refers to the donut shape of the molecule, which traps odor molecules in the donut hole.

P&G improved the formula and called it Febreze to suggest “fabric” and “breeze.” They introduced it in a few test markets.

They soon were led to a young park ranger in Phoenix. Her job was to trap animals that wandered into residential areas. Including lots of skunks, which often sprayed her. She was attractive and intelligent, but had trouble dating, due to the persistent skunk smell on everything in her home.

Febreze changed her life and she literally had tears of joy for the good people at P&G. Unfortunately, few other potential customers seemed to appreciate the wonders of Febreze. It was not selling, despite heroic marketing efforts. P&G hired top psychology researchers to find out why. And they soon got a clue.

The researchers visited another woman near Phoenix who had nine cats. She admitted she was kind of a “neat freak” and vacuumed every day. The researchers almost gagged when they entered her living room from the cat odor. But the woman was oblivious to the smell. Humans quickly become desensitized to smells that they are immersed in all the time.

With smokers, this problem is compounded by the fact that cigarette smoke causes overall damage to the olfactory system. Meaning that the people most in need of Febreze were the ones least likely to realize they needed it.

The Power of Habit book is about how people form good and bad habits and I plan to write more about that in the future. P&G was desperate to get people in the habit of using Febreze, but the obvious

pitch of eliminating odors was not working. The thesis of the book is that people form habits when they get a cue to do something and then they get a reward for doing that thing. In the case of Febreze, the cue was supposed to be noticing a bad smell. And the reward was supposed to be getting rid of the bad smell.

The park ranger was intelligent enough to get the cue from other people that she had a skunk smell problem. But most people are like the cat lady who are “cueless” and therefore “clueless.”

The P&G marketing people started all over with a new plan: Add perfume to the Febreze. And market it as a flourish to add at the end of tidying up. After you vacuum and make the bed, spray Febreze around. That “Febreze smell” will be the reward for having done the tidying up.

Fortunately for P&G this strategy worked. They were able to get people to form this new habit, which had nothing to do with actually eliminating odors. But then there are people like me and the park ranger: People who just want things clean and odor free. What are we supposed to do?

I called customer service at P&G and asked if there is any way to get the original Febreze formula. The one that just takes away odors, but doesn’t add any odor of its own. The woman who answered was able to understand what I was getting at. But there was nothing she could do to help. Every version of Febreze has some fragrance added. It must have taken a lot of work for P&G chemists to find fragrances that weren’t neutralized by the wonderful odor removing HPBCD!

What are we to do? I am grateful that there is growing awareness of the harm done to many of us by the stench of added perfumes to most “cleaning” products and “deodorants.” But not fast enough. Can people understand that “clean” means “free of odors”? Including “free of perfumes”?

Robert Bernstein holds degrees from Physics departments of MIT and UCSB. Passion to understand the Big Questions of life, the universe and to be a good citizen of the planet. Visit facebook.com/ questionbig

Dear Montecito

Welcome to the REEF! Inspiring Ocean Advocates for 20 years

by Stella Haffner

ou don’t have to be a scientist to love and protect the ocean,” says marine biologist Scott

“YSimon

.

Simon is the director at UCSB’s teaching aquarium, the Research Experience and Education Facility (or REEF for short). Although used as a lab facility by the university, the REEF is primarily devoted to public outreach and serves as a popular destination for school field trips because of its extensive touch tank system, interactive exhibits, and Simon’s unique approach to scientific communication.

Without a PhD, Simon represents an outlier as an educator on the UCSB campus. His family’s middle-class background shaped his education and his relationship with the ocean.

“We would go to Catalina for a week every summer since I can remember. My grandparents took my dad as a kid, and since my grandfather was a tradesman, they didn’t have a lot of money. They called it their little Hawaii.”

Simon’s father had fond memories of Santa Barbara from his childhood and made it a priority to move to Santa Barbara, relocating the family when Simon was just halfway through second grade. Simon would attend Peabody, Roosevelt, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School, but in the summer he and his siblings spent their days in the water.

“My parents were frugal and going to the beach was free,” says Simon. “I grew up in the ocean. My grandfather taught us to snorkel and pluck abalone. So from a very young age, this love for the marine environment was instilled in me.”

Simon supplemented his days in the water with part-time jobs, working as a dishwasher, a nail-puller, and a carpenter. He credits the effective communication

style he has today to this real-world experience: “It teaches you to think in a different way. Scientists have a reputation for being bad communicators. I work really hard to figure out ways to improve that perception.”

That’s where the “REEFers” come in. As a teaching aquarium, educators are the heart and soul of the REEF. Each year Simon recruits and mentors new UCSB undergraduates to become REEFers. When picking the new team members, Simon prioritizes two things: A love for the ocean and diverse perspectives. Specifically, Simon makes an effort to hire students outside marine sciences.

“It’s not just all aquatic biology majors, and it is really important that not everyone wants to be a scientist.”

A central piece of the REEF philosophy is that educators should be able to share a love of the ocean with everyone, from every background, not just future scientists. This means having a diverse team of REEFers, but it also means showing REEF visitors how different types of jobs can help our ocean. From policy makers to harbor patrol, the REEF lets children see that there are many different ways to make the world a better place. Of course, none of this would be possible without the facility itself.

The REEF’s extensive touch tank display lets visitors get up close and personal with local and foreign marine life. Simon explains the touch tanks are such a powerful education tool because they allow visitors to better appreciate the world around them.

“People will protect what they know,” says Simon. “I want to show people the really cool organisms right in our front yard and try to get people to embrace this and hopefully go gain a better understanding themselves.”

From 2,000-gallon tanks hosting sea hares, stars, and slugs to in-house celebrities such as LUV the Moray Eel and Boris the senior lobster, there are animals for all to enjoy. If you visit the REEF, you may even spot Simon next to his favorite display, the red and white abalone colonies. Abalone are close to Simon’s heart because they remind him of his formative ocean experiences but also because of the animals’ extended layover on the endan-

gered species list. But thanks to diligent conservation work, their numbers are on the rise again.

Success stories like the rise in abalone numbers motivate the team at UCSB to continue on their mission of scientific outreach and education. Pre-pandemic, the teaching tools at the REEF reached between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors each year. However, the true impact of the REEF stretches beyond the facility itself when REEFers graduate and start their own careers as veterinarians, teachers, researchers, and science communicators. This impact is made possible by donations and grant writing efforts that allow the team to expand the REEF and pay the REEFers who not only work as ocean advocates but also educate the next generation of ocean advocates.

To learn more or to donate to the REEF visit https:// msi.ucsb.edu, or contact Scott Simon at scott. simon@ucsb.edu.

From the shores of Scotland, Stella Haffner keeps her connection to her home in Montecito by bringing grads of local schools to the pages of the Montecito Journal

Scott Simon (right) with graduated lead aquarist (left)

Boris the SENIOR lobster (he is 80 years old)

Echinoderms!

having to go up against 20 other offers, so sometimes they are willing to pay a premium for that exclusivity factor.”

However, both Lammers and Mahan Herrick acknowledged that selling off-market does come with risks. Agents risk limiting the potential for multiple offers, which can impact the overall selling price and negotiating power. If they’re unable to showcase to a broader audience, it may be difficult for them to accurately assess market trends and pricing dynamics. Also, without comprehensive MLS data, agents face challenges in providing clients with a complete understanding of the market and making informed decisions. Failure to comply with the CCP could lead to financial penalties, license sanctions, and damage to the agent and brokerage’s reputation.

When discussing the limitations surrounding sharing off-market listings, Lammers emphasized the strict code of conduct that real estate agents must adhere to. She said, “As real estate agents, we have to uphold this code of conduct. And people will call you out on things and report you; that does happen. If they see you doing things against the rules, then you can be fined, and the fines are very hefty.”

Agents risk limiting the potential for multiple offers, which can impact the overall selling price and negotiating power. If they’re unable to showcase to a broader audience, it may be difficult for

Defining the Off-Market Impact

There are clearly differing feelings and opinions about off-market sales and their effects between realtors, sellers, and buyers – however these sales still take place. So what is the exact impact of off-market sales? It is important to look at data and trends to try and unravel this answer.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Realtors (SBOAR) released comprehensive data highlighting the performance of the local real estate market over the past 17 years. The data focused on the number of Median HE/PU sales, their respective median sales price, and active listings from 2019 to 2023. There was an increase of 75% in the median sale price from 2006 to 2023 and a decrease of about 7.28% from 2022 to 2023. There was a decrease of about 53.59% in the number of active listings from 2019 to 2023 and a decrease of about 23.21% from 2022 to 2023.

The significant decrease in the number of active listings from 2019 to 2023 suggests a tightening supply in the market, which might contribute to increased competition among buyers and potentially higher prices. The decline from 2022 to 2023 continues this trend, though it is paired with a decrease in both the number of sales and the median sales price, suggesting a more complex market dynamic at play.

Active Listings and Median Sale Price

Looking at the data from 2019 to 2023, there’s a decline in active listings from 948 to 440, a decrease of about 55%. During the same period, the median sale price increased from $1.3 million to $2.1 million, about 62%. This trend aligns with the concept of supply and demand: as the supply (active listings) decreased, prices increased.

However, the exception comes in 2023, when both the active listings and the median sale price decreased compared to 2022. This might suggest a decline in demand (unlikely), a market correction after the price surge, or other external factors such as potentially fewer properties submitted to the MLS.

Inventory Trends

The above data helps define where inventory stands at a given time and how it moves over time, but analyzing these trends further reveals a mixed picture. Clarke noticed a positive shift with the inventory growing in recent months. She stated, “The inventory has started to grow more and more, especially in Montecito, which is a wel-

come relief.” Some of this can be attributed to seasonal selling, but there is certainly an upward trend in inventory levels.

On the other hand, Dan Encell, another Berkshire Hathaway agent, highlighted the overall shortage of inventory. “Across the board, all the markets are experiencing an inventory shortage like there’s never been before. It’s just the lowest level of inventory that there’s ever been in terms of homes being offered for sale.”

Encell highlighted the self-fulfilling nature of the problem. The scarcity discourages discretionary sellers from entering the market as it would be difficult for them to find a new home. This exacerbates the problem and fuels interest in off-market options.

Mahan Herrick highlighted the alarming lack of inventory, stating that the “months of inventory” factor currently stands at 1.18 months. This means that if the rate of transactions continues and no other homes come to market, the inventory would be exhausted in about 35 days. A balanced market typically aims for a six-month supply.

David Wieger , an agent with Compass, shared similar sentiments. He stated, “Right now, we have about 180 listings and 30 pending, which means we have between five and six weeks of inventory.” This is a significant change compared to previous years. These figures highlight the reduction in inventory, solidifying a seller’s advantage.

These inventory trends, marked by a shortage of available homes, increased competition among buyers, and rising prices, have created a challenging environment for buyers. In such a landscape, the appeal and interest in off-market sales grow, as buyers seek alternative options to secure properties and sellers explore more discreet avenues to maintain privacy and control over the transaction process.

Interest Rates

There may be another factor influencing inventory: interest rates. Encell attributed this scarcity to the significant shift in interest rates, stating, “Everyone who had a loan at 3% a year ago can never duplicate that loan. So they can’t afford to sell, so they’re locked in.” Regarding the impact of rising interest rates, Encell further noted, “Rates went from 3% to almost 7%, which is, you know, it says it’s only 4%, but it’s really a 133% difference. If they were to do a lateral move and get the same loan, their payments would be literally double what they are. So again, it doesn’t make sense for people to move.”

He emphasized that more recent transactions mainly involve cash buyers or individuals compelled to sell, as those who need to sell are unaffected by interest rate fluctuations. So the effect of interest rates may only apply to certain buyers and sellers, although there may be an additional factor in play: insurance.

Lammers highlighted aspects of the Montecito market. “I feel like our market here in Montecito is very unique,” Lammers said. “Like interest rates don’t really affect a lot of our buyers. Buyer insurance might, to be honest, because there’s not as many lenders out there at the moment and the cost in certain zones is very expensive because of past fires and events.”

Future Predictions

Looking ahead, experts predict a continued rapid sale of high-demand properties. “The good stuff will continue to sell very rapidly, usually with multiple offers,” Encell said, “but you will see a buildup of the mediocre inventory.” NAR predicts mortgage rates will drop to 5.6% in 2024, potentially benefiting homebuyers who have hit affordability thresholds.

The combination of rapid sales for high-demand properties, the potential buildup of average inventory, and the projected decrease in mortgage rates indicates a market in which off-market listings give buyers a chance to secure desirable properties through discreet transactions, while sellers can maintain privacy and control over the sale process.

Off-market sales can provide agents and brokerages with a competitive edge in a tight market with limited inventory. Agents who have access to off-market listings can present their clients with more options and increase the likelihood of successful transactions. While the benefit to agents is clear, sellers should be made aware that selling off market, while discreet and convenient, does not expose their property to the general public, therefore limiting the number of potential offers and the chance to leverage the price up. Buyers should be made aware that they may be overpaying for a property that has not hit the open market and therefore the true market value has not been realized. Again, some buyers may be willing to pay a premium in order to secure an appealing property without competing against other buyers.

One thing is for sure, as the real estate landscape evolves, understanding off-market listings will continue to be crucial for agents and the sellers and buyers they represent.

them to accurately assess market trends and pricing dynamics.

The new library tastings at Fess Parker Winery offer guests access to wines from the last two decades, all curated by winemaker Blair Fox (courtesy photo)

Adventure offers 75-minute group ($195/pp) and private ($225/pp) horseback rides through the scenic estate. The 360-degree views of the valley – including access to the estate vineyards that produce many of the Fess Parker brand’s top tier wines – are truly special, and otherwise inaccessible by the public. The guides share stories of the Parker family’s history in Santa Barbara wine country, and the rides conclude with a seated wine tasting experience. For bookings and more info, check out fessparkerhorsebackrides.com.

For a more focused dive into premium, tough-to-find Fess Parker wines, there’s the new Private Library Tasting ($75 per person, $60 for wine club members). It takes place in the air-conditioned private library inside the sleek, elegant, newly designed visitor center along Foxen Canyon Road. And it’s fully customizable, with guests choosing four library wines from a list of stand-out vintages and varietals curated by winemaker Blair Fox. There are multiple library rooms, which can host groups of four to eight. Reservations are made by emailing Fess Parker’s hospitality director at sauro@fessparker.com.

Renovations Debut

The hotel scene in downtown Los Olivos has gone through a legit upgrade, in part thanks to the debut of the reimagined Mattei’s Tavern, now a deluxe Auberge property. The Parkers offer their own version of an elevated stay with the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, located right along the town’s main drag of Grand Avenue. I remember visiting the property often in the years following its launch by Fess Parker and his wife, Marcella, in 1998 – it was the ultimate locals’ hangout, with live music and fine drinks flowing freely most nights. Our family also stayed soon after its first renovation in 2012, and we loved its stylish charm back then.

The AAA 4-Diamond property has just finished a fresh re-do, which includes all its 19 rooms and suites. “We really focused on a little more of that elegant wine country feel,” says Ashley. “We wanted it to be relaxing and comfortable and homey, so that after a day of walking around the town, you really want to come back to your room.”

Designed by Olivia Villaluz, improvements include new hardwood floors, shiplap in every bathroom, wrought iron four-poster beds and fireplaces in every room. Contemporary finishes and natural elements combine for a rustic yet refined aesthetic. Enhanced guest experiences include a sparkling wine welcome, a new car service on the weekends to whisk them around town and text communications before arrival to help curate their stay, updates to the pool deck, including new furnishings, are up next.

“The transformative journey to rejuvenate our property… has created a sanctuary where luxury, comfort, and the beauty of wine country converge,” says Amanda Parker White, also Fess’ granddaughter, and Ashley’s niece.

Onsite dining takes place at Nella Kitchen & Bar, sister restaurant to the popular SY

The Fess Parker Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos has just undergone its first renovation since 2012, with upgrades to all 19 rooms and suites (courtesy photo)

The rolling lawn at Fess Parker Winery has played host to the inaugural WineStock concert series, with two more events on August 19 and September 10 (courtesy photo)

Kitchen nearby, and one of the valley’s most popular spots to eat and be seen. Wine lovers, rejoice – there are dozens of tasting rooms within walking distance of the Inn. If you haven’t visited in a while, some of the area’s top sipping spots are located here, including Brewer-Clifton, DaFoe, Tercero, Andrew Murray, and Liquid Farm. Among them is Epiphany, part of the Fess Parker portfolio, launched by Fess’ son and Ashley’s brother, Eli, and home to some of the county’s very best Rhône wines. This locale, also along Grand Avenue, just down from the Inn on the other side of the iconic flagpole at the epicenter of town, has also just completed a refresh. It elevates the plein-air tasting experience in the lovely outdoor garden, with new pavers, more shade, new permitter bench seating and new lounge furniture. Most important, says Ashley, “is the outdoor service bar, which means guests no longer have to go indoors for more wine, so better personalizing their visit.”

The lovely patio is shared by The Bubble Shack, which pours the complete line of Fess Parker sparkling wines.

The Epiphany Tasting Garden re-do was designed by Josh White, Ashley’s nephew, and Amanda’s husband. Those Parker family touches really are everywhere.

Listen to the Music

There’s still time to enjoy WineStock ($20/$15), a rocking new summer concert series at Fess Parker Winery. Two concerts remain, including the Bryan Titus Trio this coming Saturday, August 19. This particular show coincides with the annual SummerFess celebration, which will also include Movie Night on the lawn and a special retrospective tasting ($80/$60) of 10 library pinot noirs and syrahs, with vintages ranging from 2003 to 2018, all to celebrate winemaker Blair Fox’s 20th anniversary with Fess Parker. A super special event.

The final WineStock concert, set for September 10, will feature the Harmony All Stars. Food trucks will be on hand, and guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to secure their perfect spot on the winery lawn.

For more information on all these upgrades and happenings, check out fessparker.com.

And kudos to the Parker family for offering, and investing in, such a diverse array of experiences. They help elevate, thoughtfully and creatively, the allure and prestige of the Santa Barbara wine country experience for both locals and global visitors alike. Cheers!

Gabe Saglie has been covering the Santa Barbara wine scene for more than 15 years through columns, TV, and radio. He’s a senior editor with Travelzoo and is a leading expert on travel deals, tips, and trends.

The Epiphany Tasting Garden in Los Olivos has been revamped to include a new wine service bar outdoors (courtesy photo)

open to the public, we’ve already had businesses from Montecito and Santa Barbara stop by.” And don’t wonder, Janicek reassured that the lounge meets all fire protection permitting and hotel policies for a smoking area.

I sat and talked with Williams about the cigar experience, his suggestions for someone new to cigars, and why his brand stands out among the others. He said, “For newbies, we recommend the Cohiba Connecticut cigar, it is a blend of six different tobaccos from five different countries, very approachable and good complexity. What sets us apart in the luxury cigar space is we offer an unrivaled range as it relates to diversity in our brand. We have great tobacco from the most distinct regions of the world. Our job is to make cigars you like, so we constantly innovate.”

Excited to invite the public to their connoisseur experience, the event invite was extended to all manner of local press, as well as Cigar Afficionado Magazine, and general paparazzi – cameras and video were everywhere! Seen at the event were Tree Janicek, Master Cigar Roller David Haddad and Julie Hannigan-Haddad, former Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Michael Dyer with his wife Vickie, Cohiba PR director (New Jersey) Victoria Jaworski, Gretchen Walker with husband Ed Anderson, and PR magnet Leigh-Anne Anderson. The event included cigar samplings, cigar rolling demos, live music by the original lounge lizard Luca Ellis and his band, specialty cocktails by The Good Lion, wines, and tapas made to order by hotel chefs.

The Cohiba Experience is located outside through the hotel’s main floor bar area; look for the red wood door. The lounge has an ocean view, and is appointed with hand-painted wall murals, long rectangular fire pits, open seating, a bar and live band area, and a full-on walk-in cedar-lined humidor. The humidor holds a varietal of Cohiba cigars in authentic Boite Nature boxes, boutique cigar cutters and lighters, and high-end liquors for sale that are displayed and stored behind wood framed glass doors on the left. On the right are 24 private mini humidors to hold cigars, liquors, and personals. Required temperature and humidity are digitally controlled. Later this year, the Cohiba Experience will open a membership club for business, corporate, and individuals, and humidor leasing.

The deco-lounge is clearly a destination point for herfs of any sort, conversation, business meetings, celebrations, and chilling out. Scan the QR code for events and info.

strength to the institute and bolsters its longevity. In their collective response to Dr. Kimbriel’s question, those present demonstrated both a philosophical and experiential understanding of our culture.

The panel agreed at the beginning of the conversation that America as a whole has – due to its unique history – run the experiment of Freedom more than any other country. America’s diverse population, decentralized economy and government, and massive geographical spread made defensible by two insulating oceans, have resulted in its strength and successful positive impact nationally and internationally.

However, the panel also noted the limits of experimentation, arguably fueled in modern society by the predominant thinking of the younger generations. One begins to notice a sense of purposelessness, an un-anchored drift as the mishandling or abuse of freedom’s promise is seen through various communication networks and platforms, creating an overwhelming feeling of isolation in the workplace, in our educational institutions, and even revealing limitations in social environments in recent years. The younger generation’s social skills have been challenged and their ability to interact socially has been inhibited.

Regarding Dr. Kimbriel’s question of Freedom or Meaning leading us, the challenge that the group faced was ultimately that of differentiating interpretations of “Meaning” between individuals with wholly different life experiences. The concept of “Freedom” is likewise subject to the variety of cultural and personal experiences among people seeking to find consensus on a definition of the term. Such approaches on the subject were regarded as worrisome for our society – a concern amplified by the panel adding their own perspectives on the pros and cons of government, education, religion, foreign policies, and the overall mental health of all ages.

The group stated that younger generations seem to be losing those social skills critical to their personal development in our modern times, which could lead to uncharted territory. Among the concerns was the balance between citizens and their government, where differences in defining the terms “leading” and “meaning” can convey either a nation unified at the foundation, or confrontation and division.

The panel agreed that America has utilized the experiment of freedom adequately, and we are now experiencing the power of freedom and information. We are experiencing the repercussions and consequences of this endeavor as well, nationally and internationally. The group confirmed that a sense of individual purposeless and isolation has become stronger. As a result, societies are daily facing a hazardous and unsustainable present… and possibly a decaying future. The panel concluded with the idea that spiritual purpose should also be integrated into our collective development – with the caveat that this too may open the door to a degree of conflict, since both spirituality and its implementation are inherently complex.

But for the most part, the meeting led to an uncanny engagement between deeply held notions of respect, trust, empathy, and happiness. These key words are central to realizing that change can occur when impactful programs are thoughtfully applied in real life. This in turn creates a bond within the group – the natural desire to be part of something greater than ourselves. The Aspen Institute offers these opportunities to better quality living through its many programs.

A Harvard Study of Adult Development on the universal question of happiness revealed that half of our happiness is related to the complex matter of genetics, but it also showed that happiness is decided by the quality of human relationships. Knowing when to let go of a pernicious personality can help to bring about happiness in our life, and to understand that what matters most is that life is precious and fleeting. Healthy relationships and respect for individuality are our greatest need if we are to move forward in today’s emotional and social structure. Being lifted up by like-minded people creates wonders in the life of others and ourselves.

This brings us back to the Aspen Institute and their establishing a future here in Santa Barbara, where such a move could not only benefit people who are doing prominent work, but could also inspire them to something better and greater than themselves; to help resolve the many issues of our modern day society through direct action. It is a time to not only revisit the symptoms of societal decay, but also to investigate healing methodologies.

We can only ask ourselves now: what can we do to better unify our community here around “Meaning and Freedom” as we presently understand those terms? What small deed can we do to enhance the lives of others and ourselves in Santa Barbara?

Amélie Dieux is a French born freelance writer and world traveler – on a mission to provide information with articles that delight and inspire

“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn

Scan this QR code to get updates on events and happenings at the Bacara

Master Cigar Roller David Haddad demos proper technique at the Cohiba Experience at Bacara (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

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

that I get to live and work here! This is also a very exciting time to be joining the Casa, with our 100-year anniversary coming up in 2025 we will be embarking on a significant campaign of restoration and conservation for the structure, gardens, and art collection. It is an enchanting place to work, and I am ecstatic over the discoveries that are bound to be made in regard to the art collection.

411: www.casadelherrero.com

Oil on Summerland Beaches

The continued efforts to contain the abandoned oil wells in the Pacific Ocean offshore to Summerland Beach took a new stride on Monday, August 14, at 10 am with the arrival of new capping methodology and the start of a 3D geological study titled, “Summerland Oil Mitigation Study” (SOMS), to fully map the oil reservoirs, rivers, and wells in the Summerland ocean floor area through to the shoreline.

In a low-profile press meeting at Summerland Beach on Monday, I met with the project leads for the remedial work: Harry Rabin, Executive Director of Heal the Ocean (HTO) Hillary Hauser, and Ira Leifer, who created the updated mapping. He has a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences and is the Principal of Bubbleology Research International, Goleta.

Leifer explained: “The Summerland area has hundreds and hundreds of oil wells, most abandoned improperly, some leak, many are connected, some abandoned multiple times, and the leakage continues which is not surprising. The goal is to understand the geology and work with it, not against it. You can’t fight geology; you always lose. So not to just re-abandon wells in alpha-numerological order, but in a way that reduces the oil to the environment sooner. We are trying to avoid the “whack-a-mole” approach: seal one well and another well opens up natural seepage. There is a connection between the geology on shore under the Summerland community and offshore.

“As we know, before Summerland was built up, kids would dig holes in the ground and light up the natural gas to play soccer at night. It is certainly possible that some homes are on natural seepage areas that can pose health hazards. There is a single reservoir connecting pathways underground, so blocking one pathway activates other pathways. There is also a storm effect that wipes out built-up tar on the shore and oil seeps up; and any charge of aquafers on shore affect offshore. There are faults and fractures that affect the seepage as well. Ultimately, we will lose, and geology will win. There is a major fault up Ortega Hill and if the earth moves, you can’t seal it. There are areas where oil and gas are coming up probably not connected to the main fault lines and can be permanently sealed off. My guess is, it is gallons per week leaking but it spreads across the ocean with volatile toxins. The only long-term answer is a ‘capture and collect’ small bird island that gets off-loaded periodically. The oil leakage will continue six to eight thousand years.”

Rabin added, “The new capping technology puts a giant cofferdam (an enclosure built within a body of water to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out or drained) over each well-head to keep the oil from escaping into the ocean while we are working. The geological study will show us if we are on the right approach of capping the wells one at a time. We know we can do a better job, get multiple well heads in a shorter period of time, and make better use of state funds. HTO monitors the success of capping.”

Leifer and Rabin will use and add to the United States Geological Service (USGS) data and maps of Summerland’s oil titled, “Geology and Oil Resources of the Summerland District” [1907, ref: https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/0321/report.pdf]

Their field work will take 90 days and be done over the next six months. They will create a real-time interactive geo-map to precisely disclose well locations, reservoirs, faults, et al.

Capping oil wells Treadwell 1 & 5 is being done by 2H Offshore and assisted by Beacon-West Energy Group off-shore on the Curtin Maritime, Corp. barge out of Long Beach. It will take approximately 10 days. Funding for oil well capping comes from SB44 Legacy Well Re-Abandonment at two million dollars per year ending 2027. HTO is funding SOMS.

411: www.healtheocean.org http://bubbleology.com

SB Neighborhood Clinics’ New Mobile Unit Ready to Go!

The mid-week downpour of rain and clouds did not stop Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian, CEO of the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, from moving forward, literally, with the official launch of the center’s Mobile Health Unit on Thursday, August 10. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Santa Barbara City College parking lot.

Joining were former clinic CEO Dr. Chuck Fenzi, Board Chair Brian G. Gough, Board Vice-Chair Norman Colavincenzo, Treasurer and former Santa Barbara City Administrator Jim Armstrong, board members Stephen Hicks, Brian Knowles, Jerry Menchaca, and Melinda Staveley. Also making formal statements of congratulations were Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse, and the administrative representatives from Senator Monique Limón and Gregg Hart’s offices.

Rowse stated that the mobile unit represented what is amazing about the Santa Barbara community and its philanthropy. He lauded the clinic for working proactively on healthcare – both physical and mental, aka behavioral.

After the ceremony, I took a tour of the mobile health unit with Fenzi. It has two fully equipped exam rooms, a reception area, a bathroom, a telehealth computer, and is fully accessible with a lift.

Ashrafian came on board, and we talked about the unit. He shared that when he became the CEO, he wanted a mobile health unit to service the community. The center had an old grant for a dental mobile health unit but lost that grant. In talking about his plan to have a mobile unit with a philanthropic person from Montecito, they fully supported his dream by donating the funds for the entire unit, which was made in Ohio and delivered within three months. There is also a dental mobile health unit that does not have on-board exams, but rather carries the medical team and supplies around. The mobile health unit will be staffed with current Clinic personnel, and vary in who is on board, utilizing a doctor or nurse practitioner with a medical assistant or physician’s assistant for health care, and a specialized practitioner for behavioral health.

Ashrafian stated, “We are excited to be able to bring health care to people. Our first priority is the elementary and middle public schools within the Santa Barbara Unified and Goleta school districts. We are open to going to all the districts including Montecito, anywhere there is the need. Later we will incorporate high schools, farm workers and their families, and local shelters.”

411: www.sbclinics.org

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics’ Mobile Health Unit ribbon-cutting ceremony (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Inside the mobile unit’s accessible exam room with Board Vice-Chair Norman Colavincenzo and Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Meeting regarding Summerland beach oil well capping and the new geological mapping project are Hillary Hauser, Harry Rabin, and Ira Leifer

(photo by Joanne A Calitri)

View of the barge and equipment capping Treadwell 1 & 5 at Summerland Beach (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

Your Westmont

Art Exhibit Straddles the Intellectual, Spiritual

by Scott Craig, photos by Brad Elliott

Celebrated Santa Barbara artist

Linda Ekstrom offers a wide range of poetic, imaginative, and spiritual works of transformed fabric, paper, books, and gloves in an exhibition (August 31 – November 11) at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. A free opening reception Thursday, August 31 from 4-6 pm at the museum, honors Straddling Circumference…The Art of Linda Ekstrom, which features both recent work and a retrospective. The museum plans additional events.

viewing Friday, August 18, beginning at about 8 pm and lasting several hours at the observatory. Stargazing at Westmont includes the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch reflector. Members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit bring their own telescopes to campus to share with the public as well.

Free parking is available near the Westmont Observatory, which is between the baseball field and the track and field/soccer complex. To enter Westmont’s campus, please use the Main Entrance off of La Paz Road. The lower entrance off Cold Spring Road is closed to visitors after 7 pm.

In case of cloudy/foggy weather, please call the telescope viewing hotline at (805) 5656272 to see if the viewing has been canceled.

shape not just the soccer player but also the whole person. Success for us looks like young men growing to become the best soccer players they can be and being equipped to become the best version of themselves when they leave Westmont. We’ll encourage young men to make an immediate impact in the world in whatever vocation they pursue.”

Ekstrom’s Santa Rita

“Ekstrom creates transcendent art works often inspired by the words of female poets, mystics, saints, and women of the Bible,” says Judy L. Larson, R. Anthony Askew professor of art history and museum director. “Ever present in Ekstrom’s art is her intellectual and spiritual discernment. The title, ‘Straddling Circumference...’, is taken from Emily Dickinson, who is said to have used the word ‘circumference’ in six of her letters and 17 of her poems. For Ekstrom, a circumference marks a borderline between being and a Being, the common and the Sacred.”

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Chi Foods, 5266 Hollister Ave Ste 311, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Imlakesh Organics INC, 5266 Hollister Ave Ste 311, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 20, 2023. 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. 2023-0001810.

Published August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 2023

Ekstrom reads works by Dickinson and other authors in search of inspiration. “I read, find ideas, sort text… and then pull out the things that inspire me,” she said in a UCSB news article last year.

She places Bibles into beehives, preserves objects in jars, and shapes the words of poets and writers into imaginative “newreads,” drawing on her experience “as a woman, as an artist, and as a Catholic.”

For more than two decades, Ekstrom taught at the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara, where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Fine Arts.

Her art work has been featured in more than a hundred solo and group exhibitions at the Pomona College Museum (now the Benton Museum of Art); the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, Connecticut; the Minneapolis College of Art and Design; and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park. She served on the committee for the Los Angeles Cathedral, Our Lady of the Angels, to select art for the exterior and interior of the new cathedral from 1998-2000.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. It’s closed Sundays and college holidays. For more information, please visit westmont.edu/museum or contact the museum at (805) 565-6162.

Spy Saturn at Monthly Stargazing

The gas giant Saturn will be the star attraction at this month’s free, public

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NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Pacific Passion Co., 7375 Freeman

Pl #B, Goleta, CA 93117. Melanie R Bray, 7375 Freeman

Pl #B, Goleta, CA 93117. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 12, 2023. 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. 2023-0001730. Published August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023

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Men’s Soccer Features New Coach

Morgan Cathey will lead the men’s soccer team into Harder Stadium Saturday, August 19, at 7 pm in an exhibition matchup against UCSB. The annual game, now called the Community Shield, has been played for more than six decades, but this will be Cathey’s first as the Warriors’ new head coach.

Cathey, a former men’s soccer head coach at Stanislaus State, graduated from Azusa Pacific, where he played goalkeeper before playing and coaching professionally in South Africa. He is just the fifth head coach in the 58-year history of Westmont men’s soccer.

“I believe that success within a collegiate program embodies every form of opportunity for growth available,” he says. “Westmont provides a platform to

In 2005 Cathey received an NAIA AllAmerican honorable mention at APU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry.

He played professionally for three years with Ajax Cape Town in South Africa, where he coached professionally from 2009-11. He served as head coach at Whitworth University in Washington, posting a record of 82-39-16 in seven seasons and winning three consecutive Northwest Conference Championships. He returned to Stanislaus State in 2020, where he had previously served as an assistant coach, compiling an overall 11-18-7 record as head coach.

“My goal is to create the most enjoyable college soccer experience possible,” Cathey says. “When people come and watch us play, it will be enjoyable because the athletes enjoy playing.”

are doing business as: Mind-Body Thrive, LLC, 228 Cooper Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Mind-Body Thrive, 228 Cooper Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 24, 2023. 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. 2023-0001825. Published August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023

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NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: The Inquisitive Canine;

Joan Hunter Coaching, 1187 Coast Village Road 1-290, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Summit Road Enterprises, LLC, 1187 Coast Village Road 1-290, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 28, 2023. 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. 2023-0001861. Published August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023

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are doing business as: California Heating and Rain Gutters, INC, 4193-3 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013. California Heating and Rain Gutters, INC, 4193-3 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 3, 2023. 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. 20230001663. Published July 26, August 2, 9, 16, 2023

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are doing business as: Memory Garden Memorial Park & Mortuary; Utter McKinley San Fernando Mission Mortuary; Lafayette Development Company, 1525 State Street, Suite 203, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. The Lafayette Corporation, 1525 State Street, Suite 203, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on July 13, 2023. 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. 20230001744. Published July 26, August 2, 9, 16, 2023

Ekstrom’s Circling (2005)

(tears) (2003)

Westmont’s observatory opens August 18

Men’s Soccer head coach

Morgan Cathey

Scott Craig is manager of media relations at Westmont College

things like what to wear, and getting my hair done. And then when they called our name, I was just shaking and silent for the longest time.

Turning to the Music Academy, what drew you to this job? Why is this the next right thing for you?

My whole career has been about music education and uplifting artists. I’m excited about returning to the festival lifestyle, which I absolutely loved working when I worked at Aspen. Add the Music Academy’s beautiful location and all the possibilities of what could be on top of the 75 years of amazing training and performances makes it an enormous opportunity for anyone. I’m thrilled that they picked me to be part of that atmosphere and that magic.

Not to sound like your job interview, but what can you share about specific plans or vision for the Music Academy, or ideas of directions you want to take?

Everything is going so well there, so it’s mostly about what we can add, or how to be more involved in the community. For example, the SING! choral program is fantastic, and I have thoughts about having a similar instrumental program, maybe call it “PLAY!” That’s something that would need to be worked out. I’d also like to see the Academy have year-round engagement, not just as a summer festival. That facility is just gorgeous and offers so much potential. I’d love for the community to feel like it’s their home of music in Santa Barbara, which means some partnerships, which I have always championed. I don’t want us to be a silo. You find the most enriching collaborations when you reach out and say, “What can we do together?”

[Another focus] is to do our best to support the fellows and the alumni there and all across the country. Spreading the Music Academy name and brand is a major focus, too. Out here, the Music Academy means the hall where the Philadelphia Orchestra plays. So we have a lot of work to do.

Overall, though, I want to just get there and listen to people. I’m already setting up meetings here in New York with faculty who are based here to find out what they’re most excited about and what they might think needs to be fixed or tweaked. Then we’ll start to see what makes the most sense.

Notwithstanding what you just said, I want to bring up that over the last few years, the master classes, which were always the backbone of the Academy’s offerings, seem to have taken a bit of a backseat to other performance events and initiatives, which have been spectacular, of course. I’m wondering if you have any thoughts about the concept of education/ pedagogy versus performance versus innovation enterprises.

There’s no question that the fellows’ education and development of their craft through the faculty has to be first and foremost. So all of the rest has to be examined. Thankfully the board has indicated that, too, and wants some data-driven analysis of what’s going on. But again, I can’t really do any of that until I get there. I don’t want to be uninformed in making decisions. Because there are so many options, you really have to use strategic thinking.

OK, let’s go to the big picture again. You’ve been a serious musician. You’ve had a high-level position at a major festival. You were in Chicago and worked in programming across the arts at the University of Chicago (something akin to UCSB Arts & Lectures here), and then spent a dozen years at the New York Youth Symphony. How do you think all of that varied experience might show up in what you want to bring to the Music Academy?

through August 31, 2023, as storm damage repairs continue.

Los Padres raised fire restrictions across the forest effective August 1, which prohibits campfires outside of developed recreation sites.

In recent weeks, there have been repeated signs of illegal campfire activity along front country roads and trails. Visitors possessing a valid California Campfire Permit are permitted to use portable lanterns or stoves that run on propane, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel; however, campfires are strictly prohibited along the front country.

Forest Order No. 05-07-54-22-04 prohibits campfires and cooking fires on National Forest System lands in the Santa Barbara front country from Gaviota to the Ventura County line, including but not limited to Painted Cave Road, Gibraltar Road, Stagecoach Road, the paved and unpaved sections of West Camino Cielo and East Camino Cielo, Divide Peak OHV Road, the Hot Springs above the community of Montecito, and all user trails within the identified fire use restriction area. The Forest Order will remain in effect through February 24, 2024. Violators of the Forest Order face potential fines and/or jail time.

Over the past 15 years, eight large wildfires have directly impacted the front country communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria. In coordination with local fire agencies, the Forest Service encourages visitors to recreate safely and responsibly and to immediately call 911 to report any potential fire activity.

For more information about the Santa Barbara front country fire ban and extended closure of the Old Romero Road, Romero Canyon Trail, and the San Ysidro Trail, please visit the Los Padres National Forest Website or contact the Santa Barbara Ranger District Office at (805) 967-3481.

Steven Libowitz has covered a plethora of topics for the Journal since 1997, and now leads our extensive arts and entertainment coverage

I am constantly curious. Education never stops. I want to keep learning from experience and I love being exposed to different things. Chicago was great because I was able to not only program, but also work with that incredible faculty who were the subscribers sitting out in the audience. They were way smarter than me and I was thrilled when it became interactive. I’d ask a Soviet specialist to give a pre-concert lecture when we had Russian music on the program to add depth to the experience. Like so many other people, I’m always looking for a deeper meaning and a deeper experience, a way to make things relevant… I have an older sister who is a Broadway theater artist, and my middle sister does digital marketing for pop stars, and I’m the classical musician in the family. I love that our dialogue comes from different perspectives. I think that’s basically how audiences are. The world doesn’t fit in a box. I love everything, and I go see any kind of concert, classical, pop music, whatever. I’ll jump up and down to Flo-Rida at the Grammys. That’s what life’s about. So I think that’s what I am bringing.

Kelly Mahan Herrick, also a licensed realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, has been editor at large for the Journal since 2007, reporting on news in Montecito and beyond.

works by Sondheim, the late actor and singer Anthony Newley (an old friend), Sammy Cahn, George and Ira Gershwin, Pink, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and even Harry Styles.

Husband and wife hoofers Beverly and Kirby Ward, a Laurence Olivier Award nominee, were special guests along with a heavenly host of young talent ready for their big moment in the spotlight, including Cassidy Broderick; Blaise, Chance, Guy and Henry Challen; Jack Forgea; McKenna Gamberling; Hunter Hawkins; Scarlett Johnson; Jeff and Beck Mortensen; Soleila Rucker; Shannon Saleh; and Khalen Sanchez.

A truly magnificent night...

Birthday Bash

Social gridlock reigned when society gadabout Rick Oshay hosted a boffo birthday beano at his Montecito home for his longtime companion Teresa Kuskey,

founder of the colorful and energized La Boheme dance troupe.

Nearly 70 guests turned out for the sunset soirée when Rick and Teresa returned to our rarefied enclave after catching Les Misérables at the Pantages in L.A. and din-

ner at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, one of my favorite eateries.

Among those dancing the night away to local DJ Joseph Souza were Maitland Ward, Kostis Protopapas, Adam McKaig and Melissa Borders, Mike and Debi Stoker, Erik and Angelique Davis, Fred Brander, Fritz and Gretchen Olenberger , David Bolton and Gonzalo Sarmiento, Joan Rutkowski, Karen Knight, Chris and Mindy Denson, Robert Adams, and James and Erin Graffy de Garcia.

Giving Art a ‘Voice’

To La Cumbre Plaza to view the new 3,500-square-foot Voice Magazine and Gallery that has been opened by the dynamic duo of Mark Whitehurst and accomplished sculptress Kerry Methner with rotating shows of around 60 artworks each month.

Works from Santa Barbara Visual Arts currently adorn the walls to be replaced in due course with a new exhibition, Autumn Arias, with at least 70 paintings and sculptures, with a percentage of proceeds donated to Opera Santa Barbara.

“We also had a hand in launching First Thursdays in town and now we also have Third Fridays here at La Cumbre Plaza featuring the many galleries that have sprouted up in the complex,” says Kerry, who also helps organize Santa Barbara Beautiful.

“We always have a great turnout for recep-

tions,” she adds. “People enjoy the joy of gathering and everyone likes to look at art.”

Among the artists checking out the show when I was there with my trusty shutterbug Priscilla were Sophia Beccue, Carol Talley, and Jan Smith

A delightful addition to our vibrant art community...

Homer is Where the Heart Is

Jonathan Fox, who left the Ensemble Theatre Company after 17 years as artistic director, has been spending the summer in Santa Barbara’s sister city Kotor, Montenegro.

Jonathan has been presenting a production of An Iliad, a modern-day retelling of Homer’s classic.

The opening performance was at the

“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.”

– Audrey Hepburn

Seated: Teresa Kuskey, El Presidente David Bolton, and Gonzalo Sarmiento; Standing: Rick Oshay, Kostis Protopapas, and Nancy Caponi (photo by Priscilla)

The cast of Play It Forward gathered after their incredible performances (photo by Priscilla)

Birthday woman Teresa Kuskey with host Rick Oshay (photo by Priscilla)

Seated: Maranee Landau, Melissa Borders, Mike Stoker, and Katie DeWitt; Standing: Terra Taylor and Mark Golden (photo by Priscilla)

Having viewed sculptor Joanne Duby’s Pretty in Pink are Mark and Eileen Scamahorn with Pixie (photo by Priscilla)

Daisy Scott with artist Carol Talley and her piece, Poppies (photo by Priscilla)

Artists Sophia Beccue and Kerry Methner with art admirer Jan Smith (photo by Priscilla)

Richard Baird stars in An Iliad (courtesy photo)

18th century St. Nicholas Franciscan monastery.

The production staff includes French composer David Alan-Nihil, who wrote music for the show, and actor Richard Baird, who was in ETC’s 2019 production of Measure for Measure.

Jonathan will be back in town in due course pursuing the next chapter of his successful career...

Helping Hawaii

Oprah Winfrey, who owns more than 2,000 acres on the Hawaiian island of Maui with three different properties, has been helping out at a local rescue center after the catastrophic wildfires killed nearly 100 people and destroyed hundreds of homes.

The former TV talk show titan, 69, brought diapers, pillows, and bottles of shampoo to the War Memorial Stadium

on Maui after asking what people needed.

“It is really overwhelming,” says the longtime Montecito resident. “I came earlier to see what people needed and then went shopping... So I actually went to Walmart and Costco and got pillows, shampoo, diapers, sheets, and pillowcases.”

You go girl...

Production in Progress

Prince Harry and his actress wife Meghan Markle are planning a production of Canadian novelist Carley Fortune’s romance Meet Me at the Lake.

The New York Times bestseller, Fortune’s second novel is a story about two long lost lovers whose paths cross by chance a decade after first meeting.

Netflix or the Sussexes paid around four million dollars for the rights to a film production of the novel, depending on which reports you read.

Watch this space...

Lawyers’ Fees Continue

Singer Katy Perry and her British actor fiancé Orlando Bloom have been embroiled in a three-year legal battle with an 83-year-old veteran over his $15 million Santa Barbara home.

In July 2020, Carl Westcott signed a real estate contract to sell his property to the former Dos Pueblos High student and the Lord of the Rings actor claiming he was under the influence of opioids and painkillers following back surgery.

When the effects of the drugs wore off days later, Westcott, a retired U.S. Army 101st Airborne officer and known for his entrepreneurial venture with

1-800-Flowers, claims he realized what he’d signed away and rescinded the contract.

But the celebrity twosome’s agent disregarded the pleas from Westcott, who also suffers from Huntington’s Disease, and threatened to sue if he did not proceed with the sale of the eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom property.

Three years later, the trial in Los Angeles Superior Court is set for later this month.

Westcott was 80 at the time of the sale and had been suffering from Huntington’s Disease since 2015.

He purchased the 9,285-square-foot home in May 2020, and moved in two months before the sale with Perry and Bloom.

Stay tuned...

New Home Found

Kevin Costner ’s estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner , 49, who moved out of his $145 million oceanside Carpinteria estate last month, has found a new home in Santa Barbara for $35,000 a month.

The new pad has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a swimming pool.

After the court-ordered move, Baumgartner stayed at a smaller house near to the former Padaro Lane estate which had been used for staff.

The new property will allow the twosome’s three children – Cayden, 16; Hayes, 14; and Grace, 13 – to continue their current schools.

The Oscar winner, 68, has been spotted with the youngsters in Aspen, Colorado, where he also maintains a massive 6,000-square-foot home, Dunbar Ranch, on 160 acres composed of 12 bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

Costner was also seen at a Taylor Swift concert in L.A. with Grace last week.

On Leaving ‘West Wing’

Rob Lowe, who left his starring role on the NBC hit series West Wing after four years, has opened up about his decision to quit.

The Montecito actor, 59, played the White House deputy communications director, and was considered the show’s lead when it debuted in 1999.

However, the show’s popularity led to the network tinkering with the series, leading to major changes to Lowe’s role.

That ultimately led to Lowe leaving after the fourth season, with the show’s creator Aaron Sorkin and director-executive producer Thomas Schlamme leaving shortly thereafter, with the show running three more seasons until 2007.

In a Stitcher’s Podcrushed podcast Lowe said quitting the show was “the best thing I ever did” and compared his

time on the series to a “super unhealthy relationship.”

“I felt I was underrated,” he explained. “It happens in the workplace. You can be in an environment where people sandbag you, wanna see you fail, don’t appreciate you – whatever it is.”

A Night on the Town

As well as a birthday dinner with Prince Harry to celebrate her 42nd birthday, actress Meghan Markle had a girls’ day out with actress Portia de Rossi seeing the new movie Barbie before spending the evening at the San Ysidro Ranch’s Stonehouse restaurant.

Markle, according to the New York Post’s Page Six, also congratulated a brideto-be who was celebrating her upcoming nuptials with friends and posed for a photo with the bachelorette party.

Remembering Laird Koenig

On a personal note, I remember Laird Koenig, a longtime resident of our Eden by the Beach, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the age of 95.

A successful novelist, playwright, and screenwriter, he published eight novels, had six plays on the Great White Way and Off Broadway, and 14 movie credits. Laird was best known for his book The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane, published in 1974. It was adapted for a film of the same name in 1976 starring Jodie Foster

A world traveler, great raconteur, and gentle soul.

Sightings

Barbie actor Ryan Gosling and wife Eva Mendes with daughters Esmerelda and Amada walking on Miramar Beach... Former TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi dining at Caruso’s at the Rosewood Miramar... Rocker Travis Barker noshing at Tre Lune.

Pip! Pip!

David Alan-Nihil, Richard Baird, Jonathan Fox, and Dmitri Prokofiev at the Montenegro Homer production (courtesy photo)

Oprah helps out with hundreds of fire victims on Maui (photo by Maryland GovPics via Wikimedia Commons)

Cellist Dmitri Prokofiev plays for the audience (courtesy photo)

From musings on the Royals to celebrity real estate deals, Richard Mineards is our man on the society scene and has been for more than 15 years

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Calendar of Events

by Steven Libowitz

ONGOING

Arts al Fresco for Free – August 17 marks the final monthly installment of Mesa Music Nites, which bills itself as a “concert in the park” at its new venue of Elings Park, high atop Las Positas Road. But this is a much smaller and more intimate gathering, with maybe 10 percent of the audience, although food, drinks, vendors, and a raffle, as well as room to dance (and for kids to roll down the gentle hills). Don’t let the name of the band playing on the small makeshift stage scare you, either: Hoodlum Friends is merely a cover band that plays an eclectic variety of classic rock and alternative, modern pop rock, folk rock, and surf instrumentals.

WHEN: 5:30-7:30 pm

WHERE: 1298 Las Positas Rd.

COST: free

INFO: www.sbmesa.org

UCSB A&L’s summer film series continues its exploration of the galaxy via cinematic interstellar adventurers in its summer series, Out of This World. This week’s penultimate sci-fi flick is Guardians of the Galaxy, with brash adventurer Peter Quill finding himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. As always, fun is as much about the atmosphere as the movie, partly due to DJ Darla Bea spinning themed music before the screening at the historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens.

WHEN: Friday, August 18 at 8:30 pm

WHERE: 1100 Anacapa St.

COST: free

INFO: www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu

The Music at the Ranch series at the Stow House-Rancho La Patera’s lakeside site comes to a close on August 22 with Down Mountain Lights, the new-ish gender-balanced Santa Barbara cover band known for soulful-funky versions of rock and funk hits of the last several decades. Elubia’s and Sassafrass are the food trucks on hand this week for the finale, but feel free to bring picnics of your own to enjoy on blankets and low-backed chairs in the tree-lined grounds.

WHEN: 5:30-7:30 pm

WHERE: 304 N. Los Carneros Road, Goleta

COST: free

INFO: (805) 681-7216 or www.goletahistory.org/music-at-the-ranch

As two music series end, another fires up as Roar & Pour returns to the plaza in front of the Granada Theatre for weekly free shows from diverse local bands through August. August 17 brings the Dan Zimmerman Band, an instrumental trio featuring the guitarist-composer’s blend of jazz, rock, country, and funk with ambient textures with stalwart SB bassist Jim Connolly and David Garske on drums. Next week (August 24): 1970s-leaning versatile cover-rock band the Doublewide Kings, who three months later will also play inside the Granada with the Santa Barbara Symphony’s support on an all-Van Morrison night.

WHEN: 6-8 pm

WHERE: 1214 State Street

COST: free

INFO: (805) 899-2222 or https://www.granadasb.org/roar-and-pour

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

Eyes of War – Eyes of Hope – Animation artist Rich Wilkie had already transitioned from his 25-year career in animation and moved to Santa Barbara to focus on fine art painting through emotional lenses. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Wilkie turned his attention to the images of refugees flooding the media, painting portraits of the Ukrainians whose life had been so dramatically upended. At first focusing on sad children whose expressions showed “that thousand-mile stare people get when the events swirling around them exhaust their minds,” Wilkie found himself weighed down by his own emotional involvement and began to also mix in portraits of happier children exhibiting the resilience of youth. Wilkie’s 100 Portraits of Ukrainian Refugees are on exhibit at the Community Arts Workshop alongside art by Alex Gorelik and sculptures by Burt Horowitz as a fundraiser for the refugees of the Ukrainian war. Today’s closing reception features the conclusion of a silent auction for the artworks, with all profits from the sales of the art, food, beverages, and donations earmarked for charitable organizations helping Ukrainian Refugees, including World Dance for Humanity (who will also perform), Direct Relief, Ukrainian Women of Santa Barbara, the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Santa Barbara, and Voice of the Children. The Ukrainian refugee portraits can also be viewed at www.richwilkie.com/ukrainian-refugees-original.

WHEN: 4-8 pm

WHERE: 631 Garden St.

COST: free admission

INFO: www.richwilkie.com/eyes or www.sbcaw.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

Swamp Blues Meets New Orleans Funk – Grammy-nominated blues singer-songwriter-guitarist Tab Benoit has seen his three-decade career build in popularity based on a foundation of his gritty and soulful Delta swamp blues delivered via both his Otis Redding-inspired vocals and legendary approach on the ax that eschew any effects in employing a simple Category 5 amplifier. A five-time winner of Blues Music Awards, including the coveted BB King Entertainer of the Year (twice), the Cajun-influenced bluesman Benoit has also been inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. The special guest also comes from Louisiana: The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Golden Eagles tribe, with trumpet, trombone, guitar, keys, and drums fusing iconic New Orleans funk (The Meters, Neville Brothers) with electrifying brass and the Black Masking carnival tradition. All the members sing, and the band often engages the audience in the classic Mardi Gras Indian-style call-and-response chanting. WHEN: 7:30 pm

WHERE: Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

COST: $45, $55, $106

INFO: (805) 963-0761 or www.lobero.com

Young at the Heart of Country – Chris Young grew up performing in children’s musical theater productions, sang in choirs, and even worked on a show as a mariachi singer, and as the house singer for Cowboys Dance Hall in Arlington, Texas, before he caught his big break by winning Nashville Star in 2006. But since then, his star has risen rapidly, as he was quickly signed to RCA Records Nashville and soon started scoring big country hits with his sophomore album in 2009. “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” was the first of five successive singles to rise to No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart, followed by “Tomorrow,” “You,” “I Can Take it From There,” and “I’m Comin’ Over.” Young’s success hasn’t been quite so singular since Montecito’s own Brad Paisley inducted him into the Grand Ole Opry in 2017, but his 2023 album has still drawn plenty of fans for the songs “Looking for You” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” as will tonight’s concert at the Samala Showroom in Santa Ynez. WHEN: 8 pm

WHERE: Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez

COST: $109-$199

INFO: (800) CHUMASH (248-6274) or www.chumashcasino.com

Montecito

“There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl’s complexion.” – Audrey Hepburn

Naked Shakes Sums It up Again – It was back in 2015 that UCSB Theater Dept. chair Irwin Appel, the longtime director of Naked Shakes, the school’s resident Shakespeare company, first conceived of The Death of Kings, his passion project adaptation of all eight Shakespeare history plays into a single theatrical epic relayed by a cast of 13 storytellers and narrators. The work traces the rise and fall of some of history’s most renowned and notorious monarchs, four centuries worth, including such notable characters as King Richard III, Queen Margaret, Prince Hal/King Henry V, Joan of Arc, Sir John Falstaff, King Henry IV, and King Richard II to name a few. Part of the clever conceit of The Death of Kings is that its apt for both Shakespeare lovers and aficionados and newcomers to Shakespeare’s plays, as it doesn’t require any previous knowledge of the Bard or even English history, to enjoy. After undergoing more than five different iterations, the piece is being performed again this summer as part of the Naked Shakes season in advance of staging the epic in Verona, Italy, as the closing act of the Verona Shakespeare Fringe Festival, part of the European Shakespeare Festival network later this month.

WHEN: 7 pm tonight through August 24

WHERE: UCSB Hatlen Theater

COST: free

INFO: (805) 893-2064 or www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

Sa-Roc Rolls into Town – Arguably one of the most vibrant hip hop MCs in the world today, Sa-Roc has attained both acclaim and audiences for her crisp articulation, fiery delivery, and elevated and insightful lyricism for a socially conscious generation. Sa-Roc has been dubbed by Okayplayer as “One of the most formidable microphone mavens in the game” and heralded by NPR (which also showcased her in a Tiny Desk concert) as “A modern day griot whose aura radiates calm in a world of chaos.” Sa-Roc’s most recent release, the deluxe version of her critically acclaimed album, The Sharecropper’s Daughter, features an addition of six powerful new songs including the sagely affirming “Wild Seeds” and the poignant closer, “The Rebirth,” a transcendent collaboration with the late MF DOOM.

WHEN: 9 pm

WHERE: SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State Street, upstairs in Victoria Court

COST: $20

INFO: (805) 962-7776 or www.sohosb.com

Huang on Wong – UCSB English professor and Guggenheim Fellow Yunte Huang is also a noted author whose books include the Edgar Award-winning biography Charlie Chan and Inseparable, the exuberant and vivid account story of America’s most famous 19th-century Siamese twins Chang and Eng, Huang now follows those National Book Critics Circle Award finalists with his latest, Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendezvous with History. Praised as a trenchant reclamation of the Chinese American movie star, whose battles against cinematic exploitation and endemic racism are set against the currents of 20th-century history, the book employs passion and fervor to celebrate Wong, who 60 years after her death was the first Asian American to be commemorated on U.S. currency, in 2022. Huang discusses and signs copies of Daughter of the Dragon at Chaucer’s Books today in the store’s lone August in-store event.

WHEN: 6 pm

WHERE: 3321 State St. in Loreto Plaza Shopping Center

COST: free

INFO: (805) 682-6787 or www.chaucersbooks.com

• Enjoy live music, dance, fitness or art classes, chefs demos, and tastings.

• Sample a signature cocktail (or mocktail) crafted by our expert mixologist.

• Tour our homes, meet new friends, and win terrific prizes!

To RSVP for this special event, please call 805.319.4379.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22

ESTATE/SENIOR SERVICES MOVING MISS DAISY

PERSONAL SERVICES

Tell Your Story

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

The Clearing House, LLC

How did you get to be where you are today? What were your challenges? What is your Love Story? I can help you tell your story in an unforgettable way – with a book that will live on for many generations. The books I write are as thorough and entertaining as acclaimed biographies you’ve read. I also assist with books you write – planning, editing and publishing. David Wilk

Great references. (805) 455-5980 www.BiographyDavidWilk.com

REVERSE MORTGAGES

ATTENTION SENIORS!!!

IS A REVERSE MORTGAGE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Access the equity in your home today

• No monthly mortgage payments

• You retain title to your home

• Lump sum or monthly distributions

• All inquiries are strictly confidential

Gayle Nagy 805-448-9224

Gayle@dmfsb.com

NMLS # 251258 / Company

NMLS # 12007

Direct Mortgage Funding

Santa Barbara Equal Housing Lender

AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Montecito, Santa Barbara, Ca

Furnished home for rent $30,000.00 per mo. with a 5yr. lease, 4bd+4ba, nanny quarters, & guest hse + pool

Bob 310-472-0870

Classic Car Storage

Clean, Dry, Secure, storage available for your classic Automobile. Near S.B. Mission, $ 500.00 per month. Call Ken (805) 252-9780 or kguoin@gmail.com

We’ll help you figure it out. Contact me for an Opinion of Value & FREE 1 hr. Consultation.

LEARN: When to sell and what to expect How to maximize your price

Paige Esfandiari (818) 274-1150 paige@mabusinessadvisors.com

DRE License# 01417096/02210926

ITEMS FOR SALE

For sale!! Priceless Lao tzu 7’x4’ Brian805smith@gmail.com

RENTAL WANTED

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

TRESOR

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

TUTORING SERVICES

Need help with your homework? Having trouble in Computer Science, Spanish or Math? Math (Elementary school to College Algebra), Spanish conversation. Software consultant since 2000 for Truven Health Analytics, an IBM company in Santa Barbara, CA. Proud parent of graduate students of Laguna Blanca, CATE School, Stanford University.

Jesús Álvarez | 805-453-5516 mytutor29@hotmail.com

POSITION WANTED

Trusted, Experienced Caregiver, CA State registered and background checked. Vaccinated. Loving and caring provides transportation, medications, etc.

Lina 650-281-6492

Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act

PHYSICAL TRAINING & THERAPY

Stillwell Fitness of Santa Barbara

In Home Personal Training Sessions for 65+ Help with: Strength, Flexibility, Balance Motivation, and Consistency John Stillwell, CPT, Specialist in Senior Fitness 805-705-2014 StillwellFitness.com

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

Relocating to Montecito from Austin. Two adults looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, home or guesthouse that will accommodate two small dogs that will stay in Austin most of the time (dogs in Montecito two months out of the year total). Would prefer a one year rental. Contact mobile 512-988-6217. Can provide references and verification of income

Local Golf Pro seeks cottage to rent. Excellent references. Good credit. Respectful. Quiet. Pleasant. Easy time frame, as I am extremely flexible re: move in date. If interested, then please call, or text, Page at (805) 570-4591. Thank you! Much appreciated!

REAL ESTATE WANTED TO BUY

Do You Want Out Now?? Local pvt. pty. @ great credit seeks fixer home; @ seller finan. or lease @ option. You set your price! No agents. 805-455-1420

AUTOMOBILES WANTED

We buy Classic Cars Running or not. Foreign/Domestic Chevy/Ford/Porsche/Mercedes/Etc. We come to you.

Call Steven - 805-699-0684 Website - Avantiauto.group

$10 MINIMUM TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

It’s simple. Charge is $3 per line, each line with 31 characters. Minimum is $10 per issue. Photo/logo/visual is an additional $20 per issue. Email Classified Ad to frontdesk@montecitojournal.net or call (805) 565-1860. All ads must be finalized by Friday at 2pm the week prior to printing. We accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex (3% surcharge)

SING PLAY ALCHEMY

To enroll in voice &/or piano, submit an inquiry via www. rachelegenes.com. Classes at Studio 8 on MusicAcademy campus starting September. Thanks, RAE@rachelegenes. com 805-679-3266

PLAY MUSIC NOW!

Learn to play with the author of The Right Brain Music Method. NO note reading and great results. Former LA composer and multi-instrumentalist is teaching again in the Montecito area. Lessons in piano, guitar, uke, bass, slide guitar, mandolin, voice and MORE!

James McVay 310 920 2679 rightbrainmusic@yahoo.com rightbrainmusic.com

TILE RESTORATION

Local tile setter of 35 years is now doing small jobs only. Services include grout cleaning and repair, caulking, sealing, replacing damaged tiles and basic plumbing needs. Call Doug Watts at 805-729-3211 for a free estimate.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

K-9 PALS need volunteers to be foster parents for our dogs while they are waiting for their forever homes. For more information info@k-9pals.org or 805-570-0415

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

MiniMeta

Foreachofthefirstfiveminicrosswords,oneoftheentriesalsoservesaspartofa five-wordmetaclue.Theanswertothemetaisawordorphrase(fivelettersor longer)hiddenwithinthesixthminicrossword.Thehiddenmetaanswerstartsin oneofthesquaresandsnakesthroughthegridverticallyandhorizontallyfrom there(nodiagonals!)withoutrevisitinganysquares.

Foreachofthefirstfiveminicrosswords,oneoftheentriesalsoservesaspartofa five-wordmetaclue.Theanswertothemetaisawordorphrase(fivelettersor longer)hiddenwithinthesixthminicrossword.Thehiddenmetaanswerstartsin oneofthesquaresandsnakesthroughthegridverticallyandhorizontallyfrom there(nodiagonals!)withoutrevisitinganysquares.

ByPeteMuller&FrankLongo

Foreachofthefirstfiveminicrosswords,oneoftheentriesalsoservesaspartofa five-wordmetaclue.Theanswertothemetaisawordorphrase(fivelettersor longer)hiddenwithinthesixthminicrossword.Thehiddenmetaanswerstartsin oneofthesquaresandsnakesthroughthegridverticallyandhorizontallyfrom there(nodiagonals!)withoutrevisitinganysquares.

4 Grammywinnerfor"Royals"

6 ShefoundedAmerican Atheistsin1963

7 Authorof"IAmNotSpock" and"IAmSpock"

8 Bestplayerever, acronymically

4 Grammywinnerfor"Royals"

1 Wordwithcamp,coach,or queen

2 ___-proof(easytooperate)

5

4

6 "HaveaLittleFaithinMe"

Likesomeshoulders, smiles,andstrokes

1 Likesomeshoulders, smiles,andstrokes

2 ConductorGeorgwith31 Grammys 3 Swirlymarble

4 Thwart,asaplan

2 ConductorGeorgwith31 Grammys

5 Conductanceunitnow calledasiemens

3 Swirlymarble

4 Thwart,asaplan

5 Conductanceunitnow calledasiemens